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I apologize, I have to do one picture at a time.

 

Nice I'm subscribing to this thread as I am doing almost the same

 

Just found this thread when I posted earlier, but I had to rush out to meet with a guy 1.5 hours away to pick up a 2002 fuel tank as things just didn't work out for me to get the one that should have come my other parts. So I just read through this whole thread hoping to learn a lot from what you've already gone through so as to hopefully smooth out my install. I'm not going nearly as far a you went, (Or even close to as quickly lol) I'm kinda trying to do a minimal swap (as much third gen a possible) with just enough to pass BAR. I've got the harness, LS1, T56, driveshaft, and fuel tank from a 2002 T/A and I hope not to have to swap the dash. I'm following Pocket's wiring guides found on site and am doing well so far on my LS1 harness but not gonna lie a little worried about my third gen harness as his guide is for a '90 and of course that was a pretty big change year from my '89 (so close) but I think I'll be able to piece it together with all the invaluable info I've found through this site. Well I'm getting a little long winded here but you're doing a great job and I hope to see more progress soon, hopefully it'll lite the fire under my *** to get me progressing more also!

 

NCDave, can you post pictures of how you routed the line/hose that goes from the vapor canister purge valve (at the motor by fuel inlet) to wherever it ends up? I've researched to see how that hooks up but I only get pictures of the valve and where it connects there but I can't see how it hooks up and where it attaches to.

 

Pic

 

Also, for those of you who are interested. Connie & Dicks Automotive at 150 Olive Street
Claremont CA can tune your car. A friend told me he had his 700 hp LT1 tuned there and did a great job. I took them my LS1 computer yesterday so they can delete vats, $125. They will have it ready today.

 

NCdave, I've been slowly working on other parts of the car but now I'm getting into the exhaust. With the help of another board member, he sold me the catalytic converters and y pipe that I didn't have and needed.


I see the pictures and your comments on your catalytic converters and how they don't exactly just fit. What exactly did you have to do in order to get each to fit? Did you cut/message the surrounding frame? What did you cut/message it with?

 

NCdave never mind the last post, I just found out. That wasn't fun.

 

Sorry m3638 I missed that post. I hope to re do my exhaust system for more power eventually. By the way I did finally get my tags (long story) so now I can finish my GM drive cycle which was rudely interrupted by TWO separate valve spring failures! (The culperate was a bad rocker trunion) Too bad I did not figure that out until my SECOND valve spring broke! The trunion upgrade is no joke. Do it unless you want to be like me pulling cylinder heads because your valve dropped into your engine. On the bright side this led me to install a fresh set of 243/799 heads. I am looking forward to driving the car again and will start giving updates as my cal BAR quest continues.....Stay tuned.

 

Hello LS1 fans. I have been driving my car daily now and I'm starting to get annoyed with a few unfinished items. Don't get me wrong, the car is a blast to drive, but the wind noise, rattling and vents not fully working is starting to drive me crazy. So now I am taking the time to finish up some jobs that Ive been avoiding.
The rattling and some air is coming in from the doors. Ive been wanting to do the 4th gen door panels for some time but I had other pressing matters, please see my above post on broken valve springs. I know that almost everyone says not to do it, but I don't have the time to fabricate custom panels right now. I want to stay with the 4th gen theme so Ive decided to give this 4th gen door panel swap a try. Also, have you seen the prices of 3rd gen panels? 300.00 no thanks. I have several sets of 4th gen door panels so I will give this a try to see if I can make it work as a temporary solution. The best online guide is one done by Shroom. (You can find it herehttps://www.thirdgen.org/forums/body/273739-4th-gen-door-panel.html) Or search shroom door panel teaser. This guy has very high standards and is **** about every detail. Since this is a temporary solution, I feel like I can walk away if it goes sideways.So to start, I just put the panel up to the door and tried to make it work. Honestly I couldn't see how It could possibly work. The next day I went back and looked at shrooms guide and just started cutting. I used a harbor freight 4-1/2 inch angle grinder as I don have a dremmel tool. (the harbor fright dremmells suck) I used a pencil and sketched a pattern from the great photos shroom put in his guide. Unlike many projects, I was not scared to screw up because I had so many sets of 4th gen panels to use. Sketch the pattern onto your panel and cut. things went pretty fast and I made good progress on the first day. Progress slowed when It came to adjusting the lock rod and re-positioning the door handle and plastic cup behind it.

this is the main photo I used notice the angle of the top cut twards the rear of the car.




