The Bird

[sparkles]

Figured it's been a while and I need to update the status of the bird.


Starting back last September, I found a really good deal on the good LT1 T56 transmission. The T5 I had was a little banged up and had the typical 3rd gear issue, plus I had pretty much destroyed the clutch.


The tired gal:
http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk276/ericksonb06/TAs/91%20TA/DSC_5251.jpg
Its replacement:
http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk276/ericksonb06/TAs/91%20TA/111411_153600.jpg


A short drive with Aaron up to Cedar Rapids and $900 later, I had everything I needed, minus a GOOD clutch, for the swap. Went with a Comp 6 puck ceramic, Thanks to Prez at JB Autosports giving me a helluva deal.


http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk276/ericksonb06/TAs/91%20TA/112511_142300.jpg
http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk276/ericksonb06/TAs/91%20TA/112511_142500.jpg


This led to several issues including:
1. master cylinder retrofit
2. trans crossmember
3. exhaust y pipe
4. speedo calibration


Tubes and Hoses in Pleasant Hill and I came up with a simple fix for the master cylinder issue, a member on the forum just happened to have a Dakota Digital SGI-5 for the speedo, and the other two issues were solved with me fabbing a crossmember out of some steel I had, and then shipping the car over to Joe Rosenberger at 515 Customs to get a new 3" mandrel y built to clear the back of the new trans. The same guy that did all my cage work. Joe does great work for anyone that needs something done. A lot better than my crossmember.


It's not pretty, but it gets the job done:
http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk276/ericksonb06/TAs/91%20TA/112611_204000.jpg


Got back from him the end of January, just in time for me to take off to Hawaii and not do anything with it until I got back and got it ready to paint. Worked out a deal for and was able use the booth at Teds and spray it with the new waterborne stuff they got. After way WAY more bodywork than Aaron ever wanted to do, he finally got some color on it.


1996 Admiral Blue Pearl that they put on the Grand Sport that year, or as Aaron calls it, "Spectramaster Blue".


http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk276/ericksonb06/TAs/91%20TA/Paint/031912_201401.jpg
http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk276/ericksonb06/TAs/91%20TA/Paint/031912_201400.jpg
http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk276/ericksonb06/TAs/91%20TA/Paint/041612_200900.jpg
http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk276/ericksonb06/TAs/91%20TA/Paint/041612_201000.jpg
http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk276/ericksonb06/TAs/91%20TA/Paint/062312_213900.jpg
http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk276/ericksonb06/TAs/91%20TA/Paint/062312_215300.jpg
http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk276/ericksonb06/TAs/91%20TA/Paint/DSC_7746.jpg
http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk276/ericksonb06/TAs/91%20TA/Paint/DSC_7748.jpg
http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk276/ericksonb06/TAs/91%20TA/Paint/DSC_7749.jpg
Before:
http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk276/ericksonb06/TAs/91%20TA/DSC_3004.jpg


The final product:
http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk276/ericksonb06/TAs/91%20TA/Paint/DSC_7776.jpg
http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk276/ericksonb06/TAs/91%20TA/Paint/DSC_7759.jpg


Quite a bit more pearl, huh?


There's a little bit left as far as finishing touches, as well as some other things that I want to do, but at least this chapter is coming to an end and I can finally drive it after a year of being in other people's garages.


Stay tuned for Chapter 3 which will include a new rear, brake upgrade, and possibly some boost.


Big, HUGE, ENORMOUS Thanks to Aaron "ProchargedFox" Larson for all the hours he's put into getting this thing to look as great as it does.


Thanks to Prez and JB Auto for the excellent prices and customer service on the clutch as well as the other parts I've purchased.


Thanks to Joe "Waldo" Rosenberger for the top notch fab work as always. This guy puts out better work out of his garage than a lot of big time shops.

[86svo9L]

Wow, nice work! Car looks gorgeous.

[FiFdYnUtZ]

Looks good! Spectramaster blue is a colorchip series of dupont stock colors, though...any color from it comes up as "spectramaster blue" lol

[Larsons Fox]

The car was sprayed with DuPonts cromax-pro which is a water-based base coat. That's why it looks so good.

[85XR7Project]

Yet another car ive been wanting to see more about! Looks fantastic man, that is one beautiful bird.

[AutoMods]

yea we've been needing more updates from your car. looks great. i didn't think your car looked bad before, but i've only seen online pics

[FiFdYnUtZ]

The car was sprayed with DuPonts cromax-pro which is a water-based base coat. That's why it looks so good.

