New member. not ls1 but f-body. extremely pic heavy

**K_garretson23** · 12-15-2010, 08:01 AM

Ill try to make this a short introduction. My name is Kevin, I'm 18 and a long time f-body fanatic. When I was 15 my dad and I picked up a project car to work on until I got my license. We bought this 1979 pontiac trans am.

It is an all original all numbers matching car with the original 301 4bbl engine, th350 auto trans and 2.73 rear end. Needless to say 160 horsepower in a 3400 lbs. car wasn't exactly a fun ride so some work was done. Granted this combination was never going to be a record setter it could use a little pick up but we didnt want to sacrifice its originality.

engine work:
block .40 over
ported polished heads
full duel manifold back exhaust with high flow cats, x-pipe, and flowmaster super 40s.
rebuilt rochester 650 cfm 4bbl carb
4 core radiator
mild cam and double roller timing set.

trans:
rebuilt with shift kit

**K_garretson23** · 12-15-2010, 08:02 AM

front end and suspenion were completely redone with new shocks, springs, p-s-t polygraphite bushing, bfg radial t/a, adjustable air shocks in the back, body bushings, along with brand new breaks all around

**K_garretson23** · 12-15-2010, 08:02 AM

Currently this project is nearing its end but has been put on a halt due to winter. After driving it all summer I knew I wanted something a little newer with good power and a manual trans. Being a t/a fan I decided to save over this winter and take out a loan in the spring to buy a white silver or pewter 00-02 trans am ws6, so I can give my dad the 79. I think it would be pretty cool with my dad having the old school t.a and me having the new school t.a at car shows.

Sorry if story time was too long I know some people are pretty interested in projects like this. I will be reading around this site a lot and hope to learn a lot.

**67CamaroRSSS** · 12-15-2010, 08:21 AM

Nice resto but "T/A 6.6" on the hood scoop usually denotes a W72 400 cid Pontiac engine. It's clearly a Poncho engine and not the Olds 403. While it might be a 301 are you sure this isn't a 400?

And, Welcome to LS1.com...

**K_garretson23** · 12-15-2010, 08:35 AM

positive. Its the wrong sticker. The casting number on the side of the block was 301T which indicates the 1908 301 turbo block meaning this was a late 79 car. The vin and all the numbers match up. Plus 400's only cam with 4spd in 79

**KahanaReef** · 12-15-2010, 08:40 AM

Nice resto project! thanks for posting all the pictures. You should post up in the classic muscle section when you get back to work on it in the spring.

Welcome to the site and good luck finding yourself that 'new school' T/A

**67CamaroRSSS** · 12-15-2010, 08:57 AM

Cool. Nice driver then.

I can't remember how many 1st gen Camaros I've done the exact same type of work to over the years. Pulling the front wrap off (I used to leave it in 1 piece) makes it much easier to remove the drive train and redo the subframe and suspension.

**Knight** · 12-15-2010, 08:59 AM

G'day and welcome.

**K_garretson23** · 12-15-2010, 01:05 PM

Originally Posted by 67CamaroRSSS

Cool. Nice driver then.

I can't remember how many 1st gen Camaros I've done the exact same type of work to over the years. Pulling the front wrap off (I used to leave it in 1 piece) makes it much easier to remove the drive train and redo the subframe and suspension.

thats what we did all off in one piece. Odd enough none of the body lines are right anymore lol. Once the body and paint is done its a wrap minus some interior nick nacks. Its a great driver but I feel like my dad would appreciate the number matching and original factor a little more than myself.

**konigandy6** · 12-15-2010, 01:12 PM

Nice looking TA!!! Welcome to the site!

**Too Fast** · 12-15-2010, 01:28 PM

Nice. Since that car still had the 301, I see why you kept it. Still, with the 6.6 on the shaker, I would've been tempted to find a 400 and keep the 301 in the garage corner.

**badazta** · 12-15-2010, 03:21 PM

nice car. a neighbor has a 79 t/a that we put a cammed 455 and 12 bolt in this summer. I love them old school cars. I'd like to get a 70 to 73 camaro or t/a when my stingray is finished. Congrats to to you man...

**Mahalik** · 12-15-2010, 04:47 PM

Sexy restoration!

Welcome to LS1!

**K_garretson23** · 12-16-2010, 04:09 AM

Originally Posted by Too Fast

Nice. Since that car still had the 301, I see why you kept it. Still, with the 6.6 on the shaker, I would've been tempted to find a 400 and keep the 301 in the garage corner.

easier to replave a sticker than a engine lol

thanks everyone

**Smittro** · 12-16-2010, 04:56 AM

Welcome to LS1.com Great project..

**0rion** · 12-16-2010, 05:04 AM

I had a 79 back years ago. Mine unfortunately had the 301 in it also....so slow it had dead bugs on the back windshield. Miss that car though..... I love the interior in those. Welcome to the site and be totally honest.....you want tha 4th gen so you'll be able to blow the doors off pops car.

**K_garretson23** · 12-16-2010, 06:07 AM

Originally Posted by 0rion

I had a 79 back years ago. Mine unfortunately had the 301 in it also....so slow it had dead bugs on the back windshield. Miss that car though..... I love the interior in those. Welcome to the site and be totally honest.....you want tha 4th gen so you'll be able to blow the doors off pops car.

I have been honest this thing is slow I need more power lol

**0rion** · 12-16-2010, 07:56 AM

that painted engine sitting between the rails in that one pic is beautiful. Looks like you guys did a great job on it.

**K_garretson23** · 12-16-2010, 12:08 PM

it did turn out nice. I cant wait for it to get painted because as it sits now looking at it from the road you'd never know how much work went into it.