93formulalt1's Projects Thread

[93formulalt1]

you need a converter, that will make the biggest difference out of any mod you are planning in the near future.

That's what I've heard. I'm thinking something in the 3000-3200 range. Like I said, price is my biggest concern.

[DETROITMUSCLE]

That's what I've heard. I'm thinking something in the 3000-3200 range. Like I said, price is my biggest concern.

its called save up and buy cheaping out means you'll be doing it twice and spend more down the road.

[93formulalt1]

its called save up and buy cheaping out means you'll be doing it twice and spend more down the road.

I'm saving up, I'm hoping to pick something up from one of our sponsors on here, but if I find a used Vig, I'm probably going to jump on it.

[DETROITMUSCLE]

you'd better know the seller if your going to buy it used, at the minimum I would always recommend a cut and clean of any used converter and that cost you about $150 right off the bat. I'd call ridings and have him build you one you can't beat his prices.

[93formulalt1]

you'd better know the seller if your going to buy it used, at the minimum I would always recommend a cut and clean of any used converter and that cost you about $150 right off the bat. I'd call ridings and have him build you one you can't beat his prices.

I'll get in contact with him. I don't want to have to do it twice, I know most mods on these cars are jobs you can barely stand to do once! lol

[93formulalt1]

Well, I FINALLY found a source for the door pin rollover bearing for the lower driver's door pin, only cost me about $10, now I just need to get the pin and bearings to rebuild my driver's lower door hinge, then maybe I can get the door to shut a little easier. Anybody ever do this? All I've found online is the guys with 3rd gens that have done it, nothing about 4th gen hinges. My door is sagging, not too bad, but enough to have caused some paint damage to the door sill. I'll probably tackle this project, along with the oil change, either tomorrow or next week, depending on the weather.

[93formulalt1]

Car started throwing a code today. . . SES light popped on while I was on my way back from Autozone. Popped open the laptop, and it says "Code 34: ESC Failure" Is this common to see after installing LT's? What is the fix? Is this caused by the oil pressure sender not functioning?

[93formulalt1]

Got a quote today to get the body rust and major dents taken care of, came out to about $300. Not as bad as I had thought originally, so I'll probably be dropping the car off within a month or so to have that work done. I would tackle it myself, but the places where the rust is are not easy to work on, and I'd rather have a shop I trust do the work than risk screwing it up myself.

[93formulalt1]

Car finally has a matching pair of valve covers. . . The passenger side was a major PITA, the gasket wouldn't stay in place long enough to tighten the bolts up, then when I finally thought I had it, the gasket had snuck past the retainer on the valve cover, and suddenly there was a big gap between the valve cover and the head where the gasket should have been. Finally got it done, took it for a ride, and it's making some hissing noises that weren't there before. I need to replace a couple of vacuum hoses that were dry-rotted and cracked, will take care of that in the morning.

Also, I didn't have time to run my OTVC wires when I installed the headers, so I've been rocking the ones that were on it before the swap. . . One of the primaries on the driver's side has begun to melt the insulation around one of the wires, so next week, I'm going to have to get out there and install those wires. I hope they are the right ones, I already know the coil wire's wrong. Bought them from an LT1 guy over on LTXTech, they should work. Hopefully I'll have everything squared away early next week, so I can stop worrying about the little things.

Next time I have to deal with something like headers, I'm going to pull the motor. It would be much easier to do that crap with the engine and trans out of the car, and it'll give me a chance to do some rust repair under the hood. Not to mention, I'll get some valuable experience pulling an engine. Not to mention, I could at least take some things apart and take a peek, then replace the gaskets. Kill two birds, find out the true condition of my motor, and eliminate all fluid leaks. lol

[93formulalt1]

I guess I haven't been posting enough "car porn" for you guys, that's probably why I'm not getting a whole lot of replies in this thread. . . I'll get some pics later today, and maybe a video or two. I have a video from when it was backfiring like a mofo with open headers, but I'd rather not post that one. I'll get some pics of the new valve covers posted for you guys, and a video of the new exhaust note.

[ITSSLOW]

Yep you guys are going to sh*t yourselves when you see what me and Nick did last night.

4 days and I haven't SEEN shit. Where are the pics?

[93formulalt1]

Still looking for the damn cord for my camera.

[ITSSLOW]

BUY ONE!!!!! I lost my cord 2 years ago and still haven't found the original. I bought one off ebay for $4 shipped that has been working just fine for nearly 2 years now.

[93formulalt1]

BUY ONE!!!!! I lost my cord 2 years ago and still haven't found the original. I bought one off ebay for $4 shipped that has been working just fine for nearly 2 years now.

I had it less than a week ago. . . I'll go find it real quick, I have some rather interesting photos Ben snapped while I was busy working. . .

EDIT: Forgot I let my sister borrow the camera for her Junior Prom a couple weeks ago. She gave me the camera back, but forgot to unhook the cord from Mom's computer. Uploading pics to my Mac right now, I'll have them on photobucket in a few minutes, then posted here.

[93formulalt1]

Here are some pics. . . There in reverse chronological order, the first pics posted are of the finished product. Before anyone asks, there were 4 jackstands under the car as well as the jacks and ramps. I HATE using ramps, but this was the easiest way to get the car in the air and keep it there. I don't mess around with safety when working on my car.

Headers are in!




+4 Wheel Drive mod complete! lol


Me taking the dipstick tube bolt out from under the car


Passenger's side head


Driver's side head




New Parts!


Old Parts


Crack in Stock Manifold


My Monte Carlo


Ben's car


Quite a difference between the stockers and the LT's!


Old Y-Pipe and Cat out of the car!