The best part with Steve Magnante is that you don't only have to be in a junkyard crawling around to learn about automobiles. Thank you Steve for your dedication to helping us learn more every day. 😎🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲
Could you bump the boost up on these at all ? I’m assuming they were limited as they blew through the carburetor. We were spoiled in the 90’s/early 2000’s when you could take a turbo car and just a chip would net you another 75-100 horsepower or a new turbo would double your power
Mr. B. Here ☕️👀😎👍. This come as a stock to you , our society is not perfect but if you have a better way put it out there, also so many have lost jobs with all the technology, yes new jobs with technology but not helping does who were in small businesses ! Please do not tell me about clean air, in 1976 I work for Oldsmobile I saw being of so clean act & the bring
Cup of coffee on a Sunday morning with Steve Mags., Doesn't get any better than this! Congrats on beating that nasty illness my brother!! Continue to heal and come back stronger Steve!!!!!
Being in my mid twenties back in the late 70's was a blast stoplight racing Trans AMs, Fox body Mustangs, 280ZXs and 1st gen RX-7s with my brand new '79 Z28 T Top. Everything was down on power back then so you really had to wring them out light to light. Fond memories.
Glad your back and feeling better. I am a Trans Am guy, had a new 78 Formula and then a new 79 Trans Am and a couple of third gen T/As. I have a restored 79 T/A now. The shaker hood was still available in 80 and 81 if you got the 301 pontiac non turbo or 305 chevy engines. Great to see you back and look forward to many more episodes.
Not surprising there is a significant error in his presentation. Steve, since you've survived a near death experience and are reorganizing your life, how about the reorganization includes you editing corrections into your videos. Other content creators do it. You know so much there is no shame in occasionally being wrong. The shame is in acting as if you're never wrong.
I'm not Pontiac guy, but I remember when the Firebird Formula and Trans/AM were really the only American performance cars available from '75 to '79 time period. When Ford and Chrysler were on the fence about performance vs. economy, and before the Fox body came out in '79. You showing us the different engine pkgs GM tried to keep the muscle car alive by trying turbos on smaller engs.during this brief period was very entertaining. Thanks Steve, I always find your videos educational and interesting. Glad to see you on the mend!!!
Whether in the junk yard, classic car lot, or anywhere in between, I always enjoy another history lesson from Professor Steve! Glad you are improving and praying for your continued recovery!
You're crushing it Steve! What a treat to not only have you back at it making new videos but so much of them so close together! Thank you for putting in the effort (though I'm sure you've been itching to get back into the fold!)
My first car, at 16 in 1990, was a silver grey 301 turbo car with the same aluminum rims this car has. I worked at Diamond Chevrolet in Worcester, MA right next to Auburn and made weekly payments until I paid the $500 they sold it to me for over the course of maybe 10 weeks. I drove it up and down my driveway in for 4 months until I got my license and put it on the road. I’ve never forgotten that feeling of freedom and excitement. I drove that car through Auburn almost every day. Love this video and ABSOLUTELY love that you’re in my area because I’ve been a fan since I started seeing your name in my favorite magazines in my 20s and it feels personal. A lot of people, including me, are truly glad your okay.
Well that made this morning brighter - thank you. If memory serves, 4 wheel disc became an option for the 79 model year with the WS6. I know I'm in the minority, but I like the Turbo Trans Am. No it wasn't a Super Duty or a W72, but for the time, it did alright. Again, many thanks for starting the day off right. Keep healing sir ~ Chuck
Correct, 1979 was the first year for four wheel disc brakes as part of the WS6 package which debuted in 1978 and didn't have disc brakes. I too like the TTA, it was right for the times.
Literally what I came here to the comments to see. I was hoping someone would mention that the disc brake option came on the '79 WS6 package. Also, the anniversary pace car package was my favorite paint scheme of them all. Loved the turbo wheels too. If you disconnected the waste gate you could get the turbo to pump out about 12 psi. But don't do that too often cuz that melted pistons and turbine wheels... basically the whole thing would get wasted. But you COULD have a good time melting it down.
@@googleusergp ummm... ok? That's cool... I mean, aside from the brake package... I know the WS6 came with other items that made it ride firmer and handle better. But other than that making the performance driving experience better, what was night and day about it? I mean, if I'm not mistaken... you could get the T/A 6.6 on both WS6 and non-WS6 cars... because the only way you could get that was if you opted for a 4-spd trans. But it wasn't dedicated to the WS6 option ... but you could get the WS6 with the 6.6 litre which is the olds 403 and a TH400 3 spd auto trans. So, I'm not catching what the night and day difference you're talking about is.
