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:

Additional pictures:




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

Looks great. Carpet is next for me!

What you have done so far looks really good. I bet the finished product will really be great. Be sure to post pictures when you are done.

Helluva transformation!

Holy $hit!! I thought I did alot this weekend by changing my EGR & watching the Super Bowl????

Looking real good, can't wait
to see finished product.

that's impressive!!!!!

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.

Looks great! And it reminds me how lazy I am...lol. I have my new weatherstripping sitting in the box waiting for me to install it. I also have to paint my calipers for my c5 upgrade and some other little things. Carpet is on my list too, eventually. Let us know how the sound deadener is for you - I'd like some, too.

Good job again!

Matthew

Neil, I can't believe you were able to get so much done without me there to supervise...

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.

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Smart Man!

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Not to worry, I'll be happy to point to the page in your FSM that shows you how.

For those of you following along at home, here's a little story: A few years back Neil offered to help me out me out with some stuff on my previous 96 LT1 (he was the first guy from CF I actually met). He had me over at his place and we were installing a Camber Brace and new shocks and a few other minor things on it. I told him to just tell me what to do and I'd be happy to do it but he's a hands on kind of guy so he had to get involved (probably because it was so apparent that I was pretty much clueless). Anyway, when we were finished, he was just absolutely filthy. I was a bit dirty but he was a mess. So we go in to clean up and his fiancée (wife now) asks him what in the world were you doing? He tells her that we were working on my car. She gives us this long look and her reply was something along the lines of well if it was his car then why are you so dirty? And then he looks at me, like, yeah, why am I so dirty? I just started laughing. It probably doesn't read as funny as it actually was but I still crack up when I think about it...

I am not a fan of red interiors but what a change!! What did it all cost you?


I see we are neighbors.

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.

great looking ,

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.