New to me 1988 Trans Am

[scholtmj]

Can I do a member re-introduction?

Hi, my name is Matt and I love red 3rd gen Trans Ams.

Just made a deal on a 1988 Trans Am that I'm picking up next week. 50k original miles, 100% stock (minus tires), 350 TPI, HARDTOP, black cross-lace wheels. Almost identical to my old T/A when it was stock, save for the hardtop and 350.

Took forever to find a red hardtop 350 Trans Am that wasn't a GTA, go figure. No pictures yet, but here is a blast from the past.

[MORNINGSTAR2101]

lol, congrats!

[WMCC Gary]

Congrats! Whats the plans for this one?

[scholtmj]

Congrats! Whats the plans for this one?

Current plans include driving and more driving. I've been Firebird-less since May 15 2008!

Future plans include new suspension items, drop spindles, wilwood brakes up front, headers and cat back, and maybe SLP intake runners if I can find them used.

One big reason I wanted an 88 instead of an 89 is the ability to install EFI Connection's 24x system. It changes the old ecm to an LS1 ecm with coil-on-plug ignition and you can also add a 4L60E transmission. Both engine and transmission can be tuned by EFI-Live or HP Tuners.

[WMCCjames]

Awesome Matt!! Congrats..glad to see your back in the game! Want to buy your old GMMG exhaust back...lol.

[scholtmj]

Awesome Matt!! Congrats..glad to see your back in the game! Want to buy your old GMMG exhaust back...lol.

Ha, actually YES. Thought of sending PM when I saw your search for a stock cat back. The GMMG didn't get loud with my TPI until I put a blower on it....

[BP_Z28]

Welcome back

[MP81]

Welcome back man!

[steddy]

Sounds like your new beast is going to have a very nice hookup with the harness and COP ignition. I think you'll like it.

[tenpin842]

Welcome Back! Always glad to see another 3rd gen bird!

[scholtmj]

Picking it up this Saturday. I'll post pictures after I get it home!

[Gottork]

welcome back Matt, glad to see your getting back in the game

[ITSSLOW]

Sounds like a great pick up!

[scholtmj]

Pictures!

140 mph speedo, 4 wheel disc brakes, original window sticker and warranty card! Drove it home from Chicago, let it sit for a day and no leaks! A/C has been changed to R134a and works great and the new headliner compliments the very clean interior quit well. Does need a little work: power antenna doesn't work, speakers pop, hatch struts are toast, rear spoiler has paint bubbles from a previous job, and since it was in IL it had a front license plate.

My old TA must have been flexed pretty well in its life as this car is very tight with little to no rattles during normal use. Highway expansion joints still bounces the dash but I attribute that to it being a product of the 80's and the stiff sidewall BFGoodrich G-Force TAs.










Should I replace the spoiler with the Mecham Design aero tail?




Thinking about these for new TA wheels since they look good on the ZR-1.

[meissen]

Looks almost identical to what you had! Congrats dude!