1980 TRANS AM LS3 GM PERFORMANCE T56 build pic and question thread..

[NASTY-LSX]

So I been restoring my 1970 T/A clone for pro touring. Been taking a long time. So I wanted a fun weekend car that I could play around with and do fun drives. After months of searching I found a 80 turbo trans am. No big deal for performance loss, as it was going to be a fun driver, I had no plans of any upgrades. NONE!!. Took a week to ship from its location and it was clean as they come.. Car ran really great and a old 80's mini van could out run me LOL.
24 miles right after I got it the motor froze while on the freeway. Perfect oil pressure and everything was good, long story short I was really pissed I paid big money for just a body now. At least thats what it felt like. After looking into a 301 replacement or rebuild and RNR, $$$$$ was going to be stupid and it would never have any real performance.. SO, I did EXACTLY what I was not wanting to do!!!! Going all balls to the wall with power. Might as well have some balls for fun..

Parts ordered
1. DSE Quadralink rear (been waiting 2 month) still not shipped.
2.GM performance 495 LS3
3.GM performance complete T56
4. upper lower DES control arms
5. willwood big front and rear disk brake kits
6. Strange ford 9 inch rear.
7 wheels will be CCW classics 18x10 and 18x12.5
8. GM performance LS3 wiring kit
Im sure a whole lot more will come to mind, Auto meter gauges are next (not sure which ones). Whipple is also next for my order. All parts for LS swap are from HOLLEY. Motor mounts, headers, and T56 crossmember, front engine drive also (complete pulleys)

here are some pics.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/07/198020trans20am20864-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/07/198020trans20am20867-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/07/198020trans20am201008-1.jpg

I started off with a 6.0 and then said to hell with it!!
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/07/198020trans20am201011-1.jpg

[NASTY-LSX]

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/07/CHEESE20035-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/07/CHEESE20031-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/07/CHEESE20014-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/07/BIRDY20097-1.jpg

[NASTY-LSX]

So my first question would be to anyone who has done the swap. Where did you mount your engine pads??


https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/07/CHEESE20056-1.jpg

[66Tempest326]

Check out BRP hot rods. Their kit eliminates the clamshells all together. Whatever you do, buy motor mounts, crossmember and headers from same manufacturer to ensure fit.

http://www.brphotrods.com/products/2nd%20gen%20F%20products/index.html

[Doug1]

You won't regret getting rid of that 301. There are a few diehard TA guys who like it but it really wasn't my cup of tea when so much more power was available. Your build will be very similar to the one I am in the middle of. Mine has a 79 body and someone put a 301 turbo in there and hadn't even hooked up the exhaust when I first got it. I bought it off of eBay and had to demand some money back to make up for the engine being misrepresented. Luckily, we worked it all out and that motor went away.

I've documented it pretty well so if you can't find the answer in one of the posts on my build, there are a number of guys here and on lateral-g who have done these. I didn't use the LS in this build but otherwise have similar components.


DSE Quadra-link
T-56 Magnum
Willwood brakes

Build link is here..
http://www.lateral-g.net/forums/showthread.php4?t=51065


Good luck with your build. Look forward to seeing it come together!

[NASTY-LSX]

Thanks for the reply. To late. I already bought all of the HOLLEY ls swap kit.

[andrewb70]

So my first question would be to anyone who has done the swap. Where did you mount your engine pads??


https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/07/CHEESE20056-1.jpg

There is a template included with the Holley mounts.

http://documents.holley.com/199r10648rev3.pdf

Andrew

[andrewb70]

Check out BRP hot rods. Their kit eliminates the clamshells all together. Whatever you do, buy motor mounts, crossmember and headers from same manufacturer to ensure fit.

http://www.brphotrods.com/products/2nd%20gen%20F%20products/index.html

The Holley components are light years ahead of what BRP offers...The Holley mounts have u-shaped brackets that bolt to the crossmember and use 4th gen Camaro engine mounts, which are awesome. The BRP swap kits all mount the engine way too high, which causes all sorts of driveline angle issues.

Andrew

[salesguy01]

You won't regret getting rid of that 301. There are a few diehard TA guys who like it but it really wasn't my cup of tea when so much more power was available. Your build will be very similar to the one I am in the middle of. Mine has a 79 body and someone put a 301 turbo in there and hadn't even hooked up the exhaust when I first got it. I bought it off of eBay and had to demand some money back to make up for the engine being misrepresented. Luckily, we worked it all out and that motor went away.

I've documented it pretty well so if you can't find the answer in one of the posts on my build, there are a number of guys here and on lateral-g who have done these. I didn't use the LS in this build but otherwise have similar components.


DSE Quadra-link
T-56 Magnum
Willwood brakes

Build link is here..
http://www.lateral-g.net/forums/showthread.php4?t=51065


Good luck with your build. Look forward to seeing it come together!

LOL I dont think even hardcore Pontiac guys claim that 301!!!!!!

[Doug1]

LOL I dont think even hardcore Pontiac guys claim that 301!!!!!!

Most don't but a few are pretty serious about it. I gave mine away because I wanted big torque. Here's a link. You might can sell it to one of these guys.


http://www.301garage.com/

[NASTY-LSX]

Updates coming shortly!! It has been a while.:git:

[NASTY-LSX]

So many projects have gotten in the way for me to complete this one project. I officially have every bolt on item I need for this car. I will be posting updates
here in about a week. The newest project is a 1980 Z28. Yes LS everything.


https://youtu.be/iNdHtZWcFCk

And the project before that, Yes LS everything 86 C10 No budget build


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cYBBzwOvII

Now I can put all my effort in the T/A. This will be fun!!