Hello,
I'm building up a '97 V6 base coupe for autocross/track days/cruising. I've had the car for a few months now, but just barely started getting to work on it making it road/track worthy. I got it from my dad who got it from some guy who owed him money. After spending 850 to ship it across the country from LA to Detroit, the first order of business was to look over the car, see what it might need and try to have a plan to get it ready for next season. I put it up on a hoist and looked at the bottom side and found that everything was solid and straight. A good sign of course, but who knows how long that will last out here. The shiny side on the other hand...not so shiny.
The first couple of things to address were to replace the cracked radiator, get the fan working and the trip meter to give me a reading (stuck around 162,000 miles). The trip meter fix was pretty simple, just had to order and install some new plastic gears from latemodelrestoration.com and remove the broken ones rolling around in the cluster. I replaced the radiator shortly after. As far as the switch is concerned, I just wanted to get the thing running on the road without overheating so I just installed a switch and called it until a later date. I currently have a spare CCRM from the junkyard I'll be diagnosing/refurbishing so when that's done, I'll take out the switch.
The next things were standard maintenance items one might perform on a new-to-you car like an oil change, replace filters, adjust the hood latch release so it doesn't stick, replace a vacuum tube at the firewall and fill up with some refrigerant for some much needed a/c.
Then I tackled the inside: cleaning up the interior (found a total of about 5 bucks in change), replacing the window motor, replacing the seat for a manual version. Currently I'm replacing the driver side bottom foam with passenger seat foam from the junkyard, but plans are to take it to an open track day when spring rolls around, so finding a way to clamp the battery down so it doesn't move around and replacing the positive terminal clamp (have to wiggle it around in order to start the car...sketchy (replaced 10/29)) For now I just want to be able to drive it around somewhat comfortably.
https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.ne...=99a2e25bdc6f4ee4a64ba4e36bf2d64d&oe=58891C6C
Just picked up a Corbeau Sprint seat from a co-worker. One step closer to being track ready. Might pick up a 8.8 rear end from the junkyard sometime this week.
If any of y'all have any suggestions, please let me know!
I'm building up a '97 V6 base coupe for autocross/track days/cruising. I've had the car for a few months now, but just barely started getting to work on it making it road/track worthy. I got it from my dad who got it from some guy who owed him money. After spending 850 to ship it across the country from LA to Detroit, the first order of business was to look over the car, see what it might need and try to have a plan to get it ready for next season. I put it up on a hoist and looked at the bottom side and found that everything was solid and straight. A good sign of course, but who knows how long that will last out here. The shiny side on the other hand...not so shiny.
The first couple of things to address were to replace the cracked radiator, get the fan working and the trip meter to give me a reading (stuck around 162,000 miles). The trip meter fix was pretty simple, just had to order and install some new plastic gears from latemodelrestoration.com and remove the broken ones rolling around in the cluster. I replaced the radiator shortly after. As far as the switch is concerned, I just wanted to get the thing running on the road without overheating so I just installed a switch and called it until a later date. I currently have a spare CCRM from the junkyard I'll be diagnosing/refurbishing so when that's done, I'll take out the switch.
The next things were standard maintenance items one might perform on a new-to-you car like an oil change, replace filters, adjust the hood latch release so it doesn't stick, replace a vacuum tube at the firewall and fill up with some refrigerant for some much needed a/c.
Then I tackled the inside: cleaning up the interior (found a total of about 5 bucks in change), replacing the window motor, replacing the seat for a manual version. Currently I'm replacing the driver side bottom foam with passenger seat foam from the junkyard, but plans are to take it to an open track day when spring rolls around, so finding a way to clamp the battery down so it doesn't move around and replacing the positive terminal clamp (have to wiggle it around in order to start the car...sketchy (replaced 10/29)) For now I just want to be able to drive it around somewhat comfortably.
https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.ne...=99a2e25bdc6f4ee4a64ba4e36bf2d64d&oe=58891C6C
Just picked up a Corbeau Sprint seat from a co-worker. One step closer to being track ready. Might pick up a 8.8 rear end from the junkyard sometime this week.
If any of y'all have any suggestions, please let me know!
