Reader Question: Making TA Shaker Functional?

2
2816

Here’s the latest reader question, along with my reply!

Claude asks: Who sells the transformation kit for a functional Trans-Am shaker scoop ?

My reply: I did a whole article about this business about a year ago; see here. For those who missed it, here’s the summary plus a few other things:

All 1970-1981 Pontiac Trans-Ams (except for the ’80-’81 Turbo Trans Am) came with a shaker hood scoop – so called because it bolted to the engine (the air cleaner) and shook with the engine.

It poked trough a hole in the hood and had a rear-facing air scoop.

But the 1970-’72 cars were the only ones that came with functional scoops from the factory. A flapper door opened when triggered by an electrical solenoid when the accelerator pedal went more than two-thirds down, allowing the Quadrajet four barrel to moan.

Pontiac had to board up the flapper door because Uncle – but it’s easy enough to undo Uncle, especially if you own a ’73-76 TA. These have bolted-on block-off doors that are very easy to unbolt.

The ’77-up cars are tougher because the scoop was redesigned. It no longer came with a removable block-off plate. You have to cut out the rear of the scoop in order to make it functional. This is permanent, obviously – no going back (the ’73-’76 scoops can be easily returned to factory stock – for car shows and so on – with a screwdriver and a few minutes of work).

But in either case, the “flapper” part isn’t there.

Removing the block-off plate the ’73-’76 scoops came with or cutting open the back of the ’77-81 scoops leaves you with a hole in the scoop that’s open all the time. Which you may not want – especially if you drive the car in the rain.

The kits – described in the article linked to above – make the ’73-81 scoops work like the ’70-’72 scoops. When the engine isn’t running – and not running WOT (or close) – the door stays shut.

Punch it – and hear the Qjet moan!

PS: For those new here: I am a second-generation (1970-’81) Trans-Am savant; if anyone needs help/advice with one of these, feel free to give me a shout!

. . .

Got a question about cars – or anything else? Click on the “ask Eric” link and send ’em in!

If you like what you’ve found here please consider supporting EPautos. 

We depend on you to keep the wheels turning! 

Our donate button is here.

 If you prefer not to use PayPal, our mailing address is:

EPautos
721 Hummingbird Lane SE
Copper Hill, VA 24079

PS: Get an EPautos magnet (pictured below) in return for a $20 or more one-time donation or a $5 or more monthly recurring donation. (Please be sure to tell us you want a sticker – and also, provide an address, so we know where to mail the thing!)

My latest eBook is also available for your favorite price – free! Click here.  

 

 

 

2 COMMENTS

  1. eric, my question is why would a working door be better? Is it because it would lean the carb too much and make the engine stumble? I’d know this if I owned one. No way I’d have a fake shaker when I know there’s horsepower in them thar cool outside charge air.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here