The Bald Eagle Machine Chronicles

[The_bald_eagle_machine]

I immediately noticed something about the subframe connectors. When I use the front jack pad point to lift up the front corner of the car, now the entire side of the car lifts off the ground at the same time. Definitely added ALOT of strength and rigidity with the subframe connectors.

[The_bald_eagle_machine]

Performed my first oil change on the car since I've had her. 37,500 miles on a now 10 year old car. Not bad! This also shows the first time I emptied the catch can. Shows just how much cleaner you can make your engine by running one of these.

[The_bald_eagle_machine]

Ordered some custom LLoyds Mats off of Ebay. They are black with an orange binding, and orange embroidery. $225, this included both Front mats, 2 rear mats, and a large trunk mat. Just makes sitting in my car even nicer!

[The_bald_eagle_machine]

Installed some BCRacing coilovers. My first BIG mod. I installed them as they came in the box from Phastek. Lowered the car about 1.25 inches, which is just enough to tuck my big wheels and not make the car undriveable. These are night and day compared to the stock shocks and struts. If you are thinking about Coilovers, save your money and do it!

[Y88 TA]

Your car looks great Anthony! Interesting following along as you do your mods.

[camguynj]

Very nice purchase! Nice choice of mods. May want consider painting or powder coating the calipers to match the hood stripes as IMO that would really make your rims and rotors pop as the calipers after 10yrs naturally look faded and detract from what is a good look.

[Ashen 6.2]

Awesome ride and nice mods so far!

[The_bald_eagle_machine]

Next it was time to start working on eliminating the wheel hop issues that these cars are so known for. BMR Trailing arms with roto joints, Adjustable toe rods, Lower control arms and last but not least adjustable sway bar end links. Needs a bigger sway bar and poly bushings, those are next on the list! I believe that I got a bad set of Roto Joints on one of the arms because I was getting an awful squeek sound from one side. I contacted BMR and they are sending a warranty head unit so that I can try to solve the problem.

[The_bald_eagle_machine]

Always hated the SS Grille, but didn't want to deal with buying a heritage grille and painting it. The ZL1 grille blends in nicely with the factory SS lower grille. I bought a ZL1 block off emblem from EmblemPros and used 3m tape to attach my SS badge to that(All you gotta do is break the little tabs off). Overall I think it looks so much better. Will be installing ZL1 rockers once I an bring myself to pay for them, and I already have a factory ZL1 rear diffuser in the shed that I am just too lazy to go outside and install.

[Ashen 6.2]

that certainly looks much better!

[The_bald_eagle_machine]

Bit the bullet and ordered a set of Summit white ZL1 painted style rockers from RPI Designs. My exterior mods are nearly complete!

[The_bald_eagle_machine]

I bought a set of billet cap covers from the legendary Camaro5 member CFD, and sent them to Jet Hot USA to have them coated in their ceramic classic polish coating. I wanted the powdercoat to match my cold air inductions intake perfectly, so I sent it to the same place tat coated the intake originally. I love the new look! Thanks CFD, your work will live on in my Camaro!

[The_bald_eagle_machine]

So I have wanted to do the old SS to ZL1 conversion ever since I bought the car. I do not want to do the front bumper however because well... it isn't a ZL1 its an SS. That is more then I am willing to do. But here is the rear diffuser install! I found a complete rear bumper assembly on ebay for about $400 and had it shipped to my house to be dismantled for parts. Used the Zl1 crash absorber and everything. Just had to drill out a few rivets. Only gripe is that it seems to be leaning to one side. Maybe I will make a bracket of some kind to position it perfectly straight or something. Not sure yet. Maybe sitting in the FL heat and driving it will straighten it out a bit.

[The_bald_eagle_machine]

Sorry for the blurry last photo. This one should be much clearer. I am dropping to car off at the exhaust shop tomorrow to have dual tips welded on to fill out the Diffuser openings. It just looks too goofy with the single tips. I am also going to have the welder install flanges on the exhaust instead of those flimsy band clamps that they include in all of those exhaust kits.