Lowest Trans Am in the World - Radical Thinkers Only!!
I think so, he cut the orignal shock towers and remade them with steel plate. Plus they all still sat under the stock fenders. I think he also said the oil pan was laying on the ground when all of the air was out to the bags. I looked the other day on my old post to see if I can find it but I could not. Still looking though.
Yep, that is it. I did a search that was the first thing that popped up. His car is damn low. There is not much lower than that. Have you seen any one chop the top off of a f- body. Cause I think that is a big sturture to the car.
Yep, that is it. I did a search that was the first thing that popped up. His car is damn low. There is not much lower than that. Have you seen any one chop the top off of a f- body. Cause I think that is a big sturture to the car.
Last edited by RsSean; Oct 12, 2008 at 01:22 PM.
This latest pic has been giving me chills. 
I've moved a few things around in order to fit the LS1 front to rear.
Now that's what I call a head turner. I don't know if I could pull it off though. Sure I can can raise the engine for more ground clearance, but look at the front wheels. I could probably use the one piece fiberglass front end that VFN sells. That would let me move the wheel wells back, but the door hinges, brake booster, and AC unit might be in the way of the tires.
Then in the back I may have to reshape the quarter panel so the bulges are further back centered over the tires. Maybe make a fiberglass mold of the rear fenders so I can more easily reshape it?
A fuel cell, radiator and subwoofer box in the nose should help add some weight up front.
So tell me, when is a Trans Am no longer a Trans Am?
I'm almost at a clean paper design. Maybe I should just build it up like a kit car and use a few of the TA's parts like the dash, seats, engine, tail lights, wing and doors and then slap the TA VIN tag on it? That would work. Right?
I've moved a few things around in order to fit the LS1 front to rear.
Now that's what I call a head turner. I don't know if I could pull it off though. Sure I can can raise the engine for more ground clearance, but look at the front wheels. I could probably use the one piece fiberglass front end that VFN sells. That would let me move the wheel wells back, but the door hinges, brake booster, and AC unit might be in the way of the tires.
Then in the back I may have to reshape the quarter panel so the bulges are further back centered over the tires. Maybe make a fiberglass mold of the rear fenders so I can more easily reshape it?
A fuel cell, radiator and subwoofer box in the nose should help add some weight up front.
So tell me, when is a Trans Am no longer a Trans Am?
I'm almost at a clean paper design. Maybe I should just build it up like a kit car and use a few of the TA's parts like the dash, seats, engine, tail lights, wing and doors and then slap the TA VIN tag on it? That would work. Right?
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best looking design so far. The most difficult part is going to be moving the wheel placement within the panels. I would think you are on the right track with using fiberglass panels. A Pantera transaxle would probably work, being that they were behind a strong motor in those cars. Couldn't you use a transaxle out of a v8 impala or monte to do this and mount the engine sideways in the back?
The impalas use a shortened engine called the LS4 and are backed by a 4 speed auto. I do like mounting the engine sideways though as it creates a more compact package. I could leave the wheelbase alone or move the engine back and do the Lambo looking body.
Number one on my list is the new (06+) G6 6 speed unit. They are cheap at $500-$1000 used and $2250 new. V8 Archie makes an adapter for the ls1 engines and they they have used them in Fiero conversions.
Last edited by JasonWW; Oct 12, 2008 at 11:55 PM.
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It looks good from the side, but the 3/4 view is not that great.
Making it mid-engine would solve my exhaust routing and front suspension problems as well as allow me to mount my subwoofers up front. That will add weight and improve sound quality. I could have massive leg room as well. Also keep the A/C in the dash. Lots of good things.
I'm considering a transfer case setup like the Trailblazer SS. There's a Caddy as well with LS power and all wheel drive. I'm not sure if they are the same setup or not, though.
Making it mid-engine would solve my exhaust routing and front suspension problems as well as allow me to mount my subwoofers up front. That will add weight and improve sound quality. I could have massive leg room as well. Also keep the A/C in the dash. Lots of good things.
I'm considering a transfer case setup like the Trailblazer SS. There's a Caddy as well with LS power and all wheel drive. I'm not sure if they are the same setup or not, though.
