TRANS AM Bandit 454 LSX

625HP/600TQ custom built American Muscle Car - 1979 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Bandit in action. I hope you enjoy the brief street cruise in a killer T/A. This car is powered by a built 454 cubic inch LS-based smallblock V8!
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[@bigbeasley23able]

Should've took the T-tops out for the video. Beautiful vehicle. When looking back at this generation of car in contrast with today's cars it's apparent that clearly more thought went into the design process of vehicles back then. They're just so much detail the only thing that comes to mind when observing is just a piece of art.

[@dickie3064]

My man this is my dream car,God bless you, what a beauty.drive safe, enjoy every second

[@gregturnbow7089]

Really nice, I had the 78 when I was in High School.

[@gmoney1061]

My dream car with a big block engine, I’ll take 2 of them please!!🥳👍🏾😎

[@samspace81]

Appreciate you Gmoney

[@1984redcloud]

Put the Honeycombs back on!

[@markcheetah4960]

They'd actually be "snowflakes" for that year, not honeycombs. But yeah, I hate those low profile rims.

[@1984redcloud]

Correct... Tuff car though.

[@samspace81]

So true!

[@juancarlosvaldes4538]

This BEAST is alive!

[@samspace81]

Ha, thanks for watching Juan!

[@CrankAddict]

Thank you for mounting the shaker on the engine! A little anniversary gold paint would really help those rims.

[@samspace81]

👍

[@WANDERER0070]

Best looking dash and steering wheel of all time.. And Hurst four on the floor,,brings back nice memories,,I had '75 TA,,paid 6grand, new,ah,the good old days

[@todd2902]

I paid 5k for my 76 used 1 owner 455 4 speed! Back in 81!

[@samspace81]

Nice, good times. Thanks for commenting and watching 👀

[@deanmurphy7307]

That's a sin to put those kind of rims on that kind of car.

[@BornToBeFamed]

Yea it needs some golds on it badly.

[@mistermister8998]

Dean Murphy no sir.

[@owenroberts1050]

Agreed

[@bradnavratil5502]

I agree original ones make that car...😎

[@WLAs_Finest3x]

I love to see old muscle cars like this restored with new technology. That LS 454 with a 6 speed is exactly what this car and old muscle cars like this need! Exhaust is awesome! I plan on restoring my 84 Chevy Monte Carlo pretty much the same way, right now, I can't afford an LS style engine, but I've got plenty of old school big block 427 and 454 blocks I'd love to build to 600hp! Damn, this is intoxicating.

[@TAWS-wq3hx]

no that wat old vettes and camros need. this ta needed a pontiiac 455 that would would the pepsi 454 wannabe motor. keep chevys sin chevys.

[@WLAs_Finest3x]

+96TAWS6455 No, the Pontiac 455 was way too low on hp and compression, unless you put the Ram Air IV cam and heads on it, then you're talkin', or the heads and cam from the Pontiac 421 or 428, then you're really talkin' about somethin'!

[@TAWS-wq3hx]

+WLA's Finest yup exactly. small chambered heads from a '70 400 also send compression thru the roof with no cam lol!

[@WLAs_Finest3x]

+96TAWS6455 Exactly!

[@jeremiahfiek5495]

Could be the echo from the exhaust... but I could swear it's knocking!!!

[@samspace81]

Wouldn't surprise me. I remember it didn't run exactly right for sure. I dont miss dealer sales. Doing entertainment videos mostly now. This place long closed

[@michaelruno4306]

Im glad that we both agreed on something.

[@samspace81]

👍

[@sheperdjohnson1185]

That's a badass ride!!

[@CBChamberlain]

Install the Year One Snowflake Wheels

[@samspace81]

Would make that car

[@twilightsparkle3547]

It's the legend himself...

[@samspace81]

Its true, Burt Reynolds himself chose these wheels.

[@kalgstol]

She takes premium dude! PREMIUM!!!

[@samspace81]

👀 😆

[@dannydennis318]

I would to hear that with some good quiet Turbo's.

[@samspace81]

Would be cool

[@JonBecker81]

I think such an aggressive cam would drive me crazy at idle. Also I don’t like what they did to the nose that year. I think it started in 79. The 78’s and 77’s are harder to find though because of the original bandit. The 79’ was used in the sequels.

