Saved from the scrapper

[AintQik]

Well since its winter and we are all bored I will share my project progress. So lets go over some stuff first, yes I realize the color is wierd. I always thought a black roof car would look neat like this so I tried it. It does not capture well in pics but it looks cool in person.

Car was saved from crusher. I rebuilt the motor, saved the body and then lost my mind on paint. Its stock save a 3500 stall. Its actually pretty quick and will make a cool dd. Whoever buys it can hotrod it up. Block was cracked so it has a 2000 SS motor in it I had laying around. Yes I also put an SS hood and spoiler on it. I just like them, not trying to be a poser... but they just look great on these cars.

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n290/rcilurso/20130828_184523.jpg
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n290/rcilurso/20130901_195523.jpg
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n290/rcilurso/20131003_192410.jpg
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n290/rcilurso/20131004_185234.jpg
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n290/rcilurso/20131018_165345.jpg
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n290/rcilurso/20131006_111928.jpg

[sweetbmxrider]

I think the car looks sharp, nice work.

[AintQik]

Thanks!
The driver door is a little tweeked. I got it from a junkyard and the bottom corner sticks out a bit. Tried to twist it on the hinges but it didnt budge. If anybody has some tips lemmie know!

[MyFirstZ]

think it looks pretty cool.

any other shots of it ?

[AintQik]

Nothing terribly exciting... the nose is still off. When I finish painting I will post up some good shots. I am not a body guy so its not perfect but it looks pretty good for a garage job. I had some critical car guys come over and inspect it and they said it was nice. My friends would be the first people to dog me. I am pretty hard on myself too lol. Its a helluva lot better than when I got it for $1800.

[ThoR294]

I was debating on having my car painted that color... if its the same as the new mustang blue

[AintQik]

No its not. A few people have asked me that. Side by side thwy are tremendously different. Iys a custom color I mixed up. Because its a little "fruity" my friends and I have been calling it cotton candy or bubblegum blue lol.

[1320B4U]

Car looks awesome w/that color combo..nice job.

[qwikz28]

Love the color! I think those light, pastel colors are awesome. Aston Martin and Ford are really pushing them and I absolutely adore them. You do great work.

[AintQik]

Thanks! It was inspired by Porsche mexico blue. Love that color just didn't know if I could pull it off on an f body!

[maroman88]

yea that looks really good!

[WildBillyT]

Thanks! It was inspired by Porsche mexico blue. Love that color just didn't know if I could pull it off on an f body!

I think you did!

Car looks great.

[AintQik]

To answer some other questions, the wheels are BMW Axis 19s. Gasp! Remember this was a low budget build those were $400 craigslist specials. New they are like $1900. Eibach springs. BMR rear control arms cause the stock one were cracked. I would never put 19s on one of these but with the drop it actually looks pretty good.

[madness410]

looks great

[BonzoHansen]

nice!

[ThoR294]

Needs smoked corner lights, and I might have kept the handles black :D

[sweetbmxrider]

I was wondering about the wheels actually, they look sharp.

[LTb1ow]

Car looks very nice, good color

[Tru2Chevy]

Looks great so far - at first glance I immediately thought the color looked similar to Tripoli Turquoise:

http://www.gmmgregistry.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/DICKHARRELL/.pond/PR2DH.jpg.w560h420.jpg

- Justin

[MyFirstZ]

is that spoiler higher then normal ?

[AintQik]

I don't think so. It's that guy on eBay. $180 shipped with the LED. The hood was $167 from an auto body supply house in pennsaukin on 130. You can see from all the high spots you get what you pay for lol. But it is almost straight now. Again, this is just a daily driver, so I'm not going nuts. Just want it a little better than embarrassing.

I almost built a wide body. I love Bergers. I probably can do it, but it would take a long time to get it right. To be honest the thing that stopped me was the front fenders. I didn't want fiberglass and have no other means to make them. Almost considered aluminum but bah, I just decided to slap it together and drive it. My 67 needs a new motor so I'm either going to sell this, or make it my DD. I sold my current DD (SRT 8 Jeep) and I might not get another one. After doing all this it has kind of grown on me, automatic and silly 19s and all.

Oh and for the record, don't try and fix a spider cracked bumper. I knew it was near impossible but wanted to try anyway. When the paint cured and the bumper flexed some of the cracks came back even when epoxied. So, someday I will have to go get a new rear facia. It's not horrible, but I see it... Every time I look at it lol. I filled the nose and am not running the grill. I tried a different technique there, hope it works better lol. While we are talking about me screwing up, how bout I didn't set the oil pan right on the new motor and it leaked like hell! I know better but just wasn't thinking. So I got to lower the cradle and fix that. Good fun there.

[MyFirstZ]

Must just be the pictures then. I would have killed to seal that rear antenna if I was that far into (but that's because I don't use the radio) Either way I'm jealous I wish I had the patience to do body work..... I'm better suited where I am doing flat rate work.

