71 gto rag project

[novaracer_2000]

I have owned this car for years and as of last fall finally pulled it off the road for a total redo.I stripped it down and pulled the body off the frame.I had the frame blasted and started to blast all the smaller components.I bought UMI rear control arms and poly bushings for everything else.I made a set of hotchkis style braces for the rear.I welded up un nesesary hole and rewelded some of the frame welds.I bought all new frontend components and edelbrock springs and shocks.I am doing a c5 front brake conversion and a 2000 camaro rear disc brake conversion.I ordered coy grey center c5s in 18x8 and 18x9.5 and nitto 555s in 255/45/18 and 295/45/18.I'm starting to paint the components to start assembly on the frame and hope to have it rolling by may or so and then start on the body.The car is a 400 AT GTO convertible one of 661 made.

here is a before pic
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/10/PFYOD8CoBQIAAA5Hh1A_4349_8-1.jpg

[novaracer_2000]

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/10/summer07473-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/02/HPIM1945-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/03/HPIM1944-1.jpg

[novaracer_2000]

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/10/gto030-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/03/HPIM1943-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/03/HPIM1989-1.jpg

[novaracer_2000]

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/03/HPIM1994-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/03/HPIM2193-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/03/HPIM2204-1.jpg

[novaracer_2000]

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/03/HPIM2356-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/03/HPIM2493-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/03/HPIM2495-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/03/HPIM2496-1.jpg

[andrewb70]

Nice project. Keep up the good work!

Andrew

[DeltaT]

Should be sweet...

Jim

[muthstryker]

looks nice, what suspension are you running "ie rear suspension"

also where did you get those brakes from? car looks great keep it up!

[matdean]

can you be sure to post up details on the brakes. Dont recall seeing anyone doing C5 fronts and LS1 rears. thanks and keep up the good work.

[novaracer_2000]

I got tubular rear arms from UMI performance am using a stock rear sway bar at this moment,edelbrock shocks and lowering springs.I got the 2000 camaro rear brakes from ebay and the fronts I got from a friend who was going to do a brake swap on a 68 firebird.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/03/HPIM2509-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/03/HPIM2510-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/03/HPIM2511-1.jpg
Got the diff together today.

[matdean]

Did you buy the brackets for the brakes or have them made, etc? Know which master, boster/hyrdo, etc yet?

Looking good!

[novaracer_2000]

The ls1 brakes are a direct bolt on.You only need to put a spacer behind the brake bracket to space them out properly.My diff is a pontiac 10 bolt so it has no c clips.I modified the plate that holds the axle in and now it acts as the spacer and axle retaining plate.

[jackfrost]

looks awesome so far.

do those brakes have emergency cables?

[novaracer_2000]

They have the internal parking brake.I got my wheels and shocks today.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/04/HPIM2649-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/04/HPIM2650-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/04/HPIM2651-1.jpg

People have said they have problems with Coy's customer service but my experience was great,fast shipping and good service.

[formula98]

Love the wheels! Great project. I can't wait to see more of your project. keep the posts coming.....

[novaracer_2000]

put the front spindles/brakes together today
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/04/HPIM2654-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/04/HPIM2655-1.jpg

[shizzy]

looks awsome! my first car was a 71 Lemans convert that was sadly too far gone to keep :guilty:

what are you using for hubs on the front? and where did the caliper brakets come from?

[novaracer_2000]

looks awsome! my first car was a 71 Lemans convert that was sadly too far gone to keep :guilty:

what are you using for hubs on the front? and where did the caliper brakets come from?The spindles are stock drum brake a body as are the hubs.The caliper brackets are C5 corvette from the dealer.

[SSTuner]

What direction are you going with the frame? Powdercoat or paint?

Looks great.
Ray

[shizzy]

The spindles are stock drum brake a body as are the hubs.The caliper brackets are C5 corvette from the dealer. sorry, what are you using for the spindle to OEM caliper bracket? In your pic its the black plate that the silver caliper bracket bolts to.

