Project "G-Velle", Pro-touring with patina

[65_LS1_T56]

I've come to like this site over some others. The crowd seems smaller, more focused and of course, way easier going :D

Some of you may have already seen my project, a 65 Chevelle Mailbu on Team Chevelle (link in my sig). I think my project scope fits a little better here than there. There is a lot of purist/numbers matching guys there, which is fine. Any way, not gonna start from the beginning, but from where I am now. Had all kinds of paint ideas until I heard numbers like $18-20k+, so that's where the "patina" part comes in. Those that have seen it in person say leave it, so for now anyways, it's staying the way it is.

Like many stories elsewhere, the direction has not changed, but has been tweaked here and there. Trying to stay the course that I originally set out with, so far so good.
Some project goals:
-Have a reliable, daily driver that can be driven anywhere and knock down 20+mpg
-Have a nostalgic look with more modern performance
-Be able to be flogged on an autocross course and smaller roadcourses

Some highlights so far:
-picked up a 64k mile 65 Malibu, grandpa gold (Sierra Tan) with a white top, 194 inline and a powerglide. Craigslist find that was in NJ.
-Notch rear framerails and box main rails of frame for wider tires and more torsional stiffness.
-Minitub rear, +2" per side
-Source a LS1 and T56, bought a buddy's WS6 T/A and parted it out for that
-All new front and rear suspension, ABC Performance front lowers and rear uppers and lowers
-Ridetech Triple Adjustables around
-Rick's tank, Holley billet fuel pump
-DTS 9" ford, Truetrac, 31 spline, 3.70, -3" width
-Dynotech 3.5" aluminum prop shaft
-245/40-18 Fronts on 8.5" Forgeline RB3C's
-295/35-18 Rears on 10.5" Forgeline RB3c's

There are lots of other details of course, those are the bigger ones. So I hope someone finds something they like. I'm pretty excited about it. I have an approaching goal to have it going by: Motorstate Challenge here in MI...countdown today says 42 days :hairpullout:

I'll start where it is today, then add some pics along the build. If you want to see the whole story, head over to TC (http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=367303).
Pics, took this the other night:
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/65%20NH%20Malibu/IMG_20130611_230608_745_zps16923291.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/65%20NH%20Malibu/IMG_20130611_230608_745_zps16923291.jpg.html)

Here is what it looked like before I blew it back apart to nut and bolt everything:
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/65%20NH%20Malibu/photobucket-79707-1357414571653.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/65%20NH%20Malibu/photobucket-79707-1357414571653.jpg.html)
Some of the motor/trans (basic LS1 rebuild, small cam, intake, Holley HP)
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/65%20NH%20Malibu/New%20Parts/photobucket-4068-1351216940217.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/65%20NH%20Malibu/New%20Parts/photobucket-4068-1351216940217.jpg.html)
Some more of it on the chassis:
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/65%20NH%20Malibu/photobucket-66361-1357355031647.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/65%20NH%20Malibu/photobucket-66361-1357355031647.jpg.html)
Sitting a bit high, but I'll take care of that :whenitsdone:
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/65%20NH%20Malibu/photobucket-55765-1357355024048.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/65%20NH%20Malibu/photobucket-55765-1357355024048.jpg.html)

I'll post up some pics of parts that I made next.
Let me know what you guys think!

[dug]

I'm a fan of the "grandpa gold" and white. I like how it looks and the wheels tie it together. 42 days.....:lmao:

j/k. Good luck, keep up with the pictures.

[bdahlg68]

Little stingy on the details.... you crunched for time or something???? No time to post it all up?

:popcorn2:

[Black93GT]

Looks like a really nice platform to start with and I'm not seeing much patina. I personally love the patina look.... pure wabi-sabi

[bdahlg68]

Looks like a really nice platform to start with and I'm not seeing much patina. I personally love the patina look.... pure wabi-sabi

Yeah I've seen the. The patina is pretty limited. It's a sharp looking car and the wheels look awesome on it. Lot's of cool details over on TC to check out and I'm looking forward to seeing this one done next month. :thumbsup:

[Flash68]

I've come to like this site over some others. The crowd seems smaller, more focused and of course, way easier going :D



You've come to the right place. Welcome.

Great looking project. :thumbsup:

[65_LS1_T56]

I'm a fan of the "grandpa gold" and white. I like how it looks and the wheels tie it together. 42 days.....:lmao:

j/k. Good luck, keep up with the pictures.
I know, I know :drowninga:

Little stingy on the details.... you crunched for time or something???? No time to post it all up?

:popcorn2:
hey now, I don't see a certain 'bird up on a frame table yet :poke:
Looks like a really nice platform to start with and I'm not seeing much patina. I personally love the patina look.... pure wabi-sabi
Oh, it looks better in pictures. Still, a very solid 48 year old girl. Still has a lot of the original paint and some that's not. Interior is all there and original minus the bench seat. Using the T/A bucket seats. Some day I'll recover them to go with the saddle interior.

You've come to the right place. Welcome.

Great looking project. :thumbsup:
Thank you for the welcome :grouphug: Great to be here officially

[coolwelder62]

Yea,I've seen this chevelle some where before.It's Ok if like that really cool Blue headed,patina-ed sort-a-thing.:lol: I really like that look.

[65_LS1_T56]

Some of the custom machined parts I made:
Splined sway bar arms:
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/65%20NH%20Malibu/Modified%20Parts/IMG_20130406_161323_883_zps74d34d68.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/65%20NH%20Malibu/Modified%20Parts/IMG_20130406_161323_883_zps74d34d68.jpg.html)
Billet dust caps to fit under the Forgeline center caps.
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/65%20NH%20Malibu/Modified%20Parts/IMG_20130406_161143_774_zpsb309478c.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/65%20NH%20Malibu/Modified%20Parts/IMG_20130406_161143_774_zpsb309478c.jpg.html)
Splined front sway bar mounts with Delrin bushings
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/65%20NH%20Malibu/New%20Parts/photobucket-53002-1353351297985.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/65%20NH%20Malibu/New%20Parts/photobucket-53002-1353351297985.jpg.html)
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/65%20NH%20Malibu/New%20Parts/photobucket-49488-1353351309208.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/65%20NH%20Malibu/New%20Parts/photobucket-49488-1353351309208.jpg.html)
Bar ends for the harness bar (:whistling:)
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/65%20NH%20Malibu/New%20Parts/IMG_20130411_185441_350_zps5486269b.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/65%20NH%20Malibu/New%20Parts/IMG_20130411_185441_350_zps5486269b.jpg.html)
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/65%20NH%20Malibu/New%20Parts/Harness%20Bar/IMG_20130513_192106_508_zps87c5e20d.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/65%20NH%20Malibu/New%20Parts/Harness%20Bar/IMG_20130513_192106_508_zps87c5e20d.jpg.html)
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/65%20NH%20Malibu/New%20Parts/Harness%20Bar/IMG_20130514_205637_191_zps13f22226.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/65%20NH%20Malibu/New%20Parts/Harness%20Bar/IMG_20130514_205637_191_zps13f22226.jpg.html)
Billet coil mounts to attach them to the firewall
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/65%20NH%20Malibu/New%20Parts/IMG_20130508_220624_604_zps7eca0812.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/65%20NH%20Malibu/New%20Parts/IMG_20130508_220624_604_zps7eca0812.jpg.html)
Billet clutch master cylinder mount
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/65%20NH%20Malibu/New%20Parts/Clutch%20Master%20Mount/photobucket-45777-1337685675995.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/65%20NH%20Malibu/New%20Parts/Clutch%20Master%20Mount/photobucket-45777-1337685675995.jpg.html)
Custom front accessory drive brackets, more on this later
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/65%20NH%20Malibu/New%20Parts/Front%20Acc%20Drive/photobucket-25698-1352054962846.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/65%20NH%20Malibu/New%20Parts/Front%20Acc%20Drive/photobucket-25698-1352054962846.jpg.html)
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/65%20NH%20Malibu/New%20Parts/Front%20Acc%20Drive/IMG_20130517_121245_817_zpsfaa92d62.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/65%20NH%20Malibu/New%20Parts/Front%20Acc%20Drive/IMG_20130517_121245_817_zpsfaa92d62.jpg.html)
Brake distribution block for front/rear split. Bent all brake and fuel lines in stainless too:
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/65%20NH%20Malibu/New%20Parts/2012-10-09_21-42-14_906.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/65%20NH%20Malibu/New%20Parts/2012-10-09_21-42-14_906.jpg.html)
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/65%20NH%20Malibu/New%20Parts/photobucket-4341-1351128870632.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/65%20NH%20Malibu/New%20Parts/photobucket-4341-1351128870632.jpg.html)
There's more, but I lost a bunch of pics...grr. I'll post up more as I get it back together.

Thanks for all the comments :thumbsup:

[Ron in SoCal]

^ that is NIIIICE!

Your roll bar ends look like n*****s. :lol:

[65_LS1_T56]

^ that is NIIIICE!

Your roll bar ends look like n*****s. :lol:

That's what she said ^ lol. That may or may not have been intentional... Thanks Ron.

Big fan of Dead Pool. Is it done yet :bitchslap:

[Ron in SoCal]

Thanks Aaron!

(not done yet :bump:)

[Che70velle]

Quite a nice project you have there, Aaron.

[Rick D]

Nice Aaron, glad you finally posted it on here! Sweet ride for sure! I'll be up in you area Saturday picking up my new project.

[65_LS1_T56]

Quite a nice project you have there, Aaron.

Nice Aaron, glad you finally posted it on here! Sweet ride for sure! I'll be up in you area Saturday picking up my new project.

Thanks guys.
Yah, I think his place is about 45 mins or so from here. Looks like a nice solid car, good luck on the trip!

[65_LS1_T56]

Thought I'd post a few pics of what I started with. Found it on CL, it was a second owner 64k mile car. The second owner only had it for less than 6 months. He was in his late 60's and was what I'd call a tinkerer. Had a little shop in his garage where he could spritz up a few areas and try to make a few bucks on a sale. Unfortunately, he threw a little "fudge" as he called it, over some rust and sprayed over it. Both front fenders need lower patches as did both lower quarter panels and the trunk pan was full of pinholes. The floor pans are very solid though.
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/65%20NH%20Malibu/2011-10-30_17-02-31_348.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/65%20NH%20Malibu/2011-10-30_17-02-31_348.jpg.html)
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/65%20NH%20Malibu/2011-10-30_17-17-38_246.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/65%20NH%20Malibu/2011-10-30_17-17-38_246.jpg.html)
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/65%20NH%20Malibu/2011-10-30_17-18-13_212.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/65%20NH%20Malibu/2011-10-30_17-18-13_212.jpg.html)

[coolwelder62]

This is pretty cool.I spends hours on craigs list,ebay.I cant seem to find something like this.Great find.Cool project.

[65_LS1_T56]

This is pretty cool.I spends hours on craigs list,ebay.I cant seem to find something like this.Great find.Cool project.

I usually don't spend any time on either of them. One day I decided to look for a cleaner body to start with than the one I had. This was one of the first that popped up. Drove 930 miles with a tow dolly to get it. The night before I got to NJ, a guy stopped by with cash in hand. The owner refused to sell it because I was in route from MI. Glad he kept his word to me. Still some good people out there.

[Royalworks]

Looks like you made a bunch of parts that solved quite a few problems for a lot of folks.

[214Chevy]

About time you put it on here Aaron. Looking real good bro. I love the RBC3's too. Suits the car just fine. :Tomcat:

[1965_SS]

:hello:I followed you over on Team Chevelle and I'll follow you here also :lol:
Awesome build! Hopefully some day I can do the same things to mine and maybe I could hit you up with making some parts for my 65':unibrow:
Can't wait to see more.

[65_LS1_T56]

About time you put it on here Aaron. Looking real good bro. I love the RBC3's too. Suits the car just fine. :Tomcat:
Thanks Marcus. I love the wheels too, couldn't be happier.

:hello:I followed you over on Team Chevelle and I'll follow you here also :lol:
Awesome build! Hopefully some day I can do the same things to mine and maybe I could hit you up with making some parts for my 65':unibrow:
Can't wait to see more.

Good to see you over here too Todd.

Made some forward progress finally, chassis is going back together. Hope to have it buttoned up today then on to the body side that needs some attention.
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/65%20NH%20Malibu/IMG_20130614_221204_575_zpsf3d3f159.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/65%20NH%20Malibu/IMG_20130614_221204_575_zpsf3d3f159.jpg.html)

[GrabberGT]

Did you reinforcing the the panel where this mounts? I could imagine this eventually tearing the sheet metal. Im looking into doing something similar for a harness bar in mine.

http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/65%20NH%20Malibu/New%20Parts/Harness%20Bar/IMG_20130513_192106_508_zps87c5e20d.jpg

[65_LS1_T56]

Did you reinforcing the the panel where this mounts? I could imagine this eventually tearing the sheet metal. Im looking into doing something similar for a harness bar in mine.


