my new project: LS into an 81 fairmont wagon
06-15-2014, 10:26 PM
#121
some small updates, been driving the car everywhere (no point in having a street car if you cant drive the damn thing) but this past week my garage was empty so I took the opportunity to do a couple things that I should have done like 6 months ago.
number 1 was put a real tach in the car - as much as I didn't want to, it needed it. if im trying to race this thing I need to see what im shifting at and the small shift light/digital tach was cool for street driving and sleeper status but a bitch to see in the daylight while trying to race.
we'll see if it actually works haha
next Ive been looking at the ECM laying on the floor since I wired the car, every time somebody got in it was "wtf is that???" so it was time to fix that.
I also pulled the dash and the a/c box - and yes I know that's racecar **** but I saved everything (the heatercore blew up on me an has been bypassed since march anyway). probably pulled about 50lbs out of the car with all of it and the sound insulation on the firewall. also gave me a chance to fix the hacked radio install somebody did - this car originally was a radio delete and someone thought it wise to use fuse taps and speaker wire for the power to the radio but not use speaker wire for the speakers lol so I fixed all that and also fixed the cigarette lighter so I can charge my phone now (little things lol)
finally when I did the brake upgrade I used what I had - a 95 cobra master, and that worked but it would almost put you through the windshield at slow speeds. so I got a new correct master and replace the rear wheel cylinders, made some new brake lines to the line-lock and proportioning valve, and now the car stops normally
I wrapped this all up today, went and cruised around and all was good. stopped at 7-11(which is a local hangout spot for imports) and heard some funny stuff being said about the car and kept it movin. so 11 months ago I started with this:
and now its a pretty quick budget built driver
number 1 was put a real tach in the car - as much as I didn't want to, it needed it. if im trying to race this thing I need to see what im shifting at and the small shift light/digital tach was cool for street driving and sleeper status but a bitch to see in the daylight while trying to race.
we'll see if it actually works haha
next Ive been looking at the ECM laying on the floor since I wired the car, every time somebody got in it was "wtf is that???" so it was time to fix that.
I also pulled the dash and the a/c box - and yes I know that's racecar **** but I saved everything (the heatercore blew up on me an has been bypassed since march anyway). probably pulled about 50lbs out of the car with all of it and the sound insulation on the firewall. also gave me a chance to fix the hacked radio install somebody did - this car originally was a radio delete and someone thought it wise to use fuse taps and speaker wire for the power to the radio but not use speaker wire for the speakers lol so I fixed all that and also fixed the cigarette lighter so I can charge my phone now (little things lol)
finally when I did the brake upgrade I used what I had - a 95 cobra master, and that worked but it would almost put you through the windshield at slow speeds. so I got a new correct master and replace the rear wheel cylinders, made some new brake lines to the line-lock and proportioning valve, and now the car stops normally
I wrapped this all up today, went and cruised around and all was good. stopped at 7-11(which is a local hangout spot for imports) and heard some funny stuff being said about the car and kept it movin. so 11 months ago I started with this:
and now its a pretty quick budget built driver
07-27-2014, 01:13 PM
#123
took the car to the track Friday for "street legal" night basically to just mess around and not sit home. ended up going an 11.66@115 on whats probably the worst track surface ive ever raced this car on lol. I hope to hit up cecil for the streetcar shootout this coming weekend for some more 11.50 abuse as long as its not super hot out.
07-27-2014, 03:22 PM
#124
This is AWESOME... 
Budget-built, granny-looking, "ugly" 
07-27-2014, 07:55 PM
#125
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Saw this car on another website and just read the whole build and I didn't see it mentioned so I will ask, what cam are you running? Nice job with documenting your build.
07-28-2014, 03:22 PM
#128
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I saw it posted on sloppymechanics.com. Someone was at Island the night you were there and mentioned you had a build thread here on tech. Did you have to notch the pistons for valve clearance with that cam?
07-31-2014, 03:42 PM
#130
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SO you leavin out the HVAC? That would put it over the top ya know, car like that and kept the HVAC, especially the AC part Just fit that tack IN the dash somewhere and you win sleeper status
07-31-2014, 03:58 PM
#131
I had a/c in the Malibu, it was great as a daily driver. right now without all that stuff this thing is pretty light. its easy enough to put back in if I want to. the tach unfortunately is necessary. but that's the only gauge you can see lol
11-03-2014, 04:57 AM
#137
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I know this is an old thread but I have a question. What size is your exhaust, those are my exact plans for my car, im just nervous about a single 3" being enough.
11-03-2014, 09:00 AM
#138
it had 1 7/8 headers, 3inch collectors, 3inch to 2.5 tapered reducers, 2.5 Y-pipe, 3inch the rest of the way back. it seemed more than enough for a cam-only 5.3 but if you plan to add more cubes, power adders, etc down the road I think its best to build it now so you're not spending money twice. in my experience bigger isn't always better when it comes to exhaust on these engines - header primary size is more important IMO. many will probably disagree with me but ive built a bunch of cars with multiple exhaust systems lol
