John's 98 Trans Am Build Thread

John (jonnyman on here), brought his beautiful Trans Am to be back in July to sort out a few issues. At the time, the car had an LS3 based 418ci motor with a rebuilt T56 and a 12 bolt. It made some decent power and looked really nice.

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p...ps41789500.jpg

After some diag, we determined that the current motor had some oil pressure/ consumption issues. We weighed our options against John's vision for the car and pulled the trigger on a pretty aggressive game plan. First step was to tear everything apart!

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p...ps3726f073.jpg

We pulled the motor and transmission and completely stripped the engine bay of all the wiring and accessories. We also modified the upper radiator support to house a new stand-up radiator and condenser combo in an effort to clean up the bay.

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p...ps6ea70bc1.jpg

At this point, John went nuts with the bay and took it to another level. Every non essential hole was filled and smoothed, and the bay was painted to match the rest of the car. I couldn't believe the difference it makes, and the photos really don't do it justice.

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p...ps5d18cc35.jpg
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p...ps23e27ce8.jpg
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As for this years combination, there are some major changes underway!

-ERL 427ci Short Block
-Direct Port Nitrous System with Stand-Alone Cell
-T56 Magnum from D&D
-Holley HP EFI System
-Lot's of Suspension Upgrades (watts link, k-frame, struts/springs etc)

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p...ps738930f3.jpg
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p...psmxntcpj5.jpg
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p...ps44b910d9.jpg
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p...psqjtlbkws.jpg
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p...psaijrizw7.jpg

I will be keeping this thread updated as the build progresses in different segments, and I am sure John will have some time to chime in as well. Stay tuned, this thing is going to be one hell of a car this year!

-Brandon

Subscribed

Nice!

Sub'd

:drool: :notworthy:

Subscribed.

Jeff may have a challenge now to "cleanest ride"

Awesome build. Subscribed.

Few more parts dropped for John's Car. The Spohn stuff is looking top notch as always!

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p...psjdogeocs.jpg
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p...pszh6p72qp.jpg
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p...psutevkdpy.jpg

Brandon pulled these out and the gas tank and lines. http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/...psoqj1yvno.jpg

I just want to cry when I see your car...you've got one of the nicest ones around man. Kudos on the build and kudos to Jonnyman for spending the money :lol:

I have been busy trying to keep up and paint parts to look good for the build. http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/...ps07wcnu2y.jpghttp://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/...ps1179f6e2.jpg

subscribed as well ! :yup: ...and +1 on all the above kudos

the image of the bay that Brandon put up was before I put clear on it, here is it after clear.http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/...ps5477d211.jpghttp://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/...ps7088c8b5.jpg

Just beautiful

ASh

I Finally got around to painting the intake so now Brandon can start putting the engine together. http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/...ps7gzonveb.jpg

Photos of the engine and a few other areas we tackled will be up tomorrow!
All I can say is this car is going to be ALMOST to nice to drive!

Very nice!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jonnyman

I Finally got around to painting the intake so now Brandon can start putting the engine together.

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I love the color of the intake and the burnt orange accents are bada$$.

So John's car has been keeping my hands full. We have every single component stripped from the undercarriage including brake lines, fuel lines, suspension, fuel tank and etc with the intention of putting some paint and corrosion protection on the boards front to back. Before I can go any further with the paint plans though, I have had to tackle repairing previous installation attempts of subframe connectors!

This is what I started with...

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p...psrexhvegb.jpg
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p...psyq3tyajh.jpg

This is the pile I removed from the drivers side alone...

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p...psrohc0bp4.jpg

And this is the repair we made! 3/16 plate shapped and tigged to the floor and into the front subframe. 1-5/8 .083 chromoly connector.

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p...pshmmiebrc.jpg
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p...pszw9wwpk2.jpg
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p...psx3pfr0ow.jpg
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Motor has been going together smoothly as well. Here are a few sneak peaks of where we are at...

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p...psdb4nom9i.jpg
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p...psd5umzix2.jpg
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p...ps654awc1n.jpg

Slowly but surely the car is coming together. This thing is going to be absolutely gorgeous when its finished!

That's awfully pretty :yup:

http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/...pspgoz53uo.jpgBrandon has the engine in, the trans is going in next. Still lots to do.http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/...psfgmxsnyx.jpghttp://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/...ps1pf3toui.jpg

You guys are doing a great job keep at it:Popcorn:

:yup:

Very nice. :drool:

:cool:

Excellent progress! I love seeing these cars get treatment like this!

Good grief. Awesome

Sorry been a long time, Brandon is now mocking up the fan and radiator to weld on mounts, and pulled out the body harness to strip it of all non essential wiring, such as traction, cruise and ABS wiring. Then he is going to hide it in the frame rail. http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/...psf8esgbu6.jpghttp://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/...ps5zxnc5uo.jpg oh ya suspension is in shocks, springs, watts link. http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/...pssl8zatps.jpghttp://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/...psvyfkqzwm.jpg

Your officially the most patient person that I know. Looking good

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Originally Posted by kingls1

Your officially the most patient person that I know. Looking good

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lol thanks Jeff, when it's finished at Brandon's I have a sponsor waiting to get it in a paint booth to finish painting it, not sure if I will even be driving it this year! :(

That looks soooooo nice!! Almost to pretty to drive. I love the matching paint on the struts too!! nice touch.

Keep the updates coming!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kingls1

Your officially the most patient person that I know. Looking good

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No kidding.....it was pure Hell for me when mine was down. A total of 30 months and it's still not fully up.

This is going to be one beautiful car when finish. And I hate orange colors but this one is looking good.

