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Doob, still awaiting those pictures. Hurry up, man. I'd like to nominate the car for COTM. It has come a long way and I'm hoping it looks just as beautiful as I imagine it. Awesome work so far!
I'm a little reluctant to post because the car needs some tweaking, but I'll put this one picture up for now. I was working on putting the car back together until 9:00 on Thursday night, and hit the road with it at 10:00. It poured most of the way from Las Vegas to Camarillo, and by the time I got up to Morro Bay the car was trashed. When I get back home I'm going to fix the headlight gaps, adjust the ground effects, put all the decals on, give the car a good cleaning and then do a little photo shoot.
Yeah and the front fender ground effect pieces. My car is JY also and one of my fender pieces broke off, and I have been reluctant to replace it because I know the paint is not going to match. I also need to fix the quarter from where a school bus scraped me and I am going to put a TA hood on it since my flat hood is full of weird dents from the previous owner. I am going to wind up painting the whole thing because I know it isn't all going to blend well.
I have been reluctant to replace it because I know the paint is not going to match.
I am learning this too. I just painted my body Arctic white- which is the same color that I painted my other Camaro 8 years ago. The new paint is a brighter white even though I used the exact same DuPont series paint... Could be UV fade, just sprayed heavier or mixed differently.
At any rate Doobie's bird looks great and I think he'll win car of the month this June.
I am learning this too. I just painted my body Arctic white- which is the same color that I painted my other Camaro 8 years ago. The new paint is a brighter white even though I used the exact same DuPont series paint... Could be UV fade, just sprayed heavier or mixed differently.
At any rate Doobie's bird looks great and I think he'll win car of the month this June.
My other car is/will be Arctic. The original paint was tri-coat, did they mix it for singe coat of base?
After five months off, it was time for an update. The trip to Morro Bay was awesome, and I'm looking forward to doing it again next year. I kinda missed the anti-tour part of the trip because the main group left while a smaller group was still touring the Wilwood facility. In true hot rodding fashion, we just banded together and headed up to the show on our own. We had a great time, and the weather couldn't have been better. My car got a ton of action at the show, mostly because John McGann, the editor of Car Craft Magazine, parked his Hellcat next to my Trans Am for the show on Saturday. I kept telling him they came by for the Hellcat, but they stayed for the Trans Am. He was a super nice guy and I enjoyed talking with him at the show. Here's a shot of our cars together at the show.
Shortly after getting home from the show I put all the graphics and emblems on the car. A perfect photo opportunity presented itself one Sunday afternoon as I was going to the grocery store. I passed a replica of the trailer from "Smokey and the Bandit" parked in a vacant lot around the corner from my house. I think I went back about three times during the day so that I could get shots of the car in different light. A few of the shots came out killer, but I think this is my favorite.
At the end of June I put the car up on the Race Ramps and effectively killed it for the rest of the summer. The only parts I hadn't replaced during the suspension upgrade were the steering box and the pump. I pulled them out and sent them to Turn One to be rebuilt. When I got them back, I also added a remote power steering cooler and replaced all the power steering hoses. I also switched over to AMSOIL power steering fluid. I got the car back down on it's wheels right around the beginning of September and the weather is beautiful now, so I've had the car out every weekend. I reset the ride height of the car, and I'm just about ready to now stiffen the shocks by one click from the softest setting.
And now for the biggest update since the suspension overhaul. About a month ago a friend of mine called me to ask my opinion of the eBay turbo kits for SBCs. After an hour long conversation, I got off the phone with him and started messing with my Formula, and making a list of exactly what I needed to get my turbo car going again. That night, while looking up parts, I got the urge to search for something I've been looking for since I purchased my Trans Am about 4 years ago. This particular part hasn't been in production for some time, but they do come up for sale from time to time. I started by checking Google, and then eBay, but I had no luck on either site. I then searched thirdgen.org and found exactly what I was looking for. Unfortunately, it was listed for sale back in March of 2015. After some more looking around, I noticed that the thread had never been replied to, and it was never bumped. I decided the send the seller a PM around 1 in the morning, and he responded by the time I woke up the next day. He had sold the part I was interested in about 6 months before, but the buyer backed out, so he still had it sitting boxed up at his house. We worked out a deal on price and it finally arrived last Tuesday. Like a little kid at Christmas, I had to assemble it on an engine, and it's everything I dreamed it would be. The next time the Trans Am goes under the knife, it's getting a heart transplant and a little something extra.
