madigidy

The reason i call this project, Operation Major Surgery, is because i plan to swap almost everything from one car to another. Engine, trans (auto to 5 speed) Rear, all interior except carpet and roof liner.

i will be updating the thread from time to time but i think i will have this project finished by this spring. i will be adding photos of the progress also as i go check the photo album

Ok here is the deal

body
1st) 1989 5.0 tpi auto t-top (clear title) "i want this car"

this car is a lil rough, i bought this car about 18 mths ago. and it did not start, so i installed a starter, only to find out that the fuel pump was going bad the car ran rough. i could not even get a single trac burnout. then the fuel went all the way out.plus it looks like it has been tinkled with. so i went to G.M. Carslile last year and brought a:

2nd) 1987 5.7 tpi 5spd hard top (R-Title) "dont like hard top"
but thes car rides and performs very well, i drive on weekends, but could never really enjoy a hardtop.





Ok I finally decided toooo......keep my t-top and use the drivetrain and complete interior out of the hardtop.. I found a shop in Baltimore that is going to do the swap for me for $1750. That's engine, trans, harness. I will be charged an additional $500 to clean engine bay, scuff and paint satin black because I haven't decided what color I want to paint the car at this point and since I have the engine out I may as well take care of this now. I have placed a two week time deadline on this phase of the project.

The second phase will be to swap the console, dash, door panels, front clip, This will mostly be done by me to help keep cost down. And allow me a little time for savings for phase three which I will get to shortly. But I will also install a set of fourth gen leather seats and order t-top weather strip and carpet. and start to look at suspension options. I kinda like the air ride suspension but a good set of coilovers may be cool also.

The third phase will be to select color prep car incl removal of all hardware, trim, lights etc. along with all body work.. I may even shade door handles for a cleaner look, but This is a area I won't cut any corners I think I will even spring for a candy paint make final decision of suspension and install I have a set of vette wheels and tires I will install. I should be ready for the spring shows. If you have any ideas please don't hesitate to input as a third gen-er I value your opinion

Now first things first the car did not start it seemed that the guy i brought the car from tinkered with the starter wires and crossed them.
after that was fixed i found the car would turn but not start, until the battery died. so i replaced the battery and continued to diagnois the problem just to find the car had no fuel pressure.

on 12/21/11 although I had my mind made up about cutting the trunk to install the fuel pump. And I had planned on making clean square cut, use compression fittings, .090 sheet metal, rubber gasket and even use GM fasteners and bolts. But when I pulled back the carpet and found a piece of cardboard covering a piece of thin sheet metal with two loosely fitted rivets. I most say I got pissed. Now I see why some people give other people who take this shortcut a hard time. This was a classic hack job!!! I will clean up the hole and finish the access panel correctly as promised. They even broke the soldered joint on the sending unit. The same line that looks like it has a check valve on the in-tank side of the sending unit. I guess that's why the what looks to be a new fuel pump burnt out. So after $250.00 moments later I reinstalled the new sending unit and fuel pump. Now the car runs but rough. I think I'll change the fuel filter and run fuel injection cleaner. Besides the car has set for about two years.

on 12/23/2011- i dropped both cars at the shop for the surgery (pics)

On 12/29/11 the engine in the t-top car was removed (Pics)
Since i wont be re-using the exaust was just hacked it off, the wires were not much of a problem and they removed the engine and trans as one unit.

on 1/11/12 The components in the engine compartment were removed and sprayed rustolium black.(pics)

Coolwheels84

iTrader: (5)

pics are more fun

Dusk2600

KiLLJ0Y

iTrader: (1)

You expect people to read all that?

Cliffs please?

madigidy

alright alright hold ya water

my last look at her befor she goes under
http://i1156.photobucket.com/albums/...t/2F77A2B8.jpg

the donor she do look good but i cant get with the hard top. & "r" title
http://i1156.photobucket.com/albums/...t/B3BD1156.jpg

starting to remove the engine and trans....
http://i1156.photobucket.com/albums/...t/D6E559DF.jpg

just gonna verify the horses before i start the swap
http://i1156.photobucket.com/albums/...t/0F7362E8.jpg

time for some action
http://i1156.photobucket.com/albums/...t/2594EA53.jpg

i will upload more later today...

