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

[Zabo]

Originally Posted by savage99ss

I used to really love the Monsoon. I replaced all my speakers with Polk Audio's(had to run new wire) and put in a pocket 10inch Infinity sub too. Replaced with this JVC HU http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_...-KD-ADV38.html back in 2008. Never looked back.

If i remember correctly, you can not just change the head unit. I think its similar to the Bose set up?? I could be wrong though.

To put in new speakers, I had to rewire the whole thing, due to the monsoon speaker connections. I left the factory wire there, as i didnt want to splice.

Not if you have the right connectors to splice into the head unit wiring rather than the cars wiring.

Car is painted and in the first stages of reassembly.

[Zabo]

Bump with Power:

[shank0668]

Oh boy!

[Zabo]

Seat is still a little bent but once we had it mocked up after I took those shots it was more a trick of the eye. Turns out it's just wear and tear on a poor seat design. 11 years of reaching into the back seat and shifting eventually turned the seat to the right.

Asked for proof from the seat shop and he provided pictures of worse off ones. Chinsey hinges, indeed.

Gonna replace them when I redo the interior in a few years. Leather is pretty dry anyhow from lack of care, no point in saving it when I can just reupholster.

All that's left is finishing the rear bumper cover paint and installing everything else once it cures. No bake oven so it's back to the old days of chemical hardener and patience while it sits in the sun. Eerily fitting to be born of the sun again..

[Zabo]

Well, turns out he worked sunday on it too. This weekend gave us a few revelations (and setbacks..)

Finally diagnosed the squeak: Axle out of round and bumping into the pad
Diagnosed why the hatch wasn't lining up: Hinge bolts are finicky
Diagnosed why the C pillar cover sat too low: Needs two tubes of urethane calk for a giant arse bead.
Diagnosed the offset in the axle: Mounting box welded to the body is pushed up and over/in toward the drivers side. Welds haven't cracked so he's just gonna pull on it.

And pics after he gave up on it for the day to get an easier job done. Gonna have a mechanic come in and assist in lining up the axle/suspension geometry tomorrow and tuesday.

Should have it back Wednesday w/ all the setbacks.

Pics:

[Bulldogwinters]

Originally Posted by Zabo

Well, turns out he worked sunday on it too. This weekend gave us a few revelations (and setbacks..)

Finally diagnosed the squeak: Axle out of round and bumping into the pad
Diagnosed why the hatch wasn't lining up: Hinge bolts are finicky
Diagnosed why the C pillar cover sat too low: Needs two tubes of urethane calk for a giant arse bead.
Diagnosed the offset in the axle: Mounting box welded to the body is pushed up and over/in toward the drivers side. Welds haven't cracked so he's just gonna pull on it.

And pics after he gave up on it for the day to get an easier job done. Gonna have a mechanic come in and assist in lining up the axle/suspension geometry tomorrow and tuesday.

Should have it back Wednesday w/ all the setbacks.

Pics:

Looking so good Zabo!! If I were you I would be having issues with sleeping for the next few days!

[mlee]

WoW... this is good stuff...

[Zabo]

Oh, just remembered. Not sure how.. or why.. but the fiberglass guy reattached my equalizer knobs. Not the best, but when I hopped in I was like.. "where did YOU come from!?"

Owner was like "What do you mean 'put back on'.. that's how it came in here! I didn't do it.."

[LS1-Z28]

[Revo1]

Originally Posted by Zabo

Well, turns out he worked sunday on it too. This weekend gave us a few revelations (and setbacks..)

Finally diagnosed the squeak: Axle out of round and bumping into the pad
Diagnosed why the hatch wasn't lining up: Hinge bolts are finicky
Diagnosed why the C pillar cover sat too low: Needs two tubes of urethane calk for a giant arse bead.
Diagnosed the offset in the axle: Mounting box welded to the body is pushed up and over/in toward the drivers side. Welds haven't cracked so he's just gonna pull on it.

And pics after he gave up on it for the day to get an easier job done. Gonna have a mechanic come in and assist in lining up the axle/suspension geometry tomorrow and tuesday.

Should have it back Wednesday w/ all the setbacks.

Pics:

Lookin good, she's almost whole again

[Zabo]

Well we broke the rear axle open today.. and I got a surprise. The previous owner removed the C-Clip system for the rear axles and replaced them with

MOSER/STRANGE C-CLIP ELIMINATORS!

Asked the body guy to make a rough sketch and get me some part/casting numbers so I can figure out just what's in there but the axle is the only thing bent. Just need to repack the bearings and it'll slide back in.

This also made us wonder if the car still has the factory 3.42 gears.. He's gonna run a quick ratio test to check as well as try to find any casting ID saying it's not GM. I could have bought a drag prepped 10 bolt T/A and not even known it..

Downside: All the fitting, paint work, and the rear have put us over-time on the car and with the body guy taking vacation at the end of the week work will halt until probably late July. He's trying to get it done before his vacation but it's just looking like the impossible.

That said, I also have some pics:

[dmginc]

getting closer!

[shank0668]

Here

[Zabo]

Heh, damn close there, Shank. Damn close.

Got off the phone again and for what we can tell it's still gonna wait until tomorrow; he also can't remember if it was 10 or 12 bolts pulled from the cover. This is weirding me out..

Also.. something is moving..