Wow lots of updates since I last checked on this...getting closer Neil! Looks absolutely amazing, I dropped mine off today for paint, Is that the hawks 5 inch spoiler? It looks like it, thats the one I went with as well. Keep the updates coming man, we are all like a bunch of hungry kids foaming at the mouth for new pics lol.

omfg!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! for starters i dread to think of how much this thing is costing but i can only say sweettttttttttttttttttttttttt.also for those guys who say this might or could be one of the best/baddest 3rd gens going,i say bull....it IS the best/baddest 3rd gen going(street wise).unless someone can show otherwise.

Neil, what kind of struts did you choose for replacements on the hatch?

Neil,car is looking absolutely beautiful!
Those pics truly enhance the (SUBTLE)mods!
I'm proud of the work that I've done to my car,but no comparison to your car!
View my photobucket album for pics.

Thanks for the compliments and proud you should be! Your car looks awesome, very clean!!! I am looking forward to a national thirdgen gathering where we can all get together and check out everyone's rides! Would like to see your GTA in person.

yeah,a national meet would be awesome,as long as its in Fl. for me anyway!

Neil...just wanted an update. I know you're busy but I waited & waited and couldn't keep myself away any longer, I have to find out if you made any progress.

Don't mean to nag, I know everyone always asks "where are you in terms of finishing the car"

BTW...your car is AWESOME!

speaking of meets, are you planning on going to the big indy event in sept? If so i hope to see you there! ive been wanting to check out this thing for a LONG time. I really want to see those fenders in person! keep up the good work and get her dun!

Well, yeah I am making progress slowly as usual. I ordered alot of parts from the stealership to include: oil pump pick-up, windage screen/tray, nuts, bolts and motor mounts as well as a Melling oil pump from Summit and a Canton oil pan. Looking at the rubber in the factory engine mounts I decided to go with a polyurethane mount. Energy Suspension did not make one for the LSx engines, so I went with the LSx kit from Prothane which included 2 motor mounts and a transmission mount. Unfortunately, the engine mounts from Prothane did not include the "clam" shells....so I get to drill out the rivets from the new/factory mounts, toss the cheap sh!t-a$$ rubber and put in the polyurethane. I'll probably POR-15 the shell before assembly because I am just too anal with this car, surprised? LOL.
I am going to have a lot of pictures for you guys by this weekend so be ready! I also got the Flaming River steering wheel which is pretty sweet and the FR intermediate shaft that goes between the steering box and the column. Also, I received the SSBC billet master cylinder with built in proportioning valve which is pretty sleek, can't wait to get that on.
Now, I don't think I have mentioned this yet but I have had a slight issue with the wheels. Specifically, where the valve stems are located. I noticed the problem when I rolled the car out last time, the left front tire was flat. So, I said no big deal, i'll just power up the compressor and put some air in it, right? WRONG!!!!!!! I tried to attach the air nozzle to the valve stem and it wouldn't fit around the rotor! Again, this wasn't the first time and I am sure it won't be the last...but I was p!ssed! So, I had to take the wheel off the car to put air in the tire, how awesome is that for a custom ride? I then decided to look at the placement of the valve stems on the rear wheels and it was virtually the same issue. Come Monday, I called I-Forged/Intro Custom Wheels and they said they would fix them. Being somewhat relieved, I sent the wheels back to Intro (Intro does the custom hot-rod wheels for I-Forged) and they are working on them now. Today I was talking with the good people at Intro and they were planning on leaving the existing non-functional valve stems in place and putting in a 3-piece funtional valve stem (so I would have 2 valve stems in each wheel, one working and one not). I said not so much, I would like these wheels done right not half-a$$. What do you guys think? Intro was given all the specs and new everything they needed to know at the time of the wheel build up, so I hope they make them right!

maybe you could use 45 or 90 degree valvestems?

http://www.prestigewheel.com/RetailValveStems.asp

i cant wait to see this car done , i just read the whole thing and then like two pages ago i see i posted here before , but what a great read and car , great pics too .

They should totally make your wheels right and not half a$$ them. It isn't like you bought the wheels on clearance. I was wondering if 45° or 90° valve stems would clear the caliper? Anyways that is something for INTRO to figure out and make right.