Coolwheels84

iTrader: (5)

can't see the pics. Instead of linking them to photo bucket, scroll over the pic and then scroll down to the IMG tag and copy it. Then you can just paste that into your post and your pics will show up.

madigidy

both cars togeather

madigidy

Verified horses
th_0F7362E8.jpg?t=1326839487getting ready to verify horses on the donor car

th_BAA28ADF.jpg?t=1326839487look at her lurking in the background, she know the hard top days are numbered..

th_2594EA53.jpg?t=1326839487just got both cars to the shop....

th_B3BD1156.jpg?t=1326839487after the once over to see if her blood line is worthy to transfer lol

th_1270AC67.jpg?t=1326839487Interior shot...

th_44B3C682.jpg?t=1326839487Front shot of my baby....

th_6FA46233.jpg?t=1326839487Last look at her before her transformation....
0F7362E8.jpg

madigidy

look at that cockpit. i told yall this car was rough

now look at this one.....Sweet

old roof plus it leaks

altho i cant use this headliner i just wanted to show yall the condition it was in...

Coolwheels84

iTrader: (5)

Idk. I like the hardtop better myself. That's the one that I would restore. Looks like a fun project though

madigidy

i know,,, and it was a cleaner car but a red t-top iroc was what i dreamed about so much when i was younger..

oh yea thanks for the help.. with the pix

Eagle223usa

I know what you mean..... Those dreams get exspensive, Don't ask me how I know!

madigidy

update
second week of janurary 2012
now you see it
100_2532.jpg?t=1327246423


abra cadabra


now you dont.....

cadabra abra

and painted too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

since i have not picked a color i thought i would paint it black for now
and when i upgrade the motor in a few years i will paint it to match the car color.

cdoyle

Looks like a very similar project that I just got done with.
I have an 84 v6, and I used a 92 5.7 as the donor. Took everything off of the 92 and put into my 84. It's amazing how much stuff fits.

subscribing to watch your progress

NowhereFast

So you are wrecking an 87 hardtop with a 350 in really good condition to restore a crappy 89, because you like T-tops. Sorry, I can't get on board with this one.

Just don't junk the 87's body please. Sell it to someone who'll get it back on the road.

algershick

iTrader: (1)

What's the difference if he decides to strip the 87 to rebuild his 89? In the end he gets the car that he wants, and its cheaper to use what you already have than to go out and source new parts.

I REALLY considered scavenging off of my 84 Berlinetta to restore my 86 Z28. The Berlinetta has a flawless body, solid door hinges, and a pretty good interior as well. The Z28 on the other hand, needs some front end parts that I've been collecting. Its also got some dents on the rear drivers quarter.

In the end I decided not to because I really can't bring myself to bastardize the two, not because one is in better shape than the other.

NowhereFast

In the end, another perfectly good third gen gets sent to the crusher.

algershick

iTrader: (1)

But one is probably headed there either way.

Regardless, good luck with your restoration.

madigidy

Nick " reading is fundamental" thats why i wrote that long a*^ story in the begining that i got flack for by someone else. sure the hard top is in good shape, BUT IT HAS A "R" TITLE sure it has a better interior, BUT IT HAS A "R" TITLE. strong drive train BUT IT HAS A "R" TITLE... and besides when i brought the car i did not know i didnot know i was not going to like the hardtop, but i dont.... this is the t-top is and still remained my DREAM CAR. and crappy, you are throwing pretty strong opinions for someone who does not have pix up on the sight let us judge your s%#t

maybe its because you dont have the heart, money or ***** to do what im doing. but hatin is a sickness get some meds...

and i will do you a favor i will give you the body to see what you would do to it that way we would have the same platform to work on.... its on u

Coolwheels84

iTrader: (5)

Aight, you guys gotta calm down or they're gonna lock this thread down. I personally have no problem with what you are doing. ALL of the parts that I aquired for my '84 came from parting out a perfectly good '91Z28 roller, that had very nice interior and a straight body with a clean title. It's the easiest, cheapest way to make one nice car. You can take everything you want off the donor car, sell the rest and practically get all your parts for free.

