[Jonsey]

What did you guys use for seam sealer?

[jal]

Jonsey,
I bought 2 tubes of seam sealer from my local body/auto shop supply retailer. It's pretty much the same stuff the factory uses. You can paint over it once it's dry. You can also buy it in a can to brush on. I just like the caulk tube better.

Hey, I found the shroud bracket if you need it. Let me know.

Also, why haven't we seen any pics of what you're doing to your ride??

`joe

[turbo69bird]

I used Napa seam sealer in a caulk gun tube.

[Jonsey]

Originally Posted by jal

Jonsey,
I bought 2 tubes of seam sealer from my local body/auto shop supply retailer. It's pretty much the same stuff the factory uses. You can paint over it once it's dry. You can also buy it in a can to brush on. I just like the caulk tube better.

Hey, I found the shroud bracket if you need it. Let me know.

Also, why haven't we seen any pics of what you're doing to your ride??

`joe

The car's in a shop about a 100 miles from where I live. I never remember to bring a camera. I don't have the patience to take good pictures. My dad and I put in the passenger side tub last weekend. We also installed the DSE crossmember and replaced the trunk pan and trunk pan extensions because they were all rusted out. Still a bit of welding left to do, seam seal and paint. The welding isn't perfect, but I figure it will hold together.
I'll take some pictures next time I'm there to work on it. Hopefully it looks fairly stock.

[turbo69bird]

Since you guys are into modifying stuff you should check out the forced nduction forums on Pontiaczone.com. I am the moderator over there and help alot of guys make some big HP numbers cheap over there.

[jal]

Okay, yea I know, haven't added to this post in a while.
The trunk is complete. I painted it to match the original factory spackle paint. Came out really good. You really don't notice the new tubs now since they match everything else.
I'll post a few pictures of the finished trunk this weekend.

I was going to use the original back seat arm rests, however, they don't fit now with the new tubs.
What have any of you guys done in respect to this area??

I started making templates to cut out of aluminum for this area to cover the rear window mechanisms. Hopefully, that will be complete and mounted this weekend. I'll paint them the same color as the inside tubs and, the roll bar. Satin Black.
After that, the interior is ready to go back together.
I'm hoping to fire up the car by next weekend. Wooo Hooo.....

Also, any of you guys know of a good deal on a digital video camera / mounting bracket for the cross brace on the roll bar?
Be pretty cool to be able to video my runs to critique later.

`joe

[Jonsey]

That stinks that you couldn't get the rear arm rests to fit.

I'd post in the race section about the camera mount. More people will see your question there.

[hojs69]

Jal, I simply modified the metal side panels to fit the new tubs. Bend / cut metal and reattach fabric & foam. Since I reused the rear seat, also needed to narrow the metal filler panal from the side to the upper seat cushion. You can get new side panels if you did not want to cut the originals.

Looks stock expect to those in the know.

[jal]

hojs69,
Yea, I contemplated that for a while, modifying the original side plates and arm rests but, since I don't have a back seat I thought, a nice painted panel will look pretty nice.
Also, those stock arm rests are pretty heavy for what they are. Removing a few pounds is good too.

I'm really getting antsy now to get this project completed. The weather's starting to get warm and, I figure I'm only a couple weeks away from completion..,..........

`joe

[turbo69bird]

Mines all aluninum panels bead rolled but I dont have a back seat either.

If I didnt have so much cage I would definately have a back seat again.

ON te one hand:
On the street, It annoys me not to have it. Damn Safety rules.LOL

On the other hand:
When I make a track pass I wish I had more cage.LOL


ONe thin I may be doing if I dont go to a convertible soon Is going back to my stel (heavy) doors and roll up windows. I have nice super light glass doors and lexan windows. There great cause theres never any worries about rust etc. But the windows SUCK

[jal]

All right... Getting closer to getting my baby back on the road.
I figure I'm about 2 weekends away from starting it and going for a ride....!!!...

Here's some pics of the trunk. I think there's one before shot and then the rest after paint and the fuel cell mounted and wired.
There's also a few pics of what I'm doing with the rear arm rests.
I decided to fab something to cover the window mechanism instead of modifying the original arm rests.

`joe

[jal]

More pics

[jal]

More pics

[turbo69bird]

I have a camera mount in my car. I just looped a piece of 11/2 inch steel strap and welded a end piece to the top of the roll bar and a end piece to the bottom.
I ent it so the top was flat and the bottom had kind of a question mark shape to add strength.

It works great and cost me about 10 bucks.

The top piece is laying flat on the bar and the bottom end comes up from the bottom perpendicular to the top axis.
If that makes sense

[Jonsey]

The trunk tubs look pretty much factory with the paint on them. Very clean install. Looks like you got the roll cage painted. I think the swing out side bars are the only way to go.

[hojs69]

Jal, will you be adding cross-brace tubing running from the main hoop to the tunnel?

[jal]

hojs69, yea,, probably. I have the tubes.
I think instead of going from the main hoop to the tunnel, I'm going to go from the main hoop through the floor to the sub-frame connectors.
I believe that is what is intended with these tubes.
I'm just not sure if I'm going to do it now or, next off-season.

The only thing I really have planned for next winter is to begin working on my next engine build. I have a nice 70' 400 block(std bore) that I want to stroke. That'll be my 10 second street motor. I'll feel better with the extra 2 points on the roll bar with that build.

`joe

[turbo69bird]

have you given any thought to building a turbocharged set up?

Its alot cheaper.

You can build a garden variety 2 bolt 455 .030 run a diesel turbo for $700 bucks and make 750 HP at the crank with ease.

You can then turn down the boost and run on 91 octane fuel and drive anywhere you want.

Put race gas back in turn up the boost and run nines.

I have actually run 9.95 on pump gas carberated with no intercooler but I recently went to DFI so I will need to be intercooled now.

The carb actually helps the latant heat of vaporisation which help cool the intake air charge.

we have guys on the forums running 8's with this same basic set up

$6500 will build engine and turbo set up if you already have a block and heads.

All you need is low compression 6x heads 114 CC un ported to run in the nines.

[Jonsey]

I finally got my trunk pan, well tubs, and shock cross member done and painted. I also installed a new tank with hard line throughout the car. (no more opening the trunk to fill the fuel cell, no more leaky flexible lines!)
I still need to install the shocks, but I haven't got the narrowed 9" that I want to install yet, so right now the stock rear end is in there.
I can't get the trunk lid springs in right. I could swear I installed them exactly as they came out, but now they don't have enough tension to keep the deck lid open.

I attached a few pictures so you won't think I'm making it all up.

http://img8.imageshack.us/gal.php?g=trunk002.jpg

Thanks for all the inspiration Jal!

turbo69bird, I'll think about a turbo motor after I get my N/A 455 (570 hp, 580 Tq) to hook up.

[jal]

Jonsey,
No problem on the inspiration. Everyone needs some motivation in some form or another.
Me included... Took me a while to actually make the decision to start cutting. No that it's pretty much over, I'm glad I did.
Glad to see your making progress. Actually, it looks like you're moving along at a pretty good pace!
Do you have any intention of making any of this years Pontiac events?
Kinda cool to get to meet some of the forum members.

turbo69bird,
I know that's a great way to make power but, I've always been an N/A kinda guy.
Probably why Pro-Stock is my favorite class at the National events.
I'm really planning on going mid to low tens on pump gas with the next motor.

`joe