92 Laser with a Talon sex-change , paintjob, built motor, etc....

[____Kurt____]

So I was tired of my '90 laser RS turbo FWD always burning the tires off it and never being able to get anyone from a dig, so 2 years ago I picked up a '92 Laser 6/4 combo in Albany,NY for $2650.

I found out after owning the car for awhile and never driving it that 1st gear in the trans is straight cut. The previous owner had the car running 11's with an hx35. He tried selling it for 3500 in that configuration but no one wanted it so he put it basically stock and someone bought it for 2k right away, 3 days later I picked it up.

a couple changes later....

The motor had piston slap so I pulled it and put in my spare. This gave me a chance to still drive the car and start building my original motor.

The wheels had to get changed.....

A very good investment.

The engine needed an excuse as to why it was smoking, so Rasta colors it got.

I decided I wanted to fix all the dents on the car and as I was at it why not put a hot new color.

Waffled doors, where?

Holes had to get welded up and covered so I can re-drill for the new Talon 3 piece. I tried rocking it wingless but my girlfriend thought I stole my grandpa's car ha.

Time to start edging out the car, I dont want one of those exterior only jobs, go big or go home

Dodge Blazing Red Crystal / ARH is the choice, perfect blend of red pearls and gold flake.

I had everything out so I could change the lights and bumper so why not?

 

[____Kurt____]

The bumpers weren't in the best of shape so they needed to get fixed as well.

and painted

In the pic it looks like the car and the bumpers are different colors...weird WTF

time to start on the jams

nice masking job

I know under the fenders are covered but why not?

What do you think?

time for the doors

Ground most of the cancer out

Sealer, base, then clear.

color matched a-pillars, and pods?

Ok so this is how far I got on my car up to last week. I will be hanging my doors and after that finally sanding down and painting the rest. I will be doing the roof and pillars black. I know probably some of you are thinking "why would you ruin such a rare car for the most popular 1g..." but the answer is because I have gone too far to turn back now. My brother continuously busts me about converting my laser to a talon but I'm sure when its done he'll be speechless.

Don't think for one second that this is going to a typical "All beauty No beast" car. I hate cars like that. I was able to put so much attention into the exterior because I currently work in a body shop and could do my car for a fraction of the price it would cost anyone to get it done.

Now for the motor.
I will be building my for 500-550whp. I know I am going over kill on it but I don't want to be limited by my motor. Its always cheaper to do it right the first time than to do it than to redo it.
I will be running:
JE Forged Pistons w/ Rings
Kiggly Racing - HLA Pressure Regulator
Ferrea Valve Locks
Custom machined Spiral Valve Guides
Ferrea Complete Valve Seal Kit
Ferrea Competition Plus Valves
Kiggly Racing Beehive Valve Spring Set
OEM Complete Engine Gasket Set
Felpro Permatorque head gasket
ARP SS Exhaust Manifold Stud & Nut Kit
ARP Main Studs
ARP L19 Head Studs
Kiggly Racing 6-Bolt Main Girdle
Fluidampr Steel Internal Harmonic Balancer
Manly H-beam Connecting Rods
AEM Digital Pressure Display Gauge
AEM BOOST Gauge Type Controller
AEM Water Temperature Display Gauge
Red Jack Racing T3 Manifold with 44mm wastegate flange
FIC BlueMAX Fuel Injectors 1550cc
Spark Tech Coil on Plug System
JM Fabrications "Race Version" Intake Manifold
MAPerformance Intake Manifold Thermal Spacer
PTE Billet Ball Bearing 6262 HP T3 .82 ar 3” vband ported s 4”in 2.5” out
TiAL Sport Q Vent-To-Atmosphere Blow Off Valve

And a couple of other things that I have to order.

 

[____Kurt____]

Here is the motor 3 hours before bringing it to the machine shop.

looks like some valve rub going on in 2 of the pistons

So that screen does filter out RTV and other debris that is healthy for the engine haha.

Not the dirtiest but a 3 angle valve job and some porting and polishing shouldn't hurt

And my corner table full of parts.

This build is current and my head and block is at the shop getting machined. I will be posting more updates and pics as they become available. Please post comments and let me know what you think!!!

 

[9!'clipseDOHC]

Very nice!! Did you paint it in your garage?

