A brief update and a couple questions...

Jonas McFeely · #1 (**permalink**) 04-25-08, 01:24 AM

Hey guys, its been awhile. Lots of things have happened in my recent and latest hiatus. Some bad, most good. Ive been wanting to get back on the forums, but wanted to wait until i could actually ask legit questions about legit things that im ready/wanting/able/willing to do to/with old Sagey.

Well, its still a bit soon, mainly because i havnt picked out my second car, which was the main thing i needed to do before i started this. Ive got my eye on another '86 CRX SI. 230k miles. Original owner, etc...

Anyhoo, ive got a HOUSE! with a 2-CAR GARAGE! That is where my '85 will be parked and stripped. Finally. Im actually going to start the restoration. And yes, i do mean restoration. Nothing too extensive, but she needs a lot of work. I recently took the vinyl top off and discovered a bit of rust. In the typical places. Thumbs up to Cadillac for using body filler from the factory too! Anyone whos taken a top off an '80's Brougham knows this. Its sad but true.

I dont really want to get into this without pics. I always love posts with pics, so im going to save the good stuff for when i take some pics.

This time i am actually serious, and STABLE enough to actually start to get her where i want her. Its been long enough. I finally have the space and time and money to start. More importantly the stability and finacial means. I know this is going to take a long time, probabaly a few years to do everything i want. But i want to include you guys every step of the way.

This is my IDEAL gameplan as follows:

Totally STOCK-looking exterior:
Strip entire exterior.
All new front end fiberglass and bumpers, trim, grille, etc.
New rear bumper.
New fiberglass fillers. (of course)
New trunk.
All rust and dings attended to.
New Aspen Green vinyl top.
New windshield.

Suspension and wheel work. I dont know my options as far as what i can do with the suspension. Something stiffer and maybe an inch or so lower.
Posi rear end, not sure what gears.
C6 Corvette wheels. 18 in front, 19 in rear.

Interior (idealy):

New Sage carpet.
Reupholster the front seats in Sage velour.
Dark woodgrain interior swap from an '86-'92 Brougham.

Trunk:

Dynamat the whole drunk and mount 3 12'' subs flush against the rear of the trunk, to preserve the most space possible. Amps flush-mounted on one side of the trunk, capacitors on the other. No crazy colors or fiberglass. Just a nice "factory" look. Very clean.

Engine:

LS1 from a '97-'04 Corvette. "Corvette" on the engine cover painted Sage Green (im sick, i know)
Dual exhaust. I want it to look very discreet, like Destroyers duals on his old Brougham.
Maby more engine mods later.

Paint:

I will do the paint last. I want a very nice job done. I know i cant get factory, but im going to try to come damn close. Tons of clear coat too.

Im going for a very clean, stock look. Only thing that will look out of the ordinary is the C6 wheels and it will sit a bit lower. Stock HT4100 badges of course

. But a beast lies within. Thats what im going for. Idealy. I know this whole process with take a LONG time a TON of money. But it is totally worth it to me. This is my dream for this car, and i dont think its too far out there. Myabe just a couple few years away. Whatever.

I guess you can say im "back" on the forums, but wont be posting a whole lot for another couple of weeks. I still have to get settled in the new house and seal the deal on that CRX. Pics of the house and Fleetwood coming soon! You gotts to see the rust! Ugghh.

I will leave with 2 questions:

Will C6 Corvette wheels even fit on my Fleetwood? 5 x 4.75 or 5 x 120.65

What suspension mods can i do? As far as making it stiffer and a wee bit lower. I plan on doing body work and suspension mods at the same time.

Thanks guys. Nice to be back!

jayoldschool · #2 (**permalink**) 04-25-08, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonas McFeely

I will leave with 2 questions:

Will C6 Corvette wheels even fit on my Fleetwood? 5 x 4.75 or 5 x 120.65

What suspension mods can i do? As far as making it stiffer and a wee bit lower. I plan on doing body work and suspension mods at the same time.

Thanks guys. Nice to be back!

C6 wheels will only fit with adapters. They may be too wide for the back. You might be able to use four "fronts".

Any of the Impala SS mods will work on your suspension.

If you are going to "restore" your car, why mod it? If the whole "sage green" thing is that important to you, why would you alter the car? If you want a modded car, just buy a nicer one for way less than the cost of restoring yours, mod it, and paint it sage...

***Lord Cadillac*** · #3 (**permalink**) 04-25-08, 10:02 AM

Welcome back!

Jonas McFeely · #4 (**permalink**) 04-25-08, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jayoldschool

C6 wheels will only fit with adapters. They may be too wide for the back. You might be able to use four "fronts".

Any of the Impala SS mods will work on your suspension.

If you are going to "restore" your car, why mod it? If the whole "sage green" thing is that important to you, why would you alter the car? If you want a modded car, just buy a nicer one for way less than the cost of restoring yours, mod it, and paint it sage...

Ehh. Once again, as ive said countless times before, its the car. The color is cool and all, but its that specific car. Its not just a piece of metal to me, its something that ive had for a long time that i really care about. Its my first real car. Surely you can understand that?

Thanks for the info though. What kind of adapters are needed?

77CDV · #5 (**permalink**) 04-25-08, 02:48 PM

Wish I could be of help here, but, not so much. I did want to say welcome back, though. We've missed you!

Faded Crest · #6 (**permalink**) 04-25-08, 09:43 PM

Don't be alarmed by the body filler. Typical under the tops.

jayoldschool · #7 (**permalink**) 04-26-08, 09:58 AM

I get it being "the car". I am a sentimental fool, as well...

Engine: there are better choices now than the LS1. Consider something like the LQ9. It is a truck motor, will be available for less than the LS1, and can make much more power without significant mods. The heads are higher flow (basically the same as the LS6 heads). Get the engine and the trans together fully dressed (all accessories) with the complete wiring harness. Custom engine mounts are available for the B Body that will work in your car. Buy the FSM for the vehicle the engine/trans is out of so you can sort out your wiring harness, or pay Painless lots to make one for you.

Get a rear end from an 94-96 Impala SS or Caprice 9C1. It will be a 30 spline axle, disc brake setup, 8.5 ring gear. Stock gears will be 3.08s. Rebuild it completely with new gears (use 3.73s) and an Eaton 400lb posi (along with complete bearings, of course). Inspect the axles where they ride the bearings, replace as needed. A driveshaft from a 93-96 Brougham will work, but I would suggest a custom 3.5" aluminum piece from Denny's.

Use a tubular trans crossmember from Bow Tie Overdrives. You may have to mod the mounts to get it to work.

Wheel adapters: you need to figure out what wheel will actually fit, then order your spacers. 5x5 to 5x4.75. Get them hub and wheel centric. They are made of 6061 billet, and are plenty strong. I run adapters on my 95 SS, and they have seen over 30 000 miles of driving ranging from daily, road trips, autocrossing, drag racing, and road course. Correct TORQUE values must be maintained. Try Rustic Racing for custom adapters.

Suspension: use 94-96 Impala SS pieces. Springs and sway bars. Add some aftermarket (Matco, Hotchkiss, etc) rear control arms. SS springs will give you the ride you are looking for. I would add Airlift bags in the rear springs as that sound system will sag that ass a bit (or, grab a set of 9C1 rear springs once everything is done - the 9C1 springs are the same rate as the SS springs, just taller).

Use the steering box from the SS/9C1, as well. It is a 12:1 ratio and will feel MUCH better than your slow stock box.

That's it for now. I'll answer more questions as they come up