Pro Touring 1978 Trans Am: Independent Rear Suspension, Detroit Speed Subframe, Custom Exhaust, LS3
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- Опубликовано: 10 фев 2025
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Pro Touring 1978 Trans Am: Independent Rear Suspension, Detroit Speed Subframe, Custom Exhaust, LS3
In our previous video, we showed you our 1978 Pontiac Trans Am project and talked about our plans for a high-end pro touring build. This means that we're designing the car to drive and handle really well, have great power, but also be very comfortable and serviceable anywhere in the country.
FIRST VIDEO: • Pro Touring 1978 Ponti...
The 1978 Pontiac Trans Am features a GM Performance Parts LS3 engine swap, along with a Detroit Speed subframe and front suspension. The brakes are Hydratech boosted WIlwood units, and a Heidt’s independent rear suspension will make the Trans Am handle better than it ever did. We’ve added Vintage Air, and American Autowire harness, YearOne 19” Snowflake wheels, and much more to this TA.
In this video, we're going to focus on the exhaust system. This is a critical part of any pro touring build, as it needs to be able to flow well enough to support the engine's power output, but it also needs to be quiet enough to be comfortable on long drives.
We started at the engine, using Hooker cast iron exhaust manifolds for the LS engine. These manifolds package well and flow very well, making them a great choice for our build. We ran the exhaust pipe underneath the center section of the independent rear suspension, which allows us to keep the exhaust tucked up and out of the way.
We also installed a pair of catalytic converters and a set of mufflers underneath the rear seat. The original muffler on this car was a transverse unit that went left to right over the rear axle well, but there's no more space for that with the independent rear suspension. So, we modified a set of mufflers by cutting them open, reworking the internals, and making the inlet and exhaust on the same side. This gives us a turbo-style muffler that is still able to flow well and keep the sound down.
Since our customer wanted to keep the signature split exhaust tips of the Trans Am, we needed to find a way to route the exhaust pipes to the back of the car. We did this by making a custom muffler that lives underneath the rear axle. This muffler is filled with perforated pipe and packing material, which helps to reduce noise without killing performance.
Finally, we snaked the mandrel bent tubing from the custom muffler to the back of the car. We wanted to exhaust the car all the way at the back, rather than dumping it in front of the rear wheels. This is a much cleaner way to go, and it keeps the fumes out of the car and preserves the classic look of the Trans Am.
We're really excited to hear how this exhaust system sounds! It's been a really cool project to figure out how to make all of the pieces fit together and work properly. It is all mandrel bent 2.5” stainless tubing that is TIG welded together. We're confident that this system will give us the performance and sound that we're looking for.
In addition to the above, here are some other things to consider when designing an exhaust system for a pro touring car:
Ground clearance: The exhaust system needs to be routed in a way that avoids any ground clearance issues. This is especially important if you plan on driving your car on rough roads or tracks.
Heat management: The exhaust system can generate a lot of heat, so it's important to make sure that it's properly insulated. This will help to protect the car's interior components from heat damage.
Aesthetics: The exhaust system is one of the most visible components on the car, so it's important to choose a system that looks good. There are many different types of exhaust tips and pipes available, so you can find a system that matches the overall style of your car.
We believe that we have achieved all of our goals with this exhaust system. It is well designed, durable, and will produce a great sound that is both aggressive and refined. We can't wait to hear what our customer thinks of it!
If you have a pro touring dream car, a custom car, or a cool hot rod that you need help with, please reach out to us at V8 Speed and Resto Shop. We have the experience and expertise to help you create a unique and amazing vehicle that you will be proud to own and drive.
V8 Speed and Resto Shop
817 S. Main Street
Red Bud, IL 62278
314.783.8325
www.v8speedsho...
#protouring #customexhausts #v8speedshop #exhaustfabrication
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There's more care, craftsmanship, and engineering in the exhaust system on this car than some entire "builds" I've seen. And that doesn't even begin to mention the engine, engine bay, suspension, etc. Well executed and thank you for bringing us along ~ Chuck
Thank you so much for the kind words! It does take some thought and care to make these come to life. We always appreciate your support Chuck!
