Project East Bound and Down: 80' Turbo TA

[M.B CO]

My soon to be father in law bought this a few days ago. He got it for us to rebuild/restore. And he said that my new garage will make a good home for it.

Specs:

1980 Pontiac Turbo Trans Am
All original
T-Tops
Red Interior
4.9L Turbo 301
Auto
10 bolt rear end
155xxx miles
Original Phoniex on the hood

It needs a engine rebuild. Lifters make horrid noises. And lower end knocking. Sat for 20+ years. Last night was the first time it fired since then. After a new battery it fired right up.

Block is not getting any coolant. Overall, the body/shell is in amazing shape.

Plans:

Rebuild the 4.9 Turbo (For the time being) (I voted carbed LS1)
Brand new Front End Parts
Upgrade Braking System
New exhaust
New Tires
Fix minor rust spots
Buff original paint
Minor interior work (Which is almost perfect)

More pictures to come.

http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/1358/cid071609183801.jpg
http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/9602/cid071609183900.jpg
http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/8311/cid071609183902.jpg
http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/3919/cid071609183903.jpg
http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/3752/cid071609183904.jpg
http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/2476/cid071609183905.jpg
http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/3209/cid071609184000.jpg

[Denaliano]

Sweet, I vote to rebuild the original block :imo

http://www.rpmrons.com/Pontiac.html

http://www.flatlanderracing.com/rebuildkitsbuick.html

[KreepyOne]

Sweet, I vote to rebuild the original block :imo


i hate to do it but i have to disagree with denaliano and say a turbo ls motor would be fucking tits in there.....

[Denaliano]

It's just not right. If it was a regular TA sure, but this is a rare turbo.

Pretty sick to have it all original. Probably be worth a pretty penny to a collector down the road as well.

two of these cars that sold at Barrett Jackson for close to $70,000.00

[M.B CO]

It's just not right. If it was a regular TA sure, but this is a rare turbo.

Pretty sick to have it all original. Probably be worth a pretty penny to a collector down the road as well.

two of these cars that sold at Barrett Jackson for close to $70,000.00

Both me and Lloyd would like to keep it mostly all orginal. With maybe a few updated items in the suspension and brakes. Like you said. It is kind of a rare setup. And for him to find this one in this great of condition. Is amazing.

http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/6100/cid071609183800.jpg

Really dont care for speed, or power. Something to cruise around in and have fun. And to have a piece of original automotive history.

[slowtowpig]

you lucky sob

[ITALIANO]

Wow.. i honestly didnt know there was a real turbo version! sick

[nboylie]

Hahaha cool.

[black350HO]

Very nice find, If you ever run across a 87 or 88 turbo TA snatch it up there fast..

[M.B CO]

Picked up some parts for it. Well, he did anyway.

Front & Rear Calipers
Front & Rear Rotors
Brake Pads Front and Rear
All new brake lines
Water Pump
Thermostat
Hoses, Belts
Took the rims off and had new Goodyear's put on

After all that. We can put it in my garage and start pulling the heads, intake and tearing down the block. Or, the other way around. He want's it driveable so we can determine what else it may need.

[bildo]

weren't the 301 turbo cars the ones they smashed up while filming smokey and the bandit...

i vote 455

badass ride, i want.

[M.B CO]

weren't the 301 turbo cars the ones they smashed up while filming smokey and the bandit...

i vote 455

badass ride, i want.

The Turbo 301 first came out in 80. The Smokey and the Bandit cars were 77's.

[sittinphatt]

cool

[Anthony]

how much did he scoop it up for?

keep original :imo

[M.B CO]

how much did he scoop it up for?

keep original :imo

$3,000. The guy had dropped it a little also. His wife was very pissed when he bought. So he got forced to sell it.

[dragnframe2000]

Very nice find, If you ever run across a 87 or 88 turbo TA snatch it up there fast..

I had an 87 TA turbo, white with the pace car sign on the doors. I bought it from a TA collector with 1100 miles on it back in 95. You could eat off of the motor, it was so damn clean. This punk kid wanted the car so bad so his dad who had a lot of money offered me a significant amount more than I paid for it. I saw the kid a couple months later driving it in the snow. It looked like the car went threw a meat grinder. I wanted to cry.

Sorry for the thread jack

Anyway, leave the 301 with the turbo, its worth a lot more money

[FarmTruk]

I'm all for keeping things as original as possible, but...

IDK about the rarity of the Turbo 4.9L, but I do know that it was pretty anemic, and well-known to pre-detonate.

