DREAMIN TA 2
 

Was going to do something simple like change the exhaust
on the 79 Ta... Problem is most of the exhaust bolts were rusted
and broke a few... Only way to drill them out is pull the engine
You know how that goes

Going with a small block stroker 400 cubic inches
Keeping the Th350.. adding ridetech subframe connectors
and a roll bar to stiffen up the T-top car... already has
Speedtech coil overs etc... also changing the front bumper
to a 1978

The project begins

Bob

Just couldn't stay away could you, Bob?

I loved my 383 Gen 2 LT1. Such a fun motor.

Good luck with the build.

DREAMIN TA 2
 

Worked on getting the Old 79 front end off as I bought
a 78 to replace it... did a test fit.... now to get all
the hardware off it so I can get it painted
Subframe connectors show up later this week

Bob

DREAMIN TA 2
 

Firebird
Ordered Ridetech subframe connectors and headers

Pantera
Has new Rubber a lot bigger than before 285 fronts and 335 backs
Also have new Viking Beserker Shocks custom made for the car
Time to start Autocrossing it again

What's the story on the white TA, Bob?

Those are meaty tires.

Please excuse my ignorance, but since the Potenza’s handle differently than the Rival’s, would that make it harder to dial in the overall handling of the car? Or would it be just like adjusting for different sizes (not necessarily the sizes you have).
Thanks, Ed

DREAMIN TA 2
 

The white Ta is my future Son in laws.... he has been learning
how to work on cars.... hoses, belts, brakes etc as his other cars
are too new to even do anything...Gt3 and Zl-1 Camaro

Rivals vs RE-71's... only thing I could get in my size
with a 200 rating were the Rivals out back... if I could get the
Bridgestones in my size they would be all the way around
I had the exact same Rubber and sizes on the firebird I sold
and it actually worked very well
Pantera originally had a lot of push stock... my car has been
modified a lot so hopefully I can dial things in with the new
Viking Beserker shocks.... I have Pzero Slicks for the car
and thinking of getting Hoosiers as I now have three sets
of wheels.... lots of dialing in with all those options
The main thing is these tires are a lot bigger than what I had before

Bob

DREAMIN TA 2
 

I took the front nose to a local painter and in three
days picked it back up.. I have had the new grilles for
a while.... now to get the rest of the engine bay cleaned up

Bob

DREAMIN TA 2
 

So I went to the dark side and bought a corvette

69 Stingray, T-tops, Sidepipe headers, Flairs, Kirkey racing seats
(I can actually fit in it) 421 small block with 500 miles, new alum
radiator, new gas tank, Nitto tires on 12" rims 275/325 rubber,coilovers in
front... Pretty much set up.... will lower it slightly and install the
Camber brace (not sure why it does not have one)... paint is
fresh so I get to rock chip it up

Will use for Autocrossing and cruising

Bob

Very nice! :)

Nice choice on the Vette, I've always loved that body style.

DREAMIN TA2
 

Changed the wheels/tires on the Vette
All were drag radials and the rears were hitting the flair
Reworked the sway bar and lowered it as far as I could
Need shorter springs on the front coilovers
Elect motors for the Lights next

Total distraction from the Firebird

Bob

Love those wheels !!!!

DREAMIN TA2
 

Yes I have always liked the 200s/daisy wheels
Picked them up at good guys for $600 for the set

Bob

DREAMIN TA2
 

So I think I broke a valve spring
Decided to pull the engine... bigger heads
bigger solid roller cam, more compression, new manifold
carb,bigger bore new Steffs oil pan and SS 180 Headers
Kick things up a little bit

The journey begins

Bob

D'oh! Sorry to hear about the problems, but look forward to hearing about the new combination! Still love this car... :)

DREAMIN TA 2
 

I have always wanted a Cp car... bought my camaro
shell a couple of years back but never pulled the trigger
with on the suspension, brakes etc

Saw this car on facebook a while back and tried to look
at it but he stopped responding... Saw him at an autocross
and looked at it last friday and it followed me home

7x National champion car.. regional champ many times
Maier put a new front clip with Jri shocks and then it has
sat for 3 years... has a Lotus 3 link with coil overs...
sort of a torque arm but the lower arms go to the sides
in a triangle... kinda old school.... Love the flares
Have a new race weight glass front end but will probably
make it a firebird as that is my thing... really really light
glass gutted doors and rear deck... glass windshield and
rear window.. probably going to lexan

Car needs some cleaning up but a light weight car that sits
1 1/2" off the ground is what I wanted

Too many projects but really loving this thing

Bob

Wait, You only shared two pictures.

I surely hope you took more as I would love to see the suspension and and...

