Lateral-g Forums - 61 Bel Air

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- - 61 Bel Air (https://www.lateral-g.net/forums/showthread.php?t=39790)

Some of you might recognize me from the dark green convertible/white top, "LS3 Transplant" project a few winters ago. Well for the Power Tour this year my two oldest daughters wanted to come along so I felt the occasion required a bigger car. I should dub this tour "no luggage left behind" cause this sucker has one very large trunk.

I bought this California car back in October, been too busy to do anything with it until this month. I loved the stance, only issue was speed bumps and parking lots with uneven surfaces.

http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/s...ab186c7aae.jpg

Delivery, turned out to be just as solid as advertised. Thank my lucky stars.
http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps3896f497.jpg

Parts coming off
http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/s...27b0f93d67.jpg

Went with the the Air Ride "Cool Ride" kit with E3 controller. I liked the simplicity of the shock and air bag being separate from each other, personal preference - I like to keep my options for repair as simple as possible.
Also installed their Muscle Bars for both front and back too, will most likely upgrade on the shocks if I feel the ride needs to improve, just not sure yet.
Should not have problems with ride height anymore.
http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps5f74f4bd.jpg

Had a stereo with sub installed first, wanted to build the location for the tank and controller around it.
http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/s...a5179bdc15.jpg

Playing with it totally dumped, my daughter said it looks ghetto. LOL
http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/s...062e18c24c.jpg

Will likely get new wheels before the tour, these rears are a real pita to get off and out of the wheel well. I'm thinking a larger rim and less tire will make it easier to slip over the brakes and up and into the wheel well.

I've purchased an LS from Travis, we've discussed a few changes to the motor so I'm anxiously awaiting its completion. He's promised it by end of this month which is about my limit of the window I'll need for the install. Sounds like a ton of time to some of you but a lot of my time is spread out in many places. :)

This car gets so many looks and thumbs up its crazy, might even be a little more than the Camaro.

Thats a great car :thumbsup: I looked all around for one of those till I bought a Buick bubbletop, Sold that and I'm back on the hunt for one of these

I actually want to consult with you about my bench seat, will call you later this week. Your work is outstanding.
http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/s...5661521e45.jpg
http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/s...ce3295aef8.jpg

I love the 61's. I wish I had one. And yes, the trunks are HUGE!!:yes:

I love the body style. Nice ride.

Cool car Jon. :thumbsup:

It needs some wheels. LoL

I got your PM and sent one back

I'm really pleased with how this thing rides with the new suspension. Ride Tech air bags, E 3 controller and Muscle Bars front and back.

very cool car, I have my eyes on a '62 for a similar build. subscribed :thumbsup:

I will ship the wheel tool out to you tomorrow. It has been a crazy week

The front seat had been reupholstered with nice covers, problem is they reused all the original padding and most of the cushion was gone. I felt the springs were not quite as firm as they should be, so after speaking with Tracy at The Recovery Room, he gave me a couple pointers. What a great guy by the way.

I bought a new set of foam from Ciadella, nice quality too. I also cut a few pieces of lexan and affixed one piece on each side of the bench seat right where you plant your butt. The idea behind the lexan was to stiffen the feel of the seat while still allowing some flex. Seat is reinstalled and worked out great,I love the way it feels now.

I also mocked up the tires I'm putting on the car, I have to give kudos to The Tire Rack here. I ordered one front and one back for mock-up purposes, 20" for the rear and 19" for the front. The overall diameter and width was spot on, but I hated the lack of sidewall. Ended up ordering 19's for the rear and 18's for the front, liked the appearance of these much better. What I like about Tire Rack is they only charged me $7.00 for shipping two tires back, they put a call tag out for them, all I had to do was wrap them together and put'em on the front porch. Awesome service IMO. Tires in the pics are the new 19's and 18's.

http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/s...psc6e6c071.jpg
http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps4569aa17.jpg

Wheelworks sells this tool, Scott the owner was very helpful answering a few questions.

Ordered my Budniks today, 10" wide in back and 8's in front. New Shotgun style wheel with combination polish and brush.
http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/s...psdfab9514.jpg

Good choices on rims. That's going to look great on the car.

The 61 is gonna be sweet. Good choice on the wheels too.:thumbsup:

Quote:

Originally Posted by 214Chevelle (Post 462673)

The 61 is gonna be sweet. Good choice on the wheels too.:thumbsup:

yup:thumbsup:

http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps52852f62.jpg

http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps72436722.jpg

http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/s...psfc946bde.jpg

Last picture shows my only issue with the wheels, the shallow center caps don't clear brake rotor hub. I have room to shim the wheels out 1/4" , and this move along with turning down the outer diameter of the rotor hub .005. - this should do it. Worse cars scenario I exchange the center caps for the taller versions.
Overall the back space tool I used nailed it, the tires are in the wheel wells perfectly.

Looking good!! :thumbsup: It may be because of the driveway slope, but is the front a bit too high? If so, are you gonna drop it about and inch?

Car has air ride

With the new wheels I need to adjust the presets on my air ride. :). Only a button to push. :)

Looks great, Jon! Those wheels look good in there.

Quote:

Originally Posted by WSSix (Post 479797)

Looks great, Jon! Those wheels look good in there.

Thanks Trey

Very nice. Great wheel choice.

Waxed up and ready for Power Tour

I love it aired out.:RunninDog:

Look awesome! Enjoy

Carter

Looks good with the Air out

I had a 61 Biscayne 5 yrs ago. One of the best looking classic cars.

Great job!

I've always thought the same thing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cole (Post 481296)

I had a 61 Biscayne 5 yrs ago. One of the best looking classic cars.

Great job!

Looking good Jon!

Are you long hauling?

No, just the first 4 stops.

I'm sure a few C6's will be on the tour - look for a dark blue c6, a wide body rear kit on it, and some 345's out back!

Phase 2 of this tread

Winter project, LS2 with 4l65. Asa cam, lsxrt fast intake to be straddled by coil covers from Edelbrock. Trying to imitate the look of a big block. These engine bays are so big, I think the look will be just right.

I'm hoping the brake booster interference isn't too severe but I'm anticipating some issues here. Choices I guess would be , switching to manual, hydro boost, or moving the booster further to the drivers side. Option 3 will be a last resort but will tackle if necessary.

http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps4ecee24b.jpg
http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/s...pscf054699.jpg

Sure I will have some questions for you all.

Nice engine choice! :thumbsup:

Sweet looking motor!

Need some help please

Can anyone help me and identify what year or model truck this bracket for the throttle body cable is from? I guess FAST expects us to know what to source these from.

The three holes to mount it plus screws were in my kit, but when I called them the tech guys didn't know the answer.. :huh:

Appreciate any help, and if you have one I'll buy it.

http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps2c6a7864.jpg

http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/s...psd4fd1806.jpg

Great car! Love the looks of those bodies and great choice for power!
My Silverado 1500 has the fly-by-wire system (2011) but the manifold on the 5.3 LS motor has those mounting bosses in it. I would say any LS powered GM truck from 2000-07 should have this bracket.