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ACW · 03-10-2005, 11:11 AM

Modified models: California, Rytek, Morgan

"California T/A" Trans Am (2000) (No single manufacturer puts together a turnkey version of this Trans Am, but you could assemble it from parts that are readily available in the aftermarket. And what a car you'd have. There's nothing subtle about the California T/A, from its bright flamed paint scheme to its 10-second quarter-mile passes. Wings West created a new W-Type Firebird body kit for the California T/A that includes side skirts and new front and rear facias. Wings West is also responsible for the Commando Style rear-deck wing. That rear wing would be the most outrageous styling feature on the car if it weren't for the pearlescent flames adorning the nose. Southern California paint wizard Pete Santini laid on the licks. The California T/A gets its low-slung stance, with a 1.5-inch drop in front, 1-inch in back, from Eibach coil springs at all four corners. The rolling stock consists of P275/45ZR18 Goodyear Eagle F1s wrapped around 9-inch-wide Enkei V1 rims. Morgan Motorsports was tapped to provide muscle for the flamed 'bird, and MMS responded with its Aggressor 475 package. This system tops the stock LS1 block with MMS Stage II cylinder heads, which are factory castings that have been fitted with larger intake and exhaust valves, blended bowls, and Comp Cams valvetrain components. An MMS-ground camshaft replaced the stock bumpstick, and the stock intake system was fitted with a Granatelli Motor Sports mass air flow meter and air cleaner assembly. Exhaust chores are handled by MAC 1-3/4-inch headers, two high-flow cats and a 3-inch Borla cat-back system. Oh, did we mention the 150hp NOS package? When measured on the MMS chassis dyno, the Aggressor 475 sent 411 horses and 370 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels. MMS owner Mike Morgan has spent a lot of dragstrip time in the car; and his best effort to date, on slicks and using the nitrous, earned him a 10.77-second/126-mph timeslip. So the California T/A can back up its in-your-face looks with performance to match. There was a four-page article about the California T/A in the July 2000 issue of Hot Rod magazine.)
Rytek Projektz "Projekt TranzAm" Trans Am (2000) (Rytek is well known for its audio expertise, and Projekt TranzAm is a rolling billboard to Rytek's abilities in complete concept execution. 550 is the magic number with the Projekt TranzAm. It first comes into play with the engine--as in rear-wheel horsepower output. Achieving this level began with a balanced and blueprinted Morgan Motorsports R350V LS1 V8. Ross pistons atop Callies rods push toward Racing Engine valves in the ported and polished cylinder head chambers. The camshaft is from Competition Cams, as are the pushrods, valve springs and retainers. A Vortech supercharger was given the task of providing 13 psi of aftercooled mega-boost. Finally, a Centerforce dual-friction clutch and flywheel take on the brute output with aplomb. Flowmaster mufflers and Rytek ExZt 2b billet exhaust tips allow for an aural statement of authority. To spec out the underside, Hotchkis Performance was the primary choice in hardware, including springs, underhood strut tower brace, stabilizer bars, trailing arms and panhard rod. Bilstein shocks dampen pavement blows while keeping the TranzAm in fine form when it's slicing around corners. Brembo two-piece rotors and 4-piston calipers control the front braking duties, while Power Stop rotors handle the rear--a commitment united in stopping this the extreme machine. Classics by Bernt coated the entire car in Shimrin Kandy Pagan Gold by House of Kolor. Sparco seats with Rytek brackets are covered in leather (with carbon fiber leather inserts) by Stitchcraft. Wetworks Garage painted the interior, and a white gauge cluster from NR Automotive was set in the dash. Adjustable titanium pedals by SPW ensure that drivers of any size can enjoy the Rytek experience. The audio portion is where the 550 makes its second appearance. An Eclipse head unit flows the tunes though Focal Utopia drivers, u-Dimension Amplifiers and Monster Cables. The amp rack and sub-plate are Rytek exclusives built from billet aluminum. Element Enclosures support the rigid bass infrastructure. An Optima battery helps along the total output of 550 watts. Because of the audio extras, the TranzAm Supertuner became a 2-seat encounter. Whether the sounds of 550 are traveling through the speakers or the exhaust, the Projekt TranzAm sounds really good.)