For those of you who don't know, that is a true BBS single turbo kit and it's basically brand new. While it had been bolted to an engine, it was never run. I bought the complete hot side along with the Turbonetics Evolution Wastegate. I actually have a lot of the parts needed to put it in, but I've decided that I want at least one of my cars running at all times, so I'm not going to install it until my Formula is back together. As I start collecting parts, I'll keep the thread updated. Just having the kit to look at on an engine stand is going to keep me happy for months!
Angle and distance probably have a bit to do with it, but the Trans Am looks to be the size of a Miata next to the Hellcat.
Can't blame you for not driving the car in the desert heat, my RS was barely driven too.
Any updated interior shots?
Angle and distance probably have a bit to do with it, but the Trans Am looks to be the size of a Miata next to the Hellcat.
Can't blame you for not driving the car in the desert heat, my RS was barely driven too.
Any updated interior shots?
Place a 70's Challenger next to a new one & it too will look like a Miata! Amazing how big these cars have become. I've got a picture somewhere of our 2005 Mustang GT convertible next to the 71 & 72 GTOs I had at the time and the mustang looks huge!
I don't have any updated interior shots. I should take some now that the stereo's in, and I have the manual shifter plate installed. I'll try and take some this weekend.
Originally Posted by DynoDave43
I love these photos. I'm glad you were able to enjoy the car this summer.
Thanks Dave. They're some of my favorite pictures too.
Bringing this thread back from the dead! It’s been a little over 9 years since my last update, but the Trans Am is still alive and kicking. I’ve done a few small things here and there, but mostly I’ve just been enjoying the drive.
Back in April I took my son to LS Fest West, and he finally talked me into gathering parts for the LS swap. I’ll post more updates as I get deeper into it, but I'll start with the new engine and transmission details. The motor is a 6.0 LQ4 that’s been machined and rebuilt, and I’m pairing it with a new Tremec Magnum F. Here are some pics of the engine sitting in its new home.
So… does it count as “LS swapped” if it’s not running yet?
Hell yeah man I'm still following! About to start working on my 85 IROC that's been in storage for 10 years. Can't wait!
Originally Posted by Doobie52
Bringing this thread back from the dead! It’s been a little over 9 years since my last update, but the Trans Am is still alive and kicking. I’ve done a few small things here and there, but mostly I’ve just been enjoying the drive.
Back in April I took my son to LS Fest West, and he finally talked me into gathering parts for the LS swap. I’ll post more updates as I get deeper into it, but I'll start with the new engine and transmission details. The motor is a 6.0 LQ4 that’s been machined and rebuilt, and I’m pairing it with a new Tremec Magnum F. Here are some pics of the engine sitting in its new home.
So… does it count as “LS swapped” if it’s not running yet?
Over the past couple of weeks, all of my new transmission parts have started rolling in. Most of it came from Tick Performance, including a new bellhousing, all the hardware, a slave cylinder with bleeder line, and a new clutch master cylinder. I also picked up a new crossmember and transmission mount from Hawk’s. Then, this morning, I finally got the call that the transmission had arrived at the freight terminal. Perfect timing! Starting Friday at 3:30 PM, I’m off for the next 24 straight days, so it’s officially go-time.
Last week, I decided to knock out the power steering system. I made a trip to my local All Hose for new push-lock hose for the cooler and return lines, and had them build me a new pressure line. I only had one end crimped initially so I could take it home, trim it to length, and clock it correctly. The following day I brought it back to have the other end crimped, and now the power steering system is completely ready to go. I’m running a 4th-gen pump, and the steering box was rebuilt by Turn One a few years ago with very few miles on it. When I drained the old fluid to swap the lines, it came out just as clean as the new fluid going in. Always a good sign.
