Trans Am Is a Quarter-mile Missile Begging to Be Restored

Gorgeous, 1998 Pontiac F-Body is race-ready, it just needs to have the engine and transmission installed.

If you have been thinking about building a fourth generation Pontiac Firebird Trans Am for the drag strip, but you don’t want to get into the whole process of modifying the car from the ground-up, this listing in the LS1Tech Marketplace might be ideal. Posted by Jipsta, this 1998 Trans Am is being sold as a roller, but it comes with a motor that needs to be finished and a transmission that is built for track duty, so you just need to buy it, install the drivetrain and go racing.

Pontiac Trans Am Introduction

When the OP first posted his 1998 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am for sale in the marketplace, he provided information on the car itself, along with the engine and the transmission. While it comes with just about everything needed to make it a runner, this T/A is a rolling chassis right now, but it can be purchased with or with the engine and transmission.

“I am looking to sell my 98 Trans-Am. I have the motor and transmission to go with it or I will sell separately. I will not part out further than how it sits, i.e. roller, motor, trans. Odometer reads 99,909 but it probably has around 103k (has not been reading with current set up). There is either an issue with the PCM or the crank reluctor wheel not sure which one yet. I will sell everything for 11,000 obo.

Roller Mods:
Ford 9″ with .433 gears and moser axles
BMR: turbo K-member, body mount torque arm, panhard bar
Sub-Frame connectors
QA1 Single adjustable shocks, rear only
Firehawk style hood
Racestar Wheels
Racetronix Fuel pump w/ hotwire kit
Line lock
Hurst 2 speed shifter
Interior is grey leather, dash is cracked.
Clean Title
Roller Price: 6500 obo”

So, if you just want the car and you have your own engine and transmission, you can pick up this sweet fourth gen Pontiac Firebird for just $6,500, but if you want the drivetrain parts, it will cost you an extra $4,500.

Built, Non-Assembled, Engine

The engine comes with all of the key components needed for good, strong-running 383 stroker and the Powerglide transmission is ideal for this 1998 Pontiac Trans Am drag car.

“Motor: 383
5.3 block bored to match 5.7 bore
TMS Forged 4″ Crankshaft
TMS Forged H beam rods
Diamond -3cc flat top pistons
BTR Cam: 239/254 623/596 with 680 springs and 7.375 push rods
Johnson slow leak lifters
Trick Flow fast as cast 220cc heads

Transmission: Powerglide
Stock case
1.98 low gear
deeper pan
reverse manual valve body
trans-brake
BTE converter (Don’t remember stall size)
Has about 3k miles put on it and 10-15 passes.

Bottom end has about 3k miles on it and 10-15 passes. The entire top end is brand new and only has dyno time.”

Now, if you have an engine and transmission of your own or you don’t want to get into handling someone else’s engine build, this car is a great deal with the roller features at $6,500. Then again, if you don’t have an engine and transmission sitting around and you like the idea of some of the work already being done for you, this $11,000 Trans Am would make a great project car.

If the buyer hurries, he or she could get this 1998 Pontiac Firebird running and on the track during the current racing season, so if you are interested, click here for a closer look at the original sale thread.

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Patrick Rall

"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.

"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.

"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.

"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.

"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.

"Being based on Detroit," says Rall, "I never miss the North American International Auto Show, the Woodward Dream Cruise and Roadkill Nights, along with spending plenty of time raising hell on Detroit's Woodward Avenue with the best muscle car crowd in the world.

Rall can be contacted at QuickMirada@Yahoo.com