So cromax "looks" better than chromabase?

[Larsons Fox]

So cromax "looks" better than chromabase?

Yes much better. It only takes 1.5 coats to cover leaving almost no texture. Not only does the color look better, the clear is smoother as well. And the color match is unreal compared to chromapremier that we were using.

[FiFdYnUtZ]

That's what I've heard, I doubt our shop will convert any time soon, though....no polishing on the car?

[Larsons Fox]

That's what I've heard, I doubt our shop will convert any time soon, though....no polishing on the car?

The hood was about the only thing that needed it, but I ended up sanding the entire car smooth.

I honestly don't rub 75% of the cars at work, when before I had to rub 90% of them.

[Domestic Disturbance]

that color is fly. Is it going to be at the shootout?

[Drifte]

Oh that Aaron, haha. So now that hes free he must be ready to paint my bike, yea?

paint looks great.

[Newgen]

The bird is the word?

Paint looks excellent, car is even more stunning in person :)

[SledgeWS6]

Damn that's sexy as hell.

[Chase]

Looks great. I could do without seeing the grand sport stripes on the fender though.

[sparkles]

Started the swing out kit today. Still needs finish welded and paint touched up, but all the fab work is done. SOOOO nice not having to climb over the bar. The kit is well worth the extra money compared to the cheap garbage CE kit.
Before:
http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk276/ericksonb06/TAs/91%20TA/Cage/DSC_7835.jpg
After:
http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk276/ericksonb06/TAs/91%20TA/Cage/DSC_7837.jpg
http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk276/ericksonb06/TAs/91%20TA/Cage/DSC_7840.jpg

[AutoMods]

nice improvement. mine is never in unless i go to the track

still waiting for your shootout registration

[sparkles]

That's because I won't be participating.

[AutoMods]

That's because I won't be participating.


you need to get your priority's straight. you could've climbed your ass over your old bars and gotten the car ready for the track first . done the bar change over the winter.

[JustaGT]

you need to get your priority's straight. you could've climbed your ass over your old bars and gotten the car ready for the track first . done the bar change over the winter.

Just a shot in the dark, but I dont think installing the swing outs have anything to do why some people wont be participating.....

Car looks great Ben! You guys have turned it into quite the shiny turd :)

[AutoMods]

Just a shot in the dark, but I dont think installing the swing outs have anything to do why some people wont be participating.....

are you implying that I'm being an ass ?

[JustaGT]

are you implying that I'm being an ass ?

Pretty quick to assumptions aren't we? I don't see anywhere in my post where I targeted to you specifically.

I applaud you for trying to setup a meet for everyone to get together. I don't want to sidetrack sparkle's thread as to what my reasoning is as to why I don't plan on attending, but based on the mentality of some that will be attending and the amount of nutswinging and bitching about every little thing, I don't really care to have a life surrounded by drama.

[Drifte]

Just a shot in the dark, but I dont think installing the swing outs have anything to do why some people wont be participating.....

Car looks great Ben! You guys have turned it into quite the shiny turd :)

BRO, these are the days of our LIVES.

[AutoMods]

Pretty quick to assumptions aren't we? I don't see anywhere in my post where I targeted to you specifically.

I applaud you for trying to setup a meet for everyone to get together. I don't want to sidetrack sparkle's thread as to what my reasoning is as to why I don't plan on attending, but based on the mentality of some that will be attending and the amount of nutswinging and bitching about every little thing, I don't really care to have a life surrounded by drama.

I'm just giving sparks some friendly encouragement. we are buds. have you been to a shootout before? there has never been any drama at one before and probably won't be any this year. now the aftermath online there has been drama but never in person. everyone gets along. and if you don't want to specify your reasoning for not coming we can't help improve the situation/event.

[FiFdYnUtZ]

Its jaw dropping the amount of pansy ass people that think because there is a competitive attitude online that everybody starts bro'ing out at the events, then they stay home...better stick to the "cruises" and dinner parties if you can't handle it...its racing not a car show

[Drifte]

Yea JustaGT, just shut up and go back to college. :bling1: You probably dont even have a car.

[FiFdYnUtZ]

Yank yank

[JustaGT]

I'm just giving sparks some friendly encouragement. we are buds. have you been to a shootout before? there has never been any drama at one before and probably won't be any this year. now the aftermath online there has been drama but never in person. everyone gets along. and if you don't want to specify your reasoning for not coming we can't help improve the situation/event.

