I've owned quite a few of the Riviera T-Types. They're the perfect sleeper. If all else fails you can always use the wheels from a 4WD S-10 or Blazer or my favorite, the 16 inchers from a 4th gen F-body. They fit under the sheet metal. I've also been working on a big brake option much like the LS1 brakes the guys are using on the TR. The fastest Riv I've ever heard of was a 12 second car. The lightest Riv I have weighs in at a svelt 3700 pounds and I think you could get one down in the 3600-3500 pound range without to many issues. We all know how much power you would have to make to get it into the 11's. And the THM325-4L is the FWD version of the 200-4R so not much is needed to get one to live at those power levels.
Eric, I have a few Riv questions you can probably answer:
Transmission, have you installed a shift kit in any of your TH325-4L's and is the only one available ( at this point in time that I can find) by "transgo" #K32908E, that fixes the basic ailments of the TH325-4L rather than a true high performance improvement? and is (if you have done it) worth the upgrade?
Transmission, is the TCC solenoid (a good one) dealer only or parts store available? I have 3 TH325-4L's BJ code, one for the 85 T Riv, one for mid engine project, and one as spare, and all are out, cleaned and looking to do the above on all at same time (the Rivs has bad TCC for sure) so while thier out, doing all at once, of course new filters and ad drain plugs to pans.Converters staying stock for now.
Front suspension, since you have all that GM dealer parts experience here is a bit of an odd one. ON the mid engine project, I am using all Riv front suspension parts for front and back of car, they are attached to very cut down to minimum Riv frame front sections to maintain the geometry.The question is there a chance the front wheel hubs from an late S-10 2wd or C5 Corvette fit the Riv spindles? I do not want to use the Riv spindles up front because there will be no CV joints/spline to hold the bearings/hub together. Of course the rear suspension will use the Riv hubs because ther will be CV joints/axles going to the differential. I know the S-10/C5 hubs hve the sensors in them which I will not use, but the mecanichal bearing assembly from what I see in photos looks like a match to the Riv/early S-10 4wd style hub. hope this question makes sense, I could just buy used and see the fitment.
About a year or so ago, I bought on ebay from a place called CBR performance, a kit that allowed the mounting og LS1 12" brakes to the Riv/S-10 4wd spindles, have you seen these? Very well executed kit though required some cutting to the spindles, but is done right. Not sure if they are still making this, they had a website I'll have to look to see if I have it if you are interested