Thanks Wayne. I've thought about that. If my welds looked better, I'd even consider just powder coating it and leaving it as is.

Made some more progress on the console the past couple days. I actually think this is the coolest part of the console.

Picked up a shift boot and billet boot ring. I went with the Lokar kit part # 70-BFMB. This thing is sweet.

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010548.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010556.jpg

Since the ring is so thick, I wanted to try and sink it into the console a bit. I started with some 1/8" flat stock and cut it to the size I wanted

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010549.jpg

Welded it together

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010554.jpg

Drilled and tapped the holes into the flat stock

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010551.jpg

Added some round bar. The way I added this, I left enough room around the ring to fit the leather (if I still go with leather)

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010552.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010555.jpg

Today I added it to the rest of the console

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010557.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010559.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010560.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010563.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010565.jpg

Tested some bottles of water in the console. It is tight, but I can adjust the shifter some to help give me some extra clearance

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010566.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010567.jpg

Next week I'm going to start working on the storage area lid. I've tried using round bar, but have been fighting with all attempts. Once I used the flat stock, I realized that it will make a good base for the lid. I'm going to drill and tap holes for the hinge bolts. I have two parts done, one piece will go on top of the console and the other will be the base for the lid.

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010569.jpg

I'm digging that console!!:yes: :yes:

Give a man a welder and he turns into a fabricator.... :thumbsup:

Don't think that shifter ball will clear a Beer can, they're not tapered like the water bottles lol.. LOOKS great though

RCMP DO NOT -- drive with beer cans in their cars.... DOH!! :wow: :rofl:

Canadians always have beer eh

It looks good Mike. Nice work, keep at it.

X2! Looks great Mike. I will be following your lead on this method. I really like how it's turning out so far.

Great work on that console...WOW :thumbsup:

Looking good! When I did my console I wanted the cup holders in the same place you have yours but they interfered with the shifter so I had to move them on the dash side of the console. You may want to look into that because there is going to be allot of shifting going on. If you don't have room you may want to move them back or maybe even out like on Greg Welds Nomad.

Thanks Marcus. I've been watching your build also. That thing is going to be sick. Are those the Kindig It door handles you have? I was looking at them for mine also.

Thanks Greg. I tell you....it's addictive :willy: :goofy:

Thanks.

Of course not...we would never break any laws :D :_paranoid :rofl:

:cheers:

Thanks Wayne.

Thanks Eric. Can't wait to see yours when you start it. How's the car coming along?

Thanks. It's been a lot of work.

Thanks. I don't think I could fit the cup holders in front of the shifter. I'm acutally thinking about moving the shift boot ring forward in case I ever decide to switch the shifter around. The nice thing about the shifter I'm using is I can spin the shift knob 180 degrees so it would give me more clearance around the cup holders. I'm also thinking about adding these to the side of the console as another option for a cup holder. Not sure why, but this pic looks horrible. If you go onto their website, you'll get a better idea.

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...erp69/2657.jpg

They look nice. When not in use, they push back into the console and when needed, they just pull out. http://www.autoloc.com/catalog/Inter...tom-Cup-Holder

No, thank you Mike for the compliment. Yes, they are the Kindig It door handles. They are expensive, but are a very nice, high quality piece. Nice heavy, thick metal. I recommend them for anyone willing to spend the coin on them. They are not cheaply made. Keep the pics coming on your console. By the way, I voted "leather" on the pole.

Awesome! I see you picked up one of the new Wegner kits..

Love the car. Your right we have similar taste:thumbsup:

Thanks Marcus. I've decided that I am going to do it in leather. I can't see it really fitting with any other finish.

Thanks John. I'm really happy with the way the Wegner kit looks. Plus it's nice when they are very few out there. I don't know if there are any other polished kits out there in the new diamond cut.

Well it's been quite a while since I've posted an update. To be honest, it's actually been quite a while since I got to spend any time in the shop. Unfortunately I haven't had any overtime in almost a year, so no new parts. Finally getting overtime again so hopefully will get some more parts in the near future. I also spent quite a bit of my free time renovating our basement, something we have been talking about doing for a long time. I did get out for an hour here and an hour there, but didn't really have much for an update until now. Not a huge update, but an update none the less.

Painted the motor a few months ago. Forgot to post pics though. I painted both the engine and tranny with POR15. I started with a base of regular silver POR15 and then 2 coats of their engine enamel. Color is aluminum.

Before:

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010122.jpg

After:

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010618.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010617.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010648.jpg

I then started installing the Wegner serpentine kit. When I installed the ATI dampner, I just used a threaded rod, some washers and a nut. Added some never seize to the inside where it slid over the crank and it went on very easily.

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010676.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010678.jpg

The instructions for the dampner say to torque the crank bolt to 240lbs. I bought this tool that allowed me to lock the motor in place. As you can see from the second pic, I had to modify it to clear the engine plate that's attached to the scattershield. Here's a couple links in case you want one: http://ls1tech.com/forums/parts-clas...e-holders.html and on Ebay http://www.ebay.com/itm/290714524113...84.m1555.l2649

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010718.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...P1010734-1.jpg

Bolts in place of the starter

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010717.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010720.jpg

Over the past few months, I've slowly been putting this together, and finally got the belt put on today. Very happy with how this kit looks.