I think they look good.




problem area up front. No room for the pillers to go in.




In back the rear edge needs to be trimmed down. I used the cutting wheel to grind it doen a bit.




Another view of the rear top corner of the drivers side door.




I ground down this area. Top of the panel.

 

First cut. Dont think you are going to get it perfect the first time.




Although the door will close, I determined that the pillers will need more room to close. AARG! I still got the pillers to do!




My secound set of panels needed to be cut as well. the first set was a test set to see what I needed to do. The secound, darker set is the set I will use on the car.




Notice the cutting wheel. It can gring as well. cut all the stuff off the back of the panel so it will lay flat aginst the door.




Drilling holes. I used the three 4th gen screw holes to securly fasten the panel to the door. Other smaller screws were used around the perimiter of the panel.




Test fit constantly!

 

I had to open up the area where the 4th gen handle goes. I had to cut more after this shot.(1/2 inch up and 2 inches front to rear.




At this point I had to remove the old handle as I was test fitting the new handle cutting and drilling holes to put the new handle on.




I had to re-position and test fit the plastic cup which fits around the door lever several times.




another view of the work area




I had to test fit on the door with the plastic cup on




Notice that the handle is low in the opening. It was rubbing and I had to remove and reposition the handle again.




another shot of the door test fit.

 

I forgot to mention that I ground off the top door mounting tabs for the 3rd gen panels. These bulges are located where the black plastic 3rd gen panel top would sit. Near where the inner sweeps would be. Also I removed the 3rd gen arm rest mount which is pop riveted on as well as one more bracket near the top of the door towards the front. I will get a photo when I do the passengers side. All this so the panel will lay flat.

 

So back at the car again, i've been chomping at the bit! Please excuse my gap in this part of the build. I am excited to try this even while knowing this may not be the perfect solution to the 4th gen door panel problem. With that said take a look at what i've done lately

Bending the rods was harder than expected and too several try's to get right with the door panel plastic insert in position




Mocking up metal filler plate for strength




Tack weld and position door handle lever




Lbe the rods




Panel fitment was a chore. Off and on several times. Problem was the rods fitting properly with the plastic cup which surrounds the door lever




Panel with switches in. Looks nice and fits good




I need to work on this angle but I feel the third gen rubber will most likely fill most of this space (Top of the door panel)

 

I still need to do the shroom foam mod to this top front portion of the door panel.




Looking good with the 4th gen seats.




A close up of the trans am speakers. notice six speed shifter in foreground.

 

I was under the impression that California makes the LS1 on a third gen emissions non compliant. I could be wrong but according to some people I've spoken to the car would not pass the emissions test. If anyone knows different I would appreciate clarifying this for me since I in the near future would like to convert mine to an LS1/T56 combo

 

If the donor car can pass smog, you would be able to, too.

There are hurdles, but it's entirely possible. You're held to whatever emissions standards/equipment/placement that the donor car had. So if it came out of a 97 Camaro SS, you have to have all smog components in their stock locations, that includes the cats, which provide the biggest hurdle as it's nearly impossible to place them where they want them. Many people have these street legal, so it was something they were able to overcome. Check the various threads here and read their experiences.

 

I will most definitely look into it. an LS1 engine on my third gen is something I absolutely would love to have.

 

Any updates?

 

Dang almost 2 years without an update? Hope you didn't give up. I finally passed my referee inspection yesterday so yes it is doable without the 4th gen dash

 

I got your message man and congrats on your BAR California smog legal certification! How long did it take you in total? What changes did you have to make?
My car was at paint for almost 2 years. I got It back only partly finished. I still need to paint one or two small parts then assemble the bumper area of the car. It runs great. Starts up every time. I also have had 3 Hip replacements in three years so that has slowed me down. Currently I'm on crutches for six weeks. I am thinking that I will finish the car and sell it as I really am limited in what I can do. Its a shame because as you know these cars are fun to drive.

.

 

Any updates?