@001 TA - Basic DD build
#1
Launching!
Thread Starter
@001 TA - Basic DD build
My ole Impala decided to pop the radiator and get hot. With 260K miles I decided i will fix her and sell her and get something more reliable. Go out to look at the new sonic and spark from chevy to get some good fuel mileage and have a brand new car when low and behold this lil beauty is sitting in the corner of my buddy's car lot.
It is Sunday and IN does not sell cars on Sunday so I text him and he says, I will give you a stupid deal on that. Call me in the morning. I take off work and call him up. We meet and drive the car. Find it has 71K miles on it. Top is like new. No mods other than an SLP Airbox lid. Leather is good, LS1 runs great, for an automatic it shifts really solid, everything works and is there except for minor ding on passenger fender and the loops for the seatbelts are not on the seats. So he shoots me a price and I have to own it. Find out it is 1 of 11 convertibles in 01 that color and was last year for the Blue-Green Chameleon paint. I had a couple LT1 cars and 3rd gens and V6 before, but it is my first LS experience and I am quite pleased.
I drive 135 miles a day to and from work. I am hoping to switch jobs in a year or two and not do that, but for now I am packing on miles and hoping to enjoy it more with this car. I am not looking for speed or power yet...one day down the road with a M6 swap I think So for now the suspension stays stock and no crazy wide tires are needed.
So far is has gotten me 25 mpg as a commuter and is about to get some minor mods, but a few more pics of it.
Mods happening are a strut tower brace cause I do it in all these I have owned(even though I know it is not needed or really even does anything). Sub-frame connectors as well. Thinking UMI bolt-in vert kit and then weld later. Got a deal on a Hooker Aerochamber muffler for it and have some 3.5 inch Stainless tips laying around to put on it. Some black chrome C6 style wheels in 18x8.5 should be at my house today. Got some new rubber on its way as well and should be here in a day or two. Stuck some floormats in it since I think the original factory plastic is still on the carpet and I plan to drive it rain or shine. Possibly tint the windows, find something for the front plate holder(hate that it is missing the cover but 130 bucks is alot for a piece of plastic), possibly badging overlays(not sure with this color but my previous TA looked sharp w em) and HID light conversion are in mind as well.
cheap strut brace is on
And these are the wheels coming in today
Tires in-bound. Just some GT Radial all-seasons in 245 since for some reason they had 3 different branded 225 tires on the stock wheels.
It is nothing compared to many of the rides I am seeing around here, but I like to keep a build thread to document how things move along and see how changes develop over the years. Thanks for a good site and I will keep reading so I cn have one of the really BUILT cars in the future.
It is Sunday and IN does not sell cars on Sunday so I text him and he says, I will give you a stupid deal on that. Call me in the morning. I take off work and call him up. We meet and drive the car. Find it has 71K miles on it. Top is like new. No mods other than an SLP Airbox lid. Leather is good, LS1 runs great, for an automatic it shifts really solid, everything works and is there except for minor ding on passenger fender and the loops for the seatbelts are not on the seats. So he shoots me a price and I have to own it. Find out it is 1 of 11 convertibles in 01 that color and was last year for the Blue-Green Chameleon paint. I had a couple LT1 cars and 3rd gens and V6 before, but it is my first LS experience and I am quite pleased.
I drive 135 miles a day to and from work. I am hoping to switch jobs in a year or two and not do that, but for now I am packing on miles and hoping to enjoy it more with this car. I am not looking for speed or power yet...one day down the road with a M6 swap I think So for now the suspension stays stock and no crazy wide tires are needed.
So far is has gotten me 25 mpg as a commuter and is about to get some minor mods, but a few more pics of it.
Mods happening are a strut tower brace cause I do it in all these I have owned(even though I know it is not needed or really even does anything). Sub-frame connectors as well. Thinking UMI bolt-in vert kit and then weld later. Got a deal on a Hooker Aerochamber muffler for it and have some 3.5 inch Stainless tips laying around to put on it. Some black chrome C6 style wheels in 18x8.5 should be at my house today. Got some new rubber on its way as well and should be here in a day or two. Stuck some floormats in it since I think the original factory plastic is still on the carpet and I plan to drive it rain or shine. Possibly tint the windows, find something for the front plate holder(hate that it is missing the cover but 130 bucks is alot for a piece of plastic), possibly badging overlays(not sure with this color but my previous TA looked sharp w em) and HID light conversion are in mind as well.
cheap strut brace is on
And these are the wheels coming in today
Tires in-bound. Just some GT Radial all-seasons in 245 since for some reason they had 3 different branded 225 tires on the stock wheels.
