A couple of people have expressed an interest in having a "modding party" before we have the "2005 FALL BRAWL".

Seems like almost everybody has some little (or big) projects they would like to get done to their car, before we go to the strip, but need some help in one way or another.

If U are interested in attending one or hosting one, Please post here in this thread!

 

Yep, I thought it would be a good idea. I MIGHT even be able to supply a location (parking lot) where it could happen, in Stafford, behind a body shop. There may even be a drive on lift available if we are lucky.

I know that I need to get some brake work done, and having someone around to pump the brakes makes bleeding them a LOT easier.

Any one else interested?
If so, what kind of work are you interested in doing?

 

I'll be there, even if it's just to look through all the stuff U got to see if there's anything I can't live without.

I do plan on replacing the Y pipe and delete the cat, but that may be easier just to take a muffler shop.

By any chance, U got a welder and or torch, that would work for exhaust pipe tubing?

 

My friend Andy, who ownes the body shop, has all sorts of bending and welding equipment. He does custom exhaust work all the time. If I tell him in advance, he might be willing to come in on a Saturday.

I'm sure he would let me use his bender, but he is pretty particular about his welding equipement.

I have another friend with a small 110V welder that would probably do. So one way or anopther I expect we can make it happen.

Also I ordered a 93-97 f-body rear disk conversion kit today, so I'll be putting that on my '82.


BTW other usefull equipment that we can probably use includes a press, tire machine and ballancer, and sheet metal break. (Andy used to own a fabrication shop)

 

So it looks like it is just me and Zap.

That's OK.
We'll get his exhaust work done and maybe he can help with bleeding my brakes. I'm probably going to be replacing my master cylinder and proportionaing valve at the same time. I may even install new front calipers (rebuilds are SO cheap). It's been too long since I went to an auto-x and the only thing stopping me (or rather NOT) has been my brakes.

I can't wait until I have this work finished. I hate having to follow people on the freeway at (for other cars) a reasonable distance. I miss out braking bikes. Hopefully this round of repairs will put things back in order.

In any case It will be a good chance for anyone who is interested to draw on my 23 years of experience working on 3rd gen Camaros as well as the experience of the others who may show up.

Hey Barry, did you ever get you SFC's installed? This might be a good time to do it!

 

There's an article on the board here somewhere with detail step by step, for replacing the proportioning valve with the Wilwood adjustable unit. Check the archived tech articles, it may be there.

 

Have skills will travel


I can Mig, tig,tig exotics, stick, flux core, braise.
have skills will travel if any one needs a good welder hit me up..

Rob

 

Well then, come on by and bring your tools!
Unfortunately all I can provide is 110V (no 220), but I do have lots of compressed air to play with!


I talked to Andy (ownes the body shop) today and he said that as long as there was a decent amount of work for him he would show up on a Saturday.

He also mentioned that Icon Motor Sports (owned by a guy who used to work for MTI and is now one of Andy's tenents) is next store an he might be interested in doing some work. I'll try and talk to him soon and see if he wants to offer any kind of special deals...

 

Have any equiptment?

 

Can U elaborate more on both guys? What kind of work are we talking about fo Andy?

What kind of services can the other guy provide?

 

For Andy, primarily welding, fabrication and exhaust work. Probably 1 or 2 jobs would be enough to get him to come in. IE installig a y-pipe and welding up some SFC's.

The guy that ownes ICON mostly works on 4th gen f-bodies:
Engine builds
can swaps
exhaust
reprogramming
I don't really know this guy, but his shop is in the next building.

BTW if anyone is looking to get some heads ported, the guy that does all the porting for West Side Machine has a machine shop next door to mine and I can vouch for his work. I believe him to be one of the best head porters in town.

One of the reasons I like it there is because there is so much talent nearby, it can be usefull.

 

Pabone is the name of the guy who runs icon. used to have the fastest stock bottom end ls1 car.

 

I need to get an exaust hanger fabbed up. When the muffler shop installed my Catco dual cat setup they said I really didnt need the hanger in the middle, just behing the cats. Well it hangs down about 1" lower than it should, plus at certain times, when deaccelerating it vibrates and makes an unpleasant sound. Its not a big job, but if we add it to Zaps exhaust work and ?? maybe it would be worth the guy coming down. I also need some Spohn subframe connectors welded in. Could he do that too?

 

Andy can do all of that. He is an expert welder and has a lot of fabrication and racing experience.

BTW, a couple of people from houston-f-body.org may show up to help.

Another friend of mine might be there trying to finish up a TPI conversion on his '81 'Vette. If anyone has done a TPI conversion before and would like to help sort this out he will welcome the help.

