New here,from Danville PA

[ttamoneypit]

I'm 41 I work at a juvenile treatment facility where we have young men locked up ,ages 16 to 21, hate this job but it pays the bills
I'm married with 2 kids 1 boy (10) 1 girl (13)

I've been a backyard mechanic type most of my life and my dad knew little to nothing about turning wrenches so I read many many magazines and tore into motorcycle and car engines and taught myself how to fix things in the dirt back yard in the cold in the rain in the hot sun you name it


I drove/owned firebirds and a few fullsize K5 chevy blazers and a fast little front wheel drive cutlass calais 442 with 200hp quad 4--kinda balsy for a 2500lb car

now I drive a 2002 chevy avalanche with a custom winch bumper up front (no winch)

I also have a 92 olds Achieva SCX that is kind of rare-only 1 thousand or so made this car has a 2.3 quad 4 engine but it's not as fast as my olds 442 was because it is heavier,I got it cheap so I drive it to save some money on gas ,it is for sale

I have an 02 Honda XR650R which is a dirt only water cooled bike that makes more HP than the XL air cooled street legal bikes, I need to fix the wiring harness ad lights and turn signals to it I already have it titled for the street but need to fix things and get it inspected before I drive it on the street--fast bike with lots of power--might ad a big bore kit and cam for more fun--I love dual sport bikes--had a Yamaha XT600 for many yrs

I also have a 1989 turbo trans am (TTA) --my ttamoneypit it is # 1,104 out of 1,500 made, its a 20th anniversary trans am and an indy 500 pace car KBB is around $21,000, this has the 3.8 Buick v-6 with turbo (LC2) like the Buick grand nationals (a few differences like heads and crank) I have a lot of mods to this car but I drove it maybe 100mi and it has a loud rod knock --I'm assuming too much boost pressure and detonation hammered the rod bearings I got the car in 2004 drove it a few times and it's been parked in the garage since hearing the engine rapping, I'm just not motivated at all to work on it, I work 3rd shift and feel tired all the time I would sell it if i could get my money out of it--


would like to buy in the near future a Jeep TJ and a Buell 1200 or yamaha V-max

HELLO to all my brother gearheads motorheads rednecks or whatever we are

[Rick]

I've always considered myself as a hillbilly. Always lived in the country, on or around the mountains. No bus service so always had to own a car, no money so always had to fix them myself. A deep abiding respect for quality steel. I love Trans Ams, never had one but did have an '80 Firebird, black, small v-8, 4-speed and it was a great little car. Hope to see yours someday.

I want to be the first to welcome you to our forum. We're just getting started but already have some great members. Some rooms have been set up and there will be many more to come. Please feel free to add your comments to any of the discussions, this being a "message board" style forum it isn't unusual for some time to pass between entries.

You can start a thread at any of our rooms and I hope you'll do a thread on the progress with your Trans Am, documenting the work you've done. and, for sure...relax while you're here, you're among friends.

[SamS]

Welcome, TTA. It sounds like you have some interesting vehicles there! I bet 200hp on that 442 was fun! I have a 2003 PT cruiser turbo, rated at 215hp, and it will really go when you stomp the gas pedal! On a light-footed trip down 322 to Lancaster to my son's place it gets 30mpg! The best of both worlds.
My son still has the 1982 Yamaha XT250 we got when he was 16 years old (he's almost 33 now) with 20k miles on it and it still runs well! I rode Yamaha 2 stroke Enduros in the 1970's. They were bulletproof, and would go anywhere! I hope you get that TTA fixed up. Sounds like a good car to show, and have some fun with, too!
Sam

[71k10]

Hi TTA,
good to meet you. It is so nice to come here and meet other people with similar interests. I like you grew up and mostly remain in the backyard with a small budget, but still enjoy nice vehicles. we had a Buick Regal GS with a supercharged v-6, I think it was rated at 240 horses, it was a great car, the only place to go after that was a 01 Chrysler 300m with 253 horses. We still have that with just over 100,000 miles and in great shape. Our pick-up serves my need for the v-8 rumble. Again welcome and I believe Rick when he says we are amoung friends

[Arnie]

Welcome to our forum TTA!

We're always glad to welcome another Central PA Gearhead to our online community. I'm sure most of us can relate to your love of mechanical things. We have it too. And we're really just getting started with building this forum and glad you're here!

By the way... correct me if I'm wrong... but it would seem that you'd kind of like to part with the Trans Am... But with the mechanical issues you're not sure if you'll get what you'd like for the car. It sounds like you really don't want to go through the agony or expense of tearing down that engine. And you never know what you'll find either. I think we've all been there at one time or another.

My advice to you (for what it's worth) is to decide what the bottom line is for you personally -- the very least you'd be willing to take. Then place ads in Auto Connection Magazine and a listing on PennAutoConnection.com. List it with a little wiggle room and see what happens. It never hurts to try! You can always change your mind. Plus it costs you little or nothing to advertise here! Just my 2¢. That way maybe you'll have some extra money to put toward something you really want to work on... 'cause there's nothing worse than staring at a money pit that your heart isn't in!

[burnoutman]

Welcome there TTA good to have you aboard you will find that everyone on here has the same thing on there mind and it is autos.bikes,trucks racecars or something on this line so from our home to yours welcome!!!

Joe

[CB750F]

Welcome to the site!

[Dakota R/T]

Welcome aboard............ My wife had a '78 TA 6.6 that we purchased new. No, it wasn't a Smokey & the Bandit wannabe, it was actually the flip-flop version, Solar gold with the large hood bird and T-Tops. Beautiful car, camel interior. It was her everyday driver for about 8 years, till she got tired of trying to get the daughter in and out of the back seat. Then came the 4-doors....... Anyhow, welcome. I visit often and I think we have a great group, so far. Later, Tim

[ttamoneypit]

saturday i bought another Honda XR650R an 2001, the price was to good to pass up-$3,000

this bike is a lot nicer than my other 1 and it has 12.5-1 wiseco piston,hotcam stage 1 ,street legal kit and a bunch of other stuff--guy said he had over $9,000 into it--don't ask me why he only wanted 3 grand for it,hell of a nice guy though--he sold because he has a bad knee and can't kick start it anymore,he definately isn't short on cash



and i forgot to mention my wife drives an2006 Pontiac G6 GTP with 3.9 v-6 and a 6spd and it has panoramic sunroof--translation the whole roof opens up

I still haven't fixed my TTA yet

[mtsman]

Welcome TTA.

bummer about the LC2. I so agree, it is tough to look at everyday like that. I assume you are on the turbobuick(s) forums. There are probably some folks on there who would help you diagnose and find the right stuff for TTA.