1976 Trans Am Resto-Mod

[mdes0]

Can't wait to see how they fit.

[ryeguy2006a]

I don't think I will have any fitment issues. The Dynatech swap headers seem to be the best bang for the buck for 2nd gen Fbody.

[mdes0]

I'm hoping they fit tight to the floor like Lemons or Detroit Speed. If they do then I'd go the Dynomax route rather then pay the 1500+ on the other two.

[csouth]

Nice choice on the SpeedHut's. I've had mine for a while, but yet to install them. I wish mine were 25% off when I purchased...lol I had them send a sample of some colors and went with Kumuat, which was a little more muted than the Tangerine.

[ryeguy2006a]

I finally got done with what I had been putting off for so long... Welding in the floor pan extensions due to the new transmission being located towards the rear. I started out trying to weld in a piece of metal that my dad had laying around. That was a terrible decision. It didn't fit well at all, so I went to get some new 20 gauge steel panels which were the same size as my floor pans. That turned out much better than I even though. I was mostly putting this off because I didn't want to tear my interior apart. Which turned out to be not as bad as I thought originally.

First I had to remove the factory 4 speed hump as it was badly damaged.



Once that was removed, I could get a clear view of what needed to be welded in.



Then I welded in the first new panel and cut around for the shifter to come through.







Then the other half of the panel to the rear fill all around the shifter. I painted the raw steel to prevent any rust and put my carpet back down.



I am glad that I got that done and over with. I was putting it off mostly because I wasn't sure how I was going to tackle the project.

Next on my list is to fully shave the firewall. I have decided that I don't like the way that the block off plate that I made, and it will look best with it fully shaved. While I am in there I am going to smooth off any imperfections and fill any holes in that I don't need.

That is all for now. I look forward to testing how the Headers fit that I just bought. I am hoping that they will fit with the engine in it's current position. If not, I am going to have to redo somethings...

Ryan

[LeighP]

Nice job, Ryan.

[ryeguy2006a]

Thanks Leigh. I am just glad to be done with that portion of the build. I like fabrication, but I just wanted to move onto something else.

[ryeguy2006a]

I got another few mins in the garage on Sunday. I finalized the placement of the center console and the shifter. I had to make a pretty serious bend in the shifter and to my surprise, got it right on the money the first time just eyeballing it! It fits perfectly and shifts great. Once I get the seats in I will be able to see how comfortable it is to shift.



And here is the console fully bolted down with the shifter boot in place. Next step is to paint/wrap it to match my interior.





I am very happy with the fitment and can't wait to get it painted/wrapped to see how it blends with my interior. I am still playing around with the placement of my fuse/relay box. I may just put it in the center console so it is very accessable, but still is up in the air.



Cheers,
Ryan

[ryeguy2006a]

It is time to shave my firewall. I wanted to add a something to my shaved firewall so that it wasn't just a large flat space. I took a 1/2" bead roll and put two parallel 16" bead rolls into the panel that I cut out of my 20 gauge steel. I took a cardboard template to check and see what it would look like. Here are some pictures. I am almost done with welding on this stage of my project, and look forward to that.

Here is what I started with.



And the process of making my block off plate.















Making sure that there was good penetration with the welds.





And here it is with some gloss paint on it. I still need to add body filler in and make everything smooth, but for now I just wanted to put some paint on it just to see what kind of work I need to do in order for it to get it straight.



Thanks,
Ryan

[srh3trinity]

Looks good, I am taking notes for my firewall project.

[ryeguy2006a]

Thanks, for the compliment. I by no means am a professional, so I am not sure I am the one to be getting your notes from.

[ryeguy2006a]

I finally got my Speedhut gauges!! I couldn't be happier. I love the way that they look. The gauges are a little lighter than they looked online, but still very happy and can't wait to get them all hooked up.

I also got a free t-shirt and decals.









Here is all of the installation wiring and diagrams.





Ryan

[srh3trinity]

Those look really cool.

[ryeguy2006a]

My dad Emailed me this picture that he took with his phone recently. It is me under the car taking out the headers for the last time on this Pontiac engine. Made me a little sad, well maybe not.

[LUV2XLR8]

dont have this finished yet???? hahaha... figured you be doing burn outs by now... let me know how the wiring goes.. happy holidays

[srh3trinity]

My dad Emailed me this picture that he took with his phone recently. It is me under the car taking out the headers for the last time on this Pontiac engine. Made me a little sad, well maybe not.

I doubt I will be that sentimentel when I swap my 2BBL Pontiac 350 for the LS3.

[ryeguy2006a]

I doubt I will be that sentimentel when I swap my 2BBL Pontiac 350 for the LS3.

I am certainly not, haha. Especially when I am pulling down 23-25 mpg on the highway with around 400 hp.

[ryeguy2006a]

Ok, so I have to say I hate when people don't do what they say. I will explain. As you will see earlier in my build, I bought a set of swap headers for my project. It has been over 3 weeks since I bought them and they haven't been received and I cannot get ahold of the seller. So, I filed a complaint and will get my money back... Hopefully anyway, shouldn't be a problem but you never know. Anyway, so I have been bummed out because I was looking forward to the Dynatech swap headers and I have since sold any manifold that I could use, I am without an exhaust. Or so I thought. I posted up a wanted ad on another forum, and within minutes I had someone respond to me. Speedway motors hasn't had the Dynatech headers since they went from 399.99 to 600.00 bucks, but they must have had a set that was returned because there was a pair in "Garage Sale" Section. They were having a 7.99 flat rate on shipping, so I got an almost brand new set of 600.00 headers a grand total of $377 shipped to my door.

I am very pleased with Speedway already. I placed my order at 12:58 pm and the order was shipped out UPS at 2:04 pm with a tracking number!! Talk about fast service!! They should be here around 12/26, so it will be a late Christmas present to myself! Here is the picture that they provided.



They look really nice!!

[ryeguy2006a]

dont have this finished yet???? hahaha... figured you be doing burn outs by now... let me know how the wiring goes.. happy holidays

I haven't had time to work on it, haha. I have been doing tons of burnouts and slamming gears, but then I wake up and realize that it still isn't done and is still in my garage on stands....

[srh3trinity]

I have the same headers. I am curious how they are going to work. I am using an aftermarket subframe, but I am hopeful they work with no mods and don't hang down too far.