UPDATE: I will not be swapping anything but the wheels. Also the car is not stolen! What will $300 get me? 1987 trans am no title 5.7 tpi 700r4 Digital dash 4 wheel disc Ls swap parts car
You need to completely restore that car as is and keep it. That is an extremely rare combination of paint, engine, options and the super rare 2 year only digital dash. Please, for the love of god, do not hack that car up for parts. That thing is beautiful and far more desirable and valuable than your other one. RESTORE IT. Sell that other one and use the money to fix that gorgeous 2 tone car. You got it almost for free. Why would you dismantle a good car to fix a crappy one?
The trans am you got for 300 is in better shape that your other trans am.I think it will be easier to fix the 300 dollar trans am than the other one. That digital dash was a rare option and in the not to distant future that car if it has a matching drivetrain it will be a collectors dream. And also it will be less work to fix the 300 dollar trans am.Thank you for the video and Merry Christmas.
This $300 trans am might look like it’s in better shape on the outside but it’s not even close. The interior in this car is in way worse condition. My 83 seats aren’t even ripped. Also I have removed all the suspension front and rear , replaced every bushing and bearing. Also powder coated and painted everything. The entire engine bay has been repainted and is rust free. Also removed the and cleaned the gas tank, replaced the fuel pump and new lines. The $300 trans am has a badly rusted battery tray and not sure what the underside looks like. It also has been sitting longer than mine outside ( mine was stored inside) mine also has t tops. I could definitely have the outside finished faster on the $300 trans am but my 83 has a rough door and fender. Not nearly as much work to fix those two panels as it would be to get the $300 trans am up to par with the 83
You can get a title depending on what has been done to it. You can request (if you know the right person) to get one for around $500 also those wheels are riken right?
Regardless of how you wind up doing things, $300 for that car was a steal. Wheels alone were worth it, plus it has many other parts you can use or sell. Well done! BTW, new sub! :)
Maybe the chip he added needs to be programmed? Either way parts alone are worth more than 300 and a 5.7? Awesome. Would be a shame to part it, if you can get it running it's nice
Man I would put the time and effort into the $300 car. I mean you have a small gold mine in options, all things considered. Swap back to a stock ecu and get that Johnny running right. It's basically a collectors item as it is, if everything works the way it should.
Digital dash will work on any 82-92 f-body with the entire body wiring harness from headligts to tail lights, harness is totally different then analog. The door latches are specific also but the swap has been done by many people even some camaros. Will work with LS Swap, the analog and digital dash use the same sending units so you just have to splice the right wires and all will work
I decided I’m going to keep the 87 together and sell it. Hopefully someone else will rebuild it or put it to good use. Thanks for the info tho! I would keep them both if I had the money and room!
Good deal? You stole it!!! That being said, the thought of you parting that rare bird out is a bit painful. Budget and room permitting, I’d park it until I had the funds to restore it and look elsewhere for parts for your other car in the meantime. A 5.7 non-GTA Trans Am with a digital dash!!! I think you’d be hard pressed to find another in any condition for a sum remotely close.
Alan Snyder yeah they most DEFINITELY ordered it with the digital dash for a CHUNK of money! Honestly I would do some info digging on it, I’m betting it was bought new by somebody that was possibly high up at GM or good friends with somebody that was, cause I may be wrong but I didn’t even know the digital cluster was an option for anything other than the GTA! I had a GORGEOUS 87 GTA white with gold gta wheels and dark grey interior...I will ALWAYS regret letting that one go! Lol!
@@asskickingperformance3550 it actually was available on any TA, but not many got it. It's rare on a GTA, but even more rare on any other Trans am. This thing is awesome and needs restoration.
Nice find! There is a title service I use that can get you a title for that car. I work at a salvage yard and used them four times to title cars we got without titles. Such a shame to use it for parts.... I'd kill for a find like that.
