1971 Trans AM 455"LSX Project

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We purchased this clean Pacific Northwest Lucerne Blue 1971 Trans Am clone, as a nearly completed project. We wanted to take the already nice body and chassis restoration to the next level. We started by pulling out the old school Pontiac drivetrain, and disassembled most of the car. We then rebuilt, blasted, painted, and coated nearly every part on the car. We further detailed the undercarriage to brand-new condition.







For the new powertrain, we chose to run a Texas-Speed 455" LSX short block, topped by PRC LS7 heads, and our Speed Inc LS7 street cam. GMPP LS7 intake, Holley throttle body, and LS7 injectors are used, along with new black nylon braided lines running back to the Spectre EFI tank modified with the addition of an Aeromotive 340 in-tank pump. We used 1 7/8" Dynatech headers, along with a Pypes 3" stainless system and stainless Flowmaster mufflers. An FLT built GM T56, modified with a Ford T56 tailshaft and housing, which allowed us to utilize the original 4 speed floor hole. Less cutting is always better. We mocked up the original shaker, but we will be modifying a Protouringfbody.com shaker base, so we can be sure to get the scoop in the precise location to appear original when the hood is shut. We rebuilt the original 8.5" 10 bolt and added a Motive 3.90 gear. For braking we chose to go with a Kore3 C5 conversion setup. We used Dirty Dingo mounts, and modified an original trans crossmember to aid in getting the shaker location correct. Standard, but "refreshed" 98-02 F-body drive accessories worked perfect.

Stock shaker mocked up







The interior will be factory original appearing, will all gauges functioning. It will be complete once it returns from the body shop. We chose Year One 17" honeycombs with Nitto 05's for wheels, and rest assured, we will get the suspension lowered once we have all the weight back in the car.




Some images of the fresh paint, and decals installed, ready for final assembly

[garickman]

Nice work! Car looks great.

[ryeguy2006a]

Awesome car. It is really clean.

[V8240Z]

Very Nice.

[FirebirdSteve]

[IronDougal]

Very nice. Love that paint job. Can't wait to see this progression.

[pedro gonzalez]

Im a fan tastefully done!

[SPDMETL]

Love the big-inch LSX!

[gman280]

What mass air are you planning to run?
Or are you thinking of going speed density.

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Speed Density.

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On the Dyno...made 540 RWHP with a mild cam for this combo. With the standard 15% drivetrain loss, it makes roughly 640FWHP on 93 octane. Was hoping for a bit more, and I'm sure a more manly cam would accomplish this but we are going to cruise and show the car for the summer, and possibly change it later.




Interior factory original appearing and fully functional.



Although hard to see, we angle milled an nylon air cleaner spacer to duplicate the factory angle so the shaker would sit "right".



The to-do list is getting shorter, but still needs an alignment, front spoiler fitment, Shaker seal, and possible different front springs. Once the weather finally gets better, road testing and tuning.

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see links below

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[car_guy]

The car looks great. Very cool how there's a lsx hiding in there, but still looks stock with a modern twist. What size are the nitto's?

[Ravenworks]

Very nice build! Makes me want to get going on my 1970 project!!!

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275/40/17

[erikgto]

Wow! Nice T/A!!

One question that got me puzzled; did you fit the Kore3 C5 Big Brake set behind the 17" Year One wheels?!? Any modifications?
I thought the YO wheels didn't have nearly anough room on the inside to accomodate the C5 brakes.....

Erik

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Wow! Nice T/A!!

One question that got me puzzled; did you fit the Kore3 C5 Big Brake set behind the 17" Year One wheels?!? Any modifications?
I thought the YO wheels didn't have nearly anough room on the inside to accomodate the C5 brakes.....

Erik

Checked the template, spoke with Tobin, and no problems.

[NvrDun71]

Awesome build, loved all your past builds as well. My kind of style retaining the classic nature of the car with modern updates where they count. What stainless flowmaster's are those? I'm in the market for a set

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Flowmaster 853048 were used.