Hey guys its been a long time waiting but and glad to be here again and am looking forward to reconnecting with everyone. Although I have visited the site over the last two years and keep in touch with few, i am glad to back from my MIA.


Recently got a 87 Trans Am GTA
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/fire...d-gta-5-a.html
and have to say Stephen was great! Very honest and informative as well as willing to help me out with the long distance buy.

...and so it begins

 

So my intentions and why i am posting in the fabrication forum.
I recently completed a 03 Lancer OZ that I made Hood,Front Bumper, Fenders Side Skirts, Rear Bumper and Headlights for...(sold for TA $)





So in short I intend to do the Trans Am one up, although i do believe this will take a year + compared to the Lancers 6months.
I have always wanted to do 2 things to a 3rd Gen and just never had a chance,time or money to dare such a thing let alone skills...i maybe still short on the money and skill levels but have decided it will (must be the first thing i do)

Wide Body!

The 87's body is a lil battered and i am ok with that considering I now have no guilt cutting it up to do this. I am simply looking to have fun over the winter and do something crazy, so feel free to chim in...

What is the one thing you always wanted to do or see, just never had the chance?

I still need a name for the project but,

Body Mod's will be:
Wide Body
Tagara Top
Custom Hood (FB, dont know what yet)
Custom Front Bumper
FB Fenders
FB Doors
Custom Rear Bumper
Spoiler (not sure yet either)
All shaved

This should see its first cut come Dec as i am still tied up with work.

Anyway i am sure once i get started this will be def a different TA then most.

i like to hear thoughts on a front tilt, like the c3 vets, haft the nose and fenders and just lift the tops. i know this would require tubing the front to get rid of the inner fenders, but has anyone seen it done?

 

Here ya go...



http://www.cecoatings.com/images/oth...0Front%20Clip/

 

Yes sir!! That is it.
I would love to see more, i didnt really think i could get that far of a tilt fwd with the height of the 3gen noses, but that is not bad at all

 

That pic has been floating around for some time, haven't seen it in a while.

 

Pic is def a big insight into the actual degree that this will need to follow in order to function correctly, or at least a starting place.

The only challenge I for see to doing this is the upper suspension mounting. i would want it as simple and clean as it can be done. Would love to see a pic of that.

Of course at the moment, thick flat stock is the first thought, But I have been thinking and searching around for example...

i almost want it to look machined, so maybe some creative look bracketing (just have to function more then appeal

 

Would be easy to finish off the inaide with sheetmetal , etc..
There are more pic's on my site. If you clicked the link.

 

My question to the builder of that car would be did he have to cut it up that much or did they just want to. Seems like you could have kept more of the orginal stock front end parts, but I'm no expert. Either way it looks cool and I've never seen another one like it.

 

thanks again for the information, I am def doing this, will be one of the first mods I do.
After seeing it in the second view, i dont think that the cage look, looks that bad and think the sheet metal would be a great approach to it. I am gonna have to look at the site, like to see how and where everything was relocated.

def an advantage learning in advance from this. Thanks again

 

Well I finally gotten a min to start the 87GTA project and considering the small amount of free time i will have from now til Feb I figure I start with the hood.

This is the GTA: Before


And not to over picture post, I figure I jump to the mock up (although I did take pictures the whole way threw and will continue to)


Progress pic of Hood Stage 1: Double Staggered Tier Cowl. In short I removed the factory bracing and cut the hood removing about 2 1/2" from body line inward. Fiberglassed the actual staggers and then from that, molded the staggers to be molded into the hood. This was done so that I can core the staggers (extra straigth).

What you guys think so far



Over the next day or so, i will fab up a new brace that will allow the sides to be supported (mainly from hing to hing area) with out being seen. Then I will cut the window in / fab bracing for window and the galss that in.

This is to be a prototype hood at the moment, if i really like it, then I will use this hood as a plug to mold a full fiberglass hood, maybe with an overlay of carbon...butI will cross that bridge when i get there.

In the mean time, I will smooth out the hood (yes progress pic lil ruff, not yet fully sanded) and paint it.


This is a Concept Drawing i did of what i want the GTA to look like ( but have been drawing a couple different ideal so well see which gets produced...


