Lowest Trans Am in the World - Radical Thinkers Only!!
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,814
Likes: 3
From: Hou. TX.
Yeah forgot about the engine being pretty much the lowpoint of that things front end.. Well you could always fab a full sheetmetal oil pan for it and slap on a skid plate, but yeah I see where youre going as to level of work per inches gained. Of course with the chop if you lay the windshield back a bit when you do it, you might be able to retain most of the stock mounting... dont listen to me, youll be fabbing on that thing for months lol.
You can't lay these front windows back either due to the shape of them. I certainly don't want to slide the windshield back. I don't even want to think about that.
I'll be lucky to get it to 35"-36". I'm good with that.
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,814
Likes: 3
From: Hou. TX.
I like the canteliever front suspension setup, in fact, you can actually mount them entirely flat if you need to provided the angle for the suspension link side is close to a vertical angle. The more the angle drops from vertical, the higher the spring rate will need to be, as well the shocks will decrease in effectiveness, etc.
I can't angle the shocks more than 45* due to them being gas charged.
Couldn't you lower the engine more with a Dry-Sump oil pan(LS7), and use the corvette rear mounted transmission and independent rear suspension?
Also, here's a picture I came across.
Also, here's a picture I came across.
Last edited by 99Bluz28; Oct 5, 2008 at 06:18 PM.
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,814
Likes: 3
From: Hou. TX.
If you want to see a really low mounted V8 check out the Daytona prototype racers.
Last edited by JasonWW; Oct 5, 2008 at 08:32 PM.
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Launching!
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 281
Likes: 0
From: San Diego Ca
Actually, another idea for the OP. I dont know how tall you are, but Im 6'7'' so fitting into those things is already tough enough. I would seriously think about reworking the floor pans and the seat mounts to lower the entire unit on both sides another half inch or inch to eliminate the possibility of knocking yourself out on bumpy roads.
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,814
Likes: 3
From: Hou. TX.
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,814
Likes: 3
From: Hou. TX.
Actually, another idea for the OP. I dont know how tall you are, but Im 6'7'' so fitting into those things is already tough enough. I would seriously think about reworking the floor pans and the seat mounts to lower the entire unit on both sides another half inch or inch to eliminate the possibility of knocking yourself out on bumpy roads.
I may have to raise the pedals a little if I need to. That shouldn't be too hard, just something to keep in mind.
I'm still looking for a donor car right now.
Last edited by JasonWW; Oct 6, 2008 at 01:44 AM.
Teching In
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Pearland, TX
BTW Jason. sorry this took so long to do but I've been studying and testing at U of H these past two weeks. I finally got the measurements on my dads testarossa. it is 44.5" from the ground to the roof with 4.9" of ground clearance making the body 39.6" in total. your goal of 35" will definitely beat that
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,814
Likes: 3
From: Hou. TX.
BTW Jason. sorry this took so long to do but I've been studying and testing at U of H these past two weeks. I finally got the measurements on my dads testarossa. it is 44.5" from the ground to the roof with 4.9" of ground clearance making the body 39.6" in total. your goal of 35" will definitely beat that
Just curious, who's car is faster? Yours or dads?
this looks dumb. its like a midget roof with a massive body. i know its just a fun photo just my opinion. with the car lowered it looks really good, how are you going to tuck the tires up that much? you mentioned sectioning the body, where? have a photochop? its a crazy idea, i'd like to see it through.
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,814
Likes: 3
From: Hou. TX.
Don't worry, I'm looking for a cheap firebird that's been stripped or flooded that will act as a donor car. I just need it's unibody structure so I can build a new chassis. Once it's done, I'll swap my interior and exterior parts, engine/trans, etc... over to the finished chassis.
I'll be driving my black TA (and my Tbird daily driver) during the chassis build. So if I don't finish the chassis, no big deal. My TA will still be in one piece.
I'm sure to learn a lot from this.
I'll be driving my black TA (and my Tbird daily driver) during the chassis build. So if I don't finish the chassis, no big deal.
My TA will still be in one piece.I'm sure to learn a lot from this.
Last edited by JasonWW; Oct 6, 2008 at 11:50 PM.