Zabo's 2000 Trans Am 'Phoenix' build thread!

[Zabo]

Originally Posted by xXSilencerXx

Did you have it painted, or ordered a new one? I had the overlays and they are starting to fad. I need to fix it eventually.

Actually, I found out via 600/800 grit and slipping and landing on my original one (honest truth..) that they're painted from the factory. Sort of like a silk screen style is my guess, it's a very shallow impression but the paint just lies in there.

Best way to really fix it is to pull the overlays, polish and clean the panel if you can, then take it to a detailer/pinstriper and have them hand fill it.

Plan to eventually properly clean this one up (it's got some very minor nicks and scratches being 11 year old new old stock) and have it painted by the guy who rebuilt the car. He does metal design and pinstripe work on top of body work, and has several connections in the pinstripe community.

[Zabo]

..Hmm?

[dmginc]

Originally Posted by Zabo

..Hmm?

what the hell is that?

[brandotron]

lolwut?

[Revo1]

Somethin you hacked out with that pocket saw?

[Zabo]

Originally Posted by Revo1

Somethin you hacked out with that pocket saw?

Yeah, this..



Turned into this:


Then an hour later, this:





Oh, and Hurst emblem now what what on the butt:

[Zabo]

And now, with some grinding, epoxy, rubber gasket adjustment, and a zip tie.. its totally done:

[dmginc]

sweet! what did the shift knob come off of?

[Revo1]

That is a really cool touch man, I like it.

[Zabo]

Originally Posted by dmginc

sweet! what did the shift knob come off of?

Believe it or not.. Automatic shifter for a 1976-1981 Trans Am. The button was exclusive to the Special Edition Black and Gold/Gold w/ accent ones that became more famous due to Smokey and the Bandit.

Standard Automatic Shift Button:



SE Automatic Shift button:


Found the knob for 5 bucks (best condition out of the box), and the button sitting on a vendors table a little worn and got it for 25 bucks. Yes, they are worth that much and all the vendors were 25 or higher for better condition ones.

I like the used nature of it because it means it was on someone's SE T/A back in the day and probably did a little East Bound and Down itself.

It actually feels like a cross between a pistol grip and the stock hurst knob, and hell with three fingers I can row through all 6 gears with little effort in traffic.

[dmginc]

very cool!

[Zabo]

It's that time kids; Brass Gear Mod. Lost the Drivers side officially this morning. However a 20 amp fuse was running through the circuit so I could really have a blown motor. Gonna pull and have it tested at the local AZ this weekend..

Love it when they work.. but when they fail, good god.

[dmginc]

i opened mine the other day , manually opened passenger one and then pulled the motor fuses so they just stay open. left it like that for a day and decided our cars look like ass with the lights up all the time...i need to buy the brass gears still but i rarely drive it at night so i keep forgetting about it.

[Zabo]

Originally Posted by dmginc

i opened mine the other day , manually opened passenger one and then pulled the motor fuses so they just stay open. left it like that for a day and decided our cars look like ass with the lights up all the time...i need to buy the brass gears still but i rarely drive it at night so i keep forgetting about it.

If I can manage it I'm going to do a motor and brass gears (if the motor is indeed shot due to the wrong fuse). Not hard to do after watching a vid from LS1tech.

That, or if it's cheaper run super bright fog bulbs to compensate since the fogs on these cars almost double as low slung headlights.