I've been to a few events yes. Aside from the DSM shootout and TX2K events I have been to more NHRA events and tracks than I can count. I started out in the Jr. drag racing program when I was 8 and got into the super comp/super gas racing when I was 18. I agree that there are a lot of keyboard warriors but in person they are a little different, thats everywhere. I grew up racing a little different than the typical Iowa grudge racing badasses, It was always a family sportsmanship event for me. I'm not saying that shit talking isnt a part of it because it definitely is but I chose not to as the only street car I have had was a mere low 12 second mustang. Rather than sit around and bitch about every little rule and thing that doesnt go into my favor I will just keep shut and if it doesn't cater my needs, then ill avoid it. I hope the event is a good turn out and everyone has a good time, but it doesnt look like there is much for the bike class and it sounds like it will be a little cold anyway.


Yea JustaGT, just shut up and go back to college. :bling1: You probably dont even have a car.

I am on campus thankyouverymuch. I dont have a car :( unfortunately I am a broke college kid that had to sell it in order to start funds for another one. But i do have a sick blazer :booty:

[sparkles]

Its jaw dropping the amount of pansy ass people that think because there is a competitive attitude online that everybody starts bro'ing out at the events, then they stay home...better stick to the "cruises" and dinner parties if you can't handle it...its racing not a car show

That's the problem. The main point is to get everyone together for an event. With all the garbage that gets spewed on here, the stuff I heard about last year's post-event antics, the enormous amount of complaining about the rules so much that I'm not sure if I need my lawyer to decipher what I can and can't do, not to mention it's the end of OCTOBER, It becomes pretty easy to see why there are some of us that aren't all that excited.

My personal reasons, I'll keep to myself. I might be there, I might not. It's would take quite a bit to convince me to go through the trouble of bringing my car up. It's a lot easier for someone as lame as me to just kick out the folding chairs and drink beer parked next to all the old guys with their Vettes as everyone admires my shiny tires ;) Evidently, it IS how you stand by your car that matters.

[AutoMods]

nothing happened last year, not sure what you guys are blowing up


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uh1D5EbxAkc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uh1D5EbxAkc

[c_mart_28]

My two cents: I argued up and down last year with everyone about the smallest of points. Once we were there all was good. Nobody was exceptionally difficult about anything and everybody had a good time. Honestly i feel like if i needed help, i could have asked Any one of
these degenerates and they would have helped however they could.

In person it's a lot different. Personally i think they were all just a little intimidated by my freakish combo of mass and good looks...

[SledgeWS6]

My big problem with the shootout is there are not going to be any hot chicks there. If I'm going to Cedar Falls, I'm gonna be on the Hill spinning more than tires. :3some:

[Domestic Disturbance]

My big problem with the shootout is there are not going to be any hot chicks there. If I'm going to Cedar Falls, I'm gonna be on the Hill spinning more than tires. :3some:

Are you sure you aren't a mustang owner? How often do you flex in the mirror? :booty:

[SledgeWS6]

Are you sure you aren't a mustang owner? How often do you flex in the mirror? :booty:

Every night before I go to bed. ....John/Tyler have me damn near convinced to buy a Termi...or I could just stick to my original route and not let these parts go to waste by blowing the LS1.

Anyway...enough thread hi-jacking...

[FiFdYnUtZ]

No bitches, no sludgehammer.

[Scott]

I picked up a girl at this last year... not sayin it was worth it but it happened :(

[sparkles]

nothing happened last year, not sure what you guys are blowing up


Guess I'm lying then. I guess what I've heard, in person, from at least 3 different people didn't happen then. Your fancy video says so, right?

[AutoMods]

why don't you just tell us what your talking about mr politician ? only thing i can think of is ed bringing his nitrous. but i seen ed's car run 11.1's NA at cordova the year before (october 2010) with my own eyes. its was a minor ordeal

[Scott]

Guess I'm lying then. I guess what I've heard, in person, from at least 3 different people didn't happen then. Your fancy video says so, right?

You really cant get a much calmer group of people to race with.. i have no clue what ur talking about either

[SledgeWS6]

No bitches, no sludgehammer.

It's been a good life policy thus far.

[BGjohnson]

It was fine. People had their clicks, but who doesn't. I go there to run as fast as I can, support local guys and the car street scene.

Maybe next year we can do it in September, October is cutting it a bit close to really cold weather.

[AutoMods]

Maybe next year we can do it in September, October is cutting it a bit close to really cold weather.


i agree