What did you do with your Trans Am today?

**Whamhammer** · 05-29-2019, 04:29 PM

Originally Posted by Whamhammer

Finally got the UMI 2-point, weld-on SFCs (that I bought at the 2017 GM Nationals at Carlisle) installed on Gracie, dropped it off the night before my throat surgery.

Once I can go for three or so hours without hard-core pain meds, were going to pick her up.

I am hoping that I can feel a noticeable rigidity increase on Gracie after this.

Gracie is still at the shop, had complications with my surgery and they had to go back in on me. Pain was too much to take before the next dose and had an insane amount of bleeding and blood clotting.

I am hoping that my pain tolerance gets good enough to pick up the car this weekend or Monday.

**herculesrider1** · 05-29-2019, 07:00 PM

Originally Posted by Whamhammer

Gracie is still at the shop, had complications with my surgery and they had to go back in on me. Pain was too much to take before the next dose and had an insane amount of bleeding and blood clotting.

I am hoping that my pain tolerance gets good enough to pick up the car this weekend or Monday.

Praying for ya man.

**Whamhammer** · 05-30-2019, 03:47 AM

Originally Posted by herculesrider1

Praying for ya man.

Thanks, brother! I am definitely less obstruct led after the second surgery, and the oain isnt as much in my face. They have me on narcotics for pain.

I just would like to have the car home, for one, so I can have it and see it. And also Agile has been very nice in understanding that I cant pick it up right now.

I am also excited to see how it handles now but I cant really do that until I get
Off the meds.

**herculesrider1** · 05-30-2019, 09:37 AM

Sub frame connectors make a big difference. My silver '00 WS6 MM6 have some heavy duty SFC's. I can jack up the rear in front of the rear wheel, and the front of the vehicle raises the same height. Very rigid. My cars have always had SFC's, so I have never known the difference from one that doesn't have them. It will be interesting to know what you experience from not having them to having them....

***SMWS6TA*** · 05-30-2019, 10:56 AM

Carpet comes tomorrow.

FYI - Yr1 and Rockauto use same vedor for their carpet. Go with Rockauto cause it's $100 cheaper.

**Whamhammer** · 05-30-2019, 04:55 PM

Originally Posted by herculesrider1

Sub frame connectors make a big difference. My silver '00 WS6 MM6 have some heavy duty SFC's. I can jack up the rear in front of the rear wheel, and the front of the vehicle raises the same height. Very rigid. My cars have always had SFC's, so I have never known the difference from one that doesn't have them. It will be interesting to know what you experience from not having them to having them....

If its anything like the 89 that I did it to, so long ago, a lot flatter. My 89 didnt have t-tops though.

I cant believe I went 12 years without putting a set on this one. This car should be more interesting because of all the other suspension stuff on it, and the meaty tires and lightweight wheels.

Don't think I will add a strut tower brace on this car though.

Got a call from the shop today mentioning that they noticed all of the play in the steering column as well, and they were worried about how far backed iut the bolts may be with the mileage I got, so they are doing that tomorrow. Ill probably feel like I have a new car at this point. All I really need to do is put on a new set of Billsteins in the front instead of the stop gap Monroes I put on a few years ago.

**TransAmTerry** · 05-30-2019, 05:53 PM

Originally Posted by Whamhammer

If its anything like the 89 that I did it to, so long ago, a lot flatter. My 89 didnt have t-tops though.

I cant believe I went 12 years without putting a set on this one. This car should be more interesting because of all the other suspension stuff on it, and the meaty tires and lightweight wheels.

Don't think I will add a strut tower brace on this car though.

Got a call from the shop today mentioning that they noticed all of the play in the steering column as well, and they were worried about how far backed iut the bolts may be with the mileage I got, so they are doing that tomorrow. Ill probably feel like I have a new car at this point. All I really need to do is put on a new set of Billsteins in the front instead of the stop gap Monroes I put on a few years ago.

Scott, sorry to hear you're still having problems - hope you feel better soon. As close as I am to you ,, if you need something just text me !
You'll really like the SFC's ! Really tightens it up. Maybe it's a good thing it stayed in the shop a little longer to discover the play in the steering column -- things happen for reasons !!

**Y2KArcticSS** · 05-31-2019, 12:42 PM

Got gear oil yesterday from Amsoil and limited slip additive from Summit. Got my package today from RockAuto...damaged, open and nothing in it but the packing slip. Bad news, now I have to go through O'Reilly's as I need the parts tomorrow. Good news, RockAuto has already processed my refund and my local box store has bearings/seals in stock, and not just MasterPro brand (garbage).

**Naaman** · 05-31-2019, 01:48 PM

Just go through swapping the idler pulley....

Oh the woes of old cars:

My car is "engine swapped" from a 2001 TransAm... so when I ordered the part, I ordered for an 01. Lo and behold, the builder reused my 98 pulley and the spacer/washer is different. I went ahead and installed with the new hardware, but further research has shown that I need to reuse the old hardware due to GM changing the set up at some point....

At least its an easy swap.