The General didn't know as much about turbos back then as he does today.

[SSSmoke Eater]

the 301 and the olds motors are junk IMO

Pontiac 400 6.6 = only way to go

OR

SD455 . I do like the carbd LS1 idea tho... very nice

[HankScorpio]

Those 400 turbo's are the shittiest thing ever. My buddy had one in high school dropped a fortune into the motor and could never get it to run right. Carb + turbo = fail. Even the early Grand Nationals sucked because of the shitty turbo carb deal. Get rid of that motor ASAP

[bildo]

I always thought the 301 turbos were extremely common.
I also have heard that they are junk motors.
My buddy had two at one point and sold them both for $800.

[zachsb3]

yeh 301s are the suck, clean car for ls swap tho.

[M.B CO]

Havn't got much done. Did all the brakes, water pump, hoses etc...
Changed the oil and added lucas. Almost doesn't knock anymore. Pretty much driveable. Needs exhaust done.

Better pictures I took awhile ago that I never loaded up.
http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/3806/sdc10251d.jpg
http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/5950/sdc10263jor.jpg
http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/9517/sdc10265q.jpg
http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/3531/sdc10268.jpg

[JayBo]

I was expecting a black one........

Cool project, but the onlty TA's I like are the bandit edition ones

[M.B CO]

I was expecting a black one........

Cool project, but the onlty TA's I like are the bandit edition ones

I wish. The 77's were badass.

[black06]

nice survivor! might want to rethink the Lucas treatment

[phxchevyguy]

nice survivor! might want to rethink the Lucas treatment

Why?

[black06]

Why?


it's good if you want to kill lifters and camshaft lobes:imo been there and learned the hard way

although it might help with the turbo 301 if the seals are shot in the turbo

[black06]

I would also consider rebuilding the 301 although many will tell you otherwise. Many factory turbo cars lost their setups early on due to reliability issues and the fact that your TTA is unmolested makes it worth significantly more than a non-original TTA. These later 2nd gens are jumping up in value every year now that they have passed the 25 year mark.


Having personally owned an 80 Z28 I would suggest getting your t-top car under some shelter since they like to rot quickly when exposed to rain. If the subframe bushings are original, I would suggests replacing them along with the factory hardware as they will greatly improve the ride and panel alignment....especially on a t-top car. There are a few companies that make poly body bushing kits such as Prothane and Energy Suspension. If you have any questions during the resto feel free to PM me, I know these cars inside and out and can give you a few pointers if you decide to tackle the body bushings.:shake:

[M.B CO]

I would also consider rebuilding the 301 although many will tell you otherwise. Many factory turbo cars lost their setups early on due to reliability issues and the fact that your TTA is unmolested makes it worth significantly more than a non-original TTA. These later 2nd gens are jumping up in value every year now that they have passed the 25 year mark.


Having personally owned an 80 Z28 I would suggest getting your t-top car under some shelter since they like to rot quickly when exposed to rain. If the subframe bushings are original, I would suggests replacing them along with the factory hardware as they will greatly improve the ride and panel alignment....especially on a t-top car. There are a few companies that make poly body bushing kits such as Prothane and Energy Suspension. If you have any questions during the resto feel free to PM me, I know these cars inside and out and can give you a few pointers if you decide to tackle the body bushings.:shake:

Great. Thanks for the info. At the moment it is sitting at my father in laws house. Where I took the pictures. After I get it in a moving state. It will be garaged and rebuilt at my house. We are keeping the 301T. Pretty much everything is original. The turbo has been rebuilt, and that is it.

Have records of service also. Clean ass car. Really no rust besides on little spot on the drives side flare next to the rear wheel. T-Tops dont leak, trim is in amazing condition.

Cant wait to start cruising around in this thing. Should be a blast.

[black06]

You got really lucky there! The rust near the flares is fairly common, usually caused by a leak in the rear glass seal....water+dirt tends to pool there. The car definately has the 2nd gen ass-sag, more commonly solved by air shocks in the 80's. Lucky for you the aftermarket suspension companies now support these cars.... I was SOL in 2000

When you redo the exhaust, a nice free flowing setup will do wonders to keep that expensive turbo alive since those motors were known for high EGT's and frequently lit up the turbo/ downpipe up on spirited highway drives.

[ibe2hi]

Sweet ride we have a 455 '79.

[M.B CO]

Got all the brakes done. New lines, everything. Got the engine running long enough to idle by itself. Engine didn't like that. The lower end knocked before, and heads ticked like crazy. We knew it needed a transplant when we got it.

