Yeah...a lot!
Basic stuff:
Tint the windows
The rest:
383 with NOS or similar setup
4 link rear with 12 bolt axle
Rebuild transmission for racing
6 point roll bar
Upgrade brake system
Upgrade front suspension

Since Moroso Motorsports Park is going to be closed this summer, it is a perfect time to get my Vette done and ready for low 10's in the 1/4.

Almost 89k on my 86. Getting ready for a complete makeover.

I believe Roger can tune the LTx motors. Not 100% sure. Give him a call...954-984-8040.

Ah...there are some slower C4's out at the track. On kid (he is 17) runs his factory L98 1991 Corvette out there and turns 14.55 in the quarter. He is great on the tree, so he ends up going rounds. I just like busting on John to come out to the track one of these days and race.

Yeah, time to get off your arse, John. You picked up that cam shortly after I got my Z06. That was over 4 years ago, wasn't it?! You need to get that thing souped up so you can come have some fun at the Challenges. Fingers crossed mine goes in to Roger next week for the build to begin. Interior is done! :D

Currently my 86 (factory TPI) has a Dana 44 with 3.73 gears.
The rear will be changed to a solid axle spooled 4.56, when I replace the motor (carb'ed 434).

TTT...reminder, Corvette and GM Challenge at Moroso is this Saturday. Gates for this event open at 5:00pm.

Well, when I am racing, it is easier to have my bottle of water in the cup holder on the side of the console than it is to have it between my legs. It is also very handy to keep my sunglasses in (so I don't sit on them) and my cell phone in. I hate the factory ones...they can't even keep a pack of smokes in place. :D

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Not sure if they will hold a 20 oz bottle, but they hold cans/cups/etc. a lot better than the 1 inch deep factory cup holders. I think I ordered them from Mid America. There are two different styles, single cup holder and dual cup holder. It is very stable and literally take 10 seconds to install. There is a lip on the cup holder that fits under the top trim for the center console. I had used this brand before with my Z06 and they worked great in it, so I got it for my C4. I think they are worth the $ 30 (single) or $ 40 (dual) for them.

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Me too...well, I am having the L98 torn out in favor of a 434.

Plans in store...
434 c.i. small block stroker
700R4 rebuilt to handle the extra power
Solid rear end with 4.56 gears
6 point roll bar
HPS is going to tune the motor to not go under 10 seconds in the quarter. If I go under 10, then I need to up the roll bar to a 10 point cage. Don't want to do that, at least not for the first year or so. Once I get used to driving that fast, then I'll have it tuned to drop into the 9's and get my NHRA license. And...if I want to go even faster, I could throw it on the bottle and be in the low 9's. Should be a fun car to drive at the track!

BTW...the seats are Corbeau A4's. Had them left over from my last Vette...2001 Z06.

Thanks.
For the door panels, I had to order them in black. The red door carpet came in the carpet kit I bought from Wilcox. I am very happy with the outcome. It looks and smells brand new inside. I love it!

Now to get the motor/transmission/rear end/roll bar work done.

Saturday night, at 1:00am, I finished the interior restoration project on my 86 Coupe. I bought this Vette in mid January, with the first thing that needed to be done, being an interior make over. Here is what I started with:

There is not much inside that was there when I started. I replaced just about everything, including new switches, upgraded both window regulators, new radio (nothing very fancy...just something that I could listen to), got rid of the failing Bose crap, and now have the car ready to go to my favorite speed shop: Horsepower Sales of Pompano Beach. There, it will be transformed into a beast. :D Anyway, here is what the interior looks like now:

Well, I have Jesse building one of his rear ends for my 86. We will see how it goes. My conversations with him have always been great.

All of the bitching/ranting about stuff going on over at CF is getting really tiring. It seems that I have to go over to CF more for talk about Corvettes. Only conversations going on over here lately have been people complaining about being banned, complaining about what someone said, etc. This is a forum to discuss Corvettes, right? So, why don't we use it as such! <Getting down off of soap box, now>

Welcome

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Sorry...but I have never been a fan of the blue interior. First thing I changed when I bought my 86...blue out...red and black in.

