Enter your username:
Do you want to login or register?
  • Forgot your password?

    Login / Register



    Page 1 of 3 1 2 3 LastLast
    Results 1 to 20 of 59
    1. #1
      Join Date
      Oct 2004
      Location
      Garden Ridge TX
      Posts
      60

      A Tale of 3 TA's

      TA #2

      I haven't posted a build thread on here in quite a while if ever so I guess its time to start. Im self employed with my own shop and have 3 kids that have all grown up and flown the coup so I seem to have a bit extra time on my hands. So far I've built a nice custom 71 C10 with an LS 5.3 for daughter #2, plus a really nice 72 C10 for my son with a Roadster shop Fast track chassis and a crate LSA. However, Daughter #1(the oldest) has eluded me with her choice of favorite car. Ive offered to build her whatever custom she wants but has always been content with her daily. Last year, she surprised me with the revelation that her absolute favorite was a Brown Trans Am. She says "Dad, Its gotta be brown! No smoky n the bandit for me! OK! So after several months of internet searches, I finally found an original Brentwood Brown 1977 Trans am in relatively good shape. She has maintained that she doesnt want a show car, just a cool classic she and her husband can cruise around in. My specialty or favorite custom is a classic muscle car or truck resto-mod with mostly original paint and interior but with modern suspension, brakes and driveline. So Im going to try to keep the TA mostly original with all the changes being reversible, I.E. the original 400 and 10 bolt will be preserved and go with the car if she ever wants to sell it.



      TA #1

      The other Blue TA is my personal ride. Its a slightly modified '74 I got off ebay about 8 years ago and havent had time to work on. The only mods it has is a 70-73 front clip and 17" wheels, I still has the 400 ram air and 4 speed. Since its not original, I plan to do a few more mods to mine but they will be subtle and tasteful I hope. Plans are a Roadster Shop Spec chassis and a crate LT4-8l90 combo. Stock interior with some updated guages and reworking the console to accept the 8l90 tap shifter. 18" honeycombs and some big Baer brakes. Again, not a show car but a nice street cruiser.

      So here are few pics of the two cars. Currently, Ive received the roadster shop frame and LT4 for the '74 TA and have mounted the engine, tranny and baer brakes. 4 new Gunni wheels makes it a roller to move it around the shop. The Brown 77 is on deck currently as Im trying to get it done before my Daughter's birthday which is fast approaching.

      Evan Q.Name:  IMG_4005.jpg
Views: 1156
Size:  541.3 KBName:  IMG_4004.jpg
Views: 1163
Size:  439.8 KBName:  IMG_4001.jpg
Views: 1163
Size:  445.6 KBName:  IMG_8015.jpg
Views: 1161
Size:  309.4 KBName:  IMG_8014.jpg
Views: 1156
Size:  298.7 KBName:  E24FD44F-9424-4138-BF07-4F273ED48ADC.jpg
Views: 1142
Size:  270.7 KB


    2. #2
      Join Date
      Oct 2004
      Location
      Garden Ridge TX
      Posts
      60
      So here's where I'm at with the blue '74. Probably no further progress until the Brown '77 is done.
      Roadster shop really makes a nice chassis. This one I ordered already powdercoated which really saved some time.

      E.
      Attached Images Attached Images              

    3. #3
      Join Date
      Oct 2004
      Location
      Garden Ridge TX
      Posts
      60
      So for the Brown TA, I had a left over 6.0 iron block truck crate motor not doing anything and since I don't want my daughter driving with too much HP, I thought it would be perfect and reliable. First step was to clean the motor and apply some fresh Pontiac Metallic blue along with Holley's Accessory drive and accessories. The stock truck intake was ditched in favor of an LS3 lower profile intake. I also got some new year one gold snowflakes in 17" so I can keep the stock look and run some bigger wilwood brakes. After that, the old brown bird was put up on the lift to start the tear down.

      E.

      Name:  IMG_4081.jpg
Views: 1105
Size:  458.7 KBName:  IMG_4085.jpg
Views: 1106
Size:  460.8 KBName:  IMG_4141.jpg
Views: 1105
Size:  407.4 KBName:  IMG_4138.jpg
Views: 1111
Size:  468.7 KBName:  IMG_4159.jpg
Views: 1110
Size:  414.0 KBName:  IMG_4163.jpg
Views: 1095
Size:  465.8 KBName:  IMG_4201.jpg
Views: 1106
Size:  440.6 KB

    4. #4
      Join Date
      Oct 2004
      Location
      Garden Ridge TX
      Posts
      60
      So tear down on the 77 went smoothly, I yanked the front clip and found a nice surprise when I got to the core support. The driver's side core support mount had died a lonely death some time back and you could move the entire core support about 3" fore and aft. Not good. Proceeded to yank the crusty but running original 400 and Th350. I then rolled it outside and powerwashed and degreased the front end to make it easier to work on.

