1973 Laguna PT build

[sr73bu]

Hey guys,

I figured I have enough photos to keep everyone interested and start a build thread... As I mentioned before I use to drag race this car in High School and used it as a daily driver. After over ten years of owning this thing (had it since i was 15), I decided it was time for a do-over. I painted it in High School Vo-tech so I plan on re-painting it in a year or two. For now I want to focus on the things I overlooked and to be honest never had the funds to do, until now. I'm still on a budget, but I can't wait any longer to get started.

Heres what I've got so far:

sbc 355, 30 over, sportsman 2 heads, comp 286xe cam, roller rockers, holley 750, not sure on power but it pulls to 6500.

Super t-10 4-speed... cast iron center section, aluminum tail section. hurst comp plus shifter. (6 speed in the future)

8.5 ten bolt rear 4.10 posi.

To start my build I tackled the interior ( I had some floor rot to fix so I just figured i'd finish the rest)

After I get my seats (pro-car 1000's) it on to the suspension and brakes... which i hope to have completed before late spring.

A few notes on the interior: I replaced the carpet,new steering wheel, made my own center console and pretty much cleaned everything else up. If you notice I customized my heated controls to match my Sport-Comp gauges.. one of the benefits of working as a designer with access to cool printing and cutting machines... hope you like everything so far...

Thanks,
Sean

[sr73bu]

heater control pics and a shot of the car how it sits now (but not for long)

[andrewb70]

Great start. This will be cool.

Andrew

[chufham]

Great start. This will be cool.

Andrew

X2 I like it.

[CruizinKev]

very nice project! looking good!

[jon72vega]

I like it!

[twosaturns]

besides the lagunas, the '73 is THE best looking malibu/chevelle from the unloved 3rd gen A bodies. all the lagunas look good IMO, but the regulars got real ugly real quick; 'cept for the '73. those round tails and large quarter windows look great. all they need is a good bumper tuck and large enough wheels to fill those HUGE wheelwells and you're good to go.

[Bad Bird]

Love your eye for detail. The heater control panel is very well done.

[sr73bu]

Hey Guys Its been awhile... I finally had a chance to take pics of my progress.

Last time I posted an update I was almost done with my interior. I did end up getting the procar rallye 1000's (thanks again Tom) and installed them. They look and feel great... the only complaint is that they sit a little too high, but they should be fine for now. If anything i'll make some modifications to the brackets.... The last piece to go in the interior will be the new dash cap... should be here next week. The picture doesn't do much justice, but it came out pretty nice.

Last weekend I removed the rear, all rear suspension components and replaced every fuel/brake line with new stainless pieces. I've heard mixed reviews about Inline Tube's lines (specifically fit) but I have to say they went right in and fit perfect. I'll be installing a new master cylinder/booster as well as replacing everything in the rear drums ( the front discs where replaced not too long ago)... I'll also be replacing the 4.10 gears, with a 3.42 ratio. (hopefully this coming weekend).

I opted to wait on a front/rear big brake setup for now... I came across way too many unplanned snags that broke my budget :bsjerk:... so rather than waste money on a cheap rear disc setup, just to say my car has rear discs, i'm going to rebuild what i have (drums) and wait until next year (probably going with something from kore3 on all corners)

I plan on bolting everything back in this weekend (Rear Suspension... then moving on to the front end... which will only be an upgraded sway bar and lowering springs for now... the front suspension (uca's/lca's) will have to wait until this fall.

For the rear suspension I went with Hotchkis upper (2 way adj) control arms and used there lower control arms as well. the springs are OPG 2" lowering springs and the shocks are kyb gas-a-just. I found a factory rear swaybar in a junkyard, so i figured i'd give it a shot. (as you can see I'm on a tight budget)

The wheels are 16x8.5 (deep offset) TT2's with 255/50 tires rear and 16x8 TT2's front with 245/50 tires.... I love the look of 16's on a lowered car.. but i didn't realize the tire selection is limited, which really sucks...So I'll probably upgrade to 18's soon, not sure which wheel. A 315 rear tire should fit with little to no mods.

Enjoy the pics and I'll post some updates by the end of the weekend.

-Sean

[Motown 454]

Nice progress its looking good.

[NOT A TA]

Nice project! The seats look good in there. Nice touch on the heater controls.

[DaviRotten]

I love those cars..

[shortrack]

cool build.....is the suspension in those cars the same as the 68-72's?.....if not what are the differences?

[sr73bu]

cool build.....is the suspension in those cars the same as the 68-72's?.....if not what are the differences?

Thanks, the entire suspension is completely different... This chassis was the first designed from GM with total computer aid (so i've read) and has remained GM's passenger car rear wheel drive setup all the way until 1996 or 97 (ex: the 1996 impala SS). Also, i've found out that most 70-81 F-body suspension parts bolt right up to the front suspension...Some guys say its the best handling of all chevelles... but its still a heavy car. I will eventually autocross it, so i guess i'll find out.

Thanks for the comments Guys!

-Sean

[srh3trinity]

Looking good, these cars have so much potential. Every one I find around here is a rust bucket. It seems like there is a ton of room in the engine bay. Big interior. Pretty good after market support with the suspension stuff and can take a ton of tire in the stock wheel well from what I have heard. I want a boosted 5.3L LS with 18's and 305's in the back. Completely blacked out.

[LSx442]

Nice car. I have a '77 Olds 442. I plan on working on it at some point but it's in need of a lot of work. I'll be interested in seeing how your car turns out and what you think of the parts your using on the suspension once it's done.

[randywyatt2000]

very nice

[sr73bu]

Hey guys,

Finally finished installing the front/rear suspension.... including the most dramatic part: the 2" lowering springs... I couldn't be happier with the stance. It dropped the car a total of 3.5 inches from where it sat before ( big block/wagon springs). I'm waiting for my new inner/outer tie rods to come in so I can get it out of my garage and take it for a test run... and give it a good wash (its been 2 years).... look for more pics soon... enjoy!

-Sean

Notice how high it sat before (1st pics from pg 1)

[sr73bu]

A shot of the front view.. don't mind the dust..

I kind of under estimated the width of the front wheel wells/flares. The rims are 16x8 front with a 245/50 tire. With the offset i ordered, i figured it would be farther outward... so now i'm thinking of adding billlet 1.25 spacers to get them out further... I'll post better pics later this week once i get it outside/clean....

[BryanG]

315's on a 10" - 11" rim will fit just fine with the correct backspacing.