I also received a shipment from Racetronix last week. Since I’ve had my new injectors sitting around for a few months (60 lb Siemans Dekas), I went ahead and installed those along with the new fuel rails. I got the fuel pressure regulator fully plumbed with fittings and a gauge, and I’ve settled on a mounting location. I’ll be reusing the factory fuel supply and return lines, with fittings to convert everything over to -6AN. Those fittings should arrive today, and assuming they’re correct, I already have everything lined up to finish the under-hood fuel plumbing.
The last thing I tackled this weekend was the valve covers. I stripped the yellow paint, repainted them black, and added new coil brackets. I originally thought a pop of color would look good on the engine, but I was wrong. Everything looks much cleaner and meaner in all black. I’m just waiting on new valve cover grommets since I managed to mangle a couple while pulling the bolts back out.
That’s about it for now. There will be some big updates over the next couple of weeks as the transmission goes in, the under-hood fuel system gets finished, and I’m going to start dialing in the cooling system. The Holley Terminator X ECU is also on its way, so I’ll have plenty to keep me busy.
This post is more of an advertisement than an update. My swap is almost done except for some minor odds and ends. I'll get into that some more in my next post with pictures, but for now, I want to highlight a cool product I found that will benefit anyone converting their thirdgen to a T56 transmission, not just LS swaps.
Last night I was doing some Googling, specifically looking for a way to use one of the triggers included with the Holley Terminator X to control the reverse lockout on my T56. When I did my initial T56 swap 10 years ago behind the TPI engine, I used a momentary switch on the handle of the shifter to activate the reverse lockout solenoid. In my quest for an answer, I came across a post praising this harness from Bowler Performance Transmissions. Bowler All-In-One Harness
Basically, this standalone harness eliminates the need for a separate converter box for the speedometer by using a Bluetooth module in the harness that pairs to an app on your phone to get the correct VSS signal. It will also operate the reverse lockout of your T56 with parameters that can also be set on the app, and it has a provision to wire in your reverse lights. I haven't received the harness yet but I have read the installation instructions and reviews from several users and I think it's going to be an excellent upgrade over the Dakota Digital SGI-5 I'm currently using to manipulate the VSS signal and the momentary switch I'm using to activate the reverse lockout solenoid. For anyone interested, I also found a 10% off coupon code. BPTTENOFF
I’m just going to drop this huge photo dump on here and try to work through what I’ve done on the car over the last six weeks.
Wiring – I started by disconnecting the C100 connector from the firewall, removing all of the underhood relays and wiring, disconnecting the computer inside the car, pulling the passenger-side fender liner, and removing the engine harness from the car. I then spent a couple of days with the car’s wiring diagram separating all wiring necessary for the car and the engine. Once I had the harness stripped down, I went through each wire and labeled them all. Next, I installed the new Holley harness in the car, labeled all of the connections that don’t go to sensors, and routed everything. I then used zip ties to build myself a new harness and keep everything in place so that I could pull the merged harness out of the car and solder everything on the bench. I’m just waiting on some loom right now to make everything look good. I should have the harness ready to go back into the car for good by the end of the weekend. I’m using TechFlex F6 loom on the complete harness so that everything matches.
Engine – The engine has been in the car since my last post, but it’s now ready to fire. The fuel system is plumbed with 6AN PTFE hose under the hood, and I’m using the stock supply and return lines under the car. The only things I have left to do are to cap the barb on the fuel sending unit that ran to the charcoal canister, install the new tank vent I purchased from Hawk’s, and install the AN adapters on the sending unit and return line so that I can run an AN hose and replace the original clamped rubber line. I was going to purchase my headers from Hawk’s, but after reading through posts on multiple forums about the headers from Speed Engineering, I figured I could save some money and gave them a shot. The headers are beautiful. The welds are fantastic, the flanges are thick, the plug wire clearance is excellent, and they fit perfectly without any modifications whatsoever. The only headache they gave me was having to lift the engine slightly so that I could install the passenger-side header. This wasn’t a header issue—I just didn’t have enough room between the transmission bellhousing and K-member to install them.
