1979 Trans Am

[Josh@Ridetech]

I've had the car over at Herb's shop (newly named Rotten Metal Garage) for the last few days. We're tearing into it a little more, fixing some things that I've ran across, and also starting on the coilover kit (Going with this kit: https://www.ridetech.com/products/su...maro-firebird/). The car does need some love in a few spots. It's got some rusty spots (I have to keep telling myself it's almost 40 years old) that are really bugging me so I'm going to address that while it's here. The heater core leaked and rusted a spot that's about 8" wide up by the toe board. I've got a new floor pan that we're going to cut up and weld into place. On the rear end of the car, I just need to do some wire wheeling, and coat it with some paint.





Last night, we put the new arms, coilovers, and new sway bar on the front. I've been sitting on these wheels for a couple of weeks so I've been itching to snap a picture of the car with them on it and at the even lower height.







I did acquire another subframe that I am in the process of modifying/cleaning up as well. I have it completely tore down at the moment. I've going to add some welds to the factory upper arm/shock mount for more rigidity and add some material to the lower arm mounts to help spread the load more. While I've got it this far tore down, I might as well beef it up some. The plan is to put it under the car when the new engine goes into place. It may be next year but I want to have this new sub done and ready to slide in when the time comes.

[F-Body International]

Same issue as me Josh! Keep us posted on this! I need some pointers on doing a floor pan and toe board due a leaking heater core.

[Josh@Ridetech]

I'm finally able to post some updates on the car! I've been out with the newest addition to the family .



Now I just have to turn him into a gearhead! My car has been over at Herb's way longer than I've wanted it to be (it's been busy to say the least). I can't thank him enough for working on my car even when I wasn't available to help (and for not pushing it outside). I know he wants his garage space back as bad as I want my car back home! I'm playing catch-up now, buying a few things that were needing to be replaced, and fixing issues that needed to be addressed. The front and rear suspension have been changed over to the full ridetech coilover package. For this car, the HQ system was more than enough, as I'm not building a full on track car . I want this thing to be a remarkable driver that will also get down in the corners! Some install pictures (also showcasing Herb's welding skills):






When I bought the car, it had a fuel cell in the trunk for whatever reason. It was removed and replaced with a new Tanks, Inc setup. It had an ungodly loud Holley fuel pump, with the previous setup, so I did opt to go to an in-tank pump as well. It was a super nice kit for the price!



For the last update, I picked up an LQ4 6.0 over the weekend. It has roughly 60k miles on it, ls1 intake, and some other goodies that came with it. It was in a dusty garage for a period of time but cleaned up nicely. The plan is to throw a different cam in and run it. I'm not going to get all fancy with it just yet, I'm just ready to yank the 400 out of the car. Once I gain some more money, I'll be in the market for a T56 takeout from a 4th gen Camaro/Firebird. I will then put the engine on my other subframe and shove it in the car! I'll get some more pictures but here's how it sat when I got it.





and that's all I have for now!

[F-Body International]

Look into the Lab-14.com stuff for your new subframe. For the cost, it will save you a lot of time with the frame reinforcement.

[Josh@Ridetech]

Look into the Lab-14.com stuff for your new subframe. For the cost, it will save you a lot of time with the frame reinforcement.

Thanks man!

[Subsea69]

Looking great Josh! I have an 81 TA and it just takes me back to high school days when I drive it. Looks like your wheels are the 17x9 Year Ones? What tire size did you go with? They look awesome on your car! With that rear suspension can you fit an exhaust (2-1/2") with the standard split Trans Am exhaust tips? What are you planning for exhaust?

Dwayne

[76TA]

John has been fairly busy. Not sure if he's on here. I believe he's still recovering from falling ill.

I can attest to the quality and customer service he offers, though.

[Josh@Ridetech]

Looking great Josh! I have an 81 TA and it just takes me back to high school days when I drive it. Looks like your wheels are the 17x9 Year Ones? What tire size did you go with? They look awesome on your car! With that rear suspension can you fit an exhaust (2-1/2") with the standard split Trans Am exhaust tips? What are you planning for exhaust?

Dwayne

Thanks! I appreciate it. After fixing some of the halfway done things on this one, I'm really starting to like it more! They are the 17x9 Year One wheels. The fronts are 255/40's and the rears are 275/40's. I was very glad that I went with the 40 series sidewall, it gave it a better look in my opinion. On the exhaust (at the moment), I'm running turn-downs. However, once I switch to the LS engine, Holley just developed an exhaust package that runs 3" tubing underneath the housing, that I will be using. It's easier than going over the rear with the upper four link bars and still looks very clean. I will be doing the same thing with the Pontiac motor in the car shortly though, I'm just having the tubing made at an exhaust shop though. It will still come out in the factory location and I will still be using the splitter tips!

John has been fairly busy. Not sure if he's on here. I believe he's still recovering from falling ill.

I can attest to the quality and customer service he offers, though.

Our sales guy John? He's back and doing just fine! He is on here as well though.

[F-Body International]

Thanks! I appreciate it. After fixing some of the halfway done things on this one, I'm really starting to like it more! They are the 17x9 Year One wheels. The fronts are 255/40's and the rears are 275/40's. I was very glad that I went with the 40 series sidewall, it gave it a better look in my opinion. On the exhaust (at the moment), I'm running turn-downs. However, once I switch to the LS engine, Holley just developed an exhaust package that runs 3" tubing underneath the housing, that I will be using. It's easier than going over the rear with the upper four link bars and still looks very clean. I will be doing the same thing with the Pontiac motor in the car shortly though, I'm just having the tubing made at an exhaust shop though. It will still come out in the factory location and I will still be using the splitter tips!



