Upgrade on a budget !

by NOMOREWORK Tue Jul 03, 2018 5:30 pm

Decided to put my story here so I can document my upgrades. So far I have replaced original upper and lower ball joints, front and rear springs with 1 inch lower Bell Techs, front bushings with parts from Energy Suspension and a close ratio steering box. Rear drums have been replaced with a SSBC disc brake conversion kit, and a UMI rear suspension kit is waiting to be installed next.

by REVINKEVIN / Mr. 600+HP Tue Jul 03, 2018 6:39 pm

This will be a nice project to watch. I like that car.

by fasrnur Tue Jul 03, 2018 6:49 pm

Nice looking ride sir.
That's quite some budget(?) build. lol
I'm on a bit of a lower budget build and have been using as many factory parts to get where you are at. WS6 Trans Am front sway bar (1 1/4"), Impala SS rear sway bar (1") and complete set of Impala SS springs. For the rear disc conversion I have the complete set up off a 93 Camaro. I have a set of stock rear control arms that I'm going to box as well. I do plan on installing a quick steer box on mine as well. Which box did you go with?

I wish I had that kind of budget cause I could go wild with factory parts. haha

by NOMOREWORK Wed Jul 04, 2018 10:55 am

It's from a company called PSC from their Resto Series, got it from Summit. I guess the word budget is a bit misleading but after spending some time on the Pro-Touring forum I am definitely operating on a budget !!!
I also don't have access to an abundance of good used parts in my area.

by NOMOREWORK Thu Jul 05, 2018 4:12 pm

Ordered my tires today,245-45-17 for the front and 275-40-17 for the rear. They will be mounted on American Racing 17x8 and 17x9 Magnum Wheels.

by NOMOREWORK Sat Jul 07, 2018 8:45 am

Rear suspension pieces installed so I took only a very short ride because something was banging big time in the rear. Put car back up on jack stands and discovered a caliper bolt was hitting frame, so I rotated it and bolted it back up. Gained some clearance but thought I could use more. Installed a spacer between the rear spring and the mounting point and no more banging. So far everything I have changed has been a noticeable improvement over stock, steering, handling , braking and ride quality have all gotten better! I am very pleased! Next up wheels and tires, and then I will take a break.

by NOMOREWORK Sat Jul 07, 2018 5:53 pm

Picture taken after lowering. Upgrade on a budget ! Img_0510

by NOMOREWORK Mon Jul 09, 2018 1:07 pm

So I take the wheels to the tire shop and leave them to be mounted, 2 boxes marked 17x8 2 boxes marked 17x9 just as I ordered them. Tech starts to mount tires and checks each wheel first noticing that one wheel is stamped 17x7. So back to Indy Auto Parts I go to get the right wheel. Guy there says I think I will ask American Racing to overnight the right wheel since this wasn't your fault. Ya think !!!

by thatfnthing Wed Jul 11, 2018 9:24 am

It is looking mighty fine, though!

by NOMOREWORK Sun Jul 15, 2018 1:08 pm

New wheels and tires finally on! Upgrade on a budget ! Img_0513

by REVINKEVIN / Mr. 600+HP Sun Jul 15, 2018 2:45 pm

That worked out nice. I can’t wait until I get to this point with my car. Good job. What’s next??

by g3chevy / Mr Pontiac Mon Jul 16, 2018 8:06 am

Very nice! Those wheels compliment your Buick perfectly!

by NOMOREWORK Thu Aug 02, 2018 6:42 am

Well I just broke the budget !!!! Bought an LS1 and transmission from a 2004 GTO.

by Zaptiah Thu Aug 02, 2018 10:50 am

Think positive ... Selling your engine and trans will offset the cost and call it budget friendly ... At least that's what I told the wife lol. Congrats on the upgrade ... A gto setup is a potent combo.

by REVINKEVIN / Mr. 600+HP Thu Aug 02, 2018 11:57 am

LS1!!! I have a 2001 SLP SS Camaro with a 6 speed. I understand LS. I can help you save some money on things that don't need to be done. For your project just remember, cam and converter will go a long way in making it very fun to drive. Just those 2 with a program will knock almost a second off the 1/4 time and the smiles will just keep coming.

by alowerlevel Thu Aug 02, 2018 4:59 pm

NOMOREWORK wrote:Well I just broke the budget !!!! Bought an LS1 and transmission from a 2004 GTO.

Good choice, t56 or 4l60e?

Ls swapping my 73 was the best mod ive done to the car (well that and the turbo, lol).

by NOMOREWORK Fri Aug 03, 2018 8:40 am

It came with the 4l60e attached, it also has everything else still attached. It had just been taken out of the car when my autobody friend called the yard and asked what they had for LS motors.

by NOMOREWORK Fri Aug 03, 2018 8:46 am

Kevin I actually built an LS1 that was in my 98 Corvette, have been trying to find paper work from then but no luck yet. I remember mildly ported 241 heads,LS6 intake, shorty headers and a convertor from a Chevy Astro van and not much else. Not sure on cam speqs so I will be hitting you up as I go.

by NOMOREWORK Fri Aug 03, 2018 8:55 am

alowerlevel I read a bunch of old posts about your swap but was unsure if I wanted to leave the Buick 350 or go LS. When this deal was offered to me I immediately jumped on it. Good truck motors are hard to come by here and finding a 2 wheel drive with low mileage and an auto attached is almost impossible. I paid $2500 for the GTO motor and tranny with everything still connected, it seemed like a fair price.
Also found finding performance parts for Buick small blocks is not an easy thing to do.

by NOMOREWORK Mon Aug 20, 2018 10:12 am

Off to the body shop.

Ordered front and rear bumper fillers, dropped car at body shop this morning.

by Hs1973 Mon Aug 20, 2018 11:18 am

Can i ask you how those american racing wheels feels to ride on? Is there any Shake or out off round problems with them? I ask because my american racing rims are not round at all. There has been problems with them from day one. They Shake when i go faster than 50mph. Mine are 15x8, T70R. With bf Goodrich tires and none i have tried can make them stop the Shake. One tech Said the rims were out of round dispite Being new. I had them Road force balanced with no luck. So i need new rims and tires but i dont know what to buy that works perfectly but also looks cool. Thank you Henrik.

by NOMOREWORK Mon Aug 20, 2018 2:14 pm

Henrick
I have had zero issues from day one, they balanced with out any issue, no shaking at any speed. Did you buy them new? If they are out of round I would be talking to American Racing. Are you sure its the wheels and not the tires?

by NOMOREWORK Sat Aug 25, 2018 5:36 pm

Getting ready for a winter project.

by REVINKEVIN / Mr. 600+HP Sat Aug 25, 2018 8:26 pm

Here is an LS7 engine I have laying around the house. I almost used it in my Laguna project. It was for my 1970 Camaro but I sold that and now I have this left over. I might use it in my 2001 SS Camaro. Find some 243 or 719 heads and port them, cam and springs, and LS6 intake, and converter and you will be just fine.

by NOMOREWORK Sun Aug 26, 2018 7:11 am

Kevin already bought some 243 heads and that is an LS6 on the motor now. Any recommendations for a cam?

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