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010721.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010728.jpg

I installed the Norris Motorsports PVC catch can and the Wegner Motorsports valve covers

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010729.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010731.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010732.jpg

Here's where I hooked up the catch can

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010735.jpg

Here's a link to the catch cans if you're interested in one: http://www.mikenorrismotorsports.com...atch_Cans.html

I hope to start tackling some of the fab work over the next few weeks that I've been putting off for quite a while. Will post updates as I go.

Looking good.

Great update Mike!

Awesome Mike!

Coming along really nicely!


:cheers:

Yay progress!! That block looks real nice being all one silver color!

The motor looks great in there. They make a nice accessory system.

Thanks guys. I really appreciate the comments :cheers:

I wanted to work on something that I would see some good progress and results, so I decided to work on getting the seats mounted. If you don't recall or don't want to read back, the seats I'm using are out of a 2005 GTO. I plan on using the front and rear seats. I've already done some work with the fronts, so I thought I would work on the rears.

First I had to cut out the center portion of the seats

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010744.jpg

Did some test fitting

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010747.jpg

I'm going to build some arm rests to fill in the gap

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010758.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010754.jpg

As you can see, I'm definitely going to have to cut them down as they sit pretty high

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010755.jpg

After looking at the area behind the seats, I decided to replace the sheet metal as I didn't like how far it sat forward at the bottom

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010749.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010751.jpg

So out it came

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010807.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010808.jpg

I'm glad I decided to do this as it allowed me to finish welding the deep tubs in an area that I couldn't get to before

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010809.jpg

I decided to replace the sheet metal in 3 parts. Started with the center section. I know the bead rolling looks like crap. It's my first time using a bead roller and it's not the easiest to keep straight when you're doing 18g sheet metal by yourself. No one will ever see it anyways and it adds strength.

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010813.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010815.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010815.jpg

Made some pieces for the side

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010819.jpg

It's not completely welded in, but you get the idea. So much for my finished underside. I have a bunch of welding that will ruin the under finish even more. Guess I'll be redoing quite of bit of the underside. Oh well.

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010822.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010829.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010831.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010833.jpg

Next I'll get everything welded into place and then will start on getting the seats mounted.

It's a process and a learning experience... and you're doing this all by yourself.... so GOOD FOR YOU!

:cheers:

Thanks Greg. Even though it doesn't look that clean, I am quite happy with how it looks. And you're right it is quite a process. I didn't expect it to be as hard as it was to do. By the time I was done that center piece, I was sweating like a pig. Although it didn't help that I did two of the lines the wrong way and had to go over them again to get them the right way :mad: But like you said, it's definitely a learning experience.

:cheers:

I'd have left them done the wrong way and said I intended it to look that way! :rofl:


I've watched guys run bead rollers and they make it look like child's play.... of course I'm also certain that there's lots of ruin sheet steel that were scrapped!

It's like welding or anything else we do.... it takes doing... over and over... or you have to be willing to empty your checkbook buying more steel...

I'm just glad you did it - were willing to post it up - and not be afraid to show you're learning like all of us have done. I've got barrels of stuff I've just thrown out... valve covers I've attempted to TIG vents in that are scrap... and.. oh well you get the picture.


:cheers:

Look from the other way Mike, the side pieces are almost perfect and the middle one is ok for what it's needed. Plus, you did all that work yourself! :thumbsup: Not ecactly what everyone can say about his car! :unibrow:

Nice job Mike! Keep plugging at it.

Thanks guys.

Small update today. Got the welding and grinding done on the sheetmetal behind the rear seat.

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010845.jpg

I also decided that I wanted to cover up these holes

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010838.jpg

So I made these

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010841.jpg

And welded them into place

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010844.jpg

Next up I will start mounting the rear seats. As always, will post pics as I go.

That's how they're built Mike! One more thing crossed off the list.... then tackle the next job!


I thought maybe the RCMP would have little green men that would come finish some of that stuff while you slept - but apparently you haven't found them either!
:D

Nope definitely no green men. One thing I've learned after 10 years with the Mounties...if you don't do it yourself, they certainly won't help you do it. But that's another story for another day :D

I've started trying to fit the rear seats. If anyone was wondering if it will be a lot of work to make the GTO seats fit....yep it's a lot of work.

When I started to fit the seats, I wanted to try and use a hook system similar to the way the stock rear bench seat fits. That didn't work very well, so I decided to try and idea that came to me while I was laying in bed.

