Hi guys I thought I would post some of the wish list I have for planning my 54 project car. This has been in the works longer than I've had my 4 door. I'm going to move ahead and start slowly on my 2 door. But first things first is a solid plan of what I want. I need it to look like a 50's car. No nose and decking, no chop Orriginal stainless and chrome. No frenching. Orriginal dash, upgraded steering. but a look that its just like my 4 door but all modern running gear underneith. Some upgrades inside like buckets maybe. So here it goes. Please by all means chime in on something you would see as helpfull or adding enhancment to the build.
1)AM full chassis with rack and IFS suspension installed
2)Strange custom Ford 9 rear with Am's four bar setup. Not sure of gearing yet as per motor setup not set yet.
3)Willwood brake setup front and rear I like their master setup no need for a big booster on the firewall. Lokar e-brake setup.
4)Not sure yet as to springs or air bags? Make?
5) Engine....Ok I have a friend who works for Gauther Gm and I have done some buisness there so for sure a Gm Performance crate is what I'm after. Now a bit proce minded here as I want it to be a good driver on the street. Anywhere between 300 to 400 hp is fine. so its down to two type of engines. The venerable 350 either stroked to 383, or the new LS platform say a LS 3. I like both but cn't decide.
6) I'm going to use a Air vintage front runner for the pully system. and for the A\c in the car.
7) an Ididit column, not sure of model yet. And use my orriginal steering wheel modified to a smaller diameter.
There is the start of the plan, the basics for now Rod
-- Edited by Rolilk on Sunday 3rd of January 2010 05:03:53 PM
-- Edited by Rolilk on Sunday 3rd of January 2010 05:07:14 PM
If $$$ is an issue you will save a pile by going with a 350 vs. an LS style engine. Unless you need killer performance the 350 would be fine.
Thanks. Ive been tetering on this for probably a year. Last year I could've got a smoken deal on a ls2 with ecu and some wireing. But now have found out that anything LS2 is pretty big bucks and they told me if your going LS block get a ls3 much more popular gen to work with. I like the injection look and LS intake. But for the long run I'm now thinking a 350 block will do better for fitment. I've allready taken out a firewall out of one of my donor cars and know its not too bad a challenge. The body that will be the finnish product is getting some mods to it to get the V8 in nice and smoothed out a bit.As for killer speed no I want a car that will take me from coast to coast, not just a go getter fast car. Like I said somwhere around 300 to 400hp will do. So it sounds like it would be wise to choose a ZZ383.
sounds like a corvette rolling chassis would be the way to go...
This is kinda what I'm after. Art Morrison make a new complete chasis for my 54. Including the IFS front end, the four bar rear. I can go with them as far as a rolling chassis pretty much if I want to put down more money. This is what I would like to get from them. http://www.artmorrison.com/2006cat/11.pdf I have talk with them a bit about one.
If $$$ is an issue you will save a pile by going with a 350 vs. an LS style engine. Unless you need killer performance the 350 would be fine.
Thanks. Ive been tetering on this for probably a year. Last year I could've got a smoken deal on a ls2 with ecu and some wireing. But now have found out that anything LS2 is pretty big bucks and they told me if your going LS block get a ls3 much more popular gen to work with. I like the injection look and LS intake. But for the long run I'm now thinking a 350 block will do better for fitment. I've allready taken out a firewall out of one of my donor cars and know its not too bad a challenge. The body that will be the finnish product is getting some mods to it to get the V8 in nice and smoothed out a bit.As for killer speed no I want a car that will take me from coast to coast, not just a go getter fast car. Like I said somwhere around 300 to 400hp will do. So it sounds like it would be wise to choose a ZZ383.
As you've long seen, I'm not one who has to have the latest and greatest. There is just no shame in a good strong reliable old small block that will peel the tires as far as you want.
Easy to build, easy to fix, fun to drive. So what if it's not as exciting when you open the hood...
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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles
1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars
Thanks again Carl. For me this is new. I've done cars down to the frame and back. But it's one thing to do a car back to stock specs. I do understand its a whole different thing to deal with when your making something that has no spec, nothing to follow but a plan. So this is why I want not to waist my money on something that I either don't need or don't want when its done. I do want something thats safe and can drive at anytime when needed. I want something of pretty high quality so I have budgeted for a rolling chassis thats going to run me 20 to 30 thousand. I do understand this and that the car done will probably cost in the range of 40 thousand. And this is with alot of things being done by myself. This is a project that I know that will take me quite some years to complete. I will be and have been saving for this. I have stumbled over many different things with this car allready and know now that I need to start a plan on paper and get things solid as to what and where I'm going to go. I have to say that this is a great time in my life. I have a family that I have put first, friends and loved ones that I have helped over the years. Finnally I have the chance before I get too old to do this. They are behind me in helping with this too which is great! I would love to hear from more guys to see what you would do to a 54 Pontiac? I guess this is my way of putting it all down on paper. Thanks in advance. Rod
If $$$ is an issue you will save a pile by going with a 350 vs. an LS style engine. Unless you need killer performance the 350 would be fine.
Thanks. Ive been tetering on this for probably a year. Last year I could've got a smoken deal on a ls2 with ecu and some wireing. But now have found out that anything LS2 is pretty big bucks and they told me if your going LS block get a ls3 much more popular gen to work with. I like the injection look and LS intake. But for the long run I'm now thinking a 350 block will do better for fitment. I've allready taken out a firewall out of one of my donor cars and know its not too bad a challenge. The body that will be the finnish product is getting some mods to it to get the V8 in nice and smoothed out a bit.As for killer speed no I want a car that will take me from coast to coast, not just a go getter fast car. Like I said somwhere around 300 to 400hp will do. So it sounds like it would be wise to choose a ZZ383.
As you've long seen, I'm not one who has to have the latest and greatest. There is just no shame in a good strong reliable old small block that will peel the tires as far as you want.
Easy to build, easy to fix, fun to drive. So what if it's not as exciting when you open the hood...
For me I prefer original car, but I would like to work on a "no rule" built like your project, and it's more your "taste" the boss of your plan.
The original frame can hold power with some modification, and can be VERY nice after a good clean built, but a new frame like A.M. one is like a major league frame, and I would like to have one in my garage.
For the engine, I would use something different from a 350, like Pontiac one or Buick nailhead.
Canadian 49-54 Pontiac are very nice car, modified or original. I look forward to see your build, and put A LOT of picture.
Fitz.
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www.FitzbackGarage.com Look for Easy Steering in your vintage Poncho, Look for the EasyDrive Power Steering System in the web site
For me I prefer original car, but I would like to work on a "no rule" built like your project, and it's more your "taste" the boss of your plan.
The original frame can hold power with some modification, and can be VERY nice after a good clean built, but a new frame like A.M. one is like a major league frame, and I would like to have one in my garage.
For the engine, I would use something different from a 350, like Pontiac one or Buick nailhead.
Canadian 49-54 Pontiac are very nice car, modified or original. I look forward to see your build, and put A LOT of picture.
Fitz.
Thanks Fitz. I will put some up once more gets going. I think you will like it when its done. Its going to be just the same outside trim and all. Very 50's but lower and driving like a newer GM does. This is my goal, an original looking car with all the Frame suspension, drivetrain of a newer car. The inside will still have the dash no mods, or as little as possible. Just a real clean interior.