Chris, I looked for a picture without the interior panel on but must not have taken one. Here is one that shows the 1/4" thick plate that has the tapped holes to mount the bar to. I drilled clearance holes in the sheetmetal for the bolts to pass thru the 1/4" plate for full thread engagement. It is perimeter welded to the inner structure. Where I positioned it, Is where multiple layers are welded together right inline where the door striker is. The bar is rock solid, didn't think it would be as rigid as it is myself.
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/65%20NH%20Malibu/New%20Parts/Harness%20Bar/IMG_20130428_115358_436_zps3ae4bc86.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/65%20NH%20Malibu/New%20Parts/Harness%20Bar/IMG_20130428_115358_436_zps3ae4bc86.jpg.html)


The mounts I used are from B&B Classics (http://www.bbclassicsinc.com/products-page/fabrication-components/removable-rollbar-frame-mount/)
Hope that helps.

[GrabberGT]

Chris, I looked for a picture without the interior panel on but must not have taken one. Here is one that shows the 1/4" thick plate that has the tapped holes to mount the bar to. I drilled clearance holes in the sheetmetal for the bolts to pass thru the 1/4" plate for full thread engagement. It is perimeter welded to the inner structure. Where I positioned it, Is where multiple layers are welded together right inline where the door striker is. The bar is rock solid, didn't think it would be as rigid as it is myself.
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/65%20NH%20Malibu/New%20Parts/Harness%20Bar/IMG_20130428_115358_436_zps3ae4bc86.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/65%20NH%20Malibu/New%20Parts/Harness%20Bar/IMG_20130428_115358_436_zps3ae4bc86.jpg.html)


The mounts I used are from B&B Classics (http://www.bbclassicsinc.com/products-page/fabrication-components/removable-rollbar-frame-mount/)
Hope that helps.

That'll work. Thanks for the description.

[1965_SS]

Are you using the ABC Performance mini tub kit? They advertise using 315 wide tires and I see your running a 295. What's the deal on that?
Thanks

[65_LS1_T56]

Are you using the ABC Performance mini tub kit? They advertise using 315 wide tires and I see your running a 295. What's the deal on that?
Thanks

Todd, here's the deal: The only part of the ABC kit are the tubs themselves. I notched the frame rails on my chassis before the frame kit was available. When I did mine I went 1.5" per side instead of the 2" that Tony's kit calls for. Therefore the difference 295 to 315. I'm pretty sure I could fit 305's as it is, but went with the tires (used) for now as I got a great deal on them.
So the inner wheel tubs actually are over the frame rails about 1/2". So if someday I ever to another chassis, I could go narrower on the rails and get to the 315.

[1965_SS]

Todd, here's the deal: The only part of the ABC kit are the tubs themselves. I notched the frame rails on my chassis before the frame kit was available. When I did mine I went 1.5" per side instead of the 2" that Tony's kit calls for. Therefore the difference 295 to 315. I'm pretty sure I could fit 305's as it is, but went with the tires (used) for now as I got a great deal on them.
So the inner wheel tubs actually are over the frame rails about 1/2". So if someday I ever to another chassis, I could go narrower on the rails and get to the 315.

Thanks for the explanation, now I get it. Your frame is still bad azz. I will probably be doing the ABC kit since I don't think I will be able to fund a Roadster Shop chassis:G-Dub:

[65_LS1_T56]

Update: I know it didn't happen without pictures, but you'll have to trust me on this one: got the floor pan cleaned up and coated with some rust prep and rattle can low gloss black. Looks pretty good, but all but impossible to photograph when its 2-1/2' off the floor...I still can't feel my arms from that job Anyway, it's checked off the list

So, on to throwing it back together. Need one more quart of diff fluid then put the chassis back under the bod to get it back to a roller. Can't wait to push it outside so I can clean the shop!



Hopefully pics in a few days.

[coolwelder62]

Awesome build.Will you be at Indy GG's.

[65_LS1_T56]

Awesome build.Will you be at Indy GG's.

Yes, I'm planning on Indy Scott. Is the 66 with the bbq on the back gonna be there? :drool:
The other event would be the Ohio Musclecar Challenge (http://orangeconeracing.com/eventscoming.php?eventid=15). Went last year with my 4th gen and had a blast. It's at a different place this year as they lost the parking lot they had it. Wish I could get to RTMC in Nashville, but that is during crunch time for Motorstate.

[65_LS1_T56]

Well, not the story I wanted to end the weekend with. But in an effort of "keeping it real" I have put pride to the side and decided to show what happens when you change one thing...and don't recheck everything!

Saturday morning I was excited to roll the chassis outside to take a few glamour shots before putting it in its final resting place and getting abused and blasted with road debris.

Here is how it looks in the morning sun all put together:
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/65%20NH%20Malibu/Completed%20Chassis%20June%202013/IMG_2032_zps0498aa32.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/65%20NH%20Malibu/Completed%20Chassis%20June%202013/IMG_2032_zps0498aa32.jpg.html)

http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/65%20NH%20Malibu/Completed%20Chassis%20June%202013/IMG_2035_zps69d379dc.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/65%20NH%20Malibu/Completed%20Chassis%20June%202013/IMG_2035_zps69d379dc.jpg.html)

Then, no idea how I didn't see this before, tried to turn the wheels to the left and the inner tierod hits the oil pan I spent so much time mocking this all up too. The only thing I change was moving the motor forward 5/8" to create more clearance between the ps cylinder head and the firewall. When I did all my clearance checks it was in the rearward position. Never crossed my mind to confirm clearance again

Anyway after some head scratching, procrastination, and deliberation. Maybe a beer in there somewhere..it looked like this Saturday just after lunch:
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/65%20NH%20Malibu/Modified%20Parts/IMG_20130622_151937_243_zps9a9b23cc.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/65%20NH%20Malibu/Modified%20Parts/IMG_20130622_151937_243_zps9a9b23cc.jpg.html)

Then to the Bridgeport:
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/65%20NH%20Malibu/Modified%20Parts/IMG_20130622_165347_633_zps3f1ff4b3.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/65%20NH%20Malibu/Modified%20Parts/IMG_20130622_165347_633_zps3f1ff4b3.jpg.html)

Then whittled out a closeout piece to be welded in. Doesn't look like much, but gained just over 5/8" clearance:
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/65%20NH%20Malibu/Modified%20Parts/IMG_20130622_182401_215_zps06d3586e.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/65%20NH%20Malibu/Modified%20Parts/IMG_20130622_182401_215_zps06d3586e.jpg.html)

So that's where it's at. Didn't need that setback, but I'm sure there'll be more no doubt.

[WSSix]

I'm glad you found that before you put the body back on. Car is coming together nicely none the less.

[coolwelder62]

Yes, I'm planning on Indy Scott. Is the 66 with the bbq on the back gonna be there? :drool:
The other event would be the Ohio Musclecar Challenge (http://orangeconeracing.com/eventscoming.php?eventid=15). Went last year with my 4th gen and had a blast. It's at a different place this year as they lost the parking lot they had it. Wish I could get to RTMC in Nashville, but that is during crunch time for Motorstate.The 66 might be there.But I dont think I will get The bar-b-q finished by then.

[65_LS1_T56]

Finally a little forward progress. Got the oil pan back on and motor/trans back in. Got home to no electricity last night (again), so I proceeded to drop the body back on the frame using the braille method... Just about ready call it a night and the power came back on so I got it all squared up and fastened down. Here is the latest pic.
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/65%20NH%20Malibu/IMG_20130627_213004_858_zpsd9caa34a.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/65%20NH%20Malibu/IMG_20130627_213004_858_zpsd9caa34a.jpg.html)

[coolwelder62]

Our power go's out almost everytime it rain's.Chevelle is lookin good.:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[Rick D]

That's a great night in the shop Aaron!! Bin lucky here with all the rain only lost power for a few minutes.

[65_LS1_T56]

Our power go's out almost everytime it rain's.Chevelle is lookin good.:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

That's a great night in the shop Aaron!! Bin lucky here with all the rain only lost power for a few minutes.

Hehe, it goes out here when the wind blows over 15. Gotta love modern technology.
Thanks guys.

[65_LS1_T56]

Pretty big update for Project G-Velle. "Thee" Chevelle guru from Mooresville Indiana is in the house cracking the whip

Mr. Tom Farrington graciously made the five hour trip to MI to help me do some thrashing on the car and man have we nocked the list down. Unfortunately, most of the things we got done weren't even on the list so you didn't get the satisfaction of marking them off the list Oh well, stuff needed to get done.

We are getting scary close to lighting it up. Of course there are some hurdles before we get there, but if the wind blows right tomorrow, we'll try to fire it. I had a personal goal of having it running by the Fourth of July, so right on schedule. He's heading home tomorrow and I'm sure he'd love to see it run as much as I do before he goes.

I can't even begin to thank Tom for his time and experience (and tools and supplies) he brings with him. He says he's paying me back for helping him on his 66 a few months back...I think I owe him now. Super friend.

Here is where we left it when we came in tonight, enjoy. You bet I'll have something up when it comes to life . Wish us luck guys.
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/65%20NH%20Malibu/IMG_2072_zps18d122d2.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/65%20NH%20Malibu/IMG_2072_zps18d122d2.jpg.html)
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/65%20NH%20Malibu/IMG_2075_zpsb608ac2d.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/65%20NH%20Malibu/IMG_2075_zpsb608ac2d.jpg.html)
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/65%20NH%20Malibu/IMG_2063_zps07ee26f3.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/65%20NH%20Malibu/IMG_2063_zps07ee26f3.jpg.html)
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/65%20NH%20Malibu/IMG_2067_zps0d8c6e68.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/65%20NH%20Malibu/IMG_2067_zps0d8c6e68.jpg.html)

[bulldogchevy]

Looking great Aaron
Motorstate ?
Hope to see ya there :thumbsup:

[coolwelder62]

Aaron you are coming along faster than me.Look's great.:gitrdun:

[Rick D]

Nice progress Aaron! Don't forget we will need a video of the start up or it didn't happen!! :poke:

[1965_SS]

Looking good!!!!!
I wished I lived closer to check it out.

[65_LS1_T56]

Looking great Aaron
Motorstate ?
Hope to see ya there :thumbsup:
That's the plan! Great strides in the last few days.

Aaron you are coming along faster than me.Look's great.:gitrdun:
Geez Scott, come on! Oh, we GOT r done! Well sort of :secret:

Nice progress Aaron! Don't forget we will need a video of the start up or it didn't happen!! :poke:
Oh, it happen...with a video!!! Uploading now :woot:

Looking good!!!!!
I wished I lived closer to check it out.
Man I am so grateful to have Tom take time out of his busy schedule. He is very, busy with work, National Guard, family and hobbies. For me to have him around for 3+ days was priceless. Thanks for following Todd. Video as soon as its uploaded...:popcorn2:

[Rick D]

Well
hWJX9yUKJeQ

[65_LS1_T56]

Well today was the best day in the build for me so far. It runs. It started first attempt. No crossed wires. One power steering fitting that oozes a bit, that's it. Brakes seem to be fine, nice hard pedal. Front accessory drive didn't throw a belt. Fuel pump primed no problem. No smoke from the harness anywhere. Nothing. It was a great day for Project G-Velle. You may notice my excitement in the video, and this is the first attempt startup not the fifth! Yes, I'm in the passenger seat with the laptop.

All those days and nights of head scratching, questions, and challenges that popped up and it fired and ran the first time. I'm sure most of you veterans laugh at my excitement, but I can say I will remember this day for a long time. Hope you guys enjoy the video. Can't wait to move it under its own power then, hit the road


http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/Videos/th_M4H09024_zpsfd0bd68a.jpg (http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/Videos/M4H09024_zpsfd0bd68a.mp4)

[214Chevy]

Hahahahha...congrats Aaron!! Sweet bro. Now :snapout: and :gitrdun:

[bdahlg68]

That's awesome man. Congrats! I'm jealous, I've got lots more headscratching to do before I'm at that point!

[65_LS1_T56]

That's awesome man. Congrats! I'm jealous, I've got lots more headscratching to do before I'm at that point!

Thanks Brian. I looked for a celebratory beer in the cooler...may have to hit the last DFH 120 and :relax:

[JB64CHEVELLE]

Congrats... Love the car! one day I hope to get my 64 going again.

[65_LS1_T56]

Hahahahha...congrats Aaron!! Sweet bro. Now :snapout: and :gitrdun:

Thanks Marcus, I'm on it like stink on a monkey :thankyou:
Congrats... Love the car! one day I hope to get my 64 going again.

You will. I had those thoughts plenty of times. :yes:

[FETorino]

Your car starts? Man I'm jealous. :bur2:

Congratulations. I like the square bodied Chevelle/Malibus. I really dig the patina. Did I say I was jealous of that also?

:cheers:

[65_LS1_T56]

Your car starts? Man I'm jealous. :bur2:

Congratulations. I like the square bodied Chevelle/Malibus. I really dig the patina. Did I say I was jealous of that also?

:cheers:

:thankyou: Rob. It does start! Got a bit further today: filled the radiator and ran it long enough to get everything up to operating temperature. Need to adjust the fuel pressure a bit more. Then figure out how the self learn feature works and how to apply it to make it better.
Got a power steering fitting that wants to leak so I'm redoing that hose, then I plan on actually moving it out of the shop under it's own power...baby steps.

