Chevy Beretta LS swap and RWD conversion - budget 4.8/5spd 1996 Z26

[woody80z28]

I've been a bad member lately, haven't logged in in forever...but here's a new project you might be interested in! My first car was a Beretta...had a couple since then. My last one (that I just sold for insane money) was a 3.4 swap/5spd summer daily that ran 13.29@101 on 87 n/a. Pretty sweet car for a FWD...and looked amazing.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2021/09/mkfRGG8-1.jpg

This new one, I just rescued from the junkyard. I recently bought a low-miles truck LR4 that's drive by cable and the harness to go with it. I tuned it for free with my phone from LS-Droid. I already have a 2wd NV3500 5spd (not super strong, but I'll be small displacement, lightweight and small tires) and just picked up a Explorer 8.8 3.73 LSD for $200. There's a lot of fab work to be done...but my goal is a RWD v8 Beretta to slide around for $5000 in about a year. It's gonna be a quick and dirty build...my never-ending Camaro has kinda soured me on perfection.
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I don't have a whole lot for pictures, cause I've been doing most everything on youtube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/c/GEARHEADdezign

And here's the video picking up the car: https://youtu.be/2JnU-ZbfYH4

I've also got a lot of stuff on converting the truck LR4 to LS2 intake and LS1 pan on the cheap. Just made some DIY trap doors for the Fbody pan baffle. Let me know what you think!

[Vimes]

Nice project, looking forward to your updates. Many years ago I wanted to do the same thing, only on a Buick Reatta.

You could really screw with people with it if you left the outside like it is, and used the same wheels.

[egoman]

Are you going to tube frame this or do the NHRA style of RWD conversion?

[wfo guy]

What are you going to use for suspension?

[ryeguy2006a]

Cool project. My first car was a 1990 Cavalier Z24.

[rentedmule]

I always thought the Barettas were a great looking car. Looking forward to seeing this build

[Alwhite00]

Always liked the Baretta. Looking forward to the build.

[grambo]

My first car was a red 1991 beretta gt, I got t-boned by an uninsured motorist. I was sad to lose it, with the 3.3l , the body roll, and fwd it would do burn outs forever. Fun car, good luck with the build, this is a fun one I will be following. My favorite part of mine was the door handles, always loved how they looked.

[813Demon340]

Cool project, looks like a lot of work that will be a lot of fun when finished!

[jaybee]

Can't wait to see your progress. This will be lots of fun, and I like cars that are on the small size.

[woody80z28]

Yeah, I really miss my last Beretta already. It was as fun as a FWD can be...but this new car will be done for less than half of the price I got out of it...and at least 3x what it was actually worth. So the deal made too much sense to pass up.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2021/09/vs3ascy-1.jpg

And this new car being a white Z26...looks really really similar to my high school GTZ that I put Z26 wheels on. And you can still buy a Beretta LeBra on ebay. I'm actually thinking about one just for ****s n gigs. haha
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2021/09/mKb3kBR-1.jpg

I took measurements, and to make the truck LS fit under the hood I had to use an Fbody pan and car intake. And to make the LS2 manifold fit, I had to use an Fbody water pump too. I also made some DIY baffles for the LS1 oil pan (youtube video coming on that soon). And I promise this will be a quick & dirty build, but I did shoot it was a couple rattle cans. Huge visual improvement with minimal time invested.
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[woody80z28]

Oh yeah, and the basic plan...I covered this a bit on youtube, but I plan to retain the basic Beretta suspension in front. I'll convert it to front steer and use an Fbody rack under the front of the pan. (Beretta is rear steer with rack on the firewall). I'll swap strut sides and use the steering arm on the struts as swaybar link mounts.

For the rear, I'm going to fab a torque arm with adjustable lower control arms that run from the Beretta rear torsion beam mounts to mounts I'll weld on the Ford 8.8. I have to fab engine mounts and trans crossmember obviously, so I'll add in a torque arm mount on the crossmember. For rear coils I'm going to move them forward from the 95-96 location to the 88-94 Beretta location and weld a bucket on the rear axle. Pretty sure the Beretta shock can be retained.

The biggest problem is going to be fitting exhaust, etc. Thinking I'll cut the whole floor out, run some tube down the rockers to stiffen things up and raise the floor about 3in. There's room for the seats by changing the weird Beretta slide rails to traditional sliders. Should be room for driveshaft and torque arm in the original exhaust tunnel. Firewall and front tunnel will need clearance for the trans, and I'll have to use Wilwood reverse pedals for clutch and brakes. But the packaging looks reasonable.

[Wraith]

Love the build! The wife and I owned a 91' white GTZ back in the mid 90's, great car and she missed it when we sold it. I always liked the look of these.

[woody80z28]

If you're curious how to tune an LS swap for free with your phone, check out this video. No buying credits for VIN numbers or anything...I changed a stock 5.3 PCM into a tuned 8.1 with it, too. Also works for trucks, Camaros and anything else with a P01 (411) or P59 PCM.

https://youtu.be/m3xdQ-FMNnU

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2021/10/Iki38kD-1.jpg

[woody80z28]

(I hope this doesn't seem spammy) but I've got a few more related videos out now. Got it off the trailer and running! Have the Fbody pan on and some trap doors built for it. Ready to fire it up on the engine stand soon.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDmVF4YmImk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AmBEaxUaqs

[Alwhite00]

If you're curious how to tune an LS swap for free with your phone, check out this video. No buying credits for VIN numbers or anything...I changed a stock 5.3 PCM into a tuned 8.1 with it, too. Also works for trucks, Camaros and anything else with a P01 (411) or P59 PCM.

https://youtu.be/m3xdQ-FMNnU

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Thanks

[jaybee]

Thanks for all the information, and budget-minded too!

[woody80z28]

Video for the trap doors is done now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SA8tDlgLA90

And I fired it off on the stand! Excited that I have a running engine ready to drop in the Beretta bay. Just gotta get the FWD junk outta there.
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[woody80z28]

The 4.8 lives! I love that you can run the stock harness and PCM now without having to buy Hptuners or EFIlive. It makes the whole swap a lot cheaper. I'm half thinking about buying an old K5 Blazer I saw on marketplace as 5.3 swapping that for another offroader...haha
https://youtu.be/pd31cszG8-E

[ed1le]

I’ve always wanted to do a V8 RWD conversion to a Beretta. I had a 90 GT back in the mid-90’s as my daily and loved it. Can’t wait to see this completed!

[woody80z28]

I’ve always wanted to do a V8 RWD conversion to a Beretta. I had a 90 GT back in the mid-90’s as my daily and loved it. Can’t wait to see this completed!
I really love the styling of them...they're just super sharp.

I guess all my updates come in the form of videos now...haha

I've been impressed by some of the cheap China stuff, but some of it is definitely junk. You're taking a risk, but I'm still under $1000 for a running LS that will fit under a car hood. I think that's pretty good.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pl5iyGHqLAs

[ryeguy2006a]

Good deal! I'm looking forward to seeing the work on the RWD conversion.

[woody80z28]

Cleanup the Z26 and it's...ok. I expected it to me more minty! You know, being a junkyard jewel and all. haha

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIAasNtGW_g

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[jaybee]

Just subscribed to your YouTube channel. I like the posts here, though...I get more out of things when I can read the text and study the pics.