Anyone know where I can get a full set of pulleys (idlers, tensioners for the engine/ac)? Is there a preferred aftermarket option, or is Delco the go-to?

**Whamhammer** · 05-31-2019, 06:21 PM

Originally Posted by TransAmTerry

Scott, sorry to hear you're still having problems - hope you feel better soon. As close as I am to you ,, if you need something just text me !
You'll really like the SFC's ! Really tightens it up. Maybe it's a good thing it stayed in the shop a little longer to discover the play in the steering column -- things happen for reasons !!

Thanks Terry, the surgery was a long time coming, same with the SFCs. You might remember when I placed the order for them, as both of us were at the UMI trailer when I did it (Carlisle 2017).

I was starting to notice the column problem but wasn't able to put my finger on it until Tony at Agile mentioned the play in the column, so it was one of those happening for a reason things. I think it may be ready on Saturday, you never know, maybe Ill give you a call and you can be the first person to have an opinion on how Gracie is handling

**Kolonite** · 05-31-2019, 06:34 PM

Finally got her titled/tagged, That was a $631 surprise but well worth it once I got it on a straight road. Ive never owned a WS6 before, I was pleasantly surprised. I am an old Firebird guy though. I had an 82 and then an 84 when I wrecked the 82.

**Whamhammer** · 06-01-2019, 12:59 AM

Originally Posted by Naaman

Just go through swapping the idler pulley....

Oh the woes of old cars:

My car is "engine swapped" from a 2001 TransAm... so when I ordered the part, I ordered for an 01. Lo and behold, the builder reused my 98 pulley and the spacer/washer is different. I went ahead and installed with the new hardware, but further research has shown that I need to reuse the old hardware due to GM changing the set up at some point....

At least its an easy swap.

Anyone know where I can get a full set of pulleys (idlers, tensioners for the engine/ac)? Is there a preferred aftermarket option, or is Delco the go-to?

Delco is probably the best but I have a Dayco set on my car, right now, and it does just fine. Did have a defective (bent) idler but it probably was a fluke.

**Naaman** · 06-01-2019, 04:01 AM

Originally Posted by Kolonite

Finally got her titled/tagged, That was a $631 surprise but well worth it once I got it on a straight road. Ive never owned a WS6 before, I was pleasantly surprised. I am an old Firebird guy though. I had an 82 and then an 84 when I wrecked the 82.

Congrats! Keep us posted on the adventure.

**Naaman** · 06-01-2019, 04:05 AM

Originally Posted by Whamhammer

Delco is probably the best but I have a Dayco set on my car, right now, and it does just fine. Did have a defective (bent) idler but it probably was a fluke.

As it turns out, the ACDelco part was for the newer design, then I got a box-store brand from O'Reilly. That one came with no hardware, so I'm out of luck on installing it (the guys at the counter didn't know what they were even looking at, so I couldn't get anything useful out of them). Looks like I found the right part on Amazon. I'll order the rest of the pulleys from Nook & Tranny after I get under the hood one more time to confirm it's not one of the actual accessories making noise.

***SMWS6TA*** · 06-02-2019, 12:10 PM

Carpet is in. fwak this heat.....

**Whamhammer** · 06-03-2019, 12:30 AM

Originally Posted by Naaman

As it turns out, the ACDelco part was for the newer design, then I got a box-store brand from O'Reilly. That one came with no hardware, so I'm out of luck on installing it (the guys at the counter didn't know what they were even looking at, so I couldn't get anything useful out of them). Looks like I found the right part on Amazon. I'll order the rest of the pulleys from Nook & Tranny after I get under the hood one more time to confirm it's not one of the actual accessories making noise.

I usually try to have a full set of idlers and tensioners in my inventory, along with the belts, just in case.

**Y2KArcticSS** · 06-03-2019, 05:21 AM

Got the bearings and seals changed out on the rear end Saturday. Everything looked good, no excessive metal on the diff magnet and the axles weren't scored. Wife took it to our town cruise night, she did a nice burnout and even got a little sideways before the local PD shut her down

He let her off easy (I would definitely have gotten a ticket)

***SMWS6TA*** · 06-03-2019, 06:01 AM

Originally Posted by Naaman

Originally Posted by Kolonite

Finally got her titled/tagged, That was a $631 surprise but well worth it once I got it on a straight road. Ive never owned a WS6 before, I was pleasantly surprised. I am an old Firebird guy though. I had an 82 and then an 84 when I wrecked the 82.

Congrats! Keep us posted on the adventure.

OMG ya'll gonna hate me.

4 cars total $79 every year

**Whamhammer** · 06-03-2019, 08:02 AM

Originally Posted by SMWS6TA

OMG ya'll gonna hate me.

4 cars total $79 every year

But aren't they all on cinder blocks?

***SMWS6TA*** · 06-03-2019, 08:03 AM

Had to make a repair. I had to cut out he post for the front seat. Bolt had rusted off bad. So borrowed my friends welder and welded a bolt in its place. A few taps with a hammer and it never budged.

Got to trained them right.

Damn now the seats really look like crap....