@@derektrieglaff9103 Bad info. The 403 Olds V8 is paired with the THM350, not the THM400. The WS6 package has nothing to do with the engine chosen, even a 301 non-turbo L37 could have WS6 (my friend has one). You have to drive a WS6 car versus a non-WS6 to know. I own both.
Great to have you back, Steve!!!! And I LOVE that YOU almost said "Screaming Chicken" near the end. LOL... Those Disco Trans Ams may have been slow, but as a 10 year-old kid in 1981, I lusted after them anyway!
Had the 1980 pace car, just like the one you showed. It had all the speed that I needed and the 4-wheel disk brakes saved me from crashing one time. A very fun car to drive!
@@googleusergp Unfortunately, because of a tiny hose at the back, bottom of the carburetor which had a leak that neither I nor the dealer could find, it caused it to overheat and cracked the heads. Never ran the same after that. Miss it!
Good to see you back, as always. Whoa Nelley, some things need sorting out here: Not correct, from 1973 (which was the first year of the SD and 1974 being the last) onward, the shaker hood scoop was not functional. This was due to EPA regulations, including those for noise. 1976 Trans Am: No VIN, can't win, but easy to figure out, no doubt: 2 for Pontiac, W for Trans Am, 87 for two door coupe, W for 455 CID V8 with four barrel, RPO code "L75", aka "Last of the Breed", 6 for 1976 model year, N for Norwood, OH assembly and the rest is the production sequence. The Norwood, OH plant closed in 1987. Exterior paint (assuming originality) is code 19 Starlight Black. Not correct, in 1980-1981 both cars with the RPO code "L37" (Pontiac 301 V8 with four barrel) and RPO code "LG4" (Chevrolet 305 V8 with four barrel) both had the shaker hood scoop. Only the RPO code "LU8" (Pontiac 301 V8 with four barrel and turbo) had the "hood bulge" like that. Yes, the turbo hood monitors (RPO code "UR4") are typically equipped on turbo V8 cars from February 1980 onward. My January 1980 assembled Norwood turbo car doesn't have them. The turbo engine was typically not used in CA due to emission regulations, although oddly enough, plenty of them were assembled at the GM Van Nuys, CA plant, one of the "Terrible Three" in the GM system. There were 5,700 Pace Car editions for the 1980 model year. Not correct, 1980 had 210 HP, and 1981 (due to the C3 system) had 200 HP. 1981 had the "Y85" Nascar Pace Car edition to replace the Y85 Pace Car for 1980. My parents almost bought a 1980 Pace Car new, but my mother drove with the parking brake on with the dealer demo unit and they couldn't secure another one, so we got the Carousel Red one that I still own today. I almost got a 1981 Y85 a few years ago, but the seller and I couldn't agree on price (we were about $1000 apart and neither would budge). No VIN, can't win, but easy to figure out, no doubt: 2 for Pontiac, X for Trans Am Pace Car, 87 for two door coupe, T for 4.9L (301 CID) V8 with four barrel and turbocharger, Pontiac produced, option code "LU8", aka "Last of Warriors", A for 1980 model year, N for Norwood, OH assembly (closed in 1987) or L for Van Nuys, CA assembly (closed in 1992) and the rest is the production sequence. No tag, can't brag, but easy to figure out, no doubt: 80 for 1980 model year, 2FS87 for Pontiac (2), Firebird (FS), two door coupe (87) then N or L for Norwood or Van Nuys, 12C for Oyster interior trim, 11L and 11U for White exterior paint, L or W for lacquer (Norwood) or water (Van Nuys) paint, A51 for bucket seats, A31 for power windows, CC1 for T-tops, Y85 for Pace Car, GR2 for gray secondary interior trim, among other codes. Correct, the 400 and 301 turbo matched the last of the 455 CID V8s in HP rating (more or less). Not correct, four wheel disc brakes debuted in 1979. The WS6 package debuted in 1978, but without four wheel disc brakes. Due to a shortage of parts, some WS6 cars became "WS7" and were the same package but without four wheel discs. Not correct, 1982-1992 (3rd generation) Firebirds had Chevrolet V8s---the last of the Pontiac V8s rolled off the line in the Spring of 1981, and hence I do not acknowledge them as true Pontiacs, they are "Chevyiacs". Not correct, the 1989 20th Anniversary Trans Am was turbocharged and used the 3.8L V6 from the Buick Grand National. Back in 2002, both of my cars were featured in "The History of the Firebird" produced by Veloce Publishing. I offered to do the technical writing/review for the book and was told that "they had experts". When writing a book like that, it should always be read by more than one person. It was not, and this was apparent. Consequently, the book is riddled with errors.........
Oh yes, turbos are a hoot! I built a turbocharged 71 camaro back in the 80's. Started out as a z28 350 4 speed I picked it up cheap because it had some rust and peeling paint. Lower compression pistons and a 400 auto with B&M trans pack, 12 bolt 342 posi. It was a tire boiling beast!
