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Resurrection of my TTA

A

Adrian

Active Member
Ok so my TTA is my very first car that I owned. I have a lot of fond memories with that car. I even met my current wife and high school sweet heart in that car. After years of neglect I plan on bringing it back to its glory days. The first thing that needs attention is a full repainting and all the rubber seals need replacing also the lexan T-Tops have some cracks and the drivers seat needs repair. So my question or questions to you all are:
1 how much is a full paint job going to cost? What's the average good quality paint job run?
2 where can I get all the rubber seals?
3 where can I get my t-tops fixed or replaced and what's the cost?
4 where can I get my drivers seat fixed or maybe a seat cover just wondering if it's going to match the rest of the interior ?
5 my rear wing needs some help it's starting to separate at the bottom on one of the sides not sure if it's fixable or a replacement is needed
Anyway I'm sure I'm forgetting some thing or things?
Any help you guys or gals can provide will be greatly appreciated
Thanks
Adrian
 
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Hi and welcome to the site.
You can find many of those answers if you use the search feature.
1. Paint is a tough one. What do you want the car to be? Show quality? Driver quality? You can spend 500 at Maaco or 10 grand at a custom body shop.
2. Seals - I used a variety of them on my thirdgen from different manufacturers. Original GM is out there but is big bucks. I used Soffseal for the t top seals.
3. Lexan t tops can be buffed out if you want to retain them. If not, do an Ebay search. There are plenty for sale. Make sure you get the correct year as the pins that hold them in have changed over the years.
4. If you are only getting the seat repaired, try a local upholsterer. Matching is tough and probably will not be 100%
5. Rear wing needs to be replaced. Hawks sells a fiberglass replacement. It is expensive, and not perfect, but is the only solution.
Firebird, Formula, Trans Am, GTA 85-90 Wrap Around Rear Spoiler, New Aftermarket - Hawks Third Generation
 
8289ta said:
Hi and welcome to the site.
You can find many of those answers if you use the search feature.
1. Paint is a tough one. What do you want the car to be? Show quality? Driver quality? You can spend 500 at Maaco or 10 grand at a custom body shop.

Well since my TTA a is far from being an original unmolested example considering the mods I have (larger Baer brakes,hotchkis suspension,currie 9",17"Boyd wheels, etc...)although she looks like a rust bucket on the outside she's only got 14k on the odometer and I believe she's got a bright future.
Since I plan on keeping the TTA forever and eventually pass it down to my kids. I'm leaning towards show quality. I figure I'll be happy in the long run with a very good paint job. 10k is my budget for this project so I'm hoping to get the other stuff done as well.

2. Seals - I used a variety of them on my thirdgen from different manufacturers. Original GM is out there but is big bucks. I used Soffseal for the t top seals.

I've seen a few seals here and there for sale but I was hoping to get them all at one source. Is there any way I can get a complete list of all the seals I would need?

3. Lexan t tops can be buffed out if you want to retain them. If not, do an Ebay search. There are plenty for sale. Make sure you get the correct year as the pins that hold them in have changed over the years.

Did not see any lexan Ttops I saw a few glass. So I would need 1989 tops to assure getting the right pins?

4. If you are only getting the seat repaired, try a local upholsterer. Matching is tough and probably will not be 100%

Yea I'm leaning towards repair the over all condition of the seat is pretty good just need a seem restiched, a small hole repaired, and the side bolster touched up.

5. Rear wing needs to be replaced. Hawks sells a fiberglass replacement. It is expensive, and not perfect, but is the only solution.
Firebird, Formula, Trans Am, GTA 85-90 Wrap Around Rear Spoiler, New Aftermarket - Hawks Third Generation
Click to expand...

So these are not repairable or not really worth the effort I'm better off just buying a replacement from hawks? How's the quality and fit?
Anyway thanks for the welcome and response
Adrian
 
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Repairing your wing is not an option. It will crack again.
The replacement is made of fiberglass, and like most replacement fiberglass parts it needs some work to look good. A good body shop will be able to make it fit good. It may need some sanding on the pedestal legs to fit properly and it also may require some prep to make it look perfectly smooth.
T top replacements are going to be glass. Forgot to post that. As far as seals, I used many different brands along the way. I researched who made the best ones for each part. Like I said, the info is out there and I did a detailed post on here.
Weatherstripping? - Turbo Trans Am Forum
 
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As far as rear wing go....you can repair them, I have. Depends where it's cracked and how bad. A lot of people replacing these wings with fiberglass replacements obviously don't understand the weight value of regular wing. Take your your rear wing off, stock heavy one; no go around a turn at 40-50 MPH...see what your back end does without the weight....and I'm sure someone will comment about what I've said because it's methat said it....but I actually drive my TA's and understand the engineering of the car
 
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The wing is rusting from within. Water infiltrated the wing and is corroding the metal inside. The rust grows and forces the rubber wing to crack. Unless you can figure out how to stop the rust, it will happen again after you try to repair it.
 
TURBOGTA said:
As far as rear wing go....you can repair them, I have. Depends where it's cracked and how bad. A lot of people replacing these wings with fiberglass replacements obviously don't understand the weight value of regular wing. Take your your rear wing off, stock heavy one; no go around a turn at 40-50 MPH...see what your back end does without the weight....and I'm sure someone will comment about what I've said because it's methat said it....but I actually drive my TA's and understand the engineering of the car
Click to expand...


I'm all ear's, please explain how you do it.... first you must stop the leak and then rust proof the metal inside the spoiler so it don't swell again and split the rubber, so what's the secret/???...DontKnow:
 
WS6 said:
right...I'm throwin' a flag on the play. The fiberglass spoiler is only 13.5 lbs lighter.
Click to expand...

And ... At 72 degrees Fahrenheit, the weight of one gallon of gas is 6.25 pounds.

