Project 1988 T/A GTA

[Lortay5408]

Spent another day in the shop. I have a shortblock now!

Used the crank from my LB9 305, polished it and balanced it.
1128141151.jpg

1128141155.jpg
1128141206.jpg
1128141226.jpg
1128141325.jpg
1128141333.jpg
1128141340.jpg
1128141522.jpg

This windage tray did not work with my stock oil pan. We had bolts from the bare block so I went with a tray even though it isn't crucial. Shipped it back and will probably get a better Chevy replacement pan.
1128141609.jpg
1128141635.jpg

Found a smaller tray that I might use.
1128141714.jpg


Next on the list is a cam and head components.

[ruckusz28]

Purdy!

[Lortay5408]

Picked this up from the guy I bought the Bird from. Should get it cleaned up soon.

1209141127a.jpg

[DynoDave]

Sweet. I always liked the look of the TPI cars...it's just a neat looking induction system.

[Lortay5408]

New camshaft came today!

Comp Cams 08-412-8 XR264

0102151738.jpg

Also have a timing chain and OEM valve covers on the way.

Should be installing it Friday 1/09.

[Lortay5408]

I did some head work this time. Ground down the stems, pulled the pressed studs, tapped new threads for 7/16ths, and did a 3 angle grind.

0109151058.jpg
0109151124.jpg
0109151142.jpg
0109151320.jpg
0109151424.jpg

Even though this isn't an extreme build, I'm going to go with beehive springs and full roller rockers. Hopefully I can find some 7/16th rockers for under $300!

[DynoDave]

Nice! Cool that you got to do this work yourself.

[Lortay5408]

Thanks Dave! My brother-in-law has been very helpful in teaching me and helping me learn. It is really rewarding and fun to do!

[Lortay5408]

Did a half day at the shop. Busy enough with school and work. Just a few pictures of the bottom end.


Couldn't find a double rolller for the right price so I went with a single roller timing chain. Pretty sturdy though.
0121151353.jpg

Advertised centerline was 106 degrees. We measure it at 106.5.
0121151402.jpg

Because I'm using a windage tray, I couldn't guarantee that I'd find a correct oil pan so I used one that my brother-in-law had that fit. It was rusty but it cleaned up well and I painted it.
0121151528.jpg

0121151605.jpg

0121151440.jpg

[Lortay5408]

Hello folks. I have a few questions.

I've been looking at brake kits and swaps. I have discs up front and drums in the back. I found a cool video that shows LS1 rotors/calipers going on in the front with the help of BRP Hot Rod's hub kit.

Here are the links:

98 02 Rotors

BRP Hot Rod hub kit

And then I'd find 98 02 calipers off eBay or something.

My question is this:
Would the parts above work with what I have in the front now? My thinking is yes but I'm not sure if the caliper hose would connect to the lines on my T/A. The Bird is in storage so I can't get out to look very quickly. Did they change over the years? Thoughts?

[Darren]

I strongly STRONGLY recommend the LS1 swap on the front and rear of your car... I did the LS1 brake upgrade this past year on my car and it made the world of a difference. You will need to modify your spindles or buy some you will need different brake hose I found the 1LE stock hose works fine but there are others like the Earl lines... www.bigbrakeupgrade.com is a great resource and local to me. You will need hubs machined and you will need rotors, calipers, brackets from a LS1 car. I just so happen to have a few sets of front LS1 Calipers with brackets and some good rotors if interested.... You can modify your spindles yourself if you want the step by step directions I can get them for you, but it is almost easier to buy the spindles and hubs from that guy and sell him your stock spindles and rotors. (You machine down a stock rotor to make the hub).


image.jpg

do it you will love it.

[Lortay5408]

Roger. I was all over that BigBrake website last night. I didn't know he was around these parts .
I think I found all of the correct parts using the site above. That one machines the hubs to be flush with the rear of the rotors like you said. I'm not ready to tackle the rears yet, looks like a lot more work involved for now.

Thanks Darren!

[Darren]

Roger. I was all over that BigBrake website last night. I didn't know he was around these parts .
I think I found all of the correct parts using the site above. That one machines the hubs to be flush with the rear of the rotors like you said. I'm not ready to tackle the rears yet, looks like a lot more work involved for now.

Thanks Darren!

If you need any help, advice or parts let me know. Rears was a lot of work, I took the easy way out and installed a LS rear but I think that will be coming out for a thirdgen disc rear.

[Lortay5408]

Yeah, I'm clueless as to getting an axle off the car. With some space I could do it but that is hard to come by for now.

For the fronts, would this kit be a simple slap on? It has the modified spindles but would anything on the car have to be changed to fit the new spindles? Or is the modification simply on the spindle itself?

Edit: I would add the hoses like you said.

And they powder coat!!

[Darren]

Yeah, I'm clueless as to getting an axle off the car. With some space I could do it but that is hard to come by for now.

For the fronts, would this kit be a simple slap on? It has the modified spindles but would anything on the car have to be changed to fit the new spindles? Or is the modification simply on the spindle itself?

Edit: I would add the hoses like you said.

And they powder coat!!

Yes that kit would work great but to be honest you can piece it all together much much cheaper if you wanted too... I personally would buy the Spindles or have him modify yours, the conversion brackets and the hubs and maybe the lines from him and get the rest on your own. I have some calipers and rotors I would sell, bare or powdered and rebuilt, but if your looking for a one stop bolt on kit that would be it.