JohnnyT/A

Hey guys I been around here for a long time but just recently joined up. I had my 1987 Transam since 1995 and did the engine and interior over in 2001 spending well over $20,000. Since then its basically been garaged and maybe driven 3000 miles at best due to marriage/kids. Just recently registered and insured it again so I can finally start to truly drive and enjoy this beast again. Just ordered 4 new tires and still have 4 brand new 16x8 GTA black honeycomb rims I got from Classic Industries back in 2000 still in the box. Here is what has been done so far: (any comments/suggestions/criticisms are all appreciated)

1994 LT-1 engine bored+honed .30

Air Flow Research Heads 190 LT-1 reverse cool 74cc

Sanderson Street Rod Headers- small block Chevy ceramic coated

MSD ignition and coil

Cold air induction kit

Fuel pressure regulator

Moroso Valve cover gaskets

Pro Torque converter 10.5' 700r4 30 spline

Rebuilt 700r4 Transmission w/ shift kit

Comp cam LT1 xr269hr-12

BBR 52mm throttle body

160* thermostat

Hotchkis panhard rod bar

Crane Gold Race Pro Series Rockers 11755-16
Rocker Arms, Stud Mount, Full Roller, Aluminum, 1.6 Ratio, Fits 7/16 in. Stud,

3 inch custom exhaust

373 gears

H/P custom chip

SSM Subframe Connectors welded

Edlebrock Lower Trailing Arms

Edlebrock Strut Tower Brace

Koni rear shocks

Power stop slotted rotors

SSBC calipers

New GM power window motors and pull down hatch motor

GM ground deflector 12395557

RedLeader289

iTrader: (2)

Did 87 T/A's come with wonderbars? Because I didn't see it on the list and if it doesn't then that is a quick and easy fix(literally a 15-30 minute install). Got mine from Top Down Solutions (TDS), they do great work.

JohnnyT/A

I don't have one and yes I was actually gonna get one. Did yours bolt right in? Because I read on here someone got one from Spohn and they had to do some extra work to get it in.

RedLeader289

iTrader: (2)

Cool. Yes, mine bolted right in. However, the one I bought was a refinished OEM wonder bar from TDS. As I read up on them the consensus that I gathered was the aftermarket versions vs the OEM gave little to no difference in performance.

TDS has the best prices on aftermarket and OEM's. Plus all of their's come powder coated in either red or black (and it holds up too, because I dropped mine on asphalt multiple times while putting it in, haha). I paid $30 for mine and I think their version is $55 dollars.

I can't speak for Spohn, however, I haven't heard any problems out of anyone who got either version of the TDS bar.

RedLeader289

iTrader: (2)

I would imagine anyone who had any kind of frame tweakage would have issues putting one in

JohnnyT/A

Thanks just saw it on their website. It bolts on right near the sway bar, right?

RedLeader289

iTrader: (2)

Correct, you actually unbolt the front two sway bar bushings, 4 bolts, and the wonderbar goes on in between the bushings and the rails. I snatched this pic off of Google but it looks just like the one I just installed.


here:

http://www.google.com/imgres?safe=ac...tart=0&ndsp=22

MY87LT

iTrader: (2)

It's easy to install.

RedLeader289

iTrader: (2)

fyi, it's so easy, that I didn't even have to lift my car, put it on ramps, or anything. Just layed under the nose and went at it.

JohnnyT/A

Wow that does look easy thanks for the pic. While I'm down there I should do the two sway bar bushings with a new pair of polyurethane ones from Hawks as well as the end links. Would those be challenging or simple stuff?

JohnnyT/A

Doubt I would fit underneath there with the air deflector. Seems so low to the ground

MY87LT

iTrader: (2)

Yea, you are going to have to lift up the front.

RedLeader289

iTrader: (2)

No probs.

Yeah, I'd recommend that. Since the two bushings have to come off anyways, ya know? and the end links are just as easy too. It's a good idea to swap them all out for polyurethane ones, energy suspension is a good brand. Not to knock hawk's, but your local autozone/advance auto should have those in stock (same brand as what hawk's sells) so you could just pick them up instead of waiting, might be cheaper too.

Ah, maybe I just got lucky. Oh well, jacking up the front will give you more room anyways.

p.s. I recommend either having a friend or a spare floor jack handy when you go to reinstall the sway bar + wonder bar. I did it by myself but it was a bear.

JohnnyT/A

Thanks for the tip! Also my steering components are all original (tie rods, idler arm, ball joints, center link etc) but it handles great right now. Should I replace all this stuff anyway since it's 27 years old now or should I not touch what's not broken??

RedLeader289

iTrader: (2)

That wouldn't be a bad idea, start with whatever looks the worst out of it all, depending on the mileage and how well maintained it all is some of the stuff might be good.

JohnnyT/A

Ok sounds good. It has 108,xxx original miles on the car not the engine. I had it garaged for 12 years with only moving it every few months.

RedLeader289

iTrader: (2)

Alrighty, well I mean, if you kept everything greased and all then you may have some rare exceptions on what 27 yr old parts you replace, haha.

jmd

iTrader: (4)

Can you detail what parts are used in your accessory drive and the belt routing?

JohnnyT/A

I honestly which I could, but I had this engine done by a speed shop in 2001. I'm good for doing brakes and some light suspension work but that's about it. I'm really starting to get the itch again to finish all the odds and ends and this site and YouTube are a big help in understanding our cars better. I was a lot more familiar back then on what's what because I researched and purchased a lot of the materials and had them install it along with doing minor things myself.

sidwyz

You should post some pics, the car sounds great! And after all that sitting. I'm willing to bet once you start driving the car more it will start to whine and complain about some of those old parts :-)

JohnnyT/A

Thanks. I can't figure out how to post more then one pic at a time. But like I said in another post, I haven't painted it yet so it basically looks like a sleeper. Doesn't sound like one though. Lol

RedLeader289

iTrader: (2)

Nice! I love those red accents. You could give yourself more room by installing an A/C delete box, it allows you to keep your heater/blower but gets rid of the huge black box and a/c can on the passenger side. Lookin' good though!

redneckjoe

i see you got rid of the dreaded opti-spark. they're a PITA.
looking forward to some more pics.

JohnnyT/A

I'm actually keeping the AC. I just have to figure out how to hook it back up with the LT1 setup.

jmd

iTrader: (4)

If it's been kept greased, you might be okay for now. Inspect and determine if anything is bad first. If your engine mounts are original, it might be time to do those when the arms are down.
You should grab an 88-92 condensor with passenger side outlets and figure out what the compressor fits. The hoses would be easy to build; just figuring out what parts you have to match connectors needs done.

JohnnyT/A

That condenser would still be ok being that I have an 87'?

Ron U.S.M.C.

Wonder bar = https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/afte...r-bar-1-a.html
LPW Cover = http://www.jegs.com/i/LPW/619/301-7....rentProductId=
What L.S.D. are you using ?

jmd

iTrader: (4)

87 has driver side outlets. Your compressor location means you want 88 with PS outlets. Direct swap.