A few shots after Mother's rubbing compound using wool pad:

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After rubbing compound will be polish with foam pad.

Beautiful job!

looks amazing! I love the color!

Great job. That color looks awesome!:thumbsup:

I know how the body feels after a job like that. Looks great

The LT1 had the internals all freshened and a ZZ4 cam installed when the motor was originally swapped in 2001. This time is an external freshening up and mounting A/C compressor and alternator.

Do I wish it was a LS motor - OH YEAH! But for this car staying with the LT1 was part of the staying "On Target" and not letting my wants override where I should be.

Besides this thing has run quicker at the track than some LS powered cars. Plus a couple of Foose built Riddler cars used a LT1/LT4 - the Grand Master and Stallion. (Just trying to talk myself into being content. Do I still want a LS set up, yep.)

Anyway, staying On Target for your build may be a LS7, DSE/Roadster Shop chassis etc. Whatever it is, don't settle for less. Just keep us posted on Lateral-G !

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500 hp and 500 tq is just that regardless of what made it.... I seem to have to explain that over and over to people that don't get it. Especially on the oft asked question - "Why didn't you put a Ford in your Ford?". LS motors are the latest greatest darling... and they're super nice motors... and they're LIGHTER than the same HP/TQ SBC... so they have some pluses.

I spend a LOT of time at my buddies dyno. Funny what you hear about motors and stuff hanging around like that. One of the things Rick and I always shake our heads about - and people don't ever discuss etc -- is the RATE at which a motor increases in RPMs per second. A motor that is really wingin' it has an amazing rate of increase... We've laughed at other motors where the combo just isn't on the money... and while they "made the number" the owner is looking for... they'll get their asses handed to them racing. It's why my 406 old skool motor was built using the Honda rod journal size crank. Yeah it's 406 ci - but the snap this motor has compared to a 406 with more rotational mass will just blow you away. Everyone always just wants to talk heads and cam. It's more than that...:D

Just sayin' - nothing wrong with the LT motor... built right.

Don't mess with Nebraska! LOL
 

We stick together John so be careful! LOL:D :D

On Target is looking good! you can come up to Omaha and help me paint mine!

Almost there myself!

Mark

Maybe give some help after my fingers grow back from all the sanding. I think they wore down to the bone and 1/2 way up my arm.
Thanks,
Jim

Haha, that was my first reaction as well! Definitely wouldn't be my first choice but you did an awesome job integrating that into the dash. Also I love your use of the "Chevrolet" script from those valve covers.

NICE CAR!!
:thumbsup:
-Gary

Thanks for the nice comments so far.

Taking it to the Hot Rod Super Nats this Fri-Sat-Sun in Lincoln, NE. Was in a shell with primer last year at Hot Rods by Todd's booth. This year will have fresh paint and a big chunk of assembly done to show progress for the booth this year.

1st time out of the garage today. Actually drove a few test miles. Boy was that a blast after being apart for a couple years. Although there's still lots of finish/assembly to go. Still planning to post some process pics prior to getting to this stage.

Pushed it out of the garage about midnight tonight getting ready to load for Lincoln. Actually drove it out with open headers. Bet the neighbors liked that :unibrow:

http://i1184.photobucket.com/albums/...SuperNats1.jpg

that is one cool car. that stance looks amazing. Dont forget those day time pics :unibrow:

:thumbsup:

Sweet!



I had a neighbor come over and complain once... it was 4:30 in the AFTERNOON... and then they started whining about me firing off the car at 4:30 AM "ALL THE TIME"... it's like REALLY? I do that about ONCE PER YEAR when we have the GoodGuys show here in Puyallup... When he said that - I told him just to get the F out of here. 'Cause now I know he's just a whack job. All the other neighbors love the fact that I have the shed there full of tools... and a couple have used the lift... and I've repaired garbage can lids... and lawnmowers etc. :woot:

one in every neighborhood :captain:

That is just sweet! I am really enjoying your posts:cheers:

Tim

love the stance

A little more on backing the car out at midnight and getting some pics.

All day had been getting the car able to move under its own power. Test drive went super. Although, apparently the alternator pulley was never tightened and the nut had backed partly off throwing the serpentine belt. Nothing damaged though. To the parts store and picked up a fresh belt. A little loctite and tighten the pulley nut this time. That's why they call it a test drive.

