Menesing Drifter Posted April 8, 2015 Report Share Posted April 8, 2015 (edited) Hey everyone, I'm Brandon! My bad in advance if I write a novel here, I tend to get carried away when it comes to cars and going fast. Anyway I've been cruising the forums here for a few months now trying to gather as much information as I could before I finally pulled the plug on my dream project. Ever since I was in high school I have wanted to own a Starion. I seriously think it is one of the best looking cars made to this day and I longed to own one but I was enveloped in my past addiction.... Mustangs! I had an S197 for years and made it into a beast of a car. I showed it, I raced it, had it in SEMA a couple times, and even drifted it. Drifting is kinda my current obsession (hence the name) I was doing it for fun for a few years before I moved away to attend college. So now I've had to step back and focus on school, of course with the occasional messing around in the rain and track days. I do plan to get back into in hopes of competing in Formula Drift one day. With these current goals of mine I new my current car had reached its potential as a drift car and I could simply not afford to run it. So to everyone's surprise I sold the car I once said I was gonna past on to my kids one day and decided what I was gonna do. I was ready to finally get serious and buy a starion but there was a problem, I have been driving American V8 cars all my life and couldn't see myself driving a 4-banger. I loved the look of the body so much but just wanted to put a gnarly motor in it. After talking with many people (mostly Convette) and looking over build forums I was confident in my goals and well, I bought a SUPER CLEAN 1988 Starion in Oklahoma for a steal (I live in Texas when i bought the car ). Then shortly after I bought the drivetrain out of a F-body Camaro in the hopes of building the ultimate drift sleeper keeping my focus on drivetrain and chassis, while ignoring the outside for now. For now this is gunna be my daily driver and also take it to local open drift days but over time I plan to really build this thing using John's (convette) car as an inspiration. Right now the surgery is underway. The new motor is currently put in along with a whole new floor, role cage, custom tunnel, and many many other things. I'm super excited about this whole project and also hope to take advantage of all y'alls advice and knowledge as I am truly a newb to this car and the LS platform. I also really wanna thank John (Convette) for all his help so far as I've probably been texting him more then a stalker ex girlfriend. So this is my build thread. This project was suppose to take 10 weeks but like anything custom that didn't happen. Its coming up on about 8 months now but its about a month away from being done so I've been racking up the pictures waiting to put a thread together. The car is currently in Texas while Im living in florida but I am moving back California where the car will live and be driven daily. This is what I got http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f223/carsmart28/IMG_1128_zpsd38e0b14.jpg http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f223/carsmart28/IMG_1131_zps88ebd931.jpg http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f223/carsmart28/IMG_1150_zpsf563fbe3.jpg http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f223/carsmart28/IMG_1157_zps90b4af79.jpg Edited April 8, 2015 by Menesing Drifter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freebird Posted April 9, 2015 Report Share Posted April 9, 2015 sweet!Are you going with the GTO oil pan?...or staying with what you have? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Menesing Drifter Posted April 9, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 9, 2015 (edited) First thing was to place the motor in the car to mock it up. I wanted to try and not cut into the fire wall as regulation for most drift competitions states there can be no modification to the firewall. http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f223/carsmart28/IMG_1465_zpso1nnvixm.jpg This obviously wasn't going to work... So we went ahead and cut the firewall http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f223/carsmart28/IMG_1802_zps7yfc8ldg.jpg This gave us plenty more room to be able to work on the engine down the road and have space for a big radiator. http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f223/carsmart28/IMG_1801_zpscx8jsa9n.jpg http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f223/carsmart28/IMG_1800_zpsvvqxqvwv.jpg Motor mounts were next http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f223/carsmart28/IMG_1799_zpsokuqhhx4.jpg It was decided to mount it to the A support so the motor can just be dropped and easy to work on as I plan to build the motor down the line. Its basically stock right now besides a few bolt ons. http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f223/carsmart28/IMG_1899_zpsokekwnwk.jpg I was lucky that this was the only rust that had to be fixed http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f223/carsmart28/IMG_1992_zps90avb4zp.jpg Then one day I came into the shop to find that the whole floor was missing. http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f223/carsmart28/IMG_2033_zpshjd2tezc.jpg http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f223/carsmart28/IMG_2034_zpsogl4kqub.jpg I was not very happy. This build was already 5 months behind schedule at this point so the fact that this was done without me knowing kinda pissed me off. I was assured that it was for the better though. This would allow for more ground clearance and would integrate with the role cage and tunnel much better. http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f223/carsmart28/IMG_2040_zpsxcyzl1gd.jpg http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f223/carsmart28/IMG_0613_zpsiuccbvwy.jpg http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f223/carsmart28/IMG_2043_zpsy2jza622.jpg http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f223/carsmart28/IMG_0629_zpsyzaynk8b.jpg I was excited to see some seats in the car, starts looking like progress. http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f223/carsmart28/IMG_0611_zpshfvchztt.jpg Engine is sitting pretty too http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f223/carsmart28/IMG_1900_zpsh9sewcvc.jpg http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f223/carsmart28/IMG_0627_zpsqepnhlxs.jpg Just last week I got this picture, it is finally sitting on the ground for the first time in months. http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f223/carsmart28/IMG_0657_zpsk0wfdpwf.jpg Interior is finally coming along too http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f223/carsmart28/IMG_0668_zpshdbmkiss.jpg http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f223/carsmart28/IMG_0667_zpstuyoqtwa.png Thats all i got for now, I will keep this up to date as much as possible. Edited April 20, 2015 by Menesing Drifter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pcristquester Posted April 9, 2015 Report Share Posted April 9, 2015 Weird. I know I've seen and