|
Project 'Overtime': Pro-Touring 68 Acadian (Nova) with L92 swap
So I thought I would finally do a build thread on my car. It's a 68 Acadian that I orginally bought for $700. When I got it, it was white with black racing stripes. I fixed the car up on a pizza shop manager's wage. I had it painted cherry red, rebuild the 350 and th350 and put on 15" cragar rims with BFGoodrich tires. Now that I'm a cop and make way more money than I did back then, I'm doing the car again...but the way I want to. My plans are as follows:
Pro Touring theme http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d..._Designs-2.jpg Suspension, brakes and tires: 18" New Gen Splitters, polished lip and brushed centers. 305-30-18 in the rear and 245-35-18 in the front. Speed Tech Performance subframe with Speed Tech high clearance tubular control arms. Speed Tech 1.25" solid sway bar. Unisteer rack and pinion kit Ridetech single adjustable coil overs Wilwood 6 piston calipers with 12.2" rotors Prodigy bar rear suspension (airbar with adjustable arms) with Ridetech single adjustable coil overs Moser M9 housing Moser 31 spline axles Strange Pro Nodular centre section with 3.70 gears and half billet posi Wilwood 4 piston calipers with 12.2" rotors Drivetrain: LS3 6.2L crate motor. Hope to be around 550 hp. Speartech ECU with DBW Comp Cams camshaft: 226/234 .598”/.612” 114LSA custom cam using EPS on intake and LXL lobes on the exhaust. LS3 intake with LS3 ported and polished throttle body Speed Tech Performance / Stainless Works long tube polished headers. Wegner Motorsports polished diamond cut serpentine kit Tremec TKO600 with MGW shifter Monster stage 3 clutch Interior: Flaming River polished tilt steering column Flaming River Waterfall leather steering wheel 2005 GTO leather power bucket seats in front and GTO rear seats Custom console with 7" LCD screen Thunder Road gauge cluster Speedhut gauges Vintage Air Gen IV air conditions Billet Specialties air conditions louvers Body: New sheet metal includes: Goodmark: quarter panels, inner rear wheel wells, deck filler panel Auto Metal Direct: 2" cowl hood, inner fender wells, rear cross rail, rear tail light panel, quarter panel end caps, door skins DSE deep tubs Firewall has been completely smoothed Paint will be House of Kolor's apple red with black base coat Stereo: JL Audio stereo (haven't decided what but will be big) More to come, but in the meantime here's some pics: Here's what the car looked like before I started tearing into it again. http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...Picture018.jpg Here's the car as it sits today http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...PICT0016-2.jpg http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...PICT0017-1.jpg http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...PICT0018-1.jpg |
Here's some of the goodies I got today :yes::)
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...PICT0020-1.jpg http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...PICT0021-1.jpg DSE Deep tubs http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...PICT0023-2.jpg |
Moser M9 with back brace and G-Bar ready
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...PICT0028-1.jpg http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...PICT0037-1.jpg AirRide suspension (same as a G-bar) http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...PICT0038-1.jpg http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/PICT0054.jpg |
I've had these for a while already, but these are the rims I have
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...9/Foose18s.jpg I hope to get working on the car next week as the wife and daughter will be gone for 4 days. I will be living in the shop. Will update as I go. I really need to say thanks to Frank and Lisa at Prodigy Customs and www.gpsuperstore.com for the great deals. Frank also went out of his way to get all the brackets welded to the M9 so I didn't have to screw it up trying to set the pinion angle. Thanks again Frank. |
Oh that M9 is sexy. You know you got the first one we have done! It is going to be real close on shock / spring clearance. I think a empty housing test would be prudent. Glad everything showed up OK, you still have one more box of brake cables, hoses, etc coming. It is shipping from us tommorrow. Maybe we should ship that straight to your place?
Thanks for the orders. You know where I am if you need me. |
Nice project. I read your backstory and got a little nostalgic. I worked for 6 years at a pizza restaurant before finishing up college and becoming a cop here in California. Now it's been a little over 5 years working and I'm still not as far into my project(s) as you! Guess I need some more overtime... :D
|
Kick ass! :woot:
|
Thanks for the comments guys. Maybe I should call the 'overtime build' as that's what's paying for it. Work a few shifts....buy another part. Work a few more shifts...buy some more. Hopefully I will have some more pics next week as I plan on hitting the shop for a few days.
|
Today I was able to get the G-Bar/Air Ride rear suspension mocked up. It took some cursing and swearing, but not too much. Now I can get this thing as a roller and start putting the body panels on.
