Hitman's Pontiac Trans Am Forum

Trans Am Photos => Restoration Projects => Topic started by: aldo on December 19, 2011, 06:03:51 AM

Title: Aldo`s 1980 full clone 1977 trans am project
Post by: aldo on December 19, 2011, 06:03:51 AM
Hey everyone i would like to share my project ,i have done all the work alone by my self,hope you enjoy.


3 years ago the first day i found it.1980 trans am with a 301 pontiac inside.
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x364/nicolasbrandon99/7494anb_20.jpg)

(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x364/nicolasbrandon99/38235740004_medium.jpg)

Then i got it home.
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x364/nicolasbrandon99/38235740028_medium.jpg)
Title: Re: Aldo`s 1980 full clone 1977 trans am project
Post by: aldo on December 19, 2011, 06:09:21 AM
clean black interior.
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x364/nicolasbrandon99/38235740012_medium.jpg)
missing the carpet ,but everything else was there even the original radio,thats works.
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x364/nicolasbrandon99/38235740016_medium.jpg)
Title: Re: Aldo`s 1980 full clone 1977 trans am project
Post by: 4SPEED on December 19, 2011, 06:42:37 AM
sweet.   
Title: Re: Aldo`s 1980 full clone 1977 trans am project
Post by: aldo on December 19, 2011, 09:08:16 PM
here are a few more pics,
Small damage ,front bumper all the wat into the door.
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x364/nicolasbrandon99/Picture133.jpg)
the front is low because both springs are broke.
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x364/nicolasbrandon99/Picture134.jpg)
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x364/nicolasbrandon99/Picture137.jpg)
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x364/nicolasbrandon99/Picture136.jpg)
Title: Re: Aldo`s 1980 full clone 1977 trans am project
Post by: aldo on December 19, 2011, 09:16:26 PM
A little of what the inside looked like.im not sure why the carpet was gone ,but it helped when i bought it i could see what the floor looked like..... ;D
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x364/nicolasbrandon99/Picture130.jpg)
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x364/nicolasbrandon99/Picture135.jpg)
Title: Aldo`s 1980 full clone 1977 trans am project
Post by: aldo on December 20, 2011, 05:51:46 AM
more to come ;D
Title: Re: Aldo`s 1980 full clone 1977 trans am project
Post by: aldo on December 22, 2011, 09:47:08 PM
OK first thing i wanted to do was remove the 301 and clean and paint the engine bay.

(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x364/nicolasbrandon99/38235740043_medium.jpg)

i have had a few months with the car before i found my engine(pontiac 400),i drove 12 hours to get it.
it needed a refresh so i went full rebuild.

(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x364/nicolasbrandon99/38235740045_medium.jpg)
engine and rebuilt transmission th350 ,with a mistake i have to fix i installed a 3500 stall by mistake....anyhow thats another story.

i got the engine in the car ,looks like something again.dont for get this is a clone so i plan to do everything possible to look like a 77.
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x364/nicolasbrandon99/38235740044_medium.jpg)
Title: Re: Aldo`s 1980 full clone 1977 trans am project
Post by: aldo on December 22, 2011, 09:55:43 PM
Next was the rear end ,lights differential and gas tank,all need to be correct 77..

(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x364/nicolasbrandon99/moto_1135.jpg)
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x364/nicolasbrandon99/38235744001_medium.jpg)
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x364/nicolasbrandon99/38235744002_medium.jpg)

OK the tail pannel was a challange ,i couldnt find anything that wasnt rusted to hell,and repro is out of the question,so i only found the upper section for the lights,and decided to take the plung and try a go at using the 80 tail pannel and fitting the 77 upper pan on it,,,,whats the worst that could happen i thought,i would just have to replace the who thing.

(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x364/nicolasbrandon99/moto_1134.jpg)
Title: Re: Aldo`s 1980 full clone 1977 trans am project
Post by: aldo on December 22, 2011, 10:05:03 PM
OK so here we go i cut the right rear one to a shap i could use and started to pre cut my 77 tail pannel to fit,
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x364/nicolasbrandon99/moto_1142.jpg)
not to forget im doing this all at home and no help.....was a bit worried to mees things up ,but its going well
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x364/nicolasbrandon99/moto_1143.jpg)
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x364/nicolasbrandon99/moto_1141.jpg)
ok  12 hours later....
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x364/nicolasbrandon99/moto_1147.jpg)
welded moded,seam sealed and painted .
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x364/nicolasbrandon99/moto_1148.jpg)
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x364/nicolasbrandon99/moto_1149.jpg)
Title: Re: Aldo`s 1980 full clone 1977 trans am project
Post by: aldo on December 22, 2011, 10:10:14 PM
now just so you know i had the chance to messure my friend ta to get the correct position were to place the light pannel...
next step was to test the bumper and the lights together.
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x364/nicolasbrandon99/moto_1140.jpg)
now nothing is really bolted tight its just laying there but everything worked out well.
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x364/nicolasbrandon99/moto_1139.jpg)
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x364/nicolasbrandon99/moto_1138.jpg)