Rytek Projektz "Raptor" Trans Am (2001) (The Pontiac Firebird Raptor is an example of the ultimate in aftermarket tuning for maximum performance in an aggressive yet elegant package. The Firebird Raptor was constructed by Rytek Projektz, a Ventura, Calif.-based automotive marketing and engineering firm. At the heart of Firebird Raptor is a high-performance engine known as the Morgan Motorsports 385 - it's a stroked version of GM's 350-cubic inch LS-1 V8. As tweaked with performance parts by Morgan, the engine produces a pulse-pounding 540 horsepower, with a two-stage Nitrous Express system that creates up to an additional 300 hp at the push of a dashboard button. The MMS 385 LS-1 has ported and polished heads and a lightweight valve train to streamline combustion and power. Rich tan leather graces the custom racing seats and every panel, mold and trim on the interior, including the trunk compartment, which houses a unitized billet aluminum 2300-watt high density amplifier racking system. It was displayed at the 2001 SEMA show.)
Morgan Motorsports 421 SD Trans Am (2001) (Morgan Motorsports (MMS) is a southern California tuning shop that specializes in wringing high-horsepower performance out of a number of GM products, primarily those with LS1 motors. Owner Mike Morgan's latest project, the 421 SD, substantially revamps the Trans Am with engine, suspension and brake modifications, as well as a subtle body and interior re-work from stylist GNdesign. The 421 SD name, of course, recalls the 421-inch Super-Duty engine package used in early '60s Pontiac drag- and road-race cars. The heart of the 421 is its Aggressor 600 engine package. MMS took apart the stock LS1, sleeved the block to reach a 4.125-inch bore, and then reassembled the short block using a SCAT LS1 billet crankshaft, Callies forged I-beam rods and Ross racing 2618 alloy pistons, and a new cam with a custom MMS grind. The result: an estimated 600 horsepower and 580 lb-ft of torque. MMS channels the Aggressor 600's power through a lightweight aluminum flywheel and Kevlar clutch to the Trans Am's stock six-speed transmission fitted with a B&M Ripper shifter. From there an ACPT carbon-fiber driveshaft sends power to the stock 3.42-equipped rearend. Several drag-strip sessions have netted the car an 11.4-second timeslip at 127 mph. Surprisingly, the car is fairly docile at low engine speeds. But once the tach swings past 4,000 rpm, you'd better hang on. MMS didn't stop at engine mods. The suspension has been reworked using Global West components (tubular upper A-arms and coilovers in front, control arms and a torque arm in back, and subframe connectors) and 1LE double-adjustable shocks. Those are 13-1/8-inch Baer GTP brakes peeking out behind the Racing Hart M5 18x10-inch wheels, which are shod with Goodyear Eagle F1 295/35ZR18 tires. The suspension/tire combo offers excellent handling and grip on twisting mountain roads, though the rearend will easily step out with a jab at the gas pedal. Other than the rear deck spoiler, the bodywork by GNdesign barely hints at the performance potential of the MMS engine and chassis mods. For example, this subtle grillework in the Firebird's nose hides a driving lamp and a brake-cooling duct. Also note that the side mirrors have been moved off the A-pillar and onto the doors. A carbon-fiber plate covers the old mirror mount point. The 421 SD's interior receives a similarly subtle treatment, with two-tone leather upholstery and door panels, a Hurst knob on the Ripper shifter, and an MMS build plaque tucked in next to the traction control button. Production versions of the MMS 421 SD package will cost $36,825 on top of the cost of the Trans Am. GNdesign restyled the curvy body with more radical front and rear fascias, rocker additions and rear spoile, while Prototype Network.com took care of the paint application. The leather seat backs call out with embroidery to remind would-be passengers that the MMS 421 SD means business. Noting its rarity, a dash plaque includes the respective serial number.)

