DREAMIN TA 2

[Panteracer]

Was going to do something simple like change the exhaust
on the 79 Ta... Problem is most of the exhaust bolts were rusted
and broke a few... Only way to drill them out is pull the engine
You know how that goes

Going with a small block stroker 400 cubic inches
Keeping the Th350.. adding ridetech subframe connectors
and a roll bar to stiffen up the T-top car... already has
Speedtech coil overs etc... also changing the front bumper
to a 1978

The project begins

Bob

[WSSix]

Just couldn't stay away could you, Bob?

I loved my 383 Gen 2 LT1. Such a fun motor.

Good luck with the build.

[Panteracer]

Worked on getting the Old 79 front end off as I bought
a 78 to replace it... did a test fit.... now to get all
the hardware off it so I can get it painted
Subframe connectors show up later this week

Bob

[Panteracer]

Firebird
Ordered Ridetech subframe connectors and headers

Pantera
Has new Rubber a lot bigger than before 285 fronts and 335 backs
Also have new Viking Beserker Shocks custom made for the car
Time to start Autocrossing it again

[WSSix]

What's the story on the white TA, Bob?

Those are meaty tires.

[Dodge383fi]

Please excuse my ignorance, but since the Potenza’s handle differently than the Rival’s, would that make it harder to dial in the overall handling of the car? Or would it be just like adjusting for different sizes (not necessarily the sizes you have).
Thanks, Ed

[Panteracer]

The white Ta is my future Son in laws.... he has been learning
how to work on cars.... hoses, belts, brakes etc as his other cars
are too new to even do anything...Gt3 and Zl-1 Camaro

Rivals vs RE-71's... only thing I could get in my size
with a 200 rating were the Rivals out back... if I could get the
Bridgestones in my size they would be all the way around
I had the exact same Rubber and sizes on the firebird I sold
and it actually worked very well
Pantera originally had a lot of push stock... my car has been
modified a lot so hopefully I can dial things in with the new
Viking Beserker shocks.... I have Pzero Slicks for the car
and thinking of getting Hoosiers as I now have three sets
of wheels.... lots of dialing in with all those options
The main thing is these tires are a lot bigger than what I had before

Bob

[Panteracer]

I took the front nose to a local painter and in three
days picked it back up.. I have had the new grilles for
a while.... now to get the rest of the engine bay cleaned up

Bob

[Panteracer]

So I went to the dark side and bought a corvette

69 Stingray, T-tops, Sidepipe headers, Flairs, Kirkey racing seats
(I can actually fit in it) 421 small block with 500 miles, new alum
radiator, new gas tank, Nitto tires on 12" rims 275/325 rubber,coilovers in
front... Pretty much set up.... will lower it slightly and install the
Camber brace (not sure why it does not have one)... paint is
fresh so I get to rock chip it up

Will use for Autocrossing and cruising

Bob

[camcojb]

Very nice! :)

[syborg tt]

Nice choice on the Vette, I've always loved that body style.


So I went to the dark side and bought a corvette

69 Stingray, T-tops, Sidepipe headers, Flairs, Kirkey racing seats
(I can actually fit in it) 421 small block with 500 miles, new alum
radiator, new gas tank, Nitto tires on 12" rims 275/325 rubber,coilovers in
front... Pretty much set up.... will lower it slightly and install the
Camber brace (not sure why it does not have one)... paint is
fresh so I get to rock chip it up

Will use for Autocrossing and cruising

Bob

[Panteracer]

Changed the wheels/tires on the Vette
All were drag radials and the rears were hitting the flair
Reworked the sway bar and lowered it as far as I could
Need shorter springs on the front coilovers
Elect motors for the Lights next

Total distraction from the Firebird

Bob

[syborg tt]

Changed the wheels/tires on the Vette
All were drag radials and the rears were hitting the flair
Reworked the sway bar and lowered it as far as I could
Need shorter springs on the front coilovers
Elect motors for the Lights next

Total distraction from the Firebird

Bob

Love those wheels !!!!

[Panteracer]

Love those wheels !!!!


