My Attempt At A Build Thread

[Ninety5PoloZ]

Well lets see where to start...How about where the car was sitting before I started the tear down (I have 15% tint all around now :D)

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/turnin20s/95%20Camaro%20M6/375.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/turnin20s/95%20Camaro%20M6/369.jpg

Now where its sitting (poor dirty thing :()
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/turnin20s/Camaro%20Buildup/DSCN0389.jpg

Then the build specs are as follows:
8.8 Mustang Axle (factory mustang width)
31 Spline Alloy USA Axles
31 Spline Trac Lok W/Cobra Carbon Clutches
Ford Racing 4.10 Gears
Drake Diff Cover
Cobra Rear Brakes (11.65" Vented Rotors)
Moser LCA Relocation Brackets & Shock Mounts
4 Link Built With Parts From Ballastic Fabrication
Auroa 3/4" Heim Joints
Ballastic Fab Weld-In Thread Adapters
3/4" to 5/8" Misalignment Spacers (For Rod Ends)
UMI 3 Point SFCs
UMI K Member
UMI Chromoly Lower A Arms
Stock Upper A Arms (For Now)
UMI Double Adjustable LCAs (Poly/Poly)
Edelbrock IAS Coilovers W/600 lb Front Springs
Edelbrock IAS Rear Shocks
Firestone 9000 Rear Air Springs
Modified Axle Shock Mounts (2" Added To Regain Travel From The Low Ride Height)
Upper Bag Mounts (From Suicide Doors)
WS6 Front Sway Bar W/Gusseted Brackets
Hellwig Hollow Adjustable Rear Sway Bar
Hellwig Hollow Front Bar (Coming Soon)
Midwest Chassis Watts Link
Speed Daddy Stainless Headers
3" Flowmaster D Merge X Pipe Kit
Magnaflow 4" Round Magnapacks
3" Tailpipes Over The Axle (Coming After The Suspension Is Finished)
ProCar Seats (Don't Know How I Like Them Yet)
Battery Relocation Kit (Speedway Motors Weld In Bracket)
Racetronix 255 Fuel Pump & Hotwire Harness
-6 AN Fuel Feed & Return Line
OE Style Fuel Filter w/-6 Fuel Line Adapters
Madman Alternator Relocation Bracket
Speedway Motors Power Steering Pump Bracket (Slightly Modified)
Summit Type II Power Steering Pump
Summit AN Power Steering Line Kit
Speedway Motors Aluminum Power Steering Resivor (More Fluid Capacity Than Stock)
Wilwood Brake Proportioning Valve (2 Lines In 3 Lines Out)
Baer Bumpsteer Kit (Will Be Added Later)
KYB Upper Shock Mounts (3/4" Cut Off To Regain Some Shock Travel)
Spec Throwout Bearing (Old One Was Getting Noisy)
OE Wheels ZR1s in 17x11 For All 4 Corners (Deep Lug Fronts, Deep Dish On Rear)
Nitto NT555 315/35/17s
Motorsports Tech 2.25" Wheel Adapters (Rear)
1/4" Billet Wheel Spacers (Front)
ARP Wheel Studs
Black Spline Drive Lug Nuts


I'm sure I'm forgetting something, but its a long list. I have been gathering parts for about 6 months and have got some stuff done, but theres ALOT more to get done. And BTW my deadline if May 15th :bomb::chug:.......eh oh well, some things came up :)

Now some of the axle build...

http://www.uscconlinealbum.com/photos/photo01/68/e2/200c85298359.jpg
http://www.uscconlinealbum.com/photos/photo01/c4/39/c485f2f84282.jpg
http://www.uscconlinealbum.com/photos/photo01/e8/9e/6606a7432d2c.jpg

Sandblasted And Painted...
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/turnin20s/Camaro%20Buildup/DSCN0376.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/turnin20s/Camaro%20Buildup/DSCN0379.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/turnin20s/Camaro%20Buildup/DSCN0383.jpg

Wheels...
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/turnin20s/Camaro%20Buildup/DSCN0385.jpg

Battery relocation tray, fuel filter, and AN adapters
http://www.uscconlinealbum.com/photos/photo01/85/7b/f3581357970c.jpg

And My Parts Corner...
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/turnin20s/Camaro%20Buildup/DSCN0384.jpg




I dropped the axle off at my buddies on Wednesday 3/16 to get the gears setup. I'm waiting for the watts link to finish being fabbed and ship out, my K member was on backorder, and I have a whole bunch of stuff being shipped right now. I have been working 6 days a week for the last 6 months to get this project as far as it has come, progress on the car has been slow, but I have almost all of my parts either here or paid for and on the way.

Now the progress will more than likely be slow and I'm horrible at taking pics during the build, and usually get them after something has been completed. But I'm working on that ;)

Goals for the car are...I guess corner carving street car. Its not a drag car, it never will be. I'm building a driver. I built the motor a couple years ago, and this time around the suspension is getting completely reworked. The only stock parts left are the upper control arm mounts and I think thats it :) It has LS1 brakes installed on the front, T56 swap, spec stage 3 clutch (love it), LE ported heads, cc306 cam, SRP forged pistons, studded mains, ARP rod bolts, blah blah blah. It should make ~400rwhp pretty easily. I have plans of a new motor and boost, but after the suspension its on to the house again for a little while (gotta keep the wife happy)

Saturday I'll be going out to my parents shop and trying to make some more progress. Plans are to weld in the rear upper bag mounts, sandblast the upper spring mounts, sandblast the spindles, paint the blasted parts, finish removing my interior, and organize my parts corner a little better.

Thanks for looking :cheers:

[Ninety5PoloZ]

Well last night (3-19) turned out like the past few weekends and not much happened. I helped my brother get his S10 down so he could start working on that (he has a broken ankle and can't push in a clutch) Got the truck down and installed the rollpan and then test fit the new wheels. Then he replaced his belltech nitro shocks ,only 2 were good after 4k miles, with some doeschtech (SP) shocks and its alot stiffer. The truck needs and alignment really bad and its pushing the tops of the front wheel out ~1/2" or more and it looks like the wheels stick out, but they really don't, its just the angle of the pic

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/turnin20s/DSCN0665.jpg


Now on to my junk, I test fit my front wheels with the 1/4" spacer and still had a rub on the spindle where the little casting nipple is. So out came the grinder and I got rid of those :) Now I have ~1/4-5/16" of clearance between the wheel and the spindle, but the true test will be when I get my tires and that won't be for a few weeks unfortunately. But then I threw the upper control arm mounts and the spindles into the sandblasting cabinet and went to work. But about 3/4 of the way through the last spindle the sandblaster got plugged up and I was tired of doing it anyway so I called it quits and had a few beers :chug:

Heres the pics I took this weekend

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/turnin20s/DSCN0664.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/turnin20s/DSCN0663.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/turnin20s/DSCN0662.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/turnin20s/DSCN0661.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/turnin20s/DSCN0660.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/turnin20s/DSCN0659.jpg


And my billet 1/4" front spacers...

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/turnin20s/DSCN0657.jpg


Now Monday I have a whole bunch of parts coming in so I'll take some pics when that stuff shows up, tuesday my rear axle should be done. I found out that my fuel pump is on backorder until the end of march/begining of april and I still don't have an ETA on my watts link. But next weekend I'm going to assemble the entire axle and probably order my brakes from brakemotive.

So until next time :cheers:

[Ninety5PoloZ]

More parts showed up today :) Took them out to look them over and snagged a few pics

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/turnin20s/Camaro%20Buildup/DSCN0946.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/turnin20s/Camaro%20Buildup/DSCN0950.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/turnin20s/Camaro%20Buildup/DSCN0952.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/turnin20s/Camaro%20Buildup/DSCN0954.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/turnin20s/Camaro%20Buildup/DSCN0957.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/turnin20s/Camaro%20Buildup/DSCN0959.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/turnin20s/Camaro%20Buildup/DSCN0960.jpg

I have to work 50 hours this week, so nothing will get done and I might have to work both days this weekend :( But if I have Saturday off I'm going to try to get the motor out and change the opti and install a new thermostat, put in the throwout bearing, run new brake lines, and put the motor back in its home.

