WINTER REBUILD - 2/15/07

Got the motor reassembled with the new cam and gaskets last weekend. It still needs an oil pan gasket, and the pulleys need a good painting along with the front of the block around the timing cover... I'll probably do some touch up work on it this weekend. Here's some pictures:

I also got the B&M Transpak and WOT Upshift Kits installed. The pan was extremely dented though so I'm still waiting on a chrome one... through eBay.

Here's the cooler I have for the tranny, it's fairly big for a tranny cooler, and mounted in a sweet spot in front of the radiator above the front lower spoiler. I might paint it just for looks(a cleaner silver).

I took some pictures of the rear axle positioned under the 'vette. You can see the bracing that my dad and I welded to the bottom of the diff housing, which is then bolted to the custom torque arm. The torque arm was made out of 1/8th angle steel and a spare half of a chevette control arm that was blow-torched apart by a salvage yard. You can also see that the setup is basically the same as the original chevette setup, only difference being the torque arm.

On another note, I got the Grant GT steering wheel installed to a workable position, so I know it can be done.

WINTER REBUILD - 1/30/07

Over the past few weekends, I've been going back home to get some more work done to the 'vette. I'm psyched about how the COMPLETE REBUILD is coming along. I've got the S10 rear axle in, which is almost perfect, and just a few minor bugs to work out with the torque arm angle and the panhard rod. I've also purchased all the parts necessary from B&M RACING to build up my TH700-R4. I'm installing their TRANSPAK for nice firm/hard shifts and their 3-4 W.O.T. UPSHIFT KIT for high-speed cruising. They also sell a DRAIN PLUG ASSEMBLY for about $6 or $7 which I'm adding because I'm tired of making transmission stains all over my driveway everytime I pull the engine and trans.

I also managed to pull out the engine last weekend. I found that the bore is really only .040 over, not .060 like the guy I bought it from claimed. I also confirmed that there were no spun bearings or other problems with the engine. While the engine's on the stand, I will be exchanging my COMP CAMS 262 camshaft for an ISKENDARIAN 270H which offers more lift and more power than the torque-y comp cams design. I am also adding ARP HEAD STUDS to avoid blown head gaskets, FEL-PRO 1000 head gaskets, and LOCTITE 567 on all head studs to ensure that no coolant leaks into the combustion chambers. The WEIAND INTAKE MANIFOLD will bet topped off with a HOLLEY 650 or HOLLEY 570 STREET AVENGER (I haven't yet decided) instead of the EDELBROCK 500.

I removed the old stock leaky 12 gallon fuel tank and I will be replacing it with a 15 GALLON SUMMIT RACING FUEL CELL. This will offer extra capacity in case I'm going long distances, or I can just fill it up half way for a night of racing. I bought brand new 3/8" STEEL LINE that I will be using to route 2 lines to the engine, one for the carb and one for nitrous.

I installed a GRANT GT steering wheel, but I'm still working on a way to make the horn work with it. I have to get the S10 driveshaft shortened eventually as well as buy a FLOWMASTER 40 SERIES MUFFLER.

I'll probably have the car pieced back together by the end of March assuming that I make it home every weekend between now and then.

S10 REAR-END SWAP - 12/22/06
I'm home for two and a half more weeks for winter break, and I've almost completed swapping in the S10 rear. I painted it up nice and replaced the diff fluid with some Valvoline high performance stuff. The tires look like they will have more clearance away from the chassis than the old ones did, which means less or maybe even no tire rub. Also, I found out that the axle I have is equipped with the factory GM Gov-Loc Differential, similar to a limited slip or posi diff. I don't think it will help with launches too much, but finally, 2 track burnouts! Once I'm done with the swap and I have a little more time, I will be adding a couple new pages, detailing each of the swaps I have done to my 'vette. Happy Driving and Merry Christmas!!!

NEW VIDEO - 9/24/06
I made a video of the 'vette using pictures and a video clip that I had on my pc while at college. Pretty decent in my opinion... check it out and let me know what you think:

Page 2 - Engine
Page 3 - Transmission
Page 4 - Exhaust
Page 5 - Rear End
Page 6 - Fuel Cell
Page 7 - Exterior Pictures
Page 8 - Interior Pictures