T/Aperformance

I'm not sure if you have thought about adding SFC l. Like the outer sfc not the inner ones, But I would do that before doing the targa top, But I'm sure you've already thought of this.

BlackTopKing

iTrader: (1)

I have and completely agree, I imagin constuction as if I was doing TTop, but extra would be my best chance in sucess.
But stull its a good reminder.
trying to stay focus om one aspect of the build at a time, is alot harder then you think.
Already the body mods have created a pretty big suspension to do list.

Really wish I couod of just stripped to frame n starte at 0, at times, but hey....itll be a project that keeps going for awhile and will try to do as much as I can as I go.

In someways I guess it keeps this project realistic considering of anyone else did as I am...they probly have to do the same.

T/Aperformance

I know exactly how hard it is to stay on one aspect of a build at a time, You're working on one part then something else needs to happen to to finish the first, That's why I figured out everything I wanted for the car and what its purpose would be before I started mine, But then comes along deals on parts you weren't expecting to buy until the body is done, like a roll cage I'm going to go look at, I know I'll need it before paint as it will be the same color as the body. So yes I know how hard it is to stay on task.

BlackTopKing

iTrader: (1)

Couldnt of said it better.
No matter how thought out, we need to plan for suprises n changes.

BlackTopKing

iTrader: (1)

So I been working on the front clip and realize that, other then filler pics it wouldn't really look any different. So I did a little red primer to get an ideal of how this nose intake will look, remember I still gotta trim. just wanted to post somekind of pic...lol

BlackTopKing

iTrader: (1)

Excited to say, ill have a pretty good up date tonight. Finallt got the TA out of the garage, test fitting n mocked up the front clip n im really close. Will take apart again tomorrow n finish trimming out the frint clio. I finally stop being cheap n ordered the new lambo struts, but have come to see an issue for future maintence...to gain access, ill be removing the hood n fenders each time n to take the hood off by my self is a seriously PITA!

So...im thinking either jumping a head and tryn the front tilr or notching fender mount so that hood will bolt to the upper frame verse frame n fender.

Any body have any other ideas or reasons not too.

Other then that front clip is basicly there, just lil things to do.

As for spoiler, I havent made much progress since the start of the front clip, so hopefully I can get back to that witg in the next few days.
I did come up with a pos design tweek for the taillight vers actuators n clearance issue...
The center cap between the taillights maybe a great location to hide then n directly attach to the spoiler, only consern is that now...the current design of the spoiler may not work with the actuator at a direct below angle....

Very confusing n ever edging to a custom hatch to make this happen n even then I may have to make a new spoiler to work correctly...

So ill have about a week to mentally battle this out but I forsee me just buying actuators...tryn with this spoiler n posbly going to the drawing board again...lol

But anyway, ill post pictures tonight.

Nitewulf98

Well, BlackTop's puter went to crap, so here are some updated pics. ENJOY!

BlackTopKing

iTrader: (1)

Thanks man, glad to get pics up

jdawg1276

Can't wait to see it finished be a original for shore

T/Aperformance

It's looking real good. On that middle vent you made in the front bumper, The pic looks like the driver side is off just a bit, Like its a bit higher on that side and not level all the way across, It may be just the angle the pics were taken and I hope that is the case,

BlackTopKing

iTrader: (1)

AThanks, and yeah itll be different.
If not anything !

But I am also looking forward to seeing it done. Just seems so far away

BlackTopKing

iTrader: (1)

I have the front clip off this moning to finish trimming n edging, but I think in pic its as bit of each.

Nose is just slide on, fenders have one bolt in n hood os just laid down..so lines n such arnt 100%...just lil mock up.

Once im done the edging...ill put together n actually see were it all lands, mark n cut.

At tgat time, I will make my best effort to get lines a close to perfect as I can.

T/Aperformance

I'm not nit-picking your work or anything like that, I think you are doing an amazing job here with your project, I know all that fiberglass work takes a lot of work and patience.