If anything else shows up I'll post some more pics

[95ImpySS]

Looking good so far. I wish I had your funds lol :hail:

[Ninety5PoloZ]

Looking good so far. I wish I had your funds lol :hail:

Meh, I'm horrible at saving money. I literally have $5 in my savings account, all my extra cash goes into my car or my house. We just started working ALOT of overtime since November and I recently paid off a couple of loans and finally got my finances back in line so this is just a treat for myself if you know what I mean. Its been 5 months of ordering parts and doing research, I just hope its back on the road this summer :)

Thanks for the reply man

[Ninety5PoloZ]

Ordered my rear sway bar, headers, power steering pump, ps pulley, bbk underdrive pulley, russel rack & pinion AN adapters, spec throwout bearing, CMS Opti, and a set of black seat belts.

This weekend I'm going to add some gussets to my front sway bar mounts, and work on some little projects since my axle is still at the shop and I haven't heard anything about my watts link yet.

Next weekend on the other hand, my motor is coming out, opti is getting changed, my hooker ceramics are getting replaced with the stainless headers, my old throwout bearing is getting tossed, and my AC box is getting ditched for a nice flat piece of steel :hmm: and then its all going back together with the nice shiny UMI k member.

I still have a few big things to purchase, but without my watts link the car can not be finished. I really need that part :shame:

[CamaroGirl]

wow bud thats gonna be killer when you're done!
those tires definitely hurt the bank account, but my fuck are they great

[F.G.]

This is gonna be badass, good luck with everything

[BIGT94z]

cant wait to see more updates. killer parts list :popcorn:

[Ninety5PoloZ]

Sorry guys, I kind of suck at these threads. I always seem to forget my camera when I actually get some work done, and having only one day off a week sucks. I just wanna get wasted and don't really get anything done.


But this weekend was kind of productive. I welded up my front sway bar mounts so they don't rip apart, cut out the stock spring perches, cut off the bumpstops, finished up sandblasting my spindles and upper control arm mount. I have the whole weekend off this coming weekend and I should have all of the parts to be able to pull my motor out and put on the new parts and reinstall it. I'm going to yank out the AC crap under the hood and install a flat plate like a few other guys have done. I'm also going to run the front brake lines a little different so when I pull the motor I don't have to mess with bleeding the brakes, but more just having to remove the brake lines and worry about messing them up.

But tomorrow some more parts are showing up from summit and I'll post up some pics. And this weekend I'll be sure to stop being a lazy ass and grab the camera haha


Thanks for the kind words, I really do appreciate it

[Ninety5PoloZ]

And I was trying to decide between the cheap Kuhmo 315s, Nitto NT555s, and Kuhmo XS road race tires. But I hear that the cheap kuhmos suck, and the XS get flat spots after sitting for a couple days. So I decided to just drop the $800 on the NT555s, but at the end of april theres a swap meet and I'm going to see if any of the vendors are having a sale so I can get a better deal on tires.

And UMI is working on a set of LG style front lower control arms and they are the same price as the chromoly lowers and are suppose to be alot stronger. I'm just waiting for the finished pics of them, but I think I'll just get the tubular chromoly arms :confused:

[Ninety5PoloZ]

Ok guys pics of the new parts as promised :)

Power Steering Pump & Pulley
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/turnin20s/DSCN1822.jpg

PS Pump
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/turnin20s/DSCN1821.jpg

BBK Underdrive pulley
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/turnin20s/DSCN1820.jpg

AN Rack Fittings & ARP Wheel Studs
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/turnin20s/DSCN1817.jpg

PS Pulley
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/turnin20s/DSCN1819.jpg



And I found out that my sway bar won't ship out until the end of april :shiner: FML everything I need is on backorder

[F.G.]

Sucks about the backorder. I have the kumho xs tires and they grip well and look badass, but they do get flat spots easily. However, after a couple of minutes the flat spots go away.

[Epro]

I like how your suspension setup isn't all about going in a straight line :rockon:
Sweet build, definitely staying subscribed.

[Ninety5PoloZ]

I like how your suspension setup isn't all about going in a straight line :rockon:
Sweet build, definitely staying subscribed.

HAHA I'm like the local anit drag guy. No offense if you like going in a straight line, but its not for me.

Thanks for subscribing :devil:



My Spec throwout bearing showed up today, the Speed Daddy headers will be here tomorrow, my fuel pump kit from Racetronix on Monday, and my rear wheel spacers are being made this week, I'm hoping I get them next week. I'm going to probably pick up the rear calipers and brackets on Friday of this week. MWC still hasn't built my watts link :( I paid for it on January 21st, I can't build my 4 link until the watts is here. I'm getting a little worried about the time frame they have me in right now. Thats why I decided to move to the front and work on that end. Once I have all of the parts for the front I'm going to build the front half of my exhaust and pray that I can fit 3" tailpipes with the 4 link and watts link and just wait for the parts to come


I'll post more pics when I get up and open up my headers, sorry it was a long day at work and I'm rambling

[Ninety5PoloZ]

Got some more parts today, :D The kind of parts that would put a smile on any car guys face.....Stainless Headers :hail: And they actually look really good, better than I was expecting, especially for $280 shipped. I don't have a dial caliper, but I'll take some measurements this weekend, but it looks like they are deffinately 1 3/4 stepped to 1 7/8 with 3" collectors. Most of the companies I talked to said that they were 1 1/2 stepped to 1 5/8 with a 2.5" collector :rolleyes: I can't wait to yank out the old hooker ceramics and get these in their place

I also got my factory black seat belts today, one step closer to an all black interior :D

Anyway heres the pics, I would have loaded them before work but photobucket was being a whore and kept saying corrupt file

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/turnin20s/Camaro%20Buildup/DSCN1830.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/turnin20s/Camaro%20Buildup/DSCN1829.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/turnin20s/Camaro%20Buildup/DSCN1828.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/turnin20s/Camaro%20Buildup/DSCN1824.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/turnin20s/Camaro%20Buildup/DSCN1823.jpg

[F.G.]

very nice

[NastyZ]

Nice! like the LT's!

[Ninety5PoloZ]

Nice! like the LT's!

Me too, I hope the fit better than the Hooker LTs I'm replacing. The hookers hit the floor pan right below my feet, pisses me off. And with the torque arm being removed I should be able to tuck the 3" duals very nicely :finger:


I got the call I was hoping for today on the way to work (good thing I left a little early). My buddy got my gears all set up, said it took him 8 hours to get it right. Then he only charged me $150, so I gave him a tip of $30 since I know what he normally charges.

So my rear axle is in the back of the wifes Tahoe making i smell really nice (Ford limited slip additive reaks) :devil:

But tomorrow morning were testing our boats, its suppose to be almost 80* out then tomorrow afternoon its business time, I have to work every weekend the month of April after this one so I have to get something done.

So anyway the camera is in one of my boxes of parts so I don't forget it, so Sunday night I'll try to load everything up

:cheers:

[Wooshie]

Looks good.

[Ninety5PoloZ]

Made some good progress this weekend :) Motor came out, took all of the old stuff off and installed the low mount alternator, low mount power steering pump, the throw out bearing, headers, and k member.

Next weekend I'm going to run the fuel lines, hook up the wiring, and maybe work on the 4 link.

Heres the pics...

