1000WHP+ GT5594 + POWERGLIDE + E85

[ttshovel]

Originally Posted by zlathim

This is an amazing build. Thanks for sharing all of the pictures and information.

Thank you!

thanks for following along! for anyone that wants to replicate this build, I have $6900 in everything including wheel tubs and wheels/tires. all together will be around $7500 by the time I'm done with sheet metal

[ttshovel]

thought I'd give a few more pics of exactly how I braced the rear. the crossmember was very close to where I cut the factory frame rails so I used 11 gauge plate to box the ends, then welded the crossmember. directly to the plate tying it into the rest of the car. I added the 3" by 3" gussets front and back.

for the rear, I did the same. capped the frame rails, welded a 2" by 3" across tying them together and put 2" by 2" between them tagging into the new frame rails. on the top side, behind the new frame rails I added a 2" by 3" welding it directly to new frame and back of the trunk. also added gussets, front and back. I also have the cage tied into the top of the frame rails.

hoping this info helps someone looking to do the same in the future

[ttshovel]

starting to put the wheel tubs in now. got the cage finish welded to the frame, driveshaft loop, and anti roll bar all welded and installed

as you can see the factory tubs were a little too close for comfort with about an inch and a half of clearance. after the tubs are installed I will install the fuel cell using angle iron and rubber isolators. I also have to trim the corner of the rear bumper cover and back of the side skirt. total of about 2" off each and angle cut.

[ttshovel]

got the driver side wheel tub 100% in and seam sealed. I have 2 solid days of work in this one tub. lots of in/out of the tub to trim to fit. along with lots and lots of rivets!

will probably finish the other tub next week and then start on finishing the sheet metal

also, from the last update I got the anti roll bar in and the cage welded to the frame the rest of the way.

[ttshovel]

scored this gen 4 6.0(ly6) for cheap. appears to be super low miles. I pulled piston#1 to check bearings and ring gaps. bearings look new and end gaps were way too tight at .012-.014. opened the top ring to .029, bottom to .032. just have the 7 others to do.

gonna change the cam bearings tomorrow as well. put a thin coat of green loctite on the backs of them on install.

rod bearings I'm using the 15 ft lbs plus 75 degrees. just need a set of ls3 takeoffs and I'll be set to fire it

[ttshovel]

got all the ring gaps opened up, windage tray, oil pan, timing set, oil pump, front/rear covers, damper, lifters, head studs and mechanical fuel pump on.

filled the block 1/2 way up the water pump holes. this would be considered a "3/4" fill. used a non shrink grout to strengthen, yet not distort the bore.

[ttshovel]

got the motor finished up and fuel lines plumber while it was out of the car. got it all stuffed in the car now. had to order a few pigtails that this harness was missing or were different. looking to start it within the week or two.

going to work on the passenger wheel tub, wiring, installing the th400, and making a crossmember for it the next few days.

finally starting to resemble a car again.

[ttshovel]

purchased a bead roller to make the rest of the panels. don't want it to sound like a crumpled beer can going down the road.

got the passenger side tub in, panels from the front of the wheel tubs to the rear of existing pans made and in.

tucked the engine harness under high ram, replaced pigtail for map sensor.

still need to pin ecm for oil pressure sensor and flex fuel sensor. that's next week's project

[ttshovel]

got my fuel lines all ran, I reused a bunch of fitting I had laying around. they ended up leaking in places they shouldn't have been so I ordered more of those. got all the wiring done( except for fan, lighting, and o2 sensor)

made the sheet metal for between the sheet metal( it's 2 pieces front to back. got the battery killswitch welded back in, need to cut the rod to length and retap the end.

should be firing it up for the first time in the next few days. stay tuned

[ttshovel]

spent the day finishing my wiring and chasing no start issues. ended up seeing it was picking up tons of knock on startup, added a couple second noise filtration and bam, started right up.tune taken from the sloppy mechanics tune cabinet. added a ton of fuel to the prime/start areas to help get this mechanical pump going. starts right up and idles nicely. 45psi oil pressure at idle, super happy with that.

next up is the rest of the sheet metal, wiring in battery disconnect, and installing and making a crossmember for the th400

https://youtu.be/bTbKcv8tR_8

[hammdo]

Congrats! Gonna be a heck of a ride when back together...

-Don

[ttshovel]

got the sheet metal done. just need to seam seal the rest of the joints. got the trunk back on. since I'm not using the wiring for it, I'll use dzus fasteners or pins to hold it down.

decided to make my own front/rear lexan windshields after getting pricing on optic armor. thinking 1/8" lexan and some support rods on the front.

[ttshovel]

got the front clip/hood back on. just gonna rock a hole cut in it until I buy a copo hood. still unsure if a 417 motorsports a/w intercooler will fit under one.

[John_C]

Nice build!