BlackTopKing

iTrader: (1)

No worries buddy

didnt take it as nik picking and soon ill be looking for it.
Ive found that sometimes new eyes see things that ill miss, especially for a project of this size...im already lost, lol

BlackTopKing

iTrader: (1)

Prototype, LED turnsignals.
Rt set, grooves are closer vers left set just to try different effects.
Thinking of installing a double row for the fwd turns in nose and a signle rod at each of the stock locatioms. Just worried it might take away from the clean shaved look, so if I didnt have side turnd in stock location. Should I have them at all?
N if so...any ideals are welcomed.

Also consider this a sneak peak at the BTK Led tail lights, lol....
I like what alot of ppl do, but hate seeing the dotti pixal look of led tails...so I was think, rods...that n itll keep me different




As for the question of what im gonna do after body done...painy wize, not sure.
And am I gonna sell....yeah right, to who...lol... aint no one gonna buy this, ppl dont really dig customs like this anymore..FF killed that...so ill drive it around n work on it here n there n keep going.

Miles of work to do n no TA is ever DONE

T/Aperformance

My personal feeling towards turn signals and barking lights is I don't care to see the bulbs be it LEDs or regular bulbs, I like it when you just have the amber glow or in the tail lights the red glow, But that's just me.

BlackTopKing

iTrader: (1)

I feel thesame way.
And will mention, the pis above are solid acrylic rod with 1led at the end shining into the rod...the lines that appear to be illuminated are really not. with a dremel and it's more knots on the backside of the rod, it simply create a point of reflection.

to get that full soild glow, like a lifesaber, lol... I think it would have to be frosted or something like that. something to contain the lights at the light doesn't just go in and out of the rod so fast...

Ill have to try one

T/Aperformance

Now that sounds really interesting to me, Kind of like if you took some lexan and media blasted on side and then installed LEDs on the edge,

BlackTopKing

iTrader: (1)

Yeah kinda.
There are some fosting paints that work well to dis..."i dont know the word"...but itll defuse the light. This is how they do LED lighting in other applications, but probly work well in the auto....

The fwd turn singles i would do two rows inside the stock housing. one on each corner for sides and if its do-able, i am thinking if larger rods for the taillights...maybe 3 from top to bottom.

if i do smaller rods and in a set of 12...could do, scquenchal (how ever you spell that).


lol


but the question of headlights have been getting kicked around on FB.

Thing is, no matter what i still want ppl (love or hate) to be able to say

look at that cool...trans am
or
look at that stupid...trans am

not, wtf is that.

i like the Polly TA projector style and do to the full shaping of the lenax, it keeps the TA look, but i also saw....a (I know, I Know) a 240 with flip ups cut (cutaways its called) to reshape the headlight and the lense tilted up to face fwd////it would no longer, pop up...but still look like a pop up.

hummmmmm

BlackTopKing

iTrader: (1)

As for update...just finishing up the back sides,undersides and edges of the front clip...kinda had a crazy week, HVAC in house went...boom and that has really ubtained the garage. The struts on on slow arrival, due in on Monday, so plan is to have the front clip done and ready to be installed by Monday, so i can change out the lambo struts, adjust and put car back together.

Then its done. leaving me with e carbonfiber lips/splitters and valances along with the spoiler to finally do.

def a large freaking project and think i def bit as much as i can fit in my mouth, hopefully itll be ready to wetsand and prime sooner then later...

T/Aperformance

I know what you mean by keeping it looking like a cool looking T/A and not a what is that situation .
I also like the Polly T/A headlight set up. And talking about the 240 set up, I actually bought those and am in the middle of converting them because they they do not work like in the 240, and I wanted them to fit like the Polly T/A non pop ups, But before I could finish I ran out of fiberglass, but I just ordered a new roll. So I should be back on mine here soon. The problem with these lights which I do not like is when the high beams are on, only the inside light are on and not all four like I want. But here are some pics to show you how they are looking so far.

