Thank you for the kind words!
I drove it to work today for the first time and it absolutely puts a smile on my face. I've owned a lot of cool cars and can't remember one I enjoyed driving more than this.
Budget Build Twin Turbo LT1
- Thread starter hoppin5478
- Start date
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Thank you for the kind words!
I drove it to work today for the first time and it absolutely puts a smile on my face. I've owned a lot of cool cars and can't remember one I enjoyed driving more than this.
Thank you! I honestly don't think I could be any happier with it. I just have to be careful not to get in trouble in it, it gets going in a hurry.
Since I have been driving it the speedo quit working and was really bugging me so I took some time to figure out what happened hoping it would be a quick fix. As per usual it was more complicated than I had hoped. I had to pull the tail housing on the trans because it was chewed up on the inside where the external speedo gear rides. The pin that was supposed to be there to support it was broken off. I had to drill it out and tap a new stud in the hole to prevent premature failure of the plastic gears in the future. I ordered new speedo gears but I'm still waiting on the internal drive gear to reassemble it and will have to re-calibrate the speedo. I had a green drive gear and now all that seems to be available are the blue ones from Richmond. Hopefully back on the road next weekend.
I finally ordered a grille and per usual a 10 minute job took hours. I went with one of the Ebay aftermarket ones. I originally wanted the factory grille but the factory lower insert blocks air flow and I intentionally opened up the lower bumper area for better airflow to the intercooler and radiator. The aftermarket mounts that came with the kit weren't even close to the mounting points and neither the upper nor lower grille fit in the grille opening. The lower was the right contour but the upper wasn't even close so I had to bend it. Then I trimmed the edges of the upper and lower so they fit and custom made and powder coated mounts. It's not perfect but overall I'm happy with the look and fit.
Here is a pic of the mounts finished and installed.
And a couple pics of the finished product.
I finally ordered a grille and per usual a 10 minute job took hours. I went with one of the Ebay aftermarket ones. I originally wanted the factory grille but the factory lower insert blocks air flow and I intentionally opened up the lower bumper area for better airflow to the intercooler and radiator. The aftermarket mounts that came with the kit weren't even close to the mounting points and neither the upper nor lower grille fit in the grille opening. The lower was the right contour but the upper wasn't even close so I had to bend it. Then I trimmed the edges of the upper and lower so they fit and custom made and powder coated mounts. It's not perfect but overall I'm happy with the look and fit.
Here is a pic of the mounts finished and installed.
And a couple pics of the finished product.
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80sz
sup
Looks sharp
Thank you, it feels really good to be making progress.
Incredible build. Extremely clean and well put together. I'm a smidge envious.
Bandit723
Veteran Member
Good work so far, really like the Viper yellow used. Had a question in the 4th gen seats. did these bolt right in? or did you have to go with different rails to get them to fit.
Detrailers
Veteran Member
Where did you get the clear side marker lenses?
Thank you! It's definitely not perfect but for a guy building it in his driveway I'm really happy with how its coming out and what I've learned along the way.
Thanks, so far I'm really happy with the black contrast against the yellow and excited to see the finished product. Its been a while but I'm pretty sure on the passenger seat I removed the 4th gen tracks and just bolted my 2nd gen track to it. I may have had to slightly grind or trim some metal from the bottom of the 4th gen seat pan to get my tracks to bolt flush but it was quick and easy. I can check when it stops raining here. You could do the same on the drivers side but I choose to modify the 4th gen rail because of the adjustability the 4th gen seat tracks had. I cut off the feet where it bolts to the floor in the front and rear and welded new feet on that bolted in my original 2nd gen floor mounting points. In retrospect I'm not sure it was worth the extra work for me at 5'11 but when my dad and brother drive it at 6'4 they are really grateful for the adjustment and fit well.
My lenses are the factory orange. I think its a combination of them fading over time and bad lighting on the picture making them look clear. I actually planned on making a set of smoke colored ones, if it works the same procedure could be used to make a clear set. I'll keep you posted when I give it a shot.
Bandit723
Veteran Member
Thanks for the quick how you did it. was looking for options to retro my seats back to some thing more comfortable, really do not like my racing seats.