[Ron in SoCal]

Congrats Aaron! Really great to see the car running. Props to Tommie as well. He's always the first guy to lend a hand :thumbsup: to you both!

[65_LS1_T56]

Congrats Aaron! Really great to see the car running. Props to Tommie as well. He's always the first guy to lend a hand :thumbsup: to you both!

Thanks Ron. It's been a monumental week and it's only Thursday. Another big one today. Car drove out of the shop, did a few laps around the grass with the boys, they loved it too. So far everything seems pretty good. Now time to learn Holley HP EFI programming :headscratch:

Tom is the man for sure. I met him at HRPT 2011 in Indy, been friends ever since. Terrific people the Farringtons are.

Little walk around today. Happy 4th everyone! :flag2: :lateral:
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/Videos/th_VID_20130704_192750_515_zps64cab715.jpg (http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/Videos/VID_20130704_192750_515_zps64cab715.mp4)

[Bad94]

Once you can drive the car, set the ECM to auto learn and go drive it. All different kind of loads on the motor.

You had one of the best guys to help you.

[65_LS1_T56]

Once you can drive the car, set the ECM to auto learn and go drive it. All different kind of loads on the motor.

You had one of the best guys to help you.

Thanks Dan. Gotta do some more reading about it to make sure I update it properly with the learned info.

Couple of shots outside. I like the stance. We'll see after driving it a bit. Right now there is 4-1/2" under the front crossmember.
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/65%20NH%20Malibu/IMG_20130704_191401_963_zpsb3a2c54e.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/65%20NH%20Malibu/IMG_20130704_191401_963_zpsb3a2c54e.jpg.html)
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/65%20NH%20Malibu/IMG_20130704_191717_855_zps8e9e437f.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/65%20NH%20Malibu/IMG_20130704_191717_855_zps8e9e437f.jpg.html)

and got the Dakota Digital lit up too
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/65%20NH%20Malibu/IMG_20130704_124550_057_zps818bb0f7.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/65%20NH%20Malibu/IMG_20130704_124550_057_zps818bb0f7.jpg.html)

[WSSix]

Gauges look nice! Congrats on getting the car running. It's a wonderful feeling.

[Rick D]

Nice Aaron, that's a great shot with your son in it!! :thumbsup: to me that's what makes it worth it in the end!

[1965_SS]

"doughnuts in the grass" :drive::beavis::thumbsup:

[65_LS1_T56]

Gauges look nice! Congrats on getting the car running. It's a wonderful feeling.
It is, emotional actually. Lot of late nights, highs and lows, come down to this.

Nice Aaron, that's a great shot with your son in it!! :thumbsup: to me that's what makes it worth it in the end!
That's my youngest Ryan, 6, with the arm out, my oldest Luke,10, is in the driver's seat. Here's one of them both. They both told me how proud they were of me...makes a dad melt. :)
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/65%20NH%20Malibu/IMG_20130704_191446_569_zps5f4c9b98.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/65%20NH%20Malibu/IMG_20130704_191446_569_zps5f4c9b98.jpg.html)

"doughnuts in the grass" :drive::beavis::thumbsup:
lol, yah...I woulda hit the road but no bumpers woulda been a little obvious...county sheriff lives just around the corner :innocent:

[214Chevy]

http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/65%20NH%20Malibu/IMG_20130704_191717_855_zps8e9e437f.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/65%20NH%20Malibu/IMG_20130704_191717_855_zps8e9e437f.jpg.html)

Aaron, I bet he's saying.... "Yeah, this is mine as soon as I hit 18 or 20." :bigun2:

[65_LS1_T56]

Aaron, I bet he's saying.... "Yeah, this is mine as soon as I hit 18 or 20." :bigun2:

:lol: Probably true Marcus. his older brother has a 70 El Camino coming from his grandpa:unibrow: . So Ryan may be eying the 65. Unless his grandpa parts with the 57 Bel Air HT...
Expect a full build thread for the elky, someday.

[G-Body]

WOWWWW bad ass build congrats love the whole design and theme! best of luck!

[65_LS1_T56]

WOWWWW bad ass build congrats love the whole design and theme! best of luck!

Hey :thankyou:

[65_LS1_T56]

Finally got the cold air intake wrapped up tonight, geesh...ended up getting a kit from Spectre. Took almost 3 months to get, ended up getting the wrong one. The one I got was for a 2nd gen Camaro

Anyhoo, bygones...ended up making a divider panel from 1/16" aluminum. Turned out pretty nice I think.
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/65%20NH%20Malibu/New%20Parts/IMG_20130708_213148_603_zps5f20b214.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/65%20NH%20Malibu/New%20Parts/IMG_20130708_213148_603_zps5f20b214.jpg.html)
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/65%20NH%20Malibu/New%20Parts/IMG_20130708_213208_417_zpsa1d3a937.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/65%20NH%20Malibu/New%20Parts/IMG_20130708_213208_417_zpsa1d3a937.jpg.html)
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/65%20NH%20Malibu/New%20Parts/IMG_20130708_213127_049_zps4e18145e.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/65%20NH%20Malibu/New%20Parts/IMG_20130708_213127_049_zps4e18145e.jpg.html)

[1965_SS]

VERY nice setup!

Geez, I think you should just make two of everything and send the second set to me out here in CA:poke::thumbsup: My 65' would love it:D

[65_LS1_T56]

VERY nice setup!

Geez, I think you should just make two of everything and send the second set to me out here in CA:poke::thumbsup: My 65' would love it:D

lol, sure parts are on the way :rolleyes:

If I knew I could make a decent living at it, I'd be machining custom stuff like a mad man. Several guys have asked for stuff, and it's flattering, but it takes a lot of time. Totally enjoy it though.
Probably one of the coolest things we've made at work, billet front lower control arms. Machined from 2" thick aluminum plates.
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/Miscellaneous/Resampled_2012-01-21_10-13-03_435_zpsd58bce81.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/Miscellaneous/Resampled_2012-01-21_10-13-03_435_zpsd58bce81.jpg.html)

[1965_SS]

lol, sure parts are on the way :rolleyes:

If I knew I could make a decent living at it, I'd be machining custom stuff like a mad man. Several guys have asked for stuff, and it's flattering, but it takes a lot of time. Totally enjoy it though.
Probably one of the coolest things we've made at work, billet front lower control arms. Machined from 2" thick aluminum plates.
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/Miscellaneous/Resampled_2012-01-21_10-13-03_435_zpsd58bce81.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/Miscellaneous/Resampled_2012-01-21_10-13-03_435_zpsd58bce81.jpg.html)


WOW.....what are those for?

[tommycomfort]

lol, sure parts are on the way :rolleyes:

If I knew I could make a decent living at it, I'd be machining custom stuff like a mad man. Several guys have asked for stuff, and it's flattering, but it takes a lot of time. Totally enjoy it though.
Probably one of the coolest things we've made at work, billet front lower control arms. Machined from 2" thick aluminum plates.
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/Miscellaneous/Resampled_2012-01-21_10-13-03_435_zpsd58bce81.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/Miscellaneous/Resampled_2012-01-21_10-13-03_435_zpsd58bce81.jpg.html)

Cool, can you make some for a Chevelle? That's what really matters...

[MIKE@RIDETECH]

Definitely loving the looks of your Chevelle. Going to make it to Indy GG?

[65_LS1_T56]

WOW.....what are those for?
If I told you, everyone that viewed this thread would have a blacked out Suburban roll up within minutes, six guys exit, confiscate your PC & phone, then take you to an undisclosed location :secret:
lol. I'm not really sure actually. European Ford platform I believe...someone on here knows, I'm sure he'll chime in.:_paranoid

Cool, can you make some for a Chevelle? That's what really matters...
Pfff, how about a challenge? :guns:
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/Miscellaneous/frontchassisscreenshot_zps65c69c28.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/Miscellaneous/frontchassisscreenshot_zps65c69c28.jpg.html)

Definitely loving the looks of your Chevelle. Going to make it to Indy GG?
Hey Mike, big :thankyou:
Totally planning on GG Indy! I know a few big shooters in IN (^^:D)
It's definitely on my schedule. Maybe I could get some T/A shock dial-in assistance? That would be cool.

[bdahlg68]

Haha. That's awesome. Those billet arms saved my Christmas and my life!

[bdahlg68]

Oh and just so people know, you didn't make just one set. You made like 150 sets!

[65_LS1_T56]

After quite a few late nights it's getting closer to being together...didn't say done. With the bumpers back on makes it look even lower. Found my first electrical issues I need to work thru. When I put it in reverse the brake fuse pops. I'm pretty sure what's going on just have to check some wires. In the mean time I disconnected the backup light switch and its fine. You may notice no back seat, still waiting on a package tray that was a 1-1/2 week delivery 4 weeks ago...about ready to put the original back in.

Later today it'll be on the road:excited:
Gotta get plates at lunch, then maybe come home and go for a little spin.

Here's how I left it after midnight last night, err this morning :confused59:
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/65%20NH%20Malibu/IMG_20130711_234845_499_zps247dcbf0.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/65%20NH%20Malibu/IMG_20130711_234845_499_zps247dcbf0.jpg.html)
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/65%20NH%20Malibu/IMG_20130711_234824_496_zps2c7dd07f.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/65%20NH%20Malibu/IMG_20130711_234824_496_zps2c7dd07f.jpg.html)

[65_LS1_T56]

Haha. That's awesome. Those billet arms saved my Christmas and my life!

Oh and just so people know, you didn't make just one set. You made like 150 sets!

what Christmas...those were a real :buttkick:
When can we do the next ones? Think we made 377 pieces iirc.

[tommycomfort]

Looks amazing Aaron! If I'm at fault with the wiring issue, I'd like to apologize in advance!...

[65_LS1_T56]

Looks amazing Aaron! If I'm at fault with the wiring issue, I'd like to apologize in advance!...

lol, I wouldn't call you out like that! Just need to do some recon work. What was weird when I drove it around the yard yesterday, the reverse lockout was open all the time, not when the brake was on. As soon as I put it in reverse fully the fuse would go so its getting a dead short. I'll figure it out!



Thanks Tom

[SRD Art]

Very cool project! I love it, looks mellow but mean. Yeah baby!

[65_LS1_T56]

Very cool project! I love it, looks mellow but mean. Yeah baby!

They call me Mellow Yellow, that's right...thanks Ben!

[65_LS1_T56]

Another epic day! Man work gets in the way of fun times :D

http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/65%20NH%20Malibu/IMG_20130712_122231_267_zps1c8ee64d.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/65%20NH%20Malibu/IMG_20130712_122231_267_zps1c8ee64d.jpg.html)
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/65%20NH%20Malibu/IMG_20130712_125816_044_zps3f75f3a4.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/65%20NH%20Malibu/IMG_20130712_125816_044_zps3f75f3a4.jpg.html)

[Ripped]

Super cool car. I am loving the gold! Looks like it wil be a lot of fun!

[Rick D]

Aaron that is awesome!!! I can wait to get mine back on the road, and it's only been a few weeks!!

[Ron in SoCal]

Super cool car. I am loving the gold! Looks like it wil be a lot of fun!

I agree 100% :cheers:

[65_LS1_T56]

Super cool car. I am loving the gold! Looks like it wil be a lot of fun!

Aaron that is awesome!!! I can wait to get mine back on the road, and it's only been a few weeks!!

I agree 100% :cheers:

Thanks guys. After getting plates in the morning, dropped by the house to grab the car, hopped in and hit the road...nervous as all heck. Had to calibrate the Dakota Digital speedo, so I stopped and tripped the setup and drove exactly a mile and it was set right on, checked with a gps to be sure.

For a quicky eyeball alignment, camber was a bit towards kill-mode, it drove excellent, tracked straight with the steering wheel only off maybe 5 degrees or so :thumbsup:
Took the long way back to work or course. Had to give a few of my employees rides, then decided to call it an early day (had other things than work on my mind). So on the way home, 1/4 mile from the house it died, wouldn't restart. :shakehead: Had the laptop in the car so checked things out..no fuel pressure. :bur2:
Got it home after a short tow, checked some things out. Seems as though the Holley pump was completely fried. Hot wired it bypassing the relay and only get a little "click" from the tank. Anyway, new one is on the way today, Saturday delivery, bad one is out already. Talked to Holley tech said it sounded like I did everything right and they'd take it apart and look at it. Maybe I just got a bad one? 29 miles is all it made it.

Just a minor setback I guess. Things have been going too good, something had to happen. Boy was it fun before it quit though :drive:

[JB64CHEVELLE]

Glad to hear your having a blast with it even with the setbacks!

[214Chevy]

Aaron, you are rolling....man what can I say? You lucky dog, you. :walkingdog: I'm so jealous bro. Congrats!! :bigun2:

[65_LS1_T56]

Glad to hear your having a blast with it even with the setbacks!

Aaron, you are rolling....man what can I say? You lucky dog, you. :walkingdog: I'm so jealous bro. Congrats!! :bigun2:

"was" rolling :confused59:
So I got the fuel pump swapped out, no problems everything is fine again there. Drove the car some more yesterday and today, about 100 miles on it so far.