BlackTopKing

iTrader: (1)

Awe....good work my friend. This will be cool to see when its done, are you gonna mold the top lens in the factory shape (like the polly TA ) or just straight into the nose?

Funny you used the 240 projectors, LOL...Ill have to find a pic of the cut away look. Best verb is: the metal hood of the flip up light is cut away at an angle and the buld/lense is leveled out to function.

As for the projector hi/low, and your style its each, one projector is high and one is low. On the lancer i had same issue so i ran a switch to manually turn on the highs...i did it really so you could turn any projector on or off....plus the halos had a dif color ring on the high and low...

this was in addition to the factory wiring, so if you used lever control is was stock function...or overrid with switches...

T/Aperformance

Thank you for the information on the Hi/Low and using a switch, good idea.
And yes I am going to have my cover for them like The polly T/A. I have already made them out of lexan , But my bend is a pit sharper than the Polly's, I bent mine using my metal brake and it gave them a nice edge, Polly's is more of a rounded edge.
Maybe I'll get back to work on them next week end, as I'm waiting for the roll of fiberglass I just ordered to get here. I wish I could spend more time on my TA as you are spending on yours, But I have way to many other peoples projects that kind of come first.

BlackTopKing

iTrader: (1)

LMAO that last line is the story of my life. 95% of what i do everyday is for others and the worst part (as a custom painter and Airbrush artist) is I spend my time making everyone else projects BadA$$ while mine sits in pieces.

This is why i have made such a massive effort to give up atleast 1hour a day on the TA. Every now and then i get some real time, like this month and the bike weeks ( i slow down in one aspect and speed up in another ).

but I have about 112hr total in the car, not counting the lambo fabracation.
LOL... so i feel like i have no time...lol...just max out what time i do get



in your case, i would actually just scheduled the time like you are working on some one else...i know it seems odd to scheduled your time...but i have to as well...kinda have to approve my own days off (which i am a boss who doesnt approve anything of the sort)

LOL

BlackTopKing

iTrader: (1)

Well, finally (as samurai bows) done front clip.
Got new lambo struts, 750lb. Adjusted n right on the money.

So now I get to put front clip together tomorrow to take finall measurements for the front lip.
Then actually install on the car.
And then the dreaded hood, seriously a PITA putting on solo, but not as bad as taking off.

Once thats done, I will finalise the gas cap (est 2hrs area n spoiler @4hrs)

I have had a secomd thoughy on spoiler, here ibe been tryn to design the actuator in the hatch to pull/push the spoiler...till a friend said soulda put actuator in spoiler to push n pull off of hatch.....

One of those...Duh faces....but....then again, sometimes we over think things.

So now I will just finish spoiler, get actuator and ill try both, worst case....mske new spoiler or get slick n install a door.lol...not really but coulf gut it out...i guess

BlackTopKing

iTrader: (1)

Well not much in past few days.
Edging n undersides/back sides of front clio is all done, looks way cleaner and smoothed out to 220g.
Rear section is next.
Spoiler still and I gotta fig if I wanna lay a single cover sheey of glass on bottom n just leave it like that (basically making it uniformed or if I really wanna shave n delete fill n smooth it out?!

Kinda hitting the hump n stump.of the project. Not to mention, im starting to get low on the time n investment fund...lol...story of all 3rd gens.

Def wanna get a set of 2" spacers to see how far the stock rims will kick out, not a fan of the 3", but may.

Other then that, I guess its time for alil show for the tell, lol...pics on the way

BlackTopKing

iTrader: (1)

T/Aperformance

Looking good so far.
2" spacers might be good for the front, but I think they may be to small for the rear with the stock wheels

Nitewulf98

Totally agree! Need a 4th Gen rear.... now where to find one, ??? Oh wait, I have one ...

BlackTopKing

iTrader: (1)

Well yeah...im still counting on it...lol.
Just havent gotten the time nor really figured out how to yet
Im getting there though.

