[masterboyz]

So, I love my Trans Am. Stereo type says its a heavy brick that can't handle for crap because its got a heavy V8. Which is false, handling wise its good. Good enough that it blows preconceptions of people out of the water when they finally get a ride in the car and I'm at the limit as far as handling is concerned. It does have draw backs, like most 80's cars its got bad brakes, and I'm not just talking about lack of ABS and crap like that. I'm talking about the fact that my 3400lb GTA has the SAME diameter rotors as my 2400lbs 93' Escort did. Just 10.5" brakes up front. That will change.

Thats okay though, GM put 11.75" brakes out back.

So here is my Master Plan ©

Since V6's have FINALLY started putting enough power out to satisfy me, I plan on taking the V8 out of my car, which uses an iron block and aluminum heads, and replacing it with an all aluminum V6 displacing about 3.6L, making about 350 to 370hp n/a. I'd be using the 3.6L Direct Injection VVT engine out of the newer cadillacs and base camaros. It makes 304hp and 273lb/ft. It can vault the base model Camaro from 0-60 in 6 seconds, and the 1/4 mile in 13.8 @ 102mph. The base model camaro is 3700bs! Subtract 700lbs, and if you follow the 100lbs is worth 1/10th in the 1/4 mile rule, you'd be getting a low 13's car that would probably trap about 106mph or so.

Sure, I'd lose some bottom-end power, but changing the final drive from a 3.27 to a 3.73 would fix that in a hurry.

At the same time, the swap would drop 250lbs off the front of my car. In addition to the elimination of the steel hood for a fiberglass or CF stock appearing replacing hood would drop another 60lbs too. A tubular front k-member would drop another 60lbs. So a total drop of 370lbs. Removing emissions from the car probably another 20lbs or so. In essence taking my 3390lb car and making it weigh in at slightly over 3000lbs. Further weight loss can be found with light weight carpet and seats, its possible to remove up to 60lbs this way. Further, relocating the battery to the rear, would better balance the car.

Now, I'd be adding weight back too. In the form of larger, and better brakes. Sub-frames to stiffen the chassis (6pt roll bar is also a possibility, but I'd lose the back seats). So that would add possible 50lbs to the car.

Doesn't sound so crazy, and all I'd lose would be the deep roar V8, for the high pitched scream of a v6.

Guess it doesn't sound so crazy. The sad part is the V6 has only just begun to come on the market, and getting them on the cheap will take another year or 2 so they can start being found in junkyards.

So the car would do this:

3400lb V8 making about 400hp makes for a power to weight of 8.50lbs per HP.

The V6 option would drop the power to a conservative 350hp, but with the weight loss I'd end up with the same 8.50lbs per HP.

Yes, My GTA is finally on the road again. Finished wiring the car up this week, and heard the engine rumble to life for the first time in 3 years!

http://home.comcast.net/~thirdgen89g...rrection00.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~thirdgen89g...rrection01.jpg

Yes, its possible to go super light weight too. My friend races in the American Iron challenge class and his 87 Trans Am with an IRON v8 comes in at 2790lbs stripped. However thats stripped to the bone. I'd want to keep things like AC and an interior.