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

[fletcherscustoms]

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


The tear down and blasting

[fletcherscustoms]

The Heart of the beast pics!

[fletcherscustoms]

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

[fletcherscustoms]

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!

[Ravenous70]

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

[Blake Foster]

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

[JMitch19]

I used http://car-part.com/ to find mine. If you search for wheel the second pop up screen will let you select the spare. I got mine from two different local salvage yards. I paid $65 from one yard and $90 from the other. They also pop up for sale on ls1tech from time to time. Those guys use the rims for front runners for a drag pack.

[fletcherscustoms]

I have been a little lazy on updates. The car has progressed over the past few months, and some design changes have been altered and some big changes to make this car one of a kind are beginning.

Wheel tubs, I kept to the KISS rule and used a off the shelf set of DSE tubs, and added a 2.5" strip to the center to widen them to meet up with the AME rails in the back. WE now have room for a 15" wide tire with room to spare. My 345's had 2" clearance inside.

[fletcherscustoms]

SO now lets talk about Motor placement!! How about a full 12.25" of setback!!! This requires full rework of the firewall, cowl section, some of the dash, and lots of fab work of the mounts. Lots of head scratching and yelling with Jerry but I finally came up with something I am happy with

[tones2SS]

Great stuff Chad. I see you guys have been busy. Looking great!