Drinking my coffee ☕️ and watching the master of automotive history! Thanks 🙏 Mr. Magnante! Love watching you teach us a little more about them beautiful classics!👌😎👍
Yes, I miss my 1979 Trans Am that was custom ordered by an Anaheim, California police officer. The engine was indeed the Oldsmobile 403 V8. This T/A was ordered without the hood decal and he had cut out the hood scoop opening. The "four wheel disc" decal was on the door handles. I sold it to a buyer in Japan in 1994.
Good to see you Steve and doing better. Worked as a machinist on these engines. The 301 only had counter weights on the front and rear of the crank and hollowed out rod journals. When these turbo cars where driven fast the carb would lean out and melt the pistons out of it.
About 25 years ago a friend of my Moms had a silver 10th anniversary 79 Trans Am which was fairly rare and what I remember most is it had a huge hood decal and the bird wings actually draped over the front fenders. I told him -- really nice guy -- that someday I would like to buy the car but sadly he passed away about 10 years ago and am not sure what happened with the car. Always preferred the 77-78 front grills but his 79 was really nice and very low mileage for its age..
We called it the “Thunder Chicken” back in the day, meaning, for us, that the T/A was now a poseur and not a muscle car; only the Burt Reynolds wanna be drove them. We were picking up the ‘71 Mustang notch backs, the unwanted ‘70 dog dish Chevelle and Nova 4 door, the ragged ‘68 Camaro, Dart/Duster and the droop eye Chargers/Sebring with the straight 6/slant 6/lo-po 289/307/318, getting the the car insured with the weak engine, then hopping them up for cheap and having a blast. The BowTie Brigade would drop in a hot 350 and show us all up. Those were the days: adjusting valves, rebuilding carbs, pulling a crank with a spun bearing in a snow storm, honing cylinders, finding junkyard gold……..miss those bachelor days in my life.
Hi Steve is sure good to see you back on the car scene I missed you so much your videos I never prayed so hard for somebody I never knew like I did for you. I'm the guy that I spoke to you a while back about the Thunderbird when you rebuilt the one with the no fender skirts several years ago when you rebuilt it and I was probably 20 years ago but I always remember that video and I always have liked watching you on these car channels before and I was so heartbroken to find out when you were sick and I wonder if it's all that mouse poop you go digging through that gave you this problem I don't know but I always worry about that you always never wore gloves and I always worry me so hopefully you're getting better I see you're moving like an old man now I'm 58 going to be 59 in a couple days and I know you start getting old at this age at least I feel LOL but you take care the car world can't afford to lose you!
The mid 70s to the mid 80s was a sad time for automotive performance, but look at the bounty of performance, fuel economy, reliability, technology and safety that shift in regulation and engineering has brought us today. While I'm nostalgic for the 60s muscle cars, current muscle cars offer so much more in every respect (yes, including cost of purchase, repair and ownership). In my very humble opinion, we are now at the pinnacle of muscle car performance because the current trends of environmentalism are sure to doom the massive output of internal combustion engines as we know them today.
Steve is so awesome! I have always learned much from him. I hope he is getting much better, as he still looks a little frail. This man is a treasure and must be protected.
Glad to see you back Steve. My first car at the age of 16 was a maroon 1981 Trans am with a shift kit and 8 inch centerlines the year was 1987. FUN CAR FUN TIMES...
It will always be a Screamin' Chicken to me! That's a name rooted in love. Rising Phoenix is a name made up by suits in a room with air too sterile for human lungs.
The 1979 10-anniversary T/A got 4-wheel discs. The rest of the F-bodies got rear drums. The 301 was planned for the 3rd-gen F-body until upper management quashed it.
Yes, TATA's got everything. But it wasn't just TATA's that got rear discs. Rear discs were part of the WS6 handling package, starting in 1979. So, any 79 TA or Formula with the WS6 handling option had rear discs. And there were a good many of them since it was a popular option...so popular that they couldn't keep up with the rear disc orders at one point. To help alleviate that problem temporarily until they could catch up with production, they created a new option, the WS7. You would get the other parts of the WS6 package which improved handling like a bigger rear sway bar, quicker steering, control arm braces, etc, but with rear drum brakes.
That '76 is sweet , my neighbors father had one in gold with the 455 he was a grey haired old man driving the awesome car . There's some real nice cars in that lot
So great to see you back Steve. Always in awe of your amazing knowledge of cars. Wishing you all the best from Australia and looking forward to seeing more of you in the future.
