Posts Tagged ‘Firebird’
Camaro/Firebird Trac Loc & Non Trac Loc
Many owners of the 98-02 Firebird/Trans Am/Camaros are always looking for all the possible upgrades for their vehicles. Whether it is a bigger motor, bigger brakes, louder exhaust or a TRAC LOC rear axle. In reference to the TRAC LOC rear axle, many owners don’t know the difference, or what the advantage is to a TRAC LOC axle.
The difference in the axle isn’t something that can typically be seen, since the biggest difference is in the gear box. Here is a complete diagram of a true TRAC LOC axle:
One of the main purposes for this type of axle is the TRAC LOC will allow both wheels to continue spinning simultaneously, instead of locking them up when sensed.
Another key component in a TRAC LOC axle is the throttle relaxer that sits under the hood (PICTURED BELOW). The trac loc feature will not work without this part.
To show the difference in the whole axle, here is a picture of an axle WITHOUT TRACTION CONTROL:
Now some pictures below of an axle, WITH traction control
As you can see, the axle with the trac control has more wiring for the feature.
From all the pictures above, you can see the main difference in the two main Firebird/Camaro rear axles. Neither one is better or worse than the other, it just all depends on the users preference.
Aluminum or Steel? Whats the Deal?
In our 35 year history here at Cleveland Power & Performance, we have sold and dealt with every single part of Firebirds and Camaros. The 1993-2002 Firebird/Camaro is one the most prevalent vehicles in our yard. So just about every question has come our way when it comes to certain parts of these F-Bodies. Whether it be leather or cloth, stick or auto, painted or chrome wheels, coupe or convertible, you get the point. But just as common as those is when customers ask us if there is any difference between the aluminum and steel driveshafts. The answer is as simple as this:
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- Aluminum
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- Steel
98-02 LS1 Firebird/Camaro -93-97 LT1 Firebird/Camaro
-Weighs 11.5 lbs -Weighs 20lbs
The length of the driveshafts are the same and they both will physically bolt onto any 1993-2002 Camaro or Firebird. A lot of people will dispute that it matters whether the car is auto or manual, and 5.7 or 3.8 liter, however, these driveshaft will fit any of those. In simpler terms, these two driveshafts are completely interchangeable and will work with any 1993-2002 Camaro or Firebird.
I will say in all of my years here, I have never had someone call me or tell me that they would like to swap their aluminum driveshaft for a steel one. The aluminum one is just as durable, despite the 9.5 pound weight difference, and seems to be the preference. And, obviously, if you are racing your car, and you believe that the less weight you have, the quicker you will go.
So, all in all, that is a basic breakdown in the two driveshafts. Although very similar and interchangeable, aluminum seems to be a fan favorite for the 4th gen F-Body faithful.
Winner: ALUMINUM
83 Trans Am custom build with Fourth Gen LS1 swap Part II
Cleveland Power and Performance is proud to present this 83 Trans Am custom build with Fourth Gen LS1 swap, which will show you how easily you can update your Gen 3 F-Body with a ton of bolt on Gen 4 Parts! We will be incorporating an LS1 Driveline swap, updated to larger disc brakes, a fourth gen Trans AM Interior, and incorporating every piece of a late model Trans AM into this classic beauty! Long live the 80s!
In the last installment of our 83 Trans Am LS1 swap blog we started off by showing how we received the Trans Am. We received a stock, 5.0L 83 Trans Am with the goal of swapping as many components out of a Fourth Gen as possible. We are going to build this 83 into a modern upholstered, fuel injected, tribute to the awesome era that was the 80’s!
In our last blog we left off with basically a bare shell with no interior and no driveline. We have since started to replace the old with the new. Take a look at the pictures below showing the modifications that we have done to the front cradle to allow for the fitment of the LS1 engine
We also opted to put bigger brakes on the TA to give it some more stopping power. We ordered a kit from bigbrakeupgrade.com that allows us to use fourth gen calipers and rotors on the front by modifying the stock 83 spindles.
The brake kit made installation a breeze and is a huge upgrade in both form and function.
We also began plans on modifying the firewall to allow for the installation of the fourth gen heater box, ac components, brake system and more.
Next we will begin mocking up the engine and blueprinting the underhood compartment to figure out where we are going to run our harness, ac lines, etc.
Stay tuned to our blog to see this car come to life.
83 Trans Am custom build with Fourth Gen LS1 swap
Cleveland Power and Performance is proud to present this 83 Trans Am custom build with Fourth Gen LS1 swap, which will show you how easily you can update your Gen 3 F-Body with a ton of bolt on Gen 4 Parts! We will be incorporating an LS1 Driveline swap, updated to larger disc brakes, a fourth gen Trans AM Interior, and incorporating every piece of a late model Trans AM into this classic beauty! Long live the 80s!
We want to show all of our customers that this third gen TA could be easily swapped over to a fuel injected LS setup with upgraded interior using almost all parts that we have here in stock.
We will be using the driveline, interior, rear axle, front brakes and more from a donor fourth gen Trans Am. Nearly all of the parts that we will be using in this build are here at Power and Performance, in stock and in our warehouse. This is truly an all “in house” build.
We started by striping the interior of the 83, and taking out the original 305 engine to allow for mock up. We are going to use as much of the fourth gen interior as possible. A good amount of the new interior fits nicely and does not require an extensive amount of modification. Other parts will require a some modification, but in the end will give the 83 a much need update.
This is just the beginning of an exciting build and we will be posting pictures of the process as we go. Please stay tuned to our blog to see this car come to life step by step! Next up we will mock up the interior and drive line to see how everything fits and looks. We will also start on the rear axle and upgraded front brakes. Please feel free to let us know what you think of the build!
Feel free to visit our Facebook page for more exciting content from Cleveland Power and Performance! – Tim Mulcahy
