Project X-CLEAN, 1981 Trans Am 2nd Gen, LS2, 6 spd

[dug]

I wanted to host them on this site, that was the fastest option. Now I just use our website and ftp them up.

Not as easy, but still works well. Glad you like the thread, you should see whats coming :-)

well? pics? come on!



You guys do great work. I'm impressed and I enjoy the learning experience along with it. Thank you for posting.

[oldguy]

well? pics? come on!

You guys do great work. I'm impressed and I enjoy the learning experience along with it. Thank you for posting.

Thank You.

We're working hard so its tough to post every week. We have done some pretty cool things. More to come !

[Danny Thomas]

Thank you guys for the great writeup so far...I've researched high and and low for this type of info. One question is would it not be easier to have moved the ac compressor up with the kwik pieces that are now offered..don't know if notching is for the novice builder? Also do you provide a harness rewire service for someone doing this conversion on a turbo TA.

[oldguy]

Thank you guys for the great writeup so far...I've researched high and and low for this type of info. One question is would it not be easier to have moved the ac compressor up with the kwik pieces that are now offered..don't know if notching is for the novice builder? Also do you provide a harness rewire service for someone doing this conversion on a turbo TA.

Your welcome.

Yes, it would have been easier, time wise to move the ac compressor up, however we saved the customer around $3,000 by doing it this way. Didn't have to buy special brackets, drive system or a different ac compressor. All the belts are stock right off the shelf.

Also the ac compressor is right in your face when you open the hood, this way it is down low and hidden.

Nothing takes away from how great this engine is looking.

I don't think the notching is too difficult. With planning and some welding skills anyone can do it.

This conversion is being done on a Turbo TA, what do you need done?

[oldguy]

As part of the project with the LS2 transplant we had to fabricate from scratch a cold air intake. Here's what we did

[oldguy]

As part of the project with the LS2 transplant we had to fabricate from scratch a cold air intake. Here's what we did

We bought some .50 wall 4" DOM Aluminum tubing.



Thats a BIG tube



We welded in the LS7 slot type port for the MAF



Put a mounting tab on the end close to the filter





This port is for the crankcase vent intake.



Mocked up on the car







All welded, ground, sand and test fitted.



We painted the cold air intake with bedliner to give it a rougher finish, just didn't want it smooth.









Spectre 8" double cone filter. we did remove ALL the branding on it as well.



We think the results speak for themselves.

[oldguy]

We wanted to use the factory auto shift console. Several reasons, but primarily the customer had it and it placed the shifter in a great hand position and you get to rest your elbow :-)

We mocked it up on paper first and did a test fit in the car. We placed it back around 2 inches and raised it higher by about 1#



All welded up and painted







Relationship on how it fits in the console, perfectly centered for and aft and slightly to the left.





Show with the custom shift boot trim ring we made as well

[WS6]

Looking good. I took a similar approach with my air intake. I think it's a good clean way to get air into an engine with a front mount throttle body. Glad to see an offset bracket works with the shifter. That's something I still need to do and was hoping would work. I just hadn't taken any measurements or anything to know if it would work.

[Dirtleg]

Thanks for sharing all this. I'm sitting on an 80' TA Pace Car waiting until I can move forward on it. You mentioned you sell the vinyl you used on the dash. What are the color options available? Again thanks for all the inspiration. Nice work.

[linkstar69]

Great work and write up.

[Later-A-body]

I read through your entire build thread. Fantastic work. Your air intake tube and seat bracket fabrication comes at a perfect time as I am just about to tackle both on my Grand Am. The textured intake is exactly what I plan to do as well. It looks very factory which is what I want.

[LUV2XLR8]

looks great.... what bed liner paint did you use?

[oldguy]

"Thanks for sharing all this. I'm sitting on an 80' TA Pace Car waiting until I can move forward on it. You mentioned you sell the vinyl you used on the dash. What are the color options available? Again thanks for all the inspiration. Nice work."

Your welcome. Like Henry Ford, the vinyl only comes in black, you have to dye to match. Also we do the recovering as well.

[oldguy]

Looking good. I took a similar approach with my air intake. I think it's a good clean way to get air into an engine with a front mount throttle body. Glad to see an offset bracket works with the shifter. That's something I still need to do and was hoping would work. I just hadn't taken any measurements or anything to know if it would work.

I thought it would help you Trey on your project. Sometimes its good to have other opinions and methods.

[oldguy]

looks great.... what bed liner paint did you use?

Duplicolor, NOT the waterbased garbage, but the blue can. We have Raptor we use on things too, but it is too rough. This makes it look like a factory piece made of ABS.

[LUV2XLR8]

Duplicolor, NOT the waterbased garbage, but the blue can. We have Raptor we use on things too, but it is too rough. This makes it look like a factory piece made of ABS.

i just like the way bed liner looks... thinking about doing my fire wall in it.. thanks for the info

[ryeguy2006a]

That is a great idea for the shifter! I may end up using that if I don't go a different route. I don't know if I saw it or not, but what brand, type, etc. did you use for the vinyl wrap? I have a console from a 99 Z28 Camaro that looks really good in the car and I may end up wrapping it similar to what you did.

Thanks,
Ryan

[oldguy]

That is a great idea for the shifter! I may end up using that if I don't go a different route. I don't know if I saw it or not, but what brand, type, etc. did you use for the vinyl wrap? I have a console from a 99 Z28 Camaro that looks really good in the car and I may end up wrapping it similar to what you did.

Thanks,
Ryan

Thanks Ryan, I thought you might like that shifter for your car. We sell the vinyl. PM me for info.

[Danny Thomas]

I also am doing a 81 turbo..have a 98 ls with 4l60e that I would need a harness for. Trying to decide on gauge route, really want to keep stock ones and just get tail piece for trans to use orig. speedo. Also need to get computer reprogramed.

[LeighP]

Great work....love how you're doing this car!