I checked the fitment of the seats. They actually fit pretty good. I will have to trim a bit of the foam where it meets the mini tub, but that should be it for the bottoms

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010858.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010859.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010857.jpg

First things that had to go, the stock brackets

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010864.jpg

Then I took the bottom of the seat apart. It comes apart very easily

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010861.jpg

You just have to undo all the parts where it snaps over the round bar, then pull the leather back

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010862.jpg

Then the skeleton just pulls out from the foam

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010863.jpg

I forgot to take a picture of it, but in the above photo you'll see a black plastic thing attached to the frame. I cut that out and welded in a new piece of round bar as that it used in mounting the seat into a GTO.

As for mounting the seats to the floor, I decided to make it so the seats could slide into place, then I will add some nuts to secure the seats in place. I bent some round bar into the shape I wanted and tacked the pieces onto the frame. I bent them so they will fit the shape of the frame, but also sit level to the floor.

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010883.jpg

After I had both tacked in place, I put the foam and leather back on to see how they fit

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010868.jpg

Here you can see how it looked without the new pieces added to the frame. If you notice the differences between the two frames, that's because the second photo is the driver's side frame and I'm working on the passenger side one.

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010869.jpg

Next I made some brackets that I will weld onto the floor and the new pieces will slide into. I haven't actually welded the brackets into place yet. If you're wondering, the brackets are made out of 18 gauge steel and sit 2 1/4 inches high.

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010871.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010872.jpg

Here you get the idea of how they will slide into place. There's quite a bit of space left above them to compensate for when the foam is back on as well as carpet, underlay and sound deadner

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010874.jpg

I will also build up the area where the seat sits with some sheet metal just to add somewhere the seats can sit on. I will also drill some holes somewhere and weld on some nuts behind so the seats will bolt into place.

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010881.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010879.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010875.jpg

Next week I hope to get the brackets welded into place and start building up the below the seats. Will post pics when I get there.

just went through this entire thread. your nova is coming out badass. I just picked up a 72 chevelle malibu at the end of last summer. I plan on doing most of the work myself just like your doing,except for paint and body wich will be done by my dad. can;t wait to see more pics of your build. :thumbsup:

I demand updates, DAMMIT!!!


:)

Thanks!! Nice compliment that you're first post on the site was to comment on my build. Welcome to the site. Can't wait to see some pics of your build.

I wish I had some updates Joe. It's been quite cold here the past couple months that I haven't even felt like firing up the heaters. I did get out for a couple hours today, but nothing worth taking pics of. It was nice to get out for a while and get the bug to want to get out again. Will post some pics next week as I'm picking up some "motivation" Tuesday or Wednesday.

Your build is looking good. I really like the new parts you've added. I really like that trans stool...that's sweet.

Looking forward to reading updates on this "motivation".. And thanks for the compliments! I get a bit bored and unmotivated when the heaters in the garage have been running for 1-2hours and I can still see my breath and the tools are freezing!

Well time for a bit of an update. Unfortunately I haven't made any progress on the car itself, but I have the next three days off and hope to spend some time out there as long as my cold doesn't get any worse.

I have gotten some new parts and tools though :D:D

A couple months ago, our local tv station had a fund raising silent auction. I picked up a $500 gift card for a local tool shop for $250. With it I bought:

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps17fc50d7.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps44ef16b6.jpg

and this

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...psbb898f28.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps3881aa9d.jpg

I have always wanted a router and thought why not. It will come in handy when time to do the trunk and stereo enclosures.

Last week I spent a few days in Vancouver with my wife. Was nice, she was there on a paid work trip so I got to go for free. I was close enough to make a parts run, so I picked up this stuff:

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps18ed127b.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps819e3d69.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps12519bbd.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps2ac963da.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...psb1f1e662.jpg

I got all that stuff from www.purechoicemotorsports.com I was very happy dealing with them. I will be getting all my stainless lines from them also. I also plan on getting a couple Rigid bending tools to go with the Imperial one

From Summit I picked up:

Some palm ratchets

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...psc7ce6a3d.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps957a521d.jpg

Some long handle ratchets

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps7a672b29.jpg

A Billet Specialties Optima battery tray. I know I'm no where near putting the battery in yet, but I want to fab a spot in the trunk to put the tray so that's why I got it now

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...psee74aae3.jpg

From Spohn I got a driveshaft safety loop. This one is for a newer model Camaro, but I've seen this one used on a Nova before and it fit nicely

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps43ade93b.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps711e8c9c.jpg

And finally through Matt's Classic Bowties, I got this stuff

DSE subframe connectors. I sold my Hotchkis ones and thought I'd get these. I originally wanted to get these ones, but already had the under side of my floor done and didn't want to wreck it so I got the Hotchkis ones. I've since done so much welding on the floor that I'm going to have to redo the under side anyways, so thought it was a good time to get these.

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps753ef47b.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps0ba66920.jpg

Also through Matt, I picked up some Ring Bros's stuff

Clutch reservoir

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps23a2d458.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps5bcbfe72.jpg

and finally, Ring Bros hood hinges

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps641a5f8a.jpg

I will post the progress on the car as the week goes on.

Well.... didn't we just bust the bank!


:G-Dub: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Wow what a haul!! Very Nice and helpful haul at that.