Then it sounded like someone was inside the oil pan with a ball peen hammer. We really dont know if we want to rebuild the Pontiac 301 Turbo or throw a nice SBC in it. If we keep the 301, Id like to stoke it, and make it 400+ hp if possible.

[black06]

there's no way to stroke a 301 that i'm aware of......usually a 400 or 455 get swapped in. Please keep a SBC far away from that T/A:imo Poncho motors are not that hard to find and they make diesel-like torque down low along with having beefy factory bottom ends

[1989K1500]

4.8 or 5.3 :imo It'll be cheap and make more power than that 301.

[M.B CO]

there's no way to stroke a 301 that i'm aware of......usually a 400 or 455 get swapped in. Please keep a SBC far away from that T/A:imo Poncho motors are not that hard to find and they make diesel-like torque down low along with having beefy factory bottom ends

Hmm. Thanks for the info. The search continues then.

[black06]

All I remember is taking a ride in a 77 ta when I was 14...... It had the original smogger 400 shortblock, ported 6X heads,edelbrock performer/quadrajet and a mild Comp Cam

that thing would roast the 15x10s clear into 3rd gear:worship:

[black06]

great site to build a blow-thru pontiac motor
http://www.pontiaczone.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=541

twin turbo 455
http://www.theturboforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=60648.0

I took my Twin Turbo Trans Am to the dyno today. It put down 848 rwhp and 861 lb-ft of torque on 23 psi.

Engine is a Pontiac 455 with factory block, crankshaft, and heads (ported).
Turbos are a pair of T04B 60-1's with .96 P turbines.
Car is a 1980 Turbo Trans Am that's run a best of 9.756 sec at 147 mph.

Specs are as follows:

463 cubic inches (4.210" stroke, 4.185" bore)
Steel 4-bolt main caps
Eagle rods
ARP Studs - mains and heads
Custom JE pistons, 8cc dish
7F6 heads, 110 cc chambers, 2.11" intake valve, 1.77" exhaust valve, 260 cfm@.500 intake
SCE ICS head gaskets
Cam - Solid flat tappet, 235 degrees @.050"
Turbos - a pair of T04B 60-1's with .96 P turbines
Water/air intercooler
Wastegates - Pair of TIAL 38mm
MSD Pro Billet distributor
Fast fuel injection (the older one)
95 lb/hr injectors
Weldon 2025A fuel pump
Aeromotive pressure regulator
90mm Accufab throttle body
Edelbrock Victor intake - modified for EFI
Compression ratio is 8.2:1
Dyno numbers are with 116 octane fuel (which is overkill but that's what I could get)
Total timing at 23 psi is 22 degrees.

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

301's have weak bearing supports, and don't last to long at stock HP levels.

Do a Poncho 455 swap if possable or turbo a LS if you want driveability either motor would be tons more reliable.

[M.B CO]

great site to build a blow-thru pontiac motor
http://www.pontiaczone.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=541

twin turbo 455
http://www.theturboforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=60648.0

Sweet baby jesus

[Morris]

First off, Bad ass car. If you want something to drive a little bit back and forth to car shows and not to drive like it was ment to be driven, go original, the shell is worth it. My opinion, not that it counts, is the 301 turbos are a dime a dozen and are the biggest mistake that pontiac could of made. I had one and it was a sled. yanked the motor and trans, dropped in a built chevy 350 with a muncie 4-speed with a trans am rear end posi. that car was so much fun and went like a bat out of hell, wish I still had it too (damn college bills). If I were you I'd do a resto mod like the year one bandit car, nice suspension, build ls with a turbo and a 6-speed. DON'T TOUCH THAT INTERIOR!!!! It's too nice to mess with too much. Again, just my opinion, doesn't really count for anything. Nice Ride though, can't wait to see progress no matter which route you decide to go with it. good luck.

[black06]

wait! you have the WS6 rear disc setup on that T/A right?

[M.B CO]

wait! you have the WS6 rear disc setup on that T/A right?

Correct

Edit: Added a picture. It has been power washed, cleaned and painted since then. New shocks also.

http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/6708/sdc10287a.jpg

More pictures of the interior. Im going to try and clean out the engine bay, remove as much as I can.
http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/9622/sdc10273pk.jpg
http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/3599/sdc10274a.jpg

Also forgot I did a little work on the paint. Little compound, lots of rubbing, and a buffer. Original paint is in decent shape. We moved it inside the garage so it doesn't get beat down from the sun.
http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/425/sdc10285j.jpg

It also has the original pin striping.

