What did you do with your Trans Am today?

**herculesrider1** · 12-11-2018, 05:45 PM

Call it overkill, but bought 4, 16' 2X6's and had Home Depot cut them up into 1 foot lengths and then screwed them together to make 4 wooden lifts. Not bad for $10 each! Glad I had a 19 5/8" lift floor jack, because it was a challenge getting the wheels that high. Had to use blocks under the rear end and at the front lower crossmembers. Now for the fun part of pulling the transmission! Lost 5th and 6th gear on the way back from Thanksgiving in College Station. Blessed to still have 1st-4th and Reverse. Will be replacing the LS7 Clutch and getting the LS2 Flywheel resurfaced. May even replace the rear main seal and put a new machined barbell in from SacCity Corvette. New Slave Cylinder with a Remote Speed Bleeder, and a new Clutch Master Cylinder will be installed as well. Going back with Billet Steel Keys, carbon kevlar synchro rings, steel 3-4 fork, bronze shift fork pads. Basically the Stage II kit from Texas Drivetrain Performance. They are only 14 miles from me...How convenient! Lots to do, better get started!!

**speedyWS6** · 12-12-2018, 09:21 AM

Right then.....

Update on the sail panel.

Waited until the end of our school term so i can devote more time to a session!

This pic shows an epic fail...

This pic shows a sh*tload of wedges trying to help open things up for the wire.... Not really helping!

This is after i FINALLY get past the horizontal swathe of glue and start heading up through the two thinner vertical lines of glue. Hell of a lot easier but still a chore!!

The outdoor commando wire saw has hit the spot though as it actually saws and removes a kerf with debris as opposed to the glazing wires which are smooth and do SQUAT!!!!

The dowel handle wire you can see is a length of slightly heavier outdoor wire saw, wire from a 10 meter version of the saw so i can clip it into lots of fresh saws for best cutting

So... slowly getting there and i still maintain that the people who reckon this can be done in two hours are crackheads... lying crackheads!!

Strangely there does not seem to be many, if any, members here which have done this? They all seem to be over on tech??

***SMWS6TA*** · 12-12-2018, 09:23 AM

I'm not laughing at you, I'm laughing with you.....

**speedyWS6** · 12-12-2018, 11:55 AM

Scott...

Yeah, I get it! You have not lived until you have attempted the sail panel removal.

It ain't rocket science but it is a pain in the a*s

**Redphoenix1998** · 12-12-2018, 01:35 PM

Don't miss removing sail panels

**speedyWS6** · 12-14-2018, 01:46 PM

Well....

Waddaya know? Santa has brought me an early Xmas present!!

Led me a merry dance and i never want to do another... EVER. Allen, how did you get your panel off? I am intrigued to hear your time with the sail panel??!!

There area couple of areas where the wire saw rubbed a bit off and one spot will need a bit of glass laid into the back to give some thickness back but no big deal!!

**Whamhammer** · 12-15-2018, 08:44 AM

Originally Posted by speedyWS6

Well....

Waddaya know? Santa has brought me an early Xmas present!!

Led me a merry dance and i never want to do another... EVER. Allen, how did you get your panel off? I am intrigued to hear your time with the sail panel??!!

There area couple of areas where the wire saw rubbed a bit off and one spot will need a bit of glass laid into the back to give some thickness back but no big deal!!

I thought that I saw fiberglass and a carbon fiber aftermarket peice out there, are they that expensive, bad, or do you guys like punishing yourselves that much?

**speedyWS6** · 12-15-2018, 09:10 AM

Originally Posted by Whamhammer

I thought that I saw fiberglass and a carbon fiber aftermarket peice out there, are they that expensive, bad, or do you guys like punishing yourselves that much?

Well.... You are right in that 6LE do sell them, or did but they are an expensive item especially in carbon
but the shipping to get it to me would be hideous in that it would have to be packaged very stoutly
to stop it folding in half in transit!! Just not do-able.

Although tedious and and a chore it was "simple" enough. Once prepped and painted i will bond it on after stripping
my existing one off with the acne and it will be good to go!

The work does not worry me in that i am a vehicle body builder by trade and it is all pretty simple by and large.

**Whamhammer** · 12-15-2018, 10:46 AM

Originally Posted by speedyWS6

Well.... You are right in that 6LE do sell them, or did but they are an expensive item especially in carbon
but the shipping to get it to me would be hideous in that it would have to be packaged very stoutly
to stop it folding in half in transit!! Just not do-able.