If you had picked up the same car for the same price here in the Northeast there would be almost nothing left to the paint job frame etc.. So for me anyway I think that you did great!. Good luck on the rebuild and thank you for sharing this gem with us!. 🙏
That is a very unusual car as a y84 option 342 posi power disc brakes WS6 car y86 option was mainly for GTA trans. you could not get to tops on a 350 tuned port or you could not even get a manual transmission as Pontiac back in the day said it could not handle that 350 even though The feisty manual was an inferior transmission made it with a 305 tuned Port WS6 formula it was faster than a 350 automatic 700 r4. You can also get an SLP formula 350 and 305both in the SOP trim came with aluminum driveshaft power rear disc brakes 342 posi traction rear no air roll up and down Windows no radio hard tops only but the 305 5 speed manual was faster but anyways that is an unusual trans am if it did it had a 350 because that was extremely rare that they could make it cuz that was unheard of
Also those fenders are incorrect they came on the 82 through 84 trans am on the 85 and up they get a slight; refresh which they change the front and rear bumper cover the side skirts and it went from a pedestal styling to a wrap around wingalso on the gauge cluster that is very rare especially for a trans am because they only made them in 87 in Midway through 88 due to all the trouble they had so they went to analog gauges and you can never get that gauge cluster in a formula or firebirdit was only supposed to be available in a GTA trans am if that car came standard with those gauges it is very rare
I got a 1987 IROC 350 tip in my garage I got my senior year in high school in 2000. It was mint til I tore it up a little. Watching your video has inspired me to go out and start doing little things to it lately. Thanks for the inspiration buddy!!! :)
The 350 TPI is worth more than $300. Those still are a strong working engine so worth it to get it running provided the last owner didnt hammer the shit out it. Great buy!
Great deal. Great car. It's still my favorite. Under your distribution cap is the ignition module---most common problem that puts these in the junk yard. The ignition switch is on the steering column--common problem that started around 2016 and the biggest reason is that in tank fuel pump. You got a great deal.
I would fix both and looks for parts for both!!! I now learned about these Trans Am cars (, although I grown up with Smokey And The Bandit in the early 2000s lol). These may not be the same price range as the 60s Ford Mustang series, but the GTA cost like a hefty price if it was fully restored and I heard that the digital editions are more rare too!! All this car needs is some good rewiring and some computer updates and some body work, maybe upgrade the lights to LED and change them rims (maybe the gold/silver honey cone style rims like from YearOne) and a new paint job (not sure if anyone will agree with me on this lol, but they looks good in black, but really amazing in red!!) and give them some familiar original factory seats in that light brown tan color and your good as new!! Again I say fix and restore both!!! Problems solved!! All the best to your projects!! 😀
I agree with most of the people here. It would be worth the trouble to get a new title and restore the 87. Swap the parts to that 83 and all you have is a replica of the more collectable car. Getting a new interior would be less trouble. Just think if you show your 83 at a firebird show in the future and tell the other firebird owners that you had the real bad ass t-am as a donor car to make a replica. They'll all go nutts. Lol!!! But whatever you do, congrats on getting one hell of a deal. Both cars are pretty awesome and are worth the effort, and this comes from a guy from the enemy camp,... an 80s fox body mustang owner.🙂
If I could get the title to it I’d keep the $300 TA and fix it...I understand what you’ve done to your car but the rarity of the 83 would be worth it...if you could afford it have a GM dealer run a diagnostic test and most of the time it’ll tell you what’s screwed up on it...personally I’d swap the two but I’m a HUGE lover of the Trans Am/Camaro freak but good luck to ya I hope in the future you’d pick to keep the $300 TA and it’ll be running like a dream....good luck....
