1973 Pontiac Trans Am

SD 455 Coupe

8 - Cyl.

Automatic

2V87Y3N127389

Gasoline

Rare Super Duty 455 Rebuilt and Documented by Jim Taylor Engine Service (JTES) This 1973 "Y" Code Trans Am has a 1974 Super Duty engine out of an Admiralty Blue 4 spd. Trans Am! I bought the car in 2004 with the engine swap completed but unrestored, and verified the vin (2V87X4N155051) on the motor was indeed a 4 speed (W8) Super Duty through PHS. The motor is listed on the Super Duty Registry since 2006. The restored engine is now mated to a TCI Turbo 400 with a 3.42 posi.. In 2006 the car body was completely restored with a subframe off restoration. The motor was completely torn down, documented and rebuilt by Jim Taylor Engine Service in Phillipsburg, NJ, with a few performance enhancements . Features of the car: Cameo white basecoat/clearcoat M40 turbo 400 as optioned below Air Conditioning Power Windows and Door Locks cruise control Tilt Wheel Remote Trunk unlock Deluxe interior Rear Seat Console Rear window defog Restoration of the car: Engine: The engine was removed from the car during the twelve month restoration and transported to JTES in N.J. where the SD motor was documented, stripped, cooked and magnafluxing was done on the SD block, "16" code heads, SD rods and non SD GM 455 crank. Block was bored .30 over, decked, align bored. The heads and LS2X intake were ported and polished and gasket matched. Heads received a competition and three angle valve job with new 2.11"/1.77" Ferrea valves, Teflon valve seals and Crower full roller rocker arms and valve springs, Smith Bros. push rods, ARP rocker studs . Motor was "hand assembed" by JTES as was done at the factory for the just over 1100 SD 455's that were produced in '73 and '74, head and manifold polishing/build was done by Jim himself and assistant "Markie". The Cam installation is a custom Crane grind solid lift cam with 336" lift and 247" duration , making the engine very "streetable" while consuming a huge volume of air. New TRW Sealed Power pistons and rings making 9.0 compression were installed on the SD rods with ARP connecting rod bolts. New Melling 60 psi oil pump, new ceramic coated Hooker Super Comp Headers, PYPES exhaust with x-pipe into transverse muffler, dated GM water pump, new Rollmaster timing chain and gear assembly, new GM RAIV type balancer . The completed engine was fired up, timed and tuned by JTES before its return to the vehicle. A GM Rochester service replacement 800 CFM carbeurator #17054910 was purchased and rebuilt for more fuel delivery by Carbs Unlimited (and myself, thanks for the book Cliff), with high volume mechanical pump. AC Delco GM model year reproduction 900 cranking amp battery. Stock SD distributor #1112205 was spun on a Sun distributor machine, rebuilt and a petronix electronic ignition was added by a Performance Years website vendor, thanks Rocky. Transmission: TCI turbro 400 "Super Street Fighter" PN #211305 mated to a TCI 2900 rpm stall converter. Chasis: The car chasis was restored by a local restoration shop specializing in Pontiacs, "Team Muscle Car Garage" in Guilford, CT. All workmanship, supplies, and parts was done in keeping with the day the vehicle left the factory. The motor, subframe, hood, fenders, nose, transmission, gas tank and rear end were removed during restoration which included: Powdercoating to match stock appearance/lustre of the following- subframe, inner fender wells, trans. crossmember, new front springs(coated grey), front and rear sway bars(coated grey), steering, all brackets for ac, cruise control, radiator support, fan, fan pulley, crank pulley, hood hinges and springs(coated grey), engine compartment braces, brake dust shields, rear drums, gas tank (new, coated in clear) and straps, license plate door. Undercarriage was stripped, primed in reddish brown spray primer. No rust was found as seen in the pics. Rear wheel wells were cleaned and recoated. Power brake booster and was removed and cadmium plated. Rearend was rebuilt with 30 spline Moser hardened steel axles, bearings, bushings. New Eaton Posi with Moser 3:42 ring and pinion. Assembled by a local machine shop. Axle housing was stripped and painted, new leaf springs powdercoated black. Driveshaft was sent out to receive new heavy duty u-joints, check for straightness and re-balancing. Paint and factory color coded bands were redone. New Competition Engineering powder coated Subframe Connectors bolted/welded to chasis & subframe. New Inline Tube stainless steel fuel, return and brake lines. Four (4) New Wheel Vintique 15 x 9 rallye II wheels, center caps and trim rings . Four (4) New 245/60/15 BF Goodrich Radial T/A's approximately 85% tread remaining. All new subframe, sway bar aluminum and urethane bushings. New engine harness New heavy duty radiator, radiator , heater and water pump hoses with proper wittek tower clamps Bumper, parking, headlight and tail light bezels re-chromed with a brilliant finish. Drip rails, door decor molding and windshield trim received polishing and new stainless finish. Paint: Cameo white paint is in excellent condition overall, smooth and flat to the touch with no dents or dings. The car was repainted 10 years ago and has been well maintained. There is a one inch rust patch at the base of the driver door beneath the paint. For the past 7 years the car has been covered and garaged. Interior: Off white buckets and rear bench are in perfect condition, no rips or tears and seats are firm. The door panels, sail panels, lower quarters, seat backs, trim, and visors were redyed using the correct matching Off White dye process from Ames. Dash pad was replaced prior to my ownership, and in perfect condition. All gauges work, except the clock. General Info: The engine fires on the first turn with engine and transmission fluids and filters replaced every six months and drives perfectly with correct alignment and steering. No rattles or shakes except at the shaker scoop with a fair lope at 900 rpm idle. Engine temperature runs constant at 170 to 180 degrees. Valves were recently checked and adjusted at the 5,000 mile mark and all roller rockers and springs inspected. R44TS plugs changed for the first time since motor restoration. All tips were whitish/tan when removed 10/11. A few items that need to be completed are a spare tire is needed, jack will go with the car. As seen in the photos, the compressor was rebuilt but not replaced on the vehicle, all other ac components are installed. All newly powder coated ac brackets and hardware will go with the car. The rear sill has a small rust patch on the driver side above the package tray. Several other spare parts including the original center console with 8 track tape deck, Form fit Covercraft cover, receipts and all documentation and pictures, PHS and invoices will go to the winning bidder. The car appears completely stock (except headers) and was built with that intent, as it would have in the mid 70's. Extremely fast street & highway performance. The vehicle is for sale locally and may be sold prior to auction end. The stock SD exhaust manifolds #490802 & 490803, and four (4) Honeycomb 15 x 8 rims with trim rings and center caps will be available for seperate purchase at auction end on ebay/craigslist. Additional pictures of the engine bay as of 10-11 will be posted. Please email with any other questions you have.