[woody80z28]

Just subscribed to your YouTube channel. I like the posts here, though...I get more out of things when I can read the text and study the pics.
It was a little unnatural to do the videos at first, after almost 20yrs of posting photos...but I'm finding now I don't have photos of anything any more and I have to screenshot videos to get anything. haha

Pretty unfortunate that my old man's mega blaster blew a bunch of grit into the rear axle internals. So I had to pull it all apart and clean it up. Kind of a nightmare...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uct3Rgs-aUA
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[woody80z28]

Ok, I just bought the stuff I need for rear suspension from Barnes4WD and Speedway. Gonna end up doing coilovers instead of messing with the stock style coils, and maybe even a 3link instead of the torque arm I was thinking. The hole for the VSS in the Explorer center section would make a nice spot for the 3rd link. Maybe tap for a heim right there?
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Barnes has threaded poly bushings that I'm going to make the LCA and Panhard bar out of. I got the hex tube ends in LH and RH so they will be easily adjustable on the car, and if my bracket placement on the rear axle isn't 100% perfect it can be squared up.
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Speedway has AFCO "hot rod" coilovers for relatively lightweight vehicles that are pretty small overall. And there's enough room to nestle them in. It should work pretty well. I went with 200lb springs that should be about right. I bought them in pieces, but it's basically these with yellow springs. That way the ride height and the spring rate are both easily changeable. There's no adjustability in the shock valving, but the Beretta is gonna be a tire burner. The Camaro will be the competitive one.
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[woody80z28]

More progress on the Beretta.

The internet can't agree what the center section of the Ford 8.8 is, but after some testing and one good source (Hiltsy torque arm kit)...I determined it's probably nodular iron. Also found a way to MIG it successfully with stainless wire. That means I can build my torque arm mount and weld it up. I also gotta weld the tubes to the center section. Don't want to end up spinning the tubes like the Camaro (quick 2008 clip of that failure too). haha
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOl56x9C-EY
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[wfo guy]

Stainless works on both of the steels you mentioned. I ended up using that more often than nickel rod years ago.

[woody80z28]

Just finished up the tubes and they seem to be ok. Preheated to 200-240 and gave it a little bit of post heat. No cracking that I've been able to see.

Now I'll put the mild wire back in and replicate my cardboard angle in metal and then stainless weld the bracket to the housing. Yeeee yee.

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[woody80z28]

More rear axle progress! Got the lower control arm mounts trimmed, drilled and welded up. I also lathed my tube ends down to match the .120 tube I'm using for the LCAs and torque arm. Cut all the explorer brackets off and tried to see if I could reuse the shock brackets for coilovers, but that wasn't gonna happen. I need the coilovers a fair amount below the axle centerline. So I found an adjustable mount for cheap! $25 straight from China I'm sure, but it looks like they'll work decent. I'm gonna weld them pretty close to the LCA brackets and weld a brace to span the gap. I picked up "shock mounts" for the panhard bar also. I think that will work out nice. Seems to be coming together, and still looking good on the budget. Probably have it driving for 1/3 the sale price of the ol' SS. haha
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nckaWK5oAgo
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[woody80z28]

You know there's video coming soon...but I'm too excited not to post these pics. The axle is done! Ready to install under the car. Mounts for the lower control arms, torque arm, panhard bar and coilovers are all done. They're all adjustable so I can dial them in perfect in the car. The 3.73s and LSD are back in and my Motorsports Tech custom order Explorer 5x4.5 to Beretta 5x100 hubcentric and wheelcentric spacers are on. I also tested my 15" slicks and they clear the Ford brakes by a mile.


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Did get the first half of the video done: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGvRswSSICc

Measuring for the the adapters and making them work on the axle. That whole axle was pretty rusty too, so I blasted and rebuilt the calipers for $4 a side. And I picked up some more truck parts for it!

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Just finished the lower control arms tonight but forgot to get a pic. Adjustability will be sweet.

[Alwhite00]

Looks great

[woody80z28]

Thanks, I'm excited to be making good progress lately.

I actually got my car in my old man's garage finally and did the FWD delete! Got his lift functional a few weeks ago. Heat will be done this week. Sucks working in the cold when I'm used to my heated garage, but that lift is awesome already. I appreciate the room too, cause my garage is pretty full with the Camaro.

Time to start cutting and get all this stuff in there. I'd love to have it done by May 21...that's the day I sold the last one. But Auhust 29 (when I bought the new one) is probably a more realistic goal. haha


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sZUbO6Qe38
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Byyeeeeeeee

[woody80z28]

Got the rest of the video up.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzDmbUo-s9Q

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And a little taste of the next one...
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[syborg tt]

What a freaking awesome project.

[woody80z28]

What a freaking awesome project.
I'm excited to actually make good progress on it lately! Took a long time to get my old man's garage done enough to start it, but I've been gettin-r-done at a pretty good clip now. Finished is so much faster than perfect. haha

Axle is in now, but it still needs the panhard bar..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZvg9NwLvu0

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[syborg tt]

Looks cool

[woody80z28]

Panhard bar and rear axle are finalized. Figuring out the rear ride height.
https://youtu.be/Du1pdVQISFE
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But this is the part that has me really excited!
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[ryeguy2006a]

Very cool man! I hope to see it out at some car shows this year!

[Alwhite00]

I love that you used the stock wheels. Great build.

[woody80z28]

Shooting for May 23rd driving. That's 1yr from the day I sold my last Beretta...and dailying the 8.1 truck sucks with fuel prices so high. haha

The stock wheels are sooooo 90s. Pretty unique. That's why I like them. And there's actually a 5x115 version from Lumina APV minivans that could be cool for my slicks. They're 15x6, so they would need to be wider...but the offset would be about right to add 2in to the face and still fit (with my 5x114.3 to 5x100 adapters taken off). I sorta got that idea from a guy taking old OEM wheels and upsizing the rims to make them 3-pc. Here's a pic of an 18" Z26 wheel the guy did for (I think) a VW guy.

A deep dish 15" minivan wheel would look pretty cool.

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[woody80z28]

It's in, and this will be final placement - offset to the pass side. Figuring out radiator, fans and hoses. Just bought the Camaro steering rack too. Need to cut the firewall and floor out to fit the trans and weld up the engine mounts. Probably should wash it too. haha
Gotta keep making good progress to get it done before June. haha
https://youtu.be/T87LyyP1CSA
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[ryeguy2006a]

Love it man! Keep up the good work.

[Alwhite00]

Wow, that's really offset. Why so much offset? Pedal room?

[qnitro]

Im in I always loved the Beretta's I had a Black GTZ back in the day

[woody80z28]

Yeah, steering shaft in the bay and foot room for the driver. The Ford 8.8 is already offset anyway, and it also gives room for the torque arm down the driver side of the driveshaft (formerly exhaust) tunnel.