Another thing that has bothered me since I first drove it in the yard: there is a "rattling" or "rumbling" type noise from the transmission tunnel. It gets quieter when I push the clutch in but doesn't go away. Also is noticeable when driving but not as much as from a stop. Now after driving it for 15-20 minutes when I back pedal the gas going at speed, there is a squealing noise that doesn't sound good. It comes and goes, kinda weird. So, I've decided to drop the transmission.

Not sure how this is going to go, but we'll see. Either the throw-out bearing is junk or something is wrong in the transmission. It was fully rebuilt, so hopefully they will honor their work if it is that.

Anyway aside from a few challenges, it is an awesome feeling driving it. Couldn't be happier with the way the chassis feels and how the Ridetech spring/shocks feel. I have the shocks right in the middle and it rides very good.

Wish me luck on this challenge, hope it's just something dumb I did. I'll let you know when I find out. 11 days to Motorstate :drowninga:

[214Chevy]

Another thing that has bothered me since I first drove it in the yard: there is a "rattling" or "rumbling" type noise from the transmission tunnel. It gets quieter when I push the clutch in but doesn't go away. Also is noticeable when driving but not as much as from a stop.

Aaron, that is more than likely your clutch rattling. That's why it gets quiter when you depress the pedal.....it's loose. When you depress it, that puts tension on the clutch plates, hence, stopping the rattling. The rattling sound means the clutch is sort of "wobbling" as it spins which is what's making the noise. Check the bolts and make sure it is on the transmission input shaft right. I hope all this makes sense, because that's the best way I can explain it. LOL!! :computer: I don't know all the mechanic lingo and correct terms. :headscratch:

[65_LS1_T56]

Aaron, that is more than likely your clutch rattling. That's why it gets quiter when you depress the pedal.....it's loose. When you depress it, that puts tension on the clutch plates, hence, stopping the rattling. The rattling sound means the clutch is sort of "wobbling" as it spins which is what's making the noise. Check the bolts and make sure it is on the transmission input shaft right. I hope all this makes sense, because that's the best way I can explain it. LOL!! :computer: I don't know all the mechanic lingo and correct terms. :headscratch:

totally made sense Marcus. Dropped the tranny tonight. Unfortunately, everything looked just fine. I was hoping to see something more obvious. Good news is no metal shavings anywhere that I found. The only thing we found was comparing the knockoff GM throwout to an AP brand (OEM brand) throwout, was the fact that the AP overall compressed height was 1/4-3/8" shorter than the one I had. What I'm wondering is if the cylinder was totally bottomed out when the clutch was released causing the noise?? Got nothing else, bearing felt good, nothing looked wrong.
Anyway, put it back together with the AP throwout/slave...got to hook everything back up now that I had to remove to drop the trans.
Maybe tomorrow night.

[65_LS1_T56]

Well my rollercoaster of highs and lows continues. Dropped the trans Monday night and swapped the throwout bearing with the AP one. Put it all back together. The rattling noise is all but gone, thought I found it! But after driving for 15-20 minutes and a few spirited runs, there is still an annoying "squealing" that comes and goes when you backpedal the throttle at speed. No idea.

So after being let down after I thought it was fixed, headed for home...lost another fuel pump.

I haven't diagnosed it for sure, but it failed the same way as the first one. Must be something in my setup, but I've got absolutely no idea on the cause. Any insight from you guys would be appreciated. I'm at wits end. Very frustrated.

Wish I had better news. I'm going to post something in the fuel tech area I guess..

[67XR7]

I really like the multiple mounting rails on the radiator. is that self created? or did you purchase it like that? if so where?

[65_LS1_T56]

I really like the multiple mounting rails on the radiator. is that self created? or did you purchase it like that? if so where?

It's a Flex-a-lite radiator. It has been customized a bit (by them) from their standard. Flex-a-lite (http://www.flex-a-lite.com/universal-fit-flex-a-fitr-aluminum-radiator-and-electric-fan-combination-with-22-inch-core-and-lefthand-inlet.html)
They are nice for attaching/mounting but they are thicker too (packaging concern).

[eric1967]

You may want to make sure the tank is vented correctly. I have heard of people having issues with that before.

[65_LS1_T56]

You may want to make sure the tank is vented correctly. I have heard of people having issues with that before.

10-4, tank is vented. I've confirmed after driving by opening the gas cap and there is no pressure/vacuum present.

Thanks for the suggestion!

[Code510]

Sure hope you get it figured out soon! Can't wait to see some smokey burnout videos of this bad boy. :drive: :cheering:

[65_LS1_T56]

Sure hope you get it figured out soon! Can't wait to see some smokey burnout videos of this bad boy. :drive: :cheering:

Thanks, me too! Actually, I may have turned a tire or two already :whistling:
Camera wasn't rollin' though.

[Payton King]

grounded to the car or to the battery?

[65_LS1_T56]

Hey Payton, it is grounded to the chassis by the tank. The battery is grounded to both the body and also to the chassis. Would a ground cause a complete failure or just poor performance?
Thanks for the help!

[Payton King]

down by hooking the fuel pump direrctly to the battery once. Have no idea what I was thinking, I will blame it on the Miller lites.

If I can get a hold of Ron Schwarz, I will ask him his thoughts on our problem. He does not get on here often.

Is it sucking air are getting hot? Is that a race pump and not made for street driving?

[65_LS1_T56]

down by hooking the fuel pump direrctly to the battery once. Have no idea what I was thinking, I will blame it on the Miller lites.

If I can get a hold of Ron Schwarz, I will ask him his thoughts on our problem. He does not get on here often.

Is it sucking air are getting hot? Is that a race pump and not made for street driving?

lol, musta been a lot of Miller Lites :lol: Some quality homebrews get you to that point alot quicker :headspin:

Ok, here is an update: It's not electrical. I spoke with engineering at Holley. The first pump I sent back was seized mechanically. They are thinking it is cavitating or straight up sucking air. He explained they are fixed volume pumps and move alot of fuel. They can create the "toilet bowl effect" -you know how you give a swirly :lol: That would make sense if you were just driving along with minimal sloshing. So I'm thinking I need to do something with the pickup inlet. Also, I can't see how the return line interacts with the pickup, hopefully its not pointing right at it or that could cause aeration too.

here is a shot of the pickup tube removed and placed directly above where it is mounted. Notice the slash cut doesn't point down, but more forward and up just a bit. Hmmm
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/65%20NH%20Malibu/New%20Parts/Fuel%20System/IMG_20130717_195532_753_zps4507382d.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/65%20NH%20Malibu/New%20Parts/Fuel%20System/IMG_20130717_195532_753_zps4507382d.jpg.html)

hard to see but just above the writing on the tank there are three spot welds, that is where the baffle wall is that the pickup tube goes thru.

No need to call the big shooter in yet! I'm sure Ron could figure out the electrical gremlins though. I saw him in action at Kershaw on Tom's car, lol

Thanks Payton.

[Payton King]

after you figured the problem. My first thought was sucking air but I thought you were running a Rick's tank that was all baffled up.

I am suprised that your car was not stumbling. When mine would uncover the pump it was very noticable.

I did call Ron and asked him. He knows that those pumps are voltage sensitive and if for some reason your alternator is charging more than 14 volts they will burn out. But again, they said it was mechanical. You could always try a GM unit from an F body.

[65_LS1_T56]

after you figured the problem. My first thought was sucking air but I thought you were running a Rick's tank that was all baffled up.

I am suprised that your car was not stumbling. When mine would uncover the pump it was very noticable.

I did call Ron and asked him. He knows that those pumps are voltage sensitive and if for some reason your alternator is charging more than 14 volts they will burn out. But again, they said it was mechanical. You could always try a GM unit from an F body.

It is a Ricks, but an older version. It's a lot shallower (its only 6-1/2") than the current design. And evidently the newer version went to a revised venting design.

It was strange they both died without much notice. The first one stumbled maybe three times, 5 secs later it was done. The second didn't hiccup, just wouldn't accelerate then it stopped.
Holley does rate them as up to 18.5V operating voltage, don't think there is a way I could be generating that much. The voltmeter in the dash is rock solid around 13.5V when its running.

I'm considering other options at this point. If Holley is willing to work with me I'll try to make there's work first. I'm leaning towards multiple pickups with the Walbro tank pickups in each corner. Sounds like a good design project :cheers:

Payton, you gonna make it to Motorstate? Ron's car is a taxi anyway, he'd wouldn't mind you ridin' all day :poke:


:thankyou:

[Payton King]

May try and make it next year. I like Gingerman.

I had one of Rick's first tanks with the A1000 pumps. It would uncover at anything under half a tank. Got the new design and never had a problem, also changed and went with a walbro pump.

[65_LS1_T56]

May try and make it next year. I like Gingerman.

I had one of Rick's first tanks with the A1000 pumps. It would uncover at anything under half a tank. Got the new design and never had a problem, also changed and went with a walbro pump.

Mine had the A1000 in when I got it. I just thought it was way too big for my fire breather. Thanks Payton


Little update on where I'm at with the gremlins I've been having. Picked up the loaner tank and pump from Tom this weekend and proceed to install it as soon as I could. Got it mocked up Sunday night. The power leads had to be lengthened, the fuel output port was a different size, the return and pressure ports were flipped position, the filler neck was different and the sending unit was in a different spot. Oh, it's deeper which we knew and takes different straps. Other than that, the tanks are the same, hey they are both stainless steel.

I can't thank Mr. Farrington enough for getting me moving again

So, still waiting on the longer straps from Rick's. UPS shows them being delivered here tomorrow, the day before the Motorstate Challenge of course. Lot's to due tomorrow still but mostly gathering stuff to take along.

Tonight I tightened up all the tank connections and wiring and tossed 5 gallons in it. I couldn't wait to start it to make sure everything was going to work. Guess what? It worked. Obviously starting it on blocks with the jack holding the tank there is not a real road test, but it does work.

Also, got the PWM (pulse width management) function from the Holley EFI to work for the cooling fan. Not exactly sure on the numbers, but it starts at 25% duty cycle at 195, then 50%, then 75%, then 100% at around 215 I believe. All adjustable numbers, just had to start somewhere.

So, interior is like a patch work quilt, but hey its in. Harness are installed, alignment is close with a digital level for camber and caster. I can see I'm gonna have to revisit the front geometry later. I'm thinking spindles and steering arms will be in order.

[67goatman455]

on your transmission noise im going to go with internally.I just fought my T56 in my daily driver and had symptoms backward from yours, meaning if you push the cluth pedal in, then you got noise. But if your getting noise when its not pressed in then either your clutch is pushing into your throwout bearing or internal problem is my guess.

Did you measure to see if the clutch setup needed a shim behind the slave? That would have told you if its binding too

[65_LS1_T56]

on your transmission noise im going to go with internally.I just fought my T56 in my daily driver and had symptoms backward from yours, meaning if you push the cluth pedal in, then you got noise. But if your getting noise when its not pressed in then either your clutch is pushing into your throwout bearing or internal problem is my guess.

Did you measure to see if the clutch setup needed a shim behind the slave? That would have told you if its binding too

Thanks Scott, I'm thinking its internal as well. D&D said don't worry, just drive it. So, I'm driving it :_paranoid

[65_LS1_T56]

Well, on March 19th I set a goal to maintain motivation, and get the Chevelle on the road. Technically, I'm not at the event yet, but the car is loaded and (mostly) ready to go to the Motorsate Challenge tomorrow morning.

Wow, with all the weird things that popped up since I fired it on July 3rd, now I'm heading to my first event. Probably more of a shake down event than actually trying to be consistent. So many things that can be adjusted, so many knobs to turn, so many unknowns, where do you start?

Anyway, I could not have reached my goal without help and patience from some very key people. #1, my wife Jill. This would be the patience department. I mentioned it before: take your significant other to an event and get them a ride if you want them to know why you do what you do! #2, Tom Farrington (sorry Tom about the whole #2 thing). Said it before, I'll say it again, he is the man. Not just for his willingness to lend a hand, find a part, loan something, but for the therapeutic phone calls and general friendship too. #3, Billy Utley of B&B Classics for last minute weld jobs, tool loaning, and late night LS technical questions. Oh, and the trailer loan, I might have to keep it.

Whatever happens this weekend, I feel great about where I'm at. Sure, there will be issues to work thru, no doubt. Just hope nothing is catastrophic. Totally looking forward to ripping on this thing

Ok, proof it's on a trailer. Wish I was driving it there, but it's too risky at this point. I want to have some fun on the track first

If anyone is at the Challenge, please stop by and say hi!

http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/65%20NH%20Malibu/IMG_20130724_185237_830_zps996d5b47.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/65%20NH%20Malibu/IMG_20130724_185237_830_zps996d5b47.jpg.html)

http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/65%20NH%20Malibu/IMG_20130724_162739_961_zps8bc4f6b0.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/65%20NH%20Malibu/IMG_20130724_162739_961_zps8bc4f6b0.jpg.html)

[JB64CHEVELLE]

Glad your making it to the event. I hope you get some video of the runs so I can live through your Chevelle since I don't know when mine will ever be done.

