It's been quite a while since I introduced myself here, but the project is moving along now and I thought I'd share.
When I went shopping for a G-body last year, all I was concerned about was condition. I swore not to get set on a certain make or model, and not to get married to the car to the point of not making any changes to it. I ended up finding a nice GP, as rust free as a 24 year old car can be. Actually, now that I've spent some time underneath it, I'm astonished at how clean it really is.
The goal with this car is to make it as quick as I can, while still being tolerable on the street and with a reasonable budget. I've always been a drag racing fan, but never had a really fast car, so this is gonna be it. Ain't getting any younger, ya know. So, with that in mind, once the engine is in and running, future plans include a built trans, Ford Explorer 8.8 rear end, and eventually turbocharging the engine. These motors have been known to make 800hp with stock bottom ends. For this season, the goal is to complete the engine swap, and drive the car on the used TH350 and stock diff. As time and (mostly) money permit, other upgrades will follow.
Current status of the car is as follows- Front clip removed, 305 and 200-4R pulled, exhaust removed. The rear shocks have been done, and a stock TH350 crossmember installed for test fitting. With the easy access as it sits, I will be going through the front end completely, including poly sway bar bushings, gas shocks, and new steering components. Control arm bushings will wait as I'd like to do the big-brake swap. For the time being, I plan to overhaul the stock brakes with metallic pads. In the rear, the lower control arms will be boxed, and adjustable uppers will be fabbed or bought. I also have a set of poly body mounts to install.
The engine is an '06 LQ4 6 litre. It's getting a Z06 cam, double row timing chain, new valve springs, ARP rod bolts, a GMPP muscle car oil pan kit, and a 2000 LS1 intake. The front end will be swapped over to a Camaro water pump and balancer, with a KWIK Performance bracket kit. I just picked up the last of the parts, so the internal engine goodies will be installed soon. Once it's in, the engine will run off of an MSD 6LS ignition box and a Megasquirt ECU will handle fuel.
Once the engine is ready, it will be bolted to the TH350 and test-fit in the chassis, along with the Pacesetter F-body LS1 headers. These headers have been used successfully in other G-body swaps (according to the G-body forums), and they do look like they'll work. Only one way to find out though.
When I went shopping for a G-body last year, all I was concerned about was condition. I swore not to get set on a certain make or model, and not to get married to the car to the point of not making any changes to it. I ended up finding a nice GP, as rust free as a 24 year old car can be. Actually, now that I've spent some time underneath it, I'm astonished at how clean it really is.
The goal with this car is to make it as quick as I can, while still being tolerable on the street and with a reasonable budget. I've always been a drag racing fan, but never had a really fast car, so this is gonna be it. Ain't getting any younger, ya know. So, with that in mind, once the engine is in and running, future plans include a built trans, Ford Explorer 8.8 rear end, and eventually turbocharging the engine. These motors have been known to make 800hp with stock bottom ends. For this season, the goal is to complete the engine swap, and drive the car on the used TH350 and stock diff. As time and (mostly) money permit, other upgrades will follow.
Current status of the car is as follows- Front clip removed, 305 and 200-4R pulled, exhaust removed. The rear shocks have been done, and a stock TH350 crossmember installed for test fitting. With the easy access as it sits, I will be going through the front end completely, including poly sway bar bushings, gas shocks, and new steering components. Control arm bushings will wait as I'd like to do the big-brake swap. For the time being, I plan to overhaul the stock brakes with metallic pads. In the rear, the lower control arms will be boxed, and adjustable uppers will be fabbed or bought. I also have a set of poly body mounts to install.
The engine is an '06 LQ4 6 litre. It's getting a Z06 cam, double row timing chain, new valve springs, ARP rod bolts, a GMPP muscle car oil pan kit, and a 2000 LS1 intake. The front end will be swapped over to a Camaro water pump and balancer, with a KWIK Performance bracket kit. I just picked up the last of the parts, so the internal engine goodies will be installed soon. Once it's in, the engine will run off of an MSD 6LS ignition box and a Megasquirt ECU will handle fuel.
Once the engine is ready, it will be bolted to the TH350 and test-fit in the chassis, along with the Pacesetter F-body LS1 headers. These headers have been used successfully in other G-body swaps (according to the G-body forums), and they do look like they'll work. Only one way to find out though.