93formulalt1's Projects Thread

[93formulalt1]

I would love to paint my engine bay to match my new paint and install a blower, but I am not going to do so until for one I can park my car for an extended period of time and leave plenty of time to troubleshoot any problems. Meaning if it takes 6 months to put back together a car that took 6 days to take apart that is just fine. So most likely next winter look to see Scarlett's pretty new blower and engine bay revamp.

Also, I would not reprimer the car, at least not all of it. Just the areas that we repair. We can scotchbrite the whole car leaving the original paint / factory sealer and then we can blend / respray just the outside to match. maybe I will have Jenkins shoot a paint card for you with the GM red with the orange pearl shot in the clear. I think it would look very custom and good, all the while being not so over the top. I think it would be an easy transition and you and I could accomplish it at home.

If you wanted a full color change it would take much longer than you would want. I'm forecasting with work schedules for us both your car would not be completed paintwise until fall if you wanted a full color change, just judging by the pace we painted my car the first time. Where as if we just prep, respray, and apply a pearl and clear coat it won't take nearly as long.

Also, that way we could spend more time doing the finishing work instead. I think I would rather spend time wet sanding your car to perfection in say a month's time and then you being able to drive the car all the while rather than taking the car apart and you not having it to drive.

As far as the corvette door handles that is a possibility, the hard part is modifying the fiberglass doors to house the mechanisms and to shave the stock equipment cleanly all the while not having the fiberglass cracking where the door handles used to be.

I agree. I have to say though, I've changed from the man you used to know. I no longer step down from a task simply because I think it's impossible, I try my best to accomplish it until it is overwhelmingly obvious that the task in question is impossible. I like the color that Mom and I chose, it is really cool. I think you will agree, after I show you. I've only ever seen one other f-body painted this color, and it's an LS1 Camaro.

[93formulalt1]

Alright, so I got the notification yesterday, the Army agrees that I need to be back home with my family, and I'm being granted an Honorable Discharge from Active Duty into the Individual Ready Reserves to complete my 8 year service obligation back home. I will not be required to drill, work in any capacity for the government, or anything along those lines, I will simply be required to maintain my physical readiness and uniforms, and I will be kept in a deployable status in case the Army needs more soldiers to augment a deploying unit. I start clearing on Monday, and I should be home within 30 days. The Army runs on paperwork, and I have a lot of it left to complete.

It sucks that now I have to start the job searching again, but it's great that I will be able to come home and help my family through the rough time they've been having since Dad passed away. I've got temporary employment lined up, but I'm going to try to get hired onto a police department locally, and hopefully I'll be going through the police academy this summer. If that doesn't work out, I've got a couple of other plans to fall back on.


I will post some pictures up of the 'bird as I complete the work I'm going to start upon my return home, as well as some pictures of the parts that are standing by for install back at the house. I might be hosting a 'mod party' at my place this spring, if anyone's interested in helping me get some parts installed. . . I've got a TON of parts, no joke.

[Gottork]

congrats on the news about coming home, I am sure you are ready to be with your family in this time of need, good luck getting work, it would be cool if you are able to get into the PD near you.. Look forward to seeing more posts about your cars and how it is going at home.. Good luck and god speed Nick..

[93formulalt1]

congrats on the news about coming home, I am sure you are ready to be with your family in this time of need, good luck getting work, it would be cool if you are able to get into the PD near you.. Look forward to seeing more posts about your cars and how it is going at home.. Good luck and god speed Nick..

It's going to be great being a civilian again, but it's going to REALLY suck trying to find a job that has the benefits that the Army gave me. . . Really need to get some health insurance. . . lol I'll eventually go back if things don't work out back home, but I'll be going back with a college degree as an Officer. No more of this enlisted BS for me. . .

I'll be dropping off resumes and applications at Adrian PD, Raisin Twp. PD, Adrian Township PD, Monroe PD, Washtenaw, Monroe, and Lenawee County Sheriffs' Dept's, and I may try to get on with the State Police, but that's not really what I'm looking for right now, I want to stay close to home. I don't have a whole lot of experience, and it will take a while for me to get my degree, but I think an active security clearance and the little experience (and LOTS of training) that I've received through the Army should help out a lot.

[phoenix_rising]

It's going to be great being a civilian again, but it's going to REALLY suck trying to find a job that has the benefits that the Army gave me. . . Really need to get some health insurance. . . lol I'll eventually go back if things don't work out back home, but I'll be going back with a college degree as an Officer. No more of this enlisted BS for me. . .

I'll be dropping off resumes and applications at Adrian PD, Raisin Twp. PD, Adrian Township PD, Monroe PD, Washtenaw, Monroe, and Lenawee County Sheriffs' Dept's, and I may try to get on with the State Police, but that's not really what I'm looking for right now, I want to stay close to home. I don't have a whole lot of experience, and it will take a while for me to get my degree, but I think an active security clearance and the little experience (and LOTS of training) that I've received through the Army should help out a lot.

One idea you might check into Nick in the U of M Police. Your mom could probably help you locate something with the school. They are legit, I see them cruising around Ann Arbor all the time. Might be easier to get into at first and you could use it as a resume builder. Might save you some cash being able to car pool between me and your mom. I know the State police usually are much pickier than county or local pds.

