Schwartz Performance has been known to build some truly amazing machinery, from late-model HEMI-powered ‘Cudas, to a bitchin’ little green Gremlin, they’re custom fabricated chassis components are among the top tier in the industry. They also perform all of their own engine work, exhaust fabrication, and design each car that they build in-house.
Among our personal favorites, is the ’71 Olds Custlass SX 455 and their ’81 TT Trans Am, the latter currently up for auction at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale. Dubbed the “Full Force Turbo Trans Am,” this car started out in life as a legit Turbo T/A with the requisite turbocharged 301 Pontiac with 205 hp. Not ones to be satisfied with such paltry performance, the crew at Schwartz decided to give the old ‘Bird a serious update with a twin-turbocharged, stroked 415 ci. LS9 pumping out over 1,000 hp and backed by a seriously fortified 4L80E transmission built by Bowler.
The Trans Am sits on a custom Schwartz frame, with Ridetech triple adjustable coil-overs, and Baer Extreme-Plus 14-inch rotors and 6-piston calipers run the task of bringing this beast to a halt. Rolling stock consists of 
Forgeline TA3P wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport rubber. The entire exhaust system, including the headers, was fabricated by Schwartz themselves. There is more info on this car that can be found on Schwartz’s website, along with the Barrett-Jackson lot.
Literally every inch of this Trans Am has been modified in some way, so you’re not really getting an ’81 Trans Am. What you are buying is a 1,000-ply horsepower supercar that’s in the shape of a ’81 Trans Am. When you take the time to consider the amount of work, effort, cost, and the finalized product put out as much, if not more, power than a Bugatti Veyron that cost over ten times that amount. For the asking price of $175,000, his car is starting to look like a bit of a bargain.
Rick Seitz is the owner and founder of GMEFI Magazine, and has a true love and passion for all vehicles. When he isn’t tuning, testing, or competing with the brand’s current crop of project vehicles, he’s busy tinkering and planning the next modifications for his own cars.