[@samspace81]

Me too, thanks John great comment

[@jakeg1342]

I'm sure its a tire melter. Year One now makes original rims in 17s. That car would be perfect.

[@djsheld0r910]

Jake G not unless you got some 405 Pirelli's lol

[@todd2902]

That's what I've got for mine, look nice!

[@todd2902]

I'm going to do a TA video with a built 455

[@samspace81]

Do it! Share the link here

[@DIZ4SHIZNITS]

I've got a 87 with a 455 only way to go.

[@todd2902]

@@samspace81 painting my 76 in two weeks then I've got to reassemble it, sure sounds sweet though!

[@todd2902]

@@DIZ4SHIZNITS nice, the torque on the 455 is unreal, people used to scavenge them out of the cars and put them In boats because of the torque!

[@DIZ4SHIZNITS]

@@todd2902 thanks man they are hard to find that's for sure man not many around

[@tiger23356]

Absolutely very clean

[@umacks]

nice car ...but please ...put back the original rims!!!

[@samspace81]

umacks My eyes!! My eyes!! haha thanks for checking it out, This car was a beast.

[@ThePunter29]

Those rims are awful.

[@dontjh8448]

Needs the honeycombs

[@wandalllither2452]

15 inch tiny rollers u mean? it handles like a crap...

[@melrose9252]

umacks Amen, Gold Snowflake 7 or 8 inch.

[@shawnhunt2332]

That car is DOPE bro !! (except for the wheels) Get Centerline mags !

[@MrRasZee]

snowflakes are the best 😁

[@joeblack112]

I actually like the rims on the car. I've been looking at a lot of videos since I just purchased a 1979 Trans Am as a project an I love the black and gold "Bandit" look. I am a big fan of restoring the car to its original look, but also enjoy having something, such as the different rims, to make it your own. I think maybe the size of the wheels is what people are having trouble digesting since the 5 wheel spoke has always been associated with the "muscle car" look. And I actually also enjoy the chrome because let's face it, the black and GOLD trim has always shined because of it's "blinged out" look. Anyways AWESOME car.

[@selimaksu3081]

Harika, hatları çok düzgün. Çok hoşuma gitti

[@samspace81]

Thanks for your comments & viewership

[@Drive4YourLifeAZ]

Nice rims!👍🏁

[@samspace81]

Thanks! 👍

[@alinnakao7282]

Tittle and description says about engine and y'all judging him about his wheels wtf

[@in-rust-we-trust2831]

Probably because they were out of style when they first came out😂😂

[@lamarw7757]

The Bandits car was a 1976 modified to look like a 1977. The 1979 is bugly.

[@samspace81]

I have feelings :(

[@bulletproofmmg7161]

If you don’t have one of these or something better maybe “you should” 🤫

[@HOGSIDESJTV14BOSSHOGRECORDS]

The cars nice Sam .I dont care for those subs on the back dash .6x9 are fine when there not seen .motor tight to .rims are ok arnt those boyds.good car all around tho .its coming along .remember people were not all rich.glad he started from the motor first and not the outside.like most people try to do .I start with motor, suspension,inside out .thanks Sam .ur folks( Squiggy loc )bay area

[@-chase-]

Nice mags

[@samspace81]

The best

[@troubledchampions]

Please buy some better wheels those look tacky

[@samspace81]

+Trick Sixtyfive haha We can only hope... Thanks for checking it out and enjoy the channel.

[@kelldurb8221]

i think the 454 smallblock is whats tacky, lol

[@deerhunter7482]

Brother men would dig these rims !

[@WisdomOverWicked777Rules]

@@kelldurb8221 What you prefer? Original 220hp??? That & Wheels only Attractive Things on it.

[@WisdomOverWicked777Rules]

@@deerhunter7482 That & Engine ill take you keep the Rest.

[@michaelruno4306]

I had a 1977 Firebird Spirit jade green color I miss it

[@samspace81]

Great rides

[@smm2k13]

I love it!

[@samspace81]

Me too thanks for commenting

[@npr4176]

sounds good but it needs a restoration

[@samspace81]

Phil Joost 25K spent on mechanicals, killer engine. Yep, needs to be finished out! Thanks for checking it out. - Sam

[@raymondrose3892]

These r bad ass cars. They drive good on turns

[@KarmicOmen]

I remember the movie very well, and I am a huge fan of American muscle cars. As a teenager, all the guys that hung around in the crowd of kids that I ran with, had the most amazing cars. Classic cars, big bucks to get your hands on one today.