The 300 dollar TransAm is in way better shape. I would fix it up. The digital dash is extremely rare. I found one of those dashes in a 87 TA but the wiring was a total nightmare. My late mother bought a 86 Firebird new and when I ended up with it I found this TA with the digital dash in a salvage yard. A friend of mine had been to the GM training center near Cincinnati so I asked him about swapping everything. He said to forget it. He said if it what you got works don't mess with it. When I asked him about putting a HUD dash display from a later ( 1998???) Grand Prix in my 86 he said the CommBus(??) system of the ECM's were different due to speed, memory, codes, and that the computor systems communicate using different software. Since mine is an 86 and a 98 based system was different I'm guessing GM probably has changed the system two or three more times. But that 300 dollar TA will appriciate in value; give it time and keep it original, due to it's rare dash and 5.7 motor. It will save you a lot of time and trouble since the newer TA is already the look you want. ---It's a nice car . My 86 I had to change the computor twice and mass airflow sensor ( engine wouldn't start and when it did would sometimes quit), over the years when mom had it. The electric fuel pumps go bad after sitting sometimes also. That might be all that's wrong with it. The Tpi 5.7 has a lot of torque-- They're fun to drive!!! I'd fix the newer TA you'll be time ahead and being original it will be worth more. ---Tim
I saw this video some time ago & here I am again! That body style is O-SO- BEAUTIFUL! IT IS A SHAME TO DO ANYTHING BUT RESTORE THAT SWEET RIDE, FILE FOR A MISSING TITLE & FIX HER UP!!! Just scrolled down & saw my original message & your response. The Pontiac TRANS-AM was stylistically a upgrade! I do like the Trans-am & the GTA TRANS-AM! ALL AROUND THO, I HAVE ALLWAYS BEEN A PONTIAC FAN! However, I really like the 3rd Gen Chevrolet Camaro IROC Z-28! I am always keeping an eye out for a 1973 Chevrolet small block 400 with a 4.125 stroke! If you know of any, PLEASE CONTACT ME!!! I still believe that, When built right, The 400 can produce over 750 h.p. & torque N/A! Yes, L.S.'S ARE EVERYWHERE & A MORE MODERN DESIGN WITH ADDED BENEFITS BUT, Having had a 73 sb 400 bored .030 over to a 406, & with the addition of a stroker kit, & Amber lightweight pistons 11/1 compression, built NICELY (I DO NOT REMEMBER THE CAM-LIFT & DURATION) but, NO OTHER CAR has pulled off the line like my brothers stroker 406 Z-28 & I NEED TO RECREATE IT!!!!! I'd love to have a 3rd gen with a 1973 4.125 stroke sb 400 parked in my driveway one day. MAYBE ONE DAY? Your lucky to have a 3rd gen, much less another one in GOOD condition to strip & keep parts for your own car!!! GOOD LUCK BRO!!! Trust me, I understand cash flow issue's. You were in the right place to get that car for $300. & to have the option to keep parts to fix your car in case of any future damage.
It's a 1987 GTA trans am, the digital dash gives it away and them rims. I rather keep this one instead of doing all that work. The rear spoiler you can get a fiberglass one, that rear spoiler is urethane and warps after time. The digital dash will not work unless you use that engine harness, it has like a optic fiber wiring for the gauges and your harness will not work on it. So there is alot of work like I said.
Rather than chopping up that beautiful TA to save an older and less desirable one, I would take the drivetrain out of the 83, and any better parts you have on it and swap the to the $300 TA and keep it!
I have owned T/A and Firebirds from 67 to 02 I have had GTA FIRE HAWK PRO AM and on I have stripped multiples done swaps parts drivetrains wiring and so on To do the cluster swap all u need is the dash wiring and cluster take bolt out of wiring bulk head the bulk head is were dash harnesses and engine harness are connect u do not have to use the engine harness to swap cluster since your not swapping drive tran if dash is clean take pad off and remove dash with wiring still attached lot less work reinstalling
Get a title for the trans am get a year one catalog and put back in shape. Pontiacs were tuned a bit better than the IROC and Z28 's sharing the F body platform. There might be a torque arm WS6 setup. Trans Am has a lot of potential brother. Your choice though. Great post Good luck!
although trans am and IROC z are not bringing big money at this time there are some rare ones out there I would check the VIN number because what you're saying and the way the car presents itself it's y84 WS6. . also you can never get a digital cluster and any car except for the 87 GTA trans am and they stop producing it in the mid 1988 because they were prone to going out and they've got customers wanted to analog gauges
I had to look close I had the same car . Don't hack any more parts up . U could get a lower altinator bracket . The rear spoiler will never hold paint and will ruin any deck lid you attach it to . What ever U do don`t end up with 2 - $300 cars.