Last edited by JasonWW; Oct 15, 2008 at 12:54 PM.
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I just got an idea, but it would take quite a bit of work to do. I know you like inovative ideas, so here it goes. Face the engine backwards in the hatch area with the flywheel facing towards the front. Then you can use a 4wheel drive transmission with a transfer case.
After that you can have an all wheel drive f-body. Run a front differencial out of a truck in the front but center the differencial. Then run on offset differencial in the back. You would have to redesign the front suspension, but you were pretty much doing that anyways. You could do this with pretty much all junkyard parts, but the axle shafts would probably have to be custom made.
After that you can have an all wheel drive f-body. Run a front differencial out of a truck in the front but center the differencial. Then run on offset differencial in the back. You would have to redesign the front suspension, but you were pretty much doing that anyways. You could do this with pretty much all junkyard parts, but the axle shafts would probably have to be custom made.
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I just got an idea, but it would take quite a bit of work to do. I know you like inovative ideas, so here it goes. Face the engine backwards in the hatch area with the flywheel facing towards the front. Then you can use a 4wheel drive transmission with a transfer case.
After that you can have an all wheel drive f-body. Run a front differencial out of a truck in the front but center the differencial. Then run on offset differencial in the back. You would have to redesign the front suspension, but you were pretty much doing that anyways. You could do this with pretty much all junkyard parts, but the axle shafts would probably have to be custom made.
After that you can have an all wheel drive f-body. Run a front differencial out of a truck in the front but center the differencial. Then run on offset differencial in the back. You would have to redesign the front suspension, but you were pretty much doing that anyways. You could do this with pretty much all junkyard parts, but the axle shafts would probably have to be custom made.
I actually saw a guy doing this to a 69 camaro.
I'm going into more detailed mid engine stuff in this thread:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/advanced-engineering-tech/1000478-lets-build-mid-engine-trans-am-need-advice.html
Last edited by JasonWW; Oct 15, 2008 at 09:37 PM.
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I read that thread, those are great cars. I was just throwing ideas out there. I think you might still be able to use the general idea without the driveshaft for the front.
Here is another Idea, strait out of "Monster Garage". Use a v-drive that is used for an inboard boat. It basically acts like a transfer case to turn the power 180 degrees back the the rear of the car. If you clocked it you could use it with an offset differencial in the rear and you have your mid or rear engine car.
Here is another Idea, strait out of "Monster Garage". Use a v-drive that is used for an inboard boat. It basically acts like a transfer case to turn the power 180 degrees back the the rear of the car. If you clocked it you could use it with an offset differencial in the rear and you have your mid or rear engine car.
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Now that I've seen the TB SS's unit, I could actually do this and have the driveshaft on the other side. I put some pics in my mid engine thread.
Here is another Idea, strait out of "Monster Garage". Use a v-drive that is used for an inboard boat. It basically acts like a transfer case to turn the power 180 degrees back the the rear of the car. If you clocked it you could use it with an offset differencial in the rear and you have your mid or rear engine car.
Oh yeah, you mentioned getting a 4X4 trans. No need for that. I'd slap the transfer case right on to my current T56.
Last edited by JasonWW; Oct 16, 2008 at 07:56 AM.
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This is the diff I was planning to use with my IRS project. It is a Ford 8.8 all aluminum unit used in T-birds, Cougars, Mark 8's and a few years of Mustang Cobra. It's very strong and cheap. You can get an assembled unit new from Ford Racing with 3.73 and Trac-loc for $600. Used cobra units go for about $300.
I'm wondering it can fit in front of the engine so the halfshaft is right in front of the balancer or if I'd have to run it through the oil pan.
Transfer cases need to be engaged or disengaged depending on whether you want 4x4 mode or not. It looks like a V-drive is a simpler "always on" type of transfer case. Is that correct?
I'm wondering it can fit in front of the engine so the halfshaft is right in front of the balancer or if I'd have to run it through the oil pan.
Transfer cases need to be engaged or disengaged depending on whether you want 4x4 mode or not. It looks like a V-drive is a simpler "always on" type of transfer case. Is that correct?
