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Project "Because Racecar"


speedyquest
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For quite a few months I've been acquiring parts to make a drastic transformation to my narrow body 87 starion. Well this weekend is the start of that project and I will be documenting it here. D_Venable was gracious enough to offer up his garage space and tools so I drove up to his place to spend just over a week bothering the crap out of him and spending way too much time in his garage making a mess lol.

 

The basic plan is to do some upgrading of the fuel system, install a few maintenance parts, paint both the body and engine bay, widen the car by making over-fenders, and lastly fabricating up a proper v-mount setup for the car.

 

I will be updating this regularly throughout the day and will probably set up my computer in the garage and stay logged into chat if you guys want to heckle me or offer up suggestions haha.

 

Before pictures coming soon...

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Actually you guys may be able to help me out. Derek (D_Venable) and I have been going back and forth about which color I should paint the car. Its between semi-gloss white and semi-gloss grey. Since this is my first time doing body work or painting a car I am concerned with the quality of my work. Semi-gloss white would cover up mistakes pretty well. I do like white but grey would be awesome too.

 

Tell me what you think, what would you do?

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Alright, thats out of the way. It looks like the lower radiator support will foul the position the radiator needs to be in not to mention the ducting for the air leaving the radiator. Another thing to consider is that the suspension uses that lower section as a brace. What I think will work well is cutting out that brace and then welding in a tubular brace about 5 inches back. This will allow it to continue doing its job of a supporting the suspension parts it needs to and also give me the room I need.

 

http://i.imgur.com/5HIijia.jpg

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Yep for sure. I appreciate you looking out too. I certainly don't want to be changing the geometry of anything.

 

Here is a picture of mocking up the radiator and intercooler position. This is all subject to change, I'm sure after Derek gets off work and we sit down and look at it for awhile we will find ways of optimizing it.

 

http://i.imgur.com/NpmlRcw.jpg

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Well Derek and I just got back from the hardware store. Ended up spending just under 200.00 in supplies. So today the plan is to finish up the mounting and relocating the front frame rail brace. That will allow us to fan up the brackets for the radiator and finalize its location. When that's done the motor can come out and prepping for painting it can start.

 

http://i.imgur.com/XTUSfY7.jpg

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That is very true. The purpose of a v-mount setup is not meant to improve upon that. Its meant to use high and low pressure zones to create a more efficient rate of air flow and decrease engine bay temps.

 

Another update. I've got the old lower radiator support out and trimmed down the caster bar supports some. Next is to create a new support and strengthen the caster mounts to it.

 

Also that bar at the end of the frame rails is just there to ensure the rails stay where they should be. That will be removed soon.

 

http://i.imgur.com/Gnz3sTL.jpg

Edited by speedyquest
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I wasn't able to get ahold of any sheet steel to make the new lower cross brace so to keep progress going we ended up pulling the engine out. We will be picking up steel on Monday. Today I plan on pulling everything out of the engine bay and starting to prep it for paint.

 

http://i.imgur.com/PFB0tu8.jpg

Edited by speedyquest
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Mostly done now until I get some drill bits tomarrow for front bumper got my shortblock out of my basement and in the garage it was interesting taking my engine stand and cherry picker in the basement so i could move it cause I had to do it by myself. Luckly my house is built into a hil with a walk in basement lol. Got the crank out and will have it mic'ed tomarrow to see what bearings i need and maybe polish it at the shop. I will see what my buddy says and the tractor shop lol. I am not used to the shortblock cause it literally is sooooo clean. 2500 miles on it since a shop rebuild lol.
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Made some good progress so far today. Derek and I made several trips to the hardware store to pick up steel metal, grinding wheels, cutting wheels, and heavy duty simple green. I busted out the welder and got both the gussetting and brace in. That means I can fully commit to prepping the engine bay for paint.

 

The goal is to paint the engine bay tomorrow night and the body Friday. Lots yo do till then though.

 

Here's a picture of the front end bracing and gussets.

 

http://i.imgur.com/oAqKfUu.jpg

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