Thread: 85 Turbo Trans Am

Its sitting out side in snow all wrapped up cause girls dad needed place for 75 vett

Plan to clean the oil pan and get it ready for paint then go through my three water pumps figure out which is best check and clean the starter clean the fuel pump get it all shiny again a few other things that wont cost anything to do.

Thank you I plan to go with the 8.8 I want to try find a 3L73 from a mountaineer or explorer out of pick n pull $120

Just went through all three my water pumps the prop on one is a counter clockwise the other is rusted to the point it will probably fall apart and the third is so clean it looks brand new its a no brainer which to use had to take heater hose plug out and put the heater hose fitting in it. One of the pumps had studs instead of bolts so took studs from it and threaded them in to the good pump. Now I have a good pump and set up the way I want it. Pics in morning

Originally Posted by smws6ta

Mine has a custom 8.8 fab for my 98 that I build. I have Yukon 4.10 gears, Moser 31 spline axles, 9" housing ends so I could eliminate the c clips (<<a major weak point) and a Moser rear cover. Making it was not an easy job, I had to get a welder that could tig weld and know how to properly control heat when welding nodular iron. If not controlled correctly it will crack the welds.

Once it get's everything broke in and running right I'll be looking into a wave track differential for it now that they make one for 31 spine 8.8's.

Too answer your question on difference between 9" vs 8.8's. 9" are incredibly strong and their design enables for quick gear changes/repairs (if you have a spare) at the track. 8.8's can be close in strength but have less parasitic drag and weight penalty over the 9". Before 9" became popular, it was the 8.8 that was sought after.

And he did a hell of a job. If there is still a forum hosting his build, you should read it. It isn't easy, but when ya ain't rich you put skills to work. He did an awesome job. Before anyone misinterprets what I'm saying, He did this because he could, not because he's broke. And Bloo is still ghey.

Originally Posted by Travisgt2

Just went through all three my water pumps the prop on one is a counter clockwise the other is rusted to the point it will probably fall apart and the third is so clean it looks brand new its a no brainer which to use had to take heater hose plug out and put the heater hose fitting in it. One of the pumps had studs instead of bolts so took studs from it and threaded them in to the good pump. Now I have a good pump and set up the way I want it. Pics in morning

Water pump rotation direction on a Gen 1/2 SBC depends on pully setup. If you are running a serp system be damn sure you install the pump for such.

Which pump?

Are you using the '85 accessories?

I was going to

Would you want to build another 8.8????

I am moving the a/c compressor from the driver side to passenger power steering to driver and alternator to driver side

What u guys think does it stick out to much or to high????

I need some thoughts and opinions

That might hit the hood... and theres no adjustment left... and the compressor will never hold still enough on an alternator bracket.

Back to the drawing board if you ask me. Study your existing brackets and compare the sturdines of the A/C to the alt. Theres a reason for that difference, weight. If you really must shift everything over to it's opposite side, why not try flipping the existing brackets and doing small modifications to them to make that work?

Also curious why you're sticking with V-belts if needing to re-arrange accessories and guessing its because thats what ya got. There are tons of lo-buck how-to articles on gathering boneyard parts for a serpentine setup. MUCH preferred especially with whippy throttle response and religious high RPM usage.

Opinions and thoughts, from one source. There ya go!

I was gonna also say just ditch the A/C also... most rodders would. I see you're in KS so yea you'll maybe want that though.

On your 8.8" discussion- In my understanding, having an 8.8 is a lot like having a 12-bolt sturdiness-wise. Frankly, IMO, even that is probably overkill. IIRC, you're looking at like 450-500 horse range from your engine. Without modification and kinda guessing, I doubt that a 10.5" tire will fit your car. 245-255mm width might with the correct offset and depending on height and tire style. When I say "fit", I mean doesn't stick out or rub at any point. And if thats all the tire you can run, heck most guys would probably leave whatever rearend is already in it until there are signs of trouble. Then just get another salvage unit and so on, forever. It can only dig so hard with a skinny contact patch. Cheep, just gotta have the right ratio for your combo and of course both tires diggin'.

The wheelie bar guys know their stuff, just don't get caught up in the race parts $$$ for your beefy street cruiser.

I'm making a bracket that will mount to the front of the a/c and the top of the two bolts on the left side of the water pump

Going out to father in laws going to take as many brackets off as many engines as possible lol also going to nab a power steering pump I'm going to fab my own brackets I am going stick with the v belts id rather have it that way.

Necessity is the mother of invention, yep. You'll come up with something, I couldn't see that back bracket in the other pic. Still looks awful high up for a 3rd gen's hood to me and like the A/C lines may kiss the valve cover. But thats the funnest part- nobody can say what your car ought to be so you are free to create. I still run V-belts myself.