ktthecarguy

Hi 88Birdman, thanks for the info. I had considered going with poly, but with this car my goal is this: I want to make it a good-handling street driver, with slightly improved handling, but not too harsh. Part of the problem right now is all the worn-out original steering and suspension parts. I have almost all of it replaced now, with original type rubber bushings, so (hopefully) soon I can test the ride quality. Middle of Michigan winter is not the time to test ride quality, unless you are testing your ability to survive potholes!

88Birdman

iTrader: (1)

yeah if you just replaced it then keep what you have. i as well am doing the same to mine...

ktthecarguy

LATEST UPDATE:
I finished replacing the rear shocks and sway bar end links. Next big project, the whole exhaust system. Here are some recent pics:

Cheerio

iTrader: (1)

nice work man. I'm the same way. I pretty much replaced the whole suspension. I am going to replace the trailing arms, panhard bar, torque arm, etc... at another time. need to fix my steering first I think the tires rub somewhere. My next thing is the exhaust also. ima just getting a generic one from rock auto. once I swap/ upgrade engine ill switch over to 3in pipe. Some of my hangers are broken/ missing so the muffler is sagging. I had new piping put on from cat to muffler but the muffler would go up and down. after a week of driving the pipe was hitting the axle and the pipe became crimped. I just hacked it off before axle and now its just being held on by a clothes hanger.

ktthecarguy

Hi there,
Still working on the exhaust system. I mocked up the rear section, and in order to do that, I had to dismantle most of the rear end. While it was apart, I decided to sand off most of the surface rust and spray-bomb it satin black. Here are some pics.

5215

iTrader: (2)

Looks good brother!!! Keep at it, were all admiring your project!!

zs&tas

ktthecarguy

I just got the muffler and tailpipe installed, and the rear suspension put back together. Here are some pics

zs&tas

All looks super nice and clean mate

ktthecarguy

Here are a couple more

ktthecarguy

Next up - headers! Hopefully goes faster than the rear. But then, the rear was all custom parts, not made for this car. It was all, measure-cut-fit, measure-cut-fit... took forever. I want to hurry; cruising season is here!

ktthecarguy

Hi there,
Work continues...
I got the rear part of the exhaust done, so working on installing the headers. To get at them, I am having to disconnect everything off the front of the engine. While am at it, I figured I would clean and de-rust the parts, and fix what was wrong. I want to replace the inlet air temp sensor, but I am having a hared time getting it out.


Does anyone have a trick for getting the sensor out of the snorkel? Mine just ratchets away, but will not unscrew. Here is a pic of the snorkel:

Cheerio

iTrader: (1)

I believe it just pushes out. you could try some soapy water to help slide it out.

ktthecarguy

Hi Cheerio,
Sorry for the fuzzy picture, but the sensor is threaded. The old one froze in the socket, so it won't unscrew. The socket seems to have teeth or knurling in it, but when I try to unscrew the sensor, the teeth are starting to chew up the plastic housing. I decided to leave the old one in there, for now. I just wanted to use a fresh sensor to get better air temp readings, figuring a 30-year-old sensor might not be as accurate as a new one. Oh well.


Coming soon - new pics of the engine bay, and a surprise.

Cheerio

iTrader: (1)

almost sounds like the plastic was cross threaded. once its free spinning and not going anywhere I tend to pull while turning. had a similar issue with those giant plastic trim screws.

ktthecarguy

Hi there,
I have been working on Cheap Skate for a while now, replacing parts and cleaning and painting. So, the surprise...


Yep, it's got headers.


Boy, that black paint sure didn't last! I thought it would last a year or so, then I would have to touch it up. NOPE! Gone in 5 minutes!

ktthecarguy

While I was installing the headers, I had to remove a lot of the accessories on the engine, and I decided I would do some clean-up and painting while I had it apart. Here are some before and after p[ics:




Before..................................After

ktthecarguy

Before..........................................After

ktthecarguy

Before...............................After

ktthecarguy

Hi there,
Been driving it a few days now, and really loving it! sounds good, not a V8 growl, but a nice GRRRRRRR. That little V6 purrs pretty good.


Now getting all the tree sap off it! Dang pine tree!
Next will be getting a ALDL cable and WinALDL.

W.E.G.

I've got your car's twin brother. Keep up the good work!

ktthecarguy

Hi there,
Thanks! Got any pics of your car? I would love to see.

ktthecarguy

Hi there,
Not much new to report, I've been busy driving the wheels off it. Today, wheels still on... gotta try harder! lol

W.E.G.

ktthecarguy

Thanks for the pic.
Deja vu! I have a '88 vert, blue, and my buddy had a red hard top, looked just like yours!

zs&tas

Nice
Reminds me of this

ktthecarguy

Thanks for the vid, zs&tas. Love the Flock of Seagulls soundtrack. And the one-wheel-peels. Now I know for sure I am going to get a limited slip diff for this car.

zs&tas

So jealous, I can't easily or cheaply get one.
thing is in my country my non lsd makes me safer and faster , I can throw the car in and hit the accelerator hard early on in the corner cause it will never throw me off the road.
Just harder to have a bit more fun but hey that video shows u can still have fun