more to come if you have intrest....
Title: Re: Aldo`s 1980 full clone 1977 trans am project
Post by: Mongo on December 22, 2011, 10:40:59 PM
Nice work man. This will look nice when finished. Keep it up and POST MORE PICS!
Title: Re: Aldo`s 1980 full clone 1977 trans am project
Post by: Justin on December 23, 2011, 01:46:25 AM
great job. Have you had any prior experience working with cars? What made you want to change the style of year? You did a great job and lots of respect for tackling such a project. Keep up the work and update.
Title: Re: Aldo`s 1980 full clone 1977 trans am project
Post by: aldo on December 23, 2011, 05:29:27 AM
great job. Have you had any prior experience working with cars? What made you want to change the style of year? You did a great job and lots of respect for tackling such a project. Keep up the work and update.

I love them so much from a child i always wanted to build something all on my own,this was the first complete one that im doing ,everything before was tinker toys nothing to this extent,i am a mechanic ,but body work painting and pannel work i never done to much before


Title: Re: Aldo`s 1980 full clone 1977 trans am project
Post by: aldo on December 23, 2011, 05:41:31 AM
Ok so without pics i relized after the lights were on i was not able to use the 80 gas tank because the filler neck was to long and hit the license plate door,and it wouldnt fully close. i thought it would be a good idea to cut the neck and change the length,but after cleanning the tank and some online looking the tanks for a 77 was not too expensive and i went ahead with buying it new.

(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x364/nicolasbrandon99/moto_1144.jpg)

installed.
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x364/nicolasbrandon99/moto_1150.jpg)

next step was rear suspention and differential,i got a posy rear end with original low gears ,i spent the next few days cleaning the under frame area and welding the stabelizer link ends to the frame,they didnt look 100% so i wanted them to be worrie free,seam sealed sertan thinga and painted the under body.
Title: Re: Aldo`s 1980 full clone 1977 trans am project
Post by: aldo on December 23, 2011, 05:43:44 AM
forgot to mention Justin why i got this 1980 and not a 1977,well thats because at the time i found this one were i live there were not many clean 77 around ,and this car was rust proofed and well taking care of ,for the price it was great (more like a steal).
Title: Re: Aldo`s 1980 full clone 1977 trans am project
Post by: aldo on December 23, 2011, 05:46:59 AM
Well next i had replaced all the seals and swaped out the gears,new shocks and drum brakes.also rear leaf bushings.

(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x364/nicolasbrandon99/moto_1146.jpg)

the leaf springs were off another doner car but they were like new.
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x364/nicolasbrandon99/moto_1145.jpg)
Title: Re: Aldo`s 1980 full clone 1977 trans am project
Post by: aldo on December 23, 2011, 05:53:02 AM
I was building this car on my own extra time,im married now 13 years and have a 12 year old son,life is busy,
a few months pass and i spend most of that extra time getting much needed parts.
i got a great deal on t-top moldings .
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x364/nicolasbrandon99/moto_1152.jpg)
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x364/nicolasbrandon99/moto_1153.jpg)
other parts
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x364/nicolasbrandon99/moto_1154.jpg)
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x364/nicolasbrandon99/moto_1155.jpg)
 fisher t-bags o got 5 of them
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x364/nicolasbrandon99/moto_1156.jpg)
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x364/nicolasbrandon99/moto_1157.jpg)
more to come  ;D
Title: Re: Aldo`s 1980 full clone 1977 trans am project
Post by: Greenbird76 on December 23, 2011, 07:54:46 PM
Your build brings back memories of what I did to my 76 last year.  Great job!
Title: Re: Aldo`s 1980 full clone 1977 trans am project
Post by: aldo on December 23, 2011, 08:48:31 PM
Your build brings back memories of what I did to my 76 last year.  Great job!
Thank you,heres more.

ok started with the body stuff now the rear end is done

(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x364/nicolasbrandon99/014.jpg)

Paint removal of parts that needed work.(way to many layers of paint on the donar parts.)
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x364/nicolasbrandon99/013-1.jpg)
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x364/nicolasbrandon99/012.jpg)

Title: Re: Aldo`s 1980 full clone 1977 trans am project
Post by: aldo on December 23, 2011, 08:54:40 PM
The hood was hell i removed all the paint and glued the under nieth skellatan back together to make it solide.

