[Project] My Project Formula

[Formul8d]

There's still a lot of work left to do on my Formula, but I figured I'd start posting my progress to have something to look back at in a couple years. I plan on a lot of changes with this car including H/C/I, Black C6 Z06 Rims, and a 98-02 Front end conversion. But one thing at a time, and I'm daily driving it this summer, so just small stuff for now.

I got the car at the end of April in a trade for my 2003 Ram. It needed a lot of odds and ends, but ran perfect and came with $3,000 worth of receipts for a mechanic going through the whole car and replacing anything he could find wrong. He missed a few things that I have put my attention too, but I have already put 5,000 miles on the car with little to no problems.

When I got it, it already had a K&N intake, had the cats taken off, some kind of muffler that isn't marked, 3.73 gears, and a shift kit. With the gears it keeps up with an LS1 as of right now with no problem.

Here's the past owner's picture he sent me of the car.

[Formul8d]

First thing I did when I got it home is ripped off all the lights and blacked them out using Niteshades and clear coat over top. Secondly, started to work on the paint to make it the best I could until I got a new paint job which won't happen until next summer.

[Formul8d]

Next project was replacing the front seats, I found these off craigslist for a good deal and used the original seat brackets to make these fit like factory seats. My original seats were extremely ripped and not worth repairing IMO. So here's what I came up with.

[ryanwarby01]

Looks like a fun project. The front of these cars are so clean, I wouldn't do a 98+ conversion. You could do a 98+ conversion on the motor and keep the stock front for the same money .

[Formul8d]

I've now got 6 layers of Maguire's Carnauba Wax on it, and took off the "Formula V8" badge on the back bumper in favor of a decal in between the taillites from Brent Frankner. Same guy that makes the MIFbody decals, I've done a lot of business with him in the past and have had top notch service at all times!!

[Formul8d]

No pictures to go along with this update, but when I got the car there were several interior pieces missing/broken. I've replaced the fuse cover and both interior mirror covers. Next up is the center console lid and driver's side vent. Then the interior will be 99% perfect except for a small dash crack.

Tomorrow the car is going into Detail Express for limo tint on the side windows and rear hatch!!

[Formul8d]

Looks like a fun project. The front of these cars are so clean, I wouldn't do a 98+ conversion. You could do a 98+ conversion on the motor and keep the stock front for the same money .

That's still up in the air as far as the front conversion goes. I had a 2000 T/A before and absolutely love the front end of the newer body style.

[Formul8d]

5% Tint done by the guys at detail express









Next plan is black C6 rims from OE Wheels and 275/35/18 Riken Raptors.

[meissen]

That looks great!

[Formul8d]

Since I got the car I've been having an overheating issue that I thought was related to the coolant system, but the weird thing was that it only overheated on highway speeds on hot days. After checking things out I continued to be stumped until I ran across a forum post here about missing the front air dam. After checking it out I found that mine was also missing and started searching for one. Ones on Ebay were listed for $100 which I found a bit outrageous and I couldn't find a junk yar locally, so I waited and took it careful. Finally ran across one on Ebay for $40 and ordered it, got it installed last night and on my way to work today the temps stayed below the first line all the way in when it use to climb to 210 as soon as I was going 70+. Glad to finally have that final issue behind me!!

[OIF1VET]

Since I got the car I've been having an overheating issue that I thought was related to the coolant system, but the weird thing was that it only overheated on highway speeds on hot days. After checking things out I continued to be stumped until I ran across a forum post here about missing the front air dam. After checking it out I found that mine was also missing and started searching for one. Ones on Ebay were listed for $100 which I found a bit outrageous and I couldn't find a junk yar locally, so I waited and took it careful. Finally ran across one on Ebay for $40 and ordered it, got it installed last night and on my way to work today the temps stayed below the first line all the way in when it use to climb to 210 as soon as I was going 70+. Glad to finally have that final issue behind me!!

Looks good and cool you got the overheating fixed!

[birdie2000]

Great project! Shame you wanna convert that front end, but I'd be VERY interested in buying that Ram Air hood if you ever did the conversion. It's even the right color.

[Formul8d]

I think I've decided against the conversion for now. The LT1 front is growing on me. Plus theyre no where near as common as LS cars. I'd rather put the money towards a repaint or H/C//I package.

[Formul8d]

Got a couple things done this weekend. Ripped off my rusted chrome tail pipes, sanded them down and sprayed them black with clear coat. And got my JVC head unit installed in replacement of the old Kenwood unit that was in there. Sounds much better and looks about 20 years newer.

[Formul8d]

Well the rims/tires I had planned to order next week just came to a halt

I hit a deer last night headed home from work going about 40mph. Now need a new headlight assembly, and the front bumper repainted.