[Project] 93formulalt1's Projects Thread

[93formulalt1]

Couldn't remember if I posted one of these already, but I thought I'd throw it up for anyone who wants to see it. I've been working on my car out in the driveway to try to keep my mind off of things and to help cope with the loss of my Father. I had a stash of parts waiting here when I got back from Korea, I had some money burning a hole in my pocket over there, and I found some decent deals on parts through EBay, so I placed a few orders, and haven't looked back. I'm using this thread to update the progress on both the Formula and my Monte Carlo, since I have been working on both of them off and on over the past few days.

Here's what I've done to the Formula so far:

Installed Spohn STB
Installed rear Air Adjustable Shocks
Installed CAI
Waiting to install Pacesetter LT Headers & ORY

What's been done to the Monte Carlo:

Driver's seat mounted
New front tires


Here's what I hope to accomplish this weekend on the Monte Carlo:

Mount front passenger and rear seats
Install seatbelts
Mount front bumper and turn signals
Install center console
Install door sill plates
Fix issues with exterior lights
Mount side view mirrors


My digital camera is in Korea right now, so I'm going to see about borrowing one to get pictures of the progress this weekend. One thing I can say, however, is that the Firebird handles a LOT differently now that the bad shocks in back have been replaced with the air shocks. Much smoother ride, and it doesn't bottom out every time I hit a bump anymore. The CAI didn't really show much improvement over stock, maybe better throttle response, but other than that, not much difference. I haven't had much time to see what kind of improvement the STB made, but I'm sure it's going to help the car's handling somewhat.

I'll post random updates as I get things done. I'm slowly running out of parts in my stash of Firebird parts, so I'll be looking at a few more upgrades, but for now, I'm just trying to get what I've already got installed.

[93formulalt1]

Completely forgot. . . I should probably throw up some info on what the cars have already had done to them.

1993 Firebird Formula
5.7 LT1 V8
700R4 Auto Trans
Flowmaster 80 Series muffler
3 1/2" Slash Cut Stainless tips
Spohn Strut Tower Brace
Cold Air Intake
Eibach Pro-Kit lowering springs
Gabriel Air Adjustable rear shocks
Pioneer HU (CD/MP3/IPod/USB/Bluetooth)
Cerwin Vega 12" Subs (2x) in custom box
Pioneer Door and Quarter Panel Speakers
Rockford Fosgate Mid-High speakers in 1/4 panels

1970 Monte Carlo SS454 (clone)
454 BBC bored to 468 c.i.
12.5:1 Static Compression Ratio
Holley 850 Double Pump Carb
Crane Cam
Hooker Headers
Flowmaster 2 1/2" TD Exhaust
Suncoast Custom 4" Cowl Induction Hood (1st one made)
Full SS interior (Bucket Seats, Center Console, etc.)- still needs to be installed
Plenty more, but I don't have time to list it all right now.

[sman]

Get us some pictures! I want to see the monte.

[BP_Z28]

I dont care for this topic, thats why I'm not posting in it

Yes get that camera ASAP!

[93formulalt1]

Get us some pictures! I want to see the monte.

Will do. I have some pictures in my PhotoBucket, but I forgot my password. I'll try to get it reset today.

I dont care for this topic, thats why I'm not posting in it

Yes get that camera ASAP!

Working on it. lol

[JoeliusZ28]

nick, did you ever figure out what was wrong with the car before? I remember you had a hard time turning the tires when you had that leaking manifold or whatever that was. good luck with the projects!

[93formulalt1]

I still think it's a bad manifold gasket, I've been hearing a ticking noise from the driver's side manifold, indicative of a small exhaust leak. Found out the pick-up tube on the air intake was not connected as well, hooked it up when I put on the CAI, car seems to turn 'em over a lot more easily now.

I'm going to start installing the headers in the morning, definitely hoping for the best. . . Wish me luck!

[OIF1VET]

Good luck with your projects Nick.. How long are you home for?

[93formulalt1]

Good luck with your projects Nick.. How long are you home for?