[tommycomfort]

Aaron,
Thanks for the kind words, but the great thing about this hobby is the "like minded" individuals who care more about the camaraderie than the competition. I for one can't wait to take my first ride in your Chevelle!!! 8/10ths on the road course right? ;-)
Oh yeah, I will take a 2nd to Jill any day.

[Payton King]

That Tom dude is a cool cat. Have fun!

[Ricochet]

Just chewed through all 12 pages! What a great build! It's always great when a plan comes comes together! It's experiences like this when family and friends get involved that make it even more worth while - especially for your boys! Car looks awesome and very well thought out. Congrats!

[65_LS1_T56]

Great news. I survived a few sessions at Gingerman and doing unbelievably well in the autocross today, I was one proud guy. Sure got some things to work out, but I ran about 3-4 seconds faster than I imagined I would've in the autocross (comparing to cars I'm familiar with and how well they did).

At Gingerman, in the first session I was able to hit 110 on the straight with ease. Still getting used to the manual brakes, I was braking waaaay to early, but hey it was a shake down run

Second session I sat out as I was trying to find the squealing noise as it was back big time. We determined it was in the front accessories, not in the transmission like it sounded like before. So hoping for an easy fix I replaced the idler pulley...nope, looks like the brand new power steering pump has a bad bearing. Oh well, everyone got out of my way in the pits because it was so obnoxious to hear coming So, I need to address that.

Third session I went back out and got stuck behind some "touring" guys that obviously didn't listen to anything the officials talked about in the driver's meeting, grrrr. So, due to being blocked, never got a good clean track for even an attempt at something close to 8/10th's speed.

The autocross was my happy place. Pretty fast couse was setup with a few tricky spots. The first three attempts, somehow I managed to go on the wrong side of a gate, so those were DNFs. Then on a run that was going very good, another car spun and took out the timing light in front of me...so I got a do over lap for that. The do over was a good clean time and my last time was also good and even faster at 34.9

The car felt great, very balanced but with low rear grip (due to the used, hard tires I'm sure). It turned in very well and was very stable cornering. I don't know what to change

Couldn't be happier guys. If it wasn't for the power steering pump screaming when it got warm, it would've been perfect. It exceeded my expectations for the maiden voyage for sure. It's in one piece, drove it back on the trailer and we made the trip back safely.

A few cheesy pics for now, there will be some up that I can link to in a few days.

In the pit
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/65%20NH%20Malibu/IMG_2095_zps48f6eaee.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/65%20NH%20Malibu/IMG_2095_zps48f6eaee.jpg.html)
getting ready for my first session behind Deb, with butterflies
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/65%20NH%20Malibu/IMG_2096_zps866ea52f.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/65%20NH%20Malibu/IMG_2096_zps866ea52f.jpg.html)
on track in turn 2 (I know, kinda cheesy)
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/65%20NH%20Malibu/IMG_2084_zps6148ea47.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/65%20NH%20Malibu/IMG_2084_zps6148ea47.jpg.html)

:cheers:

[214Chevy]

Congrats Aaron!! Not cheesy to me. The car looks great in that turn if you ask me. I bet it felt good.

[bdahlg68]

You're going to make them wait? I can't let that happen.....

I was fortunate enough to take a couple of rides with Aaron during his DNF runs. Car does really well without even considering the short time to shake it out and the old tires.

DbPKyWApSjQ

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-4bqAgYYMgpI/UfSKvhX3TrI/AAAAAAAAZpU/yYVl2228MlQ/s800/IMG_6651.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3gb1eNT_5LQ/UfSK4GIyvFI/AAAAAAAAZrc/ocEGLZyA3iM/s800/IMG_6668.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-BJ9M9I7-DY8/UfSK-KPH2JI/AAAAAAAAZs8/ANFA4l_hxJo/s800/IMG_6680.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-nylJ-bDKJJs/UfSK_nKqg1I/AAAAAAAAZtU/j9SeVg3CRdE/s800/IMG_6683.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-H6-8G34nvX8/UfSLAubqtKI/AAAAAAAAZtk/b4i3rsgharQ/s800/IMG_6685.JPG

Hope you don't mind me posting Aaron, but I'm off to China in the morning so this is the only real chance! Thanks again for the rides! :lateral:

[65_LS1_T56]

You're going to make them wait? I can't let that happen.....

I was fortunate enough to take a couple of rides with Aaron during his DNF runs. Car does really well without even considering the short time to shake it out and the old tires.

DbPKyWApSjQ

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-4bqAgYYMgpI/UfSKvhX3TrI/AAAAAAAAZpU/yYVl2228MlQ/s800/IMG_6651.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3gb1eNT_5LQ/UfSK4GIyvFI/AAAAAAAAZrc/ocEGLZyA3iM/s800/IMG_6668.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-BJ9M9I7-DY8/UfSK-KPH2JI/AAAAAAAAZs8/ANFA4l_hxJo/s800/IMG_6680.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-nylJ-bDKJJs/UfSK_nKqg1I/AAAAAAAAZtU/j9SeVg3CRdE/s800/IMG_6683.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-H6-8G34nvX8/UfSLAubqtKI/AAAAAAAAZtk/b4i3rsgharQ/s800/IMG_6685.JPG

Hope you don't mind me posting Aaron, but I'm off to China in the morning so this is the only real chance! Thanks again for the rides! :lateral:

Hope I don't mind!! heck no, those are great. You need to give my wife some camera lessons lol.
Thanks Brian, glad you made it out to the event.
I'll have to get with you when you get back to get a good copy of these.

:thankyou:

Awww, bummer video is "private". Such a teaser. :warning:

[Rick D]

Great to see the maiden track day went well Aaron! It looks right at home going around the cones.

By the way the video works for me!

[65_LS1_T56]

Great to see the maiden track day went well Aaron! It looks right at home going around the cones.

By the way the video works for me!

Thanks Rick! it was an incredible experience. I'm very pleased for just knocking a "eyeball" alignment on it and throwing it on the trailer, on how well it did the autocross. Can wait for some new tires for more rear grip :bigun2:

Yeah, Brian fixed the video. Thanks again Brian!

[JB64CHEVELLE]

That thing is sweet! I am glad you got it back on track and made it to the event.

[brownz]

Car is KICK A$$ :thumbsup: Congrats

[Ron in SoCal]

Aaron great to see you out there! Video of the car looks like a veteran combo :thumbsup:

[65_LS1_T56]

That thing is sweet! I am glad you got it back on track and made it to the event.

Car is KICK A$$ :thumbsup: Congrats

Aaron great to see you out there! Video of the car looks like a veteran combo :thumbsup:

Thanks guys, I really was surprised at how great it felt, let alone how my times were. Man I wanted another 5 runs, I was just getting it figured out :unibrow:

now, my head is spinning reading Ron Suttons suspension threads. Don't know what to do :headspin:

[tempered]

do you have any completed pictures of that with the interior in it

[65_LS1_T56]

do you have any completed pictures of that with the interior in it

You know I don't, I just checked my pb. I think I have some in my phone. I'll post up a few for you. You looking for the harness bar mainly?

[Payton King]

All your hard work paid off. Car looks great

[65_LS1_T56]

All your hard work paid off. Car looks great

:thankyou: Payton.

Ron was riding around with an empty seat most of the time, shoulda came:D

[65_LS1_T56]

I couldn't resist :lol:
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/65%20NH%20Malibu/IMG_20130731_194042_561_zps0cfa580d.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/65%20NH%20Malibu/IMG_20130731_194042_561_zps0cfa580d.jpg.html)

[1965_SS]

NICE:yes:

[bulldogchevy]

:thumbsup:

[65_LS1_T56]

Not much to report, but got Chevelle weighed today. Not too shabby, with 20+ gallons of fuel on board. My guess was actually 3350 for realz. :trophy-1302:
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/65%20NH%20Malibu/IMG_20130803_101232_072_zps025835e7.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/65%20NH%20Malibu/IMG_20130803_101232_072_zps025835e7.jpg.html)
A few shots of it in my shop for fun.
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/65%20NH%20Malibu/IMG_20130803_105702_216_zpse2e0d603.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/65%20NH%20Malibu/IMG_20130803_105702_216_zpse2e0d603.jpg.html)
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/65%20NH%20Malibu/IMG_20130803_110055_930_zps053d5e6a.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/65%20NH%20Malibu/IMG_20130803_110055_930_zps053d5e6a.jpg.html)


:y0!: almost forgot...rounded the tires up a little too :ohsnap:
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/Videos/th_burnout_zps8ff9d81f.jpg (http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/Videos/burnout_zps8ff9d81f.mp4)

[Rick D]

Nice Aaron!! That looked fun and took a few miles of the tires :G-Dub:

[JB64CHEVELLE]

Looks great! Keep having fun with it:thumbsup:

[65_LS1_T56]

Event #2 debrief:
Mission: Ohio Musclecar Challenge
Location: Pittsburg International Raceway Complex
Results: Complete success in my mind. We did the 1.6 mile course on Friday evening (open track practice run) and then the event on Saturday. Sunday was the autocross.

I got just under 100 miles on the big track between the two sessions!!! 100 miles at wide open and then hard on the brakes then the gas, over and over This is a true test of man and machine. Eventually, the man gave in. The machine was fine...me, whipped out. Still sore today
Three sessions in a row, my Dakota Digital dash trapped 121mph as top speed. :guns:
Results showed me in 17th but with 3 cars ahead of me that were ineligible (tire compound or sponsors).

On the autocross I think I fared better, its more of my "happy place", at least comfort level anyway. The car felt great except for lack of grip, rear grip especially. The rear tires are around 5+ years old . Tomorrow, there will be a fix for that on the front porch :ups:

I was hanging with Farrington until the last session. While everyone else went and ran four more runs with little to no time improvement, Tom goes out and takes almost a second off his best! Next time Farrington, next time :warning:
Results show me in 9th with 2 cars ahead of me ineligible. Not too shabby for the guy with the narrowest front tires there. Oh, and we got 16 runs in too. Great way to celebrate my birthday.

Anyone on the fence about going to these kind of events needs to just do it. I guarantee it won't be your last. If you can't come with a car, come to spectate. Hang around and meet everyone. The people are the best part.

I'll put some photos up later...waitin on photobucket:popcorn2:

[65_LS1_T56]

http://i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg543/orangeconeracing1/Ohio%20Musclecar%20Challenge%202013/DSC_6337_zpsb1c63156.jpg (http://s1243.photobucket.com/user/orangeconeracing1/media/Ohio%20Musclecar%20Challenge%202013/DSC_6337_zpsb1c63156.jpg.html)
http://i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg543/orangeconeracing1/Ohio%20Musclecar%20Challenge%202013/DSC_6335_zps4af40f7d.jpg (http://s1243.photobucket.com/user/orangeconeracing1/media/Ohio%20Musclecar%20Challenge%202013/DSC_6335_zps4af40f7d.jpg.html)
http://i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg543/orangeconeracing1/Ohio%20Musclecar%20Challenge%202013/DSC_6254_zps01789f14.jpg (http://s1243.photobucket.com/user/orangeconeracing1/media/Ohio%20Musclecar%20Challenge%202013/DSC_6254_zps01789f14.jpg.html)
http://i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg543/orangeconeracing1/Ohio%20Musclecar%20Challenge%202013/DSC_6257_zps6702d26a.jpg (http://s1243.photobucket.com/user/orangeconeracing1/media/Ohio%20Musclecar%20Challenge%202013/DSC_6257_zps6702d26a.jpg.html)
http://i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg543/orangeconeracing1/Ohio%20Musclecar%20Challenge%202013/DSC_6191_zps297fe67f.jpg (http://s1243.photobucket.com/user/orangeconeracing1/media/Ohio%20Musclecar%20Challenge%202013/DSC_6191_zps297fe67f.jpg.html)

[Bad94]

Car looks good out there.

I had a blast chasing you down in the corners.

[65_LS1_T56]

Car looks good out there.

I had a blast chasing you down in the corners.

Thanks Dan, me too.
Glad I could show you the line, lol. Hope you get 'er fixed up for a rematch.

[Flash68]

Nice job! And the car looks great man.

[65_LS1_T56]

Nice job! And the car looks great man.

Thanks Dave, appreciate it. I know it's not for everyone, but I'm really enjoying it. Wheels and brakes are off tonight for a set of pads and new Rivals. Can't wait to feel the difference.

[1965_SS]

Looks great!

You know that if your wing windows were shut you would've been .68 seconds faster:P

[FETorino]

Aaron

I was jealous when you got it started and of your patina paint.

But now:bur2: Looks like you are having a blast. The hard work is paying off.:thumbsup:

:cheers:

[65_LS1_T56]

Looks great!

You know that if your wing windows were shut you would've been .68 seconds faster:P
LOL, maybe, but dang it was hot in the afternoon

Aaron

I was jealous when you got it started and of your patina paint.

But now:bur2: Looks like you are having a blast. The hard work is paying off.:thumbsup:

:cheers:
Thanks Rob. Yep a blast is an understatement. Now, how to get 295's in the front...:headscratch: Now, don't let me down in the BBQ challenge :P

[65_LS1_T56]

Time for another update, it's been awhile.