Anyways, Thanks for the update Neil...looking forward to the pics this weekend! Have a good one, Later.

mmm... it's been 2 weeks since the last post...

Neil - did you get your wheels fixed? I'm dying for updates man!

Dude...thanks for asking him. I didn't want to ask since I did it last time.

Just read the entire thread tonite and just wanted to say.... Beautiful.....
I love it....
Keep up the good work..

Alright, it's been a while but here is what is going on with the wheels........NOTHING! I have been calling I-forged almost everyday and they keep telling me that they are trying to figure out what to do with the rear wheels (the fronts they say are not a problem because they will just put a new hoop on, but the rear wheels require a custom 12" hoop). So, come tomorrow I think I am going to have to stop being Mr. nice guy!

As for the engine, I am having oil pan fitment issues due to the stroke (rods #1 and 2 hit the oil pan when I rotate the crank). The windage tray is also being a PITA as it hits the inner baffling of the pan. So, a few hurdles to overcome. I might have to send the pan back to Canton and have them clearance it for me, i'll call them tomorrow to see what they. Here are some pics.

A couple more parts arrived which keeps me hopeful that someday i'll have this thing running. The new SSBC billet brake master cylinder and the Flaming River Nova Deluxe steering wheel.

I did however make some progress on installation of the steering components. The intermediate shaft from Flaming River also arrived and that install was fairly easy.

Thanks again guys for the nice compliments and once I talk to I-Forged I will let you know what is going on.

dude just use the 90* valve stems...

its going to cost them so much to fix those wheels just because of a simple valve stem issue. its going to be a battle dude, good luck

where did you get that steering wheel from? ive been looking for a new one.

Is that a collapsable shaft?

I guess that is one of Flaming River's EZ Fit Shafts? Can you give the dimensions and sizes needed to order one?

Wow, all I can say is WOW! I just read through this entire thread and your build up is simply Awesome! I'm loving all the picks, updates and tutorials! Keep up the great work!

I have seen people put this much time, and money into pre-70s cars, but it is really nice to see someone put this much effort into a 3rd gen. Keep up the good work.

what type of rims are those???

Well, unfortunately the 90 degree valve stem won't work in that location (and even of it did fit, I am not willing to have a valve stem that close to the rotor...... too dangerous in my opinion, I could just see road debris getting wedged in between the rotor and that valve stem... I would be foooked!) Anyway I didn't pay the money I did to have someone tell me, "well, we made a mistake, so live with it" that's BS. They have already offered to replace the hoops on the front wheels and place the valve stem in the proper location, which is great, now we are dealing with the rear wheels since they are a custom made hoop. The wheels are custom I-Forged Aero's without the perimeter bolts.

Oh, there's been one more issue that I need to bring to your attention...FedEx LOST MY TIRES! When this wheel/valve stem issue occured, I took my wheels to Discount tire and had the tires dismounted. During that process, Disount Tires managed to hack up my wheels pretty badly leaving deep gouges and scratches on most of the wheels! So, I wasn't pleased to say the least and I asked I-forged if they would mount the tires for me after they finish the wheels and they said no problem, so I sent the tires to them. The wheels (were boxed up individually) and the tires (strapped together in pairs) were sent via FedEx Ground to I-Forged in California, but the tires never made it! Sounds like someone decide my Michellin PS2's might look nice on their car (perhaps a Viper)??? At any rate they suck for losing them and now I am going through their claims process so I can hopfully get a check and buy new tires. What a PITA!!!!! Yet, another road block.

Come on Cletus, git 'r done before she rotts!

Jim asked how you were coming along with the car, and asked if you needed anything....

I'll give you a shout after work tomorrow.....

Thanks dude! talk to you later.

wow talk about some road blocks

anyone who can afford a car that comes with 11'' wide or larger wheels should not have to steal tires!

WOW thats gotta suck Big time man. Yeah I heard alot of negative things about Discount Tire, Im glad we don't have one here. But how in the hell can you lose tires?!?!?! Thats pretty messed up, I hope who ever has them & usues them that they blow out while driving **Evil Laugh**. Other than that everything is looking good. Remember that when building a custom ride you'll be running into alot of road blocks. Just be patient & it will be all good. Good Luck with the rim issue, I would take that guys name down who told you to live with it & have him fired. But thats just me

Neil, just be sure to ride people's asses and on this issue. Either FedEx or Discount basically stole your tires, and if someone gets caught its gonna suck for them.

