488 STROKER MATCHING # W-72, 4 SP, RAM AIR, LOW MILES & HIGH OPTIONS, RESTORED

1978 Pontiac Firebird Description

1978 Pontiac Trans Amwith 488 cubic inchStroker engineand all-forged internals (8.0 liters instead of 6.6 liters). The engine is the original W-72 matching numbers engine with correctXX castingnumber and WC engine code. The W-72 block is much stronger than the standard L-78 block.The car also has the W-72 specific air cleaner housing with the larger air intake snorkel that only the optional W-72's package has.Engine has 300 break-in miles on it with a forged Scat 4.5 crank, forged Eagle 6.7 H-beam rods, forged KB pistons, and Total Seal rings.Compression ratio is 9.5. The clutch is a McLeod unit with a stock pedal feel and a new Ram Clutchesbillet flywheel balanced as an assembly with the crank, rods, etc. Engine bore and stroke are 4.155 (.035 over) by 4.5 inch stroke.

Cylinder heads are the matching 6x-4 heads and the camshaft is a Ram Air IV cam reproduced by Comp Cams.Exhaust manifolds are Ram Air Restorations complete exhaust system with mandrel-bent pipes and X-pipe with the oversized header- style Ram Air exhaust manifolds specified. The manifolds have the enlarged 2.45 outlet and the upgraded ceramic coating. A picture is included which shows the large difference between the stock manifolds and the Ram Air manifolds. The Ram-Air manifoldsprovide header performance without the noise and ongoing maintenance of headers. The exhaust system has been professionally welded without u-clamps or band clamps. Chrome exhaust splitters are made by Pypes as its the only piece Ram Air Restorations doesn't make.

Factory options forthe car include the W-72 engine package, air conditioning, power windows, power locks, interior light group, rear window defroster, controlled cycle wipers (first year),upgraded Lombardy velour interior, pedal trim package, and super-cooling radiator.

Body was painted a year ago, prior to the mechanical and interior restoration. It also has less than 300 miles. All glass is new, including the rear-window defroster glass and door hinges are replaced. Decals are from Phoenix Graphix, including the sail-panel birds and the underside of the hood is painted to match.Back of the shaker scoop has been opened for additionalairflow to the engine. Thefront lower spoiler has been installed between the front fender flares.The frame, floorboards, trunk, etc are all solid with no patch panels and the door and glass weatherstripping is also new.

Transmission is the factory Borg-Warner SuperT-10four-speedwith its factory Hurst Shifter. Included in this sale is a NOS factory gold velvet Hurst shifter handle. It is unopened inits package - car is pictured with a used velvet handle that is not included. A brushed aluminum Hurst handle will be on the car as it leaves, with the HurstGold velvet handle packagestill unopened

Factory air conditioning has been upgraded with a polished Sanden compressor thatuses less power than the stock A-6 compressor and makes routine maintenance like spark plugs accessible, while removing the larger compressor thatdominates an engine compartment with its size, mounting location, and longer hoses. The alternator is a polished 100 amp that adds to the show-car appeal along with the polished A/C unit, over having a cast alternator in front of chrome valve covers.

Brake system includes a new brake booster, master cylinder, and proportioning valve and is correctly bled. Brake light comes on when the emergency brake is engaged. Controlled Cycle wiper switch is NOS out of the box, and the wiper/washer motor is new and thewindshield squirters work as they should. The washer reservoir and coolant overflow containers have been replaced and are bright white.

A gold dash bezel has been added to the interior with aspecial matchingsteering wheel that is alsogold and has the same engine-turned design as the gold dash bezel and gets lots of positive responses (in adequatelighting).These are combined with the gold Hurst velvet 4 speed shifter handle for a black and gold Hurst theme.

The interior has new Lombardy velour seats front and back. The optional velourinterior package preventsburning vinyl in summeror cold orhard in winter.All seat covers,door panels, console, console door, seat backs, headliner, carpeting, sill plates, package shelf, weatherstripping, interior light, and sun visors are new. The dash is in excellent condition with no cracks or tears. Car has a new stereo with a Pontiac nameplate and I-Pod connection etc. For some reason, all the pictures of the seats look washed-out from the flash, but not the case at all - they are bright and new. Looks like I need to add a video to get the lighting correct.

Suspension is all factory rubber bushings, with the exception of the sway bar bushings, which are polyurethane. Steering box, all steering linkage, shocks and leaf springs are replaced with new units. A set of color-matching 8 inch WS-6 wheels have been added as another factory upgrade. The tires are new BF Goodrich T/A's with blue coating still covering the raised-white letters.

Only draw-backs: factory clock doesn't work and passengers side power lock works intermittently due tocommon factory ground issuethrough the door hinges.

The trunk has the correct factoryblack and aqua paintapplied, along withthe space-saver tire andnew trunk weatherstripping. Thebody has 77,000miles on it - the engine has less as it was out of the car at thetime of purchase and a SBC was in the car;that couldn't be tolerated any longer.

This car combines the highly regarded 77-78 body stylewith a much larger engine than any offered bythe factoryand with thematching numbers optional W-72 engine, all-forged internals instead of factory cast rotating assembly, Ram Air IV cam and Ram Air Restorations exhaust headersystem superior to any factory offering, theradial-tuned suspension that began in 1976, a modernupgraded compressortofactory air, WS-6 colormatching wheels, power windows with rear defroster.Not pictured is the interior upgrade lighting package with foot-well lighting and other smaller options.

There won't be another T/A like it at your favorite car show or car cruise.

Additional Items- Any bidder who has less than 25 positive reviews must contact me before bidding or their bid will be cancelled. The winning bidder will make a $1,000 non-refundable deposit through Paypal within 24 hours of the auction endingto show theywill complete the transaction under this agreement-this deposit is non-refundable. Therest of the paymentis due within 7 days of the end of the auction. I will help load the car for shipping if being shipped and shipping cost is the buyers. A winning bid is legally binding and not a kids game. If oneneedsa spouse's orothersapproval to bid,do get that approval first.