81 trans am (project over my head)

[81 trans-am]

hey guys just wanted to start a build thread of my trans am.
future plans include new quater panels, dse mini tubs, some type of 3-link, and Im still trying to decide on a front suspension. But for now its just metal work.

Here's what it used to look like

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/12/hdrp_drag_week_2006_results_zappleg-1.jpg

and back from the blaster

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/12/PrimerPhase014-1.jpg

[81 trans-am]

floors and firewall progress

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/12/floors042-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/12/floors043-1.jpg

[81 trans-am]

more rust

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/12/PrimerPhase016-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/12/PrimerPhase003-1.jpg

[Young Gun]

imageshack.com

cool build!

[81 trans-am]

alright I think I got the picture thing figured out.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/12/floors046-1.jpg
had to make the pieces for the tailpanel since no one repops one for the 81
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/12/floors047-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gifI

[81 trans-am]

the other side

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/12/floors058-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/12/floors059-1.jpg

I'll never buy another rusted car again. To bad I have 2 other ones rusted just as bad:guilty:

[81 trans-am]

the panel behind the tail panel

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/12/floors051-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/12/floors060-1.jpg

Thats it for a while I will be ordering the quaters and mini tubs next week (christmas bonus):smoke: . I will post new pics as progress allows.

[avewhtboy]

I read in your other thread that you have an LT1 and a 6 Speed. I have an 81 that is a 305/4 speed car was wondering if you had to do anything to the trans tunnel to fit the trans in?

Looks like a lot of work...but it's fun for us I guess

[81 trans-am]

I made my own crossmember since no one made one when I did the swap. So the engine angle might have been wrong but the trans fit(barely). The t56 I have has a rubber bumper on top that was touching the floor and there is a solinoid up by the shifter that i had to beat the floor a little clear. It was like that for 2.5 years with no problems Until I launched the car on slicks:hand: .see avatar. BUt good luck with your car.

[WS6]

cool another second gen bird. Good luck with it.

[avewhtboy]

OK thanks I guess yours was an auto since it was a turbo and didn't have the "shifter hump" which i am hoping will give some extra clearance. I had read people were having to modify the trans tunnel and firewall but I think that was to hook the 6 speed to a pontiac motor.




I made my own crossmember since no one made one when I did the swap. So the engine angle might have been wrong but the trans fit(barely). The t56 I have has a rubber bumper on top that was touching the floor and there is a solinoid up by the shifter that i had to beat the floor a little clear. It was like that for 2.5 years with no problems Until I launched the car on slicks:hand: .see avatar. BUt good luck with your car.

[Takid455]

.... had read people were having to modify the trans tunnel and firewall but I think that was to hook the 6 speed to a pontiac motor.

:secret: Not so. it is tight though

good luck with the build. nice see see a non chevy product now and then

[81 trans-am]

I also used the pedals,brake booster, and hydralic clutch setup from the 95 car. Since my car was an auto and the parts cam with the motor/trans combo. Are you going to keep it a manual clutch?

[AndyD]

do you have any progress pictures of the T56 install?

[avewhtboy]

I am not sure what I will do about the clutch setup, I am thinking
the LT1 factory setup and I believe they make a plate to mount the clutch master cylinder to my existing clutch pedal.



I also used the pedals,brake booster, and hydralic clutch setup from the 95 car. Since my car was an auto and the parts cam with the motor/trans combo. Are you going to keep it a manual clutch?

[Young Gun]

this is looking great! gonna be an awsome car when finished!

[81 trans-am]

hey andy

The t56 was in the car before I tore it apart (this time). I put it in about 3 years ago. I had to fab my own crossmember and get the driveshaft shortened but eveything else fit. I hacked a hole in the floor for the clutch hydralics but i used the pedals from the 95 car so I didnt have to make any adapters.