(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x364/nicolasbrandon99/008.jpg)
I also had to replace the passenger side door with another ,the other door was damaged and had bondo.
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x364/nicolasbrandon99/003-1.jpg)

My donar parts car
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x364/nicolasbrandon99/028.jpg)


WANT MORE.... >:D ;D
Title: Re: Aldo`s 1980 full clone 1977 trans am project
Post by: Mongo on December 23, 2011, 10:43:25 PM
Is that donar car picture recent?  What's with all the white stuff?
Title: Re: Aldo`s 1980 full clone 1977 trans am project
Post by: 79taman on December 24, 2011, 04:41:57 AM
i'm diggin it, keep up the great work man
Title: Re: Aldo`s 1980 full clone 1977 trans am project
Post by: aldo on December 24, 2011, 09:03:50 AM
no thats last season just near the end,they call that SNOW......lol    im sure you know we all live in igloos too......
Title: Re: Aldo`s 1980 full clone 1977 trans am project
Post by: Mongo on December 24, 2011, 11:58:42 AM
Oh yaaa. I know all to well eh?  Have heard some other stuff aboot you frenchies up der in quebec too.  ;D
Title: Re: Aldo`s 1980 full clone 1977 trans am project
Post by: aldo on December 24, 2011, 12:48:22 PM
Next step was to send the mags out to a good friend of mine who was restoring them for me,
before.

(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x364/nicolasbrandon99/003-3.jpg)
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x364/nicolasbrandon99/004-2.jpg)
 2weeks later
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x364/nicolasbrandon99/005-3.jpg)
Title: Re: Aldo`s 1980 full clone 1977 trans am project
Post by: aldo on December 24, 2011, 12:53:08 PM
now to start working on all the bushings and fron end mechanical stuff..
took apart the engine because defective cam and i replaced it.
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x364/nicolasbrandon99/aldopartsforsale001.jpg)
i never payed for it just done the repaire myself,i belive it was a bad break in that mess up the cam.
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x364/nicolasbrandon99/aldopartsforsale013.jpg)
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x364/nicolasbrandon99/aldopartsforsale012.jpg)

next was front suspention parts
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x364/nicolasbrandon99/aldopartsforsale020.jpg)
with the car at work it was great to have the lift to work on ,made things much more easy.
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x364/nicolasbrandon99/aldopartsforsale026.jpg)
Title: Re: Aldo`s 1980 full clone 1977 trans am project
Post by: aldo on December 24, 2011, 12:56:57 PM
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x364/nicolasbrandon99/aldopartsforsale019.jpg)
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x364/nicolasbrandon99/aldopartsforsale025.jpg)
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x364/nicolasbrandon99/aldopartsforsale024.jpg)


This is just a before shot to give you an idea how low the front was sagging.
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x364/nicolasbrandon99/aldopartsforsale022.jpg)

after
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x364/nicolasbrandon99/054.jpg)
Title: Re: Aldo`s 1980 full clone 1977 trans am project
Post by: aldo on December 24, 2011, 12:57:58 PM
more to come..... ;D
Title: Re: Aldo`s 1980 full clone 1977 trans am project
Post by: Justin on December 24, 2011, 10:44:50 PM
Looks great. What size tire do you have? Those things looks huge.
Title: Re: Aldo`s 1980 full clone 1977 trans am project
Post by: aldo on December 25, 2011, 12:22:36 AM
Looks great. What size tire do you have? Those things looks huge.

Actually those mags are not the ones im using ,i have the 15x7 restored and put factory size tires on them bf goodrich radial TA is what i run with...the mags with the big tires were just a loaner from a friend.
Title: Re: Aldo`s 1980 full clone 1977 trans am project
Post by: aldo on December 25, 2011, 12:32:18 AM
after all the mechanical was done i brought the car back home for some other work...<

(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x364/nicolasbrandon99/video022.jpg)
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x364/nicolasbrandon99/video021.jpg)
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x364/nicolasbrandon99/video020.jpg)
just before i got it home i forgot to take pics but i bought a complete exhaust ,long headers (headman)and a complete dynomax kit front to back,now i know the exhaust tips are wrong but i bought the correct duel tips to fit..
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x364/nicolasbrandon99/video019.jpg)



this was a crapy video that i took of the car running with the new exhaust..
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x364/nicolasbrandon99/th_video023.jpg) (http://s1178.photobucket.com/albums/x364/nicolasbrandon99/?action=view&current=video023.mp4)
Title: Re: Aldo`s 1980 full clone 1977 trans am project
Post by: Greenbird76 on December 25, 2011, 01:08:53 PM
Nice!!!!!.   Except for the T tops, again I will probably say this alot,  Reminds me of my build.  AWESOME