A week ago we trailered the car down to Pigeon Forge, TN for the Run Thru The Hills event. Had a really great time. Two days of autocrossing netted 20 runs plus four runs in two different shootouts. I haven't seen the official printed results yet, but I was in the top ten and as high as 8th for awhile I believe. Really nice course layout that was very technical. After the second day of autox, we did a cruise that was 30 miles or so thru some beautiful back roads. Very nice scenery, I really enjoyed that...especially tailing Mike Johnson's race prepped Z06 that won (by far) the fastest autox time.

And this past weekend was Good Guys Indy. This was a big one for me. Not the actual event, but the fact that I was determined to drive the car to and from it.
Well, after 740 miles and 9 runs on the autocross, I made it. Totally uneventful, the car ran great. Heck, it event got 24.4 mpg! I'll take that any day.
As far as the performance on the course, on Friday I was in 4th or 5th, then Saturday I ended up in seventh overall in the street machine class. Real pleased with that considering the course was set up for higher horsepower cars and wasn't really very technical. Trying to upload a video I'll add it when I can.

Here is a sweet photo by David Dean of Burnt Bridge Images. They guy that's getting a ride is a complete stranger. But I bet by the look on his face he'll be back :D
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/65%20NH%20Malibu/1266724_234439440038882_2092902491_o_zpsc246be2c.j pg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/65%20NH%20Malibu/1266724_234439440038882_2092902491_o_zpsc246be2c.j pg.html)

[65_LS1_T56]

little video from Indy. The guy in the above picture took it. I warned him it would be hard to hold still...the body roll isn't as bad as the video makes it look :cool:
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/Videos/th_2013-09-21145323_zps7db8dc64.jpg (http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/Videos/2013-09-21145323_zps7db8dc64.mp4)

[1965_SS]

Looks great!
I never noticed the pin striping until that big photo above.

[ls69bird]

I'm jealous, wish mine was done

[65_LS1_T56]

I'm jealous, wish mine was done

Keep at it Jerry, it will be! I'm am so enjoying it. Can't wait to blow it apart this winter to make some improvements :peepwall:

[65_LS1_T56]

Just dropping by for a little update.
Haven't done much to the car but put some more miles on it. Think its around 2,400 or so now (mostly hard miles :D).
I did bump the ride height in the front about 3/4" and a 1/2" in the back. Amazing how different it feels and looks. I liked it better low, but I was cutting the front Rivals under hard cornering on the outer fender lip. I also did some experimenting with more static camber, -2.5 degrees...it was just too much. I was loosing a lot of contact patch under braking/dive. It helped with tire clearance, but that was about it. It's back now to -1 degree static. Also, with a sway bar end link adjustment for clearance, I was able to get another 1/2 or so degrees of castor in it, still need more but I can't get it with stock spindles....something I'm hoping to take care over the winter break.

So as October now is in full swing, the season is almost over :shakehead:
Got one more event scheduled and it's this weekend, Day at the Strip in Lawrenceville, IL. Two days of autox, hope it's more of a technical course than the GG Indy one was. I'm sure it will be as I've been to the Midwest Musclecar Challenge with my Camaro earlier this year at the same venue.

Hopefully end the season with a whole bunch more seat time. Even planning on letting the wife try a few runs to keep her interest up and tide her over until we can get here Vette back together next year.

[65_LS1_T56]

Heading home from the Day at the Strip event. Great weekend but (insert sad face) last event for the year. The car performed awesome even after 40+ runs around a pretty big and fast course, I was going as high as 67 mph in second gear.
Not sure how many cars in total ran on Saturday, but I ended up in 6th at the end of the day. Sunday they did a shootout, made it in the top 10 by time. Got 2nd place which put me in a top 5 shootout where I ended up in fourth overall. Pretty happy with that finish.

Now its time for some upgrades, I'll be sure to post when there is something worthy :cheers:

[tommycomfort]

The car looked amazing on the course and your driving gets better at every event. Great seeing you!

[65_LS1_T56]

The car looked amazing on the course and your driving gets better at every event. Great seeing you!

Thank you Tom, it was great seeing you guys again as well. And congratulations on your 2nd place! Looks like I need to go to the Tom Farrington Performance Driving School (TFPDS) to get a few more tips :guns:

[tommycomfort]

Thank you Tom, it was great seeing you guys again as well. And congratulations on your 2nd place! Looks like I need to go to the Tom Farrington Performance Driving School (TFPDS) to get a few more tips :guns:

Can TFPDS be a part of T&A consulting? :idea:

[65_LS1_T56]

Can TFPDS be a part of T&A consulting? :idea:

lol, but of course. It's a separate division to minimize liability :lol:

[65_LS1_T56]

It's a beautiful fall day here today, having a Sam Adams Octoberfest :cheers:, I was out thinking about all the fun I had this summer with the Chevelle. Thinking about what I started with, and where I am now and how much fun I had getting here.
I thought a re-cap of the events and where I placed would be good to have here.

First event, and my goal pushing me to get the car together and running, the Motorstate Challenge. With only just over a 100 miles on the car I headed for the west side of MI. Mostly doing the event as a shake down on the car. An event I plan on attending every year possible.
The OMCC event is and will always be on my to-do list. It's on my birthday weekend and I couldn't have asked for a better gift than to be out having so much fun. RTTH's, I can see why this is such a popular venue. Lots of runs, lots of variety in cars and the area/scenery is really very cool. The Smokies are one of my favorite parts of our country I've been to. GG Indy was great to see and be with a lot of friends. Not my favorite as we got 9 runs over two days was all. And lastly, Day at the Strip. Mark and Jessi Bowler are really great hosts. I did the Mid-west Musclecar challenge, also hosted by them, with my Camaro as the Chevelle wasn't ready then, but really am looking forward to that event next spring. Lots and lots of runs there too!

*Motorstate Challenge:
Finish: 18th in the autocross, Gingerman, uh... only shows me in 50th.. timing wasn't working one of sessions, and stuck behind slow traffic in another.

*Ohio Muscle Car Challenge:
Finish: 17th on the road course, with 3 ineligible driver ahead of me, and 9th in the autox with 2 ineligible cars ahead of me.

*Run Thru The Hills:
Finish: 10th overall in the autox, with one ABS class car and one on race tires ahead of me

*Good Guys Indy:
Finish: shown in 7th, but I know Farrington was definitely faster, so I'll say 8th overall in Street Machine class.

*Day at the Strip:
Finish: 5th in class on Saturday, and 4th in shootout on Sunday

So all in all, I'm very happy with the first 5 events. Considering my car really is a budget build, mild horsepower, and has fairly small tires in the sea of all the 3xx's. Really looking forward to some changes for next year though. Crazy how the competitive bug bites you :D
To all my new friends I've met at the events, I'll see you next year!

[jarhead]

Damn, I love this car! :king:

[65_LS1_T56]

Damn, I love this car! :king:

:thankyou: me too...

I love your "location"...man I miss Chris Farley.

[57hemicuda]

Its amazing what a little seat time does for your standings isn't it? I still say(at least for me)the best improvements we can make are not car related, but driver related. I do love that car, it amazes me what these cars can do with a little suspension, and power improvements. It will stink when your wife is handing you your a$$ on a silver platter with that Corvette next year though. :buttkick: LOL

[65_LS1_T56]

Its amazing what a little seat time does for your standings isn't it? I still say(at least for me)the best improvements we can make are not car related, but driver related. I do love that car, it amazes me what these cars can do with a little suspension, and power improvements. It will stink when your wife is handing you your a$$ on a silver platter with that Corvette next year though. :buttkick: LOL

Very true. I felt more confident in how the car reacted the more I drove it.
I fully intend on going to get some official driving instruction next year. It's always funny to hear the SCCA guys chatting amongst themselves on how fast our "old" cars are :lol:
You may be right about the wife...maybe I should talk her into a bone stock setup on the Vette instead:whistling:

[Bad94]

Thanks for letting me drive the car. Totally different then my car. I hope I can catch you in 2014.

[65_LS1_T56]

Thanks for letting me drive the car. Totally different then my car. I hope I can catch you in 2014.

Same here Dan, really enjoyed the Nova and yes, totally different. Actually that was the first car other than one of mine, that I've autocrossed. Drove Tom's on the big track in Pittsburgh, but not thru the cones.
Yeah, I'm looking forward to 2014 already too :innocent:

[dontlifttoshift]

I fully intend on going to get some official driving instruction next year.

http://evoschool.com/ Champaign, IL end of April next year. A deal at twice the price.

[65_LS1_T56]

http://evoschool.com/ Champaign, IL end of April next year. A deal at twice the price.

Thanks Donnie, that's exactly what I was referring to. I met Mike Johnson at RTTH's this year and we talked about his classes. I also talked to Rich about it two weekends ago at Day at the Strip, and he said the same thing, well worth it.
Mike said they may be back at the Pontiac Silverdome parking lot this year, hopefully they will as it's only 45 mins for me.
I appreciate the heads up, IL would work if they don't come to MI.

:thankyou:

[Radlark]

Just sat here and combed through this thread and I love the execution of the chevelle and it definitely gives me motivation for my 67 Lark! You sir have built a VERY nice "G-Velle". Congrats!!!

[65_LS1_T56]

Thank you! Its been a lot of fun both putting it together and out there using it. I'm out in Vegas now at sema shopping for upgrades :unibrow: for next season.
Good luck on the 'Lark!

[65_LS1_T56]

:) :whistling: :lol: :underchair:

[tommycomfort]

:ohsnap:

[65_LS1_T56]

:ohsnap:

Oh Tom, you already know what I got. I finally got my Christmas present from my wife.

We were on the fence when we picked out the fabric and colors, but now that they are here, couldn't be happier.
They are Recaro Expert S (iirc) with the micro-suede-like lighter tan outer, and the DOT bus tweed darker brown panels, lol. They are going to look great with the saddle interior and some new carpet. Probably go with a dark brown carpet, but it has to be custom fit since I raised the tunnel 2"+. They don't add any horsepower or traction, but I think I'll feel much more confident while strapped in.

Thanks to Billy and Bill at B&B Classics for the seats and the help with color swatches. If anybody is looking for Recaros, give B&B a call.

A few pictures, hope to get them installed soon.
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/65%20NH%20Malibu/New%20Parts/IMG_20140306_123252_050_zpslzsac0li.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/65%20NH%20Malibu/New%20Parts/IMG_20140306_123252_050_zpslzsac0li.jpg.html)
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/65%20NH%20Malibu/New%20Parts/IMG_20140306_123719_445_zpstnqlcyhh.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/65%20NH%20Malibu/New%20Parts/IMG_20140306_123719_445_zpstnqlcyhh.jpg.html)
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/65%20NH%20Malibu/New%20Parts/IMG_20140306_123827_401_zps5t84pnuo.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/65%20NH%20Malibu/New%20Parts/IMG_20140306_123827_401_zps5t84pnuo.jpg.html)

And I have, what I hope, is a fix to my fuel system issues that I had last summer with my original tank. Tom bailed me out for the rest of the season by loaning me a spare tank and pump assembly. Thanks again Tom!

I worked with CarlC at Vaporworks on a unique solution. Due to my relatively low horsepower (under 400 most likely), Carl thought a standard 5th Gen Camaro pump would be more than adequate. He offers both aluminum and stainless mounting rings that can be integrated into a tank. Since my tank had a large "porthole" in the top made of aluminum, we decided that an aluminum mounting ring could be welded to the cover plate after I machined a hole thru it. Since my tank is only 6.5" deep, we decided to mount the pump flush to the top and cut a hole in the trunk for both clearance and future access. The metal forming masters at B&B Classics will make a cover that can be removed easily. I'd like to thank Carl for all his help in emails and on the phone, great customer service!

OK, so some pics of the progress. Still need a small bit of -6 hose and the electrical connection. My plan is to us a PWM output on the Holley HP efi to control the pump, fingers crossed on that.
Here, you can see the porthole cover before I cut the hole in it.
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/65%20NH%20Malibu/New%20Parts/Fuel%20System/IMG_20140123_162946_970_zpssokvhzet.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/65%20NH%20Malibu/New%20Parts/Fuel%20System/IMG_20140123_162946_970_zpssokvhzet.jpg.html)
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/65%20NH%20Malibu/New%20Parts/Fuel%20System/IMG_20140201_132056_511_zpskbxvmywh.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/65%20NH%20Malibu/New%20Parts/Fuel%20System/IMG_20140201_132056_511_zpskbxvmywh.jpg.html)

Bonus with the hole in the trunk: Much easier to put diff fluid in now :D
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/65%20NH%20Malibu/New%20Parts/Fuel%20System/IMG_20140306_183809_761_zpshormfwbg.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/65%20NH%20Malibu/New%20Parts/Fuel%20System/IMG_20140306_183809_761_zpshormfwbg.jpg.html)

That's it for now, more to come. Front wheels widened for 265's, hopefully a front ARB change, and possible new billet machined steering arms to allow some more alignment geometry and quicken the steering ratio a tad too.

