1980 Turbo Trans Am Pace Car.

Thanks to increasing emissions standards and the 1978 oil crisis General Motors had to seriously re-think its performance vehicles. and that led to some innovative and very creative power plants. Under this Trans/Am turbo-specific hood you’ll find an all-original stamped and "301T" branded turbocharged Pontiac 301 V8 which made substantially more twist than the mighty 6. 6 liter it replaced while being significantly more efficient. Originally conceived as an economy offering. the Pontiac 301 was beefed up with a better block design. thicker gaskets. lower compression pistons. a mild camshaft. a rolled fillet crank. a fully baffled oil pan. a unique single plane intake and an electronic spark controller in preparation for a Garrett TBO-305 turbocharger. Once the turbo was installed. it created a waste limited 9 PSI of boost and helped the reborn 301 achieve 236 horsepower and a serious 345 lb. /ft. of torque. This engine. Turbo. and Rochester carb was rebuilt to factory specification. All the hard parts around the motor. from the belt driven accessories to the brake booster and turbo mandated air conditioning appear to be factory original pieces. and every belt. vacuum and hose’s was replaced with new. As far as appearance goes. the car’s clean engine bay and hood are covered in a nice coat of GM satin black which contrasts well to the familiar GM Corporate Blue engine block. G80 Posi-traction rear end that still maintains its factory 3. 08 gears. The original Turbo-Hydramatic 350 3-speed automatic transmission was also rebuilt the same time the engine was. For 1980. the WS6 suspension included larger sway bars. better shocks and springs. power front and rear disc brakes. The cars all-original. fully equipped Oyster interior. builds on the 1980 Trans Am’s increasing list of options. The firm and comfortable seats are nicely patterned pieces that feel every bit as supple as they look. and the original carpet shows wear at the edges. and a low/High/off small switch for cowl mounted turbo lights; and above those seats. headliner is stretched tightly around the cars mirrored T-tops.