ZZ3Astro

Anyone gonna go to the spring grand rod run? I'm planning to make it.. will be staying at Gatlinburg so I have a place to escape the madness.

Steve

NotTyler

If my car gets done in time I will hopefully be there.

david068513

iTrader: (2)

I'll be there, might not bring the z28 but will come to check it out.

SupplySgt

What weekend is it this year? I have no clue at the moment. If it doesn't fall on a drill weekend then I may try to go. It's about 3 hours one way from here though and I'll probably try to make a day trip since hotels in that area are ridiculous and I'm still a college student.

ZZ3Astro

It's the weekend of April 15th.. I'm going to be there Friday morning and hopefully not leaving till Monday.. might leave Sunday depending on my wife's work situation. Hopefully will be there in the Iroc if the paint project stays on schedule.

86WS6

iTrader: (1)

We may drive over there for a few hours either Saturday or Sunday.

Dante93GTZ

iTrader: (5)

I'll probably hang out one afternoon - We really need to setup a "TGO Meet" somewhere outside of the madness so we can put some faces to screen names!

ZZ3Astro

Sounds good.. how is gatliburg during this mess? I'll be staying just off the main drag there.

Dante93GTZ

iTrader: (5)

Not terrible; well, at least, not as bad as Pigeon Forge. I'm thinking we could probably have a mini-meet at maybe the Sugarlands visitor center just outside (Smokies side, not PF side) of Gatlinburg. Coming from Pigeon Forge, you can actually take the Gatlinburg Bypass to get to Sugarlands VC much faster. I'd imagine it will be busy, but we could probably get a few cars out of the way - Its a decent sized parking lot. Heck, if more people were interested, we could meet up there and drive to the "Y" near Townsend - It'd make an EXCELLENT 30 minute drive through the mountains. Or if we didn't want to go that far, we could just go from Sugarlands to Elkmont, which is about 15-20 minute drive...

Either way, I think we really need to get a group gathering together - At least for a few minutes anyway.

WHO ELSE IS IN???

ZZ3Astro

Sounds good to me. Not sure when the best time to do it is but I'm in! I would guess Saturday but I'd be good for Sunday as well. Just depends on the others' schedule. Probably should make it early in the day as I'm sure most will plan to be on the main drag by mid day and evening. Or maybe later in the day?

Dante93GTZ

iTrader: (5)

I'm game either way - Hopefully others will chime in!

86WS6

iTrader: (1)

I found out today that some family may be visiting from out of state that weekend. They want to ride over to the Rod Run, so if they show up, it will be a load of us in an SUV. If they decide to visit at another time, then I can probably talk Betty into driving the Trans AM over to the Sugarlands Visitor Center. It's only 40 miles from our house. Sugarlands is a good choice for a meet! Gatlinburg is usually quiet during the Rod Runs. Everybody is in Pigeon Forge. We often rent a house in Roaring Fork (Gatlinburg) during the Rod Run weekends, as the traffic is light over there.Bennett's BBQ is a really neat place to eat, if anyone is interested. They have a main location in Gatlinburg, a satelite location in PF, and another in Sevierville. It is about 3 miles from Sugarlands to Bennett's in GB. We could also make a run through Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail in the national park. It is an 5.5 mile one way driving tour through a former mountain community. Not a place that one can drive fast, but it is a stunningly beautiful spot. It begans at the end of Airport Road in GB, and ends at Roaring Fork road also in GB.

86WS6

iTrader: (1)

http://bennetts-bbq.com

86WS6

iTrader: (1)

http://discoverthesmokies.com

Dante93GTZ

iTrader: (5)

What day do we want to plan this? I'm open either day. I just want to get something nailed down 'cause this is less than 2 weeks away.....

ZZ3Astro

I was gonna suggest making that roaring fork drive as well, although if we want to 'be seen' we might have to pick a two way run somewhere. Would be fun to cruise up to Clingman's dome. We are staying in a house on the roaring fork as a matter of fact! Do you stay at Ely's by chance 86WS6? The roaring fork is an awesome place to spend your stay at!

