68Strat

iTrader: (3)

Really excited for the TKO-600 to go in the car. I probably would have been ok with the 500, but am not cutting corners this time around. Still a 5 speed, but almost 30 pounds lighter installed than a comparable T56.

68Strat

iTrader: (3)

Was taking pictures of some new TKOs today that were being shipped out, and thought I'd upload a pic.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/53106660@N03/8289328653/
Mike is a crazy thinker, and was drawing up plans for a third gen IRS kit he wants to make, and test fit on my car sometime in the future. Here is a pic of his third gen race car back in the day.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/53106660@N03/8290390030/
He also has 100s of custom parts just sitting on shelves... This is a piece he isn't very proud of, but I thought it was neat. He makes these adjustable in a few sizes, but they reduce clutch pedal effort accordingly.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/53106660@N03/8289342053/

68Strat

iTrader: (3)

Attached to this old l69 is the original conversion Mike developed for the Tremec trannys. I am going to be using this on my car and am cleaning it up today.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/53106660@N03/8386234631/
I have my block torn down and ready to build, and have and the 12 bolt is sitting here all wrapped up. Goal is to have this car running and driving by early April. Not much of an update, but getting very excited.

tylercamaro

iTrader: (1)

your engine is floating unpside down!

68Strat

iTrader: (3)

Haha awful pic... Mike gave me a pretty cool book today. Bunch of early third gen prototype pictures.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/53106660@N03/8392665054/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/53106660@N03/8391576695/

mw66nova

iTrader: (13)

very cool. some of those early renditions had some wild looking mirrors

68Strat

iTrader: (3)

I have to scan some of these... Book came out in 82... There are some funny pictures in there. Funniest is probably the little mk.1 rabbit with suspension pieces to handle like a FWD f-body would have. Also a buick skylark converted to rwd to act as a driving prototype.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/53106660@N03/8392748134/

68Strat

iTrader: (3)

Well what a surprise! Mike told me to check the loading dock, and there was sitting a Strange 12 bolt 3.73 setup rear end fully assembled... I thought I was going to be working with a bear setup that has been in the shop, but he wanted to surprise me with this. Very excited! Just saw this about 10 minutes ago.

tylercamaro

iTrader: (1)

that book sorta takes some people unique ideas on here and turns them into blah.........and he bought you that axle! lucky you!

68Strat

iTrader: (3)

Payment for revamping his website... (not live yet) I'll have some pictures of the TKO soon. This car is going to be a mean show piece when it's done.

Confuzed1

iTrader: (4)

I thought the difference would have been more than that between a TKO-600 and a T56! Both that and that 12 bolt are SWEET! Betcha can't wait to get those installed!

Looking at that 12 bolt, I can already see I like the torque arm mount setup on it a lot better than my Moser 9".

I may just opt for the TKO in the future, but my G-Force 5 speed has actually been holding up very well! And with the .56 ratio 5th, it's not bad at all on the highway with the 3.70 rear gear. But if I ever lose it, I'll go TKO next time.

BADNBLK

iTrader: (11)

Jealous!!! Wanting a 12bolt or a 9" really bad! Love your car man...seriously!

68Strat

iTrader: (3)

Thanks guys... I'm really happy with the way this setup is designed. I have to prime and paint the rear end next week. Soon I'll have some pics of me stripping the current setup.

LivinLarge

12 bolt looks awesome dude!

68Strat

iTrader: (3)

Miss driving her. Can't wait for this season!

KITT1983

iTrader: (3)

what happened to the gto?

Chezoom

iTrader: (2)

Loving the car!

68Strat

iTrader: (3)

Thanks!

Today I got my steering shaft from MC87SS, a member of this board. I wanted to recommend him for a great product, and answering all my questions. He shipped it on Tuesday and I have it in my hand today. Looks great, and should compliment the handling with installation of my z28 steering box I have on order. GOODBYE SLOPPY RAG JOINT.




Parts are trickling in and more choices are going to made soon. I finally am in the position to do this car the way I've always wanted to, without cutting corners. Although I have that roller cam 350 block stripped down, I have been talking with Mike Forte, and our engine machinist, and it looks like I'll be searching for a 400 SBC to build with... My original goal was ~400hp on the engine dyno from the 350, but with some goodies on the 400 we are going for 420+ rwhp with streetable manners. Mike thinks this won't be to hard, so that is what is on my mind right now. I hate posting without progress, but I am close to the tipping point where a lot will be done in a short period of time. Expect to see my engine build first, than my TKO, 12 Bolt, and suspension parts install to follow.

68Strat

iTrader: (3)

Some old pics to archive of the initial overhaul in 2011

http://www.flickr.com/photos/53106660@N03/8426054270/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/53106660@N03/8424962565/

mw66nova

iTrader: (13)

more info on that steering shaft!

tylercamaro

iTrader: (1)

probably a jeep or astro van shaft, grind the where it attaches to the column to allow the bolt to go through and it swaps right in. i have one on my truck with 300k on it and no steering play

68Strat

iTrader: (3)

Here ya go... This is the thread for the shaft. Great seller...

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/engi...t-upgrade.html

68Strat

iTrader: (3)

Quick photoshop removing the 3 slits in the bumper... Don't think it will change cooling much. I think it looks much better. Opinions?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/53106660@N03/8426815041/

mw66nova

iTrader: (13)

shaved slits look ghey...sorry man

BADNBLK

iTrader: (11)

I shaved mine on my 85 SC, and didn't change a thing as far as cooling. I think it really smoothed out the nose, and I loved it. I really need to go digging and scanning all my old pics. I like it, and don't care how Ghey they look... HEEEEEY!!!!