[@raymondrose3892]

Nice I race a grand national turbo. N imports. Now that's hot

[@npr4176]

samspace81 hey my pleasure

[@backpi]

That antenna on the back and those wheels have to go! Along with them speakers on the back deck. I didn't care for the horn either.

[@samspace81]

Fair enough!

[@bluesharp59]

Cool Video ! Thumbs Up Liked Too.

[@samspace81]

I really appreciate it! About to roll out some great stuff. Thanks for watching

[@bluesharp59]

@@samspace81 You are welcome also.

[@johnshope620]

Nice ride !!

[@samspace81]

Yes it was!

[@mogarcia9755]

I felt pain when I saw that chip of paint off the hood, I think muscle cars from back then don’t look good without muscle tires no low profiles, I was lucky enough to have owned a ‘75…

[@Tiffany.1970]

The LS powerplants are way more reliable n have way more power than the standard engines fitted in the trans am model's 👍👍👍👍

[@samspace81]

Not necessarily! Thanks for checking it out, enjoy the channel.

[@buddyaddis596]

nice ride

[@Mr10usdad]

Looks great but I do not care for the rims.

[@samspace81]

Me either. The car sold quick but the rims were turrible, just turrible

[@herbertwells6097]

Its your car, whatever wheels you got is your own customization. Looks bad ass to me!!!!!!!

[@Rye691]

Rims looks CHEEZE on that car...

[@alfonzoandrews8700]

i love the car and the choice of rims..

[@samspace81]

Memorable car

[@vannjunkin8041]

nice car.. definitely woulda stayed Pontiac with the engine tnough

[@JonBecker81]

More reliable this way and easier to get big power out of a LS. Plus fuel injection is nice unless you’re an old school kind of person. Unless you modded it big time, the Pontiac engines were dog 💩 from this era. Actually they all were thanks to the oil crisis and new emissions laws. Now they make engines with 3-5 times the power, less emissions and better gas mileage. It’s pretty amazing what they’ve done. Strict regulations forced the engine builders to innovate.

[@brucear]

Absolutely. 455 with a supercharger would have been better.

[@brucear]

Might as well put a Pontiac and you to the Camaro right? And why stop there? Put some Ford engines in classic Chevys.

[@knuckleuprambo]

What you mean.they put tons of ls chevys in pontians oem

[@sunfire54]

Needs some touch ups and new rims

[@samspace81]

sunfire54 Agree, full paint job really, mechanicals are awesome.

[@snorkjones]

Lovely. I'd receive it as a gift - Just saying (as a poor retired person)

[@samspace81]

Merry Christmas, wish I could Greg!

[@WisdomOverWicked777Rules]

@@samspace81 How much you Sell it For?

[@TAWS-wq3hx]

CHEBY in a Pontiac! BOOOO!

[@brucear]

That's why GM suck so bad. Divisional competition resulted in better quality. I believe it was the Olds Toronado had a front wheel drive V8. Early 60s Pontiac Tempest had the transmission in the rear axle. Their big block engines were similar to Ford's FE line

[@serfcityherewecome8069]

@@brucear Yep, and Pontiac had some INSANE engines back in the day that GM wouldn't let them put into production because they'd humuliate Chevy, and they just couldn't have THAT....

[@brucear]

@@serfcityherewecome8069 True!

[@stevefitzpatrick6834]

Sweet

[@samspace81]

Appreciate you watching 👀

[@JoseLopez-hm7kx]

I love the car except the rims

[@serfcityherewecome8069]

.. and the engine [shudder]...for not that much more $ you can get an all-aluminum PONTIAC engine well north of the same 500-600hp and not cut the car's value in half (at least) by turning it into a Chevy .

[@samspace81]

The consensus

[@zillamata4720]

those r ugly rims

[@slimjim119]

nice engine it should work nicely

[@XX-jf8og]

Can you just put Weld's or Centerline's?

[@Find_green_Sreen_Kids]

men do what they want boys do what they can

[@nativekidd9772]

I love it man.I have no problem with the rim because to me it looks like a street racing car. Also was that stick shift that i seen.

