Congrats! This is exciting.
I have so many questions!
It looks like a nearly finished project. Do you have all the glass? Are you planning on running a vinyl roof like the car in the pic? How much of a shot is it?
It is basically just a project that needs paint (and a hood and front bumper). I do have all the glass and then some. Not a fan of the vinyl roof. It’ll stay a hardtop car. No idea on the nitrous shot. To me it’s 100% not needed.
I’ll likely detour the build a bit from a street race/dragstrip car to more of a “cruiser” car. Possibly just replacing coil springs on all four corners for more of a normal ride height.
I’ll give the manual shift T400 a shot but I’d be surprised if it stays? I think it’s a bit more to change back than just a valve body swap?
One of the shining stars of this build (other than the 455) is the 9” rear. Even the GSX and Stage 1 cars only came from the factory with 10 bolt rear ends. There’s a lot of cool with the 9”. I think the 3.55 rear is likely right on.
Depending on how the T400 transmission manual shift change up goes, I’ve thought pretty hard about a 200r4 (think turbo Buicks) for ease of swapping, a 4L80e/6L80e (not available in a BOP bellhousing bolt pattern so adapters are required) or even just do more of what I want and swap a Tremec 5 or 6 speed in ($4-5k) to have the “ultimate “
@mbryson Buick.
The Holley double pumper will stay for now but will likely be swapped for a Holley Sniper system (basically a TBI) if there are any real issues at all. I’d likely pick up a couple mpg with the FI but would not just need the Holley system but likely a new fuel tank as well.
Biggest things for the immediate future.
1) pay the car off
2) work on panel fitment and paint it (what color….????)
3) buy a set of 235/60/15 front and 295/50/15 like pictured in the above gorgeous gray car
4) put all new weatherstripping in the car
5) reinstall interior and glass
6) drive the whee out of it and see if I’d change anything
I’d like to be able to drive this thing from Bountiful to Logan in relative comfort. Dark colors and no AC will make that an experience in July temps so that may need addressed? A heater would be good as well. A LOT of sound deadening would be a good thing. Probably some quieter mufflers on the 3” dual exhaust will work their way into the car.
Leaders in the clubhouse for paint colors in no particular order.