Life has returned to normal! A Steve Magnante video with my morning coffee and cigar, perfect! Good morning Mr. Magnante. Speaking of screaming chickens, I'm listening to them scream right now. (Roosters crowing). This small Georgia town is famous for them. We even honor them every March with the Wild chicken festival. Lol
I remember seeing & talking to you a few years back at a car show somewhere up northern mass there was alot of T/As there. Good to see you kicking man. Love from Massachusetts.
My gawd I'm so glad you're back Steve!!! The fill-ins were good considering the circumstances, but you are BY FAR the GOAT !!!!! TY Steve and god bless!
I picked up an Orange '76 Formula with blacked out trim in 1987 from a friend. I paid $400 since it was running on 5 cylinders. After a quick refresh from the BEST mechanic in Tennessee, that Pontiac would scream! The fastest car I've owned (until I recieved an unrestricted Police cruiser). I loved that Orange beast!!!
I never messed with any cars from that era but I would imagine other than the low compression everything else would be pretty easy to “de-restrict” probably carb, intake, and headers would net some pretty big gains
Today on HWY 70 in Salina, UT I saw an 80's Firebird with a Hilborn style air cleaner sticking through the hood. It was old school cool for sure. Keep at it Steve!
I am SO Happy to see Steve doing better. Americas Best Car Historian
So good to see you doing well Steve! You’re an automotive encyclopedia that cannot be lost. Feel better man!
Love listening to your great information. I'm so happy to see you're doing much better.
I think he is going through something he is selling alot of stuff
The best part with Steve Magnante is that you don't only have to be in a junkyard crawling around to learn about automobiles. Thank you Steve for your dedication to helping us learn more every day.
😎🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲
I think Steve could wander my local grocery store parking lot and still tell me hours and hours of things I didn't know. Great to see you back, Steve!
@@SteveBrecht The man could read the Manhattan Yellow Pages and make it interesting. LOL.
@@SteveBrecht It is great to see him back. Hopefully if he showed up at your grocery store parking lot there would be a fact checker present.
I'm just thrilled to see you back Steve! Thanks to skilled medical staff!!!
Welcome back Steve.
The real classic in this video is Steve!! Great to see you back!!
Well said
It's starting to feel like old times again! Finally a reason to wake up and want to check my phone! Thank you Steve, don't overdo it!
Im playing Steve's videos back to front, front to back, on repeat until his bills are paid for.
Same.
Ahh, my coffee seems to just taste better in the morning, while I watch a fresh Steve Magnante video.
Hair dryer bolted to the top of the 301....Great line Steve!!
I think the hairdryer had more power. 😂
@@diegohorton869 You are correct....LOL Sure blows harder!!!
Could you bump the boost up on these at all ? I’m assuming they were limited as they blew through the carburetor. We were spoiled in the 90’s/early 2000’s when you could take a turbo car and just a chip would net you another 75-100 horsepower or a new turbo would double your power
So, so glad to see new videos from you, Steve! Your absence was felt.
Three strikes no balls indeed. Government ruins everything.
oil is a finite substance.
government improved the quality of the air you and your children breath, thank you.
@@frankfurther3828 Apparently Government not so finite?
@@jameslandi4688 And? how many have Govt killed? maimed? The Statist always finds a excuse for inFinite Government, their cult The Government
Mr. B. Here ☕️👀😎👍. This come as a stock to you , our society is not perfect but if you have a better way put it out there, also so many have lost jobs with all the technology, yes new jobs with technology but not helping does who were in small businesses ! Please do not tell me about clean air, in 1976 I work for Oldsmobile I saw being of so clean act & the bring
Cup of coffee on a Sunday morning with Steve Mags., Doesn't get any better than this! Congrats on beating that nasty illness my brother!! Continue to heal and come back stronger Steve!!!!!
Boom another video with Steve. Life is good.
You just made my day! Like seeing an old friend.
Steve back to doing his thing, all’s well with the world again
Being in my mid twenties back in the late 70's was a blast stoplight racing Trans AMs, Fox body Mustangs, 280ZXs and 1st gen RX-7s with my brand new '79 Z28 T Top. Everything was down on power back then so you really had to wring them out light to light. Fond memories.
Mr. B. Here 🍩☕️👀😎👍. Professor Steve on Sunday morning & coffee great way to start the day 🍩☕️👀😎👍. Morning Mags !
Mr B!!!🐝 Brewing my cup right now.
Enjoyable!
Right on brother ☕️👀😎👍
Hey Mr B!
Steve's back!
Another awesome video great to see you back we really missed you. I am speaking for all the hot rod community.
Morning Steve, good to see you back for my morning coffee ritual of mags for breakfast.
Steves determination is inspiring. So happy to see Steve out in the sun doing his thing.
The man the unsung legend. Keeping car history alive!
Like everyone else, so glad to see you back. Hope you keep getting your strength back. Thanks!