Beautiful ride! I'd love to get mine this clean one day when i get another daily driver! Will be following close!

sorry been so long, some boring stuff has been done Teflon fuel lines etc, painted up my nitrous tank. hoping to get more done soon. http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/...psvgmbfhpy.jpg

NOS!!!!!! Love it! But id rather be blown.

who says you can't have both!! lol

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Originally Posted by RONS98TA

NOS!!!!!! Love it! But id rather be blown.

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Even better!! :yay::happy:

Ordered these Forgelines 7 weeks ago but still haven't come in. http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/...pszkft6xhh.jpg

rims and tires are in, radiator neck cut off and welded to fit under radiator support. moneys been tight for me so it's been going a little slower http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/...pszcawwa3a.jpghttp://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/...pssuns7hem.jpg

Badass!

Alright finally someone that can give Jeff a run for his money on "a clean car".

well Brandon has cut out the lower radiator support and put in another piece http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/...psaoakys4h.jpghttp://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/...psfmg0udgf.jpg

I am speechless. This looks amazing.

Condensor is mounted up ya I know who wants or needs A.C ?? this guy lolhttp://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/...pse6c45abd.jpg

If you don't mind me asking, whats the round about price of the build?

well with the all the new parts and all the custom labor it is a lot lol. enough where my girlfriend is pissed. Pm me I will give you a ballpark of what I have into it

The answer is "a shit ton".

Wow you got the price right on the nose Jon!! lol

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Originally Posted by 35th-ANV-SS

The answer is "a shit ton".

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I figured lol. I've been down a similar, but not to your extent, road.

Yeah we don't discuss $$ I've spent on my car, it's way more then she wanted me to spend on it. So it's been best not to discuss unless she wants to argue.

My wife doesn't care how much I've spent lmao! She's obsessed with my car though.

Someone is very good at their craft, I am very impressed on his build. Where and when can I drop mine off? LoL

Turn one power steering pump and pulley showed up today. http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/...psfl8d8wib.jpg

I know that pulley....got it on my stock ps pump. One of the best things I've ever did.

good to know, how did it help?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SMWS6TA

I know that pulley....got it on my stock ps pump. One of the best things I've ever did.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by jonnyman

Turn one power steering pump and pulley showed up today.

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Trying to decide between this and a PS delete with the manual rack.

I never have to screw with removing the pulley to get the pump off anymore.

- - - Updated - - -

Will

racecar - delete ps pulley, otherwise do what I did.

Looks awesome.great work

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jonnyman

Condensor is mounted up ya I know who wants or needs A.C ?? this guy lol

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I hear yeah about the ac. I also gotta keep it, even if I hardly ever use it. If I want a race car w/o ac, then I will build 1. A race car only drives a 1/4 mile at a time, my car drives several hundred miles at a time. T-tops out in the summer with the sun a blazing, your gonna want the ac. LOL

took mine out for a drive out in the country. Breathtaking weather here in the Houston area. Mid 40's, bright blue skies.

ya the bay is a bit dusty lol http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/...pswfy7v05c.jpg

Having a custom filler panel made, will be orange under park lights, and turn red under brake. just got finished being cleared.http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/...psnj4a3eqi.jpg

Looks good

radiator and condenser all in, bolts on top off radiator support will be changed to button heads.http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/...psxx0fkgiw.jpghttp://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/...psmy9srus3.jpg

John, that's gonna be to pretty to drive! ! Looks awesome.

Looking awesome!

Sorry about the big break in time, but I've decided to change the size and scope of the build, going in a slightly different direction and BIGGER. I will be posting some pics as soon as I get them. hopefully not too long

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jonnyman

Sorry about the big break in time, but I've decided to change the size and scope of the build, going in a slightly different direction and BIGGER. I will be posting some pics as soon as I get them. hopefully not too long

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How much Bigger can you get!! I'll be waiting for this :tv:

Let me guess turbo. Seems like everyone and their mom are bolting on a turbo

I don't know about that, but I'd agree more people are going the FI route. Something still to be said about a NA car though.

The complete interior ripped out, for dynomat and rewiring audio and all other wires as we are going to leash panels and removing some fuse panels. http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/...psiwzwfx0q.png http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/...soiedvo7n.jpeg

I did the same thing when I wired up my stereo system. Pulled the entire interior out so nothing was in the way. I see the original color of the car was black. Lol

yes, it was black. gray interior. wish I could feasibly change the interior to black but parts are hard to find now lol

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RONS98TA

I did the same thing when I wired up my stereo system. Pulled the entire interior out so nothing was in the way. I see the original color of the car was black. Lol

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John...how much dynomat are you ordering? I'm planning on doing the same thing next month along with new carpet.

haven't gotten around to measure yet, I will let you know when I do

Please do...

Does dynomat also help cut down on heat temps from the exhaust?

I've read where some ppl put some strips on the inside of the door along the outside part to cut down on vibrations and road noise as well.

depends on which of their products you get, the dynamat extreme reduces noise and rattles, the Dynaliner and dynapad reduce temps. you can use them separately or in conjunction with each other. just go to the website and check it out.

Thanks

yup most of you guys guessed what was cominghttp://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/...pstwc6opft.jpg

Did you relocate the fuse box?

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

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Originally Posted by red4thgen

Did you relocate the fuse box?

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

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it will be replaced with leash panels, probably in between the fender and inner fender. Not 100% sure right now will play it by ear

Are you relocating the radiator fans to the front and getting pushers? I can't see how the turbo's location would let you have them there.


If you would get the alternator relocation kit like mine you would have much more room for the exhaust tubing

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SMWS6TA

Are you relocating the radiator fans to the front and getting pushers? I can't see how the turbo's location would let you have them there.


If you would get the alternator relocation kit like mine you would have much more room for the exhaust tubing

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Yes they will be pusher fans.