 

count me in for the exhaust support and welding the SFCs. Has a date been set yet?

 

I know Barry still needs his SFC's welded in, if we can ever get him off his butt and fix the tranny. It's been siting there for a month, and he hasn't touched it. Stuck in second gear--not sure if it's the shifter or the tranny.

I think my SFC's could use some additional "touch-up" welding.

I am ordering a replacement Y pipe today, for the one on my car that is crushed. I am probably going to delete the CAT--replace it with a 3" cutout (unless somebody can tell me a good reason not to!)--will probably need a 3" extension pipe to make it all fit right and some welding to seal it all up.

I already have the Hooker Super Comp shorties (need painted) and a good Flowmaster cat back complete system.

 

I had a badly crushed primary on one of my headers recently and Andy managed to pull out the dent. He drilled a hole, heated the pipe with a torch and pulled it out with a steel hook. It isn't pretty, be it did restore 90%+ of the flow, and it was a LOT easier/chaeper than replacing hte headers.

Depending on whether or not you have already got the y-pipe, and how badly it is crushed, you might consider something similar.

Also...

SCORE!!! My new (to me) 4th gen (LT1) rear disk conversion just arrived! I can't wait to get started!

 

Y pipe is already on the way. Got it directly from Hooker since that particular part is not normally sold seperately. It's the Y pipe that is supplied with the 2055 HKR Hooker super comp shorties. 60.00 including shipping.

I just remembered I do have to also mount the ox sensor bung (always thought that was/is a strange name for a car part--sounds like something U would step in, out in a cow pasture) to the new one also, a fw inches pst the header/ypipe connection by the oil filter. I don't guess that would be too much of a hassle? Would it?

If U get a chance , ask him how much (ball park) to cut off the old cat and weld in the 3" cutout, a short extension to make everything fit right , and an ox senser bung! All parts are a slip fit--no flanges or brackets (except where the Y and the header bolt together.

Actually I have a muffler guy that owes me a favor ( actually some money) so I can probably get the labor for free, but sometimes it's a hassle to hook up with him. I usually don't have tme to do something like that during the week and he is always real busy on Sat.

 

I asked Andy's assistent, Jack (Andy is out of town). He said to do all the work for you would be $150 -> $200. Maybe less but he wouldn't commit without seeing it first.

 

WOW!

Lot more than I expected!

 

Yep, it sounded a little steep to me as well. It might be less when the time arrived, but he didn't want to quote a low price now and **** you off by being higher when he got to looking at it.

On the other hand, if we can line up a welder we can probably do it ourselves. I have some welding experience and exhaust pipe is easy.

 

OWEN @ ADVANCED RACING DYNAMICS SAID WE COULD DO A DAY AT HIS PLACE IF ANYONE IS INTERESTED IN THAT. HE IS LOCATED ON HIGHWAY 6 BY ADDICKS SATSUMA. WE WOULD JUST HAVE TO GET OUR DUCKS IN A ROW AHEAD OF TIME AND GIVE A DATE.

 

I cant at the moment haul off the welding equipment from my job, our equipment isnt portable.. But I do have a decent 115 amp Craftsman mig welder that needs a gas mix for carbon steel welding (exhaust pipe and subframes).
Do we still have a lift available?

Rob

 

What is Owen charging ?

 

What kind of services, equiptment does that give us access to? I'm not all that familar with those guys.

 

from what i know , lifts ,air whatever but i will have to talk to him

 

We can probably still use their drive on lift. It depends on whether or not it is in use, so there is no way to know in advance.

I have a small (3'-4' high) lift in my shop which we can definately use. As well as compressed air, piped in from a BIG compressor.

I also have a friend who says he will bring his 110v welder. I have a 220v Lincoln arc welder, but no 220 to hook it to...
It has been a while but I used to do a lot of exhaust work with my old stick welder.

 

Shoot, your shop sounds good enough to me. I think a 110v welder is sufficient to do exaust work and weld in SFCs, right?. Im still game for wherever. I need to get that exaust hanger put on and SFCs welded in.

 

I think his welder will do. He says it goes up to 90 amps and I used to weld exhaust at 50-70 amps on my big welder.

But then again, it has been a long time since I did much welding and I wouldn't want to practice on someone elses car...I would be willing to weld the exhaust, as for the SFC's,...well, lets just see how the exhaust goes before we decide on that.

But if RobsGTA shows up maybe he can handle those.

 

BTW, did I mention the 2100 psi water blaster? It will be available to help clean things up.

And an engine lift if anyone is feeling REALLY motivated.

But as far as welding, I was just thinking:

If someone here is an electricion, and made it by, maybe we could hook up my 220v welder. That would REALLY be cool. I miss being able to use my welder...