Although tedious and and a chore it was "simple" enough. Once prepped and painted i will bond it on after stripping
my existing one off with the acne and it will be good to go!

The work does not worry me in that i am a vehicle body builder by trade and it is all pretty simple by and large.

Fair enough.

I wonder how hard it would be just to craft a sheet metal replacement, or at least graft a peice of sheet metal for the top where it bubbles.

**Whamhammer** · 12-15-2018, 10:52 AM

Dropped off Gracie today at the local NTB, and got a new front guy working with me on the work, oil change, and put on new bosch 13111’s in the front....

NTB guy : “Do you know that you have a bunch of oil leaks?”

Me: “Oil leaks are a standard feature on Firebirds and Camaros, it keeps the bottom half of the car well loiled to help prevent rust”

NTB guy: “I’ve never heard it put that way before, interesting point. So I take it aware you are aware of them?”

Me: “As long as its the standard ones, rear main, rear pinion, , and power steering. As long as they arent spewing fluid, and the levels are good, I am good, for now.”

NTB guy: “You really do know your car!”

**herculesrider1** · 12-15-2018, 12:44 PM

That's encouraging to know. I thought mine was the only one that had the entire underbody greased and lubed with leaking fluids!! I just bought a silver 2000 T/A WS6, and when I got under it to replace the torque arm bushing, it was dry as a bone....not a leak ANYWHERE!! I was amazed. My red 2000 on the other hand, I have to have a long carpet runner under it so as to not ruin the garage floor...

**speedyWS6** · 12-15-2018, 02:45 PM

Originally Posted by Whamhammer

Fair enough.

I wonder how hard it would be just to craft a sheet metal replacement, or at least graft a peice of sheet metal for the top where it bubbles.

Interesting thought Scott but that thought if acted on would be a whole heap of work and i doubt anybody, anywhere has even done that?!

I would even go so far as to say what i have just endured would be the easy option!!

Have a look at the lower edges by the triangle. All have a mild returned edge and this in steel would be a job too far. In fact all around the sail
panel there are shaped edges and flanges and ......

I'd have to pass on that.

***SMWS6TA*** · 12-15-2018, 08:51 PM

6LE is out of business. Closed shop around the summer.

So an elf took these to the base and mounted these today.

**Zapper2003** · 12-16-2018, 07:53 AM

No more pictures until they're mounted on the car. Enough teasing.

**Whamhammer** · 12-16-2018, 08:16 AM

Originally Posted by speedyWS6

Interesting thought Scott but that thought if acted on would be a whole heap of work and i doubt anybody, anywhere has even done that?!

I would even go so far as to say what i have just endured would be the easy option!!

Have a look at the lower edges by the triangle. All have a mild returned edge and this in steel would be a job too far. In fact all around the sail
panel there are shaped edges and flanges and ......

I'd have to pass on that.

Could always cut out the center of the top, leaving the front and rear intact, and either insert some steel and some 45 minute epoxy (used for bonding 1/4 panels to the body to weld them on), or just fill it in with 45 minute epoxy, and sand down for a perfect finish.

Seen miracles done with 45 minute epoxy.

**Whamhammer** · 12-16-2018, 08:18 AM

Originally Posted by herculesrider1

That's encouraging to know. I thought mine was the only one that had the entire underbody greased and lubed with leaking fluids!! I just bought a silver 2000 T/A WS6, and when I got under it to replace the torque arm bushing, it was dry as a bone....not a leak ANYWHERE!! I was amazed. My red 2000 on the other hand, I have to have a long carpet runner under it so as to not ruin the garage floor...

Most people dont drive thier F-bodies anymore, so they dont benefit as much from the seals auto lubricating the bottom end (of the car).

***SMWS6TA*** · 12-16-2018, 06:41 PM

Originally Posted by Zapper2003

No more pictures until they're mounted on the car. Enough teasing.

I will on Christmas Day

**Redphoenix1998** · 12-17-2018, 03:20 PM

Originally Posted by SMWS6TA

I will on Christmas Day

I'm sure you can spare some time this week before then

***SMWS6TA*** · 12-17-2018, 08:15 PM

Originally Posted by Redphoenix1998

I'm sure you can spare some time this week before then

wifey said no touchey

**Redphoenix1998** · 12-18-2018, 10:55 AM

Originally Posted by SMWS6TA

wifey said no touchey

Ah man! You should make a bet with her. Ask her what she wants to eat for dinner and if she can't answer within a minute without changing her mind you're allowed to put at least the back wheels on