Thanks Steve. How did the Photobucket pics work out for you. Anything in there you could use?

Got a few new parts in the last couple days. I got my brackets from Roger at Ironworks. http://www.ironworksspeedandkustom.com/

This is for the Mast ECU. Once I get my Highway 22 wiring harness, I'm going to send it to Roger and he will make a bracket for that and then I'll weld them together and put them both in the glove box area.

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000834.jpg

I was originally going to go with a Lokar foot emergency brake, but as soon as I saw Roger's hand brake bracket, I knew I was going with a hand brake. Here's the bracket

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000835.jpg

I also got a Lokar hand brake and tried it in the bracket. Gonna like this set up.

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000840.jpg

Lots of room for the cables to hook up. The front is closed in.

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000842.jpg

I also got a set of coil relocation brackets. These things are sweet. I was going to try and make a set myself, but I can guarantee they wouldn't have come even close to these. I'm going to put these on the subframe just in front of the headers.

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000836.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000838.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000839.jpg

I also got started on officially making my car a no-smoking area.

Out with the old

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000844.jpg

In with the new

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000846.jpg

Welded in. Still need to finish cleaning it up. I'm really happy with the way my welds have been turning out. Thanks again for the great tips Greg.

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000848.jpg

I plan on heading out to the shop again tomorrow so will post pics if I get anything done.

Very nice Mike. Keep us posted.

Thanks :cheers:


So not much of an update today as I was feeling lazy. I got the ash tray area welds cleaned up. When I was welding in the new metal, I noticed that the dash went in on a bit of an angle. I tried to push it out, but you can still see a bit of a dent. It also doesn't help when the primer on the rest of the dash is thicker. A little more with a hammer and dolly should help. Also, once it gets to a temperature to where I don't have to use 220 construction heaters, I'll put some filler on there and smooth it out. Here's how it looks so far. I think I like it better without the ash tray.

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000851.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000850.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000852.jpg

Not a huge update, but an update none the less. A couple weeks ago I went and got some new tools. The brand is Magnum. It's a Chinese brand, but they still weren't cheap. The owner of the tool store gave me a really good deal so I thought why not. They are all very heavy so I know the steel is good. For as often as I will actually use them, they should do me fine.

36" pan and brake

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000868.jpg

Heavy duty shrinker and stretcher with foot pedal

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000861.jpg

The nice thing about the heavy duty one is how deep the throat is. The regular barely had any room to play at all

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000862.jpg

Bead roller with 15" throat. It came with 3 sets of beads and 3 sets of flanges. I'll likely end up getting a set of the shear ends for it. I just need to grab a 2" piece of steel tube next time I'm in town and I'm going to make a stand for it.

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000859.jpg

Today I started making the console. I thought I would document it, whether or not it turns out okay. I decided to try making it out of metal. I'm using 1/4" round bar for the skeleton and then I will wrap it with sheet metal. I'm going to build it in 3 stages: first the arm rest area, then the front part of it and then I will connect the two. If you've never done work with round bar, it's slow going.

I made the two side like this

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000864.jpg

And then added round bar between the two. My plan is to have the back of the hand brake hidden and only the handle showing. Here's how the arm rest looks so far. I also plan on adding a hinged pad on top.

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000866.jpg

You are off to a good start Mike!.. I did not bolt the console to the dash because I will leave that to the upholstery shop.. Got a meeting on Saturday with him & will ask the question.. & let you know



http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000866.jpg[/QUOTE]

Nice tools.:thumbsup: Stainless tool box is way cool.I wish I had a really big box.like the non smoker idea.:lol: Scott

Thanks Chris. That would be great. I haven't completely decided yet how I'm going to do it at the dash, but considered blending it into the dash.

Thanks Scott. Yeah I like the stainless box. It wasn't too badly priced either. I got it at Costco. I had a Craftsman one on order, but as soon as I saw the one at Costco..the Craftsman one got canceled.

Mike --

Might consider getting some X braces in there... people like to use arm rests to lean on etc.

Thanks Greg. I still have a ways to go on it. That's just the main shape for now. I ran out of round bar. Grabbed a bunch more last night. Thanks for the tip though, it's easy to overlook things.

Finally got back into the shop to get a bit more done. I've been working a ton of overtime lately. Bad thing with that...no shop time. Good thing though.....more parts. After next week I'll have gotten an extra 43 hours of double bubble :D Hope to make a parts run in a couple more months.

Picked up a few more tools since the last update.

Got a ring roller. Works great with 1/4" round bar.

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000875.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000874.jpg

I also picked up a universal metal bender, more for bending round bar. It was on sale for $40 so I thought why not. http://www.princessauto.com/workshop...l-metal-bender

I started on the front part of the console. I ran a piece of string across the car to give me a straight line as a guide.

