78 Grand Prix project

[G-Body_Vet]

Since I'm limited on room I've gone about coating the frame in an unorthodox method. I already started the front rails, in the process of removing the suspension, then I'm going to lift the car just high enough to do the frame and change the body mounts.

I threw my jounce bars, GP bar and 34MM sway bar on today too. The sway bar looks huge compared to the paltry stock one.

I also compared the Moog 5664's that are going in versus the stock springs that came on the car (305 eng, no F41). And yes, the garage looks like hell right now!

 

[pontiacgp]

you'll notice the difference with at bar, it adds about 200 lbs of spring rate over the stock bar. It'll put a smile on your face going around the first corner...

 

[G-Body_Vet]

you'll notice the difference with at bar, it adds about 200 lbs of spring rate over the stock bar. It'll put a smile on your face going around the first corner...

Too bad I won't know for almost another year! I'm really kicking around the idea of those UB Machine upper a-arms too. For the price, it's almost not worth the headache of bothering with the old ones.

 

[dream on mcss]

Since I'm limited on room I've gone about coating the frame in an unorthodox method. I already started the front rails, in the process of removing the suspension, then I'm going to lift the car just high enough to do the frame and change the body mounts.

I threw my jounce bars, GP bar and 34MM sway bar on today too. The sway bar looks huge compared to the paltry stock one.

I also compared the Moog 5664's that are going in versus the stock springs that came on the car (305 eng, no F41). And yes, the garage looks like hell right now!

Looks like its coming along great! Any news on the 455?

 

[G-Body_Vet]

Looks like its coming along great! Any news on the 455?

The only hold-up with that is my pocket! He already began the line hone on the block. We aren't going to move forward with the cylinder boring until we decide on pistons.

He's somewhat collaborating with an "up and coming" piston manufacturer and he's asking me to consider using their pistons. He claims the quality is outstanding (of course I'm a skeptic so I asked).
1. Because they want to venture into Pontiac territory.
2. He wants me to use a custom size. His reasoning is we can get away with boring the block .015 and there's better piston ring availability. Even though my block is plenty thick, he claims he doesn't like to remove material that doesn't need to be removed. Then again, rings are a hell of a lot cheap than the pistons.

I'm not to keen on using an odd size piston in the event that I ever have to rebuild this thing again. Then again if I got a great deal....like free since it's the test mule....I'd consider it. I just don't want to pay for something custom when I can buy readily available, off-the-shelf, standard piston sizes.

What do you guys think?

 

[67rstbkt]

Looks like its coming along great! Any news on the 455?

The only hold-up with that is my pocket! He already began the line hone on the block. We aren't going to move forward with the cylinder boring until we decide on pistons.

He's somewhat collaborating with an "up and coming" piston manufacturer and he's asking me to consider using their pistons. He claims the quality is outstanding (of course I'm a skeptic so I asked).
1. Because they want to venture into Pontiac territory.
2. He wants me to use a custom size. His reasoning is we can get away with boring the block .015 and there's better piston ring availability. Even though my block is plenty thick, he claims he doesn't like to remove material that doesn't need to be removed. Then again, rings are a hell of a lot cheap than the pistons.

I'm not to keen on using an odd size piston in the event that I ever have to rebuild this thing again. Then again if I got a great deal....like free since it's the test mule....I'd consider it. I just don't want to pay for something custom when I can buy readily available, off-the-shelf, standard piston sizes.

What do you guys think?

Unless you are getting a great deal, I would go with tried and true. Why take any chance, however small, on something that you have cash into. Just my opinion, fwiw

 

[G-Body_Vet]

Unless you are getting a great deal, I would go with tried and true. Why take any chance, however small, on something that you have cash into. Just my opinion, fwiw

That's pretty much where I'm at too. If something grenades I'm SOL on a block and everything invested.

 

[dream on mcss]

I agree with 67rstbkt. Go with what you know is good, rather than risk blowing the motor up, because, like you said, if that happens, all the money you've invested in that motor is gone. It might cost a little more but its nowhere near the price of having to get another motor.

 

[papabearxl]

I agree with 67rstbkt. Go with what you know is good, rather than risk blowing the motor up, because, like you said, if that happens, all the money you've invested in that motor is gone. It might cost a little more but its nowhere near the price of having to get another motor.

Unless the company will guarantee the engine, since you are helping THEM out......

 

[G-Body_Vet]

Went outside and played with fire today. Gotta drill the ball joint rivets and send them to the blast cabinet next. Then we paint, install the energy suspension bushings and new ball joints.