      E.Name:  IMG_4204.jpg
Views: 1105
Size:  551.0 KBName:  IMG_4208.jpg
Views: 1105
Size:  463.2 KBName:  IMG_4215.jpg
Views: 1101
Size:  514.8 KBName:  IMG_4222.jpg
Views: 1100
Size:  466.5 KBName:  IMG_4207.jpg
Views: 1120
Size:  538.9 KB

    5. #5
      Join Date
      Oct 2004
      Location
      Garden Ridge TX
      Posts
      60
      Then pulled all the suspension off and dropped the subframe. Found more rusty mount stands and wasted body mounts.
      Ill post more pics tomorrow.

      E.

      Name:  IMG_4234.jpg
Views: 1102
Size:  503.5 KBName:  IMG_4228.jpg
Views: 1102
Size:  577.8 KBName:  IMG_4227.jpg
Views: 1106
Size:  354.2 KBName:  IMG_4226.jpg
Views: 1100
Size:  356.0 KBName:  IMG_4225.jpg
Views: 1099
Size:  538.7 KBName:  IMG_4242.jpg
Views: 1082
Size:  271.3 KBName:  IMG_4239.jpg
Views: 1099
Size:  319.2 KB

    6. #6
      Join Date
      Oct 2004
      Location
      Garden Ridge TX
      Posts
      60
      Next step was to wire wheel the subframe and then take it outside and blast it. I had some 1/8" pieces of sheet steel in the shop and proceeded to make new subframe mount pads to weld into the frame. I also took the time to clean up the nasty factory welds
      E.

      Name:  IMG_4251.jpg
Views: 1108
Size:  431.7 KBName:  IMG_4255.jpg
Views: 1077
Size:  507.2 KBName:  IMG_4252.jpg
Views: 1086
Size:  522.9 KBName:  IMG_4276.jpg
Views: 1084
Size:  373.3 KBName:  IMG_4281.jpg
Views: 1107
Size:  390.8 KBName:  IMG_4280.jpg
Views: 1097
Size:  375.5 KBName:  IMG_4256.jpg
Views: 1085
Size:  383.1 KB

    7. #7
      Join Date
      May 2012
      Location
      Kansas City, Missouri
      Posts
      665
      Country Flag: United States
      Very cool that the whole family loves old hotrods. The TA looks like a solid car body wise. The motor looks amazing. I have to say im jealous of that garage. Looks like you have plenty of room. Watching

    8. #8
      Join Date
      Oct 2004
      Location
      Garden Ridge TX
      Posts
      60
      Thumper, Yeah the body is in nice shape as is the original interior. Faded but not tore up. The doors have a tiny bit of rust bubbling on the lower corners and the floors are not the best. Someone in the past welded in some toe panel patches which seem to be holding ok. I might have to do a floor pan replacement after a couple of years.

      So after welding up the subframe I gave it a coat of epoxy primer followed by Eastwoods ceramic chassis satin black. I then started on the control arms. Im installing ridetech's street grip system for F bodys on this TA. removed all the old bushings and cleaned and blasted the arms followed by epoxy primer and ceramic chassis black although I ran out of satin so ended up doing the arms in gloss. I think the contrast looks kinda cool. New ball joints from the streetgrip system and Suspension was put back together with ridetech progressive coil springs. The stock spindles were modified to accept the bigger wilwood brake caliper brackets. last up on the subframe was the ridetech streetgrip steering set up. all new tie rods and links attached to the original steering box. I mounted the engine and trans to the subframe to give it some weight to put the suspension back together.

      E.Name:  IMG_4311.jpg
Views: 1032
Size:  555.2 KBName:  IMG_4313.jpg
Views: 1028
Size:  533.6 KBName:  IMG_4315.jpg
Views: 1032
Size:  522.4 KBName:  IMG_4326.jpg
Views: 1022
Size:  510.8 KBName:  IMG_4353.jpg
Views: 1043
Size:  427.6 KBName:  IMG_4351.jpg
Views: 1033
Size:  421.7 KBName:  IMG_4360.jpg
Views: 1046
Size:  443.3 KB

    9. #9
      Join Date
      Mar 2007
      Location
      Florida
      Posts
      2,391
      Country Flag: United States
      Nice projects you've got there!

