Mod Victims Beware

[SteveK]

I started with a stock '93 Convertible. Changed the exhaust to FlowMaster cat-backs and changed the wheels and tires to the ZR-1 style & size. The big mistake that I made was that I bought polished aluminum wheels that are not sealed and they are a bear to keep looking good.

My wife and I use it as a spare vehicle when our son borrows one of the others, but it is used to cruise on the weekends the most.

My next mod will be more mechanical than performance or appearance. I want to get it running cooler. Possibly a 160 thermostat, all new hoses and checking to make sure that all the fans are working properly. Maybe a CAI.

[rocket1]

Originally Posted by SteveK

I started with a stock '93 Convertible. Changed the exhaust to FlowMaster cat-backs and changed the wheels and tires to the ZR-1 style & size. The big mistake that I made was that I bought polished aluminum wheels that are not sealed and they are a bear to keep looking good.

My wife and I use it as a spare vehicle when our son borrows one of the others, but it is used to cruise on the weekends the most.

My next mod will be more mechanical than performance or appearance. I want to get it running cooler. Possibly a 160 thermostat, all new hoses and checking to make sure that all the fans are working properly. Maybe a CAI.

I suffured the polished aluminum wheel thing also.
I finally caved and went with chrome which is unbeleivably easy to keep clean.
I went with the motorsport ZO6 wheels for like 800 duckies the best money I have spent so far!

[SteveK]

Originally Posted by rocket1

I suffured the polished aluminum wheel thing also.
I finally caved and went with chrome which is unbeleivably easy to keep clean.
I went with the motorsport ZO6 wheels for like 800 duckies the best money I have spent so far!

Yeah, I know I am headed that way too. I will be much more careful about where i buy my wheels the next time.

[THOR]

Originally Posted by SteveK

I started with a stock '93 Convertible. Changed the exhaust to FlowMaster cat-backs and changed the wheels and tires to the ZR-1 style & size. The big mistake that I made was that I bought polished aluminum wheels that are not sealed and they are a bear to keep looking good.

My wife and I use it as a spare vehicle when our son borrows one of the others, but it is used to cruise on the weekends the most.

My next mod will be more mechanical than performance or appearance. I want to get it running cooler. Possibly a 160 thermostat, all new hoses and checking to make sure that all the fans are working properly. Maybe a CAI.

Hey Steve, If you put in a 160 thermostat, it'll work better if you also adjust the fan speeds to compensate for the thermostat change. Next time you come to visit your family here, give me a shout.

[rocket1]

Originally Posted by mte.smiles

Hey Steve, If you put in a 160 thermostat, it'll work better if you also adjust the fan speeds to compensate for the thermostat change. Next time you come to visit your family here, give me a shout.

Make sure you get through all th mods you have planned before you do the CIA. I think a CIA is an important step but you need to make sure aany mods you plan are in place first.
I am not a big fan of messing with the stock thermostat because of the effect on designed burn ratios.
However I am a bit of an amature so dont just take my word for it. I kind of figure there are reasons the GM engineers do some of this stuff based on research. I get a little skeptical of messing with some of their stuff.
Having said that do what you think is best for your car but research it some.
The current thinking is go with the 160 but I havent seen any science to support it.

[rocket1]

If you have interest in some really cool aesthtic mods check out this guy.
He seems to be the best in the business
http://www.nakidparts.com/

[rocket1]

We could learn a lot from each other if we get more people involved in this thread. Maybe I am going at this wrong and any suggestions would be appreciated. I want to share experiences about what works, what doesnt and what resources are out there.
As they say "I have a Problem"
I have wasted money and time only to find out someone has already been down the road (been there done that) and found the best way to get certain things done.

[rocket1]

Another resource: if you want any kind of custom lettering, signs stripes or anything like that these goys can do it all, high quality and very resonable.

This tracking update has been requested by:

Company Name: Sign Specialist

Name: Toby

E-mail: fedex@wildstripes.com

[rocket1]

Originally Posted by rocket1

Make sure you get through all th mods you have planned before you do the CIA. I think a CIA is an important step but you need to make sure aany mods you plan are in place first.
I am not a big fan of messing with the stock thermostat because of the effect on designed burn ratios.
However I am a bit of an amature so dont just take my word for it. I kind of figure there are reasons the GM engineers do some of this stuff based on research. I get a little skeptical of messing with some of their stuff.
Having said that do what you think is best for your car but research it some.
The current thinking is go with the 160 but I havent seen any science to support it.

I highly recommend Breathless Performance out of Dania FL. They did mine and I was extremely pleased with their work.
If you catch them at a show you can get it for nearly half price.

[JCswm]

Originally Posted by rocket1

Well now you're talking. Misery loves company.
But honestly it is a huge amount of fun restoring and/or modding these things.
By the way just my opinion I would stay away from the NO2 stuff it beats the Hell out of an engine.

That's the nice part about being a mechanic with a spare motor!!!
I can blow the motor on sat. night swap motors on sunday & still drive it to work on monday!!!

My numbers matching engine is safe on an engine stand
Any GM with an R as the 8th # of the vin can donate a KILLER block & heads that makes great power with the right cam/carb & Intake