Welcome back Steve. You are appreciated. My boss HATED his "Screaming Chicken." Called her "Clucky."
I’m not sure a lucky is an improvement 😂😂
So good to see and hear you Steve!
Glad your back and feeling better. I am a Trans Am guy, had a new 78 Formula and then a new 79 Trans Am and a couple of third gen T/As. I have a restored 79 T/A now.
The shaker hood was still available in 80 and 81 if you got the 301 pontiac non turbo or 305 chevy engines. Great to see you back and look forward to many more episodes.
Not surprising there is a significant error in his presentation.
Steve, since you've survived a near death experience and are reorganizing your life, how about the reorganization includes you editing corrections into your videos. Other content creators do it. You know so much there is no shame in occasionally being wrong. The shame is in acting as if you're never wrong.
I'm not Pontiac guy, but I remember when the Firebird Formula and Trans/AM were really the only American performance cars available from '75 to '79 time period. When Ford and Chrysler were on the fence about performance vs. economy, and before the Fox body came out in '79. You showing us the different engine pkgs GM tried to keep the muscle car alive by trying turbos on smaller engs.during this brief period was very entertaining. Thanks Steve, I always find your videos educational and interesting. Glad to see you on the mend!!!
Great to see you Steve , we knew you would be back to carry on auto information excellence! As always well done.
Whether in the junk yard, classic car lot, or anywhere in between, I always enjoy another history lesson from Professor Steve! Glad you are improving and praying for your continued recovery!
My favorite car. I had a 1973 Firebird Esprit. Slow by today’s standards but fast enough for me when I was 22.
Oh Steve, it is so good to see you back my friend!!!! Sending hugs from your Florida folks.
You're crushing it Steve! What a treat to not only have you back at it making new videos but so much of them so close together! Thank you for putting in the effort (though I'm sure you've been itching to get back into the fold!)
Hi Steve you are the reason im still collecting and restoring old cars. Im 67 now and doing American stuff here in the UK 🇬🇧 is hard But i carry on
Steve!!! So glad to see and hear you on the job, doing what you do best, educating everyone on “ carpedia” keep keeping on!!!
Big smile down in Florida. My whole family has been thinking of you. Great video! I don't miss the junk yard at all.
Steve is on fire now!! 😆 Good to see you sir!!!
The information and the quick wit were flowing here! Soooo good to see you back Steve!!!
My first car, at 16 in 1990, was a silver grey 301 turbo car with the same aluminum rims this car has. I worked at Diamond Chevrolet in Worcester, MA right next to Auburn and made weekly payments until I paid the $500 they sold it to me for over the course of maybe 10 weeks. I drove it up and down my driveway in for 4 months until I got my license and put it on the road. I’ve never forgotten that feeling of freedom and excitement. I drove that car through Auburn almost every day. Love this video and ABSOLUTELY love that you’re in my area because I’ve been a fan since I started seeing your name in my favorite magazines in my 20s and it feels personal. A lot of people, including me, are truly glad your okay.
I so look forward to you short informative videos. You are truly a wealth of knowledge. I pray you continue to heal and prosper.❤
Steve, so glad to see you back!!
Well that made this morning brighter - thank you. If memory serves, 4 wheel disc became an option for the 79 model year with the WS6. I know I'm in the minority, but I like the Turbo Trans Am. No it wasn't a Super Duty or a W72, but for the time, it did alright. Again, many thanks for starting the day off right. Keep healing sir ~ Chuck
Correct, 1979 was the first year for four wheel disc brakes as part of the WS6 package which debuted in 1978 and didn't have disc brakes. I too like the TTA, it was right for the times.
Literally what I came here to the comments to see. I was hoping someone would mention that the disc brake option came on the '79 WS6 package. Also, the anniversary pace car package was my favorite paint scheme of them all. Loved the turbo wheels too. If you disconnected the waste gate you could get the turbo to pump out about 12 psi. But don't do that too often cuz that melted pistons and turbine wheels... basically the whole thing would get wasted. But you COULD have a good time melting it down.
@@derektrieglaff9103 I have a non-WS6 and WS6 car. The difference is night and day.
@@googleusergp ummm... ok? That's cool... I mean, aside from the brake package... I know the WS6 came with other items that made it ride firmer and handle better. But other than that making the performance driving experience better, what was night and day about it? I mean, if I'm not mistaken... you could get the T/A 6.6 on both WS6 and non-WS6 cars... because the only way you could get that was if you opted for a 4-spd trans. But it wasn't dedicated to the WS6 option
... but you could get the WS6 with the 6.6 litre which is the olds 403 and a TH400 3 spd auto trans. So, I'm not catching what the night and day difference you're talking about is.
