Build Session 3 (all done)

This last session begins after the first season of driving.  We put 1366 miles on the car and it all worked well but it has become clear that the donor parts that I used have some issues.  1) The rear differential does not slip as it should, when I corner I get a clunking sound and 2) The 2nd gear syncros are worn.

Here is a list of upgrades / replacements that are planned.

From Mike Forte

1. Complete engine rebuild
2. New T-5 Transmission
3. New 8.8 rear axle assembly (3:73 gears)

I pulled the car into the garage early November-2006 and had it apart, Interior out, Body off and Drive Train out in one day (back to a roller)

Back down to a Roller

I’ll start with the engine.  Here are three photos in sequence.  1) The engine as it was when I removed it from the Donor Car

Donor Engine as removed

Here is the engine as it looked as I put it into the roadster (first season).  All I did was clean it up add some paint and put new gaskets on.

Cleaned Up engine (year one)

Engine Cleaned Up (year One)

Next will be a picture of the rebuilt engine.  I have the whole series of pictures documenting the rebuild but I’ll just skip the the final result.  Here is a list of the power adders:

1)  Cobra Polished Intake & Plenum, 2) Edelbrock Performer Aluminum Heads, 3) 65MM Throttle Body, 4) B303 Cam were the main players.

There was a huge difference in the performance and also the sound.  The engine has a nice pop to the idol.

Rebilt Engine (started first click)

The next sections are kind of fragmented as I was jumping around with the finishing steps.  The body and related panels were delivered to the painter and I will have 6 weeks to complete the finishing before the body is returned.

Here is the Fire Wall and Dash pictures.  Included in these pictures you can see the custom fabricated glovebox.  I needed to have it fit around the heater.

Firewall Before Finishing

Firewall Completed

Dash Wiring Complete

When wiring the dash, it is important to install plugs.  That way the installation & removal will be quick as it is very difficult to fit your hands behing the dash to make connections.

Dash Complete

Southern Rods Heater

Next I focused on the interior.  I needed to upgrade the size of the speakers as the ones that were first installed were not powerfull enough to out perform the sidepipes.

Speaker Upgrade

Heat proofing & sound proofing.  Using 3M spray-on contact cement was the perfect product to stick down both the dynamat & carpets.  All of the dynamat seams were taped with the aluminum tape.

Dynamat Installation

Dash is installed.  Dual signal lights, High beam & Alternator lights.  the toggle switches control the Fan, Wipers, heater blower, power on & the starter.  I do not have an ignition key, I liked the idea of a race car start.

The battery Cut-Off key secures the car.

Final Carpet

Here you can see where I added a hinged piece of diamond plate to cover the battery box.

Final Trunk Carpet

Rick helped install the engine.  It was a very, very cold January night.  Using a load leveler makes the job much easier.

Engine Drop

Engine Drop

Engine Drop

Engine In

Next are some pictures of the Body.  I used a local painter (Pete’s Restoration) who was located in Danbury, CT. at the time.  I selected Dodge Patriot Blue with Arctic White stripes.  Pete did a great job, my roadster was the 12th one that he painted

Primer

Primer Rear

Finished Paint

Finished Paint

In order to protect the paint surface from a thing called “spider cracks” it is recommended to paint the under side of the body shell with a rubberized paint, the type that you use for a truck bed.

Rubberized Paint

Here the body is mounted and the finishing touches are being installed

Body Mounted

Body Mounted

Final Body Mounting

Windshield On

More Finishing

One problem that I encountered was the side piped drooping.  The flange that mounts to the “J-Pipes” tends to wiggle around over time and the front of the pipes will sag.  I fabricated a set of adjustable hangars that will hold these up.

Side Pipe Hangar

Roll Rar Bezels

One of the upgrades that I made was to change out the Coil Over Shocks.  In some rare cases, the original Bilstien Shocks were breaking.  As a result of this problem FFR offered a replacement deal to purchase Koni shocks, a much better product, for a great discounted price.

Here you can see the difference in the shocks.

Bilstien (gold), Koni (red)

Replacement Koni’s

The car has been completed and on the road since Feb-2007 and we have enjoyed it completely.  Some of the seasonal upgrades are as follows:

1. Brake Duct Screens
2. Chrome Over-riders
3. Windwings / Sun Visors
4. MP3 adapter
5. 12V Power Plug
6. Koni Shocks (seen above)
7. Trunk Prop Struts
8. Brake Reservoir Relocation
9. Better Bulb Seal
10. Mini High Torque Starter
11. Gordon Levy Oil Pan
12. 90 degree Oil Filter Mount
13. Snapless Tonneau Cover
14. New Roadster Seats
15. Seat Heaters
16. 4 into 4 headers
17. Auger style baffles