[woody80z28]

Keep plugging away at it. Sawzalled the firewall and floor out to mock up the trans and the 5spd fitment could be better...that's for sure. Working on a solution to that right now.
https://youtu.be/qDjVmT1ggmM
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[wfo guy]

Anyone seen Fred Flintstone around? :)

[woody80z28]

More solid progress this week...and a huge upgrade! Screw the budget, I'm going t56 6spd. I mocked up my Camaro trans just to compare and it fits basically perfect. And every single thing about the t56 is better than nv3500...shift feel, strength, aftermarket, gear splits, highway rpm... Just price is the only issue. And it looks like I've found a nice solution to that, buying a Tick Performance level 2 for my Camaro and using the stock Camaro trans in the Beretta. I'll have to swap input shafts, front plates and bellhousings...but well worth it to upgrade both cars at the same time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sI4HAS2zp7A
Got the motor mounts all done. The subframes will become one piece with a C channel crossbar for the steering rack up front, and a skidplate/brace in the back under the oil pan/bellhousing.
Got my brake math figured out and the Wilwood pedals and Afco masters ordered. Next step is to make them coexist with the steering column.
Bought a rockauto full-aluminum radiator and pushed it forward for some more fan and water pump room. Looks like it will work pretty mint.
Also got the crossmember in and the back half of the raised floor mocked up. Not too far away now! Just trans mount...torque arm mount...front floor...tunnel...pedals...steering...wiring...
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[woody80z28]

So that 6spd that's mocked up in the Beretta is stolen from the Camaro. Still needed to find another one...and I was able to snag a used Tick Performance T56 built for nitrous! Test drove to make sure it was good and pulled it in the guy's garage. That one will go in the Camaro once I swap it from LS to LT style. I'll take the LS input shaft, front plate, bellhousing, clutch & flywheel and throw them in the Beretta with the stock 94 T56 that I used to run in the Camaro.
Also got the crossmember built and welded in and the torque arm fabbed and installed. So now it's sitting on the suspension and it's a lot higher in the front than I expected. so I gotta figure out some coilover sleeves for the struts with a higher rate and less height. Keeps moving forward though, that's the key.

https://youtu.be/3W7nko-Vj54
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[ryeguy2006a]

Looks good man! So what are your plans for the floor? When you get the floor back in do you plan to add a brace for the front of the trans mount? Looks like as is, it would be putting a lot of leverage on that mount.

[woody80z28]

Yeah, I'll weld the trans mount "arms" right into the floor, as will the crossmember. I don't love the design, but it was the best I could come up with that allows the engine/trans to be installed from the bottom and also leave some room for exhaust. The exhaust will be really tight coming through the firewall and I also need room for my feet and pedals. The floor is already gonna be raised 3in...I didn't want another crossmember that would be even higher than that.
I just mocked in the front floor and it looks pretty decent.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2022/04/SLH8DeX-1.jpg

[woody80z28]

Got the stock LT1 trans swapped over to LS style and ready to go in the Beretta. I'm doing a video of that process at some point. You need a shim kit to get the clearance and preload right. This is the second "Beretta" trans to get opened up on that bench...I rebuilt a FWD 5spd years ago. haha

Also got a few things figured out and started final floor installation. Not a ton of progress in the last couple weeks, but it's still going forward. Couple more things came in while I was on vacation in Texas so I can jump back on it.

https://youtu.be/hW1XC6hA9x8


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[woody80z28]

Started mocking up steering and it's kind of a mother. Most of the RWD stuff has been going pretty well, but this is a pain in the ass! haha
Driveshaft came in and didn't fit...and I couldn't chuck it in the lathe to trim it down, so it went back to Texas to get fixed.

https://youtu.be/ESzU80rEKA0

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[woody80z28]

Got it all connected from V8 crankshaft to rear tires. Put the Camaro clutch in it, fixed the trans yoke that Texas "fixed" and put it back on the ground.

The old man has to get a junk Cuda parted before Mopar Carlisle, so he needed his lift. The nerve!

Getting it outside really shows how high the front is with less weight in front of the tires. RWD distribution is so much better... Gonna have to cut the coils though.

Still fighting with the steering. And I'm at the point now that I might be cutting out the engine mounts I welded in to fit the rack better. I knew it was going too smoothly. haha

https://youtu.be/eY5Lu1RB3zk

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[woody80z28]

Yeah, it's a little sketchy...but you can lift an engine from the bottom with a cherry picker.
https://youtu.be/xuwgxGyi-Lc
I had to cut the engine mounts out and change them to make the steering rack fit better. After butchering the stock subframe, I welded some structure back in and made my rack mounts.
Once my rod ends and steering arms come in from Speedway, it should steer!
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[Hotwire]

Good work so far!

You could run a Holley 302-2 oil pan and gain more clearance for the rack.

https://www.pro-touring.com/threads/132551-LS-Oil-Pan-Buyers-Guide

Would swept back shorty swap headers help w/ the rack as well?

https://www.269motorsports.com/headers-exhaust/ls-conversion-swap-headers-camaro-chevelle-nova-c10-truck-etc-speed-engineering/?sku=25-1021

When you go to clean the engine bay / wheels, use aluminum brightener. It's an acid, so be careful as far as spraying it on open electronic connections, but it will work wonders. Spray it on, agitate with a long bristle brush, then rinse it off as quickly as possible. Go back w/ soap and water to neutralize the acid and you have a super clean engine bay / wheels. It will dull polished aluminum. I usually use wheel/tire cleaner on the engine bay after the initial acid wash.

This is what it did to my sill plates, just try not to inhale the mist when spraying it, stuff is strong.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2022/07/50540504292_70055ee79b_n-1.jpg

[woody80z28]

The rack is basically as far back as it can be with those control arms. I would have liked another half inch or so, but that's where it's at. The tie rods will be at a slight angle back, when the wheels are straight, but it should be ok now. I would have tried to overtravel the inner tie rods if I left the v1 engine mounts in.
I wouldn't mind a little bit more angle to the headers, but it couldn't be much, because the unibody where the subframe mounts would be in the way, and I'd lose floor space right at the firewall. I planned on staying super cheap and using the stock manifolds, but they would have put the downpipes into the firewall.
I need to do a cleaning once I have trans tunnel and floor built. Itching to get this car driving!

[ryeguy2006a]

Great work man! l can't wait to see this thing up and running, although I moved out of the area. Down in Charlottesville, VA now.

One thing I can't help but ask is if you plan to add any sort of gussets or a top plate or something to the section that you cut out? Maybe I'm not fully understanding how it bolts into the car, but it sorta looks like it's going to fold in half the way it is now. I'm sure you have a plan though.

[woody80z28]

Yeah, it looks terrible...but should be ok. A friend of mine (SpankRanch Garage on youtube) did a somewhat similar RWD conversion years ago keeping the V6 but using a T5. He just cut it off completely ahead of the rack and drives it that way. I added a 1x1 rectangle tube under it to help a little. You can see it better in the video.

This whole car is an experiment and my driving style should find any weaknesses! haha

Now I'm putting a bend in this 1948 Ford steering arm and redrilling the tie rod hole. I marked off 4 and 5in. 5in would get me the same steering angle as a 2000 Camaro, and 4in would get me 20% more. Once the bend is in I can test clearance.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2022/07/A0mbZyl-1.jpg

[72srcool]

I would have never guessed that that this car could be this cool. Congratulations

[ryeguy2006a]

Yeah, it looks terrible...but should be ok. A friend of mine (SpankRanch Garage on youtube) did a somewhat similar RWD conversion years ago keeping the V6 but using a T5. He just cut it off completely ahead of the rack and drives it that way. I added a 1x1 rectangle tube under it to help a little. You can see it better in the video.


I was wondering if that wasn't the case. Just wanted to mention it in the spirit of safety. :twothumbs Please continue, as I love where this is going. As I said before, I had a '90 Cav Z24 and wanted to do this exact thing.

[woody80z28]

Ok, it's connected from steering wheel to tires now. 6061T6 tie rod sleeves are done and just finished my firewall bearing bracket where the rack was and pushed it around outside. A lot easier with the tires pointing the direction you want and not flopping all over!