    10. #10
      Join Date
      Oct 2004
      Location
      Garden Ridge TX
      Posts
      60
      Thanks John! I enjoyed your build thread on your TA as well.

      So I took some time off from the brown TA and took a few of my previous creations to a car show at the Country club in houston. My son's C10 and the 69 vette I built for my brother in law. Both LSA powered.

      E.

      Name:  IMG_4406.jpeg
Views: 957
Size:  243.5 KB

    11. #11
      Join Date
      Oct 2004
      Location
      Garden Ridge TX
      Posts
      60
      After that it was back to the Brown Bird. I couldnt resist dressing up the motor a bit. Some valve covers from Butler and a coil relocation kit with new MSD wires. The 17" year one snowflakes also came in, so I quickly got them shod with some Michelin pilot sport AS in 255/50/17 front and 275/50/17 rear.

      E.Name:  IMG_4386.jpeg
Views: 957
Size:  212.4 KBName:  IMG_4387.jpeg
Views: 957
Size:  197.1 KBName:  IMG_4389.jpeg
Views: 964
Size:  213.1 KBName:  IMG_4388.jpeg
Views: 953
Size:  208.0 KB

    12. #12
      Join Date
      Oct 2004
      Location
      Garden Ridge TX
      Posts
      60
      Next up was the drudgery of cleaning a really crusty firewall. Since Im putting vintage air, I got the cover plate from Detroit speed to cover up all the holes. I just couldnt stand looking at the nasty double wrinkle at the center of the transmission opening so I cut it out and welded in some new steel. I also folded the pinch weld lip at the top and outer edge of the firewall and welded it closed. Some seam sealer and a bit of bodywork and it was ready for the Raptor liner.

      E.

      Name:  IMG_4393.jpeg
Views: 948
Size:  186.6 KBName:  IMG_4453.jpeg
Views: 944
Size:  303.6 KBName:  IMG_4457.jpeg
Views: 943
Size:  278.9 KBName:  IMG_4461.jpeg
Views: 963
Size:  173.0 KBName:  IMG_4464.jpeg
Views: 961
Size:  179.4 KBName:  IMG_4488.jpeg
Views: 946
Size:  174.2 KBName:  IMG_4489.jpeg
Views: 949
Size:  204.0 KBName:  IMG_4490.jpg
Views: 963
Size:  204.6 KB

    13. #13
      Join Date
      Jul 2010
      Location
      Clear Lake, Iowa
      Posts
      109
      Country Flag: United States
      Just one question, how does one get adopted so I can get a car built for me! beautiful work!
      Joe Adams

    14. #14
      Join Date
      May 2012
      Location
      Kansas City, Missouri
      Posts
      665
      Country Flag: United States
      Quote Originally Posted by ih8z28s View Post
      Just one question, how does one get adopted so I can get a car built for me! beautiful work!
      I almost wrote the same thing lol. But i wanted to get to know him first

    15. #15
      Join Date
      Oct 2004
      Posts
      2,544
      Country Flag: United States
      Quote Originally Posted by thumper877 View Post
      I almost wrote the same thing lol. But i wanted to get to know him first
      Loves Firebirds and does great work. Only thing left I need to know, is my new last name.
      Red Forman: "The Mustang's front end is problematic; get yourself a Firebird."

    16. #16
      Join Date
      Oct 2004
      Location
      Garden Ridge TX
      Posts
      60
      LOL Sorry Guys, not adopting anytime soon. Those 3 kids put me thru the wringer. Im really enjoying my newfound status as a grandfather. Daughter no. 2 had a beautiful baby girl last november. Cant wait to start teaching her how to turn some wrenches when she gets a bit older.

      Now that the firewall is done, I went ahead and pulled the carpet and mass backing and the floor is rather worse than I thought (arent they always). The dreaded floor cancer is pretty evident. Oh well, I guess I get to practice my welding again. New floor panels have been ordered and while Im waiting, I went ahead and tackled the Vintage air evap mounting and also started planning the location for the ECU and Trans ECU and DBW pedal. It looks like I will have just enough space to mount both ECUs center of firewall above the tunnel behind the AC evap hose manifold. its the little area I painted with etch primer. Plan is to fab a mount that will bolt to the cowl area on top and to the tunnel at the bottom. This way I don't have any unsightly bolts in that freshly smoothed firewall. Ugh, I hate repairing rusty floorpans.

