Big Red's Journal [COTW 1/28/13]

[kjkjr27]

Originally Posted by ssmike

Ha, now's my chance! My wife stepped out to go to the movies with the girls so I have the perfect opportunity to get started with some of these winter mods! I had high hopes in December of getting started early till I injured my neck! I spent my holiday vacation recouperating and certainly couldn't be crawling under the car or hood to start ripping things off. I'm finally on the mend but light duty!

So, here's all the parts I have with the exception of the Hines Hex vents which are on their way and Oracle led sidemarkers that I'll order this weekend! Let's see, there's my Vmax TB which I had RX powdercoat RJT, updated Vararam with tune only section, new black coupler with T-clamps, rear toe rods, differential bushings, 3.91 gears, upper control arm bushings, and steering rack bushing! I better get going on this, only 8 more weeks of winter left!

Thank god!

Sorry to hear about your neck hope you get better soon. New Vararam? So is this your like 10th air intake lol? The tb looks great and can't wait to see how the vents look .

[ssmike]

Only the back half of the Vararam is changed to the tune version. Front half is the same one. I got the tune section for free from a friend so I figured I'll give it a try! I'm planning on doing a dyno tune in the spring so they can adjust for the tune version!

[ssmike]

Well I tried crawling under the rear end to see what's involved in doing some of the suspension work but it looks like it's involved and my neck isn't up to it! :( So, the only low hanging fruit I can get to is a couple paint mods I've been thinking about! Easy pickins!

[ssmike]

I finished painting the dip stick and + terminal cover. I just have to touch up the + and install back on the car tomorrow!

[ssmike]

I also got around to installing the Powdercoated throttle body, Vararam, and new coupler! The coupler I bought at AutoZone and I had to drill a 3/8" hole in it for the vacuum hose fitting. I replaced my old band clamps with T-clamps which give it a cleaner look and won't distort my Vararam opening like the other ones did!

[ssmike]

I couldn't stand the looks of the bare throttle body bolts so I got out my RJT touch up paint today and painted them! Also, in the pic you can see the final paint job on the oil dip stick handle and + teminal cover! Compare this pic to the last one in the last post!

[kjkjr27]

Originally Posted by ssmike

I couldn't stand the looks of the bare throttle body bolts so I got out my RJT touch up paint today and painted them! Also, in the pic you can see the final paint job on the oil dip stick handle and + teminal cover! Compare this pic to the last one in the last post!

The bolts look much better! I plan on doing that with mine once I reinstally my tb on my intake manifold, although i plan on doing black ones but it def looks better, also very unique thing to do to the + battery terminal looks nice!

[ssmike]

Originally Posted by kjkjr27

The bolts look much better! I plan on doing that with mine once I reinstally my tb on my intake manifold, although i plan on doing black ones but it def looks better, also very unique thing to do to the + battery terminal looks nice!

Yea, those bolts stuck out like a sore thumb being unpainted! The positive terminal cover bothered me too because the red color didn't match anything under the hood! Painting it black helps it blend in with the mount and I painted the + RJT. I had left over RJT spray paint from doing the interior trim stuff so I decided to paint the oil dip stick handle with it! Saved me a boatload of money! Those aftermarket painted dipsticks are crazy expensive!

[kjkjr27]

Originally Posted by ssmike

Yea, those bolts stuck out like a sore thumb being unpainted! The positive terminal cover bothered me too because the red color didn't match anything under the hood! Painting it black helps it blend in with the mount and I painted the + RJT. I had left over RJT spray paint from doing the interior trim stuff so I decided to paint the oil dip stick handle with it! Saved me a boatload of money! Those aftermarket painted dipsticks are crazy expensive!

Lol just like everything else haha!

[Klevston]

Originally Posted by ssmike

I finally got the wheels on the Camaro! I had a local pinstriper add the RJT stripes. The pics aren't the greatest so I'll do a better photo shoot when I get a chance. Till then here they are!

I lowered the coilovers by 1 1/4" front and 1" rear from stock for a slightly raked look. I really like the lowered look with the wheels and front splitter!

can i know what offset you have here mike?thanks

[ssmike]

Originally Posted by Klevston

can i know what offset you have here mike?thanks

I have no clue! I got them from Nine Ball and he doesn't publish the offsets.

[vroomapunk]

love the rims, splitter, and the grille obviously. Did you just lightly tint your fogs? Looks so good

[ssmike]

Originally Posted by vroomapunk

love the rims, splitter, and the grille obviously. Did you just lightly tint your fogs? Looks so good

Thanks! I checked out you build thread and I'm loving the custom paint stuff! CRT is my second fav color! The fogs have gunsmoke tint like the turns and tails but look lighter because of the clear lense.

[Maxspeed]

What did you use to paint your dipstick?