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Trans Am SE WS6 Project
Hi,
We just picked up a fully loaded '78 Trans Am Gold Special Edition WS6 car that's been sitting in the desert since 1992. Plans are to do a mild Pro/Touring car lowering it about 1 inch, tweaking the chassis and maybe some 17 x 9 inch Snowflakes. This project will be covered in an upcoming book from CarTech on 2nd Gen Firebird and Camaro Performance covering various levels of Pro/Touring mods from mild to wild. http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/...k/Roy/fun1.jpg http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/...k/Roy/fun8.jpg |
We just finished wrapping up a '66 Chevelle SS so started tearing down the '78 T/A Gold SE
Been sitting in the high desert for years so every piece we removed was full of sand!!! http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/...s%20Am/ta1.jpg Int http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/...s%20Am/ta2.jpg http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/...s%20Am/ta5.jpg Nose http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/...s%20Am/ta4.jpg http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/...%20Am/ta4a.jpg Fender http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/...%20Am/ta4b.jpg Nose OFF http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/...%20Am/ta4c.jpg Stripping http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/...s%20Am/ta6.jpg Priming http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/...s%20Am/ta7.jpg http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/...s%20Am/ta8.jpg The Chevelle just finished http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/...velle/fin1.jpg http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/...velle/fin2.jpg http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/...velle/fin4.jpg |
Awesome project's Mike.The javelin is cool.:thumbsup: Scott M.
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I've never felt sure about seeing snowflakes in total custom TA's but for the plans you have I bet is going to look killer.
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Beautiful work on the Chevelle it came out awesome. you have another nice project with the T/A.
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Dash http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/...s%20Am/ta9.jpg Stripped http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/...%20Am/ta8b.jpg |
Wow that looks in excelent shape.
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Yeah really. I'm a little jealous at how nice the sheet metal is on this car. So have you thought of a final plan for the car and the direction you're going to take? My only suggestion is to keep the solar gold color. It looks great on these cars. Just take a look at Telly V's I believe his is solar or at least a similar shade anyway.
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I found this photo on a Firebird Forum and "Like the look" of the 17's! I tweaked it a lowered the car slightly. http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/...%20Am/17a3.jpg |
Sounds like a good plan to me. Will you be going Pontiac powered or...?
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It will stay Solar Gold. I believe there were only about 800 of these made and less as loaded as this car so not going to chew it up too much but will upgraded it as much as possible. |
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http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/...20Am/prime.jpg http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/...0Am/prime2.jpg Painting the Core Support after sandblasting http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/...%20Am/core.jpg |
QUESTION:
Has anybody here sprayed PPG Waterborne paint and what are your thoughts? |
Just a couple of update photos. The dash and steering column are out, front suspension dismantled, and the subframe is actually off and at the sandblaster. Still a long way to go.
http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/...%20Am/ta9b.jpg http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/...%20Am/ta9c.jpg |
Just an update:
I edited my first post also. This project is for an upcoming book on 2nd Gen Firebirds and Camaros that will feature several Pro/Touring style builds from mild to wild. We have a number of sponsors on board for the project and would like to thank them. Stay tuned! http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/...20Am/SIG2E.jpg |
Just an additional Update:
Subframe returned from the Sandblaster and has been painted. http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/...8Chassis/4.jpg http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/...8Chassis/5.jpg We also prepped the firewall and removed a lot of the factory undercoating and sealer. http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/...8Chassis/6.jpg http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/...8Chassis/7.jpg |
Just a quick update.
We received our new Heidts narrowed tubular control arms and will install them once the subframe goes back in with the Heidts subframe mount kit. The "Old" is Ugly! http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/...8Chassis/1.jpg Much Better http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/...is/heidts1.jpg http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/...20Am/SIG2E.jpg |
A bit of an update.
After getting our Heidt's control arms and subframe mounting kit and putting the firewall back in pristine condtion, we slid the subframe back in place. http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/...assis/sub2.jpg We also pulled the rear axle and sent it off to the blaster while we wait for our Stainless Steel Brake Kits. http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/...assis/sub6.jpg |
Still making progress after the rear axle came back from the blaster:
Blastedhttp://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/...hassis/rr2.jpg Paintedhttp://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/...assis/rr3a.jpg Custom Eaton/Detroit Springs with a 1 inch drophttp://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/...hassis/rr4.jpg Axle heading Homehttp://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/...hassis/rr5.jpg Rear WS6 Sway Bar with Energy Suspension Bushing Kits. Rear Disc Conversion Next.http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/...hassis/rr6.jpg |
Here's an update on getting the fuel tank back in shape.
Also, our Stainless Steel Brakes arrived today. Stay Tuned. UGLY! http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/...ssis/tank1.jpg Chemically stripped and sealed with Eastwoods Tank Sealer and coated with Eastwoods Tank Tone http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/...ssis/tank2.jpg http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/...ssis/tank3.jpg http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/...ssis/tank4.jpg |
Nice job on the tank! I had no idea the old tank could be brought back like that.
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You've made good progress since I last checked the thread. Good job and good luck.
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Here's the most recent update! FRONT SUSPENSION
What we started with: http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/...ssis/susp1.jpg Easiest part was installing the Heidts upper control arms: http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/...ssis/susp2.jpg We installed the Heidts lower control arms and prepared the custom Eaton/Detroit front springs: http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/...ssis/susp3.jpg I must say it's "No Fun" installing springs in a car with no engine and trans (WEIGHT) on the front end but we got it done: http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/...ssis/susp4.jpg http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/...ssis/susp5.jpg New Bilstein Shocks are on the way and next up are the Stainless Steel Brakes! |
Nice job on the tank, its all looking good.
