1978 Trans Am mild custom

[72blackbird]

Nice rims- what size are they? Who makes them?

Geno

[takid455]

After a few design changes, I have come up with a cross member for 75-81 f-bodys to support the T56 transmission. This is how the prototype looks installed. Working with friends of the trade, I was able to construct one for quite a bit les than machine shops which is understandable. Each prototype would be about $850 if I had production shop do one off pieces. This price goes down dramatically as quantity increases. The engine retains its 3 degree rearward pitch as well as the factory ¾” offset centerline to the passenger’s side of the car. Other advances in construction include the 3.5” aluminum driveshaft and working with RARE to find a solutions to the muffler-Watts links interference issue. Paul and I have settled on a solution and are waiting to here back from Spintech. Since I will going away during the middle of June to Southern California and TJ (to see a donkey show), I figured it would be wise to have the car painted during that time to keep a forward momentum. I have begun wet sanding the body with 320, 400 then 600. I enjoy mechanical and fabrication work a lot more than body work. Hopefully I can finish the body before I leave, we’ll see what happens.

Parts w/ guide coat waiting to be wet sanded




wet sanding

[takid455]

cross member and portions of d-shaft

[takid455]

After 17 years of combustionless life, fuel, air & heat have once again been successfully mixed in the cylinders as approx 5 PM this evening. All seems strong and very healthy. Running just headers, the exhaust note is felt in the stomach. Didn't run it too long as the cooling system is dry.

After some waiting for parts, deciding and ordering parts, defeating some walls & hurdles build by life, and other what nots, I have jumped on this fellow once again. Fuel system is complete with 4th gen F-body fuel pump & sender integrated into stock 2nd gen tank. the bulk of the electrical system is completed or at least laid out. I still need to setup the elec fan units and make the relay box for current components and future expansion. Battery is located in the trunk and I was able to feed the 1/0 cable through the frame for a clean look. I found an asphalt sheathing used on antique autos that slid over the cable to prevent wear and corrosion even though the cable has a fairly thick rubber insulation already. Once all the electrical components are inplace and wiring laid, I will tidy up the wiring for a clean look. pics are coming.

[Doug1]

Sweet! I am doing a 2nd Gen TA myself. That is a beautiful car!

Who made the transmission crossmember? Also the oval exhaust?

[G-Body]

Sweet ASSSS build ! good luck!

[NOT A TA]

Awesome that you've gotten to the point of firing it up! I'd been watching the thread a long time ago thinking "Wow that looks so nice under there, I'm never posting pics showing the underside of my car! " LOL Glad to see you're back on it.

[WSSix]

Originally Posted by Doug1

Sweet! I am doing a 2nd Gen TA myself. That is a beautiful car!

Who made the transmission crossmember? Also the oval exhaust?

That's his design for the xmember.

[takid455]

thanks for the welcome back. been a long while.

John - one day we may meet at an open road event...one day perhaps. Your ride rocks, the Porsche too.


correct, the x-member is one that I have designed specifically for the 75-81 f body cars. the exhaust is from RARE.

[takid455]

Got another 78 T/A I was resurrecting on its feet and out the door. Time for this fellow to get some lovin'. While the original electrical system functioned, it wasn't pretty. It didn't flow well either. I also wanted to add some circuits & simplify some circuits as well. Also wanted to have relays. Something present in 1978, but not widely used like todays cars.

Some Circuits I added/ altered:
-In-tank fuel pump from 4th gen and 14 GA wire from pump to relay
-integrate O2 ECU into Projection 4 ECU
-Add triple stage lighting system. not sure if I will like it, we'll see.
[outer lamps have high and low, stage 1 & 2. inner lamps are super high (100 W H1) , stage 3)] each high has its own relay and switch. Used a 79-81 column activated switch for one and the stock floor mounted switch for the other.
-Spal dual electric fans w/ module
-Mallory Unilight dist and E-coil
- relocate all A/C relays and electrics to pass side of evaporator box.

A big issue I had was where to affix the relay box, coil and modules so they would not look cluttered, yet be accessible. For now, I decided not use the stock cruse vacuum unit. may relocated or find a better solution in the future. Stock electronics and controls are still on car and not in the way. the driver's firewall under the fender provided a nice place for the 93-97 f body relay box and fan controls.

I liked this box as it is simple, compact and has room to grow w/o have excess. thanks to forum member TnBlkC230WZ, I was able to locate the proper terminals for the box as well as other components in my system. Mouser.com has what you need, you just need to know what it is you need. I modified the stock late model f-body relay box bracket to suit my needs and locate the box some the fuses and relays would be accessible w/ the fender on the car. I can even affix a mini Mag light behind the box and the firewall if needed. or a place to 'stash' stuff'. the fan modules can be accessed from the top w/ the fender installed. its tight , but will work.

Backing up a little, I had gotten the car to run and a roughly laid out wiring harness and jumper cables to test the circuits. I took that down and cleaned the rats nest up and tried to hide it as much as possible. Ordered some wire braid from painless and order more from their supplier which is 12 minutes from my house. buy direct and $ave. . wirecare.com is the retail outlet. good stuff.

with the newly critiqued wiring and component installation, it was time to see if all systems still functioned. Sure enough, all is well. Took the stock HEI out and put in the unilight and hooded up the coil and receive no spark...booo:doh:

I noticed the E-coil getting warm so I unplugged it w/ the batter to let it cool and tried again. no spark. after some test, I am looking at what could be a faulty module. this unit I bought used from a friend for 40 so I am am still ahead of the game if it is bad. It has the E-spark in it . may replace w/ basic unilight if it test bad.

need to beatify teh T56 harness and wire the Cable X to complete the electrical system for now.

I have to add the braid to the wires yet

Some pictures of the relay box area.

93-97 F body box


starting some wiring


test fitting on bracket




some wiring


connecting box to body wiring


El fin


not sure what to do w/ the extra fan wires. they are not used or optional. I'll prob cut them and cap them. the positive terminal will get a protective cap to prevent shorts.

I am also drafting a new wiring diagram from the car as a bunch has changed. using Autocad and scanned original diagrams. I will have a completely digital wiring diagram for this car when I am done. will keep it w/ the car for future reference. I tried to keep the wire colors meaning full such as: red - batter direct, yellow - battery hot after fuse, orange - ign hot..ect...