They know its bad for business, so keep yelling, they will listen eventually. Squeaky wheel gets the grease...

Good luck, i hope it works out for you.

I guess FedEX doesn't do to well with unboxed tires. When Discount Tire ordered my BFGs, two of them mysteriously disappeared. Discount Tire didn't mess up my wheels at all, but of course I was also standing right there next to him watching.

Yes, this is a collapsable shaft.

Did you bolt in that column?

I still have your new factory column bolts....

Thanks for the response, I thought you were ignoring me. Could you provide the part number(s) for that?

do any of you guys know just how hard it is to mount 335/30/18 tires? Do you know how hard it is to mount 245/30/17's? Unless discount tire has the latest and greatest tire mounting machine, its damn near impossible. i used to do that sh*t for a living. it sucks. Ive always had good experiences with discount tire, maybe that place didnt have the tire machine that I-Forged has.

Part number for the Flaming River intermediate steering shaft is: FLA-FR1857-16 and it is $258.95 from Summit Racing.

*** However, I am using a 2002 Camaro steering column, so make sure you measure the distance from the tip of the column shaft to the steering box. ***

Here are some additional specs:
1" Double D (DD) at the end of my steering column
AGR steering box 30 spline 3/4"
16" from tip of steering box splines to tip of DD steering column shaft.

Im loving the car Neil, keep it up i always look forward to updates!

The guy who mounted mine said they were a real PITA, he couldn't get the weight in the rim on the balancer either cause it was so wide.

The steering wheel is from Flaming River as well, bought it from Summit Racing and the price on that thing just went up big time! I paid 190ish for it and now it's over $400! Sick!

You should also sand the rust off of the steering box and clear coat it....

Sure it sucks, but obviously the guy didn't give a ****. If you KNOW you're working with wheels that cost more money than you make in a month, you take your time.

have you ever mounted a tire? its not really about how time. you can go as slow as possible and still have the pry bar scratch the wheel

not that im defending the guy or anything...just trying to show how hard it can be

Yes I have, I work for a Chevrolet dealer and I've demounted/mounted many tires from run-flat Corvette tires to big huge mud boggers.

looks like rust but it's not. Just a little dirt.

i used to work at a chevy dealer. get out while you can!

that's funny

I assume the same goes for the windage tray(correct?)
Gotta be,I just know you wouldn't be sticking something rusty inside that powerplant!
Kinda funny sometimes how things aren't as they appear in pics!
Looking good Neil,sorry to hear about the set backs,but a build like yours takes quite a bit of trial and error.
You will have something to TRULY! be proud of when finished.
And I also wanted to say I'm SO glad you didn't do the angled valve stems on the rear,thats just asking for trouble. IMO!

Well, you got me on the windage tray! That is surface rust! Yeah, somewhat annying when you pay out the ars from GM and that is what they pull out from behind the counter...lovely! Hell, I am still not sure how I will remedy the oil pan fitment issue. I might try the factory F-body LS1 oil pan and see how that fits. The plus with that is I won't have to worry about relocating the oil filter since the factory pan has a provision for it.

Ok, got my claim check from the FedEx A-holes and put that in the bank. Bought another set of tires from Discount Tire and will try and have them shipped to Intro Custom wheels again! They should have went out today and guess who Discount has an account with?????anyone...Bueler.....Bueler???? Hey, if someone steels them again, they'll just have to send me another check!

As for the wheels I think they are finished, they are just waiting for the tires to arrive. That's it for now, tomorrow will go to GM steelership and see about getting the LS1 F-body oil pan.

sucks about your tire loss hopefully they will not do it again. been awhile since ive looked at your progress and i cant wait to see it done kinda reminds me of my 86 project except mines just been sitting and i just have the plans in my head lol

Heres a link to a site that sells discounted fbody oil pans brand new just in case you didn't get one at the stealership...

http://www.crateenginedepot.com/stor...P1037C121.aspx