@@derektrieglaff9103 Bad info. The 403 Olds V8 is paired with the THM350, not the THM400. The WS6 package has nothing to do with the engine chosen, even a 301 non-turbo L37 could have WS6 (my friend has one). You have to drive a WS6 car versus a non-WS6 to know. I own both.
Ok so it isn't a screaming chicken! Gotcha. We'll never refer to it as a screaming chicken again, today. And it's great to have you back.
"Hair dryer", LOL!
Great to have you back, Steve!!!! And I LOVE that YOU almost said "Screaming Chicken" near the end. LOL... Those Disco Trans Ams may have been slow, but as a 10 year-old kid in 1981, I lusted after them anyway!
Had the 1980 pace car, just like the one you showed. It had all the speed that I needed and the 4-wheel disk brakes saved me from crashing one time. A very fun car to drive!
A very nice cruiser and 44+ years later, it still turns heads just like it did when it was new.
@@googleusergp Unfortunately, because of a tiny hose at the back, bottom of the carburetor which had a leak that neither I nor the dealer could find, it caused it to overheat and cracked the heads. Never ran the same after that. Miss it!
Thanks Steve.
Good to see you back, as always. Whoa Nelley, some things need sorting out here:
Not correct, from 1973 (which was the first year of the SD and 1974 being the last) onward, the shaker hood scoop was not functional. This was due to EPA regulations, including those for noise.
1976 Trans Am: No VIN, can't win, but easy to figure out, no doubt: 2 for Pontiac, W for Trans Am, 87 for two door coupe, W for 455 CID V8 with four barrel, RPO code "L75", aka "Last of the Breed", 6 for 1976 model year, N for Norwood, OH assembly and the rest is the production sequence. The Norwood, OH plant closed in 1987. Exterior paint (assuming originality) is code 19 Starlight Black.
Not correct, in 1980-1981 both cars with the RPO code "L37" (Pontiac 301 V8 with four barrel) and RPO code "LG4" (Chevrolet 305 V8 with four barrel) both had the shaker hood scoop. Only the RPO code "LU8" (Pontiac 301 V8 with four barrel and turbo) had the "hood bulge" like that. Yes, the turbo hood monitors (RPO code "UR4") are typically equipped on turbo V8 cars from February 1980 onward. My January 1980 assembled Norwood turbo car doesn't have them. The turbo engine was typically not used in CA due to emission regulations, although oddly enough, plenty of them were assembled at the GM Van Nuys, CA plant, one of the "Terrible Three" in the GM system.
There were 5,700 Pace Car editions for the 1980 model year. Not correct, 1980 had 210 HP, and 1981 (due to the C3 system) had 200 HP. 1981 had the "Y85" Nascar Pace Car edition to replace the Y85 Pace Car for 1980. My parents almost bought a 1980 Pace Car new, but my mother drove with the parking brake on with the dealer demo unit and they couldn't secure another one, so we got the Carousel Red one that I still own today. I almost got a 1981 Y85 a few years ago, but the seller and I couldn't agree on price (we were about $1000 apart and neither would budge). No VIN, can't win, but easy to figure out, no doubt: 2 for Pontiac, X for Trans Am Pace Car, 87 for two door coupe, T for 4.9L (301 CID) V8 with four barrel and turbocharger, Pontiac produced, option code "LU8", aka "Last of Warriors", A for 1980 model year, N for Norwood, OH assembly (closed in 1987) or L for Van Nuys, CA assembly (closed in 1992) and the rest is the production sequence. No tag, can't brag, but easy to figure out, no doubt: 80 for 1980 model year, 2FS87 for Pontiac (2), Firebird (FS), two door coupe (87) then N or L for Norwood or Van Nuys, 12C for Oyster interior trim, 11L and 11U for White exterior paint, L or W for lacquer (Norwood) or water (Van Nuys) paint, A51 for bucket seats, A31 for power windows, CC1 for T-tops, Y85 for Pace Car, GR2 for gray secondary interior trim, among other codes.
Correct, the 400 and 301 turbo matched the last of the 455 CID V8s in HP rating (more or less). Not correct, four wheel disc brakes debuted in 1979. The WS6 package debuted in 1978, but without four wheel disc brakes. Due to a shortage of parts, some WS6 cars became "WS7" and were the same package but without four wheel discs. Not correct, 1982-1992 (3rd generation) Firebirds had Chevrolet V8s---the last of the Pontiac V8s rolled off the line in the Spring of 1981, and hence I do not acknowledge them as true Pontiacs, they are "Chevyiacs". Not correct, the 1989 20th Anniversary Trans Am was turbocharged and used the 3.8L V6 from the Buick Grand National.
Back in 2002, both of my cars were featured in "The History of the Firebird" produced by Veloce Publishing. I offered to do the technical writing/review for the book and was told that "they had experts". When writing a book like that, it should always be read by more than one person. It was not, and this was apparent. Consequently, the book is riddled with errors.........