For new, check either Corvette Central or Corvette America. Have found really good prices on new small trim pieces at both locations.

Yeah, I have red carpet and am staying with the blue top (interior originally was blue). Had my factory top sitting in my den, but one of my cats knocked it over...smacked the tile floor. Guess it is a good thing it needed to be replaced. I ordered one from Corvette Central (refurbished one) for $ 750 plus my core.

Hmmm...never knew that feature existed. Will have to try it out some.

Unfortunately, most people think every 1993 model is a 40th Anniversary model as well. They don't realize that there were special trim packages.

I had to knock mine a couple times with a small deadblow hammer and a punch. I am just replacing mine...found them new on eBay for $ 125 for the pair...both with vanity mirrors (I hate the map strap). Still need to reinstall them...been busy on other areas of the restoration of the interior.

Damn...they don't make drag radials.

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Thanks, email sent.

Depending on pricing to do this, I may end up going back to the Gen I block and just doing a stroker with a carb. My 86 is going to see 70% track, 30% street duties. Thanks for all the posts...if anyone has any more insight, I'd love to hear it!!

Mine is different.
On CF, DV, CAC, montecarloss, I am QuikZilver. Long time ago, I was WhitVette.
Here, LXForum, Chargerforum (and all the other Charger/300/LX Dodge sites) I am now Crazy8 (kind of a play on my Charger Daytona R/T...plum crazy).

Figured it was only a matter of time. Last weekend, I bought an LG dual Blu-Ray/HD DVD player to replace the Samsung Blu-Ray player I had (the Blu-Ray laser went out on it). I have some HD DVD's (HD DVD player on my Xbox 360) and it is easier to show my wife how to use 1 component than a bunch of them (have both the 360 and the PS3). Hopefully, this will mean clearance prices on the HD DVD's. I'll pick up as many titles as possible, then.

Are there any kits on the market to do this? Or is it all custom fab work? My shop suggested that I look at this as an option to the 383, as the prices are about the same. I currently have a factory L98 with a 700R4. Rear was upgraded before I bought it to a Dana 44, but am going to go with a 4 link solid rear end from CF member ski_dwn_it. My 86 Vette will be mostly used on the drag strip, but will also need street manners, as I will have to drive the Vette to the strip and want to drive it from time to time around town and on Corvette Cruises. Any input would be great!! Thanks.

Replacing with a factory steering wheel, not aftermarket. Car does have telescoping wheel. When I put the wheel on the shaft and press in (to compress the spring), the shaft does not come through enough. I was getting temped to taking a socket and deadblow hammer to knock the wheel to start the "pressing" process, then get enough threads available to get the nut on to finish tightening the wheel onto the shaft.

OK..removed the old steering wheel, no problem. Went to put on new wheel...not enough of the center shaft sticking out to get the nut started. What am I missing?!?! Feeling like a big noob right now. Thanks.

Quote:

Yeah, that is what I heard, too. Oh wait! Its me. Ignore that. Yeah, I am not too bad to deal with. :thumbright:

Yes, those are the bulbs I am referring to. For some strange reason, my 86 is using a completely different bulb. I had purchased a kit from Mid America that had the 882's in it. My cluster was using bulb # 7073 (which is a different base) which is used on the 89 clusters. I searched around and could not locate the 7073 bulbs, so I ordered the 4 from Mid America (was $ 20 for all 4). I figured since the dash was a little dim and I had everything apart, I might as well replace while I have easy access to them.

Sent these pictures over to the previous owner and he couldn't believe how far I had gotten on it. He also liked the red...before he decided to sell the Vette, he was thinking about doing red interior. But, he really liked the black/red combo I have going. :thumbright: The previous owner can't wait to see my Vette when I am done with it. Of course, then he might have some serious sellers remorse.