Our sales guy John? He's back and doing just fine! He is on here as well though.

I think he’s referring to John from Lab-14. His account name on many different forums is NOT A TA. If you look up Firebirds, you’ve probably seen his “Number 14” car with the chrome side pipes.

[Josh@Ridetech]

I think he’s referring to John from Lab-14. His account name on many different forums is NOT A TA. If you look up Firebirds, you’ve probably seen his “Number 14” car with the chrome side pipes.

Ah, very ironic. Our John has been sick as well. I have seen several of his posts, I've chatted with him a few times.

[BonzoHansen]

I had an 81Z28 with similar rot in the right hand floor. I actually found that the seam sealer was bad at the top of the cowl and that let water in run down the fire wall on the inside.

Love the progress

[Josh@Ridetech]

I had an 81Z28 with similar rot in the right hand floor. I actually found that the seam sealer was bad at the top of the cowl and that let water in run down the fire wall on the inside.

Love the progress

I'll have to look into the cowl area as well, I appreciate the tip. I'm 99% sure that this was caused by a leaking heater core (or a few of them over the years). It appears that someone either didn't want to replace it again or just didn't care about having one in the car because it is nowhere to be found .

[Martin71RS]

A baby...and still time to work on the car.... Congrats ! :-)

[Josh@Ridetech]

A baby...and still time to work on the car.... Congrats ! :-)

Haha, most of the work was done before he came around! I hadn't even had time to make a post in 3 weeks until the other day, my time is definitely not as free as before . My wife has been fantastic though. She let me sneak over to the shop and work on the car for a couple hours last night (and hopefully tonight as well). She's tired of hearing me saying that I want/need to get my car back home! Haha

and thank you very much!!

[Subsea69]

When you get it in the sunlight again I would love to see another side view with the 17s for comparison to the previous pics. Curious about the stagger in tire size, would the 275s fit all around? I've never been a fan of under axle exhaust, interested to see how yours turns out. That's my only hold-up on going with this kit right now. I like that if I purchased an axle with the brackets already installed it is 100% bolt on.

Dwayne

[Josh@Ridetech]

When you get it in the sunlight again I would love to see another side view with the 17s for comparison to the previous pics. Curious about the stagger in tire size, would the 275s fit all around? I've never been a fan of under axle exhaust, interested to see how yours turns out. That's my only hold-up on going with this kit right now. I like that if I purchased an axle with the brackets already installed it is 100% bolt on.

Dwayne

Without a doubt, I can't wait to take that picture for comparison. With these wheels only having the one option for backspacing, I was a little unsure of being able to fit a 275 in the front. Now that everything is on, it does appear that there is plenty of clearance for a bigger tire. All of my previous builds have had the pipes going over the rear, I never even thought about going under. However, we've had several shop cars in the past with the tailpipes going under the axle housing and the only time you'll see it is when the car is on a lift. Holley just developed this 3" exhaust system on our 48 Hour Camaro and it turned out great. You'd wouldn't know it was on the car unless it was pointed out.

[Subsea69]

That exhaust does look nice. Interesting there are no sub frame connectors on the 48 hour Camaro. I had assumed that would be something I would need?

[Josh@Ridetech]

That exhaust does look nice. Interesting there are no sub frame connectors on teh 48 hour Camaro. I has assumed that would be something I would need?

Here's a shot from the rear of the car to show how nicely the exhaust is tucked away.



On the subframe connectors, they can be ran, however we do not. The Tiger Cage in our car is a great chassis stiffener so we don't typically use them. As far as them being a "need", that's more of a preference. If you want a street car, the coilover kit makes the car corner much better all by itself and doesn't necessarily need that much stiffness. If you're wanting a corner carver, it would be a decent idea to to look into a cage or a set of subframe connectors.

[76TA]

I'm not saying anything riveting here, but sub frame connectors are essential for any 2nd gen putting down decent power that is going to get worked.

In order of descending structural assistance for any 2nd gen:
1) Sub frame connectors
2) 8 point cage
3) Cowl to front sub frame bracing (like what F-Body International / Lab-14 offer)

And if you're going this route you might as well toss in at least poly-body mounts if not solid aluminum ones.

The Camaro pictured above does appear to have some inherent integrity added via the design of their rear suspension. Based on what I can tell they are at least partially benefiting from the bracing. I'm not sure if that car has a cage or not. Regardless, sub frame connectors would provide significant benefit.

There are several options available. DSE offers a great kit although the installation is more extensive than others being that they run 'within' the floor pans. The benefit here is that you don't lose any ground clearance. If you're building a street car that won't get beat on time and time again...no, you probably don't NEED sub-frame connectors and would likely over build the car. However, if you're trying to get the maximum potential out of a 50 year old design; yes. You need them.

[Josh@Ridetech]

There are several options available. DSE offers a great kit although the installation is more extensive than others being that they run 'within' the floor pans. The benefit here is that you don't lose any ground clearance. If you're building a street car that won't get beat on time and time again...no, you probably don't NEED sub-frame connectors and would likely over build the car. However, if you're trying to get the maximum potential out of a 50 year old design; yes. You need them.

This is what I was getting at. I'm not disagreeing with you at all. The car's definitely weren't built for the power levels and autocross events that we have today. The kit that we build can facilitate a street car build or can be added onto to create a track car. It just depends on how far you want to go into it. As far as our new four link, we're not losing any ground clearance at all. We create our own "frame rails" that run right next to the factory ones with this kit to add strength and a stronger mounting point for the coilovers.