Trying for a Compassionate Reassignment, so I might be home for a year. If that doesn't go through, I'll be going back on the 15th. They gave me 15 days originally, but they told me they are extending my leave by another 6 days so I can try to get my compassionate reassignment started before I head back.


I went out and sprayed down the manifold bolts (that I could access) with PB Blaster, and I'll probably spray them again before I get started in the morning. Hoping to only be without my car for a couple days, but I have alternate transportation if it takes longer than I'm expecting to get the work done.

I don't intend on breaking any bolts, but I don't think anyone does when they start a project like this. Looking at the manifolds next to the headers (in a picture online), you can see there's a major difference in design. . . Hoping there's a major difference in performance, as well. I've heard headers are about the single most noticeable mod you can do on an LT1 F-Body. Can't wait until it's done, I'm excited to see if the Driver's Seat Dyno nets any impressive results. . . lol

[93formulalt1]

This is going to be a painful process, I can already tell. . . It's currently 20*F outside. . . And I'm planning on doing this in my driveway due to lack of facilities to do the install indoors.

You know what? I think I might hold off until I find someone who's done this before to help me out. . . Anyone here have a shop/garage I might be able to borrow for a day? lol

Seriously though, if someone has a garage and is willing to help turn some wrenches, I'll pay for their troubles. . .

[98blackbeauty]

I would wait till you come back in warm weather, thats a pissy job without a lift even in a heated garage. Only time I did headers was when engine out and its still a pain.

[JoeliusZ28]

it can be done just fine without a lift but you need to get the front end very well off the ground... and obviously it needs to be stable for you to work underneath it.

I would wait for the spring - you really dont need it done right now.

[93formulalt1]

I was going to wait for Spring, but I have alternate transportation right now, which I won't have when spring rolls around. . . That's my main motivation for getting it done now, since I can live without the Firebird and drive the truck. The truck will probably be sold soon, so I'll be in need of my car in the spring/summer. I got a small heater for the garage today, it seems to work pretty well, so I might get started on the install later today and work through tomorrow night, then finish up next week if necessary.

[OIF1VET]

Good luck with the compassionate reassignment Nick. Hope you get it! Have fun doing them headers too..

[93formulalt1]

Well, we worked our butts off on the Monte Carlo today, instead of watching the Superbowl. BIG thanks goes out to Kevin for driving out to help out, he'll probably be posting up some pictures and maybe a video or two within the next couple of days. Also want to thank Ben and Jen for helping out, as well as Brent for letting us use his garage. Heat definitely made the work easier!!!

As far as progress goes, we got quite a bit done today. . .

Mounted front bumper
Replaced rear view mirror
Cleaned and installed passenger door panel
Cleaned and installed rear left and right interior side panels
Cleaned out the threads for the front seat bolts, now just need to make the seat frame fit the dimensions of the holes in the floor. . .
Installed rear seat (partially, still needs to be bolted down)
Went through all the junk in the trunk, found out what parts we have, what parts are MIA, and what parts need replaced.
Bought the necessary bolts/screws/hardware to install the door handles, window cranks, and finish installing the seats.

Still need to get the driver's side view mirror found and installed, bolt the front seats down completely (missing 2 bolts on Driver's side, still haven't started on passenger side), install the front seatbelts, driver's door panel (need to replace), then get it tuned. Brent's dad is a GM Master Mechanic, and he offered to adjust the valvetrain and tune up the carb to get the car running like never before, free of charge. I'm probably going to get that started on Tuesday, hopefully the interior will be installed by then. After that, I'm going to take it for a front end alignment, then I'll work on the many little things that need fixed, like the front end lights, the lack of gauge lights at night, the bad ground causing lights to not work properly, etc.

I'm definitely pumped, I haven't seen that much progress on the car in a single day since Dad and I were getting the thing ready for paint. It's a great feeling, knowing you've accomplished something.

Thanks again, Kevin, Brent, Ben, and Jen, I really appreciate the hard work you guys put forth to make this dream come true, it's amazing what we accomplished in a mere 8 hours.