Yes I have always liked the 200s/daisy wheels
Picked them up at good guys for $600 for the set

Bob

[Panteracer]

So I think I broke a valve spring
Decided to pull the engine... bigger heads
bigger solid roller cam, more compression, new manifold
carb,bigger bore new Steffs oil pan and SS 180 Headers
Kick things up a little bit

The journey begins

Bob

[carbuff]

D'oh! Sorry to hear about the problems, but look forward to hearing about the new combination! Still love this car... :)

[Panteracer]

I have always wanted a Cp car... bought my camaro
shell a couple of years back but never pulled the trigger
with on the suspension, brakes etc

Saw this car on facebook a while back and tried to look
at it but he stopped responding... Saw him at an autocross
and looked at it last friday and it followed me home

7x National champion car.. regional champ many times
Maier put a new front clip with Jri shocks and then it has
sat for 3 years... has a Lotus 3 link with coil overs...
sort of a torque arm but the lower arms go to the sides
in a triangle... kinda old school.... Love the flares
Have a new race weight glass front end but will probably
make it a firebird as that is my thing... really really light
glass gutted doors and rear deck... glass windshield and
rear window.. probably going to lexan

Car needs some cleaning up but a light weight car that sits
1 1/2" off the ground is what I wanted

Too many projects but really loving this thing

Bob

[syborg tt]

Wait, You only shared two pictures.

I surely hope you took more as I would love to see the suspension and and...


I have always wanted a Cp car... bought my camaro
shell a couple of years back but never pulled the trigger
with on the suspension, brakes etc

Saw this car on facebook a while back and tried to look
at it but he stopped responding... Saw him at an autocross
and looked at it last friday and it followed me home

7x National champion car.. regional champ many times
Maier put a new front clip with Jri shocks and then it has
sat for 3 years... has a Lotus 3 link with coil overs...
sort of a torque arm but the lower arms go to the sides
in a triangle... kinda old school.... Love the flares
Have a new race weight glass front end but will probably
make it a firebird as that is my thing... really really light
glass gutted doors and rear deck... glass windshield and
rear window.. probably going to lexan

Car needs some cleaning up but a light weight car that sits
1 1/2" off the ground is what I wanted

Too many projects but really loving this thing

Bob

[carbuff]

Wait, You only shared two pictures.

I surely hope you took more as I would love to see the suspension and and...

I thought the same thing! You can't describe all of that suspension work and not show us pictures. ;)

Congrats on the new project!

[Panteracer]

Need to clean things up a little... rear suspension is pretty cool
Again front has a bunch of surface rust so working on that
also.... Not sure how these guys can leave things rusting away
on the side yard... underside is mostly grime etc
We will fix it

Bob

[Panteracer]

I just started a little cleanup on the front end
Will hopefully take it outside and hit things with a
wire wheel this weekend

Again a Maier built front end

He braced the front of the frame with an insert
He installed a piece inside the cross member to receive the lower a arm
He installed a triangle to receive the rear lower a arm
Adjustable sway bar with bearings
upper a arm assembly all new with button type adjustments like my race car

Hopefully will get the triangular rear suspension cleaned for pics

Bob

[carbuff]

Thanx for sharing. Does Maier make that upright? And what hub is used? Interesting setup...

[Panteracer]

Not sure about the upright.. going to pick up the glass
front end, some wheels and a trans from the guy I
bought the car from tomorrow

Hub is Howe

Bob

[Panteracer]

Found out Maier made the front hub... one of two- Hobaughs car has the other

A few shots of the rear triangular rear end
Lotus 3 link or Chapman link... like a torque
arm but lower arms go to the frame forward
similar to a torque arm but in a triangle... may
convert to a torque arm later...
Shocks a lot longer like Nascar stuff
Will clean and paint things up little by little

Bob

[Panteracer]

I have been cleaning things up and removed
two of the four door bars. This is only going to be
an autocross car so at 6-2" I want easier access
into the car... Ordering my new Kirkey 65 series
seat and will work on seating fitment along with
rear firewall fab and some bracing at the
rear shocks, etc... Need to look at pedal locations etc
as I may install aftermarket style with new masters

Bob

[syborg tt]

Don’t forget about us.