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/turnin20s/Camaro%20Buildup/DSCN1914.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/turnin20s/Camaro%20Buildup/DSCN1916.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/turnin20s/Camaro%20Buildup/DSCN1917.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/turnin20s/Camaro%20Buildup/DSCN1923.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/turnin20s/Camaro%20Buildup/DSCN1926.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/turnin20s/Camaro%20Buildup/DSCN1928.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/turnin20s/Camaro%20Buildup/DSCN1929.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/turnin20s/Camaro%20Buildup/DSCN1939.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/turnin20s/Camaro%20Buildup/DSCN1940.jpg

[Ninety5PoloZ]

I had to beat in the passenger side header to get the motor bolted in, but it was a small area that had to be pushed in about 1/4" I didn't get a chance to put in the steering shaft, but its going to be close. I need to move the steering column over as far as I can and see where that puts the shaft.

Heres some pics of the header fitment
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/turnin20s/Camaro%20Buildup/DSCN1947.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/turnin20s/Camaro%20Buildup/DSCN1946.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/turnin20s/Camaro%20Buildup/DSCN1945.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/turnin20s/Camaro%20Buildup/DSCN1944.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/turnin20s/Camaro%20Buildup/DSCN1943.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/turnin20s/Camaro%20Buildup/DSCN1941.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/turnin20s/Camaro%20Buildup/DSCN1942.jpg



And heres how they compare to the old Hooker ceramics
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/turnin20s/Camaro%20Buildup/DSCN1921.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/turnin20s/Camaro%20Buildup/DSCN1918.jpg


Thats all I have for now, stay tuned for more :)

[Ninety5PoloZ]

Got my Racetronix fuel pump and hot wire kit today :) Wheel spacers should be here this week, I hope

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/turnin20s/Camaro%20Buildup/DSCN1949.jpg

[Epro]

HAHA I'm like the local anit drag guy. No offense if you like going in a straight line, but its not for me.

Thanks for subscribing :devil:


Yeah not my cup of tea either. I kind of shudder at people removing the front sway bar and putting QA1s on their car.

Good progress :peace2:

[popo8]

Keep up the good work!!!

[LT slow]

Got my Racetronix fuel pump and hot wire kit today :) Wheel spacers should be here this week, I hope

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/turnin20s/Camaro%20Buildup/DSCN1949.jpg

Lucky man i have still yet to receive mine and that was about 3 or 4 weeks ago.

[Ninety5PoloZ]

Lucky man i have still yet to receive mine and that was about 3 or 4 weeks ago.

Ya I hear that, I ordered mine about the middle of march and just got it. My sway bars are on back order until who knows when, I just hope I don't have to put the stockers back in. And its been 3 months since I paid for my watts link and they still haven't built it yet :doh: I have a funny feeling the entire car will be done and I will be waiting on the watts before I can get it aligned or drive it :frustrated:

I found out that I have to work this coming Sunday, so I will only be able to work on my car on Saturday. But I'm going to finish hooking up my engine harness and reroute some of the wires that are now kinda close to the headers. Then drop the tank and install the fuel pump and start running my new fuel system. I ordered some insulated line clamps and those will be here on Thursday. And if I didn't have to give the IRS a bunch of my $$$$ I would order a bunch more stuff, but that has to wait :( I'm getting really close to being done buying parts though :devil:

I'll get some more pics this weekend.

:cheers:

[LT slow]

Ya I hear that, I ordered mine about the middle of march and just got it. My sway bars are on back order until who knows when, I just hope I don't have to put the stockers back in. And its been 3 months since I paid for my watts link and they still haven't built it yet :doh: I have a funny feeling the entire car will be done and I will be waiting on the watts before I can get it aligned or drive it :frustrated:

I found out that I have to work this coming Sunday, so I will only be able to work on my car on Saturday. But I'm going to finish hooking up my engine harness and reroute some of the wires that are now kinda close to the headers. Then drop the tank and install the fuel pump and start running my new fuel system. I ordered some insulated line clamps and those will be here on Thursday. And if I didn't have to give the IRS a bunch of my $$$$ I would order a bunch more stuff, but that has to wait :( I'm getting really close to being done buying parts though :devil:

I'll get some more pics this weekend.

:cheers:

Why not just cut an access panel instead of dropping the tank. 4 hours of dropping the take < 10 minutes of cutting

[Epro]

Why not just cut an access panel instead of dropping the tank. 4 hours of dropping the take < 10 minutes of cutting

Does this involve cutting the floor?

[Ninety5PoloZ]

Why not just cut an access panel instead of dropping the tank. 4 hours of dropping the take < 10 minutes of cutting

Well there is no rear suspension in the car so dropping the tank will take less time than cutting the hole :) Plus I need to remove some of the emissions junk thats under there and run my new fuel lines


Does this involve cutting the floor?

Yes it does

[Ninety5PoloZ]

Well this weekend didn't really go as planned. I installed the fuel pump, AN adapters, and the hoses but stopped after that. I want to wait until the rear axle is under the car to see where the best place to route the fuel lines will be. I didn't hook up the hotwire kit either because of the same thing. I did however find where I'm going to relocate the fuel pump harness to keep it away from the tailpipes but I need to finish removing the interior before that can happen.

Maybe I can talk my brother into running my brake lines, but again I need the rear axle in there to find the best mounting location. So this weekend was kind of a bust and I had a hard time getting motivated, hopefully next weekend will be better. I would like to get the SFCs bolted in and ready for welding when I get the car off of the lift, finish up the motor wiring, get the radiator back in and order some more parts, like exhaust :D (my favorite part ;))

Sorry no pics, I figured most people have seen what the fuel tanks look like, but was it a PITA to get the filler neck back in place, what a piece of crap

[GE-]

Hrm.

[Ninety5PoloZ]

Hrm.

:hmm::hmm::hmm:

[Ninety5PoloZ]

Ok a little fast forward :D

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/turnin20s/Camaro%20Buildup/DSCN2071.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/turnin20s/Camaro%20Buildup/DSCN2083.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/turnin20s/Camaro%20Buildup/DSCN2084.jpg

Tuesday I got some parts again...

6 of these...
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/turnin20s/DSCN2267.jpg

2 of these...
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/turnin20s/DSCN2271.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/turnin20s/DSCN2269.jpg


My x pipe should be here tomorrow, I hope, and I get to pick up my front wheels and tires from the shop.


BTW I measured the section width of the Nitto NT555, laying flat on the floor with a straight edge across the top and they measure 12.5" mounted on an 11" wheel.


Axle is back in, we had a heat index of 110* today and it was humid as hell. Just standing in the garage would make you sweat. Tomorrow I'm going to weld on the axle tabs. I also got my rear calipers and ordered the brackets and hoses. I'm slowly getting closer. Heres some pics of the new rear stance. It may change a little, but once its on the ground I will know for sure, and I need to center the axle a little better

http://www.uscconlinealbum.com/lifecache-media-thumbnailer/thumbnail/photo02/12/53/95c60d02af13_6e8d78c5-ff45-45cd-ad84-b1d64b6ac854?th=450&tw=610

http://www.uscconlinealbum.com/lifecache-media-thumbnailer/thumbnail/photo03/a4/70/39ee0b1ab721_9f0e4a35-69c3-48cb-9cc4-f9f4c80cdcef?th=450&tw=610

http://www.uscconlinealbum.com/lifecache-media-thumbnailer/thumbnail/photo03/5c/c2/a04497c6175f_29d66a42-56e5-4452-b1fb-2ebd7e96e10e?th=450&tw=610

Well I made alot of progress on my little vacation. All of the fabrication on the rear axle is finished :D The only thing that I have to build is the exhaust. I got the wiring on the motor all hooked back up except for the O2 sensors, MAF, IAT, and starter. I also welded in the battery tray and tightened down all of the front suspension parts to get it ready to set down on the ground. But then, of course, I had to run into a problem. The Alloy USA axles won't let the cross pin go in. The c clips are seated correctly, but the "button" on the end of the axle sticks into the cross pin area about 3/32" I couldn't call anyone today because of the holiday. So no pics of the car on the ground for the first time since November :(

So the typical 3 steps forward and 1 step back. And the worst part IMO is that the axles are suppose to be a direct bolt in, and I had to get the ones that don't bolt in. So if you have any pointers for me please let me know. I put up a post on the mustang forums (since its an 8.8) and there is one guy that said I set up the trac lok wrong and its shimmed too tight and thats why the cross pin won't go in, but I disagree. The spider gears went in great so I think that the problem is the axles, but I'll see after I make some phone calls

Anyway I actually took some pics to bring this thread back to life, but I'm feeling good about all of the fabbed parts. But I'll just have to wait and see how everything works together....

