440shorty
Well-known member
Things have a way of happening so that what I really want to do has to be put off for things that I need to do. I've been accumulating parts for this car for years, but had been putting it off for more interesting projects. Meanwhile, this Pontiac wagon, which I've had for about 9 years, has alternately been transportation and parked. A couple of months ago, the tired Buick V6 finally dropped a cylinder, forcing my hand. So here goes the plan for a street/strip 12 second 1981 Pontiac Grand LeMans wagon.
Outside: It has an '85 Bonneville front clip on it. Remove all the mismatched trim, but still up in the air about the roof rack; Satin black paint. Will have a functional 1-1/2" cowl scoop with air pan. Skinny satin centerlines up front, 15x8 aftermarket corvette rallyes with 295/50-15's out back (no trim rings or centers) - debating on painting them black. Right now, tires are blackwall. I could turn them around to white letter, but fronts are blackwall, so probably not. Also, tossing the battering ram front bumper and filling the bumper cover with foam.
Inside: Leaving it stock, including column shifter. Does have a split back front bench seat out of a two-door car (seat backs fold forward) - super handy for hauling long items. Interior is burgundy, and clean, with black carpet and headliner. Battery will be relocated to trunk.
Driveline: 9.75:1 461 Olds big block (the blue one), should be making about 450 HP at the flywheel; Hooker Super Comp headers, 3" exhaust with X-pipe; 2800 Stall with lockup torque converter on a built 200-4R transmission; Buick turbo T-Type 8.5 rear, 3.42 posi, with aftermarket axles.
Other: Manual brakes, manual steering, deleted cruise control; Electric in-tank pump, line-loc, electric fans, aluminum radiator, and working A/C!
I know that it is not very old, if 28 years old is not considered old anymore. I decided on the Satin black paint mainly as a quick way to get it all one color (see pics), and on the advice of my best friend. Should look good.
Some of the things I'll be doing may be useful to others whether they are building really old cars or not, but I thought I'd share anyway.
The engine will get a different (lower) intake. The tall Victor and the zoomies are for the S-10.
The second pic is why it now has a Bonneville front clip.
The last is a recent pic. That's where I'm working on it right now, behind the house.
Outside: It has an '85 Bonneville front clip on it. Remove all the mismatched trim, but still up in the air about the roof rack; Satin black paint. Will have a functional 1-1/2" cowl scoop with air pan. Skinny satin centerlines up front, 15x8 aftermarket corvette rallyes with 295/50-15's out back (no trim rings or centers) - debating on painting them black. Right now, tires are blackwall. I could turn them around to white letter, but fronts are blackwall, so probably not. Also, tossing the battering ram front bumper and filling the bumper cover with foam.
Inside: Leaving it stock, including column shifter. Does have a split back front bench seat out of a two-door car (seat backs fold forward) - super handy for hauling long items. Interior is burgundy, and clean, with black carpet and headliner. Battery will be relocated to trunk.
Driveline: 9.75:1 461 Olds big block (the blue one), should be making about 450 HP at the flywheel; Hooker Super Comp headers, 3" exhaust with X-pipe; 2800 Stall with lockup torque converter on a built 200-4R transmission; Buick turbo T-Type 8.5 rear, 3.42 posi, with aftermarket axles.
Other: Manual brakes, manual steering, deleted cruise control; Electric in-tank pump, line-loc, electric fans, aluminum radiator, and working A/C!
I know that it is not very old, if 28 years old is not considered old anymore. I decided on the Satin black paint mainly as a quick way to get it all one color (see pics), and on the advice of my best friend. Should look good.
Some of the things I'll be doing may be useful to others whether they are building really old cars or not, but I thought I'd share anyway.
The engine will get a different (lower) intake. The tall Victor and the zoomies are for the S-10.
The second pic is why it now has a Bonneville front clip.
The last is a recent pic. That's where I'm working on it right now, behind the house.
