Paint Booth Secrets on the Silver Trans Am, Firebird Fest, Broken Bolts, Automotive Trivia, and More on the V8 Radio Podcast!

Kevin Oeste and Mike “Q-Ball” Clarke chat about a sweet 1977 Pontiac Trans Am coming together in the V8 Speed and Resto Shop, and some of the steps the paint team take to make these cars stand tall.  They also preview the 2022 Firebird Fest!  Later, Kevin shares some tips on extracting a bolt he broke on his 1970 Buick, and of course, there’s automotive trivia and more on this episode of the V8 Radio Podcast!  Subscribe so you don’t miss the next riveting show!

V8 Radio Podcast
V8 Radio Podcast
Paint Booth Secrets on the Silver Trans Am, Firebird Fest, Broken Bolts, Automotive Trivia, and More on the V8 Radio Podcast!
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2021 PRI Show, Building a 775 Hp LT5 10-Speed 1969 Camaro, Modernizing a Trans Am, Tools, and More on the V8 Radio Podcast!

The Performance Racing Industry (PRI) show is a hot topic on this episode of the V8 Radio Podcast, and our hosts Mike Clarke and Kevin Oeste review the racing trade show and scheme up a plan for next year.   Next up is a chat about a Pro-Touring 1969 Chevrolet Camaro coming together at the V8 Speed and Resto Shop, complete with a 775 HP LT5 engine hooked to a 10 speed automatic transmission.  This one is going to be a handful!   They also cover a modernized 1978 Pontiac Trans Am and a whole new way to look after the car, and wrap it all up with some tool talk.   And there is also Automotive Trivia, along with a few laughs and other nonsense, on the latest episode of the V8 Radio Podcast!

The Performance Racing Industry Show (PRI) Website

Click to see the 1969 Camaro LT5 10 Speed Photo Gallery

Check out the Toolbox Widget

V8 Radio Podcast
V8 Radio Podcast
2021 PRI Show, Building a 775 Hp LT5 10-Speed 1969 Camaro, Modernizing a Trans Am, Tools, and More on the V8 Radio Podcast!
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This super-clean 1978 Pontiac Trans Am came to the V8 Speed and Resto Shop as a new purchase for the owner. He wanted our crew to inspect the car, make any needed repairs, and upgrade it with a Vintage Air A/C system and a Holley Terminator X electronic fuel injection system. We also performed some other maintenance items, and replaced some worn-out components so that it is ready to fly!

1979 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am LS Engine Swap and Suspension at V8 Speed and Resto Shop Part 3

This 1979 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am was running the original 180 horsepower Oldsmobile Continue reading “1979 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am LS Engine Swap and Suspension at V8 Speed and Resto Shop Part 3”

1977 Pontiac Trans Am Maintenence and Upgrades at V8 Speed & Resto Shop

We’re completing some upgrades and restoration tasks on this 400-powered 1977 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am in the V8 Speed and Resto Shop. This Sterling Silver 1977 Trans Am has been in our customer’s family since new and often driven over the years. Today, it’s in for a mechanical, interior, and body and paint restoration. We thought we’d share an update as we build the car in our latest “What are you in for” video series where we share in-process projects from around the shop!

Original-family owned cars like this 1977 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am are special heirlooms for sure. Our customer was just 3 years old when his family went to their local Pontiac dealer and picked out this silver over red ‘77 TA, and it’s been in the family ever since. In fact, the story goes that our customer picked the color as a little kid! The car is powered by the Pontiac 400 V8, a more desirable engine than the California-spec Oldsmobile 403 alternative.

Today, it is showing over 170,000 miles on the odometer, which is great news… the car has been driven and enjoyed over all these years! However, that also means it suffered some wear and tear, despite the owner’s Father carefully performing maintenance on the car. Once in the V8 Speed and Resto Shop, our team removed the Pontiac 400 engine for rebuilding, and upgraded it with a COMP roller cam conversion for a bit more power and longevity. The engine cleaned and machined, and was fitted with all new bearings, rings, and other wear items.

The subframe was removed and media blasted, and the suspension system was upgraded with tubular control arms from Global West and Bilstein shock absorbers. SSBC disc brakes are an improvement over stock.

The 1977 Trans Am had some rust issues, so the V8 Speed and Resto Shop team repaired rust in the quarter panels, doors, fenders, dash, and trunk floor with new sheet metal. The car will receive a fresh coat of the original Sterling Silver color, along with a host of fresh restoration parts from YearOne to make the car look new on the inside and out. You’ll find the photos, videos, and podcasts about the car below!

V8 RADIO PODCAST:

1979 Pontiac Trans Am LS3 and Supercharger Upgrades at V8 Speed and Resto Shop

This clean 1979 Pontiac Trans Am came to the V8 Speed and Resto Shop in need of some major performance upgrades. The car was born with an anemic Oldsmobile 403 V8 engine coupled to a 3 speed automatic transmission. We did an initial dyno run to find it only made 168 horsepower at the rear wheels, which might have been okay for 1979, but definitely not cool for today. The answer to this problem lies in the form of a Edelbrock supercharged Chevrolet performance LS3 V8 backed by a 6-speed T56 Magnum transmission.

The Trans Am is going to receive a new Roadster Shop chassis for better stiffness and handling. The E Force supercharger relies on an upgraded camshaft from Comp Cams, and is capable of making over 800 horsepower running on E85 fuel. We will be sharing complete build and final dyno videos of this car once the transformation is complete.

 

Contact the V8 Speed & Resto Shop with all your Classic or Muscle Car needs today!

817 S. MAIN STREET – RED BUD, IL 62278

#transam #supercharged #ls3transam #roadstershop

1979 Pontiac Trans Am LS3 Swap and Suspension Upgrades at V8 Speed and Resto Shop

 

This 1979 Pontiac Trans Am is a 10th Anniversary car, and it is all original including the 403 cubic inch Oldsmobile V8.  We’re performing some basic maintenance and upkeep on this cool silver bird including t-top seals and some new quarter bird decals.  Follow along with all the progress here! 

 

Click “Read More” for the complete photo gallery!

Continue reading “1979 Pontiac Trans Am 10th Anniversary Upgrades at V8 Speed and Resto Shop”

1979 Pontiac Trans Am LS3 Swap and Suspension Upgrades at V8 Speed and Resto Shop

This 1979 Pontiac Trans Am was originally equipped with a 403 cubic inch Oldsmobile V8, and although it was pretty hot for the time, it just isn’t enough for the owner today.    The car came to the V8 Speed & Resto Shop for some high-performace upgrades including a GM LS3 485 HP V8 engine fed by a Holley EFI system, and it will handle better thanks to a Ridetech Street Grip suspension system with YearOne wheels.   Wilwood brakes will haul it down in short order.  Before all the fun, we had to fix some rusty floors, which was a good time to fabricate a custom firewall for the car as well.   Follow along with all the progress here! 

 

Click “Read More” for the complete video build series and photo gallery!

Continue reading “1979 Pontiac Trans Am LS3 Swap and Suspension Upgrades at V8 Speed and Resto Shop”

This 1969 Pontiac Firebird is a very unusual 'Bird being a prototype for the 1969 Pontiac Trans Am program.    We learned the story at the 2014 Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals in Rosemont, IL.