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/turnin20s/Camaro%20Buildup/DSCN2305.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/turnin20s/Camaro%20Buildup/DSCN2306.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/turnin20s/Camaro%20Buildup/DSCN2307.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/turnin20s/Camaro%20Buildup/DSCN2308.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/turnin20s/Camaro%20Buildup/DSCN2309.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/turnin20s/Camaro%20Buildup/DSCN2310.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/turnin20s/Camaro%20Buildup/DSCN2311.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/turnin20s/Camaro%20Buildup/DSCN2312.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/turnin20s/Camaro%20Buildup/DSCN2313.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/turnin20s/Camaro%20Buildup/DSCN2314.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/turnin20s/Camaro%20Buildup/DSCN2315.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/turnin20s/Camaro%20Buildup/DSCN2316.jpg

[Ninety5PoloZ]

Front braided lines and lug nuts will be on my porch when I wake up tomorrow. And Saturday I'm going to try to get this project sitting on the floor for the first time since November.

And the 4 link brackets on the body side have a 6" x 6" steel plate on the inside to sandwich everything together. When I get my Wolfe roll bar I'm going to add 2 tubes from the cage to the plate to strengthen it even more. That is if I like the 4 link setup.

Sorry for not updating this more. But I'll have some new pics Saturday night, hopefully of a clean car :)

[Ninety5PoloZ]

Also I should add that I figured out the problem with the Alloy axles, they are left long and are meant to be a "grind to fit" application. That info would have been great to have on Sunday afternoon, rather than Tuesday morning. Maybe some instructions stating that they are suppose to be ground off.

Oh well now I know, end rant.

[Ninety5PoloZ]

And the Flowmaster Scavanger X pipe

http://www.uscconlinealbum.com/lifecache-media-thumbnailer/thumbnail/photo01/24/ac/5cf0dd5624c1.jpg?th=450&tw=610
http://www.uscconlinealbum.com/lifecache-media-thumbnailer/thumbnail/photo01/a4/77/fd4db810f149.jpg?th=450&tw=610

[Ninety5PoloZ]

Today I went in to get all of the fluids and rear caliper brackets and brake pads. The brackets didn't come in like they were suppose to and they didn't have any rear brake pads for a Cobra brake setup. And I spent $156 on fluids :cry: But I needed everything from front to back and it takes 7 quarts of oil for me to do an oil change.

Tomorrow I'm going to grind down the axles, bolt up the diff cover, and install the rear axle. Hook up the shocks, bolt on the sway bar, put some air in the bags. Install the front brake lines and see if everything is going to work. Finish hooking up the wiring, run the fuel pump hot wire kit, run the battery cables, and figure out the fuel system. Hopefully I can twist my brothers arm to run some brake lines, but I doubt that will happen :disagree: Then I'll bolt on the wheels and see if I can get her back on her own 4 feet and see how the new look and stance checks out

I still have A LOT of work to do, maybe I can put a big dent in it this weekend. I'm going on vacation in 2 weeks and would love to have it done by then, but I just don't think I'll have all of the parts. I hate having to rely on the guys behind the parts counter to get shit done.

Oh and I have to run the power steering lines and find a place to mount the ressivor.


Camera is charged and ready to go :)

[Ninety5PoloZ]

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/turnin20s/Camaro%20Buildup/DSCN2317.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/turnin20s/Camaro%20Buildup/DSCN2318.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/turnin20s/Camaro%20Buildup/DSCN2319.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/turnin20s/Camaro%20Buildup/DSCN2321.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/turnin20s/Camaro%20Buildup/DSCN2322.jpg



17x11s with 315s on the front stick out so far :rolleyes: The wheel is turned a touch, but this is a decent view of the top. 50mm offset with a 1/4" spacer and the nub on the spindle ground off. No rubbing, but its really close to the spindle haha
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/turnin20s/Camaro%20Buildup/DSCN2320.jpg


Rear axle is in and done. I ground down my axles and have .008" of clearance between the cross pin and the axle with the c clip seated. Summit tech guy said ~.010" so I think I'm close enough. Took me about 2.5 hours to get them ground down. I didn't want to mess them up, so there was a lot of assembly and tear down. Then I fitted the Helwig rear sway bar, and now I need to make some 2" or 3" spacers to drop the sway bar down. I guess my car is too low, I have the end links turned all the way in and it still doesn't fit right. And with the axle at full droop the sway bar hits on the floor. But I think spacing the sway bar down will fix that.

Another thing, I only have 27 psi of air in the rear bags. I thought that most guys have 50+psi. But when I air them up to 50 psi the rear raises up about 2" higher than in the pics. I don't know if it will matter, but even at 27 psi the rear end feels stiff :) I still have some fine tuning to do to the 4 link. It was binding a little bit at first, but loosened up after I adjusted the upper bars a little bit.

Everything was going well until I was putting on the drivers side front wheel and I broke a 3/8" ratchet and hit myself in the mouth with the socket. And my reaction was to jerk my head back and I strained a muscle in my neck :( After that I was instantly in a bad mood and didn't feel like working on anything after that. But the car is on the ground for the first time in 8 months. I need to adjust the front coilovers to drop them down to match the rear and then check clearances on everything. And I need to adjust the lower control arms a little to get the alignment closer so I can move the car. Right now its way off and I don't want to even try to drive it onto the trailer.

I'm going to order some rear brake pads and hope that the caliper brackets show up this week. Then next weekend I'm going to try to tie up the rest of the loose ends and get it outside for a much needed bath. A car cover is also on the list so I don't have to look at my car being so dirty ever again


But enough rambling :cheers:

[Ninety5PoloZ]

I finally found the right adapting U Joint for my pinion yoke so I can use the parts that I have and not have to buy more shit. I have the smaller pinion flange and have 2 of the yokes, one large one and one small one. Both take the same U Joint and I got the wrong one the first time, that one was a Precision 355. The correct one is a 1310-3R, now I just have to try to find it locally since every where I find it online seems to be out of stock.

This weekend I'm going to finish up the LS steering shaft, adjust the front A-Arms to get the alignment good enough to get it on the trailer. Then I have to run the fuel pump hot wire kit, the battery cable, the fuel lines, and brake lines as long as my caliper brackets come in this week. Then build the exhaust, but I'm not going to run tailpipes right now, those will come a couple weeks after I get the ride height picked and make sure everything is working well.

I also got a deal on a set of Hawk rear brake pads so those are on their way.

Stay tuned

[v7guy]

i've been running 315s on the front for a few years now and the fronts seem to tuck in a bit better with -1deg camber and it's what most of us with 315s have been running for an alignment. haven't seen any abnormal wear.
it's been noted before, but kepan eye on the shock mounts on the a arms.

[Ninety5PoloZ]

I'm planning on setting my alignment to the Street/AutoX, but thanks for the heads up. What setup are you running in the front? How much drop and what spring rates? I have the 600# springs right now, but may jump up to some 650# if I have too much nose dive on hard cornering while braking.

