deja Posted February 2, 2009 Share Posted February 2, 2009 On January 31, 2008 I finally finished my LT1 install. Well at least I pulled the car out of the garage for its maiden voyage. I had taken the car off the road on February 1, 2007 for the swap so it was an exactly one year project. Along with the LT1 and 4L60E tranny swap I also installed a Camaro fuel tank, the complete chassis wiring from my donor Z28, installed Tokico lowering springs and struts, built a custom dash using Trans AM gauges, a custom console and new carpet with sound deadener. Was it worth it? YES for sure. I have put 6825 miles on the car this year and it is a blast to drive. Its much faster than I thought it would be, handles much better and gets better gas mileage at 18.5 in town and 23 on the highway than my Ford Ranger. I raced it at DNI turning a best 12.921 at 106.48 mph. I did one long trip to Virginia and the car ran great getting that 23 mpg. That trip made me get off my lazy butt and finally finish installing the Vintage AC. The overall gas mileage for the full year is 19.4 mpg. Problems I encountered during the year weren't too bad. During the first week I had the brakes totally lock up on me. That turned out to be a simple brake pedal adjustment. Scary when it happened, I thought I was having tranny problems since the car seemed to lose power than started smelling. The smell of course was the smoking front brakes pads. That's been ten months ago and since then no brake issues. The starter died on my two days before DNI. I thought it was just the battery but after it wouldn't start several times at DNI I knew I had bigger issues. I ended uo replacing the starter with a gear reduction starter and added a heat blanket to protect it from header heat. Not sure if the heat took it out but it sits mighty close to the block huggers. I have thrown the serpentine belt......three times. I'm still not sure what is causing that but I think it has something to do with the AC compressor. I had to replace the tie rod ends but decided to go ahead and change the complete rack. During the year I have upgraded the grille to a custom Dodge billet one, added headlight covers, front and rear spoilers, side skirts and swapped out that ugly 280Z rear bumper for a fiberglass one to match the front one. The addition of a 300ZX turbo R200 LCD with 3:70 gearing and 280ZX CV axles should help my 1/4 mile times. Recently I upgraded the front and rear brakes (Silvermine Stage 4 in front) and new slotted, drilled rotors for the rear. I picked up a Grant steering wheel. I swapped out my Miata seats for some really cool Corvette C5 seats that I had custom leather covers installed. Its been a busy year. I have other projects planned for the car. I would like to do something about the rear valance, and I'm still not satisfied with my front spoiler. A few upgrades to the interior are planned. The big project if I can get the funds and courage is to rebuild that '95 LT1 that's been sitting in pieces in my garage for 2 years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warren Posted February 2, 2009 Share Posted February 2, 2009 An LT1 Swap in a year... that's almost a new record here at Hybrid(sit in the garage and collect dust)Z. Congrats...and you even managed to drive it, race it and continue making modifications since. That's an accomplishment in itself. Congrats! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deja Posted February 2, 2009 Author Share Posted February 2, 2009 Thanks Warren. Other than the 2 weeks I took off for vacation I spent a little time everyday after work and every weekend working on that project. It helps being single with nobody giving me honey-do projects, LOL. Of course now my house and yard are a mess!!! Now I'm retired so I have even more time to dedicate to this obsessive hobby. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOBBY BATES Posted February 2, 2009 Share Posted February 2, 2009 can you post a couple of shot of that grill? what year dodge grille did you use? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rytherwr Posted February 2, 2009 Share Posted February 2, 2009 Dale, you ol' hound dog!!! Congratulations many times over!!! A new record indeed!! Heck, it's been a year on blocks for me and I'm just doing the motor...) What do you mean, "retired"? That's not good...I thought we all had to work to support our "Z" habits? You have done a stellar job, my friend, and looking forward to seeing you at DNI... Regards, Wayne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deja Posted February 2, 2009 Author Share Posted February 2, 2009 Thanks man. It was retire or someone was going to do something really stupid. I took all I could take and bailed out. The work got boring and they started treating me like they wanted me to retire! I worked for this company all my adult life (43 years and 28 days) so I get a decent pension and with SS I'm good. I have no debt and no depentents other than the car, LOL. I think what you're doing with your car is much tougher than want I did, see ya in May. Dale Dale, you ol' hound dog!!! Congratulations many times over!!! A new record indeed!! Heck, it's been a year on blocks for me and I'm just doing the motor...) What do you mean, "retired"? That's not good...I thought we all had to work to support our "Z" habits? You have done a stellar job, my friend, and looking forward to seeing you at DNI... Regards, Wayne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deja Posted February 2, 2009 Author Share Posted February 2, 2009 The grille is a custom Billet grille for a '04 Dodge Ram . I stumbled on it on EBay, but the guy didn't remembr who made it, sorry. can you post a couple of shot of that grill? what year dodge grille did you use? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cockerstar Posted February 2, 2009 Share Posted February 2, 2009 Doesn't look too bad at all! Definitely very unique Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m1noel Posted February 2, 2009 Share Posted February 2, 2009 Congrats on a year of driving. Way more fun than working on it eh? I do like the new grill. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbk240z Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 The new grill does look great! I am going to remember that idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gvincent Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 Hey Congrats Deja! You rock! I thought I was so close last year until the Fbody LT1 developed a knock while the car was still on jackstands. Oh well I have the Caddy LT1 ready to go and the fbody LT1 is now out and the T56 separated. I ordered a new clutch and pressure plate and will start swapping over the accessories if it would get a little warmer and the Honey Do list would give me a break. Love the Grille! Greg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deja Posted February 4, 2009 Author Share Posted February 4, 2009 I rememebr your engine issue, that sucks. Any clue what caused it? You guys in the great white North have had a tough winter for sure. But spring isn't that far off. Good luck with the Caddy engine. My engine has a pretty bad iol leak, I think its the front cover, which I need to address. But rebuilding that '95 Z28 engine I have might be the smarter move. Hey Congrats Deja! You rock!I thought I was so close last year until the Fbody LT1 developed a knock while the car was still on jackstands. Oh well I have the Caddy LT1 ready to go and the fbody LT1 is now out and the T56 separated. I ordered a new clutch and pressure plate and will start swapping over the accessories if it would get a little warmer and the Honey Do list would give me a break. Love the Grille! Greg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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