Last edited by JasonWW; Oct 16, 2008 at 07:53 AM.
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if you have to run a half shaft through the oil pan, then it will have to be two pieces, so the part that goes through the pan dosn't have to go up and down with the suspension. All of that stuff is goin to have to be decided once you make your decision on drivetrain.
The v-drive off of monster garage was the ambulance wheeliemachine. I think that would essencially to the same thing as a transfer case, but you wouldn't have to worry about sealing up where the rear driveshaft comes out of it. Another thing you would have to deal with with the transfer case is driveshaft rotation. I believe it will be going in the wrong direction if flipped.
The v-drive off of monster garage was the ambulance wheeliemachine. I think that would essencially to the same thing as a transfer case, but you wouldn't have to worry about sealing up where the rear driveshaft comes out of it. Another thing you would have to deal with with the transfer case is driveshaft rotation. I believe it will be going in the wrong direction if flipped.
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The v-drive off of monster garage was the ambulance wheeliemachine. I think that would essentially to the same thing as a transfer case, but you wouldn't have to worry about sealing up where the rear driveshaft comes out of it. Another thing you would have to deal with with the transfer case is driveshaft rotation. I believe it will be going in the wrong direction if flipped.
Let me do up some drawings to see where the engine and axle centerline will be. I'd really like to NOT go through the pan. Having the trans in front of the engine should help even out the weight distribution as well.
Lets try and keep the mid engine stuff in the other thread.
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Someone wondered what a camaro would look like sectioned and chopped. I had this pic with a nice white white background so I just did it.
If you have a good side profile of your car, post it up and I'll chop it down to see what it looks like.
If you have a good side profile of your car, post it up and I'll chop it down to see what it looks like.
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I removed a few inches around the rear fender and moved the rear axle back. Looks kind of fat, huh?
Same car as above, just chopped and sectioned. This was a quicky pic, I just squished the windshield and roof down so the windshied is leaning back more than stock. (Sorry about that lack of accuracy) Now it looks better.
This car belongs to Ragtop Rat.
Same car as above, just chopped and sectioned. This was a quicky pic, I just squished the windshield and roof down so the windshied is leaning back more than stock. (Sorry about that lack of accuracy) Now it looks better.
This car belongs to Ragtop Rat.
Last edited by JasonWW; Oct 16, 2008 at 09:54 AM.
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This one is interesting because the wheelbase is stock. I just shortened the nose and tail some. I think it complements the shorter height very nicely.
It's a miniature Trans Am!
It's a miniature Trans Am!
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I also wanted to see a convertible top car. This is VenomWS7's car altered to resemble mine. The nose and tail are shortened. Looks pretty good, huh? Wth the top down you can't really tell if it's a choptop or not.
It's to the trans am what the gallardo is to the murcielago. It's like 7/8 the scale.
Now if the weight follwed suit and you had a trans am that was 7/8 the weight, that would be fantastic considering a stock trans am is roughly 3450lbs, that would make the smaller version roughly 3000lbs, and then you could lighten it even more. Hmmm, sounds like corvette proportions.
Now if the weight follwed suit and you had a trans am that was 7/8 the weight, that would be fantastic considering a stock trans am is roughly 3450lbs, that would make the smaller version roughly 3000lbs, and then you could lighten it even more. Hmmm, sounds like corvette proportions.
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Your not going to get 400+ pounds out of the nose and tail. It's mostly air. 
I would like to lighten it, but I never really explored where all the weight is.
The Factory Five GTM is similar in that it's using an LS1 in the back and is a 2 seater. It only weighs 2250lbs dry! It even has A/C! Now how did they do that?
GTM link
It's a tubular steel space frame opposed to the vettes aluminum traditional frame.
I would like to lighten it, but I never really explored where all the weight is.
The Factory Five GTM is similar in that it's using an LS1 in the back and is a 2 seater. It only weighs 2250lbs dry! It even has A/C! Now how did they do that?
GTM link
It's a tubular steel space frame opposed to the vettes aluminum traditional frame.
Last edited by JasonWW; Oct 16, 2008 at 10:52 AM.