Alignment specs:
________________Camber____Caster____Toe
______Factory:_____+1_______+3______.15
Street/AutoX:__-.5 to -1__+4 to +5___0.0
_______AutoX:____-1.5_____+4 to +5___1/16” Toe Out


I haven't got much work done lately, everything I seem to do goes wrong lately. The Hellwig rear sway bar fits like shit, it hits on the diff cover and on the subframe of the car. But I axle is a little bit too far forward and I'm hoping that will help, but I am still going to have to make a 2" drop bracket for the sway bar so it fits right when the car is at ride height. And when I tried to install my drive shaft it turns out that its about 1" too long, but maybe centering the axle in the wheel well will also correct this problem. Then on to the rear brakes, the rear caliper brackets that I got needs to be ground off on the mounting point because the rotor is not centered on the bracket. When the bracket is installed the rotor rubs on the inside so simply grinding off 3/16" of metal should correct this issue.


So since I have been frustrated with installing the last few parts I decided to work on some visual upgrades. I ordered a sheet of 3D Carbon vinyl from ebay to wrap the ugly ass OE Wheels center caps, the emblem on the nose of the car, and the triangle things by the windows. I started by working on the center caps by sanding them down and filling the center portion with epoxy. Then more sanding and then I wrapped them with the carbon vinyl, they actually turned out really well IMHO and they look alot better than the caps that come with the wheels. And I didn't have to spend $100 on a set of smooth caps. The wrap works really well, when you add heat it just forms around corners easily, I even wrapped the cover of my cell phone to see how well it worked on contours and it also turned out really good.

Anyway heres the pics of the center caps, well 3 of them, the last cap needed a little more epoxy to fill a little spot I missed the first time and it was still drying.

http://www.uscconlinealbum.com/lifecache-media-thumbnailer/thumbnail/photo01/25/89/534d7050e82c_f13edf1f-753a-4961-acb2-1c8525b85547?th=450&tw=610
http://www.uscconlinealbum.com/lifecache-media-thumbnailer/thumbnail/photo02/44/27/edb7816662fd_344bf962-efcf-41dc-8322-3e2c647c5320?th=450&tw=610

[Ninety5PoloZ]

Sorry I don't know how to post the pictures from my phones online album.


Next week I have to go hang out with my little brother for his b day party and I'll see if anything happens on the car on my other days off

[Ninety5PoloZ]

Well a bump for an update...

I'm ditching the 4 link idea and going back to the UMI TA, I got some badass deals on some parts to make a TA mount on the 8.8 and also a set of LCA/shock brackets. I'm going to be cutting off all of the brackets on the rear axle except the watts link brackets and welding on the new brackets. I ordered a 3.5" mufflex and sold the flowmaster x-pipe and magnaflow magnapacks. I will be ordering a 3.5" Borla XR-1 here in a couple weeks as well as some 6LE seats and brackets.

I had to take a little break, this project turned out to be a little more than I was expecting, but I think I'm back on track now. And I only have about $1000 left on parts to order and that should happen in 2 weeks. In a few weeks I'm going to throw it back on the lift and start building my y-pipe with the flowmaster merge and hook it up to the mufflex. Then burn on some new brackets and refit the 8.8 and hopefully get the rear sway bar to fit a little better.

Stay tuned, I'll get some new pics up here in a couple weeks

[F.G.]

Nice, I'm glad you're back on it. It will be badass once its done.

[Ninety5PoloZ]

Nice, I'm glad you're back on it. It will be badass once its done.

Thanks man, ya its been crazy lately...too many projects to work on and my car seems to have gotten put on the back burner, until now :) I'm trying to get it done by the middle of May, there is a little car show that I'd like to enter it in, I have wanted to for the last 5 years, but my car has been down everytime :( This year I want a best in class trophy

[F.G.]

I wish you luck, my friend.

[Ninety5PoloZ]

Well got a little work done today. Got the big brackets cut off the rear axle and now I have to smooth everything out and weld on the new ones. Also tack welded the TA mount up and fitted it to the 8.8, there is still work to be done to it, but I had enough for one day

Heres the pics....

Still need to cut out a filler plate for the bottom

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/479113_3676711086058_1523403382_3202376_1820922751 _o.jpg
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/413481_3676710046032_1523403382_3202375_967199155_ o.jpg
http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/466496_3676709206011_1523403382_3202374_2061406420 _o.jpg
http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/472663_3676708125984_591458851_o.jpg

Heres a shot of the 3.5" Mufflex with no muffler (Borla XR-1 coming soon :))

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/414867_3607935326707_1523403382_3169249_1441915630 _o.jpg

And heres my car a couple months ago when I pushed it outside to give it a much needed bath don't mind the s10 rear wheels, they were only installed to make it roll because theres no center section in the rear axle and the 315s rubbed on everthing and it wouldn't move

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/405722_3017904696310_1523403382_2950265_1404827730 _n.jpg

And yes those are deep lug 17x11s up front with Nitto NT555 315/35s :D

[KLaBZ28]

Me too, I hope the fit better than the Hooker LTs I'm replacing. The hookers hit the floor pan right below my feet, pisses me off.

My pacesetters do that too and I think its from the motor mounts saggy...

[Ninety5PoloZ]

My pacesetters do that too and I think its from the motor mounts saggy...

I had new poly motor & tranny mounts so its not saggy mounts, just a shitty header design. Now the ebay headers hit on the passengers side shock tower. I flattened the header tube, but when the motor comes back out I'm going to massage the shock tower a little.

[Ninety5PoloZ]

This weekend should be fun have to pull a tranny out of a v6 fox body and install a new one then I can weld on my new LCA/shock mounts then pull the rear axle completely apart so I can drop it off at a local welder on Monday. Then hopefully I can get it back for the following weekend. Then I have to build the y-pipe, finish the fuel system, install the battery cables, finish the engine bay wiring, then put the interior back together, and much, much more

But Friday I should be able to order half the parts I need and next week I'm going to get the other half and then all of the little things that I will need haha

[Ninety5PoloZ]

Dropped the rear axle off at the welding shop today and he said it should be done tomorrow. I'm having him weld on the TA mount and weld the axle tubes to the housing. I also ordered a new pinion yoke flange and new bolts as well as new air bag mounts for the axle since I ruined the old ones when they were removed.

This weekend the 8.8 should be installed with the TA mount and I'm going to start on the y-pipe and fitting the exhaust. Its getting really close, over the next couple of weeks I should have all of my parts and hopefully be able to get the alignment done the first week of May and be driving it again

[Ninety5PoloZ]

Axle is all welded up, my dad picked it up today for me (he works in the same town as the welder). He welded the TA mount to the housing and welded the axle tubes to the case for $55, I haven't seen it in person yet but my bro sent me some pics. He also said that the housing is cast steel, and not cast iron like some people think. Thats what he said anyway, and he has 40 years of welding experience so I will take his word for it, and see for myself how well it holds up.

Now I'm just waiting for parts to show up and more funds to order whats left. But after this weekend I should be able to make a roller out of it with the right wheels on there, and I can't wait to see it on the ground with its new setup :D


http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/539889_3744838589203_1523403382_3235902_1827420579 _n.jpg
http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/574908_3744838949212_1523403382_3235903_1908701969 _n.jpg

[Ninety5PoloZ]

Yesterday I received the pinion yoke, bolts for the pinion flange, and the new bag mounts for the axle. Tomorrow I'm ordering the Borla muffler, seat brackets from 6LE, and the passengers side window fix kit also from 6LE. Next week I'll order the seats and all of the little things that I will need like fluids, belts, registration, and whatever else.

