Is a Tubular Cross Member Really Worth It? | Trans Am LTX Swap Ep. 2

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[Vaino_Hotti]

Just a nice round THOUSAND HORSEPOWER, nothing too wild

[carltonfortune]

Total Budget Built. I have a lq4 bolted right up to my 700r4 carbureted. MSD LS series. No oe cpu at all.

[jeromeirving]

If you have a little give in your budget. I recommend doing the DSE quadralink set up and it removes the torque arm. And allows better rear end geometry

[mic]

Hey! Love your videos! I bought a 1987 Camaro LT T-top 2.8 a year ago. I just bought a 5.3. My plan is to follow your videos for a reference. I want to do the job as much as possible myself before I see a mechanic.

[Brooklyn-bngo]

Matt, I'm glad you are going to use a 4L70E, I will be using a 65 behind a 500hp NA 6.0 many people advise against it. However, the right parts and a properly built 4L60, 65, and 70E will live in a light car and reasonable HP.

[marcbrazzers]

Hey Matt, those front k-member triangle braces are super important for the steering box mounting point (where it bolts to the frame) to not crack or warp under steering (even moderately racey steering can cause them to crack due to the larger 16x8 wheels on the IROCs and TRANS AMs in the later years.. GM did this btw as a bandaid fix, along with the "wonder bar" brace). You might want to fab up some sort of bracing or find a way to weld on two tabs to the k-member to be able to re-bolt them up. This isn't a plug at all for UMI but back in the day when they were developing theirs, on TGO I had suggested to them to find a way to get their k-member model to have a provision for this, and they did. Maybe you could check out their design for some ideas on how to mount up yours. Good luck!

[rockroll]

4L70e will be fine. Get someone to rebuild it properly and make sure they vacuum test the valve body. Replacethe 3-4 capsule in the case. Use a sonnax boost valve with an O-ring inside the pump. Be sure to go with a beast sunshell. Be sure to fix the TCC pwm valve in the valve body by reaming it and installing a sonnax valve or Fitz-all TCC valve. Be sure to put in a 8 stack friction 3-4 or go with something like Raybestos GPZ. Get a Sonnax performance shift kit. Input and output shafts can handle plenty of power as long as it's in a car and not a heavy truck. Be sure to properly space the converter on the pump/flex plate and use shims if needed.

[JA]

FYI I’m using a HawksMotorSport 4l60 conversion cross member that fits perfectly for the 6L80 plan to add a mount to the same cross member for the torque arm relocation it should work perfectly with the space available

[fuelairspark]

Man, the cinematic shots are gonna have to be something I implement. I agree, it is a very slippery slope once you decide to do the K-member. It's also a bitch to do it by yourself. I have the Spohn K-member and BMR Control Arms and I'd stay away from Spohn at this point due to engine mount issues. I'm located closeby in Jersey and I'd love to help out at a track day, or even help film. Thanks for being an inspiration and posting the content that you do.

[JA]

Minus the AC Compressor and vacuum pump there is no need for extra room to do a GenV swap at all

[compa_choo]

We had the same problem with my brothers 3rd gen. Then a mounting point was cross threaded, it was a long day full of frustration and hackery

[stvmassacre]

Love the 80's theme music along the video.

[ApStryker]

I can say these videos and the camaro videos are extremely helpful. I have an 87' IROC w/ the 5.0 and for sometime now I've been wanting to swap it. Especially since it's having head gasket issues now. I thinking of going w/ a 5.3 to get my feet wet w/ a car that actually has some power. Thank you for teaching me so much!

[TripleSix]

Were those stock springs you removed or lowering springs? My Firebird had no motor in it when I removed my springs this way and she lifted right off of the blocks. Luckily didn’t lose her!

[rdpeach]

I miss pontiac, trying to get a 97 SSEI on the road, finally got the floors and rockers done on the Rustyville, uploaded some vids if anyone likes the Bonneville!
Always loved the 80s trans ams, buddy of mine had an 87 just like the one in the vid back in the day, he was king shit with that thing

[GoGoGarage]

Nice, I'm looking into the 4L80E any bigger I would have to modify my transmission tunnel.

[gordj]

Sorry if this has come up and I missed it, I'm curious about the trans gear swap that narrows the 1-2 shift ratio. Ive read mixed review on its value.
I've really grown to appreciate your site. Thanks for sharing.

[davebarron]

When I stripped my 1 ton van for my swap of its 6.0 and 4L80E I found the 80E was huge and crazy heavy. Looking forward to this build, especially what space improvements you get with new K member.

[tomgray]

Great year. I also love the 82 to 86 cause of Knight Rider :)

[Sutliff]

Love the videos man keep it the great work makes me want to get my 86 trans am running