Monza TTA Project underway...

[Pegasus]

OK...Some of you have asked me to elaborate on this project, so I will give details. I think that I have owned 31 cars since I started driving. Until recently I was always rushed, didn't have the means or a place to keep it, so this car is the culmination of years of dreaming, (sometimes while watching James Bond movies) research and work...so when this sucker is done, it'll be MY car...Can't wait!

I originally bought an 18k mile TTA engine with TTA headers and ATR roller cam from George Benson for my '92 Mustang. Since I grew tired of the Mustang, I sold it...and then began the process of finding a suitable body. From all of the research that I have done, everyone and their brother has thought of doing this swap...that and a Fiero. However, in my quest, no one has actually done it. With enough $$$ you can pretty much do anything...and I've spent at least $12k on this project so far, including the running car with 327 and 4-speed.

George ran an 11.0 @ 122 in his TTA with this engine. Given that the TTA probably weighed around 3800lbs and the Monza weighs 2915 with a V8, on paper I'm looking at 10.0s....Of course paper is one thing and traction and tuning is another.

There is very little about this swap that is bolt in, besides the factory 3.2/3.8 V6 mounts bolt up to the TTA engine nicely. A GN engine would not work in the Monza engine bay. It's a pretty tight fit width-wise with the narrower TTA heads and TTA headers. Power steering is out and so is A/C for the time being. This is going to be a street car, so I am trying to keep the things that I have to eliminate to a minimum.

There are a few things that can be swapped or shared with an H-body and TTA/GN. The front spindles and rotors have been donated by GNVair from when he did his B-body spindle and brake swap. THe engine mounts for a 3.2 or 3.8 V6 Monza are identical to a GN...However, there are actually 3 pieces distinct to a V6 on each side for the motor mounts...Other than that...It's all custom.

I had Currie build me a Ford 9" with HD bearings, 31 Spline axles, Ford Explorer 11" cross-drilled rotors, street locker and 3.25 R&P. It's a nice piece...and a hell of a lot stronger than the 10 bolt POS that came out of it. Side by side, the 9" makes the 10 bolt look like a toy.

I am trying to get the chassis work out of the way so that I can wire it up and run to fuel system. I just bought a 10pt chromoly cage from S&W. I am going to make stronger lower control arms and will need to have an adjustable torque arm make for it. You TTA guys know what the Spohn one looks like...that's what I am shooting for. Monzas have torque arm and panhard bar rear suspension. It should have some hook to it with the right dialin and tires.

I've got a few goodies for the engine. Haven't bought a girdle for the engine yet, since I have to figure out how to make it clear the centerlink...I did get a TE-45, 72lbs Delphi injectors, 3.5" Mass Air, Translator etc. Fuel system will most likely be dual Walbro 340s mounted inside the modified fuel tank. The heads on the engine have a nice port job to them. I bought an NPR intercooler, but I think that I am just going to bite the bullet and have a Spearco made...what the hell, ya know?

I bought a set of Riken 15X7 mesh wheels (Like GNX) from one of the guys on here. They look really good...especially peeking through them on the rear at the holes in the rotors...

I have a few tricks as far as neat stuff on the car. One is a 4 gal aluminum alky tank for to feed the SMC kit (So it doesn't freakin run out next time I find a 911 that wants a go). THe SMC bottle is mounted in the front, and a transfer pump keeps it topped off so that it is always full. THe other is a unique in car computer for the TL, mapping and MP3s....