Street Build 1G Build: Return of the DSMer!

[Vegas Smith]

Yeah, a lot of lessons learned on my second stretch of DSMing...

 

[Vegas Smith]

Got the new ETS intercooler in. One big problem is the in/out pipes are too short for my piping and I had to have them elongated by 5 inches or so. I swear little problems just nickle and dime you to death....

 

[Vegas Smith]

Ported the 18g and flattened the j-pipe outlet and o2 housing. Both surfaces needed significant grinding to get them flat. I thought that was interesting...I also added an FP exhaust manifold that I got in trade...

 

[Vegas Smith]

I degreased the transmission, hit it with 2 coats of primer, 2 coats of aluminum and 2 coats of clear and called it a day. It came out pretty well, although I can't stand cleaning dirty transmissions because you never get the stupid things clean with all those crevices.

 

[Vegas Smith]

Finally converted to speed density. Car came with gm maf and a whole rat's nest of wire for the slim fan relays and such. The speed density harness was ridiculously long (maybe an extra 2-3 feet of wiring). I cleaned all that up and relocated the battery back to the engine bay for convenience.

 

[Vegas Smith]

When I finally got the car started the first time around I put the wrong bolts for the oil pan in and they were digging into my timing belt. Lesson learned.

 

[Vegas Smith]

I switched out this big shift knob for a 2g knob I got on eBay for $15. I couldn't be happier with it.

 

[Vegas Smith]

This coolant reservoir was literally laying about in the engine bay when I bought the car. I relocated it with double-sided 3M tape and it's pretty damn sturdy so far.

 

[Vegas Smith]

Got a bunch of stuff for Christmas. Sorry, the "holidays". Don't want to offend anyone.

 

[Vegas Smith]

I decided to replace all my wheel bearings when I finally got the car done. There was a grinding noise while driving and 3/4 four wheels had slop when pulling on the wheel. I got this cheap press from Harbor Freight and it got the job done. I keep finding stuff on the car to fix

 

[Vegas Smith]

Uh oh....decided I wanted to completely restore the chassis and start on replacing all bushings with polyurethane. This would prove to be a very intensive project. look at how bad the old bushings were. I also decided to put in an improved steering rack. The theme with this car is quality. I wanted the chassis to be completely restored with high quality components.

 

[Vegas Smith]

 

[Brembo]

Love the cats. Great build keep it up and update the thread with more bay pictures to show intercooler pipe routhing when done.

 

[Vegas Smith]

^Will do

 

[DetroitStroker]

I see 2 tubular pieces...one front cross member with roll stop and what is the other? For rear diff?

 

[Vegas Smith]

I see 2 tubular pieces...one front cross member with roll stop and what is the other? For rear diff?

Yes, that's the rear mustache bar for the rear diff.

 

[Vegas Smith]

Before I got back into DSMs I started racing r/c cars again. It worked well because I enjoy wrenching on stuff and at the time I didn't have a garage (small apartment). After a while it just couldn't compete to driving your own turbocharged AWD car.

 

[Vegas Smith]

After a while I realized that wouldn't have enough fuel to max out this 18g. I wound getting a great deal on some FIC hi-z 1100s and a Walbro 450 fuel pump. I almost completely rewired the sending unit with 10 gauge wire. I used a bulkhead to pass the wire through the sending unit. I also rewired the fuel pump with relay and thicker wire all the way to the battery.

 

[DetroitStroker]

Thanks for the reply bud! Are those from Paul volk (sp?)?

 

[Vegas Smith]

Paul Volk? The tubular bars are Bulfab. Not sure if that's the same guy.

 

[DetroitStroker]

99gst_racer (or something to that effect) manufactures similar products if I'm not mistaken. At least the front cross member. I was unsure if he made the rear diff mount.


Those look like nice products and some I would like!

 

[Vegas Smith]

Got a new paint job for the car. Just kidding...

 

[Vegas Smith]

Some pics of the interior of the car when I bought it:

 

[Vegas Smith]

Got a Fluidyne radiator for free (somewhat long story)

 

[Vegas Smith]

Alright, almost completely caught up to current times! Last week I finished up My rearend. I coated all of my subframe in Rust Seal and installed new polyurethane bushings, new wheel bearings, adjustable camber arms, rear-toe eliminator inserts, 4-bolt rear and DSS aluminum driveshaft.