John,
You can count me in for a pair, especially if you can do that rear flair part too. Would be nice to have those on to keep the rubber from the slicks getting all over the side of the Vette. :thumbright:
Neil

Well, it appears that the bulbs in my gauges are from a 1989. Don't know if the gauge cluster was upgraded or not. I did notice, when I ordered the cover for the idiot lights that the one for 1986 had a light for battery charging (lower left corner) and the one that was on the car had an Overdrive light (from a 1985). Man, is my 86 from all over the place. The targa top is a late 86 model, but the heads on the motor are early 86. Go figure!! :shaking:

I picked up the replacement light bulb kit from MidAmerica for the 4 bulbs that go in the speedometer/tachometer area. They sent me 4 halogen bulbs, but the ones in the car are 7073's (look identical to 194 bulbs). The halogen bulbs that were sent have a base on them, instead of the wedge-type that are in the dash. Does anyone know if the 194's would be fine to use? Figure, since I have the car apart, I'd rather replace the bulbs now. Thanks.

LOL...yeah I remember that John. When I took off my glasses, I looked like a raccoon. Maybe this time, I'll let you get a little greasier.

Costs involved so far with the interior is close to $ 3,000. But, I am replacing stuff that most people may not replace. The $ 3,000 includes the new window regulators, all new switches, new dash panels, new console sides, new console lid, new plastic trim parts, new door panels, etc., etc. If you are keeping the same color interior, the price would be much lower. And, yes, we are neighbors.

John, may need your supervision soon...want to replace the window regulators in both doors. Won't be around this weekend, but maybe next Saturday morning (Feb 16th), before the Challenge (if I get the left side that is on order).

The sound deadening I used was Raamaudio's. I just laid one layer of their mat. Didn't bother laying the closed foam over it. Since this car is 70% for racing and 30% for cruising, I didn't want to weigh it down too much.

It would be a very tight squeeze to fit something in place of the breadbox. The flat panel to replace the breadbox does not seem to have much strength, so you would be also building something to house the unit there. Another option is to go with a single DIN navigation unit. I looked at this one: http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Produc ... p;i=105KDNX500&tp=144 but then decided that I didn't need nav in my Vette. I have nav in my Charger, which is my everyday car.

Not bad for my first time tearing out this much of a car to replace. Won't get a chance to work on it this weekend...taking the wife for her birthday to DisneyWorld. Hope to get the rest of the parts between now and two weeks, when I hope to finish up the interior.

Additional pictures:




Some of the parts still to be installed]http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-9/402110/100_0069.JPG[/img]

Me with my Daytona R/T (on the right). Took 1st in the Mopar Challenge in October 07.

My first Corvette (1993), just before I traded it in:

My 01 Z06, just before I traded it in:
[web]http://www.motortopia.com/files/29/album_latest_pictures/45b24b5c8eb86/HPIM1208JPG_Thumbnail1.jpg[/web]
My 86 Corvette (sitting in the driveway of the previous owner):

My 07 Dodge Charger Daytona R/T (in the background is my 86 Monte Carlo SS and my wife's 07 Dodge Caliber SXT):

This weekend was a very productive weekend. Started by stripping out the interior (the nasty blue stuff). Laid down a layer of Raammat (sound deadener), installed 90% of the carpet (just have the two trim panels under the dash and the doors to do), installed my Corbeau A4 racing seats, replaced all of the blue trim with black (carpet is flame red). I am hoping the rear halo trim pieces, I ordered from Corvette America, are on backorder. I cleaned them up, but they are still slightly warped. I did find out that my 86 was a late 86, but not quite late enough for the aluminum heads. It does have the late 86 targa top. Still to do: Upgrade the window regulators, remove the Blose speakers from the doors, install door panels, radio, dash pad (with 4x6 speakers in the dash, not putting anything in the doors), replace the steering wheel and some final trim pieces. I'd say I am about 70% done with restoring the interior, at this point. Hope to have the whole project done by the beginning of March. From there, my 86 goes into my local speed shop. The motor will be bored and stroked to a 383 (all forged), heads, cam, Super Ram intake, transmission will be built up and blueprinted to handle the extra power, rear gears (my 86 already was upgraded to a Dana 44 rear), upgrade the suspension and brakes. Finally, it will get new shoes. I am still trying to decide between the C6 Z06 Black Motorsports or the Black A-Mold rims. A lot depends on how much meat I need in the rear to keep it planted...whether 9.5" is OK or if I need 11". I'll try to take pictures this week and post them.