So weight difference of a full, empty and half-empty is very significant as well. So full tank is better in this case :-)
 
I have the rear wing off my car
with a full tank of gas
with a 1/2 tank of gas
with a 1/4 tank of gas

I have my rear wing on
with a full tank of gas
with a 1/2 tank of gas
with a 1/4 tank of gas
temp was about 78 degrees

*with rear tires inflated to
35 pds
32 pds
30 pds
 
Wow I thought the purpose of the rear wing was to create downforce also the shape and angle of the wing are also determine how much downforce will be created. I was under the impression that you wanted to keep weight lower and closer the center of the vehicle in order to achieve better handling. But I'm no expert you are probably right. You learn something new everyday
 
TURBOGTA said:
Take your your rear wing off, stock heavy one; no go around a turn at 40-50 MPH...see what your back end does without the weight....and I'm sure someone will comment about what I've said because it's methat said it....but I actually drive my TA's and understand the engineering of the car
Click to expand...

Heck, every time I take a corner at 40+mph I slide off the road, It's like I put model T wheels and tires on the car... J/K:poke: Actually all BS aside, I took the spare tire and jack out of the car many years ago when I was serious about E.T., and there was no notable difference in handling and the tire and jack weigh almost 90lbs as I recall. Not as much difference as the wings. But hey, maybe I'm not in tune with the incremental. Didn't fly off the road at 150mph+ so, I guess it was ok.
 
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Adrian said:
Ok so my TTA is my very first car that I owned. I have a lot of fond memories with that car. I even met my current wife and high school sweet heart in that car. After years of neglect I plan on bringing it back to its glory days. The first thing that needs attention is a full repainting and all the rubber seals need replacing also the lexan T-Tops have some cracks and the drivers seat needs repair. So my question or questions to you all are:
1 how much is a full paint job going to cost? What's the average good quality paint job run?
2 where can I get all the rubber seals?
3 where can I get my t-tops fixed or replaced and what's the cost?
4 where can I get my drivers seat fixed or maybe a seat cover just wondering if it's going to match the rest of the interior ?
5 my rear wing needs some help it's starting to separate at the bottom on one of the sides not sure if it's fixable or a replacement is needed
Anyway I'm sure I'm forgetting some thing or things?
Any help you guys or gals can provide will be greatly appreciated
Thanks
Adrian
Click to expand...


Cool, that your a TTA original owner. Me too, since I was a young man of 17. Didn't find a wife in the car, but I did find alotta chicks that liked to stand up with the tops out while driving down the interstate, oh youth how I miss you...:bye2:

You'll find lots of help here. Try Hawks camaro and firebirds as a resource. Just google them.
Post some pics of your car too when you can.

Also, I have a pretty nice extra driver side lexan t-top that I guess I would part with. Just a few scuffs, but it looks pretty good for the age. I'd consider taking pics and posting if your interested.

Welcome to this forum.
 
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TURBOGTA said:
I have the rear wing off my car
with a full tank of gas
with a 1/2 tank of gas
with a 1/4 tank of gas

I have my rear wing on
with a full tank of gas
with a 1/2 tank of gas
with a 1/4 tank of gas
temp was about 78 degrees

*with rear tires inflated to
35 pds
32 pds
30 pds
Click to expand...

So what was the notable difference?

I'm no expert here just interested to learn.

So with the weight difference (between different style wings only) and not really a big weight difference between stock "rubber style" and the glass fibre version in combination with the weight difference so high up above the rear tires (in combination with poor handling around the corners as is already lol) I can't imagine you would feel or see any difference in handling at all?


During winter in Sweden we did put a bag of sand or some bricks in the trunk to help the light weight rear driven cars at the time be a bit safer to drive on slippery roads during that time of year; and that did make a notable difference. Maybe 10-20lb or so at the bottom of the trunk.
 
For optimal handling and performance try a MSE wing they had on 82 and on...they actually work and unlike the fiberglass repro....they have some weight to them. Im sure Dennis didn't know what he was doing.
I expected a comment like I'd better put a sand bag in my car.
Im trying to help with my experiences with these cars. Ive even installed a notchback on my TTA to test the handling capabilities.
I found putting sandbags works when things flood like Louisiana...not in the back of a performance car for handling. You'd also have load shift with a sandbag...
 
Well let's all be realistic the tta was like the fox body mustangs........straight line performance only. It's horrible in the corners with or without the 13lbs
 
TURBOGTA said:
For optimal handling and performance try a MSE wing they had on 82 and on...they actually work and unlike the fiberglass repro....they have some weight to them. Im sure Dennis didn't know what he was doing.
Click to expand...

This is true. I actually have talked to Dennis about this. The original wing is fiberglass and very heavy. The repro "aero" wing is much lighter and used for appearance. The MSE race cars were manual trannys, and the wing actually did provide downforce.

Probably not real significant with the TTA-different engine, auto.
 
RatFink said:
Cool, that your a TTA original owner. Me too, since I was a young man of 17. Didn't find a wife in the car, but I did find alotta chicks that liked to stand up with the tops out while driving down the interstate, oh youth how I miss you...:bye2:

You'll find lots of help here. Try Hawks camaro and firebirds as a resource. Just google them.
Post some pics of your car too when you can.

Also, I have a pretty nice extra driver side lexan t-top that I guess I would part with. Just a few scuffs, but it looks pretty good for the age. I'd consider taking pics and posting if your interested.

Welcome to this forum.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the welcome
I will check out Hawks
Although I need both tops my drivers side isn't as bad as my passenger send me some pics of yours and maybe I can get lucky and find someone with a good passenger side.
 
Anybody in northern NJ know of a good paint /auto body shop with experience with f body/TTA. Need to get some estimates for paint job?
 
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