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Question: 81 turbo trans am

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Old 10-10-2007, 05:32 AM
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Default Question: 81 turbo trans am

I know this is HT but I think everyone in FI gets sick of the ss autocrap threads everyday, so here's something new.

I have to go check one of these things out with my dad on saturday because he's interested in buying one. I need to check the turbo for him. Anyone know if these were ball bearing or not? I've got to check it for shaft play so I need to know.

If anyone knows anything about these cars, is there anything I should look out for?
Old 10-10-2007, 06:17 AM
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it originally would have had an AirResearch turbo.

I'd consider it to be very desirable by TransAm standards..only because it's different.

IIRC they were only rated at around 200hp. I'd say the turbo setup was uber-primitive, but it's a cool car IMO.

I'd want it to be perfectly original.

Does it really matter if the turbo has shaft play? If the rest of the car is straight you can always deal with the turbo later..have it rebuilt..
Old 10-10-2007, 08:17 AM
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Default Re: (Speed Industry)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Speed Industry &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">it originally would have had an AirResearch turbo.

I'd consider it to be very desirable by TransAm standards..only because it's different.

IIRC they were only rated at around 200hp. I'd say the turbo setup was uber-primitive, but it's a cool car IMO.

I'd want it to be perfectly original.

Does it really matter if the turbo has shaft play? If the rest of the car is straight you can always deal with the turbo later..have it rebuilt..</TD></TR></TABLE>


I agree...very cool car IMO as well. Those are very rare cars and can be modified just like anything else. If its in good shape I'd get it.
Old 10-10-2007, 08:25 AM
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Default Re: (EASY101)

Yea even if it has shaft play the turbo can be rebuilt or replaced.
Old 10-10-2007, 10:16 AM
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Default Re: (eh3 93)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by eh3 93 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Yea even if it has shaft play the turbo can be rebuilt or replaced.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Or upgraded!!
Old 10-10-2007, 10:19 AM
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Default Re: (eh3 93)



my dad had one of these. cool as ****.
Old 10-10-2007, 10:45 AM
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do these have as much potential as grand nationals in terms of power and speed? If not I'd swap that motor out for a 400 big block.
Old 10-10-2007, 10:50 AM
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gt35r ftw
Old 10-10-2007, 11:47 AM
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As I recall they had a Carburated, turbocharged, 308ci motor in them. They are not like the grand nationals. The later 89' turbo Trans Ams were like the grand nationals
Old 10-10-2007, 02:09 PM
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Default Re: (TTT)

yeah like I said this is for my dad. I would have no problem replacing the turbo on it but he's at the point in his life where he would rather buy something that runs right and be done with it, so he wants me to come with and check the turbo.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by TTT &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">As I recall they had a Carburated, turbocharged, 308ci motor in them. They are not like the grand nationals. The later 89' turbo Trans Ams were like the grand nationals</TD></TR></TABLE>It's a carbed 4.9 liter, however many ci that is. Aren't these things slow as hell? old guys don't need to go fast I guess they just like something that looks nice and is original.
Old 10-10-2007, 02:21 PM
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Default Re: (ILcrxsi1)

i used to have one of these when i was 16 and the turbo is a bushing turbo.. its a 301, stock i was runnin 6lbs.. the turbo sits over the top of the intake manifold and the carberator is bolted right into the the turbo.. i thought it was cool and fast when i ws a kid but these motors r crap! they redline at 4k rpm and even with the msd it only gave me another 700 rpm cuz of the distributor module cutoff crap gm put on it.. i had planned to put a 455 in it but bought a honda instead.. nice car if u wanna keep it original and r not looking to be fast..
Old 10-10-2007, 02:25 PM
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Default Re: (TcUiRvBiOc)

I graduated in 81, my buddies mom bought one of these with the 6.6L, shaker hood scoop, pretty cool riding around in as a senior, my car was a Dodge Dart ('75) slant 6.
Old 10-11-2007, 08:17 AM
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Default Re: (Duane_in_Japan)

my brother in law had one with a fully built 400 big block, with a holly 750 double pump, 400 turbo trans, posi rear end. man that thing was fast from what I remember!
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