Bottle Jacks to help hold brace in place http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...PICT0014-1.jpg Bottle Jack attached to main brace http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...PICT0013-1.jpg Rear suspension is in!!! http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...PICT0015-1.jpg http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d.../PICT00212.jpg http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ICT00192-1.jpg |
|
That is awesome.
The build seems to coming along quickly. Keep us updated.:thumbsup: :cheers: |
rockin'!!!!!!! :thumbsup:
|
Looking good keep the pictures comming.
Wayne |
Thanks for the comments guys. Today I started to do some more cutting. I guess there's no turning back now.
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d.../PICT00042.jpg |
Well I haven't had a lot of time to work on the car since my last post, but I did get a few opportunities to get in the shop. I started doing the deep tubs install, but has taken longer than it should have. I originally cut a piece out of the floor and was going to stretch the wheelhouse, then I decided to do the deep tubs. I'm doing a lot of guess work as I can't measure from the stock wheelhouse location. My welder has become my greatest friend. Along with a sheet of metal to fill in when I cut too big. I've got the passenger side deep tub and new outer wheelhouse mocked up. I also put in a new trunk drop off. Now to mock up the quarter panel to make sure my outer wheelhouse lip is right. I did find though that with the deep tubs and the 285/35/18 tires I have....I have almost 2" more that I can go. May have to get some 12" wide rims. Anyone looking for a set of 18" Foose rims and tires?? Anyways...here's some pics.
I had to cut a rusted piece off the rocker panel. Will be an easy patch. http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d.../PICT00032.jpg http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ICT00052-1.jpg Frame notched. http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ICT00173-1.jpg Wheels mocked up. http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d.../PICT00213.jpg http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d.../PICT00203.jpg |
|
Well here I go changing my mind again. I am worse than my wife Last night I got a really good deal on a Unisteer rack and pinion kit with steering shaft, hoses and polished pump (thanks to Dark Angel). I also just got off the phone with Blake at Killer Customs and ordered one of the Speed Tech subframes I have wanted one from the day I saw them. When I'm done this build I don't want to say...I wish I would have done this or that. Hopefully picking everything up next Thursday. If you're looking for QA1 coilovers or a AGR power steering box, both new, I now how them for sale. Will post pics when I get the new frame.
|
1 Attachment(s)
Scherp,
I have a question for you. I, too, have a fabricated Moser rear axle assembly (thank you, Frank) for my Camaro and started assembling it yesterday. I have never set up a 9" axle before, but it looks like the axles themselves are offset way too much to one side to make sense - it look like they are centered on the ring gear location and not the center of the third member. With the axles in the housing, does yours look something like this? Can anyone else confirm or deny that this looks correct? Thanx in advance. Mike |
Quote:
|
Thanx, scherp. I have not actually selected the center section yet so it sounds like I will have a little play with the axles to make sure it all works. I appreciate your help.
|
So I finally got to go to Killer Customs and pick up my Speed Tech subframe. It is awesome!!!! And it was $1000 cheaper than some of the other companies (every penny counts). I also picked up my new Unisteer rack and pinion kit, thanks to Dark Angel. Now if I can just get the deep tubs and quarter panels done...I can get the frame bolted up. Here's some pics.
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d.../PICT00045.jpg G-Mod built in http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d.../PICT00054.jpg Built in adjustable trans crossmember http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d.../PICT00064.jpg |
Adjustable motor mounts
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ICT00073-1.jpg Billet shock mounts http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ICT00083-1.jpg Ready for some wider tires up front now http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ICT00093-1.jpg A feature I hope to never use, built in tow hooks http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ICT00102-1.jpg Sway bar mounts up front, not underneath where the frame can break (mine did) http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ICT00112-1.jpg |
Unisteer rack and pinion kit
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...ICT00122-1.jpg Polished pump http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d.../PICT00174.jpg Braided lines http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d.../PICT00153.jpg Now back to the shop to see if I can get the passenger side quarters done today. |
So I got the Speed Tech high clearance control arms and sway bar that go with the Speed Tech subframe. Now I have the entire Speed Tech subframe package, I just bought it in stages that's all. My plan now is to try and get the driver's side deep tub done and get the quarters on. Then I have to put the driver's side cowel panel on, finish welding up the new floor pans and I'll get to try out the rotisserie that I built.