So this weekend I'm going to try to get the LCA mounts welded on, build some sway bar mounts, clean up and paint the rear axle and install it. So since the car will be on the lift I'm going to work on the y-pipe and install the catback without the muffler to get everything fitted, bolt in the SFCs, finish running my fuel lines, and hook up the fuel pump hotwire kit. I'm also going to try to get the LS1 steering shaft installed if I can get the column moved over far enough for it to clear the header. And maybe my brother can get some of the brake lines done up so I don't have to run them.

I made a list of what needs to get done, hopefully I can cross off a bunch of stuff since I only have 4 weeks to get everything done and I only really have time to work on it during the weekends if even then. The car show I'm shooting for is on May 19th and I have to get an alignment done before then too, but that can get done during the week

More to some soon...

[Ninety5PoloZ]

Front brake lines are done, rear brake line is ran but we are waiting for the rear axle to be installed to finish it up. LCA/shock mounts are done, watts link is put back in, my once red UMI TA is now black ;) My cruise control is now MIA as well, I melted the cable with the header and need a new cable, but I'll keep it around incase I ever want to put it back in with a new cable


Now whats left...
hook fuel lines to the motor (right fittings ordered today)
weld LCA mounts to axle
finish rear brake line
put the guts back in the rear axle
Install the steering shaft
get a few exhaust pieces and install the pipes
install the power steering lines (fitting ordered)
paint my seat brackets when they come
install the passengers side window harness
bolt up the seats (ordering them Friday)


Next weekend we may go to a swap meet and walk around a little bit, but I think I'd rather get some more work done on my car.


Anyway heres a couple pics...
http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/544749_3802547911900_1523403382_3253487_441374165_ n.jpg
http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/578717_3802552872024_1523403382_3253492_1354552603 _n.jpg
http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/548045_3802557432138_1523403382_3253495_92041996_n .jpg
http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/580745_3802561352236_1523403382_3253498_1875804764 _n.jpg

[Ninety5PoloZ]

More new parts today, passengers side window fix harness, -6 fuel line fittings, and a -10 power steering fitting. Tomorrow hopefully the seat brackets show up and my 3-3.5" exhaust adapter. I'm not using the flowmaster merge right now, I'm just going to get everything put together and working, then I will go back and take care of a few things like the y-pipe, remove the heater box, reworking the factory wire harness to remove alot of the plugs and wires that are no longer used as well as a few more things I'm probably forgetting.


Anyway some pics...
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/576304_3822694935563_1523403382_3260920_1034869478 _n.jpg
http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/527301_3822692975514_1523403382_3260919_1777314191 _n.jpg
http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/427933_3822689095417_1523403382_3260918_1263169348 _n.jpg

[Ninety5PoloZ]

Seats are paid for, still waiting on 6LE for the seat brackets. Then some small stuff over the weekend, and maybe I'll get to post a startup video :D



Pic of the seats
http://www.madracingconcepts.com/Seats/images/leather.jpg

[Ninety5PoloZ]

So today was great http://images.ibsrv.net/ibsrv/res/src:ls1tech.com/get/forums/images/smilies2/icon_rolleyes.gif I went out to the shop, installed the bracket for the TA onto the rear axle, torqued it down, and a couple minutes later I heard a pop.......started looking over the welds and sure enough the welds that the "professional" welder put on didn't hold up. Broke on the top side of the housing all the way along the weld. I don't know what to do...I'm over the 8.8 into my car, now to find an axle to fit my needs. Something that will let me keep the air bags, watts link, and my low ride height.

So back to square 1 on this build and sticking way more money into this thing.........FML

[Ninety5PoloZ]

Got my quote back from MWC, my dad wants to buy my truck from me, so if all goes well I should be able make an order soon.

So now I'm going to have somethings going up for sale soon

UMI TA
UMI TA Relocation Kit for M6
UMI Double Adjustalbe Poly/Poly LCAs
And maybe some 8.8 parts, unless my buddy buys everything from me for his car


My dads little Ranger that he has been driving for the past few years decided to give up every gear except 3rd today on his way to work, that and the fact that it has been running on 5 of the 6 cylinders for a month or more. He decided that he wants to buy my Dakota and help me fund the rear axle.

Only downside with going with a MWC axle is that MWC is on a 10 week wait and to get it bumped up to a 4 week time frame will cost me another $200. I can have everything else done and ready to go by the end of May and I would love to be able to go and pick up the axle at the end of the month. So much for starting my sleeve this month http://images.ibsrv.net/ibsrv/res/src:ls1tech.com/get/forums/images/smilies/LS1Tech/gr_sad.gif I'm going to have to spend that money on the rear axle.
So maybe someday this damn thing will hit the road again, only now it will have a pretty much bullet proof rear axle

[Ninety5PoloZ]

Well its been a month so I will add an update if anyone is following.

Got my 6LE seat brackets, Mad Racing Seats and went to put them together and guess what.....they don't work together. So now I have to either weld the mounting bracket to the slider or make a plate to adapt it to bolt them together :bang: Every time I try to make something work for a little cheaper it always comes back to bite me in the ass.

Then I decided to mount my power steering reservoir and guess what.....that doesn't fit either. After thinking for a few minutes I grabbed the stock resy and fabbed up a bracket and mounted it on the drivers side by the fuse block. Looks good there and it appears to be factory and my lines will be able to get hooked up. Sorry no pics.

Then I ran the hot wire harness up the the alternator and just have to zip tie everything in place and hook it up, I need to re-install the battery cables and run them out of the way, get some belts, finish up routing my fuel lines in the engine bay, install my CAI, and wait for the call from MWC, which SHOULD be soon (fingers crossed). Then I can bolt the rear axle in, build my y-pipe, install my new Strange 3" chromoly drive shaft, and then finally set it on the ground on its own 4 feet for the first time in a long time. Then make some suspension adjustments to get the ride height where I want it and load it on the trailer to get an alignment. Hopefully this all happens during the next few weeks, but only time will tell. I'm not setting any more dates to finish this project because it always seems to let me down, then I get pissed and don't work on it for a few weeks.

[Ninety5PoloZ]

Back up again if anyone is still following along.


Seats are in, 6LE brackets are in, but I have to modify the brackets to make them work, but I guess that's what I get for trying to save some $$$. I went down to MWC on Saturday and picked up my rear axle and I ordered some 150# rear springs to replace the air bags. I also just received the 3.5" band clamp to connect the Mufflex to my y-pipe.


I have some stuff left to order, but next weekend if all goes well it will sit down on the ground and maybe I'll fire it up if I have the funds to get the fluids and small stuff that adds up quick. I guess I'll see what happens


Anyway here's some pics........


http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/556229_4182980502477_1791558459_n.jpg
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/545451_4181109055692_1582794356_n.jpg
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/525794_4181109975715_1585114061_n.jpg

[Ninety5PoloZ]

The car is down on the ground, but not done yet. I still need rear brake lines, build the y-pipe, finish fitting the exhaust as well as welding the back-half and painting it black to hide it better, find a belt for my alternator, and change the trans fluid. Then go over all of the fuel system and tighten down all of the fittings and check over the wiring and make sure everything is routed out the way and hooked up.

But its really close and I can't wait to see how it sounds with the new exhaust. Then the 4.30 gears should be pretty fun :)

9673
9674
9675

[F.G.]

That looks badass man.

[Fastbird]

That looks badass man.

Ditto. Car looks great man.

[Ninety5PoloZ]

The car on Thursday night all cleaned up and ready for the alignment shop

http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/382417_4371384332455_1437167676_n.jpg



And at Autozone getting ready to install a new power steering belt since I lost the other one on the maiden voyage :(

http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/578663_4373983117423_840577738_n.jpg

Here's the new shift knob that replaced my cheesy ass hurst knob (one of the $16 ones) I had a buddy mill down the Pro 5.0 handle and tap it to the 12x1.75 threads of the Cobra knob

http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/250930_4304706425549_1546614010_n.jpg




Everything went pretty good for the first trip, I need to flatten out one tube on the passenger side header, order some stiffer rear springs (175# vs the 150s I have now), I ordered some poly bumpstops to soften the blow when it bottoms out, ordered 2 new v-bands since I ruined both of them unloading it at the alignment shop. Then I need to do something about the headlights because they are soooo terrible its not even funny

[Ninety5PoloZ]

BTW thanks F.G. and Fastbird for the kind words :cheers:

[Ninety5PoloZ]

Rather than starting a new thread I'll just add to this one.