The 85mm Holley Sniper throttle body that’s now bolted to the intake came from Summit. To finish the air intake, I need to get a few clamps, and I need to trim about an inch of silicone off the 90-degree boot that connects to the throttle body to give me enough room to run a hose from the radiator to the coolant overflow tank. Right now, my plan is to take the two aluminum tubes that are connected with the coupler to the machine shop near me to have them welded together, and I’m going to have a bung welded in for a threaded IAT. Then I’ll have the tube powder coated. I bought a fourthgen radiator for the cooling system, but I didn’t like how it fit, so I sent it back. After doing some research, I found that Hawk’s sold the upper and lower radiator hoses I needed to run my stock thirdgen radiator. I already have provisions on it for the coolant overflow tank, along with another outlet that I’ve threaded to install a hose barb to connect it to the coolant crossover from the heads. I’ll be using my stock dual fans, which have already been rewired and are connected to the triggers on the Holley harness to control them.
Transmission – The transmission install was absolutely uneventful. I started with the pilot bearing, followed by the RAM HDX flywheel and clutch that were recommended by Tick when I purchased the Magnum F. Next, the transmission was bolted in and supported by the new Hawk’s crossmember. I initially didn’t buy a shifter, but the one included with the transmission from Tremec just wasn’t doing it, so I sprung for the Tick shifter. In the past, I’ve had shifters from Pro 5.0 and MGW, and the Tick shifter is right up there with them as far as feel and quality go. All of the clutch hydraulics are GM from Tick, and I opted to add the speed bleeder line when I purchased the slave cylinder and throwout bearing. I bled the clutch using the line, and then got every last little bubble out of the system with my MightyVac. Before installing the transmission, I also did all of the measuring required to correctly shim the throwout bearing, and the correct shim was installed.
One thing I did overlook when I purchased the transmission was the spline count of the new transmission’s output shaft. The stock T56 has a 26-spline output shaft, while the Magnum F uses a 31-spline output shaft. On the day I thought I was going to install my driveshaft, I realized this and bought the correct new yoke from Sonnax. When the new yoke arrived, I took my old driveshaft to a local shop and had them install the new yoke with a 1350-to-1310 adapter U-joint, a new rear U-joint, and had the driveshaft balanced. Big shoutout to Rob and the crew over at Adams Driveshaft for their help and lightning-fast turnaround time.
I’m sure there are a ton of other odds and ends that I’ve done and am forgetting about, but the big stuff is all out of the way. This weekend, I need to install the transmission harness and fill it with fluid, along with the power steering system. I’m going to reinstall the completed harness and do a good once over on the whole car. My goal now is to get this thing fired up for the first time, get it to an exhaust shop to have a Y-pipe made and attached to my exhaust, get an alignment done, and start driving again. Feel free to pick my brain with any questions you have or anything I might have missed. Hopefully, my next update has some video of a running and driving Trans Am!
My Trans Am is officially LS swapped. I moved it from one side of my garage to the other yesterday under its own power so I could bolt the hood back on. I need to rig up an exhaust extension now so I can drive it over to the exhaust shop to have a y-pipe made. The way it is currently the computer can’t learn because the AFR is all over the place because the O2 sensor is only a few inches from the outlet of the collector. It needs more pipe so the exhaust gasses aren't constantly contaminated with fresh air. Stay tuned!
Last edited by Doobie52; Feb 17, 2026 at 04:28 PM.
I have a short list of minor things to finish up, but I feel incredibly accomplished seeing it move under its own power again. The car will definitely be ready for LS Fest West in April, and I have already taken the time off.
