Frankenmazda

iTrader: (2)

Many cutoff wheels later and I've got the rails tacked back together and ready to weld. I'm going to weld all the seams, grind it down flush then box it with the 11ga.

No rust inside the rails.

Made the last cut, slid it straight up and everything lined up perfectly. Now I have a lot of welding to do.

Frankenmazda

iTrader: (2)

Few more pics

Frankenmazda

iTrader: (2)

Definitely starting to live up to it's name.

Spent about 5 hours welding today.

bad 83

iTrader: (3)

I don't know if this will be an issue, But moving the crossmember up also moves the the engine mount higher in the engine bay.

bikeboy23332

very cool project man ! drive it to Louisville sometime when your done, id love to see it.

Frankenmazda

iTrader: (2)

Yep, it will. I'm going to have to make my own engine mounts. I knew that from the start. I really wanted to make this thing handle and react as good as I can with this setup.

Now I have to start thinking about the rear suspension.

bad 83

iTrader: (3)

Are you thinking about IRS or keeping it solid axle?

dream36realms

iTrader: (4)

looking good still/ camt wait till I see this monster.

82transam

iTrader: (18)

Man that's looking great, can't wait to see what you come up with for the rear suspension.

Frankenmazda

iTrader: (2)

I think, due to budget concerns I'm probably going to go easy on the rear. Which means staying with the factory axle. I do like the 3 link Mustanghammer has put on his race car but to be honest for the short term I'm going to replace the lower, rear control arm link bushings with rod ends so I can adjust the pinion angle. Lowering the mounts for them would help as well. That's probably about it for the time.

I'm sure I'll never truly finish it.

Back to welding

chiefmg

iTrader: (5)

I should have been hanging around this forum more! Looking good. I have an '81 myself but it does have some rust issues (the usual) that I need to get fixed. Maybe we'll see each other around the area some time.

Frankenmazda

iTrader: (2)

Almost done. What a job welding the patchwork of sheetmetal back together. Should be worth it though. Just thought in lieu of any additional update pics I would show off the aluminum dash I made. I hate to cover it but it may be a bit bright.

Frankenmazda

iTrader: (2)

Well, I set it back on the suspension today to see where I was at. At static ride height it's about perfect. I can still drop it another inch or so for autox. I still need to raise the strut towers about 2 inches for everything to be right.

A little more welding and it's back to the excitement of bodywork.

mustanghammer

iTrader: (3)

Very cool!

Frankenmazda

iTrader: (2)

Still welding but it's looking like a car again. Little more reenforcement and the front suspension will be in.

82transam

iTrader: (18)

That's looking really good. I might have missed it, but are you hoping to have this painted this year?

Frankenmazda

iTrader: (2)

I'm hoping to have it painted by the end of June. I will drive this car this year!!!!

chiefmg

iTrader: (5)

You'll have to bring it to Fuel some Saturday when you are all finished.

Frankenmazda

iTrader: (2)

If I don't drive it this year I'm going to go crazy...crazier.

82transam

iTrader: (18)

Sounds doable, what engine you gonna run in it?

Frankenmazda

iTrader: (2)

Well, to be honest, originally, I was planning on a V8. (I hear a collective groan)Now I'm not really sure. There are so many viable power plants out there right now. I have access to a 90 GXL also. My car originally was also an automatic but I bought a set of manual pedals from one of the fine folks on here and it will be a stick for sure.

So how about opinions? What motor should I run? No exotic turbos or anything like that. I want simple, reliable and power and fuel mileage would be good as well.

rk970

iTrader: (1)

If I were to do it all over again. I would get the 3.8v6 (Buick) with the 5sp t5 out of a late model camaro (96 on 4th gen IIRC) Good aftermarket support since it is a Buick. Its also a lot shorter then the 302 ford.

82transam

iTrader: (18)

I wouldn't knock you for doing a V8, there's plenty of reasons to do so. I've actually been toying with the idea myself on and off for quite some time (on my 12a FB, not the T2 powered one I'm repainting...)

If it were me and I had access to a 90 GXL I'd probably consider using it's engine though, 160hp and a 8k redline is always a good thing If you decide to go that route and want to keep the FI I can give you a bunch of good info for the swap.

nofords

iTrader: (9)

99-02 3800 series 2 s/c engine from grand prix, bonneville, monte etc etc, camaro clutch/flywheel, 2.8/3.4 Camaro bellhousing re-drilled for ford WC-t5. Why Ford wc-t5? because it's vertical and not listing to one side.

Modern 3800's are ultra reliable, good fuel economy, cheap to buy, easy to find, LOTS of aftermarket support, uses standard GM PCM that you can find anywhere and which means a stand alone, self learning fuel injection is a matter of gathering a few wires together. Bone stock engines are 240hp (n/a) and 260hp (s/c) right out of the box. S/C engines can easily get to 400hp with a little love.

Note: I purposely left out 96-98 and 03+ engines. Their computers and wiring harnesses aren't as nice to work with and for all intensive purposes, are different engines except for block and heads!

Actually a 04+ Series 3 S/C engines (more cash) are really good choices. Just run them with 99-02 harnesses and related sensors etc.

fb13brew1

cool body kit