Saturday or Sunday is good for me.

Dante93GTZ

iTrader: (5)

Perhaps this thread needs a title change/mod to attract more people to this little get together.

ZZ3Astro

Changed! We still need to choose a day and time. On one hand Sunday sounds good because most people won't have other plans. On the other hand, some may have to drive back home Sunday. If we're gonna meet in Gatlinburg I'd be good for the morning and also late afternoon. I will probably go to Pigeon Forge for the middle of Saturday and then come back to Gatlin for dinner and relaxing.. then back to the strip late Saturday night. Sunday I will likely be hanging around the house in Gatlin and any time would be good.

I'm voting for any time other than mid-day saturday and/or any time sunday. Also I will be in town by Friday afternoon and will probably head down to the strip after dinner and we can meet up wherever.

ZZ3Astro

Ok I'm thinking Saturday morning.. Sugarlands Visitor Center. After hanging out there a bit we can make a cruise to somewhere.. I still say Clingmans dome would be cool as its only about 12-14 miles driving from the visitor center, plus I get to see what my turbo does at 5000 ASL and its curvy! Should be able to make that run up there and back to Gatlinburg in 1-2 hrs. After that we can meet up for lunch at Bennett's BBQ in Gatlinburg. Then I'm heading over to PF to check out the scene.

This could be a good Sunday schedule as well if that works better. Let's get this figured out guys!

86WS6

iTrader: (1)

To answer your question, yes we stay at one of Ruth's two houses at Ely's Mill. The 2 BR house on the Roaring Fork Creek is our favorite since it overlooks the creek.

ZZ3Astro

Well I'm stuck repainting the entire engine bay to correct the issues from the paint session. I'm definitely doing the whole job myself next time. When you involve other parties, there are time limits to things, rushing, etc etc. Not going to be fun to paint this 9700 black at night either. No amount of light is enough to see runs.

Still haven't covered the front seats, no time for wetsanding and polishing. I hope I can get enough of that done to get the stickers and emblems on before the trip.

86WS6

iTrader: (1)

I am still in the maybe catagory. Sunday is out for me for sure. Saturday might work, depending on when our out of town guests are planning on arriving. Our guests are driving in from Pensacola Florida. If they plan to arrive in Bryson City Saturday afternoon or evening, then I can make it. If they drive some Friday, stop for the night, then plan to arrive early Saturday, than I am screwed. Maybe I will find out something for sure in the next few days.

86WS6

iTrader: (1)

If we do this meet on Saturday, it looks like I am in! Our guests will not be arriving until Saturday evening. Betty said that I can go out for a while and play cars. Of course I had to promise to vacuum the floors first. Wives... Got to love em. Who else is in?

ZZ3Astro

So far so good. Might not have the stickers on my car for the trip but it is otherwise ready to load up.

Biggest concern for me right now is the weather forecast. It looks like a rainy week starting Friday. Of course it could change for better or worse this far out. But if it ends up being a 60% + chance for the whole weekend I don't know if I'd even bother bringing it up there (or even going for that matter) :-(

86WS6

iTrader: (1)

The current forecast for the Smokies is 40% chance of rain Saturday, high of 60, 0% chance for Sunday, high of 50. Of course since it is still five days away, the forecast could change several times...

89-bird

Let me know when everyone is going to be in Pigeon Forge and I may leave the house to meet for a bit . I live a block or so from the Parkway .

88gta6spdvert

I will probably be able to ride up in my 88 GTA 5 SPD VERT. just pm me for the agreed meeting local. and will meet you guys there.

Dante93GTZ

iTrader: (5)

Sorry it's been a few days... My grandmother is sick I had to drive to Florida (Tampa area) to be with her and the family before she passes. Due to work stuff, we've gotta go back home to TN tomorrow.

Anyway, assuming I don't have any other surprises, I'm up for Saturday morning as well. What time are we thinking of meeting at Sugarlands?

