TripleA5's 1986 Trans Am

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TripleA5

TripleA5

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Canada
Ontario
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tripleA5
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TripleAFive
After many years of searching for Pontiac Firebird that met all the requirements (under 6k, good mileage and under 1987 for emission reasons) i ended up finding this black 86. But before i found it there was a white 87 GTA in the same city, only problem was it was 1987 and it was in bad condition. So after looking more there was a red 86 about 6 hours away. we really like the red one but by the time we could send an email it was sold. The next day i had remembered seeing the black i have now but hated the color since we already have/had so many dark colored cars. Then i started thinking about the little red stripe it has around the body and loved it. The car was located 6-7 hours away. We rented a flat bed trailer to go get it. Since we planned on getting it in a one day trip we left early. Drive down was great (Lamborghini Aventador in Toronto :drool:) Once down there the owner is out cleaning it. talked a bit then began loading it onto the trailer. Mom gets in the car too drive it on. We get it on easily, then its starts poring rain. Me and my dad get it tied down. Then when it was time for my mom to get out... the fenders of the trailer where too high so the door couldn't open. so she had to climb out the back... Here is the car on the trailer (wish i would of taken more pictures...)
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Also while we were loading up the car we got quite a few looks and thumbs up.
Now the car is a 1986 Pontiac Firebird Trans am but the paint or the spoiler isnt stock.
We are the 3rd owner and the 2nd owner had it repainted completely and bought a new spoiler. The paint isn't perfect but pretty nice for black. Very clean with 110,000km.
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Next day we go see an appraiser. Nice guy who gave us lots of tips and warned us that the rear tires were in really bad condition. So far only thing done too the car is some cheap tires in the rear just so we could drive it and plan on getting better ones later on. Also installed a Magnaflow cat-back exhaust
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The car doesnt need much, at first the parking lights didn't work but thanks my dads friend who has a shop he managed to fix the faulty switch and make all the wiring hidden. My dream would be to get a more powerful engine one day but the one it has now is good so no need to change it yet.
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edit: a few more things it has is all disc brakes, the radio antenna is power (did not know about this so when we got it i got sad that it didnt have an antenna xD until i happend to be near it as it rose out of the little hole)
-305 V8
-Disc brakes
-Magnaflow cat back
-automatic transmission
-repainted by previous owner
-very clean never winter driven (and never will be)

Things to fix/replace:
-t-Top weatherstripping
-headliner
- center taillight panel
 
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savage388
Out of curiosity is it a ws6 car? Check your rpo codes, you could be surprised. :lol:
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checked the codes and its ws4. it is a 4 speed Automatic, cruise control, t roofs, power rear hatch, 305 H.O
 
Should be a fun little car. My trucks truck has a 305 in it, and for a 2WD truck it goes pretty nicely. A bit gutless in a heavy vehicle but not bad.
 
Slashfan
Should be a fun little car. My trucks truck has a 305 in it, and for a 2WD truck it goes pretty nicely. A bit gutless in a heavy vehicle but not bad.
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It is fun, not super fast but the gas is sensitive light touch and you get pushed into your seat.
 
TripleA5
It is fun, not super fast but the gas is sensitive light touch and you get pushed into your seat.
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I'd say it'll probably do 135. His truck pulls to 100 like it's nothing but he has a limiter on it so he can't go any faster than 95.

Got any videos of the exhaust?
 
TripleA5post: 9030578
checked the codes and its ws4. it is a 4 speed Automatic, cruise control, t roofs, power rear hatch, 305 H.O
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Sorry to dissapoint but that can't be a H.O, they only came with I 5spd and less than 50 were built for that year. The ws6 sway bars really help the handling of the car, I'd say they'd make a big upgrade.
I'm still jealous though, it's a very nice survivor.
 
savage388
Sorry to dissapoint but that can't be a H.O, they only came with I 5spd and less than 50 were built for that year. The ws6 sway bars really help the handling of the car, I'd say they'd make a big upgrade.
I'm still jealous though, it's a very nice survivor.
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yeah guess it isnt just checked the vin and 8th digit is H which is LG4 on the code list. thanks for telling would have never known.
 