Here's some pics of the Speed Tech high clearance control arms. These things are sick!!! Upper Control arm with billet aluminum ball joint cover http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d.../PICT00055.jpg Stainless Steel cross shafts http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d.../PICT00046.jpg Lower control arm http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d.../PICT00065.jpg Sway bar end links http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d.../PICT00094.jpg |
|
Well I've been able to make some pretty good progress of the past few days until the power switch on my air compressor blew. Wouldn't turn off at all. Thankfully I have a separate breaker in the shop for the compressor. Oh well..this way I'll be able to get a new on that regulates better for the plasma cutter.
Here's some pics of the passenger side that is mostly done. Still have some welding to finish up, but it's strong enough right now to be secure. new quarter installed http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d.../PICT00352.jpg Deep tub in http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d.../PICT00154.jpg http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d.../PICT00302.jpg |
Today I started on the driver's side. Going to replace the outer wheelhouse, put in deep tubs, replace the trunk drop off and obviously the quarter panel. Here's some before pics:
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d.../PICT00312.jpg http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d.../PICT00342.jpg The glue that didn't work :mad: http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d.../PICT00332.jpg |
And here's what I got done before the compressor kicked out on me:
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d.../PICT00372.jpg http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d.../PICT00382.jpg http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d.../PICT00432.jpg |
Since I had some spare time after the compressor died, I thought I would look and see how much room I actually have to play with now that I have the deep tubs. The tires that I have in these pics are a 285-35-18. I'll have to trim the quarter/outer wheelhouse lip as it's pretty tight, but wow what a difference. If anyone ever wondered if it was worth it...here's proof.
Gap between tire and wheelhouse/quarter lip http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d.../PICT00442.jpg Distance between wheel and inner wheelhouse now http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d.../PICT00482.jpg This is a 2 1/2" piece of square tubing that fit between the tire and inner wheelhouse http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d.../PICT00532.jpg http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d.../PICT00512.jpg |
So now I am definately going to send my rims away and get them widened to 12". I need to find a tire though that will fit flush with the rim. Here's what I mean:
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d.../PICT00602.jpg Anyone have any ideas? Well I've locked the shop up and will be off to New York on Sunday for a much needed holiday. In the mean time...off to KMS Tools so I can get my compressor fixed :( |
Looking good...... so you were able to clear a 12"?
We found the largest without having clearance issues was a 10" or 11" with a 305mm to 315mm tire. Did you move the frame rails in? |
It hasn't cleared yet...I'm assuming I will be able to though with the extra 2 1/2" clearance though. I haven't moved the rails, just notched them. I'm running a g-bar so that's given me some extra clearance. I guess I just got lucky.
|
I have the same setup on a 70 Nova (g-bar and DSE tubs), and were only able to get a 305/35/20 in there, on a 10" wheel. There is a lot of room to the inside, but with a 12" wheel, there wouldn't of been enough clearance for a driver without rubbing everywhere. We had test fitted a 295/45/18 and it cleared about the same.
I say if you can fit the 12" and a 335mm tire, go for it! Post pics, I would be interested to see how it fits. |
Thanks for the info. I'll definately keep that in mind before I go and send my rims away. I might be better off with an 11" rim then and maybe 315's. Will try and find some to test fit before I do anything though. Thanks again.
|
No problem, look forward to seeing the progress on the car. Jon @ Driverz Inc is great at finding what tires are available and what works best. Give him a shot.
|
Quote:
|
Any new pictures?
|
I've got a little bit of an update and a few pics. My wife and I went to New York for a week so didn't get much time in the shop. I did get to spend one day last week in the shop. I hope to get out there again on Thursday and Friday.
The driver's side deep tub is going pretty good. I need to cut out the pieces to fill in the frame rail and gap between the trunk and frame rail. It was also good, I looked at some 315 wide tires online and found that on a 11" rim, they will measure 12.6" wide. I cut out a 12.6" wide piece of cardboard and put it in the wheel opening. Lots of room all around!!!! Think I know what size tires I'll be going to. Might even try a 325!!! Some people have asked about notching the frame rails when installing the deep tubs. Here's some pics of what the frame rail looks like notched. The openings will be filled in with some 1/8" steel plates and the tubs get welded to those plates. Marking for the frame notch http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d.../PICT00047.jpg Frame notched http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d.../PICT00056.jpg Frame notched from underneath http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d.../PICT00104.jpg Areas to be filled in with 1/8" steel plates http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d.../PICT00135.jpg Hopefully on Thursday and Friday I"ll get the frame filled back in and then will start on getting the tubs and quarter welded on. Wish I had more of an update but the little vacation got in the way :lol: And if my wife heard me say that, she'd kill me. |
|
| All times are GMT -7. The time now is 11:32 PM. |
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright Lateral-g.net