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000877.jpg

I'm glad I remembered that I had a Vintage Air unit to put in still. I started measuring to run the console almost to the firewall and then I remembered the a/c.

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000879.jpg

After about 5 straight hours in the shop, I ended up with this

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000881.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000885.jpg

Once I get the center section in place, I plan on running the front of the console on more of an angle. It won't be sitting straight up like it is now.

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000889.jpg

And I reinforced the arm rest. These things look they should be at Paul Jr. Designs with all the round bar :devil:

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000883.jpg

This one almost looks like a chassis

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000882.jpg

Here's with it in place

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000887.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000890.jpg

And finally the two in place. I plan on using round bar to connect the two parts and then wrap it all with sheet metal. Not sure if I will just paint it or wrap it in leather.

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000891.jpg

What do you guys think of it so far??

looks like a Exoskeleton for a rock crawler!!! :cheers:

how are you going to finish it Fiberglass??

should be cool

don't forget the cup holders:thumbsup:

It looks great Mike. You got some nice tools to play with and putting them to good use I see. I'm glad you remembered the A/C ,it would have been a pain in the butt to think of it after. Nice work..

MIKE!


WHERE ARE THE CUP HOLDERS???:D


Looks to me like you're having way too much fun!:cheers:

Mike
Looking good!! You could always start a side business designing roll cages for rodents, squirrels and such? Just kidding.

Thanks Blake. I know what you mean about the rock crawler. I was looking at it and thinking I could add a couple axles and a RC motor and I'd have a mini crawler. I was originally planning on using sheet metal, but the more I think about it, I like the idea of using fiberglass and then wrap it all in leather.

Thanks Wayne. Yeah I remembered at the last second. I was actually mocking up the frame, looked over and thought 'oh yeah, the AC'. That would've sucked if I forgot about it.

Don't worry...the cup holders will be there. I'm thinking about getting a couple aluminum ones from Eddie Motor Sports. Just not sure if I need the large ones or if the medium ones will work. And, yes I am having fun building this.

:lol: :lol: Thanks.

Mike,
Very nice work so far on the console...
Try your local marine supply store for cup holders. Most sell aluminum ones that lok good and wont break the bank. No shipping B.S. either. :)

Thanks Eric. I didn't even think of that. I went to one of the local boat places today and they had some nice stainless steel ones. I had them order a couple in and hopefully they will be here tomorrow.

Thats great. Im glad that worked out for you.
You realize we will want pictures of course right?

Got more done on the console today and yesterday. First thing I did was mock it up with some carpet and underlay. Found out that it was too high so I took off about 1/2" more. I also had to make some modifications around the a/c unit. It will be snug now, but once it gets bolted down, it should look good. The other issue I found was regarding the depth of it. I was talking to a friend of mine who manages a electronics store. For the head unit I want to put in, he recommended close to 10" depth. Well I had a bit of ways to go. I got it to about 9 1/2". I was looking at the specs of the Alpine units, they are just under 6 1/2" deep, then wiring. I think I'll be good with it now.

I also spoke to an upholsterer about getting it wrapped in leather. After taking with him, I've decided that overall it will be easier to wrap it in sheet metal first, then leather. As much fun as it would have been trying fiberglass, I think it will be less headaches, now and in the future, with sheet metal.

Here's some pics.

Added to the front section

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000892.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000893.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000895.jpg

I think I might try and move the upper part in a bit to make it on more of angle so I will be able to see the screen better once it's in.

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000898.jpg

Got the two pieces connected

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000899.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000900.jpg

I'm going to have the ebrake handle sunk in a bit

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000903.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000904.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000906.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000907.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000910.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000915.jpg

And the most important part.....................................cup holders

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000911.jpg

What do you guys think so far?

I was also looking at the GTO seats. I finally got them hooked up to a good battery and made sure they were all the way down. I find they do sit quite high. Has anyone found a way to get them lower and still keep the power options. Couple things I was thinking to gain some room:

Move the base tight up against the bottom of the seat

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000921.jpg

I'm also thinking about cutting down the foam on the bottom part. Right now there is almost 6 1/2" of foam. I'm sure I could get rid of a bit.

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000919.jpg

Anyone else have any ideas?

Cup holders are absolutely CRITICAL!


EEEEEEEEEEHHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA :thumbsup: :D

That's looking real good; that console gives me some ideas for mine. I have the same seats and was thinking about maybe trying to switch to a manual track assembly to lower them some. I'm a ways off from interior, so I guess you'll just have to be the test subject on this for now....