[novaracer_2000]

I'm going to paint the frame semi gloss.The bracket for the front brakes is the one off of this site.A friend of mine made it up for me.
http://www.pozziracing.com/12_corvette_brakes_on_fgen.htm

[shizzy]

thanks!

kee the pics coming! :cool:

[novaracer_2000]

Tires are mounted and control arms are done.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/04/HPIM2666-1.jpg
This is one of the fronts mocked up under there,I couldn't get the rear tie underneath without jacking it up.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/04/HPIM2661-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/04/HPIM2672-1.jpg

All I have to do is paint the frame and the chassis can go together.

[novaracer_2000]

finally got the chassis together.a few little things and I can start on the body.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/04/HPIM2700-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/04/HPIM2694-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/04/HPIM2718-1.jpg

[novaracer_2000]

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/04/HPIM2723-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/04/HPIM2727-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/04/HPIM2729-1.jpg

[andrewb70]

Great progress!

Andrew

[novaracer_2000]

Thanks,hopefully it looks as cool as yours when it's done.:twothumbs

[gto406]

Looks really nice novaracer_2k!

Those ball-joints, are they the TRW's? Never seen them in red before.

Also were the ctrl-arm bushings from Energy Suspension (or did you go with TRW's)? I have been looking for Moog/TRW suspension components for my '72 GTO, but they are getting harder to find. I am considering going to an aftermarket tubular ctl-arm this go round.

I did a frame off on mine back in '91, and am just re-detailing the underside (for the final cosmetic details). Decided to tear out the suspension, and I have decided to go with Matt Classic Bowties 4wheel disc brake kit (to replace my front disc/rear drum setup). Still not decided on whether to stick with the old stock ctl-arms. And yep, I did read the thread about UCA's.

Any thoughts on your experience much appreciated.

Cheers,
Brian.

[andrewb70]

Hey....How close do the tires get to the sway bar at full lock?

Andrew

[novaracer_2000]

The balljoints are moog but the boots are poly ones from energy suspesion as are the control arm boots.I was going to get tubular control arms but stuck with the stockers due to cost.
Andrew,the tire is a tick over 1 inch from the sway bar at full lock(it's a stock swaybar)

[novaracer_2000]

finally got the body in the garage and stripped it down,next stop the sandblaster.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/05/HPIM2873-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/05/HPIM2863-1.jpg

[GHOSTDANCER]

Your doing a great job, looks good

[resto-mod]

Looks like it's coming along great. How long are you guessing from start to finish?

[novaracer_2000]

Looks like it's coming along great. How long are you guessing from start to finish?I started in sept 07 and hope by this sept the floors are done and the body is on the frame,painted by summer 09 and totaly done by spring 2010.But depending how money goes maybe I could have it done by late summer early fall next year.If I had unlimited money it could be done by this fall.:doh:

[NRV051]

doing a great job there mate. looks clean.

[gearheads78]

looking good man

[Code Red]

looking good man

gotta love goats

[coyswheel.com]

Your project looks like it's coming together nicely, Thank you for your business.

[email protected]

[novaracer_2000]

Things are going a little slower than I had hoped but it is summer after all.I rebuilt the engine and freshened up the trans .It is a 71 400 I did a basically stock rebuild on it.finally put it in the chassis today.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/08/HPIM3542-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/08/HPIM3645-1.jpg

[novaracer_2000]

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/08/HPIM3652-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/08/HPIM3651-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/08/HPIM3650-1.jpg

[GHOSTDANCER]

Great progress.It's looking good :kewlpics:

[PonchoJohn]

Very nice!

