Topic: 1978 Trans Am project & new to this forum

[Elz]

Hello everyone,

I am brand new to this forum. I just picked up a 1978 Trans Am yesterday and am anxious to get started on it. Don't know all of the rules and proper blogging etiquette so feel free to let me know if I am posting in the wrong area.

Below is a link to photos I took when I got it home.
http://s1139.photobucket.com/albums/n549/elz1978/

I'm new to Trans Ams but not to cars or restorations. I have about 20 years of paint/body experience but still have a lot to learn. I might possibly be able to help out with some custom paint questions should they arise, as I have ran my own business since 2005. Mostly just custom paint for motorcycles. If you are interested in seeing any of that stuff you can check my site out, www.elzgraphics.com . Please note, I'm not trying to advertise that, I am not taking on any work at this time.

I am going to start looking at some topics on this site and see what I can learn. First project on this car will be getting the engine bay cleaned up and getting that Pontiac 400 back in the car. Thanks,

Elz

[Jimmys77]

Looks like you got one sweet looking 78 Mayen red Trans Am.  Is the motor running or was someone in the process of rebuilding it?

[T/A Kid]

Welcome to the site, the car looks very nice good luck with it and keep us updated.

[4speed76]

Nice looking T/A project, and welcome to the nest.  There are a bunch of T/A guru's here and they are usually willing to help with any questions you might have, so don't be afraid to ask.  RULE #1  we all LOVE pictures here so post them!!!!!! 

I look forward to seeing your T/A come together.

[Elz]

The motor was out of it. The guy had a 355 in it. I don't know why. I checked the number on the block that came with car and it matches. The tranny was out as well. He said it was original to the car. I still need to verify that. As far as I can tell this car has spent it's whole life in Iowa. It is very solid. Good pans, rockers and rails. Very unusual to not be rotted completely since they use so much salt in the winter. It must have been garaged quite a bit. We will see what the motor looks like when I tear into it.

[4SPEED]

very nice.   is the paint as good as it looks?

[RainMan]

Sweet looking T/A you found there . Welcome to the forum

[78&89TA]

Cool , and welcome , I'm also working on a '78 and have learned so much on this site , lots of great people on here

[ShakerBreaker]

Looks like a very solid starting point.
Very solid from the pictures.
Welcome to the site.
Plenty of information and great people on the site.

[dblhh]

Great-looking start for your T/A.
Welcome to the site!

[Mongo]

Nice looking car Bro! Welcome. You are gonna like it here!

[Elz]

To answer the question about the paint. It is a good ten yarder. The paint looks good from afar but is an amateur paint job. The good thing about this car is it is really solid. I've been researching these for a while and was keeping an eye open for trouble areas. The floor pans are clean. The bottoms of the doors are clean save for the rear corner that has some bubbling. The quarters will need a little attention but not too much. The bottoms of the fenders will need patched. I am going to patch in as much as I can because my experience with aftermarket part is not good. I restored a 68 Camaro a few years back and it was a nightmare trying to get things to line up. You just can't beat original equipment as far as I am concerned. If you can save it I would try to save it.

[Elz]

I just dropped the motor off at a friends shop. What are some of you guys doing to spruce up performance? I want it to run well (like most i'm sure) but don't want to get carried away. Still want to run on pump gas. Any suggestions?

[Nexus]

Can't answer the engine question but, welcome to the site. We are glad you decided to hang out with us!!!!

Cool bunch of people here, everyone respects each other!!!
Congrats on he purchase of you car!!

[Frode_skj]

Very nice car