[214Chevy]

Seats look great Aaron. Love the dark brown inserts.

[57hemicuda]

Remind me to take the screwdriver out of my pocket the next time I get in your car.LOL Look great, hope that takes care of the fuel issues.

[65_LS1_T56]

Not a lot to report, trying to knock down a punch list before Midwest Musclecar Challenge first weekend in May. I have been making/modifying a few items. Some of you have seen this stuff on fb already.

Made a few items for the interior. Crank knobs and lock knobs. Shifter ball is next :D
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/Miscellaneous/IMG_20140322_154559_235_zpsatqelgld.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/Miscellaneous/IMG_20140322_154559_235_zpsatqelgld.jpg.html)

When I did my accessory drive last year, never had the time to go back and tweak it or finish it. So when I had it appart to change the PS pump, I was able to find some weight to remove and clean them up.
Before:
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/Miscellaneous/IMG_20140316_115459_875_zpslgxems3m.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/Miscellaneous/IMG_20140316_115459_875_zpslgxems3m.jpg.html)
After:
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/Miscellaneous/IMG_20140316_125343_933_zps3dv0wcxy.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/Miscellaneous/IMG_20140316_125343_933_zps3dv0wcxy.jpg.html)
All painted up:
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/Miscellaneous/IMG_20140319_132250_686_zpsgalgxarm.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/Miscellaneous/IMG_20140319_132250_686_zpsgalgxarm.jpg.html)

Kind of a lame update I know, but hope to have some more soon.

[1965_SS]

Nice job Aaron!

[tommycomfort]

Never lame!

[coolwelder62]

Very nice.The project just keep's getting better & better.:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[1965_SS]

What's hiding in the box in the back of the truck:unibrow:

[65_LS1_T56]

Never lame!
I'm expecting a waaaaay better update from you, real soon :stirthepot:

Very nice.The project just keep's getting better & better.:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Thanks Scott! See Chevelles are cool:bitchslap: finish your's please :thankyou:

Nice job Aaron!
What's hiding in the box in the back of the truck:unibrow:

What box :whistling:


Ohhhh, that Wilwood box? New stoppers for the wife's Vette.
Thanks Todd

[Stovebolter]

Love the car! Watching in the background. ��

David

[65_LS1_T56]

Love the car! Watching in the background. ��

David

Thanks David!




Wow, where has the year gone? 5 months since I've updated this thread. Well mainly because I haven't really done much to the car but drive the snot of it :drive: Oh yeah and use all other free time on the "other car".

Been to quite a few events this year and have a few yet to come. We did Midwest Musclecar, Nashville Goodguys, USCA Daytona, USCA Road America, & Motorstate Challenge so far. Still to come is Ohio Musclecar Challenge, USCA at MIS. Not for sure, but maybe USCA Pittsburgh and LS Fest, we'll see.

This evening, I had to move the car to back my truck out. I parked it on some grass that I just cut and for some reason it looked so good I had to take a few pics :flashie: lol.

http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/65%20NH%20Malibu/2014-08-13%2019.03.22_zpsxbzou5ls.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/65%20NH%20Malibu/2014-08-13%2019.03.22_zpsxbzou5ls.jpg.html)
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/65%20NH%20Malibu/20140813_201311-1_zpsg7z3lc3m.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/65%20NH%20Malibu/20140813_201311-1_zpsg7z3lc3m.jpg.html)

As far as changes, well I did put a larger front ARB in last week. Also leveled the ride height out a bit by raising the front. Tweaked the coilovers side to side and reset the front and rear sway bar end links. I did add a little more camber too, now at 2 degrees static. Plans are to see how that helps out this weekend at the Ohio Musclecar Challenge at Pittsburgh International Race Complex. Awesome event in the past that Bob Bertleson puts on there.

Initial road driving is very encouraging. The turn-in is way better, it reacts so much faster. Really looking forward to trying it out on course.

I really couldn't be more happier with how the car has turned out and held up to the abuse. It has been on the road now for a year with just under 4,000 miles. Most of those miles were at or near the rev limiter too. I feel very comfortable in it and feel connected with it from a handling standpoint. I think after a few more planned changes to the chassis, I'm ready for more power. After, I don't know how many, laps at Gingerman (open track session a couple of days before the challenge, and the day of the MS Challenge), I just could not get anymore straight speed. Every session it was 118 no matter what. My lap time kept dropping each session, which meant I was making it up everywhere but the straights, which was good. But for the road course, I think more power would be beneficial now. Autox, maybe not necessarily.

Anyway, not to bore anyone with my ramblings, I just felt like I needed to let everyone know that jackstands are overrated, lol :gitrdun:
It's way more fun to be out enjoying these things doing what we built them for.

[SSLance]

Heck yeah Aaron! Looks great. I'm not up to 4,000 miles yet this year but I should get to well over 3,000 before I'm done.

Did you change anything on the rear suspension to go with your new front ARB?

[65_LS1_T56]

Heck yeah Aaron! Looks great. I'm not up to 4,000 miles yet this year but I should get to well over 3,000 before I'm done.

Did you change anything on the rear suspension to go with your new front ARB?

Actually, this was to balance the car out more as the car was light on TRS, mainly the front (FLLD). I ran the last event with no rear bar and the car felt much more neutral, so I'm hoping this will allow me to run it now that the front is stiffer. There are some hard changes I need to make in the rear, but that will have to be in the off-season.

[Paraman1]

Pardon my ignorance but what is an "ARB , TRS and FLLD" ?

[65_LS1_T56]

Pardon my ignorance but what is an "ARB , TRS and FLLD" ?

You need to read this:http://www.lateral-g.net/forums/showthread.php4?t=42467
Then rear suspension and overall tuning. Lots of good info there from Ron.

ARB=anti roll bar, TRS=total roll stiffness, FLLD=front lateral load distribution.

[Bad94]

Throwing a lot of money and parts at the car now I see.

[65_LS1_T56]

Throwing a lot of money and parts at the car now I see.

Yep, one part and about $200. Other than tires, that's been it all year.

[Flash68]

You need to read this:http://www.lateral-g.net/forums/showthread.php4?t=42467
Then rear suspension and overall tuning. Lots of good info there from Ron.

ARB=anti roll bar, TRS=total roll stiffness, FLLD=front lateral load distribution.

Show off.

:hello:

[65_LS1_T56]

Show off.

:hello:

Lol, just in case Ron stops in he'll know I wasn't sleeping in class :lol:

[Paraman1]

Thanks for pointing me down the path of enlightenment Aaron :thankyou:

[65_LS1_T56]

Thanks for pointing me down the path of enlightenment Aaron :thankyou:

Absolutely!

[65_LS1_T56]

Update after the Ohio Muscle Car Challenge (in Pennsylvania lol):
Link to Bob's pictures are: http://s1243.photobucket.com/user/orangeconeracing1/library/Ohio%20Musclecar%20Challenge%202014

Well the front ARB totally changed the car, in a very good way. Body roll was substantially reduced and turn-in was amazing. The bar along with additional camber made the car really fun to drive.
On the roadcourse, I knocked 4 seconds off my time from last year, and picked up 6mph. The only changes since then: wider front tires, bigger front bar, oh and a year's worth of seat time :lol: . Probably the biggest contributor was the driving experience.

In the autox, the day started out raining. Pouring at times actually. After it let up, we got started. I've never autox'd in the rain before, an honestly, that was a lot of fun. What was really fun was run by run, the course was getting dried out and times were dropping fast. Like 2 seconds per run! Heck, I think I was in first place for a brief moment...lol until the next group. It was an awesome time. The wife also drove the car, so it was in both run groups, never shut it off for the whole autox segment. Car made 32 runs in 3 hours.
I ended up 8th, with one car on 100TW tires infront of me, so 7th I'd say. Real happy with that.

On to USCA MIS event this weekend! Whose else is in?

[65_LS1_T56]

Well, back from another event...USCA at MIS! What a blast and to make it that much more fun, it was my birthday weekend.

As alot of you guys may have already seen in other places, I got the ultimate car guy birthday present from the best wife ever. Yeah, this happened! At MIS no less, in presence of lots of great friends, oh and taped for MAV TV! You all will most likely get to see my sensitive side...I wasn't the only one with dewy eyeballs though :rolleyes:
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/65%20NH%20Malibu/New%20Parts/20140823_165857_zps1l3xkwoh.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/65%20NH%20Malibu/New%20Parts/20140823_165857_zps1l3xkwoh.jpg.html)

That right there is a Mast Black Label 416 LS3 630HP! Pretty amazing gift from the wife that about two years ago really wasn't all that interested in the events at all. So happy she's come around :)

Oh yeah, the event...awesome as usual. Jimi Day and the crew at Optima put on a great show, tightly run, with tons of seat time.
Overall did pretty good. 15th overall in GT3K, 12th in design (!), 17th on the road course, 13th in autox, and 18th in speed stop.
My typical middle of the pack showing, and I'm totally OK with that.

To my total surprise, Bret and the guys at Ridetech awarded me with Ridetech Renegade Award, the guy that does the most with the least. That means a lot to me. Thanks Ridetech!
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/USCA%20MIS%202014/20140827_170611_zpsathvq4p1.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/USCA%20MIS%202014/20140827_170611_zpsathvq4p1.jpg.html)

[jarhead]

wow very cool on both counts, buy what a great wife!

[1965_SS]

:king:

[1coolC2]

Aaron,

That indeed is a great surprise....even better that it came from your better half :bump:

You know, now that she has her OWN car, her plan may have been to give you a 630hp engine with the intent that now she gets a new 700hp 7.0 liter monster for her ride. Brilliant!!

R/
Jeff

[65_LS1_T56]

wow very cool on both counts, buy what a great wife!
Why yes, yes she is.
:king:
Behind every King is a Queen ;)
Aaron,

That indeed is a great surprise....even better that it came from your better half :bump:

You know, now that she has her OWN car, her plan may have been to give you a 630hp engine with the intent that now she gets a new 700hp 7.0 liter monster for her ride. Brilliant!!

R/
Jeff

Oh I hope not Jeff. That would destroy the C2 drivetrain! I won't rule out a slight used LS1 with approximately 440 hp ending up in there someday.

[65_LS1_T56]

For those of you not on FB, here is my post from yesterday :cheers:

"Next stop, VEGAS! Been a long week waiting to see if I made it into the Ultimate Street Car Association Invitational in Las Vegas. I just missed being in the top 20 in points, but a few that were invited must have declined moving me up. I need to find out who to thank :)

It's been a fun year to say the least, Daytona still is the highlight of all the events I did this year. Not that we didn't have an absolute blast at all of the others, but being on the high banks, in your car, that you built, running 130+...epic. In the series, I also did Road America, Michigan International, and Pittsburgh International.
I've always been a middle-of-the-pack guy at these events, and I'm totally fine with that. Especially since my car is probably on of the most budget-oriented builds in my finishing positions. To win the RideTech Renegade award at MIS reinforces that too. I was very happy to get that. I have no misconceived notions that I'm going to go out and be a top 10 finisher in Vegas, haha, if I finished in the top 50, I'd be very satisfied. However, I do have every intention of putting it all out there and having as much fun with all of my car friends as possible!

Speaking of friends, this whole car hobby (it's still a hobby until I put big aero on the G-Velle, then is game on :D ), I must mention a few that I look forward to seeing, hanging out and competing with at the events: Tom, Debbie, & Sam Farrington, Dan and Mike Ballard, Billy and Bill Utley, Chris and Lynda Jacobs, Ken Edwards, Bryan Johnson, Tony, Kyle and Stacy Tucker, Bret Voelkel, Greg Schneider, Tim E Strange....many others too. Some of you I look forward to racing with you, others give me tips and suggestions to be faster and some give me a higher goal to shoot at.
A few other to thank of course the misses, Jill for going to most of the events and (I think) having a good time. Ron Sutton for the emails, products, services and the Sunday morning text messages asking how everything was going! You'll finally get to see my car in person! Also thank everyone at USCA, Optima Jim, Jimi Day, Saroja Raman, Wally Olczak. You guys ran a tight ship and put on a great event every time!

Now, to tear the car apart to fix a few things, maybe install a Tiger Cage, and address a few known items. Pretty excited to get this opportunity. Hope to see everyone out there! Wish me luck!"


To say I'm pretty stoked to go is an understatement. It goes to show you anyone can do it if you want to. I hope to get to meet some more of you West coast guys while we're out there, please stop by and say hi!

http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/65%20NH%20Malibu/20140809_143713_zpse7hfpjdp.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/65%20NH%20Malibu/20140809_143713_zpse7hfpjdp.jpg.html)

[LS7 Z/28]

Congrats on the invitation! That will be a great time. :beavis:

[Ron in SoCal]

Congrats Aaron. I'll see you out there! :cheers:

[65_LS1_T56]

Congrats on the invitation! That will be a great time. :beavis:
Thanks!

Congrats Aaron. I'll see you out there! :cheers:

Thanks Ron, stop and say hi please:thumbsup:

[Payton King]

Congratts!

[tom091074]

Happy belated birthday Aaron! Nice birthday gift.