daaang, that thing's a beaut! My only beef is that it's an automatic, but with something that pretty that's forgivable! The thing's as old as my car and looking as good as new! :D
 
TripleA5
yeah guess it isnt just checked the vin and 8th digit is H which is LG4 on the code list. thanks for telling would have never known.
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No problem, the thirdgen.org community is the most helpful place on the internet for these things.
Any plans for the future?
 
guywithanAE86
daaang, that thing's a beaut! My only beef is that it's an automatic, but with something that pretty that's forgivable! The thing's as old as my car and looking as good as new! :D
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Thanks. it is very clean almost no rust just on the center beam for the t roofs it is rusting a bit.
savage388
No problem, the thirdgen.org community is the most helpful place on the internet for these things.
Any plans for the future?
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plans for the future would be get some better tires since there only cheap tires to be able to drive. restore the rims since they are pitted in some places. And my ultimate dream would be to get a more powerful engine along with the support parts installed to the chassis, but that would be much later.
 
I'd tear those rims off it honestly, but that's just me. Do what you like, it's your car.

For the engine, I'd dare to be different and maybe do some work on that 305.
 
Slashfan
I'd tear those rims off it honestly, but that's just me. Do what you like, it's your car.

For the engine, I'd dare to be different and maybe do some work on that 305.
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i actually did not like the rims when we first got it but there growing on me. any particular style you think would look nice?
 
I've always liked these on the 80s trans ams:

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They are American Racing Outlaw wheels. I think they fit the persona of the car very well and make it look muscular and sportier.
 
TripleA5
i actually did not like the rims when we first got it but there growing on me. any particular style you think would look nice?
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Best rims on a black trans am? Gold gta wheels, same fit and decently cheap.
And slash, the 305 just isn't worth working on when 350's are so cheap and 350 heads won't work well on a 305.
 
GTA rims would look nice, same with those American Racing 👍 also yeah many people have said its much cheaper to buy a new engine than to modifie the one i have now
 
TripleA5
GTA rims would look nice, same with those American Racing 👍 also yeah many people have said its much cheaper to buy a new engine than to modifie the one i have now
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That depends what you want to do with it. If you only looking to make a nice(r) daily driver, some bolt ons will really wake that engine up. If you want an all out street ripper then yeah it will be cheaper to build up say a 350.
 
might consider doing that since the engine isnt in bad condition and it could use a bit more power.
 
Cano
And freaking outdated.
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So? Outdated doesn't mean it doesn't still look good. :D

The GTA rims also look good but everyone has those.


savage388
And slash, the 305 just isn't worth working on when 350's are so cheap and 350 heads won't work well on a 305.
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They are cheap but I find it best to start with what you have first, especially if you are on a budget.
 
It doesn't look good, it looks outdated. I mean it's not like you're slapping 60s straight-spoke magnesium Torque Trusts in a 65 Galaxie instead or curved-spoke Torq-Trust Ds, these Center Line-style wheels don't have a retro value, much less so in a car that was produced about when they were the hot ticket in the street for cars much older. The 3rd gen F-bodies look way better with bigger diameter wheels because their design is much more modern.
 
Cano
It doesn't look good, it looks outdated. I mean it's not like you're slapping 60s straight-spoke magnesium Torque Trusts in a 65 Galaxie instead or curved-spoke Torq-Trust Ds, these Center Line-style wheels don't have a retro value, much less so in a car that was produced about when they were the hot ticket in the street for cars much older. The 3rd gen F-bodies look way better with bigger diameter wheels because their design is much more modern.
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See I think the exact opposite. I think they look fantastic. I can see where you are coming from though. In the end, it's ultimately his choice.
 
There are many rims to choose from only problem i have is finding out how good they will look on the car. i like the Torq Thrusts and think they would be nice
VNC405212XX_american_racing_hot_rod_chrome_vn405_custom_torq_thrust.png
 
TripleA5
There are many rims to choose from only problem i have is finding out how good they will look on the car. i like the Torq Thrusts and think they would be nice
VNC405212XX_american_racing_hot_rod_chrome_vn405_custom_torq_thrust.png
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They look alright but everyone has those.
 

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