03-10-2005, 11:11 AM	#14
ACW TECH Junkie Trader Rating: 0 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Beaumont, TX Posts: 3,983	Modified models: California, Rytek, Morgan "California T/A" Trans Am (2000) (No single manufacturer puts together a turnkey version of this Trans Am, but you could assemble it from parts that are readily available in the aftermarket. And what a car you'd have. There's nothing subtle about the California T/A, from its bright flamed paint scheme to its 10-second quarter-mile passes. Wings West created a new W-Type Firebird body kit for the California T/A that includes side skirts and new front and rear facias. Wings West is also responsible for the Commando Style rear-deck wing. That rear wing would be the most outrageous styling feature on the car if it weren't for the pearlescent flames adorning the nose. Southern California paint wizard Pete Santini laid on the licks. The California T/A gets its low-slung stance, with a 1.5-inch drop in front, 1-inch in back, from Eibach coil springs at all four corners. The rolling stock consists of P275/45ZR18 Goodyear Eagle F1s wrapped around 9-inch-wide Enkei V1 rims. Morgan Motorsports was tapped to provide muscle for the flamed 'bird, and MMS responded with its Aggressor 475 package. This system tops the stock LS1 block with MMS Stage II cylinder heads, which are factory castings that have been fitted with larger intake and exhaust valves, blended bowls, and Comp Cams valvetrain components. An MMS-ground camshaft replaced the stock bumpstick, and the stock intake system was fitted with a Granatelli Motor Sports mass air flow meter and air cleaner assembly. Exhaust chores are handled by MAC 1-3/4-inch headers, two high-flow cats and a 3-inch Borla cat-back system. Oh, did we mention the 150hp NOS package? When measured on the MMS chassis dyno, the Aggressor 475 sent 411 horses and 370 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels. MMS owner Mike Morgan has spent a lot of dragstrip time in the car; and his best effort to date, on slicks and using the nitrous, earned him a 10.77-second/126-mph timeslip. So the California T/A can back up its in-your-face looks with performance to match. There was a four-page article about the California T/A in the July 2000 issue of Hot Rod magazine.) Rytek Projektz "Projekt TranzAm" Trans Am (2000) (Rytek is well known for its audio expertise, and Projekt TranzAm is a rolling billboard to Rytek's abilities in complete concept execution. 550 is the magic number with the Projekt TranzAm. It first comes into play with the engine--as in rear-wheel horsepower output. Achieving this level began with a balanced and blueprinted Morgan Motorsports R350V LS1 V8. Ross pistons atop Callies rods push toward Racing Engine valves in the ported and polished cylinder head chambers. The camshaft is from Competition Cams, as are the pushrods, valve springs and retainers. A Vortech supercharger was given the task of providing 13 psi of aftercooled mega-boost. Finally, a Centerforce dual-friction clutch and flywheel take on the brute output with aplomb. Flowmaster mufflers and Rytek ExZt 2b billet exhaust tips allow for an aural statement of authority. To spec out the underside, Hotchkis Performance was the primary choice in hardware, including springs, underhood strut tower brace, stabilizer bars, trailing arms and panhard rod. Bilstein shocks dampen pavement blows while keeping the TranzAm in fine form when it's slicing around corners. Brembo two-piece rotors and 4-piston calipers control the front braking duties, while Power Stop rotors handle the rear--a commitment united in stopping this the extreme machine. Classics by Bernt coated the entire car in Shimrin Kandy Pagan Gold by House of Kolor. Sparco seats with Rytek brackets are covered in leather (with carbon fiber leather inserts) by Stitchcraft. Wetworks Garage painted the interior, and a white gauge cluster from NR Automotive was set in the dash. Adjustable titanium pedals by SPW ensure that drivers of any size can enjoy the Rytek experience. The audio portion is where the 550 makes its second appearance. An Eclipse head unit flows the tunes though Focal Utopia drivers, u-Dimension Amplifiers and Monster Cables. The amp rack and sub-plate are Rytek exclusives built from billet aluminum. Element Enclosures support the rigid bass infrastructure. An Optima battery helps along the total output of 550 watts. Because of the audio extras, the TranzAm Supertuner became a 2-seat encounter. Whether the sounds of 550 are traveling through the speakers or the exhaust, the Projekt TranzAm sounds really good.) Rytek Projektz "Raptor" Trans Am (2001) (The Pontiac Firebird Raptor is an example of the ultimate in aftermarket tuning for maximum performance in an aggressive yet elegant package. The Firebird Raptor was constructed by Rytek Projektz, a Ventura, Calif.