I decided this winter that I was going to start my car on a diet and started cutting weight out of it and change a few things that were bugging me, I'm almost finished up right now so I'll try to start from the beginning of the winter...

Junk from under the dash

19173


Here's why I was having the bad vibrations at certain RPMs

19174


Glasstek Pin-On SS hood ~15# :D

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19176

[Ninety5PoloZ]

I decided that the Spec Stage 3 with a stock flywheel was way too heavy so these showed up

Quicktime 2.1# flexplate

19177

And Ace 5.5" triple disk 9.6#

19178

Then the wiring started to disappear lol

Unloomed with all of the factory wires still there (this is the headlight/engine fuse block harness)

19179

After it was done before being reloomed

19180
19181

What was removed

19182

[Ninety5PoloZ]

After removing the 55# stock hood

19920

Test fitting the MWC front bumper support

19921


Fender metal cut off and my flooded garage :(

19923
19922
19924
19925
19926

Then I started on the radiator support

19927
19928



Cutting the frail rails

19929
19930


Before

19931


One of my favorite pics

19932

Underside of the rad support where the airdam bolts

19933

[Ninety5PoloZ]

Most of the interior brackets out

19934


Started capping off the upper radiator support

19935
19936

Welded in a piece of 1/2" DOM tubing & some green primer (size of the tube matches the MWC bumper supports)

19937
19938
19939
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19941


Used Raptor shift light showed up, it has green LEDs

19942

Cluster drilled for the LEDs to come through

19943


Radio delete panel made from some textured ABS 1/8" thick sheets

19944

Carbon wrapped headlight switch with the fog light switch deleted

19945

[Ninety5PoloZ]

"New" power steering pump showed up, going to a way simpler setup without a remote reservoir

19946

Griffin radiator came, it weighs about 1/3 of the 124k mile stocker

19947

Then I Plasti-Dipped my wheels

19948

Built my ultra lightweight CAI

19950
19951
19952

Shift light installed in the cluster

19953

Water pump barbs removed and plugged

19954
19955

Dash shell back in


19956
19957

Random pic I took

19949

Gauge cluster installed and you can see the HVAC delete panel that matches the radio delete. Also note the shielded wire for the shift light

19958
19959

Steering column back in with the driver side wiring tucked back up

19960

[Ninety5PoloZ]

I also cut everything electric out of the interior except the cigarette lighter, that way I can charge my phone or hook up a laptop for tuning. I removed about 18-20# just in wiring and I have more to remove but gave in because it is so time consuming and I plan on going to a painless harness at some point. I will also be switching to an aluminum 5.3 motor in the not too distant future to save some more weight and pick up some power. Sorry guys, but it's the truth :(



And that brings it up to date. I took the carpet out to my parents house to attempt dying it black but it just turned it dark brown. I bought a 50 gallon trash can and I'm going to try putting the whole carpet into the can and filling it with water and dye and letting it soak for a day or two. If that fails then I will order the Speed Inc lightweight carpet.

This week I'm going to try to get the radiator mounted and try to figure out the hoses. I will post some more pics tomorrow night, I think I posted enough for one night :/

[Homerandabe69]

Your pictures arent working on your last few posts. Great thread though.

[v7guy]

Been checking in on this for awhile. I'm sad the recent pics don't work

[Ninety5PoloZ]

Well I'll try to fix the links, I uploaded a lot in one night and it seems like most of them didn't stick :(

Some more updates.....

I worked a lot this weekend and tied up a bunch of misc little wiring projects that took way too long. I tapped my power steering reservoir for the -6 return and hooked the return line up. I installed the radiator finally and it is solid, I wired in the 16" cooling fan with the Procharger wiring diagram, rewired the EWP and installed a new relay, installed a 5 pole power block by the battery, reloomed some of the wiring under the fuse block in the engine bay, and cleaned the engine bay a little bit. I tested everything after I cut out a bit more than 20 pounds of wiring and the only problem I have is that the wipers don't work. I'm not worried about that right now, just going to focus on the big things. After that I hooked the computer back up and everything seems to be functioning there too, going to hook the laptop up to make sure all is good before I try to fire it back up.

I ordered some stainless flex radiator hoses so hopefully they come before next weekend. I need to mount my HID ballasts and put the headlight support back in, then I can reinstall the front bumper and finish up the plastic shrouds. Then I can get to mounting the pin on hood......

[Ninety5PoloZ]

19915
19916
19917
19918
19919

[Ninety5PoloZ]

There you go guys, I fixed the links :cheers:

[Ninety5PoloZ]

Coolant hose kit showed up today....I don't like it but it will work. Once my buddy gets good with his TIG welder I will do mandrel bent aluminum pipes, or AN hoses.

19990

[Ninety5PoloZ]

Rad hoses are on

20221

Power steering lines done. It is an S10 pump & reservoir with a Speedway Motors mount for a SBC that had to be trimmed to clear the LT1 water pump

20222

Ready for the bumper cover

20223

Dip switch for the shift light installed in the glove box so adjustments are simple

20224

It's getting close now

20225


Hood fits pretty good for a pin on

20226

20227

20228

My skinnies lol

20229

Seeing how the bronze color looks finally

20230

20231

And last but not least......she fired up after removing 20lbs of wire without a problem, actually it pretty much key dropped :)

[Fastbird]

I gotta say, very nice work man. I love how simple you've made it all look. What do you think your weight is gonna come in at now?

[Ninety5PoloZ]

I gotta say, very nice work man. I love how simple you've made it all look. What do you think your weight is gonna come in at now?

Thanks a lot man :cheers: It was my goal to make everything extremely simple to access, I think it came out pretty good and the only thing I dislike is the radiator hoses. I'm hoping to see low 2900s and if I get it out next weekend I want to get it on a scale and see what it's at.

[Ninety5PoloZ]

Seats are in

20423

[Ninety5PoloZ]

CAI will be finished tonight and I will reflare the leaking brake line and install that after I get home from work. Then hopefully my wife will help me bleed the brakes so I can get the wheels on and set it on the ground again. Then I can roll it forward a bit, pull the rear bumper and install the MWC rear bumper support and get another 20lbs or so out. I hope to get it out of the garage this coming weekend :)

[Soxxpuppet]

Thats an extremely awesome build you have there! I wish i could do this to a Z that was in really rough shape. Then I wouldnt feel as bad about cutting it up. Kudos to you sir!

[Ninety5PoloZ]

Thats an extremely awesome build you have there! I wish i could do this to a Z that was in really rough shape. Then I wouldnt feel as bad about cutting it up. Kudos to you sir!

Thanks a lot :) My car is no where near mint but it's not junk either. When I do the roll cage I have a couple spots on the floor that needs to be fixed, but it shouldn't be a big deal. Thanks again

Now I finally made some progress in the past few days and tomorrow the car is coming out for a few miles to make sure everything is working properly, maybe today if I get everything looked over and make sure it's legit.

Air Intake done

20757
20758

Brakes bled, wheels on, and on the ground :)

20759
20760

17x11 with a 50mm offset + a 1/4" billet spacer up front and they don't stick out like some people say

20761

Completed engine bay

20762
20763

[Ninety5PoloZ]

Now to my favorite part of the build :rolleyes: I can tell you that setting up and installing the Dzus rails and fasteners is a royal PITA. That and Racecraft suggested the wrong Dzus fasteners (.500" reach) and I had to order new ones with a .650" reach so that delayed the install by 3 days.