A great deal. Leave it stock. Don't pimp it out. That car looks like a ws6. That digital guage looks like trouble. Leave it in. I got a 86 ta ws6 paid way more for it but the inside is in great condition and exterior looks good-silver on red. Saw a fiberglass spoiler at Spohn pricey but really nice got it. This is a project car just have to find time to for it. I also have an 86 iroc and a 92 rs.
Nice score man, But not everybody can get that much for $300 im super jealous. I get honda civics for about that that need motor swaps but never a gta or firebird. Super dope 🖒
Want your money back? I’ll buy it. Everything is fixable. 5.7 tpi. ? I love it. The heavy rubber spoiler is trash. Replace it with a new fiberglass spoiler. It’s calld an arrow-wing.
Despite the interior being rough, the L98 trans am is very much worth you're time and $$$ to either restore or flip to someone who will. That combo of dash, paint, wheels, and motor are hard to find on a non-GTA model of that year. It's a huge bonus that it doesn't have t-tops - it's a pain to upkeep those and prevent leaking. if that car has less than 150,000 miles on it and you just have seats reupholstered and some basic interior stuff, you could sell that car for $4-$5k easily. It would truly be a disservice to hack this car up. That thing is nice piece of history and should be refurbished and registered with PHS.
That was a really good price. Lol, I think you actually stole the car for almost barely nothing just about and as far as swapping everything over to the front trans am, I think it would look good with the ground effects and other parts that you need off the other car and keep the spoiler on the first one that you're working on. 👍👍
Damn they are both nice. Ditch the spoiler and get the low rise 84 firebird spoiler. Deff keep that dash, those things are so hard to find. Scrap the body after stripping and make back that 3 hundy easy. Nice find.
Actually has a nice stance thats sad ...what a shame i would get a title n carb it n cam n heads n keep it for a cruiser ...ita way to nice to pull apart
That car won’t run right because it needs the super rare highly expensive high flow mass air flow sensor. The chip makes it run RICH and the mass air flow sensor from factory isn’t sensitive enough to help the metering process. 20 years ago my sensor was $580. I bet it’s cheaper now. That car is sweeter and more valuable than you can comprehend. Do not destroy it. Even with a reconstructed title it is worth money. More than $300 for sure. It needs a ground up restoration and man it would be a badass ride!
Bro, I understand that you want to use parts off of the $300.00 Pontiac but, I would invest in the parts you need for your original & then fix both of them! File for a lost title & if you cannot get a new title then & only then would I strip it down to it's parts! I need a 3rd gen in my life! Growing up in the 80's, watching Knight Rider, Airwolf, A-Team & etc, I always meant to get a 3rd gen but, life & the need of a good running daily pulled me away from my dream car! Now that I am in my upper 30's, I NEED A 3RD GEN ASAP!!! I really want a IROC Z-28 but, I am open to any 3rd gen!!! I want a 73 sb400 to bore .030 over & use a stroker crankshaft, custom piston rods, all forged & MAN DID SHE SCREAM!!!
D.j. B man if I could afford to restore both cars that would be awesome but I simply cannot and don’t have room. I’m about to make a huge move and will be selling the 87 when I get the parts I want off of it.
As far as the wing goes I wouldn't mess with the rubber one on there ...they made same mount style wing in Fiberglass that's flat that stands up better to heat and I think looks nicer
Damn!! Great car for the money! My son and I have 2 3rd gens 88 TA T-Top 87 Formula350 and a 97 Formula350...and always looking for parts and cars! Trying to undo what GM and the 80's Fuel Economy BS did to these cars!!