BlackTopKing

iTrader: (1)

But thanks guys, I personally look forward to seeing it in one color....hopefully soon.
Wish lil fairys would just finish it already...or get s really good burst of motovation....do couple all nighters...lol

BlackTopKing

iTrader: (1)

Well, its show time ladys and gents.

Body is extremely leveled and ive offically run out of major supplies and my TA Body budget is about0$....
So this week I will be taking a section an a hour or two each night to wetsand and mask off.
So that I can spray proofing color, sorta speak...lol...i know its odd n so am I for the extra steo in paint, but again were only about 2/3rd there and if changes or any big tweeks need to be done, tgos is the time to do it.
I have a couple of extra projects coming threw as well and will have a break front the luxury TA time....
So before I put it to the side, I will spray it a single color to best view the car as is.
Im not gonna get crazy, just priming n shooting a red base (worst ppg red ever but have a bunch left over frim an earlier project)
No clear (waste) just color.

But I think itll really project the concept, atleasy for me. N worst case, I agree with everyone n think...oh beep, what did I do...or best case....i get a boost of excitement to keep going!

Little short of plan, still spoiler is on back shielf n ive yet to buy the ttop parts for targa, but hey...aint nothing to add.

Pics to come hopefull Friday ish

86_irocz-28

Cant wait to see it in one color lol great job by the way

T/Aperformance

Well I wish you the best here, the paint will tell you any areas that need more attention.
Can't wait for more pics.

BlackTopKing

iTrader: (1)

Thanks guys.
Im a little excited and nervous but more excited.

TA Performance, yeah thay is really my biggest advantage. At this point im staring at the two layers of factory paint + someone else front end repair, fiberglass and filler.
So to get things all on the same playing field, would greatly help.

Not to mention itll help keep things protected while I start on the other pieces and focus on getting the car to run well

Really hoping to make it to the myrtel beach show, even if limping with a base spray....lmao

Only negative is, if everything plays out as I hope n to par....
Then I really need to start finalizing the actual paint scheme.

For that, ill post a step by step and go above n beyond, but for this....macco appoach will due.
Lol
No offense to macco, just a saying

T/Aperformance

Any updates ?

Nitewulf98

BlackTop is out of town, so here is an update for ya...

Nitewulf98

This project is looking awesome! I am looking forward to the 4th Gen rear end swap... Hopefully next weekend.

tylercamaro

iTrader: (1)

amazing craftmanship and talent, im not fond of it without the wider wheels to follow up on it, but definitely amazing vision you had and great work achieving what you pondered in your mind.

BlackTopKing

iTrader: (1)

Thanks again Nitewulf98 for posting.
The much needed update.
And tanks Tylercamaro for the complement.

Not perfect, but that's why I like this step, you really can see the overall picture much better.

So for the week I'll focus on getting the construction zone (garage) cleaned up and ready for next step. Atleast the work done is sealed up.

I'll be mainly focused on the little areas that still need attention and getting the GTA running (consistently).

4th gen rear is a must! And yeah, with some help hopefully that'll be in before August.

Really am going to try to plan out the next few steps.

But overall....I really like it and am happy with it.
Only major change...spoiler!

The design of the first one,styling size just isn't gonna fit the look.. I am going to have to design an idea that will flow with this better.

BigKeg

Nice work...on your hood, the see through, kinda looks like the transformer symbol..

BlackTopKing

iTrader: (1)

Lol, that would be cool to paint the symbol in it too. I would have to be a Decepticon Though.

But it is the GTA shield actually.

BlackTopKing

iTrader: (1)

Tonight:
Started my concept drawing, of general ideas for the actual paint and airbrush art. This will be the hardest part. I'm figuring about 20hrs to get body to base (counting the lil tweeks) I have clocked in at 193hr to this point (sealed) and have still bit more to go.

Spoiler (def needs, new design to fit and flow better)
Front lip, side splitter and rear valance still to be made, but considering Im not painting those (carbon fiber) and want attach/detachable.
I can start now or after paint.

I do need to replace glass on mirrors, weather stripping and window sweeps next. Front glass should get replaced,but can wait.

