Well, I guess I never started a build thread here. I'm not going to go into a long drawn out multi-page description of this project, but here is a quick summary.
To preface, I have no illusions about what this car is. It was never meant to be as nice, as trick, or as powerful as some of the awesome builds on here. I'm a military guy on a limited budget who sold all my other toys, flipped a few cars to help fund this including a 55 Chevy barn find, and spent many long days and nights in the garage. It is far nicer than I originally planned and I could have planned better, but I built it to drive it. Actually, I don't have a choice since I don't have a car trailer. lol
I've owned this car for 24 years. It was my first car and my daily driver back in high school (to work, to school, to parties, etc., etc.). I parked it 20 years ago in my parents' garage in AZ when I joined the military until about 4 years ago when I finally had a house and a garage to keep it in. I immediately tore it apart, smoothed the firewall, replaced the trunk pan, and sent the body to a local custom shop for finishing. After a year of frame-off, replacing full quarters, floors, wheel tubs, custom fabrication of non-existent panels for this car, paint, and etc. I took the car back and started on the mechanical and electrical work with help from friends.
One weekend here, one weekend there, lots of trial and error, lots of do overs with trying to save a buck on cheap parts only to realize that I needed to do it right and get the quality stuff.
The original plan was a resto mod with a mild SBC, my rebuilt Muncie 4 speed, some cheapo suspension upgrades and an interior refresh. Well, that turned into a full on Pro-touring treatment, high quality paint and body, custom yet subtle interior, and an exploded/trashed budget. lol
The name of the car evolved from the ridiculous issues I had to deal with during the build. Here are some to name a few: Custom 3 piece, forged wheels were made for the car - a month later, the company went belly up. Ordered a Keisler RS 500 and hydraulic clutch - filed chapter 7 bankruptcy AFTER I paid (never received the goods, had to file a claim to get $ back). Had an LS built by a highly recommended E-seller, dude went to jail or something. Had to yank the engine and give it to police for 6 months until it turned out it was fine. There were 3+ years of that type of stuff.
I'm still dealing with a few gremlins with the engine, but I think it just needs a tune. This Thursday, it's going on the dyno for final tuning. As long as it doesn't blow up or break something, it should be good to go after that.
Lessons Learned:
-Figure out what exactly you want to build before starting the project. -Budget about 40% more than you think it will cost in time and $.
-Don't try to cut corners because you will end up realizing that you shouldn't have, then spend twice as much time and $$ to do it over the right way.
-Only buy parts from well-established vendors unless you do a thorough check first.
-Ensure your family is ready to deal with the time you will spend in the garage.
-Do as much of the work as you can because like the saying goes, if you want it done right, do it yourself. Plus, paying for labor sucks. I pretty much did everything or re-did everything except the body work.
-You will hit walls, but don't give up. Just take a break and come back at it when you are ready.
-You pay for what you get usually. Spend the extra cash on high quality parts if you can. See number 3 above.
Anyway, here's what I ended up with:
-All alum. 5.3L with custom ground Comp Cams cam, LS2 intake/fuel rails, E-38 ECM w/ custom tune, Hedman Hustler ceramic coated headers, LS7 lifters, hardened push rods, LS6 heads, catch can, drive by wire TB, C6 Vette pedal, Spectre Pro Series cold air intake, etc.
-Doug's Headers adapter motor mounts
-Custom stainless steel X-pipe and exhaust w/ Borla XR1 mufflers
-Quicktime bell housing
-Tilton hydraulic TOB/Wilwood clutch master cylinder
-McLeod RST twin disc clutch
-Tremec TKO 600 5sp / Ring Brothers shifter
-Moser M9, 3:50 gears, narrowed 2 inches
-UMI front and rear adjustable, tubular control arms, braces, sway bars, modified G-Force X-member
-Bilstein shocks / 3" drop springs
-Wilwood disc brakes/drilled and slotted rotors
-American Autowire classic update series wiring harness and custom engine harness by Modern Vintage Performance
-Nickel Copper brake lines
-New Gen 3pc forged wheels, 19 x 9.5 rear / 18 x 8 front
-Tanks Inc. fuel tank w/ Walbro 255 in-tank pump, graphite impregnated PTFE lined steel braided fuel lines
-LED lighting throughout
-Dakota Digital VHX carbon gauge cluster
-Pro-car Ralley seats (love 'em) and custom upholstered rear bench to match
-Complete Dynamat system throughout
-PST quick ratio Steering Box
-Flaming River steering column
-Billet Specialties steering wheel and etc.
Brian Hobaugh SCCA National Tour June 2014
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