History

I’ve decided to put a time line up to show how the project has evolved, what happened, when, and of course….. the seemingly never ending set backs I seem to continually encounter with it.

To say the year 2009 in particular was particularly frustrating would be an understatement.

Right now the car is at the third shop in the last 12 months, basically the project had stalled and it  has been delay after delay, excuse after excuse, shoddy workmanship and down right lying by the owners of these businesses.

This has resulted in as of Dec of 2009 , almost 9 months had passed and the car really hadn’t made any progress, mostly because of these shops in my area.

I am still not real big on calling people out on a public forum, however there are shops to avoid in North East TN at least 3 that I know of, and by dumb luck or just sheer not knowing on my part, and maybe  being overly trusting, I’ve seemed to find every -last-damn- one of them thus far.

Email me for a list. ‘Nuff said.

In September I had met almost on accident a Gentleman named Kurt at a place called Dixie Performance, as I was looking to buy some ARP Rocker arm studs and of course places like advance auto and other main stream parts places didn’t have them, one of them recommended I check with a place called “Dixie Performance” in KY.

After making the trek almost as far as Pineville KY I met with Kurt and things really started moving forward. In the past 4 months Kurt, Eulon and “Bugs” the machinist have made more progress on this car & my engine than three other shops were able to accomplish in almost 2 and half years.  No matter what my question was, or what changes I made, or additions I have asked for on any number of things, the advice and attitude of these guys is always the same…”We can do that”. And they do. I simply cannot speak highly enough about the pros up there at Dixie, see the address bar on the right hand side for Dixie’s Contact information.

Purchased: 11/30/ 07 From a private owner in Chattanooga TN.

• Dec 2007

1. Replaced front suspension bushing with poly graphite, Big Block front and rear springs, and KYB shocks
2. Replaced exhaust system with headers and 2 1/2 inch Exhaust
3. Replaced stock Q-jet Carburetor with Barry Grant Speed Demon 750 CFM
4. Replaced all 4 tires and lower radiator hose.

• Spring 2008

1. Removed painted and refurbished front lower control arms
2. Replaced stock fuel pump.
3. Replaced Stock OEM Ignition with MSD Digital 6 ignition and MSD billet Distributor
4. Replaced exhaust system, (installed exhaust system from Dec 2007 incorrectly installed)
5. Rear End removed, media blasted, painted, 3.73:1 Posi-Traction Differential installed
6. Purchased Lower rotation assembly for 496  Engine build
7. Purchased LS-6 Heads

• June 2008

1. Replaced stock clutch fan with dual electric fans & removed fan shroud.
2. Removed AC compressor, lines and Brackets
3. Installed Tachometer and gauges

• Summer 2008

1. Car hit on left front fender.

• Fall 2008

1. Removed steering column and replaced with GM Tilt
2. Installed B&M Rachet shifter
3. Purchased Switch panel

• Feb- March 2009

1. Purchased rack and pinion steering conversion kit
2. Purchased BMR Rear suspension kit
3. Purchased Top End kit, including Manifold Cam Air Cleaner, lifters, springs,  and Holley Street Avenger 870 CFM Carb
4. Purchased valves
5. Purchased 2nd switch panel after the first one is found to be substandard in quality.

• Spring 2009

1. Car put in shop for Rear Suspension Overhaul, and Rack and Pinion Conversion.
2. MSD Digital 6 ignition box found to be faulty, replaced with MSD AL-2

• September 2009

1. Car is returned with out front sway bar installed, and rack and pinion incorrectly installed, car is taken to another shop.
2. Met with Dixie Automotive in Middlesboro KY . Gave them heads and manifold for machine work.
3. Purchased LS6 4 bolt main block.

• November 2009

1. Second shop delays installing Rack and Pinon, managed to re install Front Sway bar, after numerous excuses and explanations of why car is not being worked on, it is once again removed and sent to KY.
2. Purchased replacement fender for front left.
3. Purchased new Oil Pan, hi-volume pump and pick up
4. LS6 4 Bolt Main Block arrives.

• December 2009

1. LS6 4 Bolt inspected,  block found to be badly damaged and unrepairable due to stripped head bolt holes and damaged saddles. Block is being returned to seller.
2. Choice is made to reuse current block and forgo any nitrous applications.
3. Purchased new Wiring Harness, as old stock one too badly damaged to continue using.
4. Purchased new Energy Suspension Motor and Transmission Mounts.
5. Current block is removed and tore down for 496 Stroker build found to have already been bored, Dixie Performance swaps out for second 2 Bolt block, and keeps my old one and heads to sell.

• January 2010

1. New Transmission Rebuild under way
2. Removed front drivers side fender
3. Started on rear suspension mods
4. Removed Engine and Transmission
5. Purchased 4 wheel Disc Brake Kit
6. Purchased New Dashboard
7. Current Block already bored .60 over, swapping with Dixie for standard 2 bolt main block.

• February 2010

1. 496 Stroker Project under way block is hot tanked, decked line honed and short block assembly is completed.

2. Purchased front suspension components
3. Purchased Aluminum Radiator and 11 Inch Spal Fans
4. Purchased stainless steel Sumped Fuel Tank
5. Purchased Aeromotive Electric fuel pump regulator and lines.
6. Front clip, & rear end is removed from car
7. AC Housing removed from firewall
8. Transmission rebuild completed
9. New TCI Stall (2800 RPM) converter is ordered

• March 2010

1. Front Frame Rails cleaned and painted
2. Fire wall Detailed and painted
3. Rear Gear inspection is done, 3.73:1 gears installed only last year were set to the wrong pinion angle and depth causing premature wear and pitting, gears are being replaced.
4. Right Axle showing signs of excessive wear, both rear axles are being replaced with Moser Heavy Duty units.
5. Front Upper and Lower control arms, front Sway bar is installed
6. Brakes are mounted
7. Porting, Polishing and gasket matching work is completed
8. 3 Angle Valve Job is completed and Heads are assembled
9. Rear End housing hot tanked and prepped.

• April 2010

1. Engine build completed
2. Engine and trans place back into car
3. Rear end rebuild and suspension installation completed
4. Stainless Steel Gas tank installed
5. Headers found to not fit, new headers ordered
6. Unisteer power steering pump not working with the March Performance serpentine pulley set up, had to order a new pump.
7. 4 inch Cowl induction hood ordered from Glastek Fiberglass