Keep posting updates, but don't get so mad when it upsets other people. Not everyone is gonna be a fan of tearing down a perfectly good car, but they are the same people that will buy parts from someone that is...so what's the difference?

NowhereFast

You can still drive it no? An R title only decreases the cars value.
You posted pics of it, you have to admit it's in pretty bad shape.
It only costs $1750. It does not require ***** to swap parts.

I live to far away, otherwise I would gladly take the shell.

I'm ending this discussion here, we don't need a pissing match to close the thread down. If you would like to continue, please, PM me.

madigidy

A nick I apologize that is your opinion, this is the first time I wanted to document a project. I do get a little testy when I feel someone is doggin my stuff.
So apologies
But when I said "R" title I brought the car in PA and R title to my understanding is the same as salvage title or has at some point has been rebuilt that is the main reason I tore it down. And I had problems selling it.

We can still be cool

madigidy

i know its been a while, because the shop has not been on its game. but i set out to document this, and i will finish. so bare with me and i am going to add some pix. but i dont have the exact dates and because i was getting upset about the time it was taking to move fowardwith the project. so i will cliff the pix. but note that the pix arent in any paticular order. but i will try.

madigidy

th_6F9841A5.jpg?t=1330608012
motor removed from the donor car. the removal was pretty streight foward.

B00E0557.jpg?t=1330608134
just a side view of the doner car after the motor and trans was pulled

madigidy

481DAAD8.jpg?t=1332711182
now at this point i removed as much interior as needed to cut the trans tunnel and make room for a smooth swap we removed the column at this point just because the donor's look better. and i got both of the nose's pulled off also. and i think i will keep the seats to have them redone and sell.

A5CF9B80.jpg?t=1330608839
now with the console removed, we are contemplating where to cut the floor for the 5speed. dam this car is looking really rough. but i see the potential.

madigidy

438BFF1C.jpg?t=1330608938
another shot of the tunnel

9CE7EBFF.jpg?t=1330608522
a shot of the motor and trans pulled. finally this thing is out and after being discusted that the project was moving slow. at this point i must admit i'm excited. one step closer.

C7134B4C.jpg?t=1330608315
shot from the back... this is the heart and soul of the project.... i really hope this is a 383. its a possibility, when i brought the car in carslise pa. the owner stated the car's motor was replaced. and had been bored and stroked. the fact someone took the time to paint its a good possibility.. and at this point i just want to move foward i dont even eant to go into the engine to see.. it ran strong. i will check later. i didnot want to prolong the install another second.

3F5F6987.jpg?t=1332712533
i did not know if this type of trans was standard. but i got pretty amped when i saw it. i have read about these and i heard there a little stronger than the average 5spd.

madigidy

0F8D2B33.jpg?t=1330609249
oh shigidy we getting there i think i looks pretty good with the black engine bay.

EDC83AEB.jpg?t=1330609082
oh this is the trans tunnel after the cut was made for the 5speed

1A65BABC.jpg?t=1330609304
another shot of the bay

7F5BC944.jpg?t=1330609405
now you can see the trans installed from the interior

madigidy

0BFA3E15.jpg?t=1330607627
now we are moving foward with removing the dash, and since we removed the dash. may as well take the relays, and if we took the relays may as well take the acbox, and since we took the ca box may as well take the wireing harness. oh by the way i am fortunate enough to have a son that love cars as much as i do. it looks like this may be a father son project afterall... he has watched me fix-up cars since he was about 5 and now i can watch him. i love this dude.

