Contemplating on branching off to a detail business with my friend that has the GTO. Got a guy that is interested in investing and buying a bunch of ceramic equipment and stuff. Think I can make a good bit of money doing it. Did three coats of paste wax and finished it up with a ceramic wax tonight. Keep in mind this is original 50 year old paint.
My BIL has a ‘70 Ranger that’s really nice. Beautiful truck. That one will look sharp with a little work.
What all does it need? And how bad is the rust? Pics look like dents and surface rust. I'd worry about the drive train, get it up and solid and drive the heck out of it with the dents.
It's definitely got some rust and dent issues. But I'm not real concerned about getting it fully restored, at least not at this point. I need a new ignition switch. After that I think it would just need general maintenance stuff. Oil/brakes/tags etc. It was running and sounding nice after the carb work. But it sits for a while and something else may pop up that I haven't discovered yet.
Had a leaking pan gasket on the transmission. Dumped the fluid and replaced it this morning. Good as new.
I have a 1985 Camaro that I bought in college, and it’s been a never-ending project that I affectionately refer to as the Mulletmobile. I’m finally getting the drivetrain where I want after the third engine and second transmission rebuild. I just had an exhaust system installed to quiet down the open headers and finished the conversion to a throttle body injection system from the carburetor (MSD Atomic 2). No, your eyes aren’t fooling you; that’s a sweet set of T-tops. My focus has admittedly been on performance instead of looks as all of the money has gone into the engine, transmission, drivetrain, brakes, and suspension. The plan is to get it painted hugger orange with either white or silver stripes from the 25th anniversary models.
Swapping the motor out on my Formula and downsizing to a 4.8 and then running a twin turbo on it. Putting a stronger transmission and rear end and then doing a tune. Should be pushing close to 900 HP.
If you tell me this is your backyard shop, I'm gunna have to let you know I officially fucking hate you
It’s 6 bays and every tool you could ever think you would need. Has one wall that is nothing but a solid row toolbox.
You thinking 8.8”, 9”, 12 bolt, or S60? Any plans to take it to the track, or will it just be a street machine?
Deciding between the 9" and 12 bolt. I'm not much on going really fast which doesn't make sense that I am making a 900HP car, but I just like the feeling of knowing I have it I guess. Probably just drive it to work once a week and put around on the weekends.
The problem with a 900hp car isn't making the rear end strong enough, it's making a transmission that can be driven around the streets that can handle it.
Might as well take the extra half liter since they’re more plentiful. Good call on the 4L80E. It has a better gear ratio split, and those can take some serious abuse with relatively minor upgrades. Feel free to post updates as you move along. I’m interested to see how you fit both turbos in that engine bay. I’m assuming you’re planning to at least get rid of the A/C if not the heater box entirely then move the battery to the trunk?
Not really sure just yet. Just have to map it out as it goes along. But yeah, already thinking those will have to come out. Battery will definitely be moved to the trunk.
This is basically what I am building. Going to run the exhaust pointed downward coming out the side of the front fender/bumper though.
Ah, fender exits make that a heck of a lot easier, and those can look really good with a nice bezel/trim ring. The down pipe on the driver’s side would be a pain to get out the back with the steering linkage in the way so good call there, and you might be able to at least keep the heater in it. I looked at doing a turbo 5.3 when I found out my 406 had a cracked block but ended up getting a great deal on a buddy’s 383 that he had leftover from an abandoned build. That and having to convert the fuel system to work with fuel injection held me back, but now I have a 58psi fuel injection system for the TBI…good times.
2 years ago my dad and I visited this place out in Colorado. they had the small area where they did the interview. The huge building, random kitchen appliances place(that ties in), a restoration barn, a barn with just random cars and I think they said either 600 or 2000 graveyard cars.
Putting a new gas tank on this week and then sanding it down and painting it. New brakes, bushings, hinges etc and it will be ready to go.
Hell yeah! So that's an LT1 with basically not much equipment, right? I feel like it'd be cool to do a flat wrap and then new wheels, but either way, love those F body cars.
Yeah it’s a stock LT1 right now. Got some black 18 inch wheels with a polished lip I’m swapping over to. Going to put new springs and shocks on it and lower it about 1.5 inches. Eventually will be engine swapped and turbo.
Just sold this after 2.5yrs of ownership for $2k more than what I paid. Spoiler …but $5,000 worth of delayed maintenance and repairs over that time.