Next week I'm stuck changing a hub....I've had that nasty hum all week, I just hope it does not fall apart ): Also for good news I just got in my new hazard switch. Once my new steering wheel buttons come in the plastic dashboard cover will be painted the same Victory red as the body :)

Thinking of a custom pinstriping to match the racing stripes.

twomanymontes wrote:

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That looks really good. I like the red underneith. I did the same to some of the support bars on my 86 SS and plan on doing it to a few pieces on the 01 SS in the Spring.

But My question is, and in no disrespect, why paint the interior pieces red? The car being a limited edition and that you have the documentation, why change it from the originality of ther car? I know the suspension parts can be repainted black again, but once the dash pieces are painted, there really isn't any turning back. OR do you have a different interior pieces to change it back?

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 I plan on getting a junkyard dash cover for the job, keeping the original just in case.

Anything factory is not being painted, the covers on the new steering wheel buttons will be painted instead of originals first to see if I like the change. I've seen some awesome interiors with the plastic trim painted. 

Ok, That's cool. I like the idea, but hard to do to an original limited edition car. Good luck on the progress.

Yeap, thats the way I see them all the time! LOL!

Started undercoating the rear bumper. Came out OK for now, need to re-do the paint. Ran out of undercoating.

i loved my 04 cavalier ls i had it was yellow and underbody was yellow as well and i would wash her every day if i drove her in the winter( as a pizza delivery guy for like half year yuk mileage ) and right by my job i had a car wash so i would every night on way home use my change from work and spray her every night.. i had a co-worker/friend that would brag to other people about my under carriage and how he could eat off of it..
i would love to own a car wash where u can pull ur car in and either raise car up with some version of the lifts or have the floor of the wash bay slide open and u are under it and u can spray and hand wash ur undercarriage (kinda like thinkning like at the quickie oil change places where they have that sub floor under ur car.. i would have to ponder which way would work best and safest for a customer...
i already drool over idea of haveing my own car lift when i have a house and have a 2 story garage where i can install a lift ..

I wish I had a lift!!!!! It would make it so much easier!

Jenn, looks good. I did the same thing last year to my 01 SS. I used about 5 cans of undercoating to do the entire car. Power washing didn't seem to affect it. I will have to do it again next year just to maintain the blacked out look.

Been trying to pinpoint the creaking/crunching sound from the suspension & its just got me so aggravated.. 2 mechanics so far can't figure it out. Yesterday I had everything looked over. & everything is tight and secure. Rack is good, bushings are good, majority of everything is new. I just don't get it!!!

So far I've changed:

control arms (mevotec) with new bushings & ball joints.

outer tie rod ends (mevotec)

inner tie rod ends (acdelco)

upper shock mounts + bearings (KYB)

Thought the sound was my CAI, wrapped the hole for the pipe with leftover thermotec heat wrap. It moves smoothly now. I've looked at the left motor mount and its not leaking/cracked or anything.

All I have left to fix/change are the shocks and sway bar+ bushings. People have said to check the intermediate shaft for the steering, but I don't feel the symptoms. Its more in the suspension than steering. When the car is parked you can push down on the front end all you want and can't duplicate the sound. When I had the shock out for the mounts its not blown/leaking and the shaft is clean, no sign of corrosion.

Yea the exterior has alot of rust, but as you see the 'bad side' shock looks good. I'd imagine if it really was bad on the inside you would notice a ring, or scratches towards the bottom of the shaft, but there is nothing..... Doesn't mean i'm not gonna change these any time soon..

-- Edited by RedNightmare on Saturday 25th of May 2013 12:12:37 PM

where are they located?

k, going to have to check them out when I get a jack.

Time to update! Currently lounging away in the garage with my standup A/C, waiting for paint to dry. Got my new Sway bars, ordered from ZZPerformance. Front Progress sway bar(solid upgrade from stock& gmperformance parts) rear GMPP(gm performance parts) rear sway bar upgrade, new front and rear sway bar bushings. Also ordered pre-painted rear tubular trailing arms, lighter and stronger than the stock stamped arms(comes with poly bushings)

Just waiting for the first coat of red paint to dry!



Rear, primed and first coat of red.

front primed and first coat of red.

-- Edited by RedNightmare on Tuesday 9th of July 2013 03:31:11 PM

-- Edited by RedNightmare on Tuesday 9th of July 2013 03:32:40 PM

thanks :)
painting is coming out well! Waiting for the second coat to dry so I can flip them around and finish up.

the ones I got are $120 for the pair...including the extra paint. The welds on it is really good too, nothing poopty like those garbage Dorman arms.

oh i forgot nice work on the paint. it's hard not to get runs on items like those.

looking all real good

So, rear trailing arms are in along with the sway bar..Starting to look good under there....

It looks like the previous components have been switched at a earlier time. Already had tubular trailing arms, GMPP rear sway bar and adjustable track bar/lateral arms. Bushings are shot and everything is rotting away...

a little peek through....*giggle!*

 

Just found my next purchase! :D

BMR Adjustable rear lateral arms/track bars

 

I may start looking up the rear brake components and do a overhaul on that. That whole area is rusting through...When I get the shocks in I plan on sanding down the knuckles and give them a good coat of epoxy.

Some cars had the GMPP stuff from the factory, my 04 Impala SS did. The SC cars had different suspension packages available. FE4 is the one with the GMPP stuff I believe. Plus, I also think after a certain year, all W-Body got the tubular rear arms, but could have been model specific.

yeah, FE4 was the police stuff (same as GMPP). Most cars had FE3, but a few FE4 SCSS's made it out. You should have FE4 on your RPO tag as well

Figured I'd let you know, some items are not so great, but I'll be keeping the major components, such as the coils, struts, sway bars. If you want anything just shoot a offer to get the stuff out of my garage ;)