Rails installed

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20765

Front rails mocked up

20766

Springs installed

20767
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20769

Nerve Racking Part

20770
20771

Seeing how it's going to look

20772
20773

Here's what $80 worth of hardware looks like....Thanks Racecraft :(

20774

Front rails done

20775
20776
20777

Front fasteners installed

20778

COMPLETE!!!!!

20779
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20781
20782

Look at those ugly gaps lol....I say who cares RACE CAR!

20783


That brings me up to date, today I'm picking up a new thermostat gasket to stop my leak and then I'll be pulling it out of the garage and getting some much needed miles on it to see if it will overheat.....I sure hope everything goes well

[firebird_1995]

Looks amazing! What does the hood+fasteners and rails weigh?

[Ninety5PoloZ]

Looks amazing! What does the hood+fasteners and rails weigh?

Hood is about ~14.8 lbs and the fasteners/rails are ~2.7 lbs IIRC. Total package is 17.5 lbs give or take, I weighed them last winter and don't remember exactly what they were.

Stock hood, hinges, and shocks was 55 lbs. The latch, front brace, cable, bolts, and rubber bumpers was ~8 lbs IIRC including the metal brackets for the hood shocks that are spot welded to the car. There is a bunch of weight in everything hood related.

[Ninety5PoloZ]

Took the car out for a spin today and my brother said with a chuckle "This car really puts you right in the experience." It is loud and hot in there now, maybe getting rid of the firewall insulation was a bad idea lol. But I only had the drivers window down and it is a little warm today (83*). Temp didn't go over 170*, the cooling fan worked, and I only lost a power steering belt. Overall I'm impressed that everything works and it is really a driver car now, you can hear everything :D

20785

[McCauleyWB]

Very nice build! I've been considering a vertical radiator for a while, but seeing yours convinced me to do it. May I ask what you did with the steam vent?

[Ninety5PoloZ]

Thanks :cheers: I has been a process and I'm glad to have it out and able to be driven :)

I directed it right into the water pump where the heater core used to return.

You can see it in this pic...

20932

Here you can see where I tapped and installed the barb fitting on the pump

20933

[Ninety5PoloZ]

I've got about 75 miles on the car and am getting a couple of the bugs worked out. I lost 2 transmission crossmember bolts and the nut for the trans mount :( I made it to Autozone so I could borrow a jack and buy some bolts and got it back together without an issue. When my brother and I started pulling the trans for the clutch install I must have missed those bolts on the reinstall. BTW I didn't change the clutch, that will happen in a month or so when I get caught back up and have some money in my accounts again.

Anyway here's some finished product pics for you guys :D

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20957

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20962






More to come....

[McCauleyWB]

I think your attachments are broken.

Thanks for the pic of where you routed the steam pipe. I was going to ask before about your fan too but didn't figure you had a chance to test it. Since you've driven it a bit, how was your temp with the fan you are running? What fan/size do you have if you don't mind me asking? I've been leaning toward a single puller and shroud if I could get away with it.

[Ninety5PoloZ]

I think your attachments are broken.

Thanks for the pic of where you routed the steam pipe. I was going to ask before about your fan too but didn't figure you had a chance to test it. Since you've driven it a bit, how was your temp with the fan you are running? What fan/size do you have if you don't mind me asking? I've been leaning toward a single puller and shroud if I could get away with it.


I have a 160* thermostat and my gauge reads ~165-170* all the time. So far my $40 16" eBay fan is working great without a shroud. I wired it per some Procharger instructions and it comes on when it should :) I plan on adding some ducting to direct all of the air through the radiator because right now I don't have any thing in there and I think a lot of the air is going over the radiator.

[F.G.]

The car looks great man, I love the stance.

[Ninety5PoloZ]

The car looks great man, I love the stance.

Thanks! The stance is growing on me, it's a little higher than it was last year, but I don't scrape on anything anymore. I just wish I could bring the rear down about 1/4", but I just can't with my exhaust.

Thanks again :cheers:

[ZOHAN]

Completed engine bay

20762

Where did you relocate the wiring harness to instead of the drivers side frame rail?

Making you silky smooth...

[Ninety5PoloZ]

Where did you relocate the wiring harness to instead of the drivers side frame rail?

Making you silky smooth...

Inside the inner fender. If you look by the wiper harness you can see where I cut a hole and the wiring harness goes into the fender there.

[ZOHAN]

Inside the inner fender. If you look by the wiper harness you can see where I cut a hole and the wiring harness goes into the fender there.

Oh ok, can just barely see it. Same as I did on the other side. Did you have to lengthen it?

Making you silky smooth...

[Ninety5PoloZ]

Oh ok, can just barely see it. Same as I did on the other side. Did you have to lengthen it?

Making you silky smooth...

No it just made it, but I wasn't able to relocate the passenger side wires into the inner fender though and I relocated the power block down by the battery. This coming winter I am pulling the engine bay harness and cutting all of the extra wires out of that so I'll address extending it then.

[ZOHAN]

Awesome. Ill look into it. So you drilled the whole and went just above the plastic fender or through the fender support? I went through the fender support on my passenger side when I lengthened it. I know you cut up your fender supports though. Wish I knew what wires I didn't need while the harness was out so I could put it on a diet. Lol

Making you silky smooth...

[Ninety5PoloZ]

Awesome. Ill look into it. So you drilled the whole and went just above the plastic fender or through the fender support? I went through the fender support on my passenger side when I lengthened it. I know you cut up your fender supports though. Wish I knew what wires I didn't need while the harness was out so I could put it on a diet. Lol

Making you silky smooth...

I left a bit of a lip on the bottom of the fender support when I trimmed it off for the wires to sit on, but then I ended up using some cable clamps to hold the bundle of wires up where the support would have been. I'm going to be removing more weight later on and I may rework the harness a little bit to hide it a little more.

I wish I could tell you which ones could go, but there are A LOT of them lol. Just start hacking ;)

[Ninety5PoloZ]

I have been trying to find some ambition to install the rear bumper support and finish the rear interior but working 6 10 hour days a week is wearing me out. I have been busting ass trying to get caught back up, but all I'm doing is wearing myself down. I ended up missing a car show/burnout contest last weekend because of work, but hopefully it will turn around soon and I can get some more work done.

In the meantime I have been researching what my next steps are going to be and I'm starting to get another solid plan for next winter. I found a lead on a guy that has a few complete aluminum 5.3 motors and a couple lq4s. I'm trying to work out a package deal to get an aluminum motor and an iron motor for a decent price. Then I can compare some weights and have a few different options, also when I do the motor swap I will be using a MegaSquirt (mirco) to tune the motor and I will install a Painless or similar body harness as both will save weight over the factory pieces. I will also be ordering some aluminum Kirkey seats and building a seat brace/harness bar. I'm going to go as far as I can before I put a cage in the car as I still drive on the street all the time and don't want the insurance company coming after me if there is an accident because I am driving a "racecar" because it has a cage in it. I will also be cutting out the trunk floor and installing flat aluminum/steel panels, removing the factory fuel tank and going to a fuel cell so I can get the car lower, building a new exhaust out of aluminum, cutting the front cowl and getting a Sunoco pin-on cowl hood that goes to the windshield. I also plan on mini tubbing the car, deleting the rear seat humps, going to an 18" wheel and tire combo, installing Gen 5/CTS-V brakes at all 4 corners, and install some carbon fiber door panels. As well as some more things that I am forgetting. I know it won't all happen next winter, but I enjoy the work and eventually I will run out of ideas for this car and it has been a learning experience that will hopefully make my future projects a lot easier to figure out.

Anyway stay tuned for some more pics soon of the rear bumper support install as well as some future upgrades :D