The Rustlass isnt so rusty

[SteveMcqueenRules]

From the beginning I just wanted to keep it really simple and cheap so I thought I would emulate a 60's drag car because it doesn't require a lot of cash to do it. basically just get some big block springs and some slicks in the back.

But knowing me I would probably get bored with that after a while and I have wanted to get into track days and autocross and stuff like that and there are a lot of suspension improvements for these cars. I have been a fan of the american cars racing Trans Am and this one


But parts cost money and I don't have a whole lot but I got a welder and some panel fab skills so for now I just need to fix the rust.

Thanks for all the kind words. I was pretty sure my car would just be laughed at because of all the beautiful cars like Bad Penny and others. My low buck car looks like a pile of puke compared to cars like that.

[SteveMcqueenRules]

Now to pull the motor/trans. Maybe fix the rust on the quarter panels. Whoa that was a lot of welding!
I wish I was doing something cool like bolting on some fancy brakes or a bunch of cool suspension parts, but I am just glad to have solid floors!

[ProTouring442]

Looks like a cool project!

A couple of random thoughts...

Since you're planning on running a 350 Olds and would like a manual transmission, how about a WC T-5? I don't remember all the details, but I seem to recall that you can run one in a GM car without too much difficulty, and the expense should be quite low.

On the rear suspension, how about a torque-arm? You should be able to fab one up fairly easy, it will let you run stock style exhaust, and they work pretty well. Camaro/Firebird used them from 1982 through to the end.

2 choices I can think of on the front that will not cost a ton. 1st is to use tall ball joints and SC&C uppers. The second is a little more interesting, but...

Graft the front frame from a 1977-up B-body (Impala, Eighty-Eight, Parisienne, tec.) This is pretty much the same suspension used in the 2nd-gen Firebird/Camaro, and you can adapt big brakes to it quite easily.

Shiny Side Up!
Bill

[SteveMcqueenRules]

I would love to do a manual transmission, but with my budget I am not sure buying all the conversion pieces would be very cheap. I was planning on just swapping a 200r4 or is it 2004r? in and calling it good.

I was always turned off on the T5's because there was an article in a magazine a while back and the TQ rating for them is pretty low. Maybe I am mistaken.

It would definitely be a low buck swap for someone who already has all the manual parts, and a five speed would be cool.

I thought of a torque arm sort of like what Hot Rods to Hell does. I figure my stock suspension is decent I plan on going to some stronger control arms and stuff.

Ya I think the B body spindles are the way to go. I can get em out of the junkyard and maybe run the brakes off the donor car as well.

Really haven't done much research though since I still have rust and stuff like that to fix.

[SteveMcqueenRules]

I think I might move on to this now...this should be fun

[TonyG]

Don't get frustrated. I am in the same boat. I think most everyone here has been in the same boat. I have one quarter cut off right now and will be cutting the other off this next week.

[SteveMcqueenRules]

It wouldn't be so bad if they made after market ones. I would just cut off this crap and weld on full new ones.

This might have to wait until I am back in school and can use a TIG and the pullmax.