      E.

      Name:  IMG_4495.jpeg
Views: 862
Size:  324.3 KBName:  IMG_4496.jpeg
Views: 881
Size:  145.3 KBName:  IMG_4494.jpeg
Views: 882
Size:  366.9 KB

    17. #17
      Join Date
      Jul 2010
      Location
      Clear Lake, Iowa
      Posts
      109
      Country Flag: United States
      The drivers side looks like it's been patched before, how do the rear floor pans look?
      Joe Adams

    18. #18
      Join Date
      Oct 2004
      Location
      Garden Ridge TX
      Posts
      60
      Joe, Both sides have been patched before. The short strand fiberglass filler is still evident. The rear floor pans have also been patched but are holding much better. Leaky heater core probably the culprit as its the worst on the passenger side toe area.

      E.

    19. #19
      Join Date
      Oct 2004
      Location
      Garden Ridge TX
      Posts
      60
      Still waiting for my floor patch panels to arrive so staying busy with firewall stuff. Made a simple bracket to hold the engine ECU and Trans ECU at the center of the tunnel. One of Speartech's nice firewall harness grommets has just enough space to allow the harness to come thru right behind the pass cylinder head. Also applied the dynamat (Eastwood's version anyway) to the firewall area and cowl area. When I was mocking up the ETC pedal, I actually had one of the bolt holes line up from the original throttle plate to the new etc plate that comes with the pedal. (never happened before, WOW!) I made an extension tube for that bolt and used the remainder of the original throttle bracket as gussets to weld the two together. Three bolts on the lower section that use the original weld nuts on the firewall and one upper bolt that goes right below the wiper motor. First time its been that simple and this is like LS swap no. 11 or so.

      E.Name:  IMG_4519.jpeg
Views: 776
Size:  168.4 KBName:  IMG_4521.jpeg
Views: 778
Size:  222.8 KBName:  IMG_4517.jpeg
Views: 774
Size:  188.0 KBName:  IMG_4520.jpeg
Views: 779
Size:  193.9 KBName:  IMG_4522.jpeg
Views: 771
Size:  321.6 KBName:  IMG_4524.jpeg
Views: 792
Size:  243.1 KB

    20. #20
      Join Date
      Oct 2004
      Location
      Garden Ridge TX
      Posts
      60
      So while waiting for the floor sections to arrive, I went ahead and installed the vintage air vent adapters on the dash as well as installed the Dakota digital RTX guage package. Once the floors arrived I wasted no time in cutting out the rusty areas in both foot wells. The floor sections I ordered came with the toe board piece already attached which saved a bunch of time. Once I cut out the floor, I had to weld a new piece on the lower section of the torque box which was rusted out as well. Sprayed the whole area with weld thru primer and then proceeded to weld in the floor section and attach it to the torque box as well. I used my TIG and welded most of it from underneath while it was up on the lift. The last little bit inside was difficult and I felt like a pretzel afterward. Hitting the foot pedal on the TIG with your knee gets old. LOL. The passenger side rust was worse and I had to reconstruct most of the lower torque box and some of the inner rocker too. BTW, while working on this bird, I found liberal amounts of beach sand in all the crevices. Looks like the P.O. took it to the beach one too many times which explains all the rust.

      E.

      Name:  IMG_4529.jpeg
Views: 657
Size:  246.3 KBName:  IMG_4582.jpeg
Views: 663
Size:  258.1 KBName:  IMG_4571.jpeg
Views: 677
Size:  206.6 KBName:  IMG_4572.jpeg
Views: 667
Size:  214.4 KBName:  IMG_4574.jpeg
Views: 661
Size:  215.0 KBName:  IMG_4577.jpeg
Views: 667
Size:  357.0 KBName:  IMG_4579.jpeg
Views: 669
Size:  242.9 KBName:  IMG_4584.jpeg
Views: 672
Size:  221.8 KBName:  IMG_4578.jpeg
Views: 669
Size:  208.9 KBName:  IMG_4583.jpeg
Views: 668
Size:  229.0 KB

    Page 1 of 3 1 2 3 LastLast




    Advertise on Pro-Touring.com