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inkjunkie

inkjunkie

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Had a few minutes today to myself. Went out to the garage and sat on the stool....and stared....at the Dart.....and the miscellaneous boxes of stuff....and well.....felt a bit overwhelmed. It is painted...has a cage, mini-tub/springs relocated. Subframe connectors. What next? Have lots of legwork to do...600hp (at the crank) LS....want it to be DBW. Which is going to be a MAJOR hurdle. To all those folks that think an LS is "easy"....the electronic end of it is anything but. Gen 3 car...Gen 3 truck....Gen 4 car...Gen 4 truck...24x....54x....the ability to build a hybrid Gen 3....toss in the trans controler....some ecm's have the ability to control the trans...others don't. Lots of time reading forums....to only come up with that works...if you do...but don't do...until the next comment comes along...Good times...

Local library doesn't have access to the AllData service. From what I see only place that does is couple hours away. If I want reliable schematics...

This is going to be fun...
 
That's how I felt with my Demon. Been 6 years already but I'm nearing the end maybe. I'd lose motivation and then go do one simple thing then it led to usually a bigger thing and it came along. I didn't get into the "technical" thing for most like you did. But I jumped into the bodywork which I've never done and it was a challenge for me mentally and at times physically. But I now tell my 74 yr old dad that going into things I know I'll have to do it at least twice if not three times like everything else. But I wouldn't trade the experience for anything else.
 
inkjunkie said:
Had a few minutes today to myself. Went out to the garage and sat on the stool....and stared....at the Dart.....and the miscellaneous boxes of stuff....and well.....felt a bit overwhelmed. It is painted...has a cage, mini-tub/springs relocated. Subframe connectors. What next? Have lots of legwork to do...600hp (at the crank) LS....want it to be DBW. Which is going to be a MAJOR hurdle. To all those folks that think an LS is "easy"....the electronic end of it is anything but. Gen 3 car...Gen 3 truck....Gen 4 car...Gen 4 truck...24x....54x....the ability to build a hybrid Gen 3....toss in the trans controler....some ecm's have the ability to control the trans...others don't. Lots of time reading forums....to only come up with that works...if you do...but don't do...until the next comment comes along...Good times...

Local library doesn't have access to the AllData service. From what I see only place that does is couple hours away. If I want reliable schematics...

This is going to be fun...
Click to expand...
Find whatever systems you plan on using/combining, and go to a GM dealer and see if service will get someone to print you the diagrams, even if You have to pay a little it's
worth it to get factory schematics,connectors w/pin assignments, & engine management , I don't know if they even offer any in print or on disc for purchase anymore.
Our "Hy" brand stopped print manuals in'10, all online thru' technet now, no power...no connection....no info...sweet huh? I kinda know how You feel Dude, hang in there, I
feel more positive about this year(no,..not necc. election related, tho' it may not hurt).... need to take a deep breath, list whats left, prioritize, and pick 'em off one little thing
at a time........anybody handy/trustworthy that can lend a hand?
 
As far as Alldata,you may find a local independent repair shop that will print what you need.Now-a-days most have that on their computers.
 
The stages I start with are body,suspension,fuel system,driveline,engine related acc's,cooling,wiring and then interior
 
You could "start" with a new build thread! :) Ya I know.........but that doesn't matter. Many of us will be interested, regardless.

:thumbsup:
 
I say start with anything. Sitting and staring won't get you very far.

It took me 9 years to do 2 full restorations. I always did one thing a day, no matter how trivial. It lead to one car being finished after 1825 days, and the other one 1533 days later.

It's hard to get motivated looking at the big picture. Breaking the job into smaller projects then completing them, will give you the motivation you need to keep up the pace.
 
I whiteboard all the steps ahead I can think of-fill up the board. Then number the items by priority and start with #1, erasing the items from the whiteboard as I finish each step. This allows me to see ahead and shop for materials needed for the next few steps. Update the whiteboard every 3-4 weeks and after about 1,800 days you finish the car.
Just my way of doing it. Helping a friend last week on his Bronco suspension, he was struggling-I told him to think of the next six steps, pick step 1 and to that, don't overthink it!
No shortcuts and no easy way for this hobby-you are undertaking a significant project! Good luck to you!
DR out on (interior Friday)------------------:)
 
How do you eat an Elephant?