[@samspace81]

Appreciate you!

[@dquaid666]

This car is cool I have 2. The “purists” are ridiculous do what you want with your car. Who wants to see the same rims and same shit on the same car every time. Every car show has 30 black and gold cars in a row that are exactly alike

[@samspace81]

Thanks Myke

[@mikejessmax]

Glad I wasn't the only one going to comment on those aweful wheels. They just don't work on that type of vehicle

[@samspace81]

They triggered me too, don't fit it. Thanks for your viewership on the Samspace81 classic car channel though

[@martiniusetihw]

Awesome car!!! What year model is it??

[@samspace81]

77 is I remember right

[@markcheetah4960]

That looks like a '79

[@kennethwilliams7731]

I like the car and I like the rims!

[@samspace81]

ALRIGHT! Get a lot of negative comments on the wheels lol appreciate you commenting and watching, Kenneth

[@WisdomOverWicked777Rules]

@@samspace81 You Still Have It? How much?

[@Togged]

Those wheels kill the car.

[@samspace81]

Yes I don't get it

[@curtislittle8929]

Where can I get one? And how much for it.

[@samspace81]

Long sold

[@camarossdriver]

Just MY opinion...but the car would look WAYYYYY better with some "Year One" snowflakes on it. Or even standard snowflakes. Otherwise...SWEEEEEEET Trans-Am!

[@samspace81]

You ain't lying

[@Leandro-cv6xc]

Lindo carro

[@yasserkhalil8584]

اروع سيارة

[@samspace81]

For sure

[@jrlowe5742]

The rim's have to go.

[@samspace81]

Thats true

[@StAnwwwleecomHeard]

is she for sale? how much.

[@ceedagr8159]

Damn!!!!!

[@meanf1502]

did any one of you know that the original bandit car had a 455 in it not a 403 motor

[@melrose9252]

Super Chevy The original 77 T/A SE’s used in S & B had a Poncho 400/180hp.

[@WisdomOverWicked777Rules]

@@melrose9252 220hp

[@samspace81]

👍

[@melrose9252]

@@WisdomOverWicked777Rules < No sir, the Smokey bird had a 180hp 400. A 200 hp was optional (W72), The 220 horse came out as an option in ‘78. One of the Smokey Cars was a 76 with a 77 clip. It’s the one with the honeycomb wheels.

[@jmack72002]

Hate the wheels!

[@steadyadding8337]

you need to transplsnt a 77 front end to this then itll be percect

[@samspace81]

Shake n Bake!

[@BlueCollarGovernment]

Why does it sound like the pistons are swapping cylinders

[@samspace81]

ran like crap

[@claytonsollows6135]

the engine is what makes the car. the rest isnt much

[@samspace81]

+Clayton Sollows Absolutely agree, the wheels and paint were terrible but that can be fixed.

[@derekthegreatgonzo]

the gay orange dash was the first thing I notice. been in a lot of these cars. no gay orange dash. next no tire smoking video. any car maker would have exploded asset of radials to show how good their cars are. again the gay orange dash does it for me when I came from that generation.

[@luvdisturbed1122]

You're a gay orange dash.

[@samspace81]

👍 yes sir

[@THE-CROWZ06]

beautiful but where the original rims at?

[@samspace81]

+beto Beles where they at though!? haha Needs them or a replica of original honeycombs in a 17 or 18

[@rangeroverl322]

Close but no cigar!

[@samspace81]

Great way to describe this TA 😆 🤣

[@davidward4678]

What is a RANS AM?

[@samspace81]

Rhat?

[@rp5041]

Um. Whats The big deal?? It needs a full restoration.

[@samspace81]

I don't know man, wasn't anything crazy but it went viral. I've worked with a lot better T/As and cars that haven't lol KZbin a strange animal.

[@Hugeroost]

are we sure thats an LSX, i thought they were around 700 pony's

[@samspace81]

Yes it was a Hoss, appreciate you watching & commenting

[@BornToBeFamed]

Silent but deadly

[@samspace81]

+TheKJProductionz Like my farts

[@curtissullivan4702]

I think I saw nitto tires.

[@samspace81]

I spy Nitto tires

[@serfcityherewecome8069]

Thankfully most of the Ghettoized Camaro mods are reversible and there's enough left of it to be brought back to its former glory...

