ModernMuscleCars.net - Modern Muscle Cars Archive - Amature Body Work Alert aka BOOST BOX UPDATE

Pages: 1

Amature Body Work Alert aka BOOST BOX UPDATE
(Click here to view the original thread with full colors/images)

Posted by: DeckSetter

As you might remember, my van got jacked in the rear corner a couple of months ago. After receiving a $1900 insurance check and buying the van back for a little over $150, I decided, hey, so far I've made money on this thing, I might as well try to fix it myself and keep it around.

Before.....

After some slide hammer and dolly work... almost ready for bondo.....

After the rattle can paint job............... can ya tell this van was ever hit?

Most of the body lines on that corner were made out of bondo. I've done a lot of drywall finishing, I just know how to sand I guess.

It appears the only suspension damage was the hub and spindle. We'll see if I've got any weird tire wear in a couple thousand miles. All that's left for a total fix is cleaning a little overspray off the window, adding the pinstripe (if I can get one the right color), and fixing the interior.

The interior panel from the parts van (that's right, I bought a parts van) will work for the driver's side, but I had to remove the rear heater to use it. That's ok, the heater core blew up as soon as I put the van back on the road, so I took it as a sign.

I bought the parts van (no engine or computer, otherwise complete) for $450 delivered with brand new:
- fuel pump
- tires (khumos)
- struts (all 4 corners!)
- axles
- 2 1/2" exhaust system

It also has all the 5 speed swap parts I need (except clutch and flywheel), including the A555 transmission (could use a #2 synchro, but he said it's not very bad). Already bought the clutch, getting the flywheel in another week or so (from the same guy, trading him the old cracked dash out of the ZX for the flywheel, I've got a spare dash anyway).

A Garrett turbo is in the mail to replace the little piece of junk mitsu that boost creeps like crazy at the stock 9psi. Couldn't pass up the deal, I was looking to upgrade anyway.

Parts van came with a stock Dodge intercooler, which will blow the Probe intercooler out of the water, so that'll be going in probably at the same time as the turbo. Might have to change / relocate the A/C condensor to make it all fit.

Also, I found out I've got low compression in cylinder #2 (100psi vs 125 in the others), so I think I might rering while I have the head off to install the turbo. Thinking about just rebuilding the whole thing while it's out, we shall see...

The current plan for the "Parts Van" is probably to go with a 2.4 turbo. Apparently you can build one of those up CHEAP to SRT4 spec, and make some awesome power. I already started gutting the interior (it's down to the wiring behind the dash). Hopefully I can get it to 2800lbs. I figure the white van (every factory option I know of) is around 3500.

Whaddaya think?

Posted by: MikeT

Nice job on the body work. Thats one aspect of cars I could never get a handle on.

Posted by: LS1JAY

Not bad at all for a cheapo fix!

Posted by: skeezix

Nice body work. Now, go paint Mike's IROC!

Posted by: MikeT

Ya come on down and rattle can my car.

Back to the Forums