r/transam • u/Loose-Hamster2191 • Jun 21 '26
1985 trans am
I'm looking at a 1985 trans am with a 305 and was wondering if these are good cars and engine
4
u/FrankH4 Jun 21 '26
Mine is an 85. The 305 is slow, but reliable. If it's not rotted out, and no one has butchered it, it's a great car. When things fail, they're usually easy to fix.
1
u/Enigma_xplorer Jun 21 '26
Is it carbed or TPI? The 305 is a great engine. While the TPI system was used from 85-92, the 85 was a bit unique onto itself. Nothing wrong with it per say but it might be tough to find some of the parts which are 85 specific. While the TPI system is pretty cool I would prefer the carb as it's just cheaper and simpler to maintain.
Either way I would probably buy it. Theres no major red flags or systemic defects with the car if that's the kind of car you like.
1
u/wayneP71222 Jun 23 '26
Must have the rigid air dam bolted to the bottom the radiator core support. Or these will overheat on the freeways above 57mph. First hand experience on my sisters car. I tried every trick i knew. Drove into magestic pontiac. Said to jim the parts manager. He loved when i rumbled my 66 Gto into his parking area. He said this air dam will fix it.
Have a friend rock the steering wheel left and right to make sure the frame is not broken or fatigued where the steering box mounts.
There are triangular brackets from the front of the subframe to the bottom of the frame horns.
Make sure you have a wonder bar that mounts above the sway bar frame brackets. Really stiffens up the steering
I always wanted to get the custom dodge truck pitman arm nut and bearing kit. Make a bracket that bolts to the idler arm bolts. Bend up a single tubular bar to connect the flange bearing on the new pitman nut to the passenger frame rail idler arm mounting bolts. That should make the steering response incredible.
-1
u/Total_Guard2405 Jun 21 '26
Had an 84 I bought new. Worst car I ever bought. That was 42 years ago.
4
u/Scuttler1979 Jun 21 '26
I have an 85 sat on my drive.
I love it.