The console look great. Just remember if you tilt the top in to view it better it will bring the lower back corner of the head unit closer to the floor and make the depth seem shorter. You might have to raise the front of the unit so you can tilt it back. Just something to think about. Nice work.

Thanks guys. And thanks Wayne, I'll keep that in mind.

Got a little bit done today. Moved the shifter back into it's original location. I like it better there. Also had to cut a few pieces out and I made the ebrake hole.

I know the one side is a little bit off, but it's a one off piece. It all can't be dead on. Plus with the leather, it will never even be noticeable.

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000925.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000927.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000928.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000929.jpg

I think you're doing great Mike!

I would agree with your earlier thoughts about putting the deck head at more of an angle for better viewing.

It looks great!

Great job Mike. Looks good. Can't wait to see it come together.

Its looking great . No one can say you didn't build that from scratch, thats for sure.

That console is sick! Really nice work. Mind telling me where you got the cup holders? I'll be building one soon and would like to implement those. Thanks.

Thanks guys. When I started building the console, I wondered if everyone would like it. Guess I got my answer. I'm glad I decided to make it out of metal though. I don't think, actually I know, it wouldn't have been as easy to fine tune and make the changes that I've been making to have it exactly how I wanted.

Got a little bit done today. Had a lazy day, so wasn't much.

Made the angle for the stereo better to see it. I ended up taking off 3/4" at the top and brought the bottom out about an inch. That way I figured I wouldn't loose too much room for wiring. I'm really going to have to watch myself though if I'm hard shifting. Not a whole lot of room between the shifter and stereo now.

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000940.jpg

I then put the cup holders in place. I think I'm going to put them there as I still have to put the Vintage Air control underneath the stereo. I would still like to find some cup holders that are a bit smaller.

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000939.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000938.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000944.jpg

And to answer the question about what cup holders they are, I just went to one of the local boat shops and they brought them in for me. They were about $18 each. Here's the brand.

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1000937.jpg

Back to work in the morning, but hope to get back out to the shop next Thursday. Will update as usual.

Better! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:


Your comment on "smaller cup holders" is blasphemes! :D

lookin good!!!

Looks good!
 

Hey just a thought... how close is your elbow to the armrest portion of console when you shift into the aft gear positions?
I looks really good. I made one out of wood, then covered it with foam and leather looking vinyl on the sides. I then put some aluminum diamond plate on the top to cover the stapled down vinyl.
I'm excited to see how your's looks when it's all done! I might have to redo mine after swapping to a T-56 and I just got a welder, so your way might be doable for me now.
Keep it up!

Progress
 

looking good:thumbsup: I would have never thought to do the console like that are you going to fiberglass it or wrap in leather? keep up the good work

GTO Front seat issues
 

The only time I have seen GTO front seats is with the power removed I was really hoping you were going to be able to get them to work! I have a set of seats and would love to use them in my Nova. Have you had any luck with the back seat yet? I'm probably going with recardo fronts but would love to still use the back seat from the GTO. Keep up the awsome work you are my motivation to get my nova done!

Thanks for the comments guys. I haven't had a chance to do any more work on the seats. I still hope to use the fronts, but I think it might take a fair bit of work and customizing to do it. I'll keep you updated when I do.

Well time for an update. It's been a while. Unfortunately I haven't actually gotten much done on the car. Been working a ton of overtime (good for parts though) and other things going on. I took two weeks off from work to spend time working on the car. I go back to work on Saturday and I ended up working on the car about 6 hours during my holidays. Oh well, here's what I did get done.

Started stripping the trunk lid. I want to start working on the gaps.

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010013.jpg

The trunk was in really good shape with only a little rust starting along the top where it would sit near the window channel.

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010016.jpg

So I cut out a couple spots and welded in new metal. The rest cleaned up with the die grinder.

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010022.jpg

And that's all I've gotten done. :(

I sold the stock doors from car (thanks again Jeff). Now I'm committed to going with doors from a 73 or 74. Still trying to find a pair that aren't really expensive. I also sold the door skins that I bought (thanks again Tyler)

But onto the good part of the update. It was that time of the year again. PARTS RUN!!!!! I got a few of the parts over the past week and the rest I picked up today.

Here's today's haul:

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010029.jpg

Finally got my stainless bolt kit from Prodigy Customs. Better late than never. Pretty thorough kit.

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010028.jpg

Billet Specialties a/c louvers

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010026.jpg

Sold the QA1 shocks and decided to get....

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010010.jpg

This things are sweet. I only have picks of the back ones, but I did get them all around. They are the single adjustable. Got them for Speed Tech.

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010019.jpg

I really like how they have the bolt holes. They swivel and adjust if the bolt is on an angle at all.