68Strat

iTrader: (3)

I make my gf do that, so why not my car? hahaha

Anyways I am going to start on the Camaro as soon as I'm done with the Chevelle... just dropped in the 454 today, and am cutting the floor tomorrow for the T56 Magnum that is going in it... Probably going to be 2-3 weeks before it rolls out of the shop for paint.



Yeah I look ridiculous.

KITT1983

iTrader: (3)

only the hoff can make that pose

68Strat

iTrader: (3)

Been working on the car, hopefully have some new pictures soon. I've gathered 1LE brakes for the front and rear of the car... Rear end is going to be painted red to match my SFCs. Have the steering shaft, and Z28 steering box on the way. It is going to be a very good summer.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/53106660@N03/8451322678/

BADNBLK

iTrader: (11)

And you were nominated for COTM! Your welcome! Get on there and nominate another SC brother

68Strat

iTrader: (3)

Wow very kind of you! I wish I was a bit farther with the build going on now, but thank you! I had to nominate my brother on here evilemokid94... His car has come a long way since his thread began.

skinny z

That's the same unit I'm considering should I move up from the Dana 44. Which brake package are the brackets for? (Don't forget the aluminum girdle cover!)

kmcn47

i would imagine a c5 brake setup

InfernalVortex

iTrader: (4)

He already said he was using 1LE brakes front a rear. Kind of a neat new old school vibe on this car... 5 speed, 400 sbc, 1LE brakes... etc....

Are the backing plates compatible with thirdgen 1LE rear calipers?

skinny z

Sort of my question too. The Strange website mentions that OEM brake packages may have to be modified or replaced. Does this include the 1LE option I wonder?
There's also an option for caliper mounts that are compatible with the 4th gen discs.
Like I said, I'm interested in this rear end for my own vehicle. I upgraded from the Delco calipers to the PBR units (on the Dana 44) and would to carry over the same to the new unit.

68Strat

iTrader: (3)

I haven't done my research on the rear brake brackets, but I'll post up as soon as I know. 1LE package is going to be used front and rear, regardless of what brackets are on it right now.

68Strat

iTrader: (3)

I would have loved to go bigger, but these parts will work well with my setup, and they ARE on hand. The car is staying carbed for now but we will see what happens in the future. From what I have been told, the 1LE brakes should be more than sufficient to stop this car pretty well. The SSBC brakes I put up front a couple years ago, are okay, but they are still tiny, and not much improvement over stock... They don't rust and lock up after sitting like stock brakes, but that is about the only advantage I have seen.

68Strat

iTrader: (3)

Wishing it was spring/summer! But the wait will be worth it...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/53106660@N03/8465967950/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/53106660@N03/8465967630/

skinny z

Keep us posted regarding how the caliper mounts work out. Like I said, I'm interested in the same rear axle.

68Strat

iTrader: (3)

I was told stock brackets should work with the 1LE brakes without modification. It is a 3rd gen specific setup so most factory rear disk setups are bolt on.

68Strat

iTrader: (3)

Excited for my Z steering box and the steering shaft to go in... The stock rag joint on the Sport Coupes was only 4 ply vs the Zs 7 Ply I think... Also the ratio on the Sport Coupes doesn't lend itself to good feel when corner carving...

68Strat

iTrader: (3)

Stuff is happening... My plans were seen by nova on Facebook who was probably shaking his head while reading it. I am going to be building up the 355 that is currently in the car, for now, while concentrating funds on making the rest of the drive line, able to handle a 500+ HP small block at some time in the future. In order to keep the car driving, I am installing an L69 in the car as it sits, and will also be installing the front 1LE brakes when I do the swap most likely next week.

Mike Forte is lending me the l69, and he will get it back when I finish the 355 (which will probably end up as a 360 with a set of nice heads, a TBD cam, and some decent internals) The l69 is from an 86 Firebird, with very few miles on it, but I am going to re-gasket everything, and give it a quick coat of paint. Going to throw on my old Edelbrock Performer intake, and a Holley 500 I have in the basement. The rest of my 355 setup should bolt up with no problem(Serpentine system w/ accessories, Fuel pump... etc)
Should also bolt right up to my current (crap) headers...

I am in NO way looking for any kind of performance out of the l69, but am curious... Minus the emissions equipment, and running with the Edelbrock manifold/Holley carb setup, with headers, what would I see in terms of gains over the stock setup? Just to curb my curiosity. Just being used to keep the car moving around the yard, and a couple drives if the weather gets nicer.

mw66nova

iTrader: (13)

it'd probably run 14.0-14.5 depending on traction and air quality

LivinLarge

As I've said a million times I love your car dude! I have one weird question. Is you air cleaner 2 or 3 inches tall? And where did you pick up the valve covers?

karl's-92'-z28

iTrader: (5)

Thats 2 questions......lol

LivinLarge

I know that lol. The first question wa the odd/weird one.

mnug13

Do you have any pictures of your bumper filled? I was thinking about doing the same thing on my Sport Coupe.

1o80b

Superb car !!!!

68Strat

iTrader: (3)

Thanks! I should have some pics of the bumper fill soon on my end... I have the materials... Fiberglass over pink foam and fiberglass body filler to smooth it out.

Worked the Tremec booth on Sunday at the World of Wheels show here in Boston. Had a great time talking to people.

Me on the left, Mike Forte on the right

I am running a 2" air cleaner right now, and were you referring to the Mickey Thompson valve covers in an old pic, or the Edelbrock covers I am running now? The Mickey Thompson valve covers came with the car, and the Edelbrock covers were redone and powdercoated by my friend Brian. He pulled them from a yard.

68Strat

iTrader: (3)

Working on putting in my WS6 steering box today, and painted the buckets black while I was at it... Used semi gloss, but probably should have gone flat, with a clear. I'll see how I like it over time.

68Strat

iTrader: (3)

DONE