It does look to me like I have some reverse Ackermann, so the arms will need some more modification...bring the tie rod hole just outboard of the ball joint hole. Right now with the mostly unmodified Ford steering arms it is just inside the ball joint location. I just built a steering angle gauge to see where I'm at so I'll know what to modify. Looks like 35ish degrees of angle right now, but I'll know a lot better once I use my DIY gauge. And when I move the steering arms laterally I'll also move them down. They have a slight angle up at the current ride height, and I'm going to bring the ride height down by inches...so they'll need to be better.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPuoVV1pJHo

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[ryeguy2006a]

Nice update! I watched your latest video, nice work.

[woody80z28]

Oof...the Ackermann is bad. 27 degrees outside wheel and 15 inside. And that only averages to 21 degrees steering angle. So I'm going to cut those arms and offset toward the outboard side, while sliding underneath the stub. That will move them down for better tie rod angle, out for the better Ackermann and back for more angle. And to get 40+ degrees steering angle, I'll have to cut the distance in half from balljoint to tie rod hole...so I may actually cut the lower control arm and move the balljoint forward. That will keep the tie rod angles happier, and also add some caster. Which would be welcome since FWDs have less caster than their RWD counterparts typically.

But I did get pedals mocked up! Gotta make a seat mount and tack the front floor in to see how the ergonomics are. Then it can go back inside on the lift to mess with the steering. Project keeps dragging...I was really excited when it seemed like I was making fast progress. I went from fully FWD to rear axle, engine & trans mounted than I have with these little steering and pedals...

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[jaybee]

That trans takes up a ton of space in such a small car. It'll be snug inside, but I like that.

[ryeguy2006a]

This would have been way faster if you just bought the swap kit man... :evil:

Looks great. Can't wait to see some driving videos.

[woody80z28]

Haha. Right?

If were to build another RWD Beretta the second one would be done faster! That's for sure!

It has required more reinventing than I was hoping it would require, and I'm past my $5k budget already. But money-wise it's almost done. Still eating up time though...

Worked on the seat fitment and that's also being less than easy. The Beretta tracks are very tall, so I figured I could keep them about the same spot with slim universal tracks, but the seatback adjuster may actually require a notch in the factory sheetmetal crossmember to function. Just another problem to solve...

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2022/08/79zHmHS-1.jpg

[woody80z28]

Pedals in, seat in, column moved, shifter sorted. All seemingly minor things that eat up time.

https://youtu.be/LOlVVI7qerY

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[woody80z28]

Ok. Steering is done for now. Current limitations keep it from being perfect...but I'm gonna roll with it for a bit! I need to do some more research on different racks, but I'm too far behind to keep pissing away more time on it. Snow is coming soon! haha
I got the pedals completely finished and made some progress on the radiator too. Been taking some stuff home to work on during the week to try and get more accomplished quicker. So far it seems to help a little compared to only getting a day or two a week at my old man's place.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q__XA1CGj7g

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[woody80z28]

https://youtube.com/shorts/0gFmT303q3w

It's alive! Put a ****load of hours in on it over the last week+, cause I'm getting kicked off my old man's lift for his dumb new Mopars. A lot of the final little details turned out really well. It's uncanny how well a truck fuse block and PCM fit a Beretta. haha And my modified headers miraculously can be removed from the top side, and still have access to the starter and steering shaft.
The fuel tank and a couple other things are sloppy cobbed together at the moment, so it's still not road worthy. But it runs and will be making tire smoke by this weekend. More detailed video coming soon, obviously.

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[wfo guy]

Good progress. :)

[jaybee]

It looks neat and tidy under there, especially since you're putting 10lbs of stuff in a 5lb bag.

[woody80z28]

It looks neat and tidy under there, especially since you're putting 10lbs of stuff in a 5lb bag.I took A LOT of measurements on my other Beretta before I decided to buy another one for this project. haha

Here's the thrash video. And the next one will show smoke!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoANNtGaPe0

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2022/11/FZCrS9M-1.jpg

After I got it fired, I discovered the clutch wouldn't fully disengage. 6.1:1 Wilwood pedals and 3/4 bore master should have been ok considering the 4th gens had 6:1 pedals and 3/4 master cyl...but apparently McLeod and Spec clutches both need a 7/8 master. Fittingly enough, my used Spec clutch did come with a 7/8 master. Probably should have done some homework on that then. But it was a universal style Tilton that fit the Wilwood pedals just like the Afcos I'm running.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2022/11/RIeCLi3-1.jpg

It was sketchy AF on the initial test drive! My "oh how bad can it be" bumpsteer was really bad, so I stole a couple 5/8 heims from the Camaro and dialed it in a lot better. I also adjusted my pinion angle (cause I had forgotten) and made a tweak to the driver rear lower control arm length. Should be a marked improvement on the next test drive.

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[eversaul86]

Cool project! My cousin had one of these back in the day…not as fast as this one though.
Martin

[woody80z28]

I don't know how fast it is. Prob 12s? But it is so much fun. I love it.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2022/12/EKxs780-1.jpg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNF7uPUjVHE

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[Vimes]

Ugh, this really torques my nuts. GM had so many good looking cars like this one, and ruined them with front wheel drive. Builds like yours shows the potential these cars had, if only GM hadn't screwed them up by putting the engines in wrong.

[woody80z28]

Video is up! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ei15Jh8ABZk

And I'm also thinking about doing some t-shirts.
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[extremetoy]

Awesome project! Always thought this would be a cool setup!

[woody80z28]

Coilovers for the front in the works! No pillowball mounts and nasty NVH though...I'm using a DIY non-adjustable strut mount with 2 more degrees caster built in. And it has rubber isolators for the spring and the strut stem. My mock up shows it working beautifully. The picture on the ground is in the center of the adjustment, so I can go up or down about 2 inch from there. More info to come once I finish it up and make a video.
You can also see another change if you look close, but I'm not gonna spill the beans on that just yet.
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[ryeguy2006a]

Nailed the stance!

[woody80z28]

Nailed the stance!
I can go about 1.5 lower or 2.5 higher (yeah right). Now to make the rear match...

Got the coilovers all done and the video up.
https://youtu.be/et8G4sg5xGA

My friend Alex cut some plates on his plasma table from a PDF I designed in Adobe Illustrator (poor man's CAD). haha. I moved the pivot back for more caster and isolated with rubber so the NVH should be fine. Using 200lb springs instead of the factory 145lb, and I had to cut the perch off completely. I also cut the steering arm down so I can use it as a mount to make the 33mm Blazer swaybar direct acting.

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Now the front looks so good I'm hacking up the rear unibody frame to get the ass down to match. On the next episode of...Gearhead dezign. haha

[jaybee]

Love what you're doing with the car.

[woody80z28]

Guess I forgot to post my "rear subframe" video. Worked out pretty nice as some new rear structure to be able to clearance the unibody for lower ride height and move the coilover mounts up to keep my full shock travel. It's also going to be a nice solid mount for the fuel tank but that will be in another epsiode...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFPeDoHrME4

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Even bought a new tool...that I should have bought years ago! Love it already
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[woody80z28]

Plasma video is up
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=voA9OiYLK0o

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[ProTouring442]

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2022/11/91rpZFV-1.jpg

That just doesn't look safe to me.