We like pictures


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Panteracer]

New quick release and steering wheel
Now to figure out the seating position

[Panteracer]

Set the front end and hood on to see
how things will look if I keep it a Camaro vs
a Firebird.... not bad

Bob

[Panteracer]

Finished anchoring the seat and reworking the
Cage side bars to let me get in and out easier

Bob

[Panteracer]

Bought a 13/1 355 race engine for the Camaro
Test fit things yesterday with trans etc....
Need to cut the firewall to clear the crossover header
Wanted to clean up this mess anyways....
Pedals were cut off and raised and will not work for a big
guy like me.... Will work that into the firewall rework

Bob

[Panteracer]

Been working away on the pedal mounts
and firewall rework... Trying to cover up
the ugly and get a nice pedal feel
Wilwoods overhead with remote reservoirs
to clean up the firewall.. moved the steering
column over and back since the seat is moved back

Next is starting to put metal around the header etc

Bob

[Panteracer]

Pantera engine is being redone as I broke
a piston... changing to Afr heads, bigger solid roller, shafts
and new SS Headers my buddy back east has made
I have about a month left working on the Camaro
before I need to stop and get the Pantera running again

Bob

[Panteracer]

Buddy and I were wire wheeling the world this past weekend
most of the crud is gone.... welded in some additional bracing
including a bar between the high rear shock mounts
Hopefully throw some paint on it next weekend
Another buddy also picked up the 4 speed for a complete rebuild

Bob

[Panteracer]

Parts are starting to come in for the CP Camaro
New radiator, CVF elect water pump, alt, Ps with
serpentine belts... a bunch more from Summit later today

Bob

[camcojb]

I love it when parts are rolling in. :thumbsup:

[Panteracer]

Looks like I will have to take a break
from the Cp Camaro.... Pantera engine
is going on the run stand next week....
SS headers shipping the next week

406 Dart block, AFR heads, scat crank,
LA Billet rods, Race tech pistons, Billet
solid roller, shaft rockers and a Stef's pan

Cam is a little aggressive but you only live once

Bob

[MSTSFabbed]

First time I’ve ever heard YOLO applied to a cam a choice! I was cracking up! It’s all looking great Bob!

[Panteracer]

Been working on getting the Pantera going
and when talking to my engine builder he told
me about a 467 Pontiac engine he just built
Butler insides, edelbrock heads, etc etc
Killer deal but sniper and front pulley system
are going... not my thing.. up for sale at 1/2 the
price of new
It made 434hp at the wheels and the guy
wants more power... building him a big block chevy
Perfect for my WS7 1979 Ta.. don't want to break
the auto and 10 bolt for my cruiser.... another project

Bob

[Panteracer]

Finally got the 180 headers installed
on the new engine.... three sets of gaskets
later to get one that fits the multiple Afr holes
and the wider bolt pattern used on the headers
All worth it... hopefully fire early next week

GT-1 car going to Sears on Sunday to learn
the track

Bob

[camcojb]

Looks great Bob!!

[syborg tt]

Wow, does that look incredible.

Finally got the 180 headers installed
on the new engine.... three sets of gaskets
later to get one that fits the multiple Afr holes
and the wider bolt pattern used on the headers
All worth it... hopefully fire early next week

GT-1 car going to Sears on Sunday to learn
the track

Bob

[Panteracer]

Took the Gt-1 to the Sears to learn the place as I have
not been there in 15 years after they threw me out for sound
Car was missing so changed to the alt ignition.. better but still
a slight miss. I was the slowest in the first session, better in
the second and 3rd fastest in the last session I ran.. Good day
for learning the track and shaking out the Gt-1 car
Pantera will be there the end of August for the Shelby Nationals
no sound day... yes no sound so straight pipes.. sounds like a
Can Am car

Bob

[Panteracer]

Still working on the Pantera
New motor is great... shaking it down
before the Shelby Nationals at Sears in
a couple of weeks... Tweaked the wing supports
and Ends a little
Can't wait to run the PZeros and Straight exhaust

Bob

[Panteracer]

