Recommendations needed for 2nd gen f-body
 

I am looking to build a serious g machine that will be worth of magazine coverage. It will be different than most in that it will be a Pontiac powered Trans Am. I already have the engine being built and polished. That alone is $20K. I wanted to keep a somewhat original look by retaining the shaker which is why I had the aftermarket block based Pontiac motor built. It has already been dyno'd at 700+HP and 750 ft. lbs. of torque on pump gas. I am not going to go with forced induction at this point since I already have a good bit of horsepower and want to keep the shaker functional. The engine can be coverted easily with some dished pistons and a different cam if I decide to loose the shaker dow the road.

So I have spoken with DSE to look at buying a complete assembled front subframe and rear in with their ford 9 inch rear and quadra links setup. Vintage Air system with all braided lines and polished compressor. Another $20K+ for that. I understand that it is one of the best out there if not the best out there. I want it to look great as well as perform. I want to be able to use a 10 inch tire up front and 12 inch wide out back and the DSE setup will allow that. (I'm also installing their mini-tubs)

The car is a T-Top car so I need a nice roll bar setup that will still look nice with the tops out and to go with the interior which will be custom. I am considering the Tiger Cage from RideTech but it is not certified by any of the sanctioning bodies so that is a big concern.

I am ready to pull the trigger on the suspension parts now. I need to source a complete stainless steel oval exhausts because I want to keep this thing low.

Any recommendations on improving this project will be appreciated.

Doug

you have a PM

Tom

Sounds like a killer ride..... I'd be happy to talk TA's with you as I'm also building a TA for this season (did the Green 70 Formula in the Optima and The Dirty Fun Run Across to America to Sema this year)....
You'll most likely want to speak to "Spin Tech" in California for the Oval exhaust at the 3.5" level or "Ram Air Restorations" (Paul) for the 2.5" low Oval exhaust,,,, If Carbon Fiber Panels sound interesting
just let us know as we'd be happy to help...

As a side note, if you have 700hp for real you may really want to speak to a local chassis guy as that much power with T-tops will twist the car most likely..... Especially if you plan to run a DSE sub-frame
and a complimentary rear end..... With a set of pretty nice tires to transfer all that good suspension stuff it's almost guaranteed to twist if not tied together properly and caged....

Albert

Welcome Doug! Sounds like a nice project. What year is the car? Are you building the car yourself or is a shop building it? Who built the engine? As Albert mentioned, a T top car with that much power and sticky tires is probably going to need some stiffening to avoid problems if you expect to push the car anywhere near its limits on tracks etc.

I haven't seen it on their website but detroit speed has a "test car kit" in their catalog. It has everything on their 70 camaro for 12k and change :faint: . THe subframe,Q-link, subframe connectors, remote canister shocks all around, mini-tubs, and some other stuff i think. You would save some money buying them as a kit and it seems like you were planning on getting most of that any way.

Before you pull the trigger on anything call me. We have plenty of big cube Pontiac experiance and can save you real money on all your parts you mentioned and everything else you will need..

Check out our website

Make sure it's black with 17 inch snow flakes. :thumbsup:

Thanks, I'll definitely be in contact. This is a build I am attempting but can always change my mind if the right offer is out there. I have built several TAs. 3 were restorations and I got tired of that. Last one had all mechanicals upgraded to support a mid 500hp motor I built. This one is to be the topper of all of those! I normally build my own motors but Dave at SD Performance, where I buy most of my Pontiac motor parts, offered me a very good deal on a motor he had built and it could support going forced induction down the road if I decide to do so.

Here is the motor I bought....
http://www.sdperformance.com/viewPro...productID=1797
It will be here in February. I had Dave at SD Performance take the heads and intake off to have them polished and powdercoated in clear. It dyno'd at 716hp on pump gas. It is the real deal.
They wrote an article about the results of the testing on the motor.. That is here...
http://www.sdperformance.com/newsStory.php?newsID=53

The rear is is also from Detroit speed. Basically I will most likely be buying their entire front and rear setup for the car along with their subframe connectors. Other than a partial cage, I don't think there is much else to do to stiffen the chassis without going all out race car chassis. I want to keep the T-Tops functional since it is a street car.

Been there done that! This one will be Nocturne Blue like my other favorite TA and will have all the graphics airbrushed before the clear coat. Here is my current "favorite". I am going to sell the other TA's I have and just keep these two.
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/c...e/DSC01024.jpg
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/c...s/DSC02094.jpg

PM sent.

I'd love to find that! Just over $21K at list if I include AC and braided lines. That is not with the remote canister shocks but the mid level shock they offer. My brother in law has an account with them and gets a small discount but that is still a bunch of money.

Couldn't get a PM through so check your email.

Doug

Still looking for some cool ideas for this 2nd gen build. All ideas are welcome. I want it to have the serious WOW factor.


Think I am going to lose the rear seat like the Dale Jr. camrao at DSE. You can see it in the project links...
http://www.detroitspeed.com/projectp...alejr_main.htm