63 SWC, group therapy for the hopelessly addicted

[Restovette63]

Robby and the gang have made some good progress recently...the X-pipe and exhaust are pretty well in the final stages before sending off for aluminizing...I now have door hardware (interior/exterior handles, mirrors, and window regulators)...he also started the process of buffing out the paint on the doors, the pictures pick up a lot of swirl marks that will hopefully buff out in the final wax/polish...but I was encouraged that it appears I didn't completely fubar the paint when I started the wet sanding process...the vintage air front runner kit is mostly installed on the front of the motor...the engine and body harness have started to be installed as well (some shortening of wire runs will be needed on the engine harness)...

all the pics here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/restovette63/92009#

http://picasaweb.google.com/restovet...eadersExhaust#

 

[Restovette63]

Moving along...the radiator, fans, and hoses have been installed...lines from the Hydroboost to power steering rack have been installed...fuel line has been terminated at the rail...exhaust has been final welded, hanger brackets installed, and rehung under its own weight/bracketing for final fit and dimpling under the frame crossmembers (will be sent out for coating after the motor has been fired for the first time)...ECU and fuse box have been mounted in passenger fender well...headlights and turn signals have begun to be installed...side windows, mirrors, and door handles installed...

Robby and the crew at Corvette Masters continue to pour their heart into this thing and exceed my expectations...

http://picasaweb.google.com/restovette63/102009#

http://picasaweb.google.com/restovette63/92009#

 

[Restovette63]

All,

It has been a while since I've sent an update....the car actually runs and I can say I have driven it (like Rainman, slow in the shop...but it moves under its own power!!!)...The air bridge/filter in the video were just "Bubba'd" together just to get the car running, we are going to fab something for the permanent arrangement...the tune is just enough to get the car to start and idle (Robby and the crew at Corvette Masters will get it on the dyno soon)...but it is coming together...the goal is to have it at a Corvette event in mid January...

video of start up here:
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7xNZTHsrN8[/ame]

latest pics here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/restovette63/122009#

:drink:

J

 

[mrvette]

Sounds good, love it when a plot comes together, :friends:

 

[Twin_Turbo]

Awesome, simply awesome.

 

[MYBAD79]

I agree.... this is awesome :thumbs:

 

[damoroso]

Couldn't agree more, wow! If you're talking about the NCRS event in Kissimee, I'm planning on going down hope you make it, would love to see the car and meet you!!

 

[Restovette63]

Yes we are shooting for the NCRS event in Kissimmee...Robby assures me we will make it...he has all the gauges working and the rework done on the dash, so it is ready to be covered and painted...the car was supposed to go to the alignment shop today (didn't get an update on if it made it or not). So the critical path to making the show is really down to final shimming/alignment of the body and putting the glass back in...I can make the show if the interior isn't complete by then, but there really is no reason it shouldn't get done (I'll live to regret that statement)....

I hope to meet many of you at the event. I'll be the guy standing next the car with a perma-smile on!!!

:drink:

 

[Restovette63]

Well we didn't make it to the Kissimmee meet...and I'm not going to be able to drive the car to Sebring this weekend...BUT...

http://www.youtube.com/user/Restovette63#p/a/u/0/W3zyCFiheqk

:beer:

 

[BBShark]

Nice! Looks like the first drive was a success. I like the collection of cars at the end of the vid.

 

[Restovette63]

Been a while...quite a bit done since last time...bumpers are on!!! dash is complete (just need to hook up an A/C vent, also interesting how the camera pics of the different colors of black but when you see the car in person most everything looks the same), front end is finally aligned properly, installed the Dynamat in the rear area (huge help, the car is much more tolerable inside when running), actually washed 2 years of dust and crap off of it today (car still looks like crap but it did see an extended period of sunlight today!!!)...

Enjoy the pics...

http://picasaweb.google.com/restovette63/Vette52010#


:beer:

 

[Restovette63]

Two developments recently...on Thursday the car was strapped down to the dyno for a tune...best pull was 398 hp, but it was too lean to be safe for daily use...they pulled it back to a more conservative 390 hp and 363 ft lb...the injectors are still maxed at 115%, so I'll have to upgrade those and the fuel pump somewhere down the line (nice problem to have)...

The other thing was I took it for a 50 mile spin today...it was fargin awesome to actually drive the thing for a while...not as stiff as I expected which is nice!!! It handles the crappy roads around here pretty well...no overheating, stumbling, or stalling (except by my poor driving)...

:beer:

 

[mrvette]

Well, when you get a chance we gotta get together in Florida some time....

another member DAMoroso (NO relationship) and I live about 15 miles away from each other, in Clay co....when you head up this way toward Jax, maybe we can see that monster....

OH, and pix here please for the suffering folks in the frigid north....

:crutches:

 

[Twin_Turbo]

Why not bump the fuel pressure?

 

[Restovette63]

Why not bump the fuel pressure?

It is a 155 lph pump, so it is pretty well maxed out. Even if I increased the pressure it is having a problem keeping up with the volume...also if you try to increase pressure to mask volume shortage I think you get into spray pattern distortion problems/puddling at the injectors (not an engineer though)...

The injectors and pump swap are fairly simple and relatively inexpensive...right now I'd rather drive the car and have fun with a conservative tune, and then go back in after a while to upgrade it and then go for some more power!!!

:beer: