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graywolf624 · 08-05-2008, 06:24 PM

After about 2 years it was time to finally make some changes to the Trans Am, well beyond the GMMG exhaust that makes it sound like a late 60s muscle car, the air intake, and smaller diameter driveshaft I put on their last year. Anyway, the cars suspension received a total overhaul due to an unfortunate incident. So first the changes:
Aftermarket upper control arms, new bushings, aftermarket pan hard rod, special springs tuned for the shocks, and koni yellow adjustable shocks. And I almost forgot the biggest change: Camaro SS 17" wheels with new 275x40R17Z rated tires. The tires particularly are special, essentially the best dot tire you can buy since I have snow tires so Im not all that worried about wear. So the pictures...
http://is-mad.com/upload/userfiles/g...m/IMG_0023.jpg
http://is-mad.com/upload/userfiles/g...4/IMG_0024.jpg
http://is-mad.com/upload/userfiles/g...4/IMG_0025.jpg
http://is-mad.com/upload/userfiles/g...4/IMG_0026.jpg

The car is now roughly the same height off the ground as the Vette, approximately 1.3 inches lower to the ground. The last picture highlights this best. I had it parked next to a 911 a few weeks ago and it made the 911 look tall.

So what is the outcome. Acceleration feels more refined, no more brake dive or rear squat under acceleration. Handling is like a whole other car. The Trans Am now handles better then any car I've ever test driven (see archives) on smooth roads. I can barely kick the traction control on... Except.. when the road is bumpy. The inherent flaw with the beam axle means the car can never handle well over excessively bumpy roads, though with my better shock rebound settings it feels nicer over bumps then before (nicer relative, hard hit and then settles quickly).

There are 3 negatives to the new change. A) My poor wallet is now emptier to a tune of a number so high we won't go there. B) This is a daily driver which makes me wander am I nuts. C) The brakes are now the weakest link by far. In a recent drive with the ferrari club If I hung way back I could take the same turns as everyone else without braking and be right up their ass waiting for them to get back on the gas. However, if I followed closer and attempted to brake with them I quickly got pad deposits, vibrating wheel from the pads, and a noticable period of time for my stops. Obviously next up are some better non 9 year old pads, but I also think some rotors may be in order.. Then again.. we go back to B and realize I have a new Vette in the garage.. Stay tuned.

08-05-2008, 06:24 PM	#13
graywolf624 Regular User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Hellaware USA Posts: 3,865	The Trans Am Project finally gets underway After about 2 years it was time to finally make some changes to the Trans Am, well beyond the GMMG exhaust that makes it sound like a late 60s muscle car, the air intake, and smaller diameter driveshaft I put on their last year. Anyway, the cars suspension received a total overhaul due to an unfortunate incident. So first the changes: Aftermarket upper control arms, new bushings, aftermarket pan hard rod, special springs tuned for the shocks, and koni yellow adjustable shocks. And I almost forgot the biggest change: Camaro SS 17" wheels with new 275x40R17Z rated tires. The tires particularly are special, essentially the best dot tire you can buy since I have snow tires so Im not all that worried about wear. So the pictures... http://is-mad.com/upload/userfiles/g...m/IMG_0023.jpg http://is-mad.com/upload/userfiles/g...4/IMG_0024.jpg http://is-mad.com/upload/userfiles/g...4/IMG_0025.jpg http://is-mad.com/upload/userfiles/g...4/IMG_0026.jpg The car is now roughly the same height off the ground as the Vette, approximately 1.3 inches lower to the ground. The last picture highlights this best. I had it parked next to a 911 a few weeks ago and it made the 911 look tall. So what is the outcome. Acceleration feels more refined, no more brake dive or rear squat under acceleration. Handling is like a whole other car. The Trans Am now handles better then any car I've ever test driven (see archives) on smooth roads. I can barely kick the traction control on... Except.. when the road is bumpy. The inherent flaw with the beam axle means the car can never handle well over excessively bumpy roads, though with my better shock rebound settings it feels nicer over bumps then before (nicer relative, hard hit and then settles quickly). There are 3 negatives to the new change. A) My poor wallet is now emptier to a tune of a number so high we won't go there. B) This is a daily driver which makes me wander am I nuts. C) The brakes are now the weakest link by far. In a recent drive with the ferrari club If I hung way back I could take the same turns as everyone else without braking and be right up their ass waiting for them to get back on the gas. However, if I followed closer and attempted to brake with them I quickly got pad deposits, vibrating wheel from the pads, and a noticable period of time for my stops. Obviously next up are some better non 9 year old pads, but I also think some rotors may be in order.. Then again.. we go back to B and realize I have a new Vette in the garage.. Stay tuned. __________________ Common Sense- so rare it's a super power.