83TransAmRECARO

let me know the meeting time and I'll try to be there... just won't be in the trans am... not road ready yet

ZZ3Astro

I was thinking maybe something like meeting around 930a-10a. People driving in from Knox or PF won't get stuck in traffic too bad but it's not so early that they have to skip breakfast to make it. That would give us time to hang out a bit, make an hour or two cruise and meet up for lunch somewhere if eveyrone wants to. Then everyone has the whole afternoon and night to go to PF and rod run.

I'm open to different time though if that doesn't work for everyone.

83TransAmRECARO

wow what a busy weekend... don't look like I'll make pigeon forge... this saturday is the end of the Bandit Run at Year One in GA...

ZZ3Astro

Weather is really looking downhill now for the next 36 hrs. Major threat of large hail and tornados developing across AL/GA/TN. Have to seriously consider not going or at least leaving the Iroc here.

ZZ3Astro

Well we're gonna make the drive.. car is insurance come hail or high water! Leaving over 1 hr late because of last minute discovery of severe ttop seal leaks with the new metro seals at the door/ttop interface. Will be in gatlinburg by early afternoon Friday.

Dante93GTZ

iTrader: (5)

Since the weather is starting to look REALLY crappy, are ya still thinking of meeting at Sugarlands or somewhere else? I'm still up for whatever, but if it's raining cats and dogs I may wind up in the F350 rather than the Z28... Leaky T-top seals suck!

ZZ3Astro

OMG guys, you would not believe what Ive just been through to get the Iroc here. My new trailer had a bad bearing. We decided it was getting too hot after checking every 30 mins on the third check. So then we decided to drive the Iroc and truck to Atlanta in hopes the reduced load would ease the heating. It didnt.

So here we were 5 hrs into the trip only 2 hrs from where we started. Its midnight. We were in eufaula alabama. So i set about swapping the good front hub to the rear axle. I took the wheel off the bad one. Next we loaded the iroc as far forward as possible to load the tongue and reduce axle loading. Then we drive 60 mph until 5am to just above Atlanta. Lost one of my brand new ratchet straps. Also the front ground effect was damage from hitting the cross bar on the trailer during suspension travel.

Now the weather is heading downhill with severe storms forecast overnight. Im completely worn out and with the rain there is no point going out tonight. Assuming the car survives tonight, tomorrows weather is looking good for meeting up.
This morning i had the bearings replaced for $80 which i will be taking up with the dealer.
Now the

86WS6

iTrader: (1)

Sorry to hear of your problems. The fact that your car was damaged really sucks! Glad to hear that no one was injured in all those mishaps. Hopefully the worst is behind you.

Are you in Atlanta or Pigeon Forge for Friday night?

Are we still having the meet Saturday at 9:30 AM, Sugarlands VC, or will you have to delay it?

If you need to contact me during this weekend, my cell is 828-399-9580. Home number is 828-488-1091.

Charles

Dante93GTZ

iTrader: (5)

Yeah, keep me in the loop, too - I will tentatively plan on being to Sugarlands at 9:30, but please let me/us know if that changes - It's a long drive for me so I wanna make sure it'll be worth the drive (and fuel!)

ZZ3Astro

Yep we're in town (Gatlinburg), finally made it here around 5pm. I'm planning on being at Sugarlands unless I open my car in the morning and water & goldfish come running out of it (possible, based on the trip so far) My cell is 8five zero 8142170 if you guys need to contact me.


This was last night's midnight fun:

Dante93GTZ

iTrader: (5)

Looks like fun! I remember changing a tire on our camper trailer at like midnight in the middle of Montana one time. That was fun.

Can you call me (or text) at like 7:30-8am tomorrow and let me know if you're still going? That'll give me enough time to pull the car out and drive out there if everything is still a go.

865-851-one one two eight
-Brian

86WS6

iTrader: (1)

Cool! See you all at 0930 at Sugarlands Visitor Center, as long as I don't have any problems with the 86WS6. The last time I drove it to Gatlinburg, the altenator failed. Maybe this time the trip will be uneventful.

