Burt Reynolds

Just got a lovely 1981 Trans Am Turbo. Its not the fastest TA around but honestly Im fine with that. Its a trans am and that alone makes me happy. Its mostly stock and looks good. I still wonder if you guys know of some "must have" mods for those cars? Something like "best bang for the buck "to make this sweet bird run even sweeter?



Any advice......?

LivingCanvas

iTrader: (4)

Your not going to find much for that motor. It was never a good design to begin with, and its pretty rare. The blow through carb design is really bad.

That said, its probably a pretty good collector car. Got any pics?

y2k_ta

iTrader: (80)

Do an LSx conversion....

Taking cues from the Year One Burt Reynolds Edition Trans Am would be good too.

NHRAMAN

iTrader: (1)

I have a friend who has a Maroon 81 TURBO T/A...Convertible.....they never made one, it was a conversion...it is stock..and coool. ..........[don't know of any mods..Better air filter maybe.]

z2fast8

yea just be happy u have something that is really rare and keep it stock in fifty years it'll b worth money

Burt Reynolds

Hey y2k ta. You mention LSx conversion, can you enlighten a newbie what that conversion includes?

Im not going to put it thru major surgery - its pretty cool as it is (even though a friend told me I should get a Corvette. Sorry 2nd generation Trans Am´s have always been my thing). Z2fast8 - I agree, keep it close to stock and it will only increase in value. Especially since we all will drive a Toyota Prius in few years (unfortunately)

Spratz

Congrats with your lovely TA

I would go with new more open exhaust / headers.

What is the best exhaust setup for the TA turbo ?

Best bang for the buck for you is a CAR COVER and store it, you can't keep up with my TA this summer, i can't wait for you all the time hehehehe

Your fellow TA

LivingCanvas

iTrader: (4)

^^^ Dude I doubt they make any kind of headers for that motor. I doubt they make any kind of performance parts period

y2k_ta

iTrader: (80)

Remove original motor....replace with LSx motor

I've yet to do the LSx conversion on my '95 'bird, but my best advice would be to lurk around and ask questions in the Conversions & Hybrids forum.

Zero4488

iTrader: (10)

Here are some ideas for ya....

Intake, Exhaust, Bigger Turbo, Suspension, and see if you can get a custom fab'd turbo manifold for it....

7901 WS6

iTrader: (6)

There is a Article from HPP called the Go Fast 301 that can answer your questions I might have the issue some where, I will take a look. Also check this site out.
http://www.iwaynet.net/~gl&lisk/1981ta.html

Burt Reynolds

Spratz-ster you here......hehehe. Its good to be in the Trans Am club. AND I race you any time: car, bike, boat, plane or on foot.

Found this site that has specific info for my TA (http://www.301garage.com)

EchoMirage

iTrader: (3)

screw the conversion. just get a nice real pontiac 400 or 455 and put that in.

Spratz

Is it possible to go with Twin Turbo on this engine ?

30thanniv

iTrader: (2)

I wouldnt recommend twin turbo-ing that engine. The cheapest and most cost effective thing to do with is what echomirage suggested. Note cheapest and most cost effective does not equal little money.

Vinny1

Check out the May 2007 issue of HPP. They are getting over 300 rwhp n/a! With enough work and money you can make anything run.

90TSiAWD

The 301's bottom ends a really weak, plus they dont really make parts for it anymore the only place I know that had parts for the was PAW (Performance Automotive Warehouse) but that was years ago.

Don't swap an LSx in it....put a real pontiac motor in it 400 or 455...one of those will be a direct swap.

I put a 400 in my '80 T/A but I had to get different mounts for it because it was a '68 year engine and the mounts were different from the '69 and up.

Dan

iTrader: (1)

Keep it stock, That's the plan for my 81

Burt Reynolds

After some soul searching Ive found that the right thing to do for me - and the car - is to keep it as close to stock as possible. Maybe a mild upgrade, better exhaust but thats it.

Ive seen quite alot of literature and everyone seems to have their own opinion, rightfully. (Just check: http://www.301garage.com/forum/index.php?topic=27.0 ). A 455 engine sounds good but would not do much for the mojo of a 81 Turbo bird in my opinion. Also, it will not bother me if I dont have the fastest TA in town. I´ll just focus on being a faster driver

Dan, youve got some seriously cooooooool white firebird combo. I might just have to find a 4.th generation bird to park next to my ´81 Turbo. Think I have to sell the house soon to get a bigger garage....

rmpitzer

iTrader: (5)

I think you're doing the right thing. I had an 80 Turbo TA once upon a time. There isn't a whole lot you can do to the motor. I put a mild aftermarket cam in it, a different air cleaner, and better exhaust. It helped it a little. But it was never a speed demon. But I sure did love that car, and regret ever selling it.