1987 Shelby GLHS #0896

I know the site is a mess. I'll do what I can to clean it up as I add stuff about the rebirth of my ride. So, keep checking back!!

My transmission blew!!!

I'm working on replacing it with an a555, cable shifter, and new axles. This is a pretty common upgrade for the GLHS's. The a525 trans that comes factory is just not enough trans for the 2.2 turboII's power. Then, if you go and upgrade the engine(as I have), it is even MORE likely to destroy the a525. I had planned on doing this upgrade over the winter months anyway but, it just SUCKS when something like this is thrust upon you with NO notice. Oh well, upgrades and Christmas come early for GLHS #0896 this year!(lol)

Here's a pic of the damages(well, the immediate ones that I found when I pulled the rear cover off of the trans:

This is the fifth gear syncro. That's as far as I went in disassembling the unit. I figured if the 5th gear syncro is in 3 pieces, the others are going to be worse and worse as the gears get lower! So, In goes an a555!!! A.S.A.P.

I also have the "Forward Motion" 400HP front mount intercooler that will be part of the repairs. And a few other little secrets to "JUICE" her up a bit more. I figure that I'll be in the low 12's after the a555 and intercooler. It's going to be hard to put her away for the winter. But during her "down time", she'll be getting one of the "Forward Motion" "ENFORCER" series short blocks installed. And the cylinder head will be going out for the MOPAR BIG VALVE job. And last (but definately not least), I'll be instaling a custom built header froma friend who's name I won't mention. YET!!! He builds these headers by individual order only. And they are UNREAL! He and a few of hid customers who have had him build this header for have seen HP increases of around 25-30HP!!! FROM A HEADER!!! One guy claims to have gotten 50HP but, I find that hard to believe. We'll just have to wait and see. I'll keep you all posted.

Here's what she looks like at the moment:

So at the moment, I've got her ripped limb from limb. I figured that if I have to replace the trans, I might as well investigate the entire front end of the vehicle. Including suspension, steering, mounts, and everything else that lays under the hood of the GLHS. I've found a bad Rack, a bad ball joint, bad strut bearings, and a few other little things that will be replaced. So, when this procedure is complete, the car should run and drive like new(actually, BETTER than new!!)

I'll keep you all posted(all of you that are paying any attention anyway). Thanks for your interest. And, if anyone has any questions about how any of the procedures are performed(PROPERLY), drop me a line and I'd be more than happy to help out.

I LOVE this car! It's the second one I've owned. Later on in the site here, you'll see pics and explanations of my old GLHS(#0309). #0896 is in much better condition cosmetically than #0309 was. However, I have lots and lots of work to do if I plan on getting the same performance as #0309. That car was just INSANE! So, I have to take this mild mannered GLHS and piss it off a bit. I'll keep you all posted on everything I do.

So, I got her home. FINALLY. There's lots of stuff for me to do to her. But first, there was the usual paint fade on the hood and roof. That's cool. Common umong these cars. So, it's just fine.Check out the new pics below:

Now, we can get started on the

"1987 GLHS "L" body club"

I've been ranting and raving about.

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The new BABY .  GLHS #0896 . Isn't she just beautiful?

I've been studying all of the GLHS photos I could find on the internet and I've seen a lot of mods that are VERY-VERY appealing to me. Namely, GLHS #0006 has modifications that are just out of this world! A truly amazing creature that one gentleman has built. Once I have the new "Forward Motion" header and turbo kit installed, I'll be replacing the hood. In addition to the "FM" header and turbo unit, I have a "One-Off" air/fuel delivery system that I've been tinkering with for nearly a decade! I'll be installing that little secret as well. Hence the need for the replacement hood. I have a connection for the replacement already. The scoop that I'll be using on the new hood will be one much like the one on GLHS #0006. Primarily because I just LOVE how he has set up the gauges on the exterior of the vehicle, under the scoop. And because of it's large size which provides the necessary room for my MODS. Of course, I'd have to cut some "Slits" or "Grooves" into that type of solid scoop to force air into the engine compartment and the air filter that I'll be using(which is actually for a GMC 3500 series pick-up truck!!!(hehehe) . The damn thing looks like a civil war CANNON!!! It breathes well my friends. It breathes well . It's a very good system that I have developed. At first, it gave me A LOT of heartaches but, after 10 years of "TWEAKING" , I finally have it set up and it works like a finely tuned violin (LOL). The performance gains are OUT OF THIS WORLD!!!

Go to GLHS #0006's Car Domain site and get a look at how great those gauges are set up . It's truly amazing. Here's the address:

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3199207

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I'll be doing a lot of work to the car and I'll keep you all updated on what I'm doing and HOW I'm doing it. FIRST and FOREMOST , I'll be doing the popular "SLH" brake upgrade to her. For those of you who are unfamiliar with this MOD, it's the best braking system that can be installed on the GLHS using factory MOPAR parts from different model vehicles(ie: Caravan, Daytona, and D-150! yeah, the pick-up truck (lol) . If you'd like to know more about any of the MODS you hear about on my site, just drop me a line and I'll be more than happy to lead you in the right direction. The most interesting and unique change I'll be making to #0896 will be an independant rear suspension system . I've only just begun to research it so information is little at this point. I'm thinking that I may be able to modify a late model Neon rear suspension to fit under the GLHS. And if not, I'm sure that I'll find a vehicle that will work . This may sound like pure SIN to alot of you but, the suspension doesn't necessarily HAVE TO be from a mopar to work. Being an Audi tech, I've been considering the Audi 4000 rear suspension system. Of course, those cars were AWD but, that doesn't really matter. I know it can be installed without the diff and axles(which brings up dreams and hopes of an AWD GLHS. Well, that too has already been thoroughly investigated. It would have to be the system used in the Voyagers from that time. And there would need to be an adaptor plate made to mount the 3.0 liter trans to the 2.2. Also, the body modifications are so great that the structure would be too greatly weakend. But, it's nice to imagine getting the grip of AWD in a GLHS, No?) . As an A.S.E. master tech and an Audi Master tech, surely I'll have a lot to offer my fellow MINI-MOPAR fanatics out there. Because the plans are great for this little GLHS . GREAT INDEED!!

         Again, I'll keep everyone posted.

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I need a new "L" body hood to mount a scoop on so I can keep the new header and turbo cooler. As well as provide the necessary room for the turbo and "One-Off" air/fuel delivery system and air filter . As you can see, the "Forward Motion" Header and turbo I'll be using are totally relocated. And having a hood scoop to keep it cooler is a great idea. Don't get me wrong, if you were to get the "FM" header, it DOES work with the factory GLHS turbocharger . And WILL FIT under your factory GLHS hood . I'm just taking things to extremes(as I ALWAYS do(lol) . So, here's how the turbo looks under the hood(with the new "FM" header and an upgraded turbocharger) :

So, adding a hood that will allow some more room for it is a great idea. It'll also allow the engine to "Breathe" a whole hell of a lot better . While using the Air/Fuel delivery system I designed, I'm going to be needing lots of "scoop room" . I'm not sure where on my list these modifications are but, they ARE on the list and will be performed in the order that best suits safety and MY WALLET!!! Continue on to page 2. There's a bunch of information about the newest "trend" in turbocharging. It's called "Twin Scroll" or better yet, "Constant pressure" turbo charging. Surely you'll all love the news about this newest way to control and tame your boost pressures to where they are under YOUR control A LOT more than they've EVER been before!!! Check it out: