BUILD THREAD 87 Cutlass EFI build: 9/13/23..NEW STUFF!

[fleming442]

Or, sell the gauge package and get a RacePak; it'll be right in front of you.

 

[Injectedcutty]

Or, sell the gauge package and get a RacePak; it'll be right in front of you.

True, I've looked at them, but I guess I'm too much of a "nostalgia" nerd on this car. The layout of the cluster is homage to the rally cluster, and the racepak is too much racecar for my interior.

 

[Injectedcutty]

Quick update, progress has been a little slower than I'd like it to be. Backstory....the wife and I quit smoking June 2018 and initially we were exercising and eating better, but once we started house shopping it went out the window. Needless to say, I packed on more weight than I should've last year, so yeah we are on the new year bandwagon of going to the gym again, eating better, sleeping more, etc. I've been whooped every night by 8 or 9 and crashing quick! In the long run it'll be worth it, but now I'm hungry, sore, and tired lol.
Back to the car, I had been working on the radio bezel and modifying it for gauges. I needed a solid backer, so I chopped down my old cluster and epoxied it in with some Loctite instant mix. That shizz ain't no joke!
Only problem, that left a 1/4" void on the front side. I need it to be as flat as possible since it will be covered in CF, and also give more substance for the gauges to be held in....

Jogging my brain on what to use that's plastic and strong. I priced some HDPE but it had to be bought in a sheet which I didn't need. Then it dawned on me that some mudflaps are plastic. Buzzed my dad since he is a big rig diesel tech, sure enough he had a scrap piece I could chop up....

No the final product isn't beautiful like Donovan's NOS grilles, but it's epoxied in and solid as a rock, flat, and will serve it's purpose once the CF and gauges get added....

 

[TURNA]

No smoke no food = more $$ for car!!!

 

[Tony1968]

Scott keep up the good work. I continue to get great ideas that will put me deeper into the rabbit hole!!!! Lol
Your dash is going to look killer.
Turna... easier said than done!

 

[melloelky]

good for you and the Mrs Scott.

 

[Injectedcutty]

No smoke no food = more $$ for car!!!

Yeah, actually the cigarette budget(yep we had it designated in our budget) went towards being able to buy more house. We were renting prior, and the cost of rent plus our cig budget is almost to the dollar what our mortgage is with all the fixins!
It didn't really allow extra moola for the car, but I try to get in as much OT as possible which is Cutty money.

 

[Injectedcutty]

good for you and the Mrs Scott.

Thanks Chris. It was a big decision to quit smoking after 15ish years of doing it. We both had to want it and support each other. It was easier than I expected, and seeing my girls grow up is WAY more important to us than puffing a cancer stick!
Disclaimer: I used to be a gym rat pretty bad, and ran half marathons while being a smoker. I'm pretty versed with workout methods, proper nutrition, techniques, etc. It's just being more disciplined and applying what I know.

 

[Injectedcutty]

Scott keep up the good work. I continue to get great ideas that will put me deeper into the rabbit hole!!!! Lol
Your dash is going to look killer.
Turna... easier said than done!

Thanks for the kind words Tony! That's what were all spoda do here...keep making more work for each other! I had an old radio bezel cluster that worked, but this will look more stocking when done.

 

[Rigo’s87]

Alright, last pics for the evening. My back is frickin killin me from crawling around inside this car all evening! The glove box is in, needs minor adjustments, pass side trim installed, the gauge surround is loosely screwed on for now. I need to make some sides for the cluster, and check all gauge functions before screwing down for good. Let me know what y'all think.View attachment 132012

Is that carbon fiber liner/sticker material for the original wood grain inserts?? How do u touch up the white edges?