Meanwhile, start cleaning out and reorganizing garage...phew, I made a mess and to think...I've cleaned as I've gone...lol

BlackTopKing

iTrader: (1)

So I am Highly Considering sightly redirecting the focus of the paint theme.

i still want to do a JetFighter feel, destressed metal,rivets, plating and markings but with the opertunity to show off art as much as paint. i was thinking of...how to do the 3 aspects.

custom paint/paint effects and airbrush art and then a friend of mine said "how about creating a paint scheme in support of troops" The fighter jet is already very airforce in styling...so why not do something that not only meets my personal goals but also becomes something a little bit bigger and with a bigger value.

I loved the idea and am thinking this really might be the best way to go.

What do you guys think?!

FSTFBDY

iTrader: (33)

Do it.. Ive thought about doing sililar to my vert.
This stang is bad as$$$...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...1_0339_339.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...7_0473_473.jpg

more
http://www.everydaynodaysoff.com/wp-...hini-Front.jpg

T/Aperformance

Well since you asked what we think. And your wanting the jet fighter feel and so on. I like the idea , I like what you have done to your car,
For the rear wing I would suggest something kind of flat and low. I actually have an idea for a two piece wing that I think would go great with your car, But I can't put my drawings up on my pc, Its kind of like 2 letter ( L )s laying sideways one going right and one left with a gap between them about 3 inches, if that make since, I saw it on some really expensive sports car but I can't remember what it was.

For the paint I would do a black base then mask off the lines for the plating and lay down a thin coat of silver, then use scotch bright pads to make that look like aluminum. Then do your rivets and your shadows, If you want some color like say red or blue or what ever just use a candy color over that.

Nitewulf98

You know I am all for the fighter jet theme. However, I feel that too much art will make it too tacky. Unless you are just looking at some simple art like on the side of a B50 bomber in the 60s (pin-up models and such). I think simple is best, but that is my opinion.

That being said, there are great looking themes out there such as,

http://www.crazywebsite.com/pg-Funny...de_Camaro.html

Definitely a masterpiece.

Guess it would be easier to give a fair assessment on the idea with some drawings/sketches... My imagination of the look is probably way off from what you are imagining. The best part about your build, no matter what anyone else thinks, your opinion is all that matters .

BlackTopKing

iTrader: (1)

Thanks man,
And of course I want the thoughts. Why not, it'll be even cooler once done to see an idea used.

Besides, creative minds think alike but nor always see the same. So to get many angles is great.

Def agree with the rest dressed look! That will be key for paint effect.
Candy would be key for the custom paint (and I was thinking red just because it'll contrast with the silver hues and black accents as well as carbon fiber...at least more then blue,but still could do that too)

Spoiler, I see it needing to be lower and even hanging off verse the first one, which was more second gen style. I'm interested in your idea. Would it be correct to say, 92 style but split? Or more MSE style (DKM Mechium).

BlackTopKing

iTrader: (1)

Lol, I found that car last night tryn to see what if anyone else has done anything close.

Its cool, but I agree that simple is better or at least more well balanced. Like in the Camaro, too many different conflicting colors and the images do net transition very well.. like floating. (Not to judge anyone art)
I just think I'd would approach it with a more thought out layout and design.

I'm one of those artist who like things to flow and make sence. (Even more so with art and body lines) it always flows best when it goes with or complements the shape and flow of car /bike.
That and like bio much...I like hoses actually going somewhere and gears actually doing something...idk...maybe just me.
Lol

But I really want to meet the challenge of balance of all three paint aspects were the Camaro really only targets two.


I like the bomber feel. Was thinking how cool to do seats in an old brown leather...like bomber jackets..lol.

T/Aperformance

Let me try to explain better what I'm thinking. Take the flat spoiler from a 1984 T/A cut it in the middle, Then but the left side one on the right, and the right one on the left with the pillers being toward center and bring the edge of the wing out to the edge of the quarter panels leaving a gap in the center. Hopefully you can understand.