I really am just excited and lil ancy to cut the fenders and finally go widebody as this is something i have always wanted since i was a kid, yet never actually doing...

all feedback is welcome, thanks

 

Interested in watching this

 

Yeah, should be interesting to say the least.
My stronger suite would be the body and interior vers mechanics, so i am going to start there. plus its alittle on the budget favor right now. Untill more work come in (hopefully feb,extra work) i dont have much to invest just yet.
But will clean up things and work on stuff as i go. Like the engine bay, alot of wiring chip-chop to clean threw and car still needs a good once over (and tune up) to get to par, or close enough to see what really needs to be done.
Suspension needs alittle love to but for most part not to bad.

Body is def the worst considering its mileage and i just so happen to live in the land of now TA's, so junk yards and craigslist arnt much help...lol...i am sure i will be ordering the things i can find or make sorta speak.

next thing i got to start really thinking on, is front bumper design and rear bumper design (still dont want to take the 3rd-ness out of it) and color...
right now, white grey and black

 

subscribed

 

*

 

the drawing looks good ,just keep in mind sometimes less is more. I find that sketch very busy. The side pipe will be fun... these car do not have the clearance for em. These cars also flex alot so have fun adding bracing when you take out the tops for the targa. for the front bumper i would take out the fogs and just add in some tubes for the brakes . But it is your car . do what you like.... but its somthing to think about and good luck!

 

Thanks guys,
I wouldnt ask if I didnt want thoughts.
The drawning (is still just a drawing) I woldnt really put 22" rims on TA either but I agree, less can br more.
Im pretty determined to get the side exhaust on, seen a few good ideas hete on TGO, but radrods killed it by intergrating it into the side rails (not thay good) but I have thought to cut out the rear flooring dips, straighten n attempt mufflers in there.

Tonight ill cut out the window on hood, brace that n final glassing the under side finish sanding out too and see how it looks.

Tatarg, will need a strong hoop, thill thinking on that...i want to really beef up the undercarage to help with that as well.
But baby steps...

 

So I completed the underbracing and I was very happy to see the stiffness come right back and with the 1/8th flat stock used its not much to cover and smooth out.

But time has come to cut window and fenders...like now, because I have more work coming in next week then I really could of forseen (bitter sweet in this case)

so I will focus on cutting window tonight and I will use a .220 plexi as my test goat ($20). I will need to figure out a way to frame this window into the hood and be somewhat removable (not with ease)...hummmmm

Then Ill do the fenders and rivet together a mock up, prepairing to weld together This weekend.

At this point the upper fender will stay metal (trying to keep as much as I can) but the lower will have to be glass, so coming up with a slick way to mock up, cast and mold....hummmm

my brain is going wild, but if i can atleast get that far...ill be ok watching it sit in the corner for a couple weeks while i work on others projects.

wish me luck and will post pics tomorrow

 

Subscribed...Just want to see where this goes!

 

Good news is...window cut, "grinder master", plexi test dummy is set it...but outta time, so I will head in.
Def found one unforseen issue...the hood has slight slop...more then expected, plexi is flat...so I will try to take cut section as templet to curve plexi so it sits as I want it...
Really glas I tried this with plexi first...lenax is too pricey for an oopse...lol...pic tomorrow

 

subscribed

 

I'm watching this!

 

Well I am now officially hitting 18hrs on this hood and its now gonna fight me...My lil plexi dummy which is .220 thick doesn't fit in the oven nor does it like the heat gun...
so I will have to slightly modify this approach from what i originally wanted.

nothing drastic or that a little carbon fiber can help, but still...im one of then type, i want it that way...

actually glad i tried this with the plexi first. For $20 R&D it has been very usefull.
in meantime i am waiting for the next to last layer to dry before i can finish setting this in and then will try to get some pics...of course (i tried 3xs today) the phone hasnt allowed me to post any up, so ill have to wait to i get to the computer.

 

Well aint no one up for me to tell, so i am telling you guys...

HAHA I got that MF...

First try, wouldnt bend...but a second try I got the east to west bend and the third try got the north to south...perfect...so tomorrow (now that I am all awake over this) i will attempt to set this in the hood...but i am happy for now, i got it!

PITA

 

can't wait to see how it turned out

 

I have always had an Idea for side exhaust. from underneath cut out a round hole under the rear seat arm rests and put a 90 degree bend in the pipe to curve out right by or just above the gfx. I hope i am discribing that correctly. you would have to heat insulate it but an idea .

 

subscribbed. This could get interesting.

 

I think we are on the same page.

At moment i dont plan to lower the car due to the exhaust, but ...
Side Exhaust, I am thinking of cutting out the rear seat humps from the floor and boxing it in (flat floor in the place of the hump).