[woody80z28]

That just doesn't look safe to me.
I'll be revisiting that soon. The Ackermann still isn't perfect, and now I actually have a buddy who can laser cut and bend me custom brackets, so I don't have to buy 48 Ford brackets and modify them. haha

Rear suspension completely finished! Had that same buddy laser some brackets to relocate the lower control arms and panhard bar at the lower ride height. Converted LCAs to rod ends on one side and welded more bracing on the torque arm. Also bent some 3/4" plates to strengthen the driveshaft tunnel structure, and welded in my rear firewall for the gas tank which is next on the list. Road legal is getting closer and closer.

https://youtu.be/wgorm1vNeYw

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[iadr]

rive.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2022/11/91rpZFV-1.jpg


All you'd have to do to make it near trophy-truck-strong, is to tri-plate it with longer fabricated steering arm parts. Then use a big bolt back at the hollow in the spindle, and a locating pin through the three layers, about where the weld is now.

Center "layer" is just a spacer. Tough part is going to be curving the steering arms to nest with the existing. Bending that would take a lot of force.

206482

[Vimes]

I was thinking he could just flip them driver side to passenger side, mount them so the cross piece between the mounting bolts across the back of the hub goes underneath, and eliminate most of the need for a long linkage as this would put the arm right down where the tie rod is. But that's based off the pictures, don't know if that would work from a thousand miles away.

[iadr]

If it would work that is even better. Kudo's for the 3D imaging you did for that idea!

[woody80z28]

I like the 3-plate idea. I can definitely do that or something like that. A while back I bought another pair of plates cause I knew I'd be reworking it. https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Speedway-Ford-Spindle-Flat-Tie-Rod-Steering-Arms-Plain,3298.html

I can't switch them side to side because the angled spacing of the hub bolts throws it way out of whack. Ideally I'd like to clean-sheet the design now that I'm working with my buddy that can laser and bend heavy steel. The problem I foresee is the ball joint getting in the way of bending down. May need to bend the two mounting ears in different directions if possible. This is one of the next projects on my list, so I'll try out some plastic-aided-design and see if I can make it work.

It's running again! Got the DIY stainless fuel tank done. Fits nicely and leaves a decent trunk with 17gal capacity. It's 14g 304SS and kinda heavy, using the factory fuel pump module with a Walbro 255HP. I don't love that the filler is inside the trunk, but I couldn't come up with a better way to do it...the factory filler spot is just way too low. Ideally the tank weight would be lower, but at least it's further back to get the f/r weight bias better.
https://youtu.be/vfYE3A_DLsA
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[Vimes]

Bummer on the steering arms being unflippable.

[ryeguy2006a]

Nice work on the tank!

[woody80z28]

Keepin on keepin on. Got the wiring 100% finished. Now the key turns the car on & off and all the gauges work. I even fixed the trunk popper that needed to be in "park". haha

https://youtu.be/iWSmuRs3MpE

Found some nice little surprises. Being a 96 actually simplified some of the wiring since it matches up to 2000 OBD2 truck. Oil pressure connector plugged right in and 98 Camaro coolant temp sensor also plugs right in (I had laready cut mine off though) lol. The truck fuse block fits awesome in the air cleaner and I made a little bracket to hold it secure.

I added PCM control for fan1 & fan2, reverse lockout solenoid and wired my wideband datastream into the Bank1 sensor2 signal for logging. Most of all the wiring I was able to leave in it's loom and repurpose wires I didn't need. I used a bunch of the Beretta PCM wires through the firewall bulkhead to get circuits into the interior without adding holes. And I added circuits to the PCM by using wires I didn't need for auto trans junk, etc. I also used the wiring leg that went to the auto trans plug to do reverse lights and reverse lockout without adding to the bundle inside the loom.

I hope this is all the wiring I have to do for a while. I took almost a week and crimp solder & shrunk it so I shouldn't have to chase down gremlins later. I also added fan override switch and a couple circuits through the firewall that I'm not using yet. So there's room to grow.

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[woody80z28]

Got the tunnel video done. Got it basically built at my house and took it back to the lift for final finishing and seam sealing. It all fits pretty well. Gonna look damn near factory with carpet!

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2023/05/sjSCIzI-1.jpg

T-GXMyhoxL0

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Everything is back in place and the exhaust is done, so that will be the next video.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2023/05/XsEWRjM-1.jpg

[Jimbo1367]

This is a very ambitious build. Hats off to you. It takes a lot of courage to bit off a challenge such as this. I wish I could drive it. Lol

[woody80z28]

New steering arms are done and I just registered it for plates...all goes well I'll be street driving it this weekend!

[woody80z28]

Exhaust video is up.

https://youtu.be/7gUHzuSZFoQ

Also put tags on it and drove the first street miles. It looks absolutely amazing this low, but I dunno if it's gonna live in NY this way. haha Exhaust scrapes on the driveshaft on bumps too...so there's a little bit to work out there.

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Steering is SO MUCH better. Basically perfect even before alignment. Very happy with that. More info to come.

[woody80z28]

Still not completely finished, but I towed it to Carlisle. I took 4th place out of 4 cars in my class at the show (guess people don't like half-finished interiors and chipping paint). And I took 2nd out of 3 (2 running) at the donut/burnout contest. But nothing broke so I'm calling that a win.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42yYXYGVmQM

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[woody80z28]

(Completed this before Carlisle) Another revision to the steering done and this time it's perfect! Clean sheeted the design rather than trying to modify those '48 Ford arms. Did the math to determine for sure that I needed like 31% more steering angle on the inside wheel for the Ackerman to be correct at 103" wheelbase and 60" track width. That was 1-1/8" outboard of the balljoint at IIRC 5" forward of the ball joint. I made a mockup in plastic at work and had the local Empire Metal Works laser them in 3/8 steel. Now I'm super happy with the steering and it feels great.

https://youtu.be/TIpaXvBFh48

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[Vimes]

Looks good, but that's right down where the mud and the crud get splashed up. Might want to think about putting a boot on it.

https://kryptoniteproducts.com/products/kryptonite-utv-heim-joint-protective-dust-boot

[woody80z28]

Looks good, but that's right down where the mud and the crud get splashed up. Might want to think about putting a boot on it.

https://kryptoniteproducts.com/products/kryptonite-utv-heim-joint-protective-dust-boot

That's a good idea! I wonder if that will fit? I can make it fit one way or another...

https://youtu.be/xOx0w3rvumA

Sway bars are done and they're pretty mint. Front is a free 33mm Blazer bar from the Z69 that's hooked to the strut via a Dodge Ram end link to the old FWD steering arm. That means it's direct-acting like an FE7 Beretta bar, but twice the thickness! Rear is a 23mm Blazer bar that's adjustable via split collars that can slide up and down the bar. They hook to one of several holes in the frame via 5th (or 6tth?) gen Camaro balljoint-style end links. The bushings in front just go to some plates welded on the subframe, and the rear bushings are on some DIY exhaust clamp brackets on the axle tubes.

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[woody80z28]

Mmmkay...if you're following my youtube you know I went to LS fest! That's about a 2000 mile road trip after maybe 400 miles on the build. haha

https://youtu.be/yLVE5glI8Tw?si=-kMTNMoW0sgqlNau

I took my trailer down, packed with tools, just in case anything broke. I drove down with Chris (speedy on bnet) and his 5.3/TKX Jeep. My shifter broke off at our second gas stop, so I had to shift the little nub until we got to Summit in Tallmadge, OH. Got to the show thinking I'd be one of the weirdest cars there and parked next to an S/C LS DeLorean. haha Show/race is absolutely massive. Did some burnouts at the after party and then came home with my new Nascar buddy from Boston. I had a relay he needed, and he had a bolt I needed so it worked out good.

