1999 Pontiac Trans Am

[DONAIMIAN]

After stepping back from the car scene for 4 years I'm back with a running (performance) car. The new set up includes...

Bottom end
HKE forged 347 shortblock
-Stock block
-Stock crank
-Scat I-beam rods
-Weisco pistons
-Total Seal rings
-Coated bearings throughout

Top end
-TSP 5.3l heads w/ 59cc chambers
-Fast 90/90 ported and matching done by Greg Goode
-Comp 244/248-108 +0 Xtreme Energy Street Roller
-Morel solid lifters
-Manton 3pc .120 wall hardened pushrods
-Comp Pro Mag Rockers (1.85)
-PSI valvesprings 220 seat/550 open

Misc
-ARP bolts and studs throughout
-UMI 1/2" valve cover spacers
-Metco Breather
-SD tune
-Jet Hot 1-3/4 headers w/ crappy ORY
-Borla w/ QTP e-cutout in place of plates
-Fast 36lb (GM) injectors

Immediate plans (within the next month) include
-Shaftmount rockers from T&D or Jesel
-Corresponding pushrods from Manton
-Saikou Michi dual LS1 catch cans
-Coil relocation
-Solid belt tensioner

Future plans (within the next 6 monts) include
-Kooks 1-7/8 headers
-Custom 3/4 ORY
-Aftermarket valve covers
-Racetronics fuel pump

Eventual plans (within the next year) include
-Aftermarket casting head (most likely)
-More compression
-Comp 256/260-106 +0 Xtreme Energy Street Roller
-Fast 102/102

With initial tuning the car made 454/452 at 6000. We shut it down because of a misfire which turned out to be the ground on the back of the driver side head working its way loose. We have another 1800rpm to go assuming the cam makes power that high. Drivability is not much different from the T1 cam (221/221-112 +4) that the car had in it before and because of the aggressive solid roller lobes the car makes awesome average tq making its displacement (350) in tq by 3000rpm. I came up with the current cam specs myself after tons of research on ls1tech based off what I use the car for (open track and autocross). I can short shift the car in the 5500-6000 all day long on the road course to lessen engine wear while still making more power than I need, or take it to the other side of 7k for the street.

[342sunsetZ]

Welcome, looks like you've got the foundation for a solid setup. Any pictures?

[DONAIMIAN]

Thanks, Ive been around for a while though. Tech since 2001 and here since day 1. No recent pics, however you can see some if you follow the link in my sig.

[Z Fury]

I have a new-in-box coil relocation kit (including plug wires) if you're interested. I ordered some parts for my '99 Z28, but I'm 99% certain I'm going to sell it and move on to something else. I'll make you a good deal if you are interested.

/sales pitch

Car sounds damn strong though.

[tones2SS]

Very nice. Sounds like a stout car.

[Ragtop 99]

Good to see you up and running again. :)

[DONAIMIAN]

I have a new-in-box coil relocation kit (including plug wires) if you're interested. I ordered some parts for my '99 Z28, but I'm 99% certain I'm going to sell it and move on to something else. I'll make you a good deal if you are interested.

/sales pitch

Car sounds damn strong though.

Ill have to think about it. I wanted to relocate them to the radiator shroud so the wires you have most likely wont work for me. The poly motor mounts raised the motor up in the chassis a good amount so its not much room under the cowl, on top of that I didn't feel like pulling the cowl apart for the install.

Thanks everyone, feels good to drive something fun again after just watching it sit in the garage.

[Nine Ball]

Papa Smurf, 454 rwhp isn't going to be enough to hang in Houston nowadays. ;)

Lets hope it clears at least 500 rwhp at 7K rpm!

[Pro Stock John]

Cool my 11:1 hydraulic 346 cid made 420rwhp but went 10.92@123 NA @ 3300 raceweight.

[DONAIMIAN]

Your telling me. I was shooting for 525rw once the exhaust and all the odds and ends got taken care of. When I put this motor down on paper 3.5 years ago it was a beast. Things have def. changed since then, If this was laid out within the last year everything would look different.

[DONAIMIAN]

John- Last time I had the car on the scale it was at 3420. Its lost some weight since then but I would still say its above 3500. The final numbers the car puts up will determine how long the current top end stays on the car.

[orangeapeel]

I knew you wanted to go solid valvetrain a while back, but forgot that you pulled the trigger. Nice! Get that rocker on and roll out again.

[DONAIMIAN]

Its not bad at all. Regardless of the motor I built for the car I think I would have went solid. Ive come across hyd cars that lope harder than this one. Although this one has a distinctive "crack" sound in the exhaust note. Driveability is equivalent or better than any other cammed 346 Ive driven.

[Nine Ball]

Until you bust a rocker arm, leaving you stuck on the roadside. ;)

[DONAIMIAN]

Until you bust a rocker arm, leaving you stuck on the roadside. ;)

Touche'

[BizZzatch350]

I am just happy it's back from the dead.

[DONAIMIAN]

Car is off the back burner as some of you may know. Picked up a set of Jesel Mohawks and waiting on the pushrods to show up. (Manton series 5, 11/32 dia) Don't really know where I want to go next mod wise with the car, but it needs a larger fuel pump before the tune can be finished. Along with a set of tires (and possible wheels)

[Pro Stock John]

Seems like you are always talking about rocker arms, like for a couple of years. What gives... :)

[DONAIMIAN]

Ha, after I broke the Comp pro mags that I had on there I got tired of dumping money into it so it went on the back burner for a while. Now that I'm done with school and have a little disposable income I figure it's either time to get rid of it or drive it.

[A-Dub]

Gigantor cam and solid lifters are the rocker's kryptonite!