Use mustang mufflers (aftermarket, box still, small and with side outlet)

Mount muffler in the are the rear floor humps "were", Side exhaust there.

When I finally get to the side skirts, I will mold an outlet out for the pipes (exhaust Tips) ill keep simple (circle with angle cut) until i can make exhaust tips to match the outlet of the side skirts....

Phew...if i explained that right...Hopefully this will get the exhaust up and tucked up well enough to bring down the car a bit...maybe 2".

I intend on extending the front/rear bumpers down, so the car will have a lower then it is look or a body drop effect.
Did this with the lancer for example

 

Ok todays update...no compute, still phone wont load pictures, wonder if i logged in on face book if it ll do it...cause i am gonna put a progress pic on facebook tonight (sneak peak) as well, but ill save the good stuff for you guys...

Hood: Plexi is now fixed into the hood...that issue of of curving and slopping, man i am glad i fought that out. the sudden shape really made the dif in person. Flows really nice and i am really close with the counter sink. Meaning to rub your hand from hood to plexi...is like construction paper think...so i will mask off glass and finish the body, care full to kill that hair line.

All n all, for first attempt. i am happy and feel as if a second i could do faster and better. Not bad for prototype at all.

WideBody: Has 3hours to play today so i (after thinking of a million ways to do this) desided since the front fenders should be replaced anyway Ill start with the Fender Flares (while i search for better fenders to pull and extend)
In short, my approach will be alittle more traditional since it will allow me to change (tweak, depending on fender direction) later.
Kinda my smart choice, approach.

Mold the fender flares off the exciting fenders. Pull the molds off, Finish the molds to plugs. Cut away the area of fender that will no longer be needed.
A: attach my fender flare molds and mold into fenders,
B: use fender flare molds as a plug for a whole fender/quarter casting (mold fender + plug to create the actual installed Fiberglass fender to be installed)

"A" is more in the event i am unable to get better fenders and instead repair these ones, "B" is what I rather do, but would take much more time. And like i said, Feb- June is gonna be really busy.

So if i can get hood in primer and the fenders at least in primer by Feb I be super happy.


The fender Flares I am working on today, came out really good as well. They are in sense the Upper Flares really, Right now they cast (travel) into the factory ground effect as I will be modifying those later on adding on a lower section to transittion in the the upper.

if ya guys follow that....ummmm... Ok, Side skirts are one piece and fender is a second but i want the front bumper and lip to travel into the fender flare, over fender flare down in to the side skirts...

Its like a wedding cake really, looks like one cake but is actually multiple cakes..LOL

Anyway i am done boring ya guys. If you cant stand the wait and wanna see the sneak peak check em out on facebook, Rj Heredia

Question to the masses, if i load the pics on thirdgen how do i post in thread?

 

up load them to a host site first. for example "PICASA" . from there you can post the online location of the picture into your thread.

 

Well at a stop for the day...got a third layer on and popped off the molds.
I will now do a layer to on the inside,trim n cut the orignal fenders to talke the flares, just not sure how much to remove just yet. Maybe 1/2 lower from stock flare, to insure some meat grab. Kinda wish I had the rims already but ill leave room to trim if needed (tire scope).

plus finish hood (sand away, hurray)

 

Well better late then ever.
Here is the update.
This is the custom hood (no i have not really sanded anything down, progress pics)

 

This is the FenderFlares I started,
Front is a 2 1/2" and Rears are 4 1/2"
I will be looking to get a hold of 17x11 for rear and 17x9.5 for fronts (once I get that far), but for now main goal is to mock up the car as much as posiable so that i can fit everything together.



fender



Pulled fender flares off to mold the actual flares to be installed.





Long story short my approach is to make an extra set (mold) of everything I do for this car so that I will have a copy (if i ever need to replace anything, change something or use else were,..ect)
So I am mocking up the flares, Fiberglass a cast of each and then use like a plug to create the piece i want. this is my way because i reall like putting cores in as much as i can or in certian areas (structurly speaking)

Then I can install the pieces and finish molding everything into the car.
Like i said, "Wedding Cake, once cake made of multiples".

Once I get to that stage ill deside if i want to mold off full quarters, but i doubt ill need to do that.

IDK, its how i do it, thus the green tape...I know someone will point or ask, 1. measurment tool and itll allow me to pull off the mold. Methoid to my maddness.

Any way let me know what cha think.

