IROC Wagon Project

[ssbrewskyaz]

Well now, at least the stupid thing is off the jack stands. Not a lot of progress
to report but I have done a couple of things.

The 3/8 stainless gravel guard that's been on back order finally showed up
so I finished out the feed side of the fuel lines.

Finally scored an aluminum core support. It's incredable how light one feels
over the other. Tried to buy several of these in the past and always seemed
to be a day late. Best thing to do is quit looking for what you're looking for
and you'll find it. Seems to work with love and car parts. ...

This is a crude outline of the material I'll have to remove to make the dual
headlight setup work.At least it'll be easy cutting.

Subtle differences in construction but essentially the same thing.

Yep, I'm using genuine Chevrolet IROC Z wheels, 16x8 rears on all four
corners. Just need to get rid of the wimpy tires and we'll be all set. Guess
I need to make one detour to the powder coater first. Really can't stand to
leave anything undone.

8)

 

[CruizinKev]

WOW good work man!!!!

 

[Longroof79]

Scott,
Everything looks great. Glad you were able to get the spindle issue settled. It's aggravating when parts arrive damaged as a result of poor packaging.
You are definitely making some positive progress. I know sometimes time seems to drag, but when you start seeing things fall into place, it's a good feeling.

Ben mentioned the guy who modifies and cuts the stock rotors down is usually on the S10 Forum. The LS1 calipers look cool, plus I like the fact that they're dual piston units.

I've never in all my years seen an aluminum core support in person.. Of course, I've heard them talked about.

Keep up the quality work. 8)

 

[clean8485]

Scott,
Are you making the fuel lines yourself? If so where did you obtain the tubing and stainless gravel guard? The brake system looks really good. Are you using the front IROC rims on all 4 corners? Will you be powdercoating them to look original, or something different? What size tires will you be running? As I've said before, your work looks great. Thanks very much for sharing your progress with us. Keep up the good work and the updates.

 

[oldtinsmith]

Scott, great build you're doing! Lov'n the detail and quality of your work! I hope you don't get upset if I throw in a side note about aluminum core supports for other readers looking for aluminum core supports. Not all aluminum core supports have thr letter "A" stamped into them. I scraped out a '78 Grand Am and kept the front clip. It had the aluminum core support (without the "A") along with the aluminum "X" brace in front of the radiator, and a 46" chin spoiler.
Thanks Scott and keep up your excellent build!!

Doug

 

[ssbrewskyaz]

Thank-you gents for your very kind words,

Clean,

I am making my fuel lines myself and I highly recommended it unless you're replacing lines exactly as OE. If that's the case, then either Fine Lines, Right Stuff, Inline Tube or Classic Tube can provide prebent tubing in either mild steel (OE) or Stainless. Classic is in New York, Inline is in Michigan. I've bought stuff from both Inline and Classic.

I don't have an opinion to share on either as I don't care to start a thread on tubing providers virtues or short comings but they both offer lengths or coils of mild and stainless steel line. They also all have stainless gravel guard in 1/4, 5/16 and 3/8. These are the most common sizes I use.

If you choose to build your own lines and choose to use stainless steel, in my opinion, you’ll have to buy one of the hydraulic flare tools. Even with the hydraulic flare tool some of the flares take a couple of times to get the correct shape. I practiced on some stainless scrap I had and wore my hands out before I started on my actual lines. The bending part is no picnic either but it’s less of a pain than the flaring.

Yes, I am using the OE IROC wheels on all four corners but I'm using the Rear Wheels, not the IROC Front wheels. In the front, using the 16x8 Rear wheel with the 5.25 backset and a one inch billet adapter, I know I can run a 245/50/16, I want to run a larger tire but I won't purchase tires until I get the sheet metal hung and adjusted properly. Unfortunately, that’s a little ways off.

On the rear I'll be using the same wheel with a one and a half inch billet adapter. I hope to be able to stuff a 275/50/16 under the rear. I know a 255/50/16 will fit for sure. As far as the powder coating is concerned, will definitely not be stock in appearance. I have to put my stamp on everything. By the same token, I'm not looking for gaudy and I'm not looking for the "Circus" look (to many things going on at once). Something subtle with a little flair is my target.

Doug,

Yeah, not all of the aluminum core supports have the "A" and I would have purchased the first one I could get my mitts on for the right price. I'm happy this one has an "A" so the guys and girls like us that know, will look at the car and know exactly what's happening. I’m looking for the aluminum bumpers and bumper backers now. If they made an aluminum Malibu hood, I’d be looking for one of those too.

Lived in Michigan for forty years. Have been to Auburn many times and through it many more than that. What does a 46 inch chin spoiler look like. ...

Thanks again to all. ...

 

[clean8485]

Scott,
Forgive me, not trying to offend here, but I'm curious as to why you're using the rear IROC wheels. I understand the tire sizes that you want to use, but by using the rear rims, doesn't that require the use of the thicker adapters? Why not use the front rims, so you could use thinner adapters? I'm sure that there is a good reason for what you're doing. Personally, I've always been a bit leery of using any kind of adapters.

 

[Longroof79]

Scott,
It's funny that you mentioned "aluminum hood". I recall a debate about that subject several years ago on Malibu Racing. A member there swore that there was an aluminum hood made for the Malibu, and he had actually owned one once.
I've never seen, nor heard of one made before. As far as I'm concerned, it's folklore.

If anyone out there has actually seen or heard of them before, I'd love to hear about it.

 

[oldtinsmith]

Yup, I've heard stories about aluminum Malibu hoods too. I've never actually seen one or even a picture of one.
My aluminum core support with the 46" (actually 46 3/4" long and 4" high:

the number on the chin spoiler is: 10002440 E/EA

Doug

 

[oldtinsmith]

Scott, back in March 1992, Popular Hot Rodding magazine did a build article of a 1983 Malibu wagon they named the "IROC Wagon". The article was called "How To Build Your First Street Machine.
Just thought if you didn't know about it, you might be able to look it up.????

Doug