What did you do with your Trans Am today?

[DarrenWS6]

Removed AIR/EGR yesterday!

Jeff! I shoulda read further! Those cowl seal pins are the suck!

I clearly see now why Jeff told me the first thing we are doing is removing the cowl pins. Ouch!

[DarrenWS6]

I haven't had any trouble with spending money, mostly because I save , sell stuff or do some side work to raise the funds so I take nothing from our family money. However she did bitch a little last fall when I bought drag radials just before winter. I told her don't blame me blame a 13.008 and Jeff for letting me use his track tires on our last trip to the Beaver as my goal was to hit the 12 second bracket. After that story she rolled her eyes and said ok....hahaha.... hey it worked I got the tires and went 12.7

Chirped into 4th gear even, I was in the drag line watching excitedly. Way to go!

[Whamhammer]

You gotta remember that these cars are about to qualify as "Antique" so you need to expect some issues to pop up.

Fuel Pump - can't recommend highly enough to get a Racetronix fuel pump. Very easy to install and a good base for most upgrades in power.

Wife/Ex-wife - I can't thank of any man that hasn't had or will have this issue..... My wife knows I never plan on selling mine, worked to hard to get it. Current argument is why it's not running right, trying to explain it needs to be tuned properly to her means more $$$ on top of the huge amount $$$ I've already spent. I'll send her to Panama in June to see her family so it will smooth over her ruffle feathers.

Coil Packs - Look for 5.3 truck coils, with a slight tune modification you reap a benefit from them, hotter spark and quicker firing from them. The Dim table needs to be updated in order to get full benefit. I picked up mine used for $75 for the whole set. I've seen as high as $200.

Steering Issue - what's it doing?

The current "wife mods" that I use is when I need to do some work to the car, she notices "Build your own" quotes of new Camaros and Mustangs, laying around the table, and suddenly new exhaust, or what have you is looked at as maintenance and a long term investment.

[udy2554]

Got the car off the ground! (Or dollies)







SLP Y-pipe and LM are out! ARH catted Y and Borla cat back for comparison! It looks like the ARH Y-pipe is a bit bigger in diameter! A full 3" all the way to the cutout! I think I like the Borla tips better too! They should fill the roll pan better! I always thought the SLP tips looked kinda tiny back there!








Another pile of parts! Gone!



While I was at it...





8-P

[pajeff02]

How strict are the NY boys about that front plate?

[raynor139]

Ordered a UMI torque arm relocation kit. Parts pile keeps growing and the list of stuff still needing to be acquired is shrinking. Now just gotta figure out time for all of this.

[udy2554]

How strict are the NY boys about that front plate?

I've been warned before! I covered my front plate back in my twenties!

I haven't been stopped in the TA! My understanding is the plate needs to be permanently mounted on the front of the vehicle! I'm not doing it there as a wise-ass, just hate the factory location!

[pajeff02]

If I had to run a front plate, it would be the kind that electrically retracts when the ignition is turned off.

[RONS98TA]

Its so much cleaner in the engine bay with all the AIR and EGR stuff outta there. Not to mention a few less lbs in the car.

[RONS98TA]

I've been warned before! I covered my front plate back in my twenties!

I haven't been stopped in the TA! My understanding is the plate needs to be permanently mounted on the front of the vehicle! I'm not doing it there as a wise-ass, just hate the factory location!

While down cruising week in Ocean City Maryland last year, I was pulled over for my "missing" front plate. I told the state trooper, "Its there...mounted in the front of the vehicle....like the law says.". AS he walks back to the front of the car, takes a long steep bow and looks, he kinda gets a smirk to his face. He comes back and says, " iam giving you a verbal warning for the front plate not being mounted in the factory location." I mounted mine like udy2554 just has well over 10 years ago. I've only been pulled over twice for it so far. LOL

[RONS98TA]

If I had to run a front plate, it would be the kind that electrically retracts when the ignition is turned off.

I was thinking of a cable attachment to it in the factory spot on the bottom of the plate. I currently have that place cut completely out of my fascia for air flow to the front mount inter cooler for the blower. I figure, if I attach the top 2 holes in the licence plate, to the car, then a cable to the bottom, I can just slide it back in place when/ if I get pulled over. That should make em' scratch their had when they look back for the front plate after pulling me over. LOL

[DarrenWS6]

Nice layout Udy!

Random question, I assume you may be selling your previous exhaust as a whole unit? If not, what would you want for the intermediate pipe? Including the piece that connects to the Y pipe.

[Whamhammer]

Yesterday, I had the local shop throw on my front summer's, so the car is now fully into spring mode. Had them do an alignment too, would you believe that Baltimore area roads are so bad that they threw off my left front wheels toe-in? (Say it ain't so!!)

Also washed the car, and cleaned the inside again.

Starting to clean the winter wheels and tires. I forgot how much more the factory 17 inch Speedlines weigh, compared to the Z06 wheels. NIGHT AND DAY!

[udy2554]

Nice layout Udy!

Random question, I assume you may be selling your previous exhaust as a whole unit? If not, what would you want for the intermediate pipe? Including the piece that connects to the Y pipe.

Make me an offer! I'm cheap and easy!

I did have to sawzall the pipe going over the axle! It's SLP's LM!

After work, I'll get better pics of what I cut!

[pajeff02]

I think the factory Speedlines and stock size tires weigh in at around 55 lbs. They are heavy bastards.

[BobbyGFirebird]

DUMB QUERY of the DAY: I bought a sweet white-ball Hurst Shift knob to replace the dark-leather factory Hurst one on my ws6. Can I simply grab the factory one and unscrew it, or do I have to do some kind of needle nose pliers thing and loosen a stop-nut or sumthin' ? Apologies... I am super busy at work. Should I hold the shift lever with a pliers, or not needed?

(Yes, I know this is the dumbest post ever... especially as I've built entire GM auto plants !)

[raynor139]

No you just have to twist it to remove it. Will take some strength the first time to break it free since it was put on with something like loctite from the factory.

[pajeff02]

I remember helping a friend remove the shift knob on his C4 Corvette -- he damn near knocked himself out when it let loose.

No such thing as a "dumb" question on here.

[SMWS6TA]

It's on...

http://i584.photobucket.com/albums/ss286/smws6ta/20160317_115858_zpsyycdoeyy.jpg

[DarrenWS6]

I twisted mine accidentally on the 1/4 mile track and loosened mine. That's where I learned it is an easy swap .