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Next video is my dyno pull, that goes live tmo. Check it out!

[andrewb70]

Don't know how I missed you at LS Fest, but it is good to see this project on the road!

Andrew

[Vimes]

That is nice looking. Looks pretty much stock.

[woody80z28]

Don't know how I missed you at LS Fest, but it is good to see this project on the road!
It feels so good to finally put some miles on it! And it drives really tame and comfortable. Should be zero problem daily driving it.


Dyno'd the car at LS Fest and it was pretty weak...I bet it's slower than my 3400 car was. But I have a great remedy coming for that, now that the RWD stuff is sorted out...
https://youtu.be/NL2tgNHHZr4?si=GMHL2KbHqWBRDC_4

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2023/09/CehzVp2-1.jpg

And the interior is 99% done and looking pretty good. Got the shifter switched back to the factory knob. haha

https://youtu.be/Bzn2lg3AseA?si=9zdyhwwOXC_avQr5

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[woody80z28]

Oops. Guess I never posted my pre-race video. haha Working on my drag video right now.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2023/10/go8OHmq-1.jpg

But I did get the throttle body to work better, and I changed the hot air intake to cold air. Had to ditch the Beretta coolant reservoir and get creative with a Saturn one, but it works fine...has the same steam ports and the low coolant light sensor plugs right in.

https://youtu.be/oe-nxmfGLGU?si=WxVhtiIbM3HPhFrr

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[ryeguy2006a]

Really cool updates man! I'm following along and watch the videos when I can.

[woody80z28]

Drove this heap to the drag strip, I and got the old man to come with his Roadrunner too. He was diagnosed with liver and pancreatic cancer in August and it's not good. Not good at all. So we're trying to live life to the fullest with the time we have.

His car is a 68 Roadrunner with a 440 4spd. I've driven it and was fairly unimpressed, but I've also been underwhelmed with the 4.8 power, so we figured running them would be fun. He hadn't raced since 2005, and I hadn't since I sold the last Beretta in spring of 2021.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnJjsLf9y2s

I freakin smoked that junk. And I finally just got my datalogging working - and discovered a spark problem. So I band-aided the tune and gained 8mph the next pass. Felt a lot better! It's still slower than I'd like, but I made a couple changes in the last few days and it's feeling really good now. So I'm gonna take it back next weekend and see if I can squeak 12s out of it. Maybe?

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2023/10/Wf5uYOb-1.jpg
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[woody80z28]

Changes felt good, and it ran faster. But still couldn't beat the 3400 ET! I did out-trap it by a few MPH though, so it will beat the 3400...but not this year because I went to the last track day of the season. My shocks just aren't controlling the rear axle like they need to, so I'm going to buy double-adjustable Vikings. Won't need much 60' improvement to beat the 13.29. Just a 10th should do it.

So I'm going to hold off on my power upgrade for right now. I want to see what this stock LR4 can do. The goal is still 12sec 1/4 mile and 30mpg highway. 13.45 and 26mpg isn't that far away. I think they are both within reach.

Kinda sad that the weather has changed and I gotta put it away just as I'm getting it dialed in and working AWESOME as a summer beater.

https://youtu.be/2lmnyYses54

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[NASTY-LSX]

Man you sure have came a long way with that build, I bet its super fun to drive!

[ryeguy2006a]

Very cool man! I like your "tuning" workbench haha

[woody80z28]

Man you sure have came a long way with that build, I bet its super fun to drive!It feels really good now that I got the spark fixed. I prob wouldn't have bought the alum 5.3 if it felt this good from the start. lol


Very cool man! I like your "tuning" workbench hahaThe cheap tuning has been worth every penny...but there are drawbacks. haha. I just bought a USB OBDX Pro VX that's supposed to flash 4x faster than my current Droid setup and it can go straight from PC to PCM. Should be faster logging also. I'm excited to try that out.
So it's no longer:
TunerPro changes on PC
hotspot with my new phone
Email from PC to old phone
12min flash from old phone to bluetooth

[ryeguy2006a]

I did have good luck with that method, but it was cumbersome and I didn't use it enough and I'd find myself with a new phone and then have to do the three flash thing which became annoying. I much preferred HP tuners. I know it was a lot up front, but when I had mine I had my buddies help pay for it. I'd have them pay for the credits to unlock their car and a few bucks for my time to make changes to their cars. I sold it earlier this year since I find myself using only Holley now, but it was definitely worth it's weight in gold.

[woody80z28]

I did have good luck with that method, but it was cumbersome and I didn't use it enough and I'd find myself with a new phone and then have to do the three flash thing which became annoying. I much preferred HP tuners. I know it was a lot up front, but when I had mine I had my buddies help pay for it. I'd have them pay for the credits to unlock their car and a few bucks for my time to make changes to their cars. I sold it earlier this year since I find myself using only Holley now, but it was definitely worth it's weight in gold.

Yeah, I was really thinking hard about HPTuners when I stumbled into LS Droid. For $50, I've tuned a dozen computers or more. My truck, my Beretta, my Blazer, a couple Tahoes, an S10, another Blazers, a few more swap PCMs. And i can clone any PCM into anything. My 4.8 computer has a 96 Beretta VIN even. haha

I have a Holley HP for my Camaro and I'm looking forward to trying that out.

[woody80z28]

Ok I got to use that new OBDX and it's a huge upgrade to the cheap tuning. Main thing in my case now...I can flash from the OBD2 port in the car in 3 mins, instead of pulling the PCM out and 12min flashing from a bench harness and putting it back together. That's like 20-25mins down to 3. And I was also able to successfully do a "calibration-only" flash in less than a minute. My OBDlink bluetooth failed every single time I tried doing the shorter flash, it only worked with complete clone flashes.
Quick datalog in my Blazer also looks like it datalogs much faster, so I'm stoked about it. At only $80 it's a steal, honestly.

https://youtu.be/YpyRHYYXAr4
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2024/01/yhordOa-1.jpg

[TotallyHucked]

Man, this is such a cool build. I love seeing all these '80s cars getting retro'd and improved

[woody80z28]

I set a budget goal of $5,000 to build this daily beater LS swap. Nothing crazy, just a great daily/highway/burnout car...and some racing. It's done (mostly) and I love it. But those dollars add up quick, even when you're being cheap. I could have pinched more pennies, but I'm still real happy for how it turned out. Bang for the buck is still excellent.

https://youtu.be/af7hnmPfyV4?si=yx7YGchqDtmmbDYW
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2024/01/Ky7MJxt-1.jpg

[SPLATT71MC]

I always thought these cars would have been fun as hell if they came RWD from the factory.