Ahh yes, what would a Steve Magnante video be without a googleusergp reply. Good to see you back as well.
@@anthonynofi4871 Nice of you to say, but it's just nice to see Mr. Magnante back doing what he enjoys doing.
Oh yes, turbos are a hoot! I built a turbocharged 71 camaro back in the 80's. Started out as a z28 350 4 speed I picked it up cheap because it had some rust and peeling paint. Lower compression pistons and a 400 auto with B&M trans pack, 12 bolt 342 posi. It was a tire boiling beast!
Somehow I knew this was going to be a good one....😎
You sir are a machine/computer of indisputable information!!
Great stuff as always Steve! Coming back with a vengeance!
Drinking my coffee ☕️ and watching the master of automotive history! Thanks 🙏 Mr. Magnante! Love watching you teach us a little more about them beautiful classics!👌😎👍
Thanks Steve!
I”m about the same age as Steve, and I grew up with many of these cars. Everybody wanted a Trans-Am.
Okay Steve! You win! I'll stop calling The Screaming Chicken a Screaming Chicken. Geez!
I think the folks at Pontiac were the ones who originally came up with that moniker. Not everyone was in love with the big bird hood decal at first.
@@davidgalinat4257 true but still an insult to the Phoenix
@@davidgalinat4257 They were pretty square back then so it was probably "RPO code D53 hood decal" like the build sheet said.
3 Strikes, No Balls! Lol. Go Sox!
Win! Twins! ⚾
@@ddellwo well.....we're in mass....so....🤣
I have a 72 trans am with an ls7. Best of old and new!
WELCOME BACK, STEVE!!!!!!!!!!
Steve, thanks for all you do for the hobby and us fans!
I never knew the decal on the hood had an actual name. Never too old to learn something new. :)
Yes, I miss my 1979 Trans Am that was custom ordered by an Anaheim, California police officer. The engine was indeed the Oldsmobile 403 V8. This T/A was ordered without the hood decal and he had cut out the hood scoop opening. The "four wheel disc" decal was on the door handles. I sold it to a buyer in Japan in 1994.
Good to see you Steve and doing better. Worked as a machinist on these engines. The 301 only had counter weights on the front and rear of the crank and hollowed out rod journals. When these turbo cars where driven fast the carb would lean out and melt the pistons out of it.
About 25 years ago a friend of my Moms had a silver 10th anniversary 79 Trans Am which was fairly rare and what I remember most is it had a huge hood decal and the bird wings actually draped over the front fenders. I told him -- really nice guy -- that someday I would like to buy the car but sadly he passed away about 10 years ago and am not sure what happened with the car. Always preferred the 77-78 front grills but his 79 was really nice and very low mileage for its age..
We called it the “Thunder Chicken” back in the day, meaning, for us, that the T/A was now a poseur and not a muscle car; only the Burt Reynolds wanna be drove them. We were picking up the ‘71 Mustang notch backs, the unwanted ‘70 dog dish Chevelle and Nova 4 door, the ragged ‘68 Camaro, Dart/Duster and the droop eye Chargers/Sebring with the straight 6/slant 6/lo-po 289/307/318, getting the the car insured with the weak engine, then hopping them up for cheap and having a blast. The BowTie Brigade would drop in a hot 350 and show us all up. Those were the days: adjusting valves, rebuilding carbs, pulling a crank with a spun bearing in a snow storm, honing cylinders, finding junkyard gold……..miss those bachelor days in my life.
Great to learn something from you once again , THANKS STEVE !!!
I'm amazed at how sharp Steve is after what he went through.
Hi Steve is sure good to see you back on the car scene I missed you so much your videos I never prayed so hard for somebody I never knew like I did for you. I'm the guy that I spoke to you a while back about the Thunderbird when you rebuilt the one with the no fender skirts several years ago when you rebuilt it and I was probably 20 years ago but I always remember that video and I always have liked watching you on these car channels before and I was so heartbroken to find out when you were sick and I wonder if it's all that mouse poop you go digging through that gave you this problem I don't know but I always worry about that you always never wore gloves and I always worry me so hopefully you're getting better I see you're moving like an old man now I'm 58 going to be 59 in a couple days and I know you start getting old at this age at least I feel LOL but you take care the car world can't afford to lose you!
GREAT to see you back at it Steve, we missed you!!!
Steve over the years you have taught us all so much. Thanks, man !!!!
"the screaming chicken" remark made me chuckel! Glad to see you getting better! You are a treasure
Our hero returns. Awesome in every way, an inspiration to be treasured. Mags is The One.