 

[phunny]

Looks like a really nice build, inside and out man.

 

[____Kurt____]

Thanks guys. The car is finally painted and it was painted inside of a booth at work but I edged out all the jambs and things like that in my garage.

 

[canada4g63]

Car is looking sharp. Keep up the good work.

 

[____Kurt____]

The roof was a couple days later, I didn't have the time or will to do a 2 tone paintjob in one shot.

After some headaches and sweat, finally got the trim back on.

 

[____Kurt____]

Now that the body is finally finished and all it needs is a set of new wheels.

Just a Small treat.

1G lapbelt buckle bolts right up

Back to the Motor.

Finally got it back from the machinist with a $3700 total
But Im hoping when I put my foot into the pedal its all worth it!
ps. this is machining and labor only, no parts other than custom valve guides.

In a bag

pistons and bearings coated

oops, cant forget the headers!

 

[____Kurt____]

PTT Twin Disk (hopefully she will hold up)

Ferrea Comps

Smoothed chamber

Back to some assembly, and a red coolant pipe.

Permatorque copper sprayed with some L19s and a ridiculously chopped power steering mount, BARE BONES

Of course when your friend and brother get beyond tired ridicules ideas start coming to mind. And no, this is not the turbo that im running on this motor, but its huge!

Will have more updates soon!!

 

[Lofty]

Love this build.

I wish I could paint so bad. :/


Love everything you've done so far!

 

[____Kurt____]

Thanks Lofty! Anyone can spray, that's almost as easy as rattle can painting. Being a good painter and actually being able to blend/ match color/ and solve problems as they arise is very difficult and beyond my current skill level. I currently Paint bumpers and what not at work so that definitely makes this go easier and faster at home. Everything with the paint getting done with discounts and free booth charges all in all cost me about $600 said and done. That's including my cousin making me pay him $100 to paint the red on the shell. I did the roof and bumpers and edged everything else my self. But for $600 I'm not complaining. If I dropped my car off and had my shop do everything it would be about $5-6k in material and labor and booth charges etc.
The only thing that is left that needs paint is the engine bay. Instead of doing the bay red like the rest of the car, it will be a textured black. This is so the red accents on the motor won't be too much with the red bay.

 

[GstAllDay]

Amazing bro, keep up the good work!

 

[airmail96]

Loving the color on that car , keep up the good wok.

 

[crash89]

Car turned out great man! I cant wait to see mine in the booth here real soon. Just gotta get some space in the garage and start tearing it apart.

 

[mechanix565]

everything is beautiful man. wish i had your motor ... car is gorgeous cant wait to see/hear that monster fire up

 

[93RS]

What color is that??? That is the SEXIEST color I have EVER seen in my life!!!

 

[____Kurt____]

I guess I forgot to mention what color it was. It is a Dodge color, paint code ARH and the name of the paint is Blaze Red Crystal.
Also there has been some progress as I'm waiting for some more parts to come in before I can bolt up the timing belt and components. I was able to shave the valve cover and I'm still in the process of having my buddy weld up the AN fittings.
Previous holes no longer there =o

And some work my brother cleaned up for me

more to come soon!

 

[shredwin]

Awesome build! The paint turned out really nice, I wish I could build my 1G 90 GSX like yours but im in the process of building up my 2G. Anyways great work!

 

[Alex7747]

Just a quick question, what does everyone use to shave the vc?

 

[____Kurt____]

I'm not sure what everyone else uses but I used a 4-1/2" grinder to knock the letters down almost flat and then with a 2" angle grinder and finished it up with a file to make it flat. My brother smoothed it out with a flapper disk.

 

[BoostedinSoFla]

Love the color

 

[Alex7747]

I'm not sure what everyone else uses but I used a 4-1/2" grinder to knock the letters down almost flat and then with a 2" angle grinder and finished it up with a file to make it flat. My brother smoothed it out with a flapper disk.

Sweet, thanks

 

[1G90TalonTsi]

Looks pretty sweet. Love the look of an Engine fresh from the Machine Shop. Made me a little excited

Keep up the good work!

Jared

 

[____Kurt____]

Finally got some more things in to help push this build that much closer to the end, who am I kidding its a dsm, it will never be done haha.

and 15 oem filters