[woody80z28]

Officially announcing my worst kept secret! I bought an aluminum L33 to throw in the Beretta. It's more cubes, more compression, more cam, better heads, MORE POWER, and less weight. And it has the better gen4 rods, but still 24x crank reluctor so it works with my existing truck wiring and it was only $500. I can prob sell the 4.8 for that. haha I'm going to convert the DBW harness to DBC and use it in another project...or maybe just sell one. I probably don't need five 5.3s around...
https://youtu.be/NjNUj-wPlA4
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[woody80z28]

Daily driving the car for a month or so last year made some needs for winter upgrades clear. And drag racing launches required new adjustable shocks so I picked up some Vikings. One of my brake master cylinders was leaking and I needed to adjust the bias bar, so I took out the dash and wired up a 2-step and elec defroster while I was in there. I fixed the friggin POS custom axles from Moser Engineering, and I also still had a little leak in the gas tank, so I took care of that too. This car is ready to daily drive now, and next month I'll be racing my old man's Challenger for bragging rights.

https://youtu.be/q6Xw8XXYN5I?si=1FsZLEe6bY_SMw1y

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[woody80z28]

I bought custom Moser axles to fit my 5x100 drag wheels directly without an adapter and give me more fender well room for the slicks. I ordered them with Explorer brake pilot and Beretta wheel pilot and dual 5x100 and 5x115 pattern, so I could eventually fit 5x115 DIY beadlock drag wheels. $600 was a lot for axles on this budget-conscious car considering the entire 8.8 rear was $200, but it would allow me to do what I want.

Imagine my disappointment when I put them in and they vibrated by 45mph, when the junkyard stuff was fine at 80. The brake pilot was cut too small, so the rotor didn't center on the axle. I contacted Moser and they told me they couldn't fix them and they were custom so they couldn't be returned. I came up with my own gameplan to fix them (with minimal rework by Moser) and they still refused. So I fixed them myself on the lathe at work by turning the pilot down and making my own hubcentric ring pressed onto the axle. And I made my own GEARHEAD center cap...cause F Moser. The first test drive at 75mph was smooth sailing. That was more labor than it should have been, but at least the axles aren't $600 scrap.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yg5nFFoP9cY

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And here's the video I made on DIY beadlock wheels for my Blazer SAS project. I'm going to be doing the same kind of thing with my Lumina APV minivan wheels for the Beretta. I think the sawblade beadlock ring looks freakin awesome.

https://youtu.be/RLeUMv4NltU

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[ryeguy2006a]

I love having a lathe. I bought one about 2 years ago and was one of the best things I bought.

[woody80z28]

I love having a lathe. I bought one about 2 years ago and was one of the best things I bought.
Yeah, my job doesn't pay as much as I'd like...but it sure is nice to have a halfway decent machine shop at my disposal. Lathe, mill, vertical and horizontal bandsaws, drill presses, belt sander, grinding wheels, CNC router, UV printer...

[woody80z28]

Lots of daily driving. It's running/looking great and I made some more upgrades. Set the sloppy mechanics group on fire with my cut & welded control arms...but they work awesome. Gained me the steering clearance I needed, and added 2* of caster and about a degree of camber. Handles AWESOME now. I also got my rear sway bar frame brackets done and changed my torque arm bushing from a rubber trailer bushing to poly and a bracket. Braced the engine mounts to cut down on flex and I have an appt to get some door locks. haha Can it get much better? Yeah, I've got more plans...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsiNczcJOmY

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[ryeguy2006a]

I love the car man, but long term you may want to build a jig and make some new lower arms out of tubes or other fabrication methods. Still really cool that you were able to gain better caster/camber numbers.

[woody80z28]

I love the car man, but long term you may want to build a jig and make some new lower arms out of tubes or other fabrication methods. Still really cool that you were able to gain better caster/camber numbers.
I might remake a pair with slightly less...like 3/4 instead of 1" offset...because I still get just a little bit of rub when I hit big bumps. The factory contrsuction of these arms is really weak with just a dozen or so spot welds for the whole arm. I really don't think I reduced the strength. There's not much stress on the LCA in a MacPherson setup...but I even took stress out of the arm by linking the sway bar direct to strut rather than arm.

If I remake a pair, I can also correct the ball joint angle with a lasered plate. So I dunno, I might do that eventually. I'll keep an eye on them whenever it's on the lift. I checked them over after some VERY spirited testing and so far so good. The big bars make it handle really nice...could prob use a little more front spring rate for the big bumps though.

- - - Updated - - -

I figured out a way to set up a 2-step rev limiter, controlled by the stock PCM with no wiring needed. It reacts super quick and it should work great for drag racing.I originally tried wiring in a clutch switch to pin 32 of the PCM to trigger the P/N tables, but that didn't work at all. So I changed my strategy and repurposed the "closed throttle base spark" table. That's actually a better solution for a few reasons:
1 - Spark advance changes recover faster that fuel injector cut...
2 - It reacts quicker in the pedal swing without needing to trip a switch at the rest position. The clutch is already fully engaged when the pedal closes the CPP switch. But the wheel speed hits 1mph as soon as the clutch starts to engage
3 - No wiring...at all. Adding the Clutch Pedal Position switch requires running a wire to pin 32 to the P01 harness and grounding the other.

https://youtu.be/YIAJ1_a2eXM

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[woody80z28]

Crash video is up. Looks like the bumper did its job just as it was supposed to.

https://youtu.be/OtlDf_zmRFM?si=ybETTIso99k4sIPS

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2024/07/3qgCjwX-1.jpeg

Was hot as hell all weekend with heat index over 100. Turnout was still good considering. We brought pop-up tents and a little splash pad for the kids. Jay tried out his first autox and got about a half dozen runs in. They all did the UMI ride-a-long with the fast autox cars too, that's always impressive. Got their first whiffs of nitromethane too from 70s funny cars. Seemed to have a good time at their first Carlisle.

So...the crash. Prob a few factors involved...pick the excuse you like best. haha. Prob the biggest one being that left-foot braking messes with my brain - haven't mastered that yet. Started raining just as the contest started. I checked the tires when I got home and they're 13 years old. Prob another reason they didn't grip as much as I expected. I have the Cleetus contest in two weeks, so I'm hoping that goes better! Who knows, accidents happen when you party.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2024/07/M32Do3y-1.jpeg
Quad4 race car was interesting. Best of 13.0
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Amish Airbnb was nice
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I think Jack had the most fun of anyone
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[woody80z28]

The Cleetus burnout contest went perfectly! This time I smashed the front and broke the brake pedal. Oof.

https://youtu.be/DIqnEv-fjg8?si=N28Vg0dzJHs8TwDi
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Maybe I could use some seat time. I was worried about putting it into the concrete barriers and that's exactly what happened. Now's prob the time to take it in for another alignment too...it always goes left.
To be rules legal for Cleetus I got some steelies and wired in an external kill switch, and for fun I took the hood and exhaust off and pointed an extra pair of headers straight up.
Everything considered the damage could have been a lot worse. Definitely gotta learn how to drive though...cause that's 0/2 this year.

[woody80z28]

Good as new! Basically. I grabbed another bumper from a buddy, The cover was pretty rough but the steel part got me back in business. The urethane straightened out pretty well with a heat gun.
Brakes weren't too tough to fix...the master cylinder pushrod was all that broke. Sucks to pull the dash again, but no new fabrication needed.
I also bought another car! Blown head gasket and rotten rockers, but it's same year and color as mine so I grabbed it. Driving a trailer through NYC is never fun, but it was only about 9 hours of driving total. And there are a couple fun things I can do with it.
https://youtu.be/xeJWCxk_H5s?si=x1R0zLNa9Z2AMik7
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[Vimes]

Wanna win ALL the drag races?

https://www.motortrend.com/features/hairy-est-scariest-hurst-olds-ever-built/

A pair of turbocharged 5.3L/6 speed Impala drivetrains in that second Beretta would do the trick. The acceleration would probably bruise organs.