[81 trans-am]

My dse mini tubs are now installed.:Alchy:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/01/minitubs002-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/01/minitubs003-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/01/minitubs009-1.jpg

[81 trans-am]

almost 15" from tub to outside lip of quarter.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/01/minitubs007-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/01/minitubs008-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/01/minitubs012-1.jpg

[WS6]

Do you have to cut the rear frame rails for the minitubs? Looks good. Keep it up.

[Piet]

Nice work... Keep it up!

[81 trans-am]

With the templetes that are supplied from dse you do cut through the lip of the frame rail but not in to the structual part. You also cut right through the shock mounts. But the supply new steel plates that get welded in to the floor trunk and cut frame sections to stiffen everything up before the new tubs go in. There kit is very nice and the instructions are fairly easy to follow.

[TonyHuntimer]

Looks great!

Tony Huntimer

[WS6]

Dang it. I was really to not alter the rear frame rails at all. I may just have to be happy with 10 inches of tire. Or I may just say screw it and go wide. I'll need it for the power I am planning.

[WS6]

Ok finally got off my butt and checked their website. That's an expensive kit. Do you really have to use a narrowed fuel tank?

[81 trans-am]

I did not buy there whole kit. For that kind of money I was not keeping leef springs. I am looking at a lateral dynamics 3-link kit which does cost more.:3rd:

[81 trans-am]

I was getting the lead out of the seams because I could see a little bit of rust buy the window chanel. It doesnt look like it goes all the way through. Has anyone else had rust under the lead. I will a post this in the body and paint section too. The first 2 pics are off the driver side.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/03/quarters001-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/03/quarters003-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/03/quarters012-1.jpg

[Johnny Blaze]

Looking good!

Thats not to rusty compared to most 2nd gens in my part of the cvountry!

[SixSpeed454SS]

the first pic looks exactly like a friend of mine from high school (20 yrs ago). His car was gold with black primer clip & formula hood (he didn't have t/a fenders, though). He had a 455 olds in it then. I don't know whatever happened to it, though.

[81 trans-am]

Thats pretty funny. this car was a 4.9 turbo car. minus the turbo motor when I got it. every new part (not rusty) was panted black.

[GM_muscle]

how is the car coming along?

[81 trans-am]

nothing really good to report. I have been draging my feet due to not having the major parts ( quarters an doors) I will be going to the charlotte nascar race and while im in n.c. I will be going to ndp and picking up all the parts that I can afford just to avoid shipping. After that the updates should speed up. Thanks for the interest guys.

[GM_muscle]

you going to pontiac in the park in the end of the month? in va

[T/Aaron]

This looks like an awesome project. Reminds me of my old '80 bird. sniff!

[81 trans-am]

finally some progress
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/06/quarters021-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/06/quarters022-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/06/quarters025-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/06/quarters-1.jpg
Now all I have to do is finish the 20 feet of welding:scared:

[GM_muscle]

i have to do that with my 79 a full one on the p/s and patch panels on the d/s

[Motown 454]

Looks good your doing an excelent job>
Wayne

[81 trans-am]

Most of the welding is done. Im actually really proud of how this came out for my first time doing major bodywork. And butt welding at that. Now I get to do the other side and the door skins.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/07/quarters029-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/07/quarters030-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/07/quarters031-1.jpg

[SaturnVUEguy]

Looks pretty good

[jayb53guy]

Great work, keep it up. I'm working a 1970 bird right now, not quite as deep as yours though!

[81 trans-am]

yeah rust sucks. I already told my girlfriend to shot me If I buy another rusty car. I already own 3 of them.:pat:

[Motown 454]

Welds look good thats a lot of work you got done .
Wayne

[81 trans-am]

Thanks for the kind words. Only about 12 more feet of welding to go:doh:

[GM_muscle]

where you get your rear panels from?

[81 trans-am]

I got the quarter panel skins from national parts depot. I think their site is npdlink.com. They didnt fit the way I would have liked but from what I hear no aftermarket sheetmetal does. But they were the cheapest.