89GT Project Getting Underway

M

MavisBeacon

Forum Member
I'm getting started on restoring my wifes 89GT auto. She bought the car 10 years ago right after she turned 18. It was her daily driver while I was in the Army, but has sat since we came back to Michigan in 2003. It is showing its age with rust and the motor is not running the way it used to. I started tinkering with it a two years ago by installing upper control arms, lakewood lower control arms, subframe connectors, 50/50 shocks, torque box reinforcements, anti-roll bar, and rebuilt the rearend with 4:10 gears. But work and college put the car on hold. My plan was to make it a healthy street/strip car. Now that I've started working on it again, her plans for the car have changed. She wants to keep the motor stock with just a basic rebuild. I think the car may end up as the slowest drag suspension car on earth.

I guess its her car so it is up to her what is done to it :headscrat

Anyway I will post pictures as I work through the process. I am hoping to get the motor and brakes redone in time to get it painted this winter. That way it is back on the road in the spring. She said I have to get her car done, before I can look for a project of my own, which will not be stock by any means.:sagrin:
 
MavisBeacon said:
I'm getting started on restoring my wifes 89GT auto. She bought the car 10 years ago right after she turned 18. It was her daily driver while I was in the Army, but has sat since we came back to Michigan in 2003. It is showing its age with rust and the motor is not running the way it used to. I started tinkering with it a two years ago by installing upper control arms, lakewood lower control arms, subframe connectors, 50/50 shocks, torque box reinforcements, anti-roll bar, and rebuilt the rearend with 4:10 gears. But work and college put the car on hold. My plan was to make it a healthy street/strip car. Now that I've started working on it again, her plans for the car have changed. She wants to keep the motor stock with just a basic rebuild. I think the car may end up as the slowest drag suspension car on earth.

I guess its her car so it is up to her what is done to it :headscrat

Anyway I will post pictures as I work through the process. I am hoping to get the motor and brakes redone in time to get it painted this winter. That way it is back on the road in the spring. She said I have to get her car done, before I can look for a project of my own, which will not be stock by any means.:sagrin:
Click to expand...

You can make it fast with just a basic "rebuild". "Hunny its still stock cubes. ";)
 
Sorry I haven't posted any updates in a while, but I have been really busy. I will get pics up soon. Right now I am in the parts gathering stage. I have almost all of the parts for the motor thanks to several of the members here. So far I have bought a 302 shortblock from jig_chucker, performer rpm heads from y2kr, and a maf from 2hipsi. Thanks to you guys for smooth transactions! I have also sourced a performer rpm intake from someone local. I have worn the wife down a bit when it comes to mods. After all I have to drive the thing until I get a project of my own done, which I can't start until her car is done.
 
I do have a question that maybe someone can help with. I am installing new engine bay plates from ScottRod Fab, but I haven't figured out where I am going to put the washer fluid tank at. Any ideas?
 
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I know she needs a lot of work, but it was the first car my wife bought when she turned 18. I have to get it done before I can get a project of my own. I have most of the parts to finish the project, so I will be moving it to the garage soon to begin restoration.
 
Its been off the road for about 6 years. Its got a little rust in the door jams, and real light rust starting around the rear spoiler.

I will be stripping out the undercarriage and applying Por 15 to the entire undercarriage. Then it will go to the body shop for the engine compartment get the new plates welded in and painted mineral grey mettallic.

I have new energy suspension bushings for the entire suspension.

The motor thats going into it is on its way to the machine shop for fit and finish and new valve springs installed.

I am hoping to have it ready for paint by November.

Then comes new carpet, weather strip, headlights, and some chrome cobra r's.
 
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