The wheels. There’s a sticker in the bottom of the center console, this has all the options listed on it, for service purposes. Look on it, you’ll see WS4, that’s the code for a base model T/A. See if it has the WS6 code on it as well. Easier still, compare the thickness of both front sway bars. You’ll DEFINITELY see the huge WS6 is much fatter. On the dash also, it’ll have a small plaque on the passenger side that says ‘Performance Suspension’. That’s a dead giveaway for a WS6 3rd gen T/A. I’ve had 3 of these, 2 1986’s, 1 1987 (with the rare digital dash). 2 were WS6’s, one was a base T/A.
Dude, you’d better fix that car up!! Just watched the whole video. I see it has the digital dash. These are rare man!! Most digital dash T/A’s were GTA Trans Am’s!!!! What year model is it?
Jeffro243 B no I understand that the $300 trans am is not a base model. But you said ditch the other “base model firebird” what makes you thing the 83 is a base model firebird
Yeah, just saw the LS motor you’re transplanting into it. What are you gonna run out back, differential wise? Hopefully you’re gonna get the weld in subframe connectors for it. I have a 2006 GTO making about 550 horses, love my LS, 6-speed!!
Hey, I just found this video, i know its a few years old, and maybe you dont even have either of these cars anymore? BUT, as a fellow DREAMER, i had to tell you what i felt! ( maybe you still have them both! ) : P I saw what im going to say in the comment below mine! Its a trans am not a firebird, and it looks much better than your trans am.. i agree that you should be rebuilding THIS CAR using the parts you need from the one you already had! Its a much nicer looking care ( but that has to be something you think yourself ) to me, this car that you just got for $300 is a BITCHIN car! replace the front seats, maybe even the whole carpet, and the dashboard top, and clean/disinfect/vacume the interior. Go over all the wiring, and gauges, and electronics, and put that SWEET motor you have in your trans am into this one! check the rear on this one, and do a thorough inspection of this car from front to back. IF you KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING? then it shouldnt take you more than $1000 in new parts to clean it up and make it perfect! Plus you can sell out everything else you dont need or want from both cars. That engine 5.7 is still a sought after engine! SOMEONE, SOMEWHERE, IS LOOKING FOR IT! so just go over this newer trans am and make a list of whats wrong, and whats right, and take whatever you need and can use from your first trans am and buy whatever else you need that you do not have, and sell everything else you dont need to get some money back! AND ENJOY THIS RIDE! I DEFINITELY WOULD!!!
From what I can see it looks like you got a good deal , but I think you should build up to $300 car. New Wheels alone are worth more than what you paid for the car. From what I can see the body looks as though it's in great shape.
Fix and keep both. Or sell 1 intact. Putting all the new parts on an older car is so played out, lame, and a real shame too because the parts that come off the old one get trashed or lost, making it ever more difficult for later owners to make it right again.
Dude do you realize what you've got?! That is a CRAZY RARE car!!!! The digital dash, deluxe door panels, wheels, and roof console alone are worth keeping that. I know this cos I'm in the process of driving 3000km to swap my dash to digital. Forget the other car, keep the 87. TRUST ME, that 87 is NOT a parts car. Run the VIN and you'll probably see how rare it is
I had a 1984 camaro w/digital dash. not a big fan. I would keep the earlier T/A look (w/o side skirts). I would like to find a 1982 T/A with crossfire injection. I currently own a 1967 Firebird. For some odd reason, I like the 82's.
Solid buy for 300. I took the wing on mine off cuz its trashed just like that one. Making my own replacement. Gonna do a stock car style wing. Old stock car. Now a days they are a little more modern. Swap will be a bitch with the dash. I have the digital dash in mine and it has stopped working. Some things still work others dont. Cant tell the mileage. Id say keeep the analog