One bite at a time.


I know the feeling, I'm just part way into my Dart. I've been doing smaller things like welding in sub frame connectors, putting the tranny together, front brakes to Willwood and finally have the 8 3/4 mocked up. The big part is coming, the engine should be done soon and then comes the whole drivetrain sway and finishing the fuel system. The good news is that once I get those parts taken care of I'll be able to see the my TV in the living room!

Just keep going at it and little by little it will get done.
 
momoparman said:
CPSLS34L65E LS3 Automatic Connect & Cruise Crate Powertrain System

TSP 418 CID 600 HP LS3 Turn-Key Package

Start here and see what it really takes. Looks to me like you can buy the entire setup off the shelf. Maybe I'm oversimplifying it, but it looks like scratching a fat cheeck will take care of your problem.

Click to expand...

I did look into an "off the shelf" setup. $1800 for a 05-13 go pedal, a harness, E38 ECM, T42 TIM...programmed. Spoke with a local guy, he used to work/tune at West Tech...he was one of the guys who did the article on a wrecking yard TT build...Stock GM LS Engine - Big Bang Theory - Hot Rod Magazine...
He suggested building a motor...not a fan of factory rods/pistons. Nor the conservative ECM tuning...
I picked up an assembly line pull off harness. Came out of a van. It is a E-38 ECM compatible harness. The E-38 is one of the "go-to" boxes. $160. Vette pedal... $58. What will it cost me to tweak the harness? Seen both the E38 and T42 for $150.
My LQ4 block stroked, out of the box LS3 heads, a factory pull off LS3 intake setup...the right cam. See these eclipsing 600hp at the crank in several different build threads. The "write the check" method will just leave to much on the table, power wise.
I have done several EFI swaps. I wrote an article for a site on the one...several folks used it to help them out...so I have the basic understanding of how to pull off the harness end of it.
One thing that I don't like about buying a "ready to go" harness....it is generic. Be my miserable luck that the harness will either be 6" to short....or a foot to long...lol...

I am just looking at the car...do I get it rolling so I can haul it over and have Lonnie fix my hideous dash pad and fit a carpet first? Do I install the HEMIDENNY front end and fit the block in and start the wiring...car needs a harness as well. Talked to the local guy about building me an aluminum dash inserts...send it to him first?
He will probably want it rolling...hmmm....
Looking forward to this train wreck....
 
How I would do it-------------------
1. Make roller. Making it a roller means installing HD front end.
2. Get outside work done next.
3. Bring back and fit block and drivetrain mechanicals before starting wiring.
 
Renters should be out this month, I hope. I'll take a picture so all can see how car is kinda cocooned. I have to fix the body work where I took the side trim off. point is I will start with one thing and stick with it. If I get too many things going at once without finishing one, it adds up and becomes very intimidating. So I will eat that elephant one bite at a time!!!! Sometimes, hell, a LOT of times, it feels good to at least get one thing accomplished!
 
Wondering out loud will get you no further than staring. You could have already done something by now.
Get into it one small project at a time, and while you work, you can think clearly about what you really want to do with it.


Good luck!
 
Sometimes "just starting" means me putting the tools away from the last emergency fix and sweeping up. Sometimes it means going and doing something else until some motivation pops up.
 
Glad the OP mentioned it in his opening post. So many want to throw out the statement "put an LS in it". As if 6 bolts and 200 bucks you get an 11 second car :D
One piece at a time, you'll get it together... Good Luck
 
back in th 80's,90's I had a small business where I restored mopars for "fun and profit". ( I had my own collction of what I called then "my keepers").... here was my procedure......
stripe the car for bodywork.
pull the drivetrain. eng went to shop, the trans to trans builder, ear to another guy.
car went to bodyman. also chem dipped what needed. sandbalster did what needed.
order all parts needed. repo stuff, NOS, used...
send seats to upholstery shop.
bumpers to rechrome.
take any suspension stuff to shop that I didn't tackle.