 

The subframe conecters should be easy especially if all of the interior is out of the car prior to the install...
The interior will be a fire hazard when welding under the car.
You dont need that many amps to weld subframes in because the thickenss of the metal that you are welding too is very thin, the trick is to not burn through it.. (definately under 100 amps )
Some air grinders with wire brushes to remove paint will be needed.

Rob

 

I have a small air grinder...maybe a wire brush to go on it. Definately one that will fit a drill.

 

Ok bring it..I am trying to smuggle a 75% argon 25% carbon dioxide mix which is what we need to weld mild steel from work . While the subframe connectors are being held up in place for mock up you get a marker and outline where the welds are going to be grind off the paint in those areas tac it up in place with no stress on the body or frame and weld away.. Allow to cool then sand off any slag, then primer over the welded area and throw a coat or two of paint on top to prevent the start of any rust on bare metal...

Off to another subject.


I just drove my car with the Nitto's and Holy Crap bat man my car finally hooks as a matter of fact it hooks so hard I feel like I am going to break somthing..!!!!!I feel like I broke my trans mount even though it is polyeurothane and so is my torque arm mount.
I did notice that my car "Detonates " slightly on the top of 5 to 6 grand in 1st and 2nd gear If any one in this thread Burns Proms hit me up I know I need a chip burned since my mods have changed over the years with no change in my program from my 350 burn to the 383...


Rob

 

Definitely interested in getting SFC's welded in.

Anyone know delivery times for Spohn?

 

ARG, smugging is good!
Oh, sorry, it's a Halloween thing, I always wanted to be a pirate,

Anyway...

I'm hoping that my ET-Streets will do something similar for me. Traction has always been my Achielies heel. If I can get good traction off the line I think I might be able to turn some scarry times...


So back on topic again... lets do some welding!
This is starting to sound like fun!


Hey Zap,
I'm going to get started on my brake upgrade tomorrow afternoon and Saturday morning. Since you are in the neighborhhood (more or less) if you want to scope out the facilities that might be a good time. Let me know.

 

Mikeee--1bad91z

 

I'll probably be working at the house Sat, but in the afternoon I'll probably be looking for stuff to do...definately hollar if U need a "pump em up/ OK hold em" guy!

713-723-6393

 

I didn't realize you had to remove the interior to weld in Spohn Subframe connectors. What parts need to be removed? Carpet I guess for sure.

 

I've heard of people placing wet towels on the interior carpets above the weld spots - and/or paying very careful attention to how long they weld in one spot. No matter what it's still a fire harzard though...wouldn't want your car burnt to a crisp the week before the big meet.

 

Might win the Most Radically Altered Interior Prize ???

 

Darn......now I gotta go add another catagory!

 

hey zap, i was talking to owen and he said to say he has a 4500 square foot shop with two lifts and a gas large lincoln welder, porting room, tranny room and just about everything needed to do anything and he offered to shut it down to regular work for a day for us and have him and his two employees available for us for help on anything we had questions about if we wanted to do a modding party. i also know he has a big old smoker in the back to barbeque on

 

Is this the place that finished up your swap when U messed up your shoulder?

Sounds like they definately have the room and equiptment. What kind of services are they known for? Anything in particular they specialize in, or just general performance car services of all types?

U know every now an then somebody comes on the board here asking for a place to get this done or that done. U should make a post on the stickied thread about auto services so we will have it to refer to in the future?

 

yes they have done a few ls1 conversions and have a tpi stoker motor vette putting down 400hp and about 450 tq on a ARD ported stock tpi. these guys know their business and will be more then willing to open the place up to everybody for a day

 

Safety comes first !!!!!
Its a good POSIBILITY that your interior will not catch on fire but I will be looking into your best interest by having it out or just lift everything up along the sides before we lay down the welds.
I have seen interior catch on fire before from welding inside a car beofre and believe me when it starts going it burns hot and fast and it isnt easy to put out.

Rob

 

Did you say that Owen is allowing us to use his shop because you guys are such great friends ??? or is there a charge ???

Rob

 

no charge to come over and work on your cars there. full availability of lifts, air , whatever. plus he will have him and his employees available to help on whatever yall need. if yall wanted to get your sfc's welded in then we can do them over there. he has a big gas lincoln welder.

 

he also has a tubbing bender and notcher available to do cages and sfc's

 

hmmm......




sounds like one helluva deal. Always good to hear of businesses willing to help us out.

 

owen has always been a upstanding business owner and it shows because he stands behind his work and warranties even his high performance builds for 12 months( even his 4l60/700r4 builds)