It is nothing compared to many of the rides I am seeing around here, but I like to keep a build thread to document how things move along and see how changes develop over the years. Thanks for a good site and I will keep reading so I cn have one of the really BUILT cars in the future.
#2
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (1)
very jealous! I was looking for a blue green chameleon TA or Formula for a while but realized how rare they are. Looked at one in Minooka IL with 23k miles that was pretty rough around the edges and they wanted stupid money for it and wouldnt budge so I passed on it. There were only 3 TAs in a nation wide search that were currently for sale in that color, one was yours (which I saw on carsforsale.com, and the other two were here in IL) So I ended up buying a black 02 formula a few months ago and low and behold now there's a blue green chameleon Formula that I see around my neighborhood now, go figure.
#3
Launching!
Thread Starter
Thanks. This one is clean and I got lucky as the owner of the dealership it was at, just so happens to be the best man from my wedding and the godfather to my littlest daughter. He gave me a great deal once he knew I was in the market for another f-body. It was pretty nicely priced to begin with I thought. Surprised it was not gone before I got to it.
I got the wheels n tires mounted up yesterday and had to put them on in the dark last night, but got a few pics this morning. Much nicer overall in driving.
Wheels are 18x8.5 and are wrapped in 245-45-18. Taller for the highway travel and a bit more filling to the wheel wells.
I got the wheels n tires mounted up yesterday and had to put them on in the dark last night, but got a few pics this morning. Much nicer overall in driving.
Wheels are 18x8.5 and are wrapped in 245-45-18. Taller for the highway travel and a bit more filling to the wheel wells.
#4
TECH Addict
iTrader: (17)
Buys cheap car, IMMEDIATELY starts spending money on it to make it better/faster, LOL. It's a sickness. I just spent more on a tranny than my entire pickup is worth.
Good luck. Think about a decent set of shocks and you will have a nice riding car. Perfect for one person commuting.
Good luck. Think about a decent set of shocks and you will have a nice riding car. Perfect for one person commuting.
#5
Launching!
Thread Starter
Pretty standard for me. Even the wifes old Grand Caravan had 5 star Sport Edition wheels on it when I sold it last week. I dont tend to leave stock wheels on anything.
It is a a bit of a sickness... I bought a trailblazer a few years back and swore it would stay stock and now it has prototyped more parts and been beaten off more trails than most things. Locker, gears, skids, lights, tuned, 35s n such. It is a good toy that surprises jeep guys and still got 16 mpg last week hauling the family across the state to the lake a couple weeks ago.
I am trying to keep this one nice and clean and with mods that add to the daily driver aspect not racecar type stuff. As much as i want to go for power...that can wait. I am not even pretending it will be "stock" for long, but more along the modding with purpose plan.
It is a a bit of a sickness... I bought a trailblazer a few years back and swore it would stay stock and now it has prototyped more parts and been beaten off more trails than most things. Locker, gears, skids, lights, tuned, 35s n such. It is a good toy that surprises jeep guys and still got 16 mpg last week hauling the family across the state to the lake a couple weeks ago.
I am trying to keep this one nice and clean and with mods that add to the daily driver aspect not racecar type stuff. As much as i want to go for power...that can wait. I am not even pretending it will be "stock" for long, but more along the modding with purpose plan.
#6
TECH Fanatic
Good deal! You might want to paint the stb a different color and I would deffinately get subframe connectors.
Trending Topics
#8
Launching!
Thread Starter
It was cheapest one and will likely be black in the future, but I did not want red sticking out like a sore thumb under there and that was other option at price.
I am hoping to hear back on some SFC I asked about in the classified before buying new elsewhere.
I am hoping to hear back on some SFC I asked about in the classified before buying new elsewhere.
#9
TECH Regular
iTrader: (1)
After 15 years, you might want to take a good look at the rubber parts under the hood. On my '09 Formula, I just replaced both serpentine belts, and both radiator hoses. I also flushed the power steering fluid and replaced it with some quality synthetic fluid. Next up is a brake fluid flush with some DOT4 fluid. All these things are relatively cheap and I don't want any problems with simple stuff when I'm far away from home.
BTW, in 1999 I tried to buy a blue-green Firehawk, but SLP told me they stopped making them because the hood was so difficult to paint match.
Enjoy the new ride,
John
BTW, in 1999 I tried to buy a blue-green Firehawk, but SLP told me they stopped making them because the hood was so difficult to paint match.