[woody80z28]

Wanna win ALL the drag races?

https://www.motortrend.com/features/hairy-est-scariest-hurst-olds-ever-built/

A pair of turbocharged 5.3L/6 speed Impala drivetrains in that second Beretta would do the trick. The acceleration would probably bruise organs.

Have you seen the Twinpala that Hot Rod Garage built? Really cool car, but it drove so sketchy that they thought it was actually going to kill somebody so they parted it out. lol

[Vimes]

Have you seen the Twinpala that Hot Rod Garage built? Really cool car, but it drove so sketchy that they thought it was actually going to kill somebody so they parted it out. lol

That's pretty slick but AWD, two turbocharged V8s and only 10.48 at 137.7 mph? Something's not right there.

[woody80z28]

Took the old man racing again in another Chevy vs Mopar grudge match.
https://youtu.be/GMs8_LgJ7lw?si=5_9U8NyRUA-qtqJd
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2024/11/ODbvUGU-1.jpeg

I guess I haven't posted much about my dad on the boards, but his chemo has gone unbelievably well and he's still feeling good! A true success story, battling a type of cancer that is typically very aggressive. When he got his first...really remarkable...re-scan, he decided to buy a car that might have a chance in beating the Beretta! haha He grabbed a blown up 6.1 Hemi 6spd Challenger SRT8 for cheap that had already been disassembled. So we had to piece it back together from boxes of parts.
https://youtu.be/5qdV44pqG6c?si=VerGnMBf8f6aUoCm
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2024/11/aWHg2Og-1.jpeg

Then we set it up with an OBD2 line lock, some 17" wheels and slicks, and added some electric exhaust cut outs.
https://youtu.be/st-9Fa5UGgc?si=ob08u2mMJWiExlvf
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At the track, neither of us ran the 12s we were shooting for, but I did manage to get him in both our heads up races, even though we were running within a tenth of each other pretty much all day. I broke my torque arm mount on the rear axle and bent the torque arm heims while trying to dial in my launch, but I just scrambled to get it fixed/upgraded and we're ready for a rematch ASAP at Island Drags in NJ before they close for the year. Somehow racing season always gets away from me.
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[woody80z28]

Fixed the broken torque arm to get one more drag day in before the end of the year.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2024/11/SGHDZob-1.jpeg
https://youtu.be/zofQmk3FDGU

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2024/11/S4wNNEc-1.jpeg
Bent 1/2" bolt, two 3/4 heims & 3/4 adjuster and broke the 7/8od x 1/2ID sleeve.

Fixed with a 3/8" lasered plate with 3/4 bolts rotated 90* and additional bracing
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2024/11/GCwgOw1-1.jpeg
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Adjustable ARB ready to go: using existing mounts on body and axle, but using the end link location for the roll bar, and sway bar bushing location for the end links
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2024/11/WiykbqW-1.jpeg

[ryeguy2006a]

Second design looks much stronger.

[woody80z28]

Second design looks much stronger.

Yeah, the orientation of the rod ends was an oversight on my part. I turned them that way for ease of alignment, but it's also like laying a 2x4 flat vs vertical. My first version was also utilizing a bunch of stuff I had laying around, and now I have my buddy with a laser making me custom stuff super easily. Game changer right there... And he wants to L8T swap his 69 Camaro now, so it could be a nice partnership. We'll see.

[woody80z28]

Video racing with Papa Woody again is up on YouTube. Tiffany came as camera crew and I had plenty of time to set up my GoPros so it's one of my better videos yet.
https://youtu.be/DSpBP6vjbhA
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2024/12/LYanyIS-1.jpeg
First time ever going to Island Dragway in NJ. The track was packed! 6hrs on the trailer for 3 runs...ouch.
Confused a lot of people by spinning the rear wheels. Starting line guys were telling at me to back up when my rear slicks were already in the water box. haha. And the tech guy looking at the car with the hood open (and engine pointing rearward) asked if I had slicks - while looking at the front tires.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2024/12/C0DRFmU-1.jpeg
I'm getting the rear suspension dialed in better, all sub-2.0 60 foots this time. From looking at the rear axle cam though, it's obvious there's room left for improvement. Is there enough left to hit my goals? Yeah, I dunno.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2024/12/FC2xbPc-1.jpeg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2024/12/gGMN98l-1.jpeg
Met this guy "Pirrofab" too, running a Mitsubishi swapped Vega. Pretty unique combo, cool dude.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2024/12/rayiVI4-1.jpeg

[woody80z28]

Finally got the Berettafest 2025 video done: https://youtu.be/KEidJb3mnCs
Here's a little taste of what Bfest is like. It always feels like home to me.
This was the 26th annual (different location every year) and my 8th Fest with my third different Beretta in attendance.
Check it out if you've ever wondered what a close car family can look like. I've got friendships all over the continent that go back 20 years now. I've gone to Camaro events too, but they are huge and not quite the same as our little Beretta group.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2025/09/QvaqWdD-1.jpeg
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[SPLATT71MC]

I can't say I've seen that many Berettas in over 20 years

[woody80z28]

This might be the best handling Beretta on earth now.��
I made some 82-92 Camaro struts fit...the bolt spacing and length is the same as Beretta. I did it with basically stock KYBs to see if it all would work, so I could buy double adjustable Viking struts for a Camaro. It works so damn good I'm gonna hold off that $1300 for the moment.��
Had to convert them to coilover style, and if you're using them on a FWD Beretta you'll need to make your own steering arm, but it is an option.
I also made my own FE7 sway bar bracket so I could have a 33mm direct Blazer sway bar. But if you're looking to upgrade to a regular FE7 bar it will work for those as well.

https://youtu.be/3Z1H0amzYmk

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2025/10/yNxwffx-1.jpeg
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[jaybee]

That'll work! Very functional, nicely done.

[Bob in St. Louis]

This is awesome!

[woody80z28]

Finally accomplished my underhood beautification. I bought these polished valve covers 2 or 3 years ago and finally got around to using em, paired with some nice gen4 truck coil packs. From day one the original rusty gen3 coils looked pretty terrible...(after all the donor truck was literally rusted in half with a broken frame). I also spliced out the huge 7pin coil connector and ditched the brackets entirely. This time I used 2k clear coat on top of the paint and it really makes the Bright Aqua Metallic come alive. I also discovered that with a little bit of trimming a Blazer fuse box cover fits on a Silverado fuse box. I used my spare 99-02 gmt800 fuse box to trace all the pins and label what I'm actually using (like T56 reverse lockout). There's also a bunch of spots to take fused wires directly from the box: 4 ign keyed and 15 battery constant, 5 open relay locations, and there are 19 spots to run any wire in and out of the box through a fuse. I'll have more on that in another video later.

https://youtu.be/ombCLmSCDqk

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2026/05/3nZNLvx-1.jpeg

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[Bob in St. Louis]

That's lookin good!

[Vimes]

Every time I see this one I get the urge to go find another Reatta and build it the way Buick should have - RWD and no stupid protoputer. Had one once before that I wanted to do a RWD conversion on, but it was not to be.

[Bob in St. Louis]

Every time I see this one I get the urge to go find another Reatta and build it the way Buick should have - RWD and no stupid protoputer. Had one once before that I wanted to do a RWD conversion on, but it was not to be.

I double dawg dare ya!

[Vimes]

I double dawg dare ya!

Love to, but I'm only allowed one project at a time and I have two at the moment. Perhaps when my 03 is done.

[Bob in St. Louis]

haha, I totally understand that!