Started working on the Trans Am

[Neil350]

Cars been seriously neglected over the last year. In that time period, the dash was broken, the interior was trashed, it had all sorts of electrical issues. It was either part it out or start trying to fix it and make it nice again. After reading the thread about the guy who bought his old PPM Z28 back I decided to see what I could get done on the old 93. I didn't take many pictures, I should have but oh well .If you have any questions just ask, I am not mechanically inclined at all, so if I have been able to do this stuff you can too. It helps to have a friend who's letting me use his shop and when I get stuck which happens, I can ask questions. But the key is, if I can do this stuff, any one can.


What it used to look like




The first big issue was the car didn't like starting with out a battery box, starter was acting up, sure it was related to the charging issues, just was doing all sorts of weird stuff. So the solution, new GM LT4 Corvette Starter, Innovative Wiring H.O Cables and a Power Bastards Alternator. You can not get GM battery cables any more and these Innovative cables are really nice, they also fit great.

Next, time to tackle the interior, the dash was broken and it had all sorts of weird electrical issues popping fuses when you tried to use the power accessories. The car had an old after market alarm, it looked a ton worse then it was. Only one wire needed to be repaired on the alarm side, the rest had quick taps so it was just a matter of tracing wires and removing what was tapped in. Luckily the box had a wiring diagram so it was actually really simple. The alarm also had door lock functions, that was a bit more work.

I did find exposed wire so I think that was causing my popping fuses. I had to fix two wires on the key less entry harness. This is the alarm below. I also replaced the passenger door lock actuator and replaced a bent door lock lever rod. The end result was no more popping fuses, dash wiring cleaned up and the car having working power door locks. These never worked right since I have had the car.

Junk Alarm




The carpet had gotten wet and the car smelled like ass, I decided to pull the carpet. I was able to shampoo it and clean it up.



Got the carpet back in and started focusing on the dash, the old one had broke on the first ebony conversion. No saving it, so it was pulled. While it was out I changed the a/c evaporator core, heater core and the blower fan. The goal is to put a/c back in this car at some point.



Got everything buttoned up and put the new dash in, the car has now has a complete ebony conversion. I like the ebony a lot more then I did the factory tan.



Got bored and decided to put in a center filler panel in from a CETA



Now it was time for some R&R. My mirrors were faded but worse the mirrors them selves were water etched pretty badly. I found a clean red pair off ebay and swapped them in. Next on the list was ground effects, my passenger ground effect was deformed from some thing years ago and the driver side was cracked to ever living hell. So I found a clean pair again off of ebay, red, and swapped them in.





My 12 Bolt had been leaking, so I knew the cover was coming off plus the wires to the abs sensor were broken so I knew the cover was coming off to fix that as well. So instead of putting the cheapie chrome cover back on, I swapped in a TA performance cover. This is their 12 Bolt cover for low clearances. It fit really nice. I filled the rear end up with Torco 85/140 and their Friction modifier. Was like pumping honey in the rear end.




What's Next

Fix the broken parking brake cable, install the a/c, swap the power accessories bracket for one I had powder coated a while back.

[Fastbird]

Nice Neil! Good to see you working on it again.

Sent from my Kindle Fire using Tapatalk 2

[popo8]

Awesome man... maybe a 2013 shootout appearance by her?

[SchaefZ28]

Car is looking great, good work!

[gunters96lt1]

Awesome!

[Fixxer99TA]

Very nice, keep us posted on that progress... Ive always liked that TA

[McCauleyWB]

Very nice transformation!

[Tyler Wheat]

Nice! Lots of work, but I'm sure it was worth it. I'm crossing my fingers that we'll be able to see you at the shootout!

[F.G.]

Very very cool that you're making her pretty again.

[Badbird_96]

You should never part that car out. Its way too nice of a car for that.