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010021.jpg

Some of you may have saw that I sold my FAST 102mm intake. After doing some more research and seeing results of how it has done, I found that it really wasn't worth the money. If I kept it, it would have cost me another $500 for the throttle body and I would still have to get injectors and fuel rails. So I sold the intake and with the money I got:

A LS3 intake taken off a 2010 Camaro. Got it from Hennessey Motor Sports for $200 on Ebay. It included the stock injectors, fuel rails, intake bolts and gaskets. Can't beat that for $200. I'm going to sand it down and paint it body color

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010044.jpg

A LS3 throttle body. Was also new and taken off a crate motor. I ended up getting a really good deal on the intake as the guy I got it from bought a few of them from Ebay. He then ported and polished it and powder coated it chrome. If anyone is interested in getting one or having yours powder coated, here's a link to his thread on LS1Tech.com: http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/gen-5-...le-bodies.html Mine is the one he used in his pics on the thread. Here's some more pics of it that I took.

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010024.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010023.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010025.jpg

Got some polished aluminum billet rails. They will look good with the body color intake. I got these from Ebay also from a company called Custom Built Motors: http://stores.ebay.com/Custom-Built-...id=p4340.l2563 They were really good to deal with. Pretty good deal too. I think I paid $200 for everything in the pic.

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010072.jpg

Not bad...for the money I got for the 102mm intake (plus I think $50), I ended up with the intake, injectors, bolts, gaskets, throttle body and fuel rails. I'm glad I sold it.

I've also decided to get rid of the VVT on the motor. I'm still not sure if it's the right decision, but like so many people have said, it's still an unknown and one more thing to go wrong. So I got the parts I need for the delete:

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010037.jpg

The cam is a custom grind. I ended up getting Patrick Guerra to design one for me. I had never heard of him until I started looking for cams. Very highly recommended on LS1Tech.com as well as a few on here have used him. Here's a link to his site: http://www.guerragroup.com/camshaft_help.htm

Here's the specs on the cam. Patrick said that it will be a good pro-touring cam and should have a nice wide power band. It should easily make 540-550hp at the crank.

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010038.jpg

I also got an order from Summit.

Decided to get a sanding block kit

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010063.jpg

I've been trying to figure out a way to strengthen up my steering column so it feels more secure. I might end up using this to help

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010062.jpg

Lokar oil dipstick

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010061.jpg

Crane LS3/L92 spring compressor

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010059.jpg

Taylor spark plug wires. Also had to get LS style boots.

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010056.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010058.jpg

Comp Cams trunion upgrade kit

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010054.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010055.jpg

MSD starter and ARP bolts. I didn't realize that MSD includes new bolts with their starters

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010051.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010052.jpg

Also got a box from Jegs. It was mostly tools. I got a 68 piece screw driver set (never have enough), T style allen keys, a padded cushion for lying on the ground and I've wanted to get a new body panel hammer kit so I decided to get the Eastwood professional kit

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010030.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010031.jpg

And I got some polished ARP intake bolts. I was told they weren't going to include the bolts with the intake, so now I have two sets

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010033.jpg

I've heard that Mustang guys with TKO's have really good luck with MGW shifters so I thought I'd give one of them a shot. It's a short throw shifter

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010041.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010042.jpg

I also got the longer shift handle as I'm still working on the console and I didn't know which one I would end up using

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010043.jpg

I also ordered a shift knob from them. They are really nice. I was supposed to get one that had the 5 speed layout on it, but they sent me one that says GT on it. I've emailed them and will hopefully get the 5 speed one soon. Here's what they look like

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010068.jpg

American Autowire Highway 22 kit. Got it from Mike at Musclerodz. This kit is very thorough.

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010046.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010049.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010048.jpg

I took advantage of the sale that PTS wheels had on Clayton Machine Works pedals. I wasn't going to spend the money for these, as they are not cheap, but I could not find a stock 68 Nova clutch/brake pedal assembly anywhere. I had bought one from Classic Industries a few years ago, but sold it. They were still waiting for a new supplier to get some in. They didn't know when they would have any so I thought I'd get the nice ones. It has a matching pedal pad for the DBW pedal

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010034.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010035.jpg

And finally......

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010064.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010066.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010067.jpg

It includes a Corvette DBW pedal

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/P1010065.jpg

I hope to actually get out to the shop tomorrow and spend a bit of time working on the car. Not sure what I'll do, but I have a lot of parts to put on :yes:

Two weeks off and 6 hours of work on the hot rod with this pile of parts? :D I bet you are itching to get out there....

Nice haul on the parts, Now you need the most precious thing TIME! Sweet load of parts

now that is a load of goodies. have fun!!!!!

New parts...YUM :thumbsup: