Chevy350
12-03-2004, 09:01 AM
Hi,
My brother and I are fixing some things on his car this winter, and I assume that some questions will pop up during that time.
His car: http://home.no/caprice/ The page is a little behind on the 'update' dept, but it will get done during december.
On the 'to do' list this winter:
-Fix the floor (welding required), making mounts for bucket seats
-Change interior color to black, mount new Grant steering wheel and B&M Megashifter
-Remove AC completely, tidy up electrical system under hood, and inside dashboard
-Firm up sloppy suspension (Energy Suspension bushings, sway bars)
-Plus many other smaller thing, will update later, also pictures when something happens.
Though this won't be a "full blown" PT project, the overall goal is to improve the car in all areas, which also requires a diet! We have winter from October to April here anyway, so ditching the AC isn't a big deal.
Then, the first questions:
Body mounts: They will be replaced down the line, but noone makes any for this car (duh...), so the plan is to make some for the '94-'96 SS fit. Anyone here tried this? Other solutions? Already have a kit lying around, using time and modifying is just fun anyway, as using stock rubber ones aren't an option...
Boxing rear control arms:
This being a "make the most of what you have"-project, the stock ones will probably get welded, and fitted with poly bushings. Have heard of numerous doing this to their Chevelle's, so we'll give it a shot.
Any known pro's or con's to this?
Springs for the car:
The big problem! Have seen some using Eaton Detroit Spring, and Coil Spring Specialties, have anyone got some pictures of cars with those springs? I have seen some, and they seem to high in the front, and we both hate the "sagging rear" look on these cars. A little lower in front (NOT on it's nose though), gives a nice "agressive" stance, while level looks saggy when you put 2lbs in the trunk...
Alignment specs:
Well, any suggestions? I am shooting for as much positive caster as I can get, roughly 0.5deg negative camber and a little toe in (about 5-10 'minutes' per side, sorry - only metric otherwise over here) I am willing to try out several settings to get the right feel and high speed stability (yeah, right), and will do the alignment myself. I used to work at the local Chevy-dealer here, and feel relatively confident after an X number of Suburbans, Tahoes, Vans (a pain!) and Blazers... The car will not be used at a track, but it's next to useless in stock form even on the street, so something definately has to be done. In the future it will get som 17"/18"'s, more for the look than handling, but it will help the handling/stability anyway.
We know, it's a stupid car to do theese mods on, but it's also totally cool just for the same reason! 95oct costs over $5/gallon here, so it's very rewarding making people turn their heads and beeing politically uncorrect :) Anyway, this was what I could think of for now, exciting to see what (mixed) responses will appear... Thank you in advance for bearing with my rambling. ;)
My brother and I are fixing some things on his car this winter, and I assume that some questions will pop up during that time.
His car: http://home.no/caprice/ The page is a little behind on the 'update' dept, but it will get done during december.
On the 'to do' list this winter:
-Fix the floor (welding required), making mounts for bucket seats
-Change interior color to black, mount new Grant steering wheel and B&M Megashifter
-Remove AC completely, tidy up electrical system under hood, and inside dashboard
-Firm up sloppy suspension (Energy Suspension bushings, sway bars)
-Plus many other smaller thing, will update later, also pictures when something happens.
Though this won't be a "full blown" PT project, the overall goal is to improve the car in all areas, which also requires a diet! We have winter from October to April here anyway, so ditching the AC isn't a big deal.
Then, the first questions:
Body mounts: They will be replaced down the line, but noone makes any for this car (duh...), so the plan is to make some for the '94-'96 SS fit. Anyone here tried this? Other solutions? Already have a kit lying around, using time and modifying is just fun anyway, as using stock rubber ones aren't an option...
Boxing rear control arms:
This being a "make the most of what you have"-project, the stock ones will probably get welded, and fitted with poly bushings. Have heard of numerous doing this to their Chevelle's, so we'll give it a shot.
Any known pro's or con's to this?
Springs for the car:
The big problem! Have seen some using Eaton Detroit Spring, and Coil Spring Specialties, have anyone got some pictures of cars with those springs? I have seen some, and they seem to high in the front, and we both hate the "sagging rear" look on these cars. A little lower in front (NOT on it's nose though), gives a nice "agressive" stance, while level looks saggy when you put 2lbs in the trunk...
Alignment specs:
Well, any suggestions? I am shooting for as much positive caster as I can get, roughly 0.5deg negative camber and a little toe in (about 5-10 'minutes' per side, sorry - only metric otherwise over here) I am willing to try out several settings to get the right feel and high speed stability (yeah, right), and will do the alignment myself. I used to work at the local Chevy-dealer here, and feel relatively confident after an X number of Suburbans, Tahoes, Vans (a pain!) and Blazers... The car will not be used at a track, but it's next to useless in stock form even on the street, so something definately has to be done. In the future it will get som 17"/18"'s, more for the look than handling, but it will help the handling/stability anyway.
We know, it's a stupid car to do theese mods on, but it's also totally cool just for the same reason! 95oct costs over $5/gallon here, so it's very rewarding making people turn their heads and beeing politically uncorrect :) Anyway, this was what I could think of for now, exciting to see what (mixed) responses will appear... Thank you in advance for bearing with my rambling. ;)