I thoroughly enjoy your videos on such great cars. Thanks for posting.
Glad you like them! Thanks so much!
@@V8TV Keep them coming!
WOW, what an awesome build with fantastic craftsmanship. Every detail a feast for the eyes, can't wait for the next update.
Thank you very much! We're excited as well!
I would drive the wheels off that TA! Excellent work Kevin and team!
Thank you!
Nice work and a lot of manufacturing as well. Very good quality of the build.
Thank you very much!
Awesome! This will be a great driver when completed. From a diehard T/A fan ❤
That's the plan! Thanks for the positive feedback, we hope T/A fans everywhere will dig it.
This thing is going too be a beast
Wow!!!!!!
Thanks!
It’s coming along nicely! The exhaust looks great!!
GOT to have the chrome exhaust tips. (and a shaker hood) 🙂 Looks great!!
Yes it does! Thanks!
WOW, I really love the work that you all do. Keep them coming. Thanks for sharing, captain.
Thanks, will do!
Amazing as always!
Thank you! Cheers!
Nice the owner went with the Gen 2 factory wheel look. Another example of your shop's craftsmanship Kev and crew. More walk-through video updates please I enjoy them all. As a car guy I appreciates the vision and results no matter what the brand is.... (and this is why we need Industrial Arts in school) Welding is an art form.
Thanks for the kind words! We agree about Industrial Arts and trade education... we need more!
Reach us at www.v8speedshop.com/contact to chat about building your next pro-touring muscle car!
you guys do a really great job.
Very kind of you to say, thanks!
Beautiful 😍
Thank you! 😊
So cool and impressive👌
Thank you!
That is awesome. i need to come to work for you guys!!
We're always looking for talented and passionate people to join our team! Here's a link to learn more.. v8speedshop.com/online-job-application/
Very nice!
Thanks!
Wow! Just Wow 🤩
Great build, and video! Can we please have them a little longer?
Thanks for the kind feedback! This second chapter is going to be part of the full build video once the car is finished, so you're getting a peek at a chapter of the whole story. Thanks again!
Beautiful ❤
Thank you! 😊
Is there a video on the completed car?
Having gone with the detroit speed front up front, it would have been cool to see the decalink in the back. Still very cool though.
Very cool exhaust.
Is that last muffler also functioning as an H pipe?
To a degree. The opposite side pulses are interacting with each other, creating some noise cancellation and a little scavenging effect. We'll report more on it when the car is driving.
Kev, BOLTED the Mufflers to the floor pan? Any Drone will surely Rattle ALL your bones, and I know, I had this done with custom work. the car was UN driveable as engine vibration was a Direct transfer to the body.. Good luck and be Honest on that test drive!
You are right, that mount point is still in process. We're not ruling out a rubber isolation mount in that location with some type of support. Thanks for the comment, we'll share how it all works out.
do the demon 170?
I wanted one that was completely ORIGINAL as if it had come from the factory. I think one way to maintain automotive history is to restore the classics as they really were. This is killing history and forever losing the experience of how our grandparents drove the muscle cars of the time. sad.
You are still more than welcome to buy a 100% original 1978 Pontiac Firebird, as there were over 187,000 built. There are thousands of original examples and tens of thousands of restorable versions still out there. We hope you find a good one and enjoy it all original, as we appreciate those examples as well. However, this was a non-original car when we started with it, and modifying cars to perform better and have increased safety is a good thing. AND... you'll notice... that all the of the engine, transmission, suspension, brake, and exhaust modifications we've made to this car are BOLT IN, meaning someday, you could return it to stock should you wish. No reason to be sad. Here's a link to a video of a 1979 Pontiac Trans Am 10th Anniversary Edition with just over 100 miles on it... one we'd never change. Enjoy it! ruclips.net/video/2JYbKotNmd4/видео.html
I guess that's one way of looking at it. You should build one as you invasion it. With a resto-mod, you still get a taste of history with improvements that make the vehicle higher quality and they perform much better.