[Code Red]

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/08/HPIM3652-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/08/HPIM3651-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/08/HPIM3650-1.jpg

is that the color of the 71 engines? I prefer the pontiac metallic blue

like mine

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/08/IMG_5169-1.jpg


but still looking good man

[novaracer_2000]

The metallic blue was used from 66-70
http://fiedlerh.home.att.net/enginecolor.htm

[novaracer_2000]

It's been a while since i posted so here is whats new.I restored the intake,carb and aircleaner and installed them,along with a flowcooler alum water pump and all the pulleys etc.I also installed the headers and driveshaft.Then i build a rotisserie and just took the shell to get it sandblasted.Looks like i have quite a bit of rust repair to do.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/11/HPIM3881-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/11/HPIM3901-1.jpg

[novaracer_2000]

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/11/HPIM3917-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/11/HPIM3920-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/11/HPIM3923-1.jpg

[cdoggy81]

Excellent work, keep it up!!!

[novaracer_2000]

rust rust rust.seems to be all I have be doing lately is repairing rust.I knew the car was rusty but sheesh.This car was redone back in the 80s and is full of braze and patches over rust and bondo.But sdlowly i'm getting some progress.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/12/HPIM3995-1.jpg
replaced both sides of the trunk floor(middle was good)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/12/HPIM3953-1.jpgboth outer tubs( had to modify for convert as they only make hardtop ones.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/12/HPIM3967-1.jpg
rebuilt ends of rockers front and rear along with repairing toe boards and kick panel areas.

[novaracer_2000]

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/12/HPIM3963-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/12/HPIM3938-1.jpg
had to throw one of the wheels up on the rear to see how it will look.Pretty much done repairing the underneath but I am replacing the floor complete from the toeboard to the back seat area and need to order it.

[GHOSTDANCER]

Great progress.It's looking good :kewlpics:


X2 :cheers:

[icebird84]

It will look good on a sunny day , good job

[1971CHEVELLE]

Nice project:)

[GM_muscle]

looks good keep up the work

[ed1le]

Sweet droptop! Lovin' it!

[novaracer_2000]

Well i got all the welding and grinding done and started to bodywork the areas I welded in.I ordered the one piece floor the other day so I am prepping the car to install it.I removed the convert only braces which need a little repair before they go back in.I also cut out the rear part of the floor and set the car up on stands while still on the rotisserie along with some bracing to get ready to cut the rest of the floor out.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/02/DSCF0145-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/02/DSCF0149-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/02/DSCF0150-1.jpg

[novaracer_2000]

New goodmark floor came in today
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/02/DSCF0158-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/02/DSCF0157-1.jpg

[MZ 500]

Glad I'm not the only one working with a little rust :) Nice work keep the updates coming.

[bigboy]

This car is looking good

[novaracer_2000]

got the floor in and positioned with sheetmetal screws then welded the braces in and a few other parts.Then I got it off the jackstands so I could turn the rotiserie again to weld up the bottom better.still a bunch of welding to finish but getting there.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/02/HPIM4497-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/02/HPIM4507-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/02/HPIM4508-1.jpg

[novaracer_2000]

Well I posted this all yesterday but it dissapeared for some reason so i'll try again.
got the underneath all finished and painted and got the body back on the frame finally.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/03/DSCF0285-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/03/DSCF0286-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/03/DSCF0325-1.jpg

[novaracer_2000]

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/03/DSCF0335-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/03/DSCF0289-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/03/DSCF0284-1.jpg

[novaracer_2000]

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/03/DSCF0318-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/03/DSCF0334-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/03/DSCF0340-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/03/DSCF0343-1.jpg

[novaracer_2000]

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/03/DSCF0344-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/03/DSCF0345-1.jpg

[Code Red]

keep it up

[cdoggy81]

Looks great!
BTW, what are you going to use for the pulleys, alt, ps, ac, etc?

[novaracer_2000]

the ones on there.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/03/DSCF0318-1.jpg

[cdoggy81]

Got ya. LMK if you want to go serpentine as we are pulling this March one off the Firebird & going with a B.S. serpentine kit.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[Code Red]

Got ya. LMK if you want to go serpentine as we are pulling this March one off the Firebird & going with a B.S. serpentine kit.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

id love that for my 68 just short on funds