How is it removing that rear bumper ?

ouch, that hurt
Positive its not coming from the front or rear main/covers? Seem to be nightmares to line back up and after my rebuild my brand new rear main was leaking. Ended up getting a new rear cover with gaskets, rear main and bolts for 65$ and so far so good.

[AintQik]

Bumper removal isn't that bad. More hassle than real work. The leak was the pan, lil ultra grey and a new gasket and its leak free.

I told my wife I should fill the antenna hole but I do listen to the radio. I said people are gonna kill me for not filling this hole... but then again I painted it bubblegum blue and they will pronably be pissed at that lol!

[RiggsLW81]

way to step outside the pack and do something totally different...i dig the bubblegum blue. unique choice indeed.

[AintQik]

Well the hood took way longer than it should have. But at $167 I kind of expected that. I'm just hoping the cheap ass thing holds the mount hardware without breaking. I do not want to do this again.
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n290/rcilurso/20131023_061318.jpg

[AintQik]

Ok, feedback for the site... I would not do this hood again. It is mounted and after many hours there are no waves. But when I open it and close it there is way too much flex. I think it will be fine but I am not sure I want to put the struts on. I know they make light weight ones for glass hoods, I may need to find some. I am kind of scared to leave it open as flexes at the struts and makes me a little worried. Time will tell but I'd rather not be worried.
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n290/rcilurso/image.jpg
Looks wise I think it's great. I bet it lifts at 119 mph, which is of course where it will trap ;)
I will be sure to report back. If it durable, doesn't present a problem at speed and none of the flexing causes paint issues, it's worth $167.

[ar0ck]

Solid color! Car is coming along nicely, always good to see someone think outside the box!

[AintQik]

Last piece. Not a big fan of the "grill" thing so I filled the holes.
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n290/rcilurso/20131027_164217.jpg

[AintQik]

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n290/rcilurso/20131028_195955.jpg
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n290/rcilurso/20131028_212020.jpg
Teaser pic.

[The Fixer]

I love it man, that color is sick!

[MyFirstZ]

the more I see it the more I like it ! looks great man

[AintQik]

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n290/rcilurso/20131102_144603.jpg
Ok majority is done. Registered and driving around. Working out a trans bug but otherwise not bad for a basket case car. I've got a few more things I would like to do. Lol I get a lot of crap about the color as expected but I get more positives. If you are going to save a car ya might as well make it wierd! Ass has settled and I'm very happy with the stance and the $400 wheels and tires look, well better than $400 wheels and tires. It has Sportlines, again cheap internet find, and I do not experience any bottoming out and it is pretty decent. The hood does not lift at speed although every "crackling" open and close has me cringe waiting for something bad to happen. So far its held fine. Total cost? $5k give or take. New motor, suspension etc, lots of things I didn't need like the SS parts. Worth it? I dunno, it was kind of fun showing what an idiot can do in a garage.

[qwikz28]

The little tyke by the drivers' door looks happy with it!

[Jersey Mike]

I think it came out great. Definitely commend you for the transformation and 2nd chance. Great job, AintQik.

[maroman88]

came out awesome, love the color choice

[Kat]

I thought at first it looked like this color

http://hrt433.com/images/creations/vyltblue.jpg

Great job, its amazing what one can do in a garage..

[AintQik]

Thats real close Kat, tad more green. When i mixed it up I just pointed at a random color in the chip book lol. If i put more thought in it I probably would have chosen that, or Mexico blue. I thought it would be a little too much but this sprayed out almost as "obnouxious".

[AintQik]

Well, not that I haven't done this a bunch, but there is something about saving a pos that brings you closer. I decided to keep the dang thing. Sold my SRT8 Jeep and this is staying. Crazy yes, but hell its good fun fixing stuff. The Jeep was done.

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n290/rcilurso/20131202_201641.jpg

So new built trans, billet FTI converter, poly bushings, slp struts and shocks, BMR springs, steering rack, ball joints and tons more crap. No turning back I just passed what I could reasonably get for it so its now staying around. Sad thing is now I have to go back and build the motor lol.

[sweetbmxrider]

I kinda thought you would keep it, its a unique car that will definitely catch eyes!

[AintQik]

Yeah, you will notice my lift isn't in yet. Been spending all my time rescuing Z28s and stray dogs lol.

As for why I changed springs, I actually put the k member into the pavement a few times and one time on a hard corner something hit pretty hard. That is just stupid. The Koni STrTs aren't out so I went with ole reliable Bilstien.

Trans was junk. I think 4 was slipping. I would not have sold it that way. I can't do that to someone.

[NastyEllEssWon]

look awesome and i know this might not bother you but the black roof cars had the mirrors black too and considering how bright that blue is, im willing to guess that the mirrors being in black would look sick :D otherwise this is a nice piece of work here

[sweetbmxrider]

Wasn't it a separate option in the later years?

[V]

my 01 ss had black roof and pewter mirrors. i bought the car new. up to 98 they were black i think.

[AintQik]

I actually had black ones and blue ones. I liked the blue better. That car had the black roof and mirrors stock. It was Sebring silver. I too thought the mirrors would help break it up a bit, but it looked goofy. Like some big ole ears sticking out. Oh, also had the door handles black. But again, I experimented and the blue looked better to me.

