78 Trans Am at Fletcher's Customs!! "Project TTTA", Pro touring, back halfed, C6
 

Just wanted to show you guys a new project just starting out at Fletcher's Customs. We wrapped up the remaining stuff on the FreedomBird project. And have moved onto this one. Its a 78 Trans Am owned by Doug Camburn out of SC. We have contracted with Doug1 off the boards to build the baddest Late 2nd Gen Trans Am on the planet! Car will be using a ton of prototype suspension, body panels, and lots of cool tricks that we have up our sleeves. We are starting with a nice builder 78 T/A that Doug has owned for quite some time. We have tore the car down, blasted and back in epoxy primer. Project TTTA "Triple Threat T/A" will be using a brand new suspension that was designed by our Buddys at Prodigy Customs in Orlando, FL and built by Art Morrison. The body will sport some custom prototype Carbon Fiber from Anvil Auto and Carbon Customs in Toronto. Motor details are a 535 ci Pontiac built by SD performance, based on a IA2 block, backed by T56 Magnum . More details coming soon.

Ben Hermance with Hermance Design has been contracted to do the design work. Our goal is mantain and keep the appeal of the car. But to do some subtle changes to make it stand out and to make it the best 78 in the country. Look for all sheetmetal air dam, rocker extensions, etc along with all the Carbon Fiber.

Here are a few pics of the car

Here it is while Doug was still driving it
http://www.fletcherscustoms.com/copp...l_DSC01835.jpg

The tear down and blasting
http://www.fletcherscustoms.com/copp...l_DSC02384.jpg
http://www.fletcherscustoms.com/copp..._IMAGE_147.jpg

The Heart of the beast pics!
http://www.fletcherscustoms.com/copp...IMGP7517sm.jpg
http://www.fletcherscustoms.com/copp...IMGP7513sm.jpg
http://www.fletcherscustoms.com/copp...IMGP7505sm.jpg

The Custom Art Morrison 5 link rear suspension. This is the second one built my good buddy Frank at Prodigy Customs did the design and work with Art Morrison to make this a reality. He is installing the #1 unit into his 69 Camaro Project "Unfair". This will be the first one to be built for a 2nd gen F-body.

Couple of answers to questions I know will come up

-Removal of certain bars allows for different setups for road racing and drag racing

-That right there is a true no compromise road race 3 link set up when the upper outer bars are removed. That is also a true no compromise Drag Race 4 link (just like a Pro Stocker) when the upper center bar is removed! Quite honestly this is one of those things that is right in front of you no one saw it!

-A car with the ability to quickly (few hours) transform from a great autocross / road race car to a great drag car by moving some stuff around and swapping some easy to change Components (Read more later). The idea was for a suspension system with massive adjust ability.

-Does the car have to be Back halfed?- yes it does, you must remove rear rails, floors, etc. All will have to be fabricated once rear clip is installed. The first gen piece will not be back half job, only require removing rear frame rails and re welding new rail that are formed to fit factory floor.

-How big a tire can this handle? More then a notched factory frame as long as you do not use pre packaged tubs. The outer frame rails are 1" more narrow then the narrowest possible frame width with thinnest factory frame rail notch one can do. And what is so cool is you not only keep a full rail where you normally notch, but you have a stronger rail also. Our drag tires will be 345 / 35 / 18 Drag Radials with a section around 14.5"! So we will be making bigger mini tubs


There are pictures of the unit going in Prodigy Customs project Unfair. Our piece is still in production at Morrison


http://www.fletcherscustoms.com/copp...DSC_0182-2.jpg
http://www.fletcherscustoms.com/copp...DSC_0179-1.jpg

The front suspension is a Custom Subframe also from Art Morrison. It used C6 vette components and geometry with there custom rack, and custom subframe. WE are waiting out unit to be built so here are some more pics from Unfair

Heres a copy of Morrison's spill on it

Through use of a specially modified C6 spindle with lowered
steering arm mounting,the AGR power rack & pinion steering unit
is mounted some 2" lower in the frame,which allows for a lower
CG and improved handling.Big block, small block and LS-series
Chevy engines can be employed,as well as virtually any popular
automatic or manual transmission—including Richmond 5/6-speeds,
Tremec T56 and TKO, Muncie, Powerglide,TH-350 & 400, 700-
R4 and 4L60E—thanks to a series of available mounts.
Designed through use of FEA (finite element analysis) the 105 lb.
front clip has outstanding strength and stiffness, yet is
significantly lighter than the bulky OEM unit. With a reduced
unsprung weight, forged aluminum C6 Corvette control arms, a
shortened front view swing arm,modified caster,and adjustable
coil-over shocks, Morrison’s GT-Sport clip will provide awesome
handling. It comes with a near-stock tread width for optimum
wheel fitment opportunities,and can use a wider-than-stock tire
(265/35R18 tested).
As no cutting or welding is required,installing a GT-Sport clip
can be performed by most competent do-it-yourselfers in the
comfort of their own garage. With an aggressive, lower stance
and incredible handling characteristics, the look and “feel”of a
Morrison GT-Sport Clip-equipped Camaro or Firebird is
unbeatable! It’s an investment that will pay huge dividends in fun
for years to come!

http://www.fletcherscustoms.com/copp...l_DSC_0029.jpg

For a 1978 it sure looks like a 1979-1981 from the pic:D

looks like that will keep you busy. are you building it for Sema next year? should be very cool.

