Despite not posting an update, I've actually been working on the car. For the most part, it has been blocking and sanding. Not a whole lot to take pictures of or, even remotely exciting.
Now that I'm to the point where I'm about ready to spray 2K primer, I figured I should start doing a lot of the mock up so I don't have to risk drilling thru fresh paint or scratching it. I did that on my last build and really regretted it.
So, for this update I did the following:
-Mocked up engine, made radiator mounts and a mount for the ECM. Because I used a re-worked stock harness my options were pretty limited on where to mount it.
-Mocked up the steering shaft. Because of the angle, I had to use a third joint and a eye bearing to hold it. I really didn't want to grind of powder coating but, we were able to hit the hot metal with powder had it stick and finished the job with a heat gun.
-Did major surgery on a set of speed engineering headers to get them to fit around the steering shaft. I've only TIG welded a few times but, pretty happy with the welds for the V bands on the outlets. The welds on the tubes are kind of ugly but, they will hold. Polishing them up gets rid of some of the ugliness.
-Ran my starter power cable and installed the battery box. I used P clamps along it and before I go final I will use some braided wire loom to make sure it doesn't chafe anywhere. I plan on using a Mad electrical solenoid but, have to wait until my allowance builds up.
-Cut holes in the ends of the dash for the vents. I ended up using parts of a dash cut out from another car, glad I did as they are a really difficult template to get it to fit correctly.
-Made a neutral safety/back up light switch for my Malibu shifter. I've been wracking my brain on how to do this because the 6L80E doesn't use a switch instead it goes thru the BCM. I ended up using a F body switch and modified the shifter to make it fit.
-Lastly, a few other odds and ends like finishing fitting the body mounts and a lot more sanding.
Glad I have some help from friends with this. Spatial things like figuring out how to re-work the headers makes my head hurt.
On to the pictures