Enjoy the new ride,
John
#10
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (1)
After 15 years, you might want to take a good look at the rubber parts under the hood. On my '09 Formula, I just replaced both serpentine belts, and both radiator hoses. I also flushed the power steering fluid and replaced it with some quality synthetic fluid. Next up is a brake fluid flush with some DOT4 fluid. All these things are relatively cheap and I don't want any problems with simple stuff when I'm far away from home.
BTW, in 1999 I tried to buy a blue-green Firehawk, but SLP told me they stopped making them because the hood was so difficult to paint match.
Enjoy the new ride,
John
BTW, in 1999 I tried to buy a blue-green Firehawk, but SLP told me they stopped making them because the hood was so difficult to paint match.
Enjoy the new ride,
John
#11
Launching!
Thread Starter
Will be doing fluids and rubber parts soon.
I found out how expensive this paint is when I just a quote to do a hood. DAMN. GM does not have the paint so it is custom made and the hood needs to also have the fenders blended n such. Maybe down the line, but for now I doubt that expense happens.
Found out the 3 point SFC are far too expensive w shipping so the 2 point will be ordered in the morning.
I found out how expensive this paint is when I just a quote to do a hood. DAMN. GM does not have the paint so it is custom made and the hood needs to also have the fenders blended n such. Maybe down the line, but for now I doubt that expense happens.
Found out the 3 point SFC are far too expensive w shipping so the 2 point will be ordered in the morning.
#14
TECH Addict
iTrader: (17)
Will be doing fluids and rubber parts soon.
I found out how expensive this paint is when I just a quote to do a hood. DAMN. GM does not have the paint so it is custom made and the hood needs to also have the fenders blended n such. Maybe down the line, but for now I doubt that expense happens.
Found out the 3 point SFC are far too expensive w shipping so the 2 point will be ordered in the morning.
I found out how expensive this paint is when I just a quote to do a hood. DAMN. GM does not have the paint so it is custom made and the hood needs to also have the fenders blended n such. Maybe down the line, but for now I doubt that expense happens.
Found out the 3 point SFC are far too expensive w shipping so the 2 point will be ordered in the morning.
#17
Staging Lane
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Surrey, British Columbia, Canada
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Your new daily driver is a very nice car indeed!
__________
1999 Trans Am Firehawk #C08
#18
Launching!
Thread Starter
Thanks.
I got quoted by GM dealer to paint a fiberglass hood and fit it plus blending fenders for $475. Seems like a good deal if I can find some cash for a hood and paint sometime.
I got quoted by GM dealer to paint a fiberglass hood and fit it plus blending fenders for $475. Seems like a good deal if I can find some cash for a hood and paint sometime.
#19
Launching!
Thread Starter
Got the UMI connects in, but need to tighten rear LCA bolt on the pass side for sure. Got the clunk. Nice product and good fit for sure though.
Trying some ebay seats and low pro brackets, but the passenger sits high still and they did not slide back any further like I hoped. Also was misled by a youtube video and have the sliders installed upside down so the lever does not slide with seat. I do like sitting in them and they offer some better shoulder support hip feels nice to hold you. They may stay or may go, but the cost to run em for awhile is low enough I am satisfied.
Few pics of it half clean...
Trying some ebay seats and low pro brackets, but the passenger sits high still and they did not slide back any further like I hoped. Also was misled by a youtube video and have the sliders installed upside down so the lever does not slide with seat. I do like sitting in them and they offer some better shoulder support hip feels nice to hold you. They may stay or may go, but the cost to run em for awhile is low enough I am satisfied.
Few pics of it half clean...
#20
Launching!
Thread Starter
Got the UMI connects in, but need to tighten rear LCA bolt on the pass side for sure. Got the clunk. Nice product and good fit for sure though.
Trying some ebay seats and low pro brackets, but the passenger sits high still and they did not slide back any further like I hoped. Also was misled by a youtube video and have the sliders installed upside down so the lever does not slide with seat. I do like sitting in them and they offer some better shoulder support hip feels nice to hold you. They may stay or may go, but the cost to run em for awhile is low enough I am satisfied.
Few pics of it half clean...
Trying some ebay seats and low pro brackets, but the passenger sits high still and they did not slide back any further like I hoped. Also was misled by a youtube video and have the sliders installed upside down so the lever does not slide with seat. I do like sitting in them and they offer some better shoulder support hip feels nice to hold you. They may stay or may go, but the cost to run em for awhile is low enough I am satisfied.
Few pics of it half clean...