[93formulalt1]

One idea you might check into Nick in the U of M Police. Your mom could probably help you locate something with the school. They are legit, I see them cruising around Ann Arbor all the time. Might be easier to get into at first and you could use it as a resume builder. Might save you some cash being able to car pool between me and your mom. I know the State police usually are much pickier than county or local pds.

UM Police Department only has slots available for Dispatchers right now. I can't sit behind a radio and watch cameras and alarm panels for 12 hours a night. I'm looking for the job I've always wanted, I'm not going to settle for anything less. I've got temporary employment lined up so I don't have to worry about money until I find that job, but I'm not going to stop until I make it onto a police department somewhere. I'm also looking into a few jobs with the federal government, but so far, nothing has really struck me as something I could see myself doing.

I've been thinking about getting into the automotive field too, putting all of the knowledge I gained from Dad to good use, but I don't want to have the same regrets he did. He always told me, "Nick, don't turn something you love doing into work. When you turn it into work, it stops being fun." That's what he thought of auto body repair after all the years he did it, he stopped enjoying working on his own cars, because he was always working on other peoples cars.

[93formulalt1]

I fly on 10 April. Should be home either the 10th or 11th.

[phoenix_rising]

I fly on 10 April. Should be home either the 10th or 11th.

Thats wonderful news Nick. I can't wait to see you home.

[93formulalt1]

Thats wonderful news Nick. I can't wait to see you home.

Yeah, it's great that I'll be able to be with my family, but to be completely honest with you, I know I'm going to come back in. I didn't realize how much I loved being in the Military until my time to leave was staring me in the face. The greatest friends I've ever had were made while I was in the Army, and it's going to be REALLY hard for me to say goodbye to them. I don't see myself staying out of the Army for more than a couple years, just to get things situated at home. I'm going to talk to the Army Reserve Liason this afternoon, maybe I can get something set up with her to make the transition into a Reserve unit. Active Duty is the best match for me, though, and it's going to be hard to transition from this lifestyle back to the Civilian lifestyle that I was living before.

Progress pics on the Formula will be posted when I get some work done, I'm going to get started on it shortly after I get home. Maybe when I come back in, I will be stationed somewhere that I will be allowed to bring my car with me. That would be pretty cool. . .

[phoenix_rising]

Yeah, it's great that I'll be able to be with my family, but to be completely honest with you, I know I'm going to come back in. I didn't realize how much I loved being in the Military until my time to leave was staring me in the face. The greatest friends I've ever had were made while I was in the Army, and it's going to be REALLY hard for me to say goodbye to them. .

I guess I am chopped liver then eh?

[93formulalt1]

I guess I am chopped liver then eh?

Ben, if you were chopped liver, I wouldn't spend practically every waking moment I'm in the U.S.A. with you. . . Just saying. You are probably the only friend I've got that has been there for me for more than 5 years. Everyone else either stopped talking to me after High School, after I joined the Army, etc., you were always there. I don't think I need to pat your back online for you to realize that. You and Jen are the closest friends I have back home. I was simply commenting on the fact that (as you've mentioned before), the best friends are often those made under duress. My fellow soldiers and I share a common bond, that is getting ****ed by the Green Weenie on a daily basis. Everyday life in the Army (in general) sucks, and we have all led the same ****ty lives since we arrived here. I've got some great friends here, but to be honest with you, they will probably completely forget about me in a month, and most of them won't bother staying in contact with me after I get home.

So, when are you going to help me get those headers installed?!

[phoenix_rising]

J/K Nick. You are correct. Some of the strongest relationships are forged under the most difficult conditions. I would like to believe that some of your army buddies will stay in touch. Although it may take an active effort on your part. Of course this is no different than those relationships among civilians. But it is nice to be reassured that we are still important in your life. Thank you for that. With the past couple of weeks it helps out a lot.

As far as the headers, I'm ready when you are. If you want we could start as early as the day after you get back. However I am sure you should spend some quality time with your mom and sister first of course. See you soon buddy!

[93formulalt1]

Sounds good. I'm not sure about Sunday, I think I'd rather do it later on in the week, on a weekday, while Mom is at work and Sis is at school, so they don't feel like I'm blowing them off for my car. I will need to get new brakes on the truck before we start tearing into the Formula as well, since I can't be without transportation for more than a couple of hours at the most. Worst-Case scenario, the truck's brakes are toast, and I end up having to rent a car for a couple of days to get the Firebird more situated. I'm sure it's just the brake pads on the truck though, I don't think they've been changed at all since Dad bought it. Shouldn't be too much trouble. I'll start in on that on Monday, gotta have wheels, you know. I'll be doing some body work on that as well, so I might be making this a Triple-Threat Projects Thread. lol

[phoenix_rising]

Sounds like a plan. We should be able to get those truck brakes done in no time so you have something to drive in the meanwhile, although if I were you I would drive that bird with the long tubes for a least a day...

[93formulalt1]

Sounds like a plan. We should be able to get those truck brakes done in no time so you have something to drive in the meanwhile, although if I were you I would drive that bird with the long tubes for a least a day...

What, with no y-pipe or exhaust?! ARE YOU CRAZY? I can't flash my badge to get out of tickets anymore! lol

That said, I probably will be driving it with just open headers, at least once. After that, the 3" e-cutout I bought will probably always be open. Let's do some work on the truck on the 12th, it's a Monday, and after the brake issue is fixed, we'll get to wrenching on the 'bird. I missed my car SOO much, I don't know what I'm going to do first, mod it, or drive the piss out of it, then mod it. lol