[Flash68]

http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/65%20NH%20Malibu/20140809_143713_zpse7hfpjdp.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/65%20NH%20Malibu/20140809_143713_zpse7hfpjdp.jpg.html)

Nice job man! :cheers:

[fxdlryan]

Congrats Aaron, I'm sure it will be a great experience.

[65_LS1_T56]

Congratts!
Thanks Payton

Happy belated birthday Aaron! Nice birthday gift.
Hey thanks...winter project :)

Nice job man! :cheers:
MURICA! I'll be there representin' the little guy for sure!

Congrats Aaron, I'm sure it will be a great experience.
Thanks Ryan! Pretty excited to get the opportunity.

[LowNfast]

Great job getting an invitation! Ill be there for my first sema experience. Cant wait to see this car in person.

[v8s only]

congrats Aaron good job.

[65_LS1_T56]

Great job getting an invitation! Ill be there for my first sema experience. Cant wait to see this car in person.

Thanks man, stop and say hi!

congrats Aaron good job.

Pretty excited Tony! Had fun running with you at Pittsburgh.

[65_LS1_T56]

I sent the car off on it's way to Vegas this morning. Could've spent another 8 hours cleaning all the road grime, from street driving it all the time. Oh well, it hasn't looked this good since I've had it.

The Tigercage turned out real nice, the car feels totally different with my very limited time driving it after installation. Can't wait to feel it on track.
I didn't do a bunch of major changes like, well, most of the other cars that are going did (or are still doing..). I prefer to run what I know. There is a huge comfort in that for me. I could've put the new mill in, changed the clutch and the tranny to hold the power, put a DBW pedal in and a new computer, exhaust, cooling system...but for what? A position or two better? I'd probably do worse since I'd be trying to learn it all again in one event.

A few pics I took last night
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/65%20NH%20Malibu/20141028_213454_zps6whj4ybd.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/65%20NH%20Malibu/20141028_213454_zps6whj4ybd.jpg.html)
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/65%20NH%20Malibu/20141028_190915_zps4qkftnb4.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/65%20NH%20Malibu/20141028_190915_zps4qkftnb4.jpg.html)
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/65%20NH%20Malibu/20141028_232852_zpshpg1laes.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/65%20NH%20Malibu/20141028_232852_zpshpg1laes.jpg.html)
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/65%20NH%20Malibu/20141028_213537_zps1a5ay5gp.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/65%20NH%20Malibu/20141028_213537_zps1a5ay5gp.jpg.html)

[SSLance]

I think you were smart to leave it as is Aaron, I went to SCCA Nationals with a new untested set-up and paid the price for it in the CAM Invitational. It was a simple change that got the car driveable on course again, but I still then had to readjust my driving a bit to the new setup once it was dialed in. I didn't really get fast again until the last day I was there.

Car looks great, I'm sure you are gonna have a blast out in Vegas with it.

#Jealous

[Sales@Dutchboys]

Looks great Aaron, Will have to catch up next week in Vegas.

Probably a good choice not jumping on the bandwagon of the SEMA trash and make a bunch of changes. Like you said then you would have through all of what you worked on over the season out the window. Good luck out there next week :thumbsup:

[65_LS1_T56]

I think you were smart to leave it as is Aaron, I went to SCCA Nationals with a new untested set-up and paid the price for it in the CAM Invitational. It was a simple change that got the car driveable on course again, but I still then had to readjust my driving a bit to the new setup once it was dialed in. I didn't really get fast again until the last day I was there.

Car looks great, I'm sure you are gonna have a blast out in Vegas with it.

#Jealous
Thanks Lance...see you there, right?

Looks great Aaron, Will have to catch up next week in Vegas.

Probably a good choice not jumping on the bandwagon of the SEMA trash and make a bunch of changes. Like you said then you would have through all of what you worked on over the season out the window. Good luck out there next week :thumbsup:

Heck yeah Paul, see you out there! Hate to throw the season away, it was way to expensive to do that! :lol: Thanks

[Payton King]

I am sure it is somewhere in your thread...I assume you made the coil mounts? Any pics?

[65_LS1_T56]

Payton, yes I did. Not sure I posted any info or pics though.
Looks like this is all I have. They were made from solid billet.
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/65%20NH%20Malibu/New%20Parts/IMG_20130508_171159_838_zpsffbd8c72.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/65%20NH%20Malibu/New%20Parts/IMG_20130508_171159_838_zpsffbd8c72.jpg.html)

[SSLance]

Thanks Lance...see you there, right?



I wish Aaron... I wasn't able to put everything together to make the trip this year.

And believe me, update pictures posts like this are NOT helping me get over the fact either. :D

[65_LS1_T56]

It was nice to meet a lot of you guys this past weekend at OUSCI and the Lat-g get together! For everyone that stopped by with all the encouragement and nice compliments, THANK YOU! It was an honor to even be there with the amazing cars and drivers that were invited.

I had such an awesome time out there, words can't describe. Thanks to Ron Sutton for all the help with the car and my driving too.

Here are a few photos I took, wish it was more but I was experiencing the "moment".
http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/library/OUSCI%202014

http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/OUSCI%202014/20141108_131310_zpsgwmwrgkj.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/OUSCI%202014/20141108_131310_zpsgwmwrgkj.jpg.html)

[SSLance]

Some great pics Aaron, looks and sounds like you had a blast. Thanks for sharing all weekend long.

Is there a story that goes along with this picture though? :D

http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/OUSCI%202014/1886_zps4q1gz3ys.jpeg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/OUSCI%202014/1886_zps4q1gz3ys.jpeg.html)

[65_LS1_T56]

Some great pics Aaron, looks and sounds like you had a blast. Thanks for sharing all weekend long.

Is there a story that goes along with this picture though? :D

http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb476/65_LS1_T56/OUSCI%202014/1886_zps4q1gz3ys.jpeg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/65_LS1_T56/media/OUSCI%202014/1886_zps4q1gz3ys.jpeg.html)

I was waiting for that! Lol, yes there is. So the umbrella girls were looking for a ride to the SEMA Ignited party Friday after the show. We were towards the end of the parade of OUSCI cars and I already offered my passenger seat to a friend of a friend. He's like "oh, I'll jump this harness bar and get in the back if she wants in". So he did (funny to watch he was a big guy). She was super nice, very personable and articulate too. She took the selfie too.

Yes, it was a great weekend. Car performed as it has all year, solid. I could not be happier with the abuse that I threw at it at every event and NO failures all year. Pads and tires. Lots of tires...

[rchaskin]

2 thumbs up!!!!!

[Spiffav8]

Aaron it was great to meet you and to watch you race. Thanks for being a big part of the fun!

:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[rickpaw]

Looks like you had a blast at SEMA.

You know what happened in Vegas stays in Vegas right?:underchair:

[Toreback]

I love that it still has a little bit of the sleeper look

[65_LS1_T56]

2 thumbs up!!!!!
Randy, thanks!
Aaron it was great to meet you and to watch you race. Thanks for being a big part of the fun!

:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
You too Curtis, it was a lot of fun and an honor to be there with all the big dogs.
Looks like you had a blast at SEMA.

You know what happened in Vegas stays in Vegas right?:underchair:

I love that it still has a little bit of the sleeper look
Thanks guys

[Ron in SoCal]

Great to meet you Aaron in Vegas. I could tell you were having a ball :cheers:

[65_LS1_T56]

Great to meet you Aaron in Vegas. I could tell you were having a ball :cheers:

You too Ron! Nice to put a face to an avatar :lol:

I sure was having a good time. It's gonna be a long winter...

[dontlifttoshift]

That's enough blah, blah, blah, Get that motor in!!

[65_LS1_T56]

That's enough blah, blah, blah, Get that motor in!!

Soon Donnie, car isn't even back from Vegas yet. Lots to do this winter.

[65_LS1_T56]

OUSCI roadcourse video from Las Vegas. Had to give Wes in the Apache the point by after my tires quit cooperating. Sure had a great time.

oFIU5mj8uU0

[65_LS1_T56]

And some autocross video from OUSCI. Gotta say, the side by side courses were pretty cool.
LWmjg0CAsWE

[Spiffav8]

Great video Aaron! We had a lot of fun at the event and it was nice to meet you.

[65_LS1_T56]

Great video Aaron! We had a lot of fun at the event and it was nice to meet you.

Thanks Curtis, I had fun too. Nice to meet you as well

[1transam]

Killer car ...

[1965_SS]

Aaron,
Congrats on the December 2014 Feature of the Month:trophy-1302:

Can't wait to see more updates of the new engine install and cage install pics:thumbsup:

[65_LS1_T56]

Aaron,
Congrats on the December 2014 Feature of the Month:trophy-1302:

Can't wait to see more updates of the new engine install and cage install pics:thumbsup:

Thanks Todd.
I've been meaning to put something up on the Tigercage, haven't got to it yet. Might be awhile on the motor install..I've got some other, more pressing, upgrades to do to another car first...

[SSLance]

Aaron, I walked by Speedway's booth at PRI today with their 9" and floater ends sitting there. I was on a mission with no time but I'll go back tomorrow and take a closer look at it...

[65_LS1_T56]

Aaron, I walked by Speedway's booth at PRI today with their 9" and floater ends sitting there. I was on a mission with no time but I'll go back tomorrow and take a closer look at it...

Oh yes please. Wish I could've made it down again this year, that's a great show. Thanks Lance!

[HEEP]

Thanks Todd.
I've been meaning to put something up on the Tigercage, haven't got to it yet. Might be awhile on the motor install..I've got some other, more pressing, upgrades to do to another car first...

Aaron, so what other mods are pressing at this time? I would be :headspin: trying to set the new engine.

[65_LS1_T56]

Thanks Todd.
I've been meaning to put something up on the Tigercage, haven't got to it yet. Might be awhile on the motor install..I've got some other, more pressing, upgrades to do to another car first...

Aaron, so what other mods are pressing at this time? I would be :headspin: trying to set the new engine.

:rules:


It starts with a "Cor" and ends in a "vette" :D

[HEEP]

:rules:


It starts with a "Cor" and ends in a "vette" :D

Sorry, didn't catch the previous response. I completely understand.
Happy wife, Happy life.
That is why today, on my day off, the house will get cleaned before any garage work gets done. And I'm thinking to myself, stupid, get busy instead of posting on here. HAHA

[65_LS1_T56]

Sorry, didn't catch the previous response. I completely understand.
Happy wife, Happy life.
That is why today, on my day off, the house will get cleaned before any garage work gets done. And I'm thinking to myself, stupid, get busy instead of posting on here. HAHA

just messing with you Bill :D
Yes, she has made it a clear goal to be driving her car next year. Which means mine will be moved to the back burner unfortunately.

Now, get busy!

[67XR7]

The steering wheel hub on this car, custom piece? if not where did you get it?

[65_LS1_T56]

The steering wheel hub on this car, custom piece? if not where did you get it?

You can get one here (http://www.bbclassicsinc.com/products-page/interior/billet-steering-wheel-adapter/)!

[Justin@EntropyRad]

Ti, er, I mean, awesome!

Car looks amazing overall!

[65_LS1_T56]

Ti, er, I mean, awesome!

Car looks amazing overall!

"T"otally "I"ntentional "T"ips, lol.

Thanks!

[65_LS1_T56]

Finally some updates on this dusty thread!
Yeah, this happened last night!

DuG-wrCqmMg

[eric1967]

That sounds bad ass. Congrats

[Yelcamino]

Awesome! :thumbsup:

[1965_SS]

NICE!!!!!!!!!:ohsnap::excited::drool::morepower Wish that was in my 65'

Exhaust hooked up or just headers?

[65_LS1_T56]

That sounds bad ass. Congrats
:thankyou:

Awesome! :thumbsup:
:D

NICE!!!!!!!!!:ohsnap::excited::drool::morepower Wish that was in my 65'

Exhaust hooked up or just headers?
That was just shorty's, base tune to fire it. It's calmed down at bit..just a little though, now that it's learned somewhat. It was way fat at idle.

Hope to get a video driving it soon. Put about 20 miles on it and decided to pull the trans as it would not shift. New slave and master coming to try to diagnose it.

[1965_SS]

Are you using your same ECU or did you buy the MAST unit?
Same wire harness as before?

[65_LS1_T56]

Are you using your same ECU or did you buy the MAST unit?
Same wire harness as before?

Nope, ECU (Holley HP) went with the motor to the Vette.

I have a Holley Dominator now to run the drive by wire tb. Also a Holley harness, but a different one of course. In my personal opinion, and I pay full price like everyone.., the Holley has got to be one if not, the best efi setup out there. It is truly plug and plat to get started, then it self learns the fuel curve. I couldn't imagine manually tuning out all the little hiccups at different engine loads. It just works. I'm considering going to one of there classes in Bowling Green to learn even more about all of the stuff I never even adjust. I'm sure it could be that much better if I did.

[Sieg]

Nice Aaron! :thumbsup:

[instro84]

nice!

[1965_SS]

Did you use the Mast pan?

I saw the pics in your photobucket and was wondering if you would need to cut the crossmember on the frame to use that pan?

Do you know if the Holley pan will work on a stroked engine?