Next.
Complete hood to primer
Complete upper fenderflares, start lower fenerflares and start mocking up the quater panels (fender pull)

 

well I am restless today, and really wish I could just work on the car, but won't get a chance tell later.
actually been thinking of maybe changing the direction a little bit.... or my approach. picked up some or fiberglass today and some foam (not greatstuff) and am considering, just mocking up the entire rear section and starting there. I am really un hwppy wirh the front fey) nder and bumper conditions (factor

 

Ok...Got about an hour into the hood tonight, Just about done. But I am a stickler with body work and prep-work as it is (mainly cause i paint) so untill its perfict at 100, its not perfect at 320...But we are close.

I stopped By IllStreet today and Thank You Chris, but I got a killer bump in the build (body wize) I now have the fiberglass and supplies (2PartFoam, not great stuff) needed to get atleast 1/2 car done as well as a nice chunk of carbon fiber (other project but may have enough left over to do an overlay on the hood)...

But I gott's to talking and i think I answered my own question...delema

i am so ready to just jump into this cause i really have waited a long time to try something like this and with no limits (other then time and money, aint that i surprise)
But at same time and over thinking it to much...I am gonna kinda plan this out little better.

I think I want to start at the front of the car (outta habit) but its really not worth it considering the front bumper...

Hit the fender flares with some 60 and i am extremely happy with how smooth they are and am gonna keep them, on Saturday I will make so time to offically get started on the rear sections (Rear Quarters, Rear Bumper, Lower Drift and Rear Spoiler) Giving me the rest of the week with the hood (finish what i started) and some time to comply the 1000 ideas into one functional idea.

Ill def post up pics of the hood and of some more drawings. I want to do a FighterJet Styling (theme/paint) with the car so incorporating some features in the body would really set that off, but something thatll work with a single color as well. No actual wings on the car.

Anyway, That is where i am at....
Finalize the concept and finish the hood. Get a few things to get started on the rear section and get ready for Sat so I can make the time count and get a nice start on this project.

I do need to decide if i want to delete the side vents on the Factory hood and relocate the vents to the cowl section (like 1st drawing)/ keep factory vents/ or create new vents to install in factory location...

As well as how I want the lower rear section to look...


Sorry, but as you can see...this is all i do all day, think if crazy **** like this

 

This is going to be one crazy looking car, but it seems you know what your doing so should turn out well. With the wide body you will have to get the wheel width, BS and offset just right to pull it off. I will keep watching this one.

 

subscribed...got an interesting project on your hands.

I have always wanted to do a wide body (and I eventually will). My idea is to start widening at the middle of the doors and take it all the way back, as opposed to just adding fender flares. I can't even begin to imagine how much work that would take, but in my head it looks really good.

 

Thanks man, I actually have more to post up (pics) I have decided not to hide the dirty underwear and infact will post up alot of pics. Be alittle more entertaining and hopefully inspiring to someone.

There are a couple ways to do it, each pro and cons and mine are with in a reasonable budget so maybe itll help others....

You will like my next concept drawing (as i been more and more focused on this and thinking things out further) i actual am considering doing an extension across the doors to create more depth. Because I do want it simple enough to be realistic (at first) but also more then just a flare out or a fender pull.

 

Update*

Well the hood (if I am lucky) should be ready to primer tomorrow (primer this weekend) I do wanna do a little under hood work before a final layer ( i use really tight weave matt for cover layers) this will smooth and hide all the support framing (will post pic of )

I do have one final piece i need to start the rears.

I have decided it would be best to start in the areas that are square (body), look for a replacement front bumper (fenders if i can) and start with the aspects i am a 100% on. Then I'll have a good idea of whats needed to blend and flow things better together.

but its best shown with pics, as i have 2 drawings that im stuck between, mild and wild.

again, i am gonna post up pics this weekend and am still gonna finish the flares i have now although i am gonna make a second set (complete quarters/fenders) to mold.

 

Update, had about 4hours this weekend...not much, two bikes came in yesterday and a third due on thursday...kinda have a feeling that i wont be getting to the car anytime this week, but guess itll give me time to think over a couple aspects.

Anyway, my "whole quarter" approach: worked out much better. Basically made a template of what i wanted, 2part foam and pour...Tip, mix that stuff good.
gave it a day to settle and popped of the template. Ill post pictures tomorrow, much easier to show then say.
But i was able to carve out the basic shape today and get it with in reason of that i want...and so far i am happy.