If you find goldfish in your car, bring them to the meet...

Personally goldfish would be a surprise. I might expect tadpoles, a salamander, or maybe even a water snake. Five years ago a mouse moved into the TA, but then we got a cat, so that problem is history.

We are on the southern border of the GSM National Park, Bryson City, NC. Our home is two miles from the park border. It's raining like crazy on this side also. We just got our electric back on after four days without from one of these fun springtime storms. 18K homes in Western NC were out of power for 3 to 4 days.

86WS6

iTrader: (1)

That was a fun gathering! Great to meet all of you! Maybe next time we will have a larger group of people and more great thirdgens.

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/l...Picture952.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/l...Picture951.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/l...Picture950.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/l...Picture949.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/l...Picture948.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/l...Picture946.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/l...Picture945.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/l...Picture944.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/l...Picture946.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/l...Picture943.jpg

86WS6

iTrader: (1)

Don't forget about the Fbodygathering, G-15 coming up on Memorial Day Weekend at the Marriott Northwest Atlanta. Its a car meet where a show breaks out. Good times there for everyone! We will have a Thirdgen.org (TGO) section this year. Lets make a good showing of Turdgens at G-15 and show those 4th and 5th gen folks what Thirdgeners are all about.



<fbodygathering.com>

Dante93GTZ

iTrader: (5)

Thanks for the pics! Today was fun - all until the drive home - I wound up getting a speeding ticket from a park ranger. I thought the speed limit was 45mph and was doing 49... It was a 25mph zone near the Laurel Falls area. Ugh. $175!!! How ridiculous. First ticket in like 6 years. Very depressing...

Anyway, glad to meet y'all.

ZZ3Astro

Was a fun day guys.. After I removed the front tag bracket I had no more problems with the coolant temp. It was the first time I tried putting it on since the intercooler. I figured with the cooler temps up here it would be fine but obviously not.

I have a few pics but my phone isn't being nice tonight so I can't upload yet.

Went down to PF tonight for the rod run... really not too impressed, mostly big diesel pickups and a lot of ricers. Most of the iron was parked. Have had a blast driving the curvy roads though!

89-bird

Sorry I didn't get to meet you all . Nice pictures of your cars though . Maybe next time .

86WS6

iTrader: (1)

Sorry about the ticket Brian! That capped of an otherwise good day with a sour note.

Steve and family. Hope you all have a safe and uneventful trip home. Give us a call the next time you are in the area.

I did not say anything yesterday, however my plate went dead on the 15th. The car was in for service a couple of months back at the local Ford dealer. There are two mechanics there that used to race thirdgen Camaro's so they are familiar with and love these cars. They help me keep Amanda in perfect running condition, and treat her like a beloved family member. I told them to do the state inspection as NC allows one to get the car inspected 90 days before the tag is due. The computer would not take the information, so they told me to drive Amanda back by right before the tag dies and they would put the inspection through. NC will not sell the plate until the inspection is current. I thought that I had until the end of April, however it was only until the 15th. I kept my fingers crossed that no LEOs noticed the dead tag, because I figured that they might decide to make it rough on me if they caught me over the limit, and then found a dead inspection and a dead tag. I got lucky and did not have any problems. I will chance the 2.5 miles in the AM to the MTN Ford, get the inspection, then around the corner to get the plate. I do have valid insurance though.

89 Bird, Thanks for the compliments on the pictures. Maybe next time you will be able to come out for a while. I believe that I have seen your car around PF. It was a couple of years back. The one that I saw looks exactly like the picture of your car.

