Topic: 78 Mayan Red Trans Am Restoration/Modification

[Elz]

Well, I had a week off to get some other work done, but I did pick up my front end sheet metal from the soda blaster. Problem is he didn't actually use soda, he used sand and he warped the s*#t out of my hood. I was pretty upset for a bit but I got over it. Looking for a new hood, kinda bites since mine was perfect but what can you do? What's done is done. Got a chance to fix the bottoms of my fenders and weld in some new metal this weekend. Check it out. Had the boy help me for some of it, the is him helping me cut some metal. Also got my inner fender wells primed.

[ShakerBreaker]

Nice work Sir.
Best part is seeing your son working with you.
Bet that made his day

[89flyboy]

Sorry I am late, but great start on your car, and welcome to the site. Love that door dolly and all the work so far. Keep up the good work and looking forward to seeing more.
Josh

[N PRGRES]

Thats pretty cool you are getting your son interested and working with him.  Too many fathers put careers over family, so it is great to see you growing your relationship with him.  Car is looking great!

[ryeguy2006a]

Nice looking patches on the fenders!

[Elz]

Thanks for the nice words guys. I have had bad luck with aftermarket sheet metal in the past, so I am trying to avoid buying any. Hope my quarters don't have too many surprises.

As far as getting my son involved, it is a little hard to find projects he can help with that aren't too complicated for a seven year old. Would like for him to take an interest in this stuff and pick up a skill. We'll see how he progresses. Working on a T/A is way cooler than video games if you ask me.

[Elz]

Since last week my suspension came in from Pro Touring F Body. Looks like high quality stuff, real happy with it.


Got the ball joins and bushings pressed in

shooting some stuff I have never tried before called Rust Bullet

This stuff takes quite a while to dry between coats. Then going to prime and then topcoat gloss black so it matches the subframe when it gets back from the powder coater

[Elz]

[N PRGRES]

Weren't the upper control arms already powder coated?  Thats the same set up I went with, new upper a arms and modified lowers.  Looks sweet!

[SalNat]

  Thats the same set up I went with, new upper a arms and modified lowers.

Any specific reasons for that set up?! Why didn’t you guys go for modified upper & lower?!

[Elz]

Weren't the upper control arms already powder coated?  Thats the same set up I went with, new upper a arms and modified lowers.  Looks sweet!

Thanks. Yes they were powder coated, but they were a satin finish. I am doing gloss on the frame and wanted it to match. A little anal I guess.

[N PRGRES]

Nothing wrong with that!!!! They look great.  That front end is going to pop!

[N PRGRES]

  Thats the same set up I went with, new upper a arms and modified lowers.

Any specific reasons for that set up?! Why didn’t you guys go for modified upper & lower?!

For me I used the uppers for looks mostly and a bit more adjustability.  THe lowers were redone with all new racing bushings and ball joints.  I didn't see a need to go tubular on the lower for what I was doing with the car.

[Elz]

  Thats the same set up I went with, new upper a arms and modified lowers.

Any specific reasons for that set up?! Why didn’t you guys go for modified upper & lower?!

This is what Dave from PTFB recommended. I am lowering the car, not racing it. Pretty much the same reason as N PRGRES.

[Grand73Am]

Another reason for only using new upper control arms is that the caster/camber improvement is built into the upper control arms only. The only advantage of new lowers is for looks, and probably a little weight savings. So, you can still use original lowers and benefit from better alignment settings...and save alot of money  .