Sprocket's Competition

[Detale]

Are those tints legal in Co? Thats where you are from right? Here you would only be asking to get pulled over.

[clocker]

Don't know.
Never thought about it actually.

[j2k4]

Sorry, I missed that. Well then you need a bigger one to accomodate the intake then. or you could just do something like....

Spoiler: Show

I built a few like that.

Scary, never went too straight.

Hey-

Is that filter mounted "backwards"?

If so (well, even if not), it's pure-dee genius.

Well done.

Also:

What sort of surgery did you have to do with the bracket?

Heat and hammer with a slight quench, I figure (without a better look).

[clocker]

The filter is indeed a backwards taper.
For the life of me I cannot remember why I needed such an oddball shape- which is probably why it spent 5 years in the box- but it came through perfectly this time.

What bracket are you referring to...the one holding the rad?
If so, it's just aluminum and was hand bent by Sigfrid the Strong.
T'was supposed to be temporary but keeps proving useful, so we keep using it.

Ultimately, this is what we want...




It's a kit developed by Samberg Rod & Custom specifically for this swap and features a custom built rad/shrouds, fans and a carbon fiber K&N filter assembly.
It's pricey- $1100- but exactly what we need.

[clocker]

So, I took her for a spin last night, first extended drive she's taken as a complete car.
Not bad, not bad at all...basically, just like a real car.

Suspension is way too stiff, gonna put the stock springs back on but all of the disturbing clunks are gone and you can feel the suspension working, so once the springs are softened up it should be fine.

I mushed through the snow and was at the junkyard first thing Sat. morning.
It was treacherous going, snow blanketed the frozen bumpy ground and walking was a chore.
Couldn't really see anything either since it was all covered in white but I already knew where I needed to go and what I sought.

Pulled the stock LT1 throttle cable bracket and cable and then, just for good measure, nabbed cables from two other cars.
I don't know what cable we had to start with but it's routing sucked and they had cobbled a crappy little retaining bracket for it which I was constantly gouging myself on.
All gone now.
Throttle action is smooth and progressive and you don't have to be hyperaware of the pedal anymore.
As I said, like a real car.

The FC manual steering rack is fine, effort is not excessive IMO, and she tracks true at 85 MPH (the fastest I went).
The turning radius sucks though, I'm not sure why.
I think we'll properly depower S.'s stock rack- we had clearance issues before that have gone away with the new cradle- and pop it in to see what happens.
It's a faster ratio rack also, so that might be good.

I hear noise from the rear brakes and suspect the rear calipers are sticky.
We should probably just get reman calipers and be done with it.
Car stops fine though and maybe we just need a rebleed and more bedding of the pads.

I fabbed up a new transmission tunnel cover plate and shortened the shift lever.
It sits at a good height now but isn't a short throw like I'm used to.
Kev can confirm how short my shifter is and the Beast feels like a school bus in comparison.
I suppose one could adapt but I'd change it if I could.
Shift action is smooth and positive and even reverse is easy to find now.

The car is weird...put it in third and leave it and you can almost pretend it's an automatic.
I did a whole section of city driving in just that one gear...she pulls like a bastard.

There is still much to be done but for the first time in a year it feels like we've made real progress and can start making improvements instead of chasing down problems.
The potential I had hoped to see last March is finally realized and I'm very pleased to have been a part of the process.

Now, for my car...

[j2k4]

Well, the situation is vindicated by your persistence and expertise.

I can't help but wonder how much Sigfrid would have into it (or not!!) if you hadn't done your stuff.

I thought you said you had to massage the alt bracket?

I can indeed attest to the short throw of the shifter in your car...sweet.

Absolutely no drama whatsoever.

Hey, third is my all-purpose gear as well - from about 15 mph to, oh, about 90.

Fun, innit?

Say hey to Sigfrid.

[clocker]

Welp, here are some final pics as I prepare to hand over the car to it's rightful owner.

I quickly cobbled together a master cylinder brace from a piece of scrap aluminum.


'Tain't pretty but I just wanted to see what effect it had.
Fairly dramatic, actually...I was surprised.
Firmed up the pedal feel quite a bit.
Probably build a finished version sometime in the future and will definitely be making one for my car ASAP.

Final shot of the engine bay as I call it quits for the day...


Definitely more of a rat rod than a show car but it's the best we could do with what we had (and Sigfrid could afford).

To answer your question, Kevin...
There is no way to calculate the labor that I have into this thing.
Untold hours at the junkyard and just as many pondering solutions.
If one had to make a guesstimate, I'd say $15K would come close.

And we're not finished yet.

[clocker]

So, Sigfrid didn't fly in till late last night, so I have the beast for one more day.
Going to junkyard again and try to come up with a hood prop...the car has never had one and my supply of ski poles/random sticks is drying up.
Might rebleed the brakes if I have the time/energy.

[Detale]

Considering how far you've come a hood prob should be child's play dude.

[clocker]

It was.