Tranz Zam

FYI This will be a long winded post with lots of pics. Everyone loves pics.

With that stated, here we go!

I bought the car back in 2011 for the all low price of $300. No, I'm not kidding. It was an empty shell for the most part, but a very solid and complete car. I worked on it with my Dad over the next few years and got it to a point where I was pretty happy with it.

I got a 455 out of a 73 Grandville and went through it. Rebuilt the q-jet, new gaskets all around, and connected it to a ST-10 4 speed. Shortly after the trans took a huge dump, so I installed a TH350.

I did all the bodywork in my garage and had a friend spray it. It came out OK, but definitely not show quality. But it looks good going down the road.

Right now as it sits it has the Hooker Show bar, rear louvers, torque thrusts, and the Recaro interior from the 81 Daytona pace car T/A. I actually own the complete car, but it needs total resto so for now the seats are in the 71.

I have build threads on other forums that are around 5 pages long. I can post a link if you want to see it all, but I'll post up the key pictures in this thread so you get the idea.

2011:
















2012:


[IMG]
http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r204/73Camaro_photo/71TransAmupdate001.jpg[/img]

























2013











2014 Bodywork

Tranz Zam

PAINT

































Current day 2015 The 455 is coming out in favor of an LQ4!

Bird Lightning 2.0

Sweet car!

Me24seven

Nice car

Tranz Zam

Thanks guys. Its been a long road so far, but a fun one! I should be dropping in the LQ this coming weekend (hopefully)

blswan

iTrader: (2)

Very awesome! I'm performing a swap into a 71 formula right now. $300 is a crazy deal. I looked a long time to find my roller and spent $5000. Anyway, I've done a lot of work on mine and I'm now down to wiring. Let me know if you have any questions.

bonecrusher64

One of my all time favorite cars looks awesome!

Tranz Zam

Thanks guys. Im looking at 5.3's and 6.0's tonight or tomorrow. I really want an LQ but if I find a killer deal on a 5.3 I'll take it.

Tranz Zam

Well I found my engine! Its a 2003 5.3 with 107k on it. Its coming out of a rolled over Silverado. I get the engine, harness, computer and gas pedal for $500 and they'll even load it into my truck. I'm picking it up tomorrow.

I'm very happy, usually low mile 5.3's around here go for close to $1000 and 6.0's are even more. With the money I saved I plan on doing a cam and springs.

Any suggestions for a cam? The setup is a 5.3 with a Th350 trans and a 3:23 rear gear. I don't have a converter yet, so I can pick the stall speed once I get a cam.

JCS94

iTrader: (4)

I say contact Martin @ Tick for advice on a cam! I bought my polluter from him and he's very knowledgeable about complimenting upgrades to go with the cam.

69Project

Go find a 700r4 or 4L60 to rebuild and enjoy the overdrive.

Tranz Zam

I don't mind the 3 speeds. I have one in another LS swapped car and its great as long as you don't have steep rear gears.

Tranz Zam

Got the new engine home! I started tearing it down and getting ready to prep it for paint. Everything is coming apart smoothly with no broken bolts!

Theres a lot more room in the engine bay compared to when the 455 was in there!

TipsyMcStagger

iTrader: (1)

Curious; were you able to use the orange cherry picker in the foreground to lift the engine from your pick-up bed? Looks to be pretty high.

Tipsy

Tranz Zam

Yeah, the ol' Ford is rather large for transporting engines. I had to remove the intake so I could get the hoist tight enough against the engine. With the intake on the hoist was maxed out before it lifted up.

Tranz Zam

Got the engine degreased and painted up! Looks real nice

gumbasia

That engine looks great in Pontiac Blue. I wish I would have done the same to mine.

Tranz Zam

Thanks! I went back an fourth about painting the complete engine. I built another engine and left the heads raw aluminum and it looks cool, but I really wanted that all Pontiac blue look.

I just got in my mounts, water pump, flexplate spacer and bolts, and other misc things. I'll be starting on the harness rewire tonight or tomorrow. I'll take pics.

BudRacing

iTrader: (3)

Nice call on the blue. When you were first pulling out that pretty 455 I was a little sad, but this looks like it is starting out nicely.

Tranz Zam

Yeah, it is a weird feeling pulling out a desirable Poncho, but its stored in the garage awaiting another car to be transplanted into.

I'll be starting my harness rewire tomorrow. Should be pretty fun. I'll take pics.