[@samspace81]

These wheels should be a misdemeanor

[@allthedetailschilliwack4414]

so pretty

[@manoman0]

Record it with a microphone and not with a potato.

[@samspace81]

All I had was a potato because I couldn't afford a video camera in those days

[@manoman0]

​@@samspace81 Not able to afford a decent videocamera but a 454? You had your priorities absolutely right, sir. Excuse accepted. Thank you, sir.

[@stevefitzpatrick6834]

Is it for sale

[@samspace81]

Long sold

[@jamessmith-rd3sf]

OOps !! Those are NOT the Bandit rims... Tacky !!!!

[@samspace81]

Truth

[@tiger23356]

How much is it

[@michaeltodd6613]

I don't get anybody that would put a Chevy motor in a pontiac car that's like putting a ls7 in a mustang

[@mikesecondo2254]

Boat ⚓!!!!load!!!!!

[@samspace81]

What does that even mean?

[@pipsfirst8720]

pontiac firebird trans am.6litres 6

[@samspace81]

Memorable car

[@kodsaksa8520]

أسطورة

[@samspace81]

Thanks for watching

[@somejackball]

drool`

[@user-wg1ks9oe2v]

Deni aberson bonar parlindungan tambunan baruara

[@barrycarlisle4511]

Needs the correct wheels to be a bandit.

[@samspace81]

Yeah I hate those wheels too and it ran poorly

[@basstrammel1322]

Rwal mwn rips it.

[@samspace81]

Ha thanks for watching 👀

[@1wiu]

For sale?

[@samspace81]

No

[@adamhonda98]

Why does it sound like its slappin pistons?!

[@nobodyimportant69]

Probably has a big lumpy cam in it, constantly sounds like it's going to stall. Definitely not rod knock, it's a built motor.

[@samspace81]

Correct, not knocking

[@SNaKEBLiSkEN]

you don't want to see me in the car old man...

[@samspace81]

+Wes Black No you'd wreck it lol

[@SNaKEBLiSkEN]

shit ..in your dreams..lol i have a 79 T/A. it's not as finished as that one..but it's all good dude. just having a little fun on youtube

[@samspace81]

+Wes Black that's what its all about man haha Nice! Enjoy your T/A. I have a '72 Datsun 240Z I'll finish one of these days. Life gets in the way.

[@SNaKEBLiSkEN]

samspace81 that's interesting... I want a 260...haha. I hear the 240 has a better rear end or something like that... But I still like the 260. They have some killer widebody kits out there... I have seen a few guys drop small block Chevy engines in the 240 Z

[@pipsfirst8720]

1980

[@samspace81]

Good ride ✌️

[@ramairgto72]

Ruined the car with that Chevy engine.

[@charlieshay7547]

you know GM, the same people that makes chevy, makes pontiac

[@ramairgto72]

Charlie Shay GM had Divisions. GM decided to rely on "eye candy" and hope people were just stupid and accept the looks of a car rather then a Brand. It's like if the NFL just kept 2 teams and had them change uniforms for each team..

[@knytrydr73]

Damn auto correct. Clearly you meant Improved the car. As in improved the performance, reliability, top speed, fuel efficiency, etc.

[@ramairgto72]

Walks up to the car, "oh look another LS"... keeps moving. You left out of the only one you could have a point with, cost. I fail to see how a modern built Alum Pontiac block with FI is some how less reliable, slower, and less fuel efficient. And really, anyone in the hobby puts MPG next to fuzzy dice. That car is more Camaro then it is PMD now, and if he took it to Drag Week or the like, it would be classed as a CHEVY. i.e. "fastest Chevy". Rather then spending the extra few bucks on keeping it PMD, he RUINED the car by making it another 40 second glance before moving on. !

[@knytrydr73]

ramairgto72 - How do you know it isn't a Pontiac block? There's nothing there to say it isn't. The block number isn't shown anywhere here, and the fact it is not Pontiac blue proves nothing. I see no reason you can't put an LS intake onto a Pontiac block. And who do you build a car for? For yourself or to impress others? If you built the car your way and it's what you wanted, then it isn't ruined just because they didn't build it your way.I can appreciate a perfectly restored museum quality car just as much as I can a well done restomod.