[KreepyOne]

im digging that engine turned dash filler piece that looks tits

[black06]

single stage paint FTW!

[M.B CO]

Well, almost a year later I am now starting to work on this. Couple things have changed engine wise. I skipped the idea on the LS1 being that it will be too much damn money for what I want to do.

So I found a SBC with 350 Turbo tranny over the weekend for $225. It's already been rebuilt this year. It's a little rough due to sitting outside for awhile.

But I will tear it down, clean it up and throw it in to get it running while I slowly rebuild and restore the original 4.9L Turbo. I'll throw up some pictures either tommorrow or later in the week.

So expect some progress pictures of the tear down in the next few weeks.

[black06]

So I found a SBC with 350 Turbo tranny over the weekend for $225. It's already been rebuilt this year. It's a little rough due to sitting outside for awhile.

But I will tear it down, clean it up and throw it in to get it running while I slowly rebuild and restore the original 4.9L Turbo.


whew.....the 350 is only temporary :big_banana_Dance:

[M.B CO]

whew.....the 350 is only temporary :big_banana_Dance:

Of course. I just don't want to spend a 2k or more on the LS1 setup I first had. I already bought the crossmembers and mounts for it from YearOne. Sold them to a local guy for what I paid for them.

I just feel that with the options and the type of car, it should be restored back to stock. If I wanted to throw a LS1 in a TA. Then I would find a less rare TA.

[slammedwhitec5vert]

My buddy just picked up an 84 Daytona pace car T/A with 15k original miles. All original (even tires)and he's daily driving it. He bought new back inthe day si I guess he's reliving the past.

[Loki89t]

That car is awesome. My Dad used to have a '80 turbo T/A pace car edition. Now he's got a '78 T/A. I love these cars, always wanted one.

[Snake]

We had 3 when I was growing up. Worked on restoring them but had to sell them to get some cash, I still regret that

[M.B CO]

I havn't updated this thread due to......not working on it:rofljest:

Hopefully I'll get motivated this fall to start tearing it apart.

[_LSX_]

any updates on the TA?

:yuno:

[M.B CO]

Not really. I cut out some rust, cleaned up but have yet to burn in some new metal.

Confused on which direction to go for the build. Pro-Touring, but the end result is me sinking 10-15K in it.

I could go cheap and just complete the LS Swap, simple suspension and new wheels. And slowly restore the rest of the car to my liking.

Or just make it a nice driver that is mostly stock...really do not know.

sad....
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8310/8007336342_b308567613_z.jpg

[M.B CO]

Looking at these do not help much either:hmmm2:

http://www.pro-touring.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=47354&stc=1&d=1307634209
http://ls1tech.com/forums/attachments/conversions-hybrids/278421d1297226499-80-trans-am-6-0-swap-1973-ta-77.jpg
http://image.highperformancepontiac.com/f/8891405/hppp_0711_04_z+1977_pontiac_trans_am_bandit_editio n+rear.jpg
http://www.pro-touring.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=57583&stc=1&d=1333121721
http://www.pro-touring.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=57581&stc=1&d=1333121713
http://www.pro-touring.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=57582&stc=1&d=1333121717

[_LSX_]

5.3 with a car intake with that chevy th350? Toss on a single with a truck hotside to keep it a legit TTA.


Too bad all the survivors around me are a pile of rust

[WannaZ]

I vote to go cheap and finish ls swap. Get it running and drive it. The ones you posted are the year ones right?

[M.B CO]

No, some shop called Restore...something. They do a lot of T/A's.

I do agree that a straight forward LS swap and make it a driver is better. I have a LS1 block and accessories. Need some other items as well.


5.3 with a car intake with that chevy th350? Toss on a single with a truck hotside to keep it a legit TTA.


Too bad all the survivors around me are a pile of rust

Would be neat to do a LSTTA.. Has a nice ring to it....hmmm

[_LSX_]

How bad was that 301 again? A complete Turbo 301 setup is getting hard to find these days since most of em lost the hotair manifolds and intakes after the turbo cooked itself to death. Someone will buy it to restore their Turbo car.


There are a bunch of 2nd gen swappers over on LS1tech

[M.B CO]

How bad was that 301 again? A complete Turbo 301 setup is getting hard to find these days since most of em lost the hotair manifolds and intakes after the turbo cooked itself to death. Someone will buy it to restore their Turbo car.


There are a bunch of 2nd gen swappers over on LS1tech

All lower end failure. Everything top end is still intact and operating condition. I'll either restore the rest, rebuild or sell.