Project "Red Rocket"...yea, that's right!

[BanditDave]

Originally Posted by Jake616

I am really liking this build! Can't wait to see it completed! What were your plans for interior modifications?

Keep up the progress!

Because I opted for the large by huge wheel/tire combo, I will need to tweak the wheelwells a bit. Since I am going to be jacking with that anyway, I have a set of '04 - '06 GTO seats (front and back) that will be recovered to more appropriately display its new mark. I can play with the positioning of the rear seat a bit and modify as necessary. I am changing it to a Lokar floor shifter to more closely mimic a 4-speed stick car with no console. I want a clean look for the floor...just rug and shift boot. I may move on to an upgraded door panels but for now, cleaned up stockers are just fine.

My goal for this whole build is that I want subtle changes that may even go unnoticed. I am even considering running adapters on the L92 heads so I can run SBC valve covers and make them look like Olds valve covers.

More to come! Thanks for the compliments!

Dave

[BanditDave]

Made some very nice progress ovr the last few weeks. I will post a lot of pics tonight.

Rear is in as of last night. Underside detailing is complete. I had been at a crossroads for a while with regards to fuel cell vs. Ricks vs. sumped stocker and I am now pretty locked on the fuel cell for a number of reasons. The main reason is that while I give up trunk space, I gain a ton of room underneith to mount the fuel pumps as well as additional mufflers/resonators for the exhaust system. I am making some custom touches on the bumper and I want to make sure that there is plenty of room for the tails/mufflers. I want this thing as quiet as possible. Also, this thing will be going turbo eventually - onec I work out the bugs in my '84 race car. Putting the cell in the trunk just offers up so much more room as LS1NOVA proved in his build.

Also, long block is done and am waiting on Pace Performance's accessory drive so I can install the balancer, etc...and final torque the pan.

Picked up coils and brackets, HOWEVER, got screwed on an EBAY buy and now need L92/LS3 valve covers....AGAIN. If anyone has a pair for a reasonable price, let me know. I need the ones with clearance for offset rockers.

EZ EFI is on the way! Thanks Jake from JRS!

Pics to come! I shoudl have this thing on the road by summer...it won't be pretty but I don't care.

Goal for this iteration will be 11s first time down the track. Very doable in my opinion.

Thanks
Dave

[BanditDave]

Here's some photos of the progress. Again...sorry for the mess. Trying to slowly throw things away i don't need...but I generally hold on to the until the last possible minute just in case I need it.

Anyway, on to the pics!

Here's another shot of the front suspension with complete steering...only thing left is to install the shocks



Complete Long block sans valve covers...kinda had an issue with the ones I got...they were misrepresented and I did not get better pics...oh well.

Without valve covers:



With Driver's cover...passenger doesn't fit:



Edelbrock adapters with PST mounts:



Rear suspension installed minus sway bar - 12" rear brakes:





Underside of trunk pan...going with trunk mounted fuel cell. I figure I will be eventually upping the power and needing a roll bar...plus it leaves me room for an additional set of muffs and easy fuel pump routing underneath - especially if I go E85 I can fit dual pumps with no issue. I also have room for the trans cooler back there.



Another front shot:



And Bilstein shocks:



Definitely a lot more to come this week. I should be getting my GMPP front accessory drive from Pace, as well as my EX EFI from Jake (JRS) and my Stainless Valve Covers which I purchased tonight. Also not pictured is my MSD 6012 box and harness.

This is what I am going for under the hood...just a lot less cluttered:



I'm still all screwed up on wheel sizes at the moment as well as color. I am torn between Victory Red...(red rocket...duh) or BMW Sparkling Graphite Metallic with semi-gloss bumpers, trim, etc... I really think that will look sinister.

MORE TO COME!!!

[waynieZ]

It looks great.

[BanditDave]

Originally Posted by waynieZ

It looks great.

Thanks man....appreciate it!

[tones2SS]

Looks awesome. Should make a big difference in handling for sure.

[BanditDave]

And for today's updates...

Finished buttoning up the bottom end and front cover...still waiting on my accessory drive from Pace Performance...its a very popular item so they are a little backordered.

Installed the new valve covers and coils as well as the Pacesetter Headers that I will be modding slightly for my build. Should work nicely.

Also made a sweet purchase from Luke Mau of L&H Kustoms - a complete Vaporworx tank pump and regulator set-up!!! I am VERY STOKED about this one as I plan of upping the power in the near future and won't have to do a darn thing to the fuel system.

On to the pics!







Different lighting shot:



Shot from behind:



No shots of the tank for a few more weeks. EZ-EFI should be here this week. More pics to come!!! Thanks!

Dave

[mrgm]

Looking nice ^_~

[tones2SS]

Looking good Dave.

[BanditDave]

Few updates for today. Got the EZ EFI on Thursday...very excited!!!! Also got the engine and trans stabbed in for the first of many times this weekend. The PST urethane mounts are a real PITA to work with not to mention I have to trim some metal off the top of the 4L60e. Is there any other A-body guys out there that had that issue as well? I will take some pics of had to do tomorrow after it is done. I believe they are panhard bar mounts for the 4th Gen Fbody as that is what I got it from....what a pain in the arse.

Anyway, a pleasant surprise, 4th Gen Fbody headers will work well in an A body. I will have to redirect the pipe once out of the header but no big deal.

Enjoy the pics.













Thanks!
Dave