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76TA	01-11-2018 08:59 AM

Just another slow 2nd gen

1 Attachment(s)

Hi guys,

My name is Andrew and I'm in the process of picking up an on-going build.

The car is question is a '76 Trans Am (400 / 4-Speed car) that my father ordered new in September of '75; after the Army my father sold it to me for $0.76 (plus state tax and filing fees).

Before I started the build it had 38,040 original numbers matching miles on it. It is rust free and straight as an arrow.

Prior to this phase of the build I had already done quite a bit so here is a quick run down of what had been done earlier, what is being done now, and what will be done in the distant future:

Already done:
- 8 point cage
- Strange F body Dana 60 set up for a torque arm
- Ladder Bars
- Mini Tubs

Currently on the chopping block this winter (and what my first few posts will be about):
- Detroit Speed Sub Frame (powder-coated with single adjustable shocks) - Delivered
- Solid body mounts via Pro-Touring F-Body - Delivered
- Detroit Speed Sub Frame Connectors - Delivered
- Holley T56 Hump panel/transmission tunnel - Installed
- Detroit Speed Firewall fill/smooth panel - Installed
- Media blasting undercarriage, interior pans, trunk - Done
- Putting everything in PPG - Waiting on paint shop for pick up
- Tanks Inc. 800+ hp EFI tank kit - Delivered

Eventually:
- Mast 427 Black Series SS (Dry Sump) with their front assembly kit
- Tranzilla T56
- Stop Tech drilled and slotted 6 pistons all around (manual set up)
- Staggered 315 Front / 335 stance
- Stretching the rear fenders out 1 or 2 inches
- Custom Arrow (new front spoiler)
- Reduce front bumper weight
- 17 inch wheels: Something polished with a deep dish
- Shaker scoop still attached to motor

Thanks for following,
Andrew

DKz Garage

01-11-2018 10:55 AM

Looks like a cool project!

76TA	01-12-2018 07:11 AM

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I originally began the tear down process in September '16. What pushed me over the edge was a rather unfortunate sequence of events.

I rarely ever drove the car but on a rather warm September morning I decided to drive it to work. On the drive home from work later that evening a cat ran out in front of a group of cars ahead of me and in order to avoid rear-ending the car in front of me...I had no other option but to high side the car on to the center median.

Obviously there was some damage. The passenger header was ruined, the starter had taken a beating and other portions of the exhaust had been compromised.

The following weekend I had decided to repair the car. One thing led to another and by the time winter came it was too cold to make any real progress in my Buffalo NY 1.5 car garage so I hung it up until the following spring.

In late February '17 the weather cleared and I continued the project with the intention of simply repairing what I had damaged.

As these things sometimes go I ended up down a rabbit hole. After a week I had the car down to a rolling chassis, a new front sub frame on back-order from Detroit Speed, the numbers matching motor and trans sold, with other goodies ordered up.

I took the time documenting and properly storing every single bolt, nut and part in baggies, storage bins, or in some cases - opted to store them in a spare bedroom.

I have many photos of the tear down process but I probably won't post many of those.

76TA	01-12-2018 07:19 AM

9 Attachment(s)

1/5: Photos post initial media blast

I wasn't completely happy with the way it came back from media so I sent it back following these photos to have some areas re-worked.

76TA	01-12-2018 07:27 AM

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1/10: Detroit Speed firewall panel and Holley T56 panel

After media round number 2, started on some sheet metal work. I still have to massage the trunk a bit prior to putting everything in PPG.

DOOM	01-12-2018 07:27 AM

Keep the updates coming!! My favorite year Firebird.

ScotI

01-12-2018 09:22 AM

Cool history & build outline. I think I would have kept the original drivetrain though. I would have cleaned, painted, & detailed it to the n'th degree then put it on display as some cool shop art or conversation piece.

fleetus macmullitz

01-12-2018 10:06 AM

Slow no mo’... :thumbsup:

Panteracer

01-12-2018 02:44 PM

Another 2nd gen

Good to see yet another Firebird getting redone
Looks like a great plan.. keep posting up for us

Bob-Dreamin Ta's

87SS	01-12-2018 05:31 PM

$$0.76 Cant Beat That Price!!

You beat me on the price......paid 2K for my 76 TA....

Good Luck on the Build:patriot:

76TA	01-15-2018 03:36 PM

8 Attachment(s)

1/15: Update

Took a few photos of the undercarriage after media blast round 2. I still have to tighten up a few areas with some extra welding prior to laying more seam-sealer / dropping it off for paint. Here are a few photos of that.

I also did a rough price out of how much it would cost to lay Lizard Skin Thermal and Sound in the interior. That stuff isn't cheap. Supplies alone with 4 gallons of each runs roughly $450. Seems pretty steep. I might hold off on the Lizard Skin until the spring.

syborg tt

01-16-2018 08:16 PM

Great project looking forward to seeing more pictures

WSSix

01-17-2018 10:14 AM

How do you like that Holley tunnel piece? Thinking that might be easier and cleaner than me making my own.

Thanks

76TA	01-17-2018 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WSSix (Post 671777)

How do you like that Holley tunnel piece? Thinking that might be easier and cleaner than me making my own.

Thanks

It’s great. I really wanted to keep the factory console as I want to keep the interior as stock looking as possible. That was what pushed me over the edge really. Installation was roughly 3 hours minus the time mocking up the t56.

It’s a great product overall. If I could do it all over again I’d definitely take the same route.