I contemplated leaving the roof halo black and painting the cetner section blue. Kind of like an 80s 911. I think it would have looked bad ass, but masking that would not be clean. I tried and that little u channel was too hard to get straight. I honestly just got tired.

Since I'm in here, I got my new trans all together. It came without a bellhousing and let me tell you, trying to remove the old bell housing was pretty rough. I have the proper tools, torx plus, and I was breaking the centers out of the bolts with a breaker bar. I wound up having to weld a head bolt to the head of the bolt and remove it with an impact gun. The heat from the heavy weld helped break the bolt loose and all but one came right out. I had to reweld one bolt 3 times. I never broke my weld, I was actually breaking the head of the bolt off.

I got a 9" billet converter form FTI. Its a nice piece. 3200 stall. I don't know what cam I am going with, so I had to kind of guess. It will be a street car so I think that will work out.

I found a torn o ring on the input shaft. I believe that is what was causing my lock up issues. I don't remember it being that way the first time but who knows.

I swapped out the front springs for 550# BMRs. The nose was way too soft. I also put SLP Bilstiens in there. Cheap yes, but better than the Monroe that were in there lol.

The control arm bushings were just gone. I could move the wheel about .5" back and forth. The arms are all done but if I had to do it over I would get tubular ones. These control arms are ****. I can put it in a vise and twist it probably 30 degrees by hand. Does not make me feel good. I could launch the ones on my 67 through a brick wall. The 98's my girley ass self can twist in half by hand.

Note for the masses: Don't buy Moog ball joints, unless of course your lower control arm is a bit sloppy. I guess mine is not and the 2 thousandths they are over size does not fit. These are not "oversize" ball joints, they just come a lil bigger assuming you have stretched the arm taking them out. I guess I am too good as mine is fine and I can't get the damn things seated. I have a clamp ball joint press, I've used heat and beat the shizola out of them with max pressure on the clamp and they will not seat. They do not of course fit in my hydruallic press. So, I dunno what I am going to do. They are in there, they might have a 1/32" to go, but I hate shoddy work. I could spend more money and buy GM, but I bet these dman things have now made the hole too big. I took a break, and will maybe remove them and try and clean the holes up a bit with a hone. Not really feeling buying $450 arms when I already blew the money on poly bushings and the joints. Unless one of you guys wants a killer deal on some lower control arms with poly bushings and almost seated ball joints.

For the record the stock joint is 2.06" Moog is 2.09". In Moog's defense all the quality joints I could get my hands on locally were 2.08, or 2.09. The cheap crappy ones were 2.08 or 2.07.

I own/have owned every generation of Camaro. 4th gens are by far, the biggest pain in the ass to work on. I'm going to build a 3rd gen after this, so we'll see if my opinion changes. I didn't get too far into my Iroc. Lol, I love even saying Iroc. Brings back so many memories. I'm doing a 90ish RS next. Tubbed pro-tourer.

Anyways, I hope to be on the road in the snow this weekend but I doubt it.

If any of you need a 4l60E core let me know. Its taking up space and I will let it go for scrap price.

By the way I've been calling this car "baby blue". Lol not really a butt kicking, name taking kind of feeling, but it is what it is. My 67 is slate blue and he is the big brother.
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n290/rcilurso/photo-1.jpg (http://s115.photobucket.com/user/rcilurso/media/photo-1.jpg.html)

[The_Bishop]

That 67 is completely badass looking.

[1320B4U]

Yea...whats the deal w/the '67.

[redsoxsstink]

why is there only one vent window? all cars should have vented windows! i love 67s for that

[AintQik]

Lol that was during construction. I can assure you its done.
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n290/rcilurso/33017761-cb02-482f-9189-9551d6a79a80.jpg
Ole school big block in front of a built T56. 4 link narrowed and tubbed. Big Wilwood brakes, tubular front end with Nascar bar. Ridetech air ride. Its a bad lil bitch. Motor is hurt so I'm having D@F build me a 496. Lots of neat one off stuff. I sold my 800 horse C6 to build it so it had big shoes to fill lol. No real pics handy at the moment.

[BonzoHansen]

Neat cars!

[AintQik]

Well my brand new trans has no 1st or 4th. I threw a few things and took a break to celebrate Christmas without being pissed off. I also picked up an Audi TT as a daily. Yes I did turn in my man card. But turbo AWD is good to have around. I actually stopped to buy a Subaru but this had 8k miles on it and it was just beautiful. Go ahead and call me a girl.

Anyway, I'm going to look at solenoid a today and see what I see. Somehow I have a feeling it's not going to be that easy.

[AintQik]

Solenoid A was bad. Interesting thing about it was it ohmed correctly 20.8 ohms. For giggles I took it out and made a harness for it. It never energized even though it showed the right ohms. So much for the trans being dyno'd. I got a feeling somebody is telling me stories. I'm seeing 1800 rpm, good lockup and all is well... so far. I need to align it and get it good and hot and make sure it holds.