I put it all back together, add front suspension, rebuild brakes, add repo lines, get it running.
take it to allignmnt shop. tire shop, exhaust bender.

simple!? ha add fuzzy dice??
 
gdrill said:
You could "start" with a new build thread! :) Ya I know.........but that doesn't matter. Many of us will be interested, regardless.

:thumbsup:
Click to expand...
Build thread...have thought about it. Have a hard time dealing with all the haters. I keep my mouth shut when I see someone doing another generic butt stripe...or painting THEIR car one of the hideous lime green or pinks...why can't others just show me the same courtesy? Now that I have started researching what it is going to take to do a hybrid 24/58x build...with a DBW throttle and cruise control I have a new found respect for folks that build hybrids. Going to be a boat load of wire in this thing...
 
inkjunkie said:
Build thread...have thought about it. Have a hard time dealing with all the haters. I keep my mouth shut when I see someone doing another generic butt stripe...or painting THEIR car one of the hideous lime green or pinks...why can't others just show me the same courtesy? Now that I have started researching what it is going to take to do a hybrid 24/58x build...with a DBW throttle and cruise control I have a new found respect for folks that build hybrids. Going to be a boat load of wire in this thing...
Click to expand...
Do what your going to do. Your car, your money. Period. And yes, if you post what your doing, there will be compliments, comments, opinions. Thick skin, buddy, thick skin. It's a computer.
By the way, I hate brand name swapping motors in anything above a 1949. :D
 
318willrun said:
Do what your going to do. Your car, your money. Period. And yes, if you post what your doing, there will be compliments, comments, opinions. Thick skin, buddy, thick skin. It's a computer.
By the way, I hate brand name swapping motors in anything above a 1949. :D
Click to expand...
I get what you are saying. Thanks to a very slow Internet connection it will take me hours to create a thread with pictures. Can think of a ton more productive ways to spend my time creating a thread only to hear the Slowpar chest thumping. I use IPage for my email. I know part of the package I paid for is a Web site. I may just go that route...
 
318willrun said:
Do what your going to do. Your car, your money. Period. And yes, if you post what your doing, there will be compliments, comments, opinions. Thick skin, buddy, thick skin. It's a computer.
By the way, I hate brand name swapping motors in anything above a 1949. :D
Click to expand...
So if I build a 318 300HP motor for my 40 ford pickup I will be fine on this thread but the early ford guys will be very critical I guess------------------
 
Thick skin....that's a door that only swings one way here. I have to endure all the crap....but when I make a comment about a generic butt stripe, piss yellow or puke green paint, bondo work done with a shovel, a slant build etc.....I am told (hate this pc line) "if you ain't got nothing nice to say don't say nothing"....that to me is double standards....and hypocrisy at its finest...
 
Most LS's that I've seen for sale (and everyone I've ever swapped) was sold complete. Every wire, sensor, gas pedal, ECM, ect. I've even bought them complete just for accessories, pieces, ect to complete a build. What exactly are you trying to marry together?
 
DesertRat said:
So if I build a 318 300HP motor for my 40 ford pickup I will be fine on this thread but the early ford guys will be very critical I guess------------------
Click to expand...
I personally don't like mixing brands. IF I had a 40 ford truck, she'd get a ford motor. But, when people do T-buckets, and Roadsters, and the such, put what ya want in it, cause nobody knows what it is anyways. But again, your car, your money, you da boss :D
 
318willrun said:
I personally don't like mixing brands. IF I had a 40 ford truck, she'd get a ford motor. But, when people do T-buckets, and Roadsters, and the such, put what ya want in it, cause nobody knows what it is anyways. But again, your car, your money, you da boss :D
Click to expand...
The easy play would be to be a fox body mustang 5 liter 5 speed and remove the running gear for my 40 pickup build. I have never done things the easy way.
I have not made a decision however, I was just making conversation on someone else's thread, that and a friend has at least 5 318's he will gladly give me one.
After all it is a 40 ford pickup and the only thing I can guarantee you won't go in it is a effen 350 GM product!!
 
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