buying a second gen... need a little info
06-02-2006, 04:33 PM
#1
buying a second gen... need a little info hey everyone, i am going to look at a couple of 2nd generation trans-ams with my friend today. 6.6Ls from 77-79, and i just wanted to check and see if there were any specific problems i should look for before he gets it. Also, what kind of power do those engines have, and how do they sound? i havent come across any of them on ls1sounds.com
thanks!
thanks!
06-02-2006, 05:09 PM
#2
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www.transamcountry.com is going to be your friend. Chances are your looking at 403 Olds cars... They are fairly weak blocks but can be made to around 350HP or so fairly easy. If you find one with a Pontiac 400, your Golden.
06-02-2006, 05:27 PM
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If if has a 403 is should be an automatic. In 1979 the 400's came with 4 spd and the 403 came with auto. Look for rust at the bottom of the doors and quarter panels. Good luck!
06-02-2006, 09:25 PM
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Things to look out for: Rusty fender bottoms, rusty rear frame rails, rust rear valence(look under rear bumper cover), bad door hinges that make doors sage.
Mechanically: Leaky rear main seals and rear ends which is kind of typical for older cars.
I would stay away from the olds and make sure I got the poncho mill. The 400 is good but in those years it was a smog dog. Nothing that can be hopped up. They can be made to scream.
Mechanically: Leaky rear main seals and rear ends which is kind of typical for older cars.
I would stay away from the olds and make sure I got the poncho mill. The 400 is good but in those years it was a smog dog. Nothing that can be hopped up. They can be made to scream.
06-02-2006, 10:24 PM
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Originally Posted by 30thanniv
Things to look out for: Rusty fender bottoms, rusty rear frame rails, rust rear valence(look under rear bumper cover), bad door hinges that make doors sage.
Mechanically: Leaky rear main seals and rear ends which is kind of typical for older cars.
I would stay away from the olds and make sure I got the poncho mill. The 400 is good but in those years it was a smog dog. Nothing that can be hopped up. They can be made to scream.
Mechanically: Leaky rear main seals and rear ends which is kind of typical for older cars.
I would stay away from the olds and make sure I got the poncho mill. The 400 is good but in those years it was a smog dog. Nothing that can be hopped up. They can be made to scream.
1977 400cid A-3 2.42 rear - my first T/A in high school. Back then I thought it was fast hahah. My Ford Ranger could run with it now. I blew the engine at 130k miles, rebuilt it 11:0 heads, nice cam, 3500 stall 3:23 rear, headers, msd, exhaust ect. The bitch flew then.
1978 WS6 400 4-speed. STock much quicker than the 77.
1979 403 A-3 - that engine is a turd. I pulled it after a few months and put the engine/tranny ect out of the 77 in it. (77 bout rusted to death by then)
1980 Turbo T/A - holy crap. Slowwwwwwwww. put the 400 out of the 79 (got wrecked) and swapped in a T-10 4speed! nice.........