1983 PONTIAC TRANS AM

25TH ANNIVERSARY DAYTONA

PACE CAR REPLICA

On-Demand Ram Air

I wanted to position the switch for the ram air ahead of the shifter, where the ash tray normally sits.  I also wanted to move the power window switches to that same location.  I lengthened the wires to the window switches by about 12" so they could be repositioned.

I found several companies that sell sheet plastics on the internet.  Since I wasn't totally sure of my plans, I just used some leftover pieces of plywood to mock-up my idea for a new shifter plate.  You can see the window and ram air switches ahead of the shifter.  I want to put a cup holder in the space where the window switches used to be.

Another look at the mock-up of the new shifter plate.  My idea right now is to get two sheets of plastic, one red and one black.  I'll remove the molded-on section of the top plate just ahead of the arm rest when I do the "real thing."  I plan on using the red plate under the black plate so that only the red edge shows.  Hopefully this will add a sporty, but not gaudy, look to the interior.  The paddle switch is the only DPDT momentary Contact switch I could find at radioshack.com.  I think in the final design I'll use two small pushbutton switches instead of the tall paddle switch.

The final wiring is done.  Amazingly enough I got the wiring right on the first attempt!  If the switch works "backwards" from what you want, you can just swap these two wires to get it working correctly.  After checking the operation, I went back and used Locktite on all the nuts and screws on the underside of the hood.   I put the hood insulation back up and it doesn't seem to affect the operation of the motor  Yeah!  My idea works!

Since I had the car in the garage, I went ahead and installed the sway bar bushings in the front, and replaced the rear shocks.  With the new struts, shocks, sub-frame connectors, and strut tower brace, the car drives like a totally different vehicle.  No more squeaks and rattles.  It's almost like a new car!

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