read these before today. Either that or some perfect déjàvu Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pcristquester Posted April 9, 2015 Report Share Posted April 9, 2015 I was referring to the first two posts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Menesing Drifter Posted April 9, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 9, 2015 sweet!Are you going with the GTO oil pan?...or staying with what you have? The stock one would not fit so I went with a holly performance oil pan that is specific for LS swaps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Menesing Drifter Posted April 9, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 9, 2015 I was referring to the first two posts I might have copy pasted part of my introduction topic and added it here, Im not big on writing stuff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pcristquester Posted April 9, 2015 Report Share Posted April 9, 2015 Yep, I was trippin' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markhansenconquest Posted April 9, 2015 Report Share Posted April 9, 2015 when u gonna stop by Temecula ..........ha haaaa......are .u jn texas or florida....??great to see your progress............. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
autotr8er2 Posted April 9, 2015 Report Share Posted April 9, 2015 (edited) I wish I could afford to go this fast. I'm putting people to sleep with my build. HAHAHA Awesome build!!! Edited April 9, 2015 by autotr8er2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Menesing Drifter Posted April 9, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 9, 2015 (edited) when u gonna stop by Temecula ..........ha haaaa......are .u jn texas or florida....??great to see your progress............. I wish I could afford to go this fast. I'm putting people to sleep with my build. HAHAHA Awesome build!!! Im in florida now but will be back in california this summer. I actually got family in Temecula so I'm gunna try to head out there sometime soon. This has not been fast in any way, going on 10 months now haha Edited April 9, 2015 by Menesing Drifter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSQuest88 Posted April 9, 2015 Report Share Posted April 9, 2015 (edited) Awesome work on that floor frame and interior, that looks good. LS can fit in without touching the firewall but it's all good, hopefully nothing comes of that rules wise. LS motors also seem to be pretty easy to keep cool, a huge radiator isn't needed if you could use the space for something else. Just my opinion Edited April 9, 2015 by LSQuest88 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
needsq Posted April 10, 2015 Report Share Posted April 10, 2015 Looking good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
autotr8er2 Posted April 10, 2015 Report Share Posted April 10, 2015 Now I don't feel so bad, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Menesing Drifter Posted April 20, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 20, 2015 Better pictures of the interior work with a little sneak peak of the headers http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f223/carsmart28/IMG_0682_zpsftq9kwk2.jpg http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f223/carsmart28/IMG_0681_zpsvk4tzh3x.jpg http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f223/carsmart28/IMG_0683_zpswemunzgv.jpg The shop also got the steering configuration done. He said it took 8 hours and 2 different steering columns to complete. http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f223/carsmart28/IMG_0685_zpsijuimso8.jpg http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f223/carsmart28/IMG_0684_zpsazszplms.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
autotr8er2 Posted April 20, 2015 Report Share Posted April 20, 2015 It's the simplest of things, at first glance yet it seems to take forever Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EVOMINUS Posted April 27, 2015 Report Share Posted April 27, 2015 Any updates on this my friend? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Menesing Drifter Posted April 28, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 28, 2015 Any updates on this my friend? Motor is out for the last time. Wrapping up all the sheet metal work, finish fitting the booster (have to notch the shock tower alittle) then prime it all for final assembly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EVOMINUS Posted April 28, 2015 Report Share Posted April 28, 2015 What are u going to do now that you cutted the firewall with the new drift regs?Is cutting the whole trans tunnel and floor allowed?You machinist is doing one hell of a job,i really admire all the fab work done to your carIts going to be a great street-track car but i don't know if they'll allow you to run with the bigger classesEither way,keep up the inspirational work Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IntercooledFlatty Posted April 28, 2015 Report Share Posted April 28, 2015 awesome work, it's gonna be a MONSTA ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Menesing Drifter Posted April 28, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 28, 2015 (edited) What are u going to do now that you cutted the firewall with the new drift regs?Is cutting the whole trans tunnel and floor allowed?You machinist is doing one hell of a job,i really admire all the fab work done to your carIts going to be a great street-track car but i don't know if they'll allow you to run with the bigger classesEither way,keep up the inspirational work I'm gunna enjoy it and drive the balls off of it! HahaAs far as the rules go I'll deal with it when it matters to me. I'm in no way ready to be competitive in the world of drifting so I'll drive it to small events where competition rules don't apply. Erik Lister, the owner and lead fab at the shop that is doing this is a true craftsman. What ever the rules are for where ever I go and participate I'll make it work and have a blast doing it Edited April 28, 2015 by Menesing Drifter 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOHO Posted April 28, 2015 Report Share Posted April 28, 2015 Awesome man. Would love to do the same. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
autotr8er2 Posted April 28, 2015 Report Share Posted April 28, 2015 Looking forward to running with you, MD. Body is going on the frame this weekend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Menesing Drifter Posted April 30, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 30, 2015 ^^ Looking forward to it man!! For you other guys running LS's what exhaust set up are you running. I've got the headers and H pipe but im stuck on what kinda mufflers to get. Im thinking magna flow right now.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Convette Posted April 30, 2015 Report Share Posted April 30, 2015 what are mufflers? lol Hey man, not sure if you have a driveshaft yet, but I have one that should work with your setup. you will need to have an adapter made so it bolts up to our rearend, but let me know if your interested. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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