The mid 70s to the mid 80s was a sad time for automotive performance, but look at the bounty of performance, fuel economy, reliability, technology and safety that shift in regulation and engineering has brought us today. While I'm nostalgic for the 60s muscle cars, current muscle cars offer so much more in every respect (yes, including cost of purchase, repair and ownership). In my very humble opinion, we are now at the pinnacle of muscle car performance because the current trends of environmentalism are sure to doom the massive output of internal combustion engines as we know them today.
Congrats Steve on beating the infection. Glad youre still with us.
Nice to see you back, missed you.
I never get tired of looking at BF Goodrich Radial T/A's on Cragar rims, like on the Chevelle there. 😍
So happy to see Steve slowly getting back on the track again!
Glad to see u back Steve!
Steve is so awesome! I have always learned much from him. I hope he is getting much better, as he still looks a little frail. This man is a treasure and must be protected.
Glad to see you back Steve. My first car at the age of 16 was a maroon 1981 Trans am with a shift kit and 8 inch centerlines the year was 1987. FUN CAR FUN TIMES...
It will always be a Screamin' Chicken to me! That's a name rooted in love. Rising Phoenix is a name made up by suits in a room with air too sterile for human lungs.
Good to see Steve back on his feet talking the knaowledge!!
So happy to see Mr. Magnante doing better !
The 1979 10-anniversary T/A got 4-wheel discs. The rest of the F-bodies got rear drums.
The 301 was planned for the 3rd-gen F-body until upper management quashed it.
Yes, TATA's got everything. But it wasn't just TATA's that got rear discs. Rear discs were part of the WS6 handling package, starting in 1979. So, any 79 TA or Formula with the WS6 handling option had rear discs. And there were a good many of them since it was a popular option...so popular that they couldn't keep up with the rear disc orders at one point. To help alleviate that problem temporarily until they could catch up with production, they created a new option, the WS7. You would get the other parts of the WS6 package which improved handling like a bigger rear sway bar, quicker steering, control arm braces, etc, but with rear drum brakes.
That '76 is sweet , my neighbors father had one in gold with the 455 he was a grey haired old man driving the awesome car . There's some real nice cars in that lot
Great to see you out there educating all of us on classic cars Steve!. Always enjoy and save your videos
It looks like you are getting around better every video. So glad you are doing better
Not only is it great to see you up and around, but it seems your brain still has all that knowledge still there!
Steve's talking just as fast as before, and tons of content. Walking will come!
That 301 Turbo would be a fun car, who has to go fast?
So great to see you back Steve. Always in awe of your amazing knowledge of cars. Wishing you all the best from Australia and looking forward to seeing more of you in the future.
God Bless you Steve and we Thank God also that you are doing well, looking good, and back in action!!
Strengthen and stretch Steve, a yoga program is an excellent way to…
Nice to have High Octane Classics to tap into. Deep well for Steve to dip into to keep our collective whistles wet. Thanks Steve
Life has returned to normal! A Steve Magnante video with my morning coffee and cigar, perfect! Good morning Mr. Magnante. Speaking of screaming chickens, I'm listening to them scream right now. (Roosters crowing). This small Georgia town is famous for them. We even honor them every March with the Wild chicken festival. Lol
It is so good to see you back and doing well. You had some good friends running the store until you recovered. I watched them as well.
I remember seeing & talking to you a few years back at a car show somewhere up northern mass there was alot of T/As there.
Good to see you kicking man. Love from Massachusetts.
Thanks for more automotive history! Glad to have you back. Best wishes in your recovery.
Fantastic to see you back at it, thank you!!
Glad to see you up and out Steve. Prayers that you're having a full recovery. Thanks for the education of us lesser knowledge filled persons.
The legend is back .... good to see the ORACLE of all things on wheels . Do your thing we the faithful follow.......
It's so good to see you out again, Steve!!! Onward and Upward, Sir!!!
My gawd I'm so glad you're back Steve!!! The fill-ins were good considering the circumstances, but you are BY FAR the GOAT !!!!! TY Steve and god bless!
Another great video from the grande master.
I picked up an Orange '76 Formula with blacked out trim in 1987 from a friend. I paid $400 since it was running on 5 cylinders. After a quick refresh from the BEST mechanic in Tennessee, that Pontiac would scream! The fastest car I've owned (until I recieved an unrestricted Police cruiser). I loved that Orange beast!!!
I never messed with any cars from that era but I would imagine other than the low compression everything else would be pretty easy to “de-restrict” probably carb, intake, and headers would net some pretty big gains
Today on HWY 70 in Salina, UT I saw an 80's Firebird with a Hilborn style air cleaner sticking through the hood. It was old school cool for sure. Keep at it Steve!
Steve Magnante Hello Friend, good to see you back and praying that your health keeps getting better Ok🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸😃😃💪💪💪👍👍👍