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Thanks for checking in! No major updates at the moment. And I have been enjoying the new GTA and tinkering with it. I finally found the issue I was chasing with it and I'll have it wrapped up within the next week and I'll get back to work on the Formula. I had to modify the alternator bracket a bit on to have clearance for the turbo drain. Then had to drill and tap the block for a bolt on that same bracket since the 5.3s had the alternator up top. Other than waiting on the transmission still it's about ready to go in! Would be ideal to have it ready for paint before spring.
Just saw the motor pic....I'm going to need a moment!
I originally built it to make 400 wheel horsepower so I'm thinking with a 70mm 550 to 600 would be reasonable. I keep wanting to do go fast stuff to my GTA and I was like you idiot just finish the Formula already . After Christmas I'll get accessories ordered and then we will be ready to drop it in! I'm gonna try to multi task and do a little body work but mainly get it running. Hearing it run would definitely motivate me for sure
A friend of mine was going to rebuild my 700r4 for me but it's been awhile and it hasn't been touched so looks like I'll be diving into that so stay tuned I went ahead and bought a transmission clamp to put in my engine stand to make things easier. My LS to 700r4 adapter just showed up so I'm down to needing a transmission mount and a torque converter! Almost ready to drop the engine and trans in
Its funny you post that Someone I know had a 99' Sierra with 4 quarts of antifreeze in the oil and it's their only vehicle. So he got some of that bars leaks permanent head gasket repair and it's actually working great!
@DD9TransAmGTA, I'm amazed at taking this all the way through when I saw your dad had a frame machine and experience I knew it was doable but the question in my mind is Why? LOL I have to say I see more effort to save things like this from you Yankees. I grew up north of Chicago left in '76 and left most rust in my rearview mirror and I'm not looking back! Your girlfriend is a keeper! when she starts her build thread will we be seeing you doing all the work? congrats on your build you put alot of us to shame! I will keep an eye on this till your done
@DD9TransAmGTA, I'm amazed at taking this all the way through when I saw your dad had a frame machine and experience I knew it was doable but the question in my mind is Why? LOL I have to say I see more effort to save things like this from you Yankees. I grew up north of Chicago left in '76 and left most rust in my rearview mirror and I'm not looking back! Your girlfriend is a keeper! when she starts her build thread will we be seeing you doing all the work? congrats on your build you put alot of us to shame! I will keep an eye on this till your done
Well we wont be seeing anymore of her so sorry to disappoint anyone But anyways thanks for the kind words! Why did I do it? Well at the time it was all overwhelming and I was pretty attached to it. If I knew what I know now I probably would have just let it go. Having the tools to do the job was really the deciding factor for me, a good opportunity to learn also. Should I of just parted it and found another? Yes but I dont regret taking this project on. I dont think I'd know nearly as much about these cars if I didnt take on this project. I mean I disassembled the complete front suspension on my 89' GTA the other day in less than 2 hours It probably wasnt my best idea to take it on, but as soon as I hear it start up (hopefully soon) it'll all pay off
Got a fairly big purchase coming up for this thing. I don't think a off the shelf converter is gonna do so I guess ill go all out! I'm thinking a 3400-3600 stall will do. It's a shame something so pretty will never be seen
Got a fairly big purchase coming up for this thing. I don't think a off the shelf converter is gonna do so I guess ill go all out! I'm thinking a 3400-3600 stall will do. It's a shame something so pretty will never be seen
Well I haven't talked with revmax yet but I'd say a 3000-3200 would probably be more than enough. I built the engine originally to be naturally aspirated so I picked the Texas speed torquer v2. Which that should be ok with a turbo
man I just go threw this thread. You did amazing work on that car. The pic of it after your accident sent chills down my back. I had a 1986 firebird v6. It got hit in the corner rear parked outside my house in 1988. Long story short the body guy welded a 1987 rear on it after cutting it in half. The car was crooked. So I bailed on it and bought a 1989 Formula 350 new. I still have it and its going to be painted on its 30th birthday year. I cant wait!
Well I definitely have been slacking when it comes to updating this. This project pretty much got put on hold for awhile for a good reason. Our 30x30 garage is completely full and it's not motivating having no space to work on it. I just bought 2 acres of land recently with a Barn. This has been taking up a good chunk of my time. Also my dad is putting up a new 50x64 heated shop up right next door to my property. I'm sure I'll be more motivated to work once that is up. I picked up anotherrrr toy in the meantime, a 2006 Trailblazer SS. Its cammed with normal bolt ons and lately the itch for more power wants me to get started back up on this. I'm glad the project has been on hold because I would like to change a few things to the engine, etc. I feel like I may have picked too big of a cam for the 5.3 I built. I also am not sure if I want to still go turbo with this car right now. I probably should but I'm pretty much a set of headers and torque converter away from making it run/drive. Trying to retain AC with a turbo can be challenging from what I see and I just want to make sure the car isn't going to be a constant headache. I have a 85' Corvette that is a much better recipient for a turbo LS which is the way I'm swaying, plus the C4 Corvette is a great chassis as is for drag racing. I have alot to decide!
12-10-2018, 05:16 PM
I originally built it to make 400 wheel horsepower so I'm thinking with a 70mm 550 to 600 would be reasonable. I keep wanting to do go fast stuff to my GTA and I was like you idiot just finish the Formula already 
