1978 Pontiac Trans Am

1973 Pontiac 455 & 1978 Ponitac 400

Automatic

2W87Z8N124702

Clear

This is a 1978 Speical Edition Y82 Black Trans Am with Hurst T-Tops. I bought this car in 1992 and in the late 90's, I removed, disassembled and crated the Ponitac 400 (6.6 Liter) engine that was in the car. I installed a 1973 Pointiac 455 (2 bolt main, D Port). The engine was bored .030 over and I used a TRW Flat Top Forged piston engine kit with Edelbrock Performer parts (Intake, Cam, Timing Chain, Carburetor). The cylinder heads are the VERY rare 1971 #96 Pontiac heads. These heads give a 455 9:5 to 1 compression. I put over $3,000 just in the engine when I built it. The engine has less then 5,000 miles on it. The only other modifcation I made was a shift kit instralled in the Turbo Hydromatic 350. This auction includes the car and BOTH engines. The car has a true dual exhaust system. This car was driven very little, just on the weekends and was never raced. My intention was to hold onto the car and do a complete restoration, but after 22 years, I have realized that is not going to happen and would like to sell the car to someone who will restore it. The car ran and drove 5 years ago when I parked it. I have not started it since. The interior is in very good shape. The steering wheel is in like new condition. This is an early production 1978 Trans Am since mid year, they switched to the Fisher Body T-tops. This car would make an excellent restoration project. Note: The pictures were taken today (05/18/14) and the car is wet from being washed.On May-19-14 at 16:25:08 PDT, seller added the following information: Several people have emailed me asking if the 400 engine is the original engine. IT IS !! the Pontiac 400 6.6 (disassembled and crated) IS A NUMBERS MATHCING ENGINE. This is the original engine that came with car when it was manufactured. The VIN #, the Build sheet # (See picture) and the number stamped on the block ALL match. The engine was running fine when I removed it from the car and disasembled it. On May-20-14 at 08:29:28 PDT, seller added the following information: I have recieved numerous emails so I am addressing the main topics asked about: First, The "96" cylinder heads. As stated above, these are 1971 Pontiac cast iron, factory cylinder heads. They came from the factory on a 1971 400c.i. engine in a Pontiac Le Mans vehicle. They are D port (d as in david). They are very hard to find, even back in the 90's when I was looking for a set. Second, The 455 engne block is from a run of the mill 1973 Pontiac Station wagon. I pulled the motor myself from a U-pull it salvage yard, back in early 1990s. It's a two bolt main and was bored .030 over. Third, I have been asked several times about how severe the rust is. As stated above under "condition", There is rust damage along the driver's side of the hood (see picture). This was a northern car and there is rust along the bottom of the body panels and undercarriage. the worst of it is the bottom of the quarter panels (see picture). The rear passenger floor pans will need to be replaced, they are very rusty. There is also rust at the bottom of the A pillars where the dashboard meets the windshield. Fourth, conditon of the paint: As stated above, the pictures provided were taken when the car was wet (I washed it before taking pictures). The paint has numerous minor scratches that may or may not be able to be buffed out (that was never a skill of mine). The paint is oxidized and is dull. I think a professional detailer/paint man could buff the car back to a nice shine, but if the car is going to be restored to new condition, it will need to be repainted.