There are a few other 2nd gen guys that went this route on the forum as well.

67camaro496

01-17-2018 08:25 PM

https://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&ke...l_5mmip7ycu9_e Should be around 380 for 4 gallons with gun Remember you also need to prime before you lizardskin as it is a water based material.

WSSix

01-18-2018 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 76TA (Post 671791)

Did it allow a lot of upward movement of the trans so the pinion angle could be set easily? That's the issue I'm facing now. I didn't bring my tunnel up as high as I thought so my pinion is angled too low.

Thanks for the information.

76TA	01-22-2018 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WSSix (Post 671809)

I'm sure you know it will be a little different for every application. Floor sag, transmission cross member, engine mounts, etc.

What I can tell you is that for me I have roughly 1 inch of gap. I'd think that is reasonable. Its also possible to bend the flange down around the base of the Holley Hump Panel to create even more of a gap.

WSSix

01-23-2018 06:30 PM

You're right, every car is different. I also have half height body bushings on the front subframe to contend with. For $60, I think I'll give this piece a shot.

Thanks!

76TA	02-02-2018 07:50 AM

3 Attachment(s)

2/2: Update

Back from paint. Solid body mounts, sub frame, sub frame connectors, and rear suspension all installed. Wrapping up a few loose ends and then she goes back in to hibernation while my funds build back up.

76TA	02-03-2018 07:15 PM

76TA	02-03-2018 07:16 PM

76TA	02-03-2018 10:37 PM

Decided to have a dedicated reply for this, but as you can see I decided to use the sub frame connectors I was running previously instead of the DSE connectors. The DSE connectors are a nice product/kit.

That said, I have the DSE connectors in their original box. They are for sale. Feel free to PM me.

WSSix

02-04-2018 07:38 AM

Looks great! I'd consider painting the out tie rods before they rust so they continue to look great along with all the other pieces.

76TA	02-04-2018 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WSSix (Post 672622)

Looks great! I'd consider painting the out tie rods before they rust so they continue to look great along with all the other pieces.

That’s a nice heads up. I’ll make sure I do that here pretty soon. Just picked up 4 1-ton wheel dollies from Harbor Freight so it’s easier to move her around the shop. Shouldn’t be too much trouble shooting them.

Next up is getting a replacement outer cowl panel for the drivers side. Tracked one down in AZ for 225 + shipping.

DSE steering coupler is next

That’ll be it until the summer/fall.

syborg tt

02-04-2018 09:01 AM

Looks great and I am looking forward to more updates.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

76TA	02-21-2018 01:40 PM

1 Attachment(s)

Worked with Tanks Inc. Picked up their EFI tank kit for 74-78 Firebirds.

Part Numbers Below:
- TAN-GML - Fuel Tank Sending Unit GM 1965 & UP Type 5 Hole Design - 90 Ohm support

- ST47 - 1974-81 Camaro / Firebird Gas Tank Straps

- GPA-6 - High Performance Fuel Pump Module - 400 Liters Per Hour - Supports 500 - 1000hp.

- TM203-T - 1974-77 Camaro and 1974-78 Firebird EFI Gas Tank

WSSix

02-22-2018 10:31 AM

I'm using a Tank Inc's tank on my TA as well. Works great. Just be sure to run a good ground out to the tank from the chassis.

syborg tt

02-22-2018 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WSSix (Post 673466)

I'm using a Tank Inc's tank on my TA as well. Works great. Just be sure to run a good ground out to the tank from the chassis.

When I switch to the Atomic EFI I will be running one of these tanks.

ps I forwarded this link to Ty as he is also going EFI

76TA	02-23-2018 06:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by syborg tt (Post 673481)

When I switch to the Atomic EFI I will be running one of these tanks.

ps I forwarded this link to Ty as he is also going EFI

Total cost was about $670 + shipping. But that was with their top of the line pump. There are three options available depending on your hp.

Compared to a $800 fuel cell; I just couldn't rationalize the over the head cost difference between the two.

syborg tt

02-26-2018 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 76TA (Post 673506)

That is not bad at all and I originally was going to use a fuel cell but then I found out they don't like to have gas sit in the bladders over the winter. Plus you have to replace them frequently.

76TA	02-27-2018 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by syborg tt (Post 673618)

That is not bad at all and I originally was going to use a fuel cell but then I found out they don't like to have gas sit in the bladders over the winter. Plus you have to replace them frequently.

There's also baffling in the Tank Inc. tank...so you don't have to worry about starving the pump when fuel gets low while on road courses.

Plus...I didn't realize this but I guess factory 2nd gen tanks are 18 gallon tanks?!

With my T56 LS7 I'll have a range of over 400 miles per tank on highway drives.

That's rather insane. For comparison my 2008 5.7 Jeep gets 290 miles per tank.

WSSix

02-27-2018 10:44 AM

Yep, mid year cars had 18 gallons. Later cars like my 79 hold 21 or 22 gallons :D

syborg tt

02-27-2018 12:37 PM

I really need to hook up my Speedometer so I can see how many miles I am driving the car.

glassman

03-03-2018 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by syborg tt (Post 673659)

I really need to hook up my Speedometer so I can see how many miles I am driving the car.

Don't you have to drive it first? sorry, just couldn't help myself lol

syborg tt

03-03-2018 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glassman (Post 673827)

Don't you have to drive it first? sorry, just couldn't help myself lol

Hey that is your fault you made me buy the Cayman R

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