-based automotive marketing and engineering firm. At the heart of Firebird Raptor is a high-performance engine known as the Morgan Motorsports 385 - it's a stroked version of GM's 350-cubic inch LS-1 V8. As tweaked with performance parts by Morgan, the engine produces a pulse-pounding 540 horsepower, with a two-stage Nitrous Express system that creates up to an additional 300 hp at the push of a dashboard button. The MMS 385 LS-1 has ported and polished heads and a lightweight valve train to streamline combustion and power. Rich tan leather graces the custom racing seats and every panel, mold and trim on the interior, including the trunk compartment, which houses a unitized billet aluminum 2300-watt high density amplifier racking system. It was displayed at the 2001 SEMA show.) Morgan Motorsports 421 SD Trans Am (2001) (Morgan Motorsports (MMS) is a southern California tuning shop that specializes in wringing high-horsepower performance out of a number of GM products, primarily those with LS1 motors. Owner Mike Morgan's latest project, the 421 SD, substantially revamps the Trans Am with engine, suspension and brake modifications, as well as a subtle body and interior re-work from stylist GNdesign. The 421 SD name, of course, recalls the 421-inch Super-Duty engine package used in early '60s Pontiac drag- and road-race cars. The heart of the 421 is its Aggressor 600 engine package. MMS took apart the stock LS1, sleeved the block to reach a 4.125-inch bore, and then reassembled the short block using a SCAT LS1 billet crankshaft, Callies forged I-beam rods and Ross racing 2618 alloy pistons, and a new cam with a custom MMS grind. The result: an estimated 600 horsepower and 580 lb-ft of torque. MMS channels the Aggressor 600's power through a lightweight aluminum flywheel and Kevlar clutch to the Trans Am's stock six-speed transmission fitted with a B&M Ripper shifter. From there an ACPT carbon-fiber driveshaft sends power to the stock 3.42-equipped rearend. Several drag-strip sessions have netted the car an 11.4-second timeslip at 127 mph. Surprisingly, the car is fairly docile at low engine speeds. But once the tach swings past 4,000 rpm, you'd better hang on. MMS didn't stop at engine mods. The suspension has been reworked using Global West components (tubular upper A-arms and coilovers in front, control arms and a torque arm in back, and subframe connectors) and 1LE double-adjustable shocks. Those are 13-1/8-inch Baer GTP brakes peeking out behind the Racing Hart M5 18x10-inch wheels, which are shod with Goodyear Eagle F1 295/35ZR18 tires. The suspension/tire combo offers excellent handling and grip on twisting mountain roads, though the rearend will easily step out with a jab at the gas pedal. Other than the rear deck spoiler, the bodywork by GNdesign barely hints at the performance potential of the MMS engine and chassis mods. For example, this subtle grillework in the Firebird's nose hides a driving lamp and a brake-cooling duct. Also note that the side mirrors have been moved off the A-pillar and onto the doors. A carbon-fiber plate covers the old mirror mount point. The 421 SD's interior receives a similarly subtle treatment, with two-tone leather upholstery and door panels, a Hurst knob on the Ripper shifter, and an MMS build plaque tucked in next to the traction control button. Production versions of the MMS 421 SD package will cost $36,825 on top of the cost of the Trans Am. GNdesign restyled the curvy body with more radical front and rear fascias, rocker additions and rear spoile, while Prototype Network.com took care of the paint application. The leather seat backs call out with embroidery to remind would-be passengers that the MMS 421 SD means business. Noting its rarity, a dash plaque includes the respective serial number.)