Project Fab 9 begins.....
09-20-2011, 05:52 PM
#1
Project Fab 9 begins..... Since this project was started around the purchase of a Mid West Chassis rear, I thought I would post up my progress here. This project is know where near what some members on the appearance forum are doing, but it has evolved in the last few months. I really haven't posted on here much in the last few years, but there hasn't been anything going on since my last project. That project involved a lot of work after I spun it in turn one at road Atlanta and put it in the gravel trap. From there I removed everything from the motor back and sanded, cleaned, and added some new parts to get it back where it was. So, after a long time and not one part purchased for the SS, it is time.
My 2001 SS only has 18,000+ miles, so it's obviously not my daily. The only thing stock on it is the bottom end, rear end, driveshaft, and the chrome 10 spokes. Just about everything else in the drivetrain has been modded or changed.
So, my original goal was to add some seat of the pants go, and rear end gears seamed to be the easiest and cheapest way to go. [lol]. But after reading about how the rear will break after a sticky tire, a 12 bolt was was considered. After reading LS1tech and having a friend recommend Mid West, the project evolved to a Fab 9. So, to keep a long story short, it has turned into coil overs, Fikse wheels, and a narrowed rear end. I swore up and down I would never remove my chrome 10 spokes. How I was wrong.
So I have begun. Here is the start.
The coil overs purchased from Mid West
The rear
The front
The start of the tear down. Going to remove as much as I can and have someone crawl under it and paint and clear the underside. Might as well.
The last time for the 10 spokes
Pulling the axles to powder coat the backing plates. My Fab 9 turn is getting closer.
My 2001 SS only has 18,000+ miles, so it's obviously not my daily. The only thing stock on it is the bottom end, rear end, driveshaft, and the chrome 10 spokes. Just about everything else in the drivetrain has been modded or changed.
So, my original goal was to add some seat of the pants go, and rear end gears seamed to be the easiest and cheapest way to go. [lol]. But after reading about how the rear will break after a sticky tire, a 12 bolt was was considered. After reading LS1tech and having a friend recommend Mid West, the project evolved to a Fab 9. So, to keep a long story short, it has turned into coil overs, Fikse wheels, and a narrowed rear end. I swore up and down I would never remove my chrome 10 spokes. How I was wrong.
So I have begun. Here is the start.
The coil overs purchased from Mid West
The rear
The front
The start of the tear down. Going to remove as much as I can and have someone crawl under it and paint and clear the underside. Might as well.
The last time for the 10 spokes
Pulling the axles to powder coat the backing plates. My Fab 9 turn is getting closer.
Last edited by Brian2001SS; 09-20-2011 at 06:16 PM.
09-20-2011, 06:07 PM
#2
Last week Danny from Fikse answered all my questions, I went on for weeks, and my FM5's are ordered with titanium centers. 18x9.5 and 18x11 with a 6" narrowed rear taken in account for the offset. Tires are still in research mode, but BFG seams to be the front runner.
Looking to remove exhaust and the rest of the shocks and springs this week. Then sanding and sand blasting will start. I almost forgot how much fun it is to work on Red.
Looking to remove exhaust and the rest of the shocks and springs this week. Then sanding and sand blasting will start. I almost forgot how much fun it is to work on Red.
09-21-2011, 06:25 AM
#3
Lookin good man.. I plan to do the same thing to my car when I have it all apart, at least from the trans back. Nice undercoat of silver paint should do the trick. I will be doing it myself laying on my back with rattle cans because I'm not too worried about it plus this will get driven a lot.
I too am still researching tires.. trying to find some good local deals before buying new. I'm from eastern NC right now too
I too am still researching tires.. trying to find some good local deals before buying new. I'm from eastern NC right now too
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02-01-2012, 05:04 PM
#13
Ok guys. Quick update. Time is always a problem for me. Funny, I remember telling Eric I could wait for that rear no problem. I bet he understands why now. Anyways, sanding continues. Wheels and tires are ready. Rear is also. Just need to finish prep and spray bottom. Then the fun will start. Assembly. A few pics.
03-02-2012, 02:38 PM
#20
The advantage I had was the underside was pretty decent. But the prep work, sanding and taping off, took forever. It was no fun and took a lot of motivation to get it done. But it was worth it. Now onto the "put everything back together", which is much more fun.