The stance can be critical and the new front coil springs were in need of trimming to obtain it. Over years of changes the springs have been in & out, cut more times than I can remember. So I'm an expert in how much to cut off. Springs were cut and back in by 10pm that night. As soon as the jack is let down I'm saying "oh no" or something like that. Didn't want to trim a little, remove, trim a little more. So run it out the door to settle the suspension and take a look. Like how the fender tucks over the tire. But below the car will have some clearance issues. :mad: Won't need much higher but still will need a little. Well better get another set of front coils coming. Need a new set of super drop coils?

The rear should come down just a bit after the trunk is loaded down with coolers, lawn chairs and everything else. Still should end up with a nice rake from front to rear when done. Thanks for liking the stance so far! This is just a little of what we all go through to get things just right.

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Sweet Ride :thumbsup: show us some pics under the hood

Lookin good!:thumbsup:

:lol:
That is a killer photo of your car. Looks awesome.:thumbsup:

Engine install. Engine compartment and interior painted BASF Diamont Dark Argent Metallic covered with Ultra Flat Clear.


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Looks awesome, love the color you went with. :unibrow:

Looks outstanding! Like the color and the satin finish!

Love the color.:thumbsup:

I'm confused....

I was pretty sure you just painted this car red and had it on the ground and running... So is this just a "catch up" group of photos for the motor install??

Thanks Greg, I can see how it would be confusing with bouncing around with these photos. The latest engine install group of pics are a "catch up" group.
I didn't start posting this project until the car was quite a ways along. Just didn't take crunch time to figure the posting pictures and stuff till later.

Here's a general time line on the car:
Final primer on body then final color in engine compartment sprayed last fall.
Engine was installed earlier this year.
Sprayed the exterior red on body just mid April.
Sanded the clear coat mid May. Most of buffing done up to May 25.
Car is running and just able to drive on May 26.

Here's generally what needs done:
Front fenders are still off the car. Fenders on in pics were just hanging on.
All the weather stripping needs installed (other than front & rear glass - Steele Rubber used has had a super fit so far.)
All the side glass/mechanisms are still out.
All the Aluminum trim -grill, rear, side, front needs to be refinished.
Need to install sound control material to interior.
Interior other than dash, all needs done. Still debating/needing direction there. And need to fab a console yet.
Got some different front springs! So need to get those in and install shocks.
Plus more little stuff that ends up taking a lot of time.

Still have a little past stuff to post but will comment on time line.

Here's a pic of how the car was sitting at the Hot Rod Nats in Lincoln, Nebraska just this last Memorial Day weekend. If you are ever close to Lincoln Nebraska, take the opportunity to visit the Speedway Motors museum. It's huge and has tons of stuff and 1st class plus always changing displays with something new.

That was too much typing/reading. Lets get back to some pics.
Thanks again guys,
Jim
http://i1184.photobucket.com/albums/...Stuff/HRSN.jpg

Looking good Jim.I like the grey engine compartment.

The car looks great, I love the wheels on it they fit the style perfect. You picked a nice color for the engine bay it looks sweet.

Saw it in Lincoln, Looked good

Thank you! I was so confused.... but that's pretty much my norm.

I was pretty sure I was on track but just wanted to make sure lest I miss
something important! I am A.D.D. (truly) so sometimes my attention span gets
off kilter.
:cheers: :thumbsup:

Great work Jim. Great looking engine bay and colors.:thumbsup:

Last couple weeks have been catching up on broken/neglected stuff around the house. That was needed and feels good to have out of the way. :P

Here's some wiring done earlier this winter.
Started with original wiring harness stripped out unused circuits and rerouted. Had lots of hours in it though. That took a the mystery out of the fuel injection/computer wiring. Factory manuals were the way to go to trace out.

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Wire sleeving manufactured by www.techflex.com. They have a sizable catalog with lots! of wire covering applications. Believe it is the same as "Keep it Clean Wiring", "Painless Wiring" and others use. I got mine through www.mcmaster.com. The split wrap stays on very well.

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Under dash harness built with enough connectors so the whole harness can be unplugged and dropped out from under dash including fuse box with minimal effort.

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Don't need to store gloves in the glove box, so the fuse box is in there to eliminate standing on my head to get access.

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Nice job! Wiring has to be one of the most time conusuming aspects of these projects. Proper layout, estetics, access etc. :thumbsup:

Really like how you put the fuse box there! Looks great! Engine wiring turned out great!

Very clean engine compartment :thumbsup:

Coming together. Haven't had much pc time, push is to have the car at Good Guys KC. Will see.

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Under hood is killer that color is just right. Lt1 looks as good as any lt1 I've seen. It's really difficult to clean the wiring up but u have done it! Great job!

I love what you did to cover the top of the radiator. Nice old school touch with the Chevy script. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Clean! :thumbsup: Engine compartment looks great!