Just did the Sears Point SAAC 50 event
Great cars including very rare cars.. some even
running on the track... had a real Lemans Ford gt behind
me running.... very cool....
First time out with my new engine, new shocks, Pzero slicks
and new down bars on the car.. Car ran great... many many
fast guys out there.... no issues and an open header day also

My Pantera buddy shot a lot of cool pictures... this is my
favorite of my car

Bob

[Panteracer]

Finally pulled my 79 TA down off the rack
and took it outside and painted the underside
and the engine bay

Pontiac 467 going in it in the next week or so
Waiting on Engine mounts.. maybe today

Bob

[Panteracer]

Did a test fit for the motor mounts since
my car was a 403 olds and now have aftermarket
mounts.. found these pics so think I am good now

Bob

[Panteracer]

Been slowly working on the engine install
Hopefully taking the car to Sanderson tomorrow
to make a left hand header for the Round port Pontiac
heads....no one makes one that does not drag on the ground

Attached is my adapted power steering pump and alternator
brackets from some things I had laying around... not
a big fan of Pontiac brackets and want things down low

Bob

[Tinker]

Been slowly working on the engine install
Hopefully taking the car to Sanderson tomorrow
to make a left hand header for the Round port Pontiac
heads....no one makes one that does not drag on the ground


Bob

Bob, my Hooker super comps don’t drag…
After one good bump and a flat spotted primary tube. ��

[Panteracer]

Sanderson headers put me off a month so I
bought a set of OEM Ram Air 1V round port
manifolds Was lucky to find a set as the aftermarket
guys Ram Air Specialties had their dad passing and they are still
trying to figure things out

These manifolds will work nicely with my pipes system
I bought for the car

Bob

[Tinker]

Let us know how you like them Bob.
I still have thoughts of manifolds on mine for packaging purposes.
I did a set of edelbrock heads for a guys GTO and it pulled 520hp on the dyno with manifolds. Dyno operator was mildly impressed.

[Panteracer]

My engine dynoed 440 at the wheels of the car
of the previous owner... not too crazy of a cam but
round ports, hydraulic roller, shafts, single plane
Not enough for him so at maybe 500 miles he decided
to sell it and get a big block chevy...
Perfect for my auto trans, 10 bolt car cruiser.... I have
enough high hp cars so this will be fine for me without
breaking things


Bob

[camcojb]

My engine dynoed 440 at the wheels of the car
of the previous owner... not too crazy of a cam but
round ports, hydraulic roller, shafts, single plane
Not enough for him so at maybe 500 miles he decided
to sell it and get a big block chevy...
Perfect for my auto trans, 10 bolt car cruiser.... I have
enough high hp cars so this will be fine for me without
breaking things


Bob

I drove Camaro X on Power Tour with basically a stock LS7 and headers/tune. So about the same power level as you have. It was a ball, plenty of power. Surprised me as I tend to like a LOT of power lol. That's a great street engine you have Bob.

[Panteracer]

Going to put cats on a pypes exhaust system and
maybe my wife will ride in one of my cars.. I bought
her a 78 Ta after we first got married... she may even
drive it... funny as she dated a few guys with stick shift
Vettes but won't even go in my 69 sidepipe headered vette

Go figure

Bob

[OLDFLM]

I have Hedman 28150 ceramic headers on my car... had them on there for 15 years now and have never had any issues with them hitting speed bumps or anything like that FWIW.

[Panteracer]

Ty,
My engine has round port edlebrocks....the center
ports are separate from each other and spaced farther
apart... Factory Round port manifolds coming any day now

Bo

[WSSix]

I drove Camaro X on Power Tour with basically a stock LS7 and headers/tune. So about the same power level as you have. It was a ball, plenty of power. Surprised me as I tend to like a LOT of power lol. That's a great street engine you have Bob.

I have had more fun with 3-400 whp cars than I have with anything more. Obviously, everyone is different in their desires or skill levels. For me, I'd rather have a good, manageable power curve and car than something wild.

Sounds like a great engine, Bob. Should work very well for you.

[Panteracer]

Finally finished the front Alt and Ps brackets and
mocked up the Pypes 2 1/2" exhaust system that
fit nicely to the Ram Air Manifolds

Wiring and fuel system next

Bob