Driving Excitement...85 Trans Am Project. New Plan as of 5/3

[wake]

that too

either way all is better from the spin i took in it yesterday..doing good enough to go from 25-70 in a city block if that says anything

[gonzo4191]

ha

[SSEiMan01]

Well, fuel pump finally died yesterday. Was hoping it wouldn't do it while Lucas had it, but I suppose I was asking for it by not replacing it before now...

[wake]

no worries my friend..its the only functioning part that you havent replaced yet..we both knew it was a ticking time bomb..and like i said at least it stopped working at my house and not on the side of the road somewhere where i would have to get it towed

[SSEiMan01]

Yeah for sure, better then than in O.P. last weekend.

[wake]

exactly my point..

[SSEiMan01]

My plans for this car have changed. Basically going to be keeping it around as a beater for a year or so, with minor things along the way to make it more driveable. It will be DD for Brian at some point, then a spare car. Next year when I graduate I plan to buy a minty red GTA to replace this, and I'll take what I want from this and move on. I'll be much better off starting with a car that isn't a total basket case. This one needs basically to be stripped to the guts and redone from there, and I don't see logic in doing that when a perfect one costs 4-5 grand, 10 max. The next car will be getting either a high output N/A 350/355/383 or a S/C version of the aforementioned, no more 305. The trans I have in this one will stay though, along with the wheels, the hood that will be going on, the deck lid/spoiler, and some other small bits.

The straw that broke the camel's back is just the fact that it's past the point of cleaning up under the hood and having it look fresh, it needs a complete workover. Plus an entire electrical system because it's got many issues in that area.

Basically, I want to build a T/A right, not halfass like most people who own these. To do that I feel that starting over would be the best option. (And yes, I have thought this over long and hard, just like my last purchase. )

EDIT: This is what I'm aiming at as a goal (except red of course). My brother's 88 GTA with a 500hp 383, built in his garage so well that the owner of Book racing where he had the carb tuned wanted to buy it from him.

[BonneMe]

Haven't you pretty much sorted it out other than the paint and engine?

[SSEiMan01]

Well last time I drove it I noticed that it needs suspension asap, and it's always had electrical issues which seem to be worsening. Like I said it needs a gutting. Everything I've done so far has to be redone since it's been neglected since I originally did it. Plus 98% of this car is jank as *fook*. Lol

[gweg_b]

I know that feeling. Of course, as you know, this is the exact thing I plan with the LeSabre - a complete tear down and rebuild. It makes my head hurt just thinking about it some days.

So, maybe starting off with a better car might be good for your sanity.

I do look forward to the completed project in the future (and it will be totally wicked if whatever you put in there is supercharged)!

[SSEiMan01]

Good for my sanity, and my body.

Yeah, I'm not sure what it will be yet, but for sure a 4 Bolt main 350 will be the basis of it! I'm not settling anymore.

[gweg_b]

Yeah, yesterday while under the hood, knee and back pain had me swearing and yelling at the Bonneville more than I usually do.

If it wasn't for the fact that I plan to do a complete, original factory restoration on the Caprice, I'd swap the 305 that's in it for a built 350.

Of course, I have enough plans to over-mod my other cars, so I think I'll leave the Caprice alone.

[SSEiMan01]

Lmao. I have a 305 I'll sell ya.

[SSEiMan01]

Well, I've done a ton of stuff to this car too, I'll have more pics next week when I pick it up to bring down here. But basically, now the car is driveable and aside from a bad brake booster and needing a re-tune, reliable as ever. Had it taken to Maaco, because NOTHING could have made it look worse. Got it back yesterday, I have yet to see it in person, but it looks great in the pictures.

[SSEiMan01]

Also, took a video of me testing the Megashifter. That thing makes it a lot more fun and functional to drive. But would I spend the money one a new one? No. Too much of a pain in the ass to install for not much difference. This was free and it legitimately needed to be done.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vy0oq128M4k

[Jrs3800]

Looks really good...

[00Beast]

Looking good Will. Excited to come down and see this too.

[PRD2BDF]

I noticed that you said you wanted to do a 350. My advice is to pick up a junkyard 5.3 and stick it in there. They make stupid power when turboed.

Or you could go oddball and pick up a 4.8. HOT ROD picked up what they thought was a 5.3, replaced the head gaskets and upgraded the bolts holding the rods and the heads on to ARP. That was the extent of what they did. It was a junkyard motor with over 100,000 miles on it.

Twin turbos were installed and the boost turned way up. They were aiming to kill the motor.

Needless to say, it did not die and made 1,200 horsepower. Upon closer inspection, it was not a 5.3 but actually a 4.8.

[SSEiMan01]

I could probably even throw that in cheap as is. The car is set up for FI. Dammit Cody!

[nos4blood70]

Boost is the best. Turbo ALL the things. XD