Brian and Steve, seeing both of your cars makes me want to build a modified car. I used to wrench back in the old days, and still know the basics. Obviously Amanda needs to stay as OEM as possible, as there are beginning to be less and less low mileage originals around. I want to pick up a good solid 85 through 92 Z-28, T-tops with a clean body, zero rust, zero bondo, and clean inside. I want a running car with working AC, although it can have a zillion miles on it as long as it is not butchered up. I want to do a 383 stroker, carbed, with a 6 speed, 3:73 nine bolt, because I am an old person and therefore tend to be old school. The car will look completely stock outside and in the interior. Of course it will have to have those subframe connectors that we talked about.

ZZ3Astro

How are those NC inspections? Mainly safety or do they look for all of the emissions components too? That's one of the things we were worried about in Florida a couple of years ago, and a big part of why I just stayed as stock as possible. My turbo setup is fully a.i.r. ready and I left room with the plumbing to put the pump on if needed.

I've been having an absolute blast on these roads in the Iroc. One thing I've quickly found out is I need to change my fuel table range to cover below 20 kpa.. these long decents put me in the 12-14 kpa range and my tables go flat at 20. I rarely stay in decel long enough to worry about it, but up here half you driving is a 0% throttle and you're accelerating the whole time!

So here are the pics from Saturday plus a couple of others..









And this one I just had to post.. saw this driving around Farragut today! Love that chute!

Dante93GTZ

iTrader: (5)

Lol. That Lamborghini is funny. There is a video on YouTube of him getting pulled over for speeding through a local mall parking lot. I didn't know you were gonna be in Farragut. That pic was taken only about 5 minutes away from my house. BTW no emissions or inspections in Knoxville!

Same Lambo; with his old wheels and "pre-chute": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtMiAez7D0k

86WS6

iTrader: (1)

NC emissions testing is messed up! Some counties test for working emissions and some don't. All of the counties look to see if all the parts are there. Statewide, anything older then 95 is not tested for functionality, but it has to look like it works.In some of the rural counties there are always a couple of garages that overlook things. Some garages spot check, so if they know you and don't suspect that you are a stooge for the state, they don't check much. If they don't know you, they check everything. When we moved here in 2001 I had a 1987 G-30 crewcab, dually, 4x4 with a 454 EFI, SM-465 4 speed, a 2 speed US Gear spilter, and 4:10 gears. GM built the 87's with a single cat, and it was imposible to keep the manifold gaskets in the thing due to all of the back pressure. I had a local garage in Georgia build a dual exhaust set-up, with twin flowmaster mufflers. The truck sounded like a hoss, and it was. I installed copper header gaskets on the manifolds and never had any more problems with blowouts. The first time I took the truck to get an inspection in NC they failed it because it did not have a cat. They would not pass it even if it had dual cats. They said that it had to be put back as stock to pass. We drove it around with a GA plate for over a year. Lucky for me, some of the 87 Chevy one ton trucks had cats and some did not. When I protested to the state, they finally decided that since all 87 Chevy 30 series trucks did not come with a cat, that my truck did not have to have one. Others have not been so lucky. My 88 G-30 was required to have a cat, as all 88's came that way. They never checked to see if it actually worked. It had been gutted by the PO. The state of NC just likes to screw with people over silly stuff. Tennessee is a much friendlier state towards those in the car hobby.

Dante93GTZ

iTrader: (5)

I've never had to deal with emissions or any type of vehicle inspection anywhere I've lived. I guess I'm lucky, but it still just seems like a foreign concept to me.

Nashville has testing (from what I've heard), but I've not heard of any plans for it over here in East TN.

I'm not really a conspiracy theorist, but I kinda feel testing is a scam anyway. Since every car sold (at least modern cars) SHOULD pass inspection, it's all subjective. I mean, Mercedes makes a damn V12! That thing has to pollute as much/more than a SBC, right? Plus, with all the silly H2's running around getting 10mpg, it's silly how they pick on things so strictly. I mean, my Z28 wouldn't pass an inspection because it doesn't have the AIR system anymore - BUT - With its 5 speed and 2.73 gearing (and the fresh tuneup), I'm getting upwards of 28mpg. They'd fail me because of a visual, but I'm sure I'd pass most anything else! What a dumb system!