Tom sought out RMCR again for another blower upgrade. This time he went with a Vortech YSi. The company claims the combination will flow 1,600 cfm and is capable of more than 1,000 hp at the crank. This kit includes a Vortech Maxflow Race Bypass Valve, a 4-inch aluminum air lid and a 4-inch inlet pipe. A 50mm cog-drive system helps prevent the massive blower from slinging a belt, and Tom's particular setup uses an dual-pass charge cooler with the tank mounted in the trunk. When filled with ice-cold-water, it more effectively cools the heated, compressed air without requiring air to move over a large-surface-area intercooler found in an air-to-air setup.
The exhaust moves through 1.75-inch SLP stainless headers with 3-inch collectors into an offroad SLP 3-inch Y-pipe. A 4-inch Mufflex system, with a 4-inch inlet and 3-inch outlet Spintech muffler does an admirable job of controlling noise, while minimizing restriction. Most LS cars without catalytic converters tend to be obnoxiously loud, but this setup is mellow. How can this car run on the street without cats? Tom tells HPP that his Trans Am is classified as a collector car, so it's exempt from emissions testing. Even though the T/A is sedate when corked up, with the press of a button on the console, a pair of QTP exhaust cutouts unleash raw, unmuffled exhaust unto the world.
A set of Taylor wires and relocating the coils with a kit from Thunder Racing are the only modifications made to the ignition system. With the EFI converted to speed density, Rick Hohweiler of Cincinnati, set the tune to 17-degrees total timing and called upon the Racetronix 79-lb/hr injectors and dual in-tank Walbro 340 pumps to nourish the aluminum powerhouse. According to Tom, with 18 pounds of boost through a high-stall converter and a power-robbing rearend, the blown LS7 sent 772 horses to the rear wheels with 764 lb-ft of torque twisting the axles on pump gas.
With that kind of power, Tom didn't even bother with a 4L60-E and went straight for a Rossler 4L80-E with a transbrake, a Yank SC3000 torque converter, and a chrome-moly driveshaft. Also gone is the factory 10-bolt. In its place is a Midwest 9-inch rearend with a Tru-Trac posi and 3.50 gears.
Taking Control
A stock chassis can't control this kind of power, so the Bird went under the knife for some serous modifications. Strange adjustable shocks were placed on all four corners with QA1 325-pound front springs. A BMR tubular K-member and upper and lower control arms lighten up the front end. Out back, Midwest's lower control arms, subframe connectors, adjustable Panhard bar, and short torque arm keep the rear in check. The brakes remain stock, and so do the front and rear sway bars. A six-point Wolfe chrome-moly rollbar, modified to allow for rear passengers, was installed to certify the T/A for the deep 10s. Tom will need an eight-point 'cage, electric shutoff, tranny shield, and window net if he wants to go into the 9s legally.
The factory 17x9 WS6 wheels see regular street duty and were widened to 11 inches for the rears, where the car wears 315/35-17 Mickey Thompson drag radials. For the track setup (shown in our photos), Tom purchased Bogart D10 wheels. The fronts measure 15x4, the rears are 15x10, with 26x7.50-15 M/T Sportsmans up front and 275/60-15 M/T drag radials handling the power.
At The Strip
With the modifications made, Tom's confident the T/A has a future 9-second pass in it. Thus far he managed to wrestle the WS6 to a 10.67 at 132 mph on the Bogarts, as he begins to learn the new setup. What's amazing about this combo is the room for growth. He still uses a stock LS6 intake manifold and a 78mm throttle body with cylinder heads that are not optimized for his setup. He would also like to install a methanol kit since he's pushing the limits of pump gas.
Conclusion
What may be more amazing about this combination is that he drives it on the street whenever it's nice outside. He's taken Third Place in Heavy Modified at the Trans Am Nationals, and has set his sights on higher-end exotic cars to prey on. No longer having to worry about snakes, there's no telling what may be in store for this convertible, but we're sure it's going to get there pretty quickly.