What I started with...

What it looks like right now:

Very nice!!!
I'm shooting for mid 11's on all motor...if I can't hit it with motor, then I'll throw it on the bottle.

If you weren't getting codes, I would say a possible separated fuel filter.

I salute you! Your Vette is AWESOME! Getting ready to do the same type of thing with my 86.
I thought about buying another C5 (recently sold my 01 Z06) and modifying it...but when my 86 presented itself to me at such a cheap price, I figured I'd start with a less expensive base. No matter which model I went with, the amount of money I am going to put in, I won't get out of the car.
$ 25000 for C5 plus another $ 20,000 in mods = $ 45,000
$ 3800 for my 86 plus another $ 20,000 in mods and $ 6000 in other parts = $ 29,800.
So, I save some money and still turn times as fast at the C5's and C6's I race with turn.

I had the Chambered Exhaust System on my 93. Was very loud, no matter if you were sitting at idle, cruising or at WOT. Was also quite a bit of resonance inside at all times, too. Won't go that route with the 86. I do really like the sound of Corsas, I have their cat back system on my Charger. I may go with Corsas on the 86 with a pair of electric cutouts. I want people to know I am going down the track! Most Vettes I race with are very quiet. Need an intimidation factor, out there.

Who has time to watch football? I am going to be in my garage working on the Vette.

Well, one option is to ditch the spare tire. I am going to take mine off and keep the "spare tire" for a Z06 in one of the storage bins. The "spare tire" for a Z06 consists of an air pump and a bottle of green goo that seals a tire puncture. Also doing this to reduce the weight of the car, as one of its main functions will be drag racing it.
Another option is to remove the spare tire carrier and have it painted, so it doesn't look all nasty.

Thanks. Right now, we are dealing with the DA in Wilkes County, NC. The truck driver is being charged with 4 misdimeanor counts of Death by Motor Vehicle, Wreckless Driving and Speeding (was doing 60 mph in a 30 mph zone for trucks). We are trying to get the charges increased to a Felony of some sort. The driver had no insurance on his truck or the cargo (both were revoked last year). We are also trying to locate who he was hauling for (trucker was an independant), because the company that hired him needs to be held accountable. They must never have checked on his insurance. I pulled it up on the DOT site, and it showed his truck insurance cancelled on 2/20/07 and cargo insurance cancelled on 4/07.

As for the Vette, I have boxes of parts sitting in the garage. Half of the dash is torn out, need to remove the seats and some other trim and yank out the carpet. Hope to be able to spend the whole weekend on it. Anyone want to help? :thumbright:

My 86 was originally equipped with the Blose system. Previous owner had replaced the headunit with an aftermarket unit (which I will be replacing as well). The door speakers do not work (will be removing these bulky items from the doors when I upgrade the window regulators). I picked up a pair of 4x6's to put in the dash, for front sound. When I pulled out the dash board, last night, I found that it did not have speakers under the grill covers. In fact, the grills are solid! The cloth is faded to a blue (too many years here in South Florida), so I figured I would recover with speaker grill cloth and cut slits in the grill cover, to allow for sound to penetrate. Has anyone done this with decent results? Also, did you mount the 4x6's from underneath or from the top? Thanks in advance.