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[QUOTE=TorqDork;367817]
UGLY! http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/...ssis/tank3.jpg You might want to re-think those cheap crimp on connectors for the sending unit. Considering the location, and the amount of work to correct a bad connection, a little extra to make a secure connection would be prudent. I wouldn't want to be the one purchasing this car a couple years down the road. I'm curious, why did you cut the original harness anyway, are you replacing it? Please don't fly off the deep end, I'm only offering some advice. |
First off, We got the car with the engine, trans, and fuel tank already out of the car (wires cut). A replacement wire for the sending unit on a '78 is not available but using the proper crimping tool and technique, that wire isn't going anywhere!
Back to our regularly scheduled program. We got our Stainless Steel Brake setup and will start installing it tomorrow. Stay tuned. http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/...assis/brk1.jpg http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/...assis/brk2.jpg http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/...assis/brk3.jpg |
Did the front Stainless Steel Brakes this morning which was a piece of cake
THIS WAS UGLY!! http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/...assis/brk4.jpg We used their 2 piston calipers that mount just like the factory units. http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/...assis/brk5.jpg Added Drilled and Slotted Rotors http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/...assis/brk6.jpg Much Better!! http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/...assis/brk7.jpg NOTE: Stainless Steel Brakes was unsure if the Factory 15 inch Snowflakes would fit over the larger Caliper. We are planning 17 inch Snowflakes but Checked the factory 15 x 8 inch Snowflakes and they seem to fit just fine! BUT, we found out the rear disc brakes Do NOT fit the 15 inch Snowflakes! |
JUST A NOTE ON THE CAR’S HISTORY:
We found all the info on the original owner of this Gold SE Trans Am. We found out the original owner had passed away but did talk to his wife and told her we were bringing the car back to life and she was happy to hear that. We found out the original owner was a Mechanical Engineer that worked at the Air Force Base up in the high desert. Odd thing is, here’s a car that stickered in 1978 for $9,500 and he NEVER washed it. NEVER. Eventually his son ended up with the car and a friend was going to restore it but they lost interest so it ended up in the junkyard to be “CRUSHED”! Someone saved it from the crusher and we bought it and took it home. Onward and upward with one more car saved!! http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/...s%20Am/ta1.jpg |
cool story and I'm really glad to know it was saved from the crushers.
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We got around to installing the rear Stainless Steel Disc Brakes this weekend.
THE OLD DRUMS http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/...ssis/rbrk1.jpg PULLING THE AXLE http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/...ssis/rbrk2.jpg OUR NEW BILSTIEN SHOCK ARRIVED JUST IN TIME! http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/...ssis/rbrk3.jpg INSTALLING THE CALIPER MOUNTING BRACKET http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/...ssis/rbrk4.jpg READY TO GO BUT THE REAR BRAKES DO NOT FIT THE 15 X 8 SNOWFLAKE WHEELS! http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/...ssis/rbrk5.jpg We also want to welcome on board Phoenix Graphixs, Legendary Auto Interiors and Classic Tube. http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/...ssis/SIG3a.jpg |
Haven't made a lot of progress on the engine due to a bit of uncertainty.
We were miffed that as late as 1978, the Olds 403 engine was still using a "Rope" style rear main seal. We started assembling the engine by laying the crank in and pounding the rope seal in as far as we could. The crank turned freely before the rear main was in place but that rope seal makes the crank far tighter than we are comfortable with. After a search, we called Olds Performance Products realizing they made a Rubber rear main seal for the 403. After talking to them for a bit, we also ordered a stud girdle, Hi Po oil pump, improved oil pan and a a better gasket set. A few photos so far: PAINTING http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/...GINE/eng10.jpg http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/...GINE/eng11.jpg CRANK http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/...GINE/eng12.jpg |
New Update:
We're on hold regarding the engine waiting for a better rear main seal than the old style rope seal and also a stud girdle for the weak 403. So we went about trying to get some paint on the car: PRIMERED READY FOR SANDING PREP http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/...78Paint/p1.jpg PAINTING http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/...78Paint/p3.jpg READY FOR WET SANDING http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/...78Paint/p4.jpg FENDERS DONE http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/...78Paint/p5.jpg PREPPING THE HOOD http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/...78Paint/p6.jpg NOSE SANDED AND BUFFED! http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/...78Paint/p7.jpg |
Looks nice. You give me hope that I could accomplish paint and body myself in my own garage. My wife is NOT going to be happy about this. :_paranoid
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Today we got the base coat on the body and finally got the power windows working!! http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/...8Paint/p4a.jpg |
Your brave - looks like your paint booth is the outdoors! :thumbsup:
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1. we would have had to move 6 cars out which was impossible with parts, fenders and a hood in front of one door. 2. The weather was absolutely perfect, 80 degrees and almost no breeze. 3. We were using PPG Waterborne paint which requires good airflow to dry quickly. Looks like it all turned out really well and free of specs. I'm in the process of buffing and will post photos. |
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Not bad for an outdoor paint job! BUFFING HOOD http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/...78Paint/P8.jpg http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/...8Paint/P8A.jpg HOOD FINISHED http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/...8Paint/P8B.jpg HOOD TAPE, to keep from sand through the peaks! http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/...8Paint/P8C.jpg BODY BUFFING http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/...78Paint/P9.jpg http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/...8Paint/P9A.jpg |
New Engine Parts
Well our other engine pieces showed up so may go back to engine assembly because I need a break from Buffing!:yes:
The Olds 403 still used a rope rear main seal and we didn't like it for the crank was just too tight once torqued. So we contacted Olds Performance Products and ordered a rubber style rear main seal along with a few other goodies including a stud girdle for the somewhat weak 403 block. http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/...NGINE/main.jpg Stud Girdle http://i1237.photobucket.com/albums/...INE/girdle.jpg |
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