Its orginally a 76 with 79 clip. WE will be using a modded 78 clip on the front.

SEMA would be nice if it gets a spot

Looks like that's going to be a nice car with a lot of great parts :thumbsup:

Chad was this one of Franks projects? I thought I saw this car being blasted at Prodigy..

Sweet ride, glad to hear it's getting a '78 style clip, and nice to see a real Poncho under the hood. SD makes some killer motors.

Keep us posted on the build!

Looks like it's going to be a nice build Chad. Sweet engine.

Have you ever used a Butler Performance engine in any of your builds?

yeah Frank had it!! Car suffers from Project Creep. What started as simple DSE install, blast and prime. Has turned in to a full turn key one of kind custom. Frank just didn't have time in his schedule with all the other stuff he has going on. So Frank and I being such good buddies we worked a deal for my to do teh car and all the labor on it, and frank will still handle all the parts side.

WE have a Kaufman/Tin indian in the 71 Firebird we did. But no butler's personally. I have seen some and knows some folks with them and they all seem to be happy

Looks like fun!

Glad to see you are going with a 78 nose... My first car was a '78 TA I loved that car..... :)

Chris

Glad your goin with the 78 front clip too. sorry but to me the 79-81 front was just butt ugly, love the tailights tho :D

The owner was looking to get the entire car done sooner then we could possibly do it without ruining our already behind schedule on the other dozen projects, LOL! And Chad had some time on his hands......................Plus I think I owed him one for one I stole a few years ago, LOL! This really works out great for all involved.

You had to bring up the vette!! lol you were even now!!! I can get rid of my grudge I had towards you!! lol Thanks buddy, I think this is the best for all parties!!

Very cool. Should be an awesome project. Keep us posted.:thumbsup:

I'm spent the extra money to have a design done but have quickly found that getting a car looking good on paper and one that actually functions properly are two different things. I have learned some expensive lessons that can help this process along that I didn't know before. I'll save those until we have gone through the entire process since I am sure there are more lessons to be learned.

You couldn't be in better hands with Frank, Ben and Chad behind your project!! :thumbsup:

The journey can be as much fun as arriving at your destination... :yes:

We now have the rendering. Ben did a great job as usual.

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/c...ack/round3.jpg

that rendering looks sick. that carbon looks sweet with the blue.

That is going to be a SWEET car!! Very nice!:thumbsup: :yes:
Ben, you've outdone yourself again!:cheers: Have you done any more work on your car lately?

Thanks guys, I was just glad to be a small part of helping Doug bring his dream to reality....Chad and Doug are the ones that'll be performing the magic. Putting it on paper is one thing...execution is another!

No, haven't touched the Camaro since the Summer Nats...still somewhat considering selling. It would be nice to get the new website done with HD stuff to sell.

My new wallpaper! WOW!! Just WOW!!!!! :thumbsup:

Nice rendering. Killer front spoiler!

Wow!! Can't wait to see this TA come together..

This rendering has forced me to want my 77 TA back...

Love the projector headlights!

I hear ya..... :yes:

Awesome. Great to see the second gen Birds being built!

FIREBIRD FIREBIRD FIREBIRD ENOUGH ALREADY!!! IS ANYONE BUILDING A 69 CAMARO ANYMORE????????????????:willy: :lol: Love the rendering Chad,but no JETSTREAM BLUE.........:_paranoid

I love the look of the rendering. Nice job!

Looks like the Pontiacs are your specialty now,maybe we need to start calling you Big Chief. Nice project interesting chin spoiler. I appreciate all your help with my Lethal Injection project can't wait to burn the streets up with it before long we can have our own Bandit Run you Pontiac Freak

(I'll never do another one) Yea Right

I'm all about taking the understated and making it cool!! lol

This is going to be a fun project. That will still be all Pontiac, even the hardcore purists will think its cool!!

Speaking of wicked Ponchos, have you guys seen the evil build that TCRONKRIGHT (at the top of the page) is doing? His engine is INCREDIBLE! Check it out- I asked him about badgering his intake designer to build more!
What's this have to do w/ your build?? Well, he has twin turbos on a Pontiac, so..... seriously- look at it. Maybe you'll want one and can help badger his guy to make more too ;) (Totally self-interest motivated-lol!!)

A few more I just got from AME... The pallet o' goodies is now at Fletcher's Customs.

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/c...k/IMG_6832.jpg

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/c...k/IMG_6894.jpg

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/c...k/IMG_6906.jpg

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/c...k/IMG_6914.jpg

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/c...k/IMG_6951.jpg

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/c...k/IMG_6954.jpg

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/c...k/IMG_6957.jpg

Front and rear clip ready to ship!
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/c...k/IMG_6968.jpg

:wow: Won't be long now Doug! :thumbsup:

WOW! Looks great!:thumbsup: :cheers:

I've been meaning to get some updates done. I was swamped with sema coming up, so forgot. Then it was time to fly out. Got out there only to get a call you never Wang to get. Got into town Monday night,got call Tuesday and was sitting at Emory hospital in Atlanta by Wednesday afternoon. My grandfather took a huge turn and was rushed up here for emergency surgery. I've been living between hospital and hotel since Wednesday. Not to sure when we are going home , hopefully Friday.

I'm ready to get started on this thing. This is going to be the type of projects I dig. Tons of fab work and lots of creativity.