I thought the same thing! You can't describe all of that suspension work and not show us pictures. ;)

Congrats on the new project!

DREAMIN TA 2
 

Need to clean things up a little... rear suspension is pretty cool
Again front has a bunch of surface rust so working on that
also.... Not sure how these guys can leave things rusting away
on the side yard... underside is mostly grime etc
We will fix it

Bob

DREAMIN TA 2
 

I just started a little cleanup on the front end
Will hopefully take it outside and hit things with a
wire wheel this weekend

Again a Maier built front end

He braced the front of the frame with an insert
He installed a piece inside the cross member to receive the lower a arm
He installed a triangle to receive the rear lower a arm
Adjustable sway bar with bearings
upper a arm assembly all new with button type adjustments like my race car

Hopefully will get the triangular rear suspension cleaned for pics

Bob

Thanx for sharing. Does Maier make that upright? And what hub is used? Interesting setup...

DREAMIN TA 2
 

Not sure about the upright.. going to pick up the glass
front end, some wheels and a trans from the guy I
bought the car from tomorrow

Hub is Howe

Bob

DREAMIN TA 2
 

Found out Maier made the front hub... one of two- Hobaughs car has the other

A few shots of the rear triangular rear end
Lotus 3 link or Chapman link... like a torque
arm but lower arms go to the frame forward
similar to a torque arm but in a triangle... may
convert to a torque arm later...
Shocks a lot longer like Nascar stuff
Will clean and paint things up little by little

Bob

DREAMIN TA 2
 

I have been cleaning things up and removed
two of the four door bars. This is only going to be
an autocross car so at 6-2" I want easier access
into the car... Ordering my new Kirkey 65 series
seat and will work on seating fitment along with
rear firewall fab and some bracing at the
rear shocks, etc... Need to look at pedal locations etc
as I may install aftermarket style with new masters

Bob

Don’t forget about us.

We like pictures


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

DREAMIN TA2
 

New quick release and steering wheel
Now to figure out the seating position

DREAMIN TA2
 

Set the front end and hood on to see
how things will look if I keep it a Camaro vs
a Firebird.... not bad

Bob

DREAMIN TA 2
 

Finished anchoring the seat and reworking the
Cage side bars to let me get in and out easier

Bob

DREAMIN TA 2
 

Bought a 13/1 355 race engine for the Camaro
Test fit things yesterday with trans etc....
Need to cut the firewall to clear the crossover header
Wanted to clean up this mess anyways....
Pedals were cut off and raised and will not work for a big
guy like me.... Will work that into the firewall rework

Bob

DREAMIN TA 2
 

Been working away on the pedal mounts
and firewall rework... Trying to cover up
the ugly and get a nice pedal feel
Wilwoods overhead with remote reservoirs
to clean up the firewall.. moved the steering
column over and back since the seat is moved back

Next is starting to put metal around the header etc

Bob

DREAMIN TA 2
 

Pantera engine is being redone as I broke
a piston... changing to Afr heads, bigger solid roller, shafts
and new SS Headers my buddy back east has made
I have about a month left working on the Camaro
before I need to stop and get the Pantera running again

Bob

DREAMIN TA 2
 

Buddy and I were wire wheeling the world this past weekend
most of the crud is gone.... welded in some additional bracing
including a bar between the high rear shock mounts
Hopefully throw some paint on it next weekend
Another buddy also picked up the 4 speed for a complete rebuild

Bob

DREAMIN TA 2
 

Parts are starting to come in for the CP Camaro
New radiator, CVF elect water pump, alt, Ps with
serpentine belts... a bunch more from Summit later today

Bob

I love it when parts are rolling in. :thumbsup:

DREAMIN TA 2
 

Looks like I will have to take a break
from the Cp Camaro.... Pantera engine
is going on the run stand next week....
SS headers shipping the next week

406 Dart block, AFR heads, scat crank,
LA Billet rods, Race tech pistons, Billet
solid roller, shaft rockers and a Stef's pan

Cam is a little aggressive but you only live once

Bob

First time I’ve ever heard YOLO applied to a cam a choice! I was cracking up! It’s all looking great Bob!

DREAMIN TA 2
 

Been working on getting the Pantera going
and when talking to my engine builder he told
me about a 467 Pontiac engine he just built
Butler insides, edelbrock heads, etc etc
Killer deal but sniper and front pulley system
are going... not my thing.. up for sale at 1/2 the
price of new
It made 434hp at the wheels and the guy
wants more power... building him a big block chevy
Perfect for my WS7 1979 Ta.. don't want to break
the auto and 10 bolt for my cruiser.... another project

Bob