So i started the other side (make a ton of notes and cut templates for both sides at same time, so it all lines up and is equal)

So at this point I have both rear quarter panels mocked up with the downswings of the flares Rear/F, Rear/R and Rear Quarter Intake set.. The total flare (tire side ) is 2 1/2" and the total quarter pull ( how wide the quarter actually is extended from factory) is 2" at the taillights 2/14 at tire center and graded down to 0" about 2" of door line.

Honestly looks good. Youll see in pics that the, I got the flare to bend out above the vent and in the lower rear quarter...this way the distance is kinda spread out across the quarter panel unlike the first flares, but are the total width.

This should also be much easier to fiberglass in one spread.

I do need to still prime hood but i am still stuck if i should keep the factory side vents (on hood) or delete them...

Other then that...all is all, and am looking forward to pic day.

 

Cant wait to see your progress! Post pics when you get a chance.

 

Well I carved out the second side (generally cut and shape with a little sanding), boy the difference in txt depending on mixing (note mix it well) and tempature (doesnt like cold) so there are some areas that i will need to add to or take from but not much (1/4"ish) and for most part its there....

I did try grooving an area to see how it will look, shouldnt of done that cause now i am stuck again,,,freaking like em both ways...

but what i came to next and didnt think of prior....gas door, it wont open with a 2"pull (already removed) but this means either i come up with a bad a$$ looking cap and mold it smooth or i extend door arm...rrrr

but either way, i am stuck now....and am really gonna wait a day or two to get back to it. need time to take my time and go over this once more to tweek it out as best as i can.

still i am happy its just i know the closer i get the foam to what i want, the closer and the easier the fiberglass work will be. Now this is a first on this scale (large areas) so its been interesting so far to work with.

I need to make valances for rear and side skirts soon to as i think it will be more effective to mold the foam and glass into as a single piece verse separate.

didnt forget pics just teather mode dont allow me on photobucket (stupid) so i will have to try in am at the shop or i am gonna have to get someone to start posting the pics and i can just ramble on,,,,lol

 

ooooh i didnt see this before. will definitely be following.

 

Down load, then upload some pics here!

 

 

 

you have alot of skill alot more than I will have in the body dept I cant wait to see it done

BUT for right now I cant help but think a fat ******* chick lol sqeezing to much **** into little jeans

keep up the good work

 

Ok, so yeah I get to work n realize that I forgot my disk, with the good pics. So this is what I had on my phone. Lil something.

But in nut shell. I made a frame 1"wide 1/4" thick each from FG board. Riveited the frame 1" from top body line, rear quater, too n bottom vent n lowe haft of tge factory body line before n after tire.
Frame is to give structor to plug while shaping n fiberglass as well as a mounting point to return the final productvto car. Allowing me to take away metal n create function.
created a template outta cardboard, line n greased. Secured templates and applied two part foam.
Mix well
Take time n no it dont like cold, but for most part, works great as a tool to help you get your desired shaping.

The point in tge pics are one side, intial cut n shaping and with most of template removed. For thee broad areas do last.

At this time I have borh sides generally shaped and will get to add a lil here n there in the next day or two. Wont get too perfect just close enough, so the glass n filler work is ez n better.

Ill post more as soon as I can. But hopefully enough to get i

 

But hopefully enough for ya guys to get the idea of what i am aiming at...

Quick notes,

The front of rear flare vent, yes functional, above it in black sharpy is the new door line that ill be creating. The rear side of the rear flare, i am not 100% sure on what i will do next, I am gonna do the valances first and then desided if i want to pull under car or into valances...

unmmm, yeah why funky shape on rear by tail...my intention is to create each panel as there own so that in the event i change mind change idea or replace a section i can with out effecting the other panels.once i am done...no, you wont know its how i did it but, kinda a thought in advance.

also side skirts i cant do this with so i will cut the factory one piece into 3pc so that i will be able to do this, also in pic the area below the vent is the top of the area designed for the side exhaust outlet per drawing...yourll see how i am thinking to do that section.


again its not for barette jackson but itll def look to par once done.

thanks

 

lol....very true, thanks for the pos feedback, hopefully she will be the cute fatti in them jeans....

which makes me wonder, does skinny jeans make a big girl skinny?!

 

Well not much to car, been working on these bikes, but def getting em done, TA is kinda like indirect motovation. Will set time on Sat to get things shaped out n Fiberglass ready.

Say Avi's corvette....mab, stated idea's, how bad would ir be to do hatch and make rear quaters single piece...fliping open in reverse...lol...maybe next year....lol