E535B752.jpg?t=1330607466
this is the stripped hard top the total dash was removed w/ harness and after all that work i read that the harness comes out a lot easier when it is left intact with the dash and ac box by just unhooking the fuseblock and thur the firewall harness. besides thoes things there are a few more things to be disconected and the entire dash with wires and all comes out. i will see when i remove the harness from the t-top. at this point i am removing it just to have just in case.

madigidy

Geez,, i have not realize it has been almost a year since any updates.
but i will get some pix up right away. but here's the deal. i got the swap done. motor, trans, engine harness, computer. but did not realize that the shop did not swap the steering column. so we had to install a vats delete resistor. then with running the neutral safety to the clutch pedal, the car turned over but did not fire-up. with a shot of carb cleaner it fired up and ran. the owner of the shop even drove it outside the shop.

but here is the problem the car wont start when it gets cold. i would have to shoot carb cleaner in it again. i heard that that the 89 had some sort of set up that allows a small amount of gas to enter the engine to allow a cold start. so thats the only issue we are having now. if anyone have any ideas please let me know....

madigidy

Geez,, i have not realize it has been almost a year since any updates.
but i will get some pix up right away. but here's the deal. i got the swap done. motor, trans, engine harness, computer. but did not realize that the shop did not swap the steering column. so we had to install a vats delete resistor. then with running the neutral safety to the clutch pedal, the car turned over but did not fire-up. with a shot of carb cleaner it fired up and ran. the owner of the shop even drove it outside the shop.

but here is the problem the car wont start when it gets cold. i would have to shoot carb cleaner in it again. i heard that that the 89 had some sort of set up that allows a small amount of gas to enter the engine to allow a cold start. so thats the only issue we are having now. if anyone have any ideas please let me know....

madigidy

this was going to the shop to get the starting issue.

madigidy

just another shot

madigidy

And just so you guys dont think i have been just twittling thumbs.. i ran across another third gen that i thought had potintial, and after a replacement of the fuel pump, filter and tune up it ran motor sounds strong.

madigidy

here is 1 more pix I am not goint to get too long winded decribing this car i will start another thread about this one

t-top havoc

iTrader: (3)

You are among the MOST patient people here!!
Thumbs up!!

madigidy

finally i got a call back from the shop where my car is and he said it is going to be ready on the day after new years.. gonna see how this plays out. if not i will be moving my car to another shop. man i wish i had stronger eletrical troubleshooting skills!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2007xl50

Nice, you have a Camaro and a TA now-same as me. Hope you get the issues with the Camaro worked out.

Coolwheels84

iTrader: (5)

Your car's coming along nicely. I hope you get the bugs worked out

madigidy

ok this is a quick update.
i got a a call from the guy i brought the car from, asking if the car had been finished. he said he was sure i would be finished. and altho he did not say i could tell that he was disappointed. he is back from afganistan. and wanted to see the car, that i gave my word i would restore. that put the fire back in this project. on yesterday i called an automotive eletrical shop. made an appointment and took my car there. this would be the third shop i took my car to. to get it running. i know you guys like pix so i did get 1 snap of it on the tow truck....

madigidy

/Users/bobbycrews/Pictures/iPhoto Library/Masters/2013/01/22/20130122-162238/IMG_1333.JPG

madigidy

madigidy

the thing is when i go to a shop i explain, with great detail of what i know about the history of the car. i inform them this may be a project because they are going behind someone else's work. so if a shop gives me a price. and i accept. and not only pay your price, but pay the tow. i dont want my car to become "The Shop Poject". i had been really paitent with the shop.. but i found out that he had no idea what was wrong and had another guy come in and work on my car.. i was not aware of that.. the relationship between the shop owner and the other guy some how became severed, and the guy is not returning his calls. so now,,, no one knows whats going on with the car.. so my only choice is to take it to an eletrical shop and let them handle it.. the eletrical shop said it will be about 2 weeks to sort out the wires, he will get it running and go thru the car to make sure all eletrical devices work thruout the car... ie. lights guages relays etc... i feel good about this guy because as i told him about the history he started to explaine exactly what you guys stated what the problem may be. in previous posts.. but anyway my fingers are crossed ..... and i started my countdown...

Richboll

Let's hope the 3rd time is the charm. What did you end up doing with the Hard top shell?

madigidy

I sold it to a guy that wanted to clone a race car he use to have.... I almost scraped it. Glad he brought it. I sold it for 200.