Right now, the air intake is off the car getting painted. I had a friend weld everything up so I would not have to use a silicone coupler. Of course, I did not have the new coolant overflow installed when I mocked everything up, so now it is interfering with the intake. I noticed that Canton Racing Products makes an overflow tank specifically for thirdgens, so I am hoping that solves the issue.
what part of NV are you in?
would be cool to stop by and meet ya next trip up to vegas..
I'm in Henderson. Let me know when you're coming to town. I'm only about a 10 minute drive from Hoover Dam, about 3 exits after Boulder City. I've been following the paint work you've been doing on your car and it's beautiful. Maybe we can work something out!
awesome, i got an old friend right there on college drive..
ill be coming out for LS fest
not sure what vehicle ill be in
would love for it to my TA, but, that might be too much of a push at this time
and thanks for the kind words
Ill message you my number, we can chat offline
awesome, i got an old friend right there on college drive..
ill be coming out for LS fest
not sure what vehicle ill be in
would love for it to my TA, but, that might be too much of a push at this time
and thanks for the kind words
Ill message you my number, we can chat offline
Awesome job, looks great and i bet it'll run the same!
Soooo what happened to the old sbc turbo kit?
You're really making me dig deep into the old memory banks for this answer. I sold the engine to a guy who posted on Craigslist desperately looking for a Vortec 350. I had paid about $100 for the engine as it was a 75,000 mile core we had taken out of a customer's car back when I worked at the restoration shop. A guy and his son drove up from New Mexico for the engine and paid me $800 for it. As for the turbo kit, I believe I sold it to buy back the turbo setup for my 98 Formula that I had sold to one of my friends. I think I sold it back in 2017. I had a ton of life changes between 2017 and now between my kids getting older, changing jobs, and getting interested in some other hobbies. After the T56 swap I didn't care so much about making more power or messing with the engine. I was just enjoying driving the car.
I do miss having a turbo car so I few weeks ago I actually picked up my next project. It's a 1995 Firebird Formula that I purchased from the original owner. He used to live down the street from me and for years I drove past the car just sitting in his driveway, and then about 5 years ago the car was just gone. Well, about a month ago the car popped up on Facebook Marketplace. I messaged the seller asking if it was the same car (even though I knew it was). He confirmed it, we met up, and we struck a deal for it. It's got an awesome back story as it's originally from Long Island like me and it was purchased from the dealership I used to go to drool over their Firebirds. It didn't run so I spent last weekend going through it and now it's running beautifully although it looks like hell from the Las Vegas sun. It's not a thirdgen so if I decide to do a build thread on it, I'll have to find somewhere to post. I'll put a link in my signature when I get started. Here it is.
Last edited by Doobie52; Feb 23, 2026 at 01:06 PM.
I watch a lot of YouTubers use their 3D printer to make custom parts and I'm happy to announce I finally jumped on the bandwagon. I needed a set of spacers to mount my new coolant overflow reservoir so I designed them in Tinkercad and then printed them on my Ender3 using TPU. They came out excellent. Next I'm working on a mount for my Holley dash. What a great tool!
Welcome and thank you! If you check out post #161 it has one of my favorite pictures of the car out in the sun. I'm replying from my computer but I'll check my phone for something more recent.
Good luck with your RS. This place is the best resource on the internet for all things ThirdGen!
This is the best I could do for a picture in the sun. I’ll get some more posted up here soon as the weather is warming back up quick!
Last edited by Doobie52; Feb 26, 2026 at 03:20 PM.
Welcome and thank you! If you check out post #161 it has one of my favorite pictures of the car out in the sun. I'm replying from my computer but I'll check my phone for something more recent.
Good luck with your RS. This place is the best resource on the internet for all things ThirdGen!
This is the best I could do for a picture in the sun. I’ll get some more posted up here soon as the weather is warming back up quick!
Very nice, I do like that kind of yellow on some cars, i think it can look quite nice.
Thank you for that, I know we are going to need it.
I would love to get ours fully restored by a professional firm though, but just can`t afford it. maybe one day.
