BAD WAG build

So here is my first real post on this forum (besides the intro).  Project BAD WAG is well underway.  1992 Caprice, had a absolutely great running engine and transmission.  My initial plan was motor, trans swap, all new suspension, upgrade the interior.  What is has turned into is a complete frame off restro to include also stripping the entire interior.  

Engine is a 454 (out of a 71' Chevelle) was told it was already .30 over.  Currently at the machine shop getting prepped, will go .60 over and stroke it.  Machine guy said it will be a 572 when done, looking for 700hp.  It'll have all forged internals, waiting on what the components will be.  I have a Edelbrock TR-2 tunnel ram intake and will run two 550's on it.  Yes, I know this will take some fabrication on the back firewall to fit it in there.  I have the TH-400 at the shop now.  That guy is working with the engine builder to make sure it is built to the match well together.  I just got the rearend back from the shop, it got a Yukon posi and 373 gears.  It is the stock rearend housing.  Maybe I should have went with a Ford 9 inch or got a 9C1/Impala SS rearend, but see how this goes.


I'll post some pics of my progress and the issues I have/will encounter along the way.

If you need any hints and kinks solved, I have a 454 in my OCC.

Fred - I talked to you a long time ago about it via FB, but those messages are gone now. I’m sure I’ll be hitting you up

I chose to exit FB a couple of years ago, so the messages were erased. Check my build thread in this category.

I’ll do that.

How do I post pics here?

I can only post them when I am on my computer. I do not know how on my phone.

I can only post them when I am on my computer. I do not know how on my phone.
I just noticed the camera icon on the upper right corner.

Here’s how she started

Out with the old!

Pics

your inner wheel wells look great (no rust ). You should fill out your signature with your location. With the palm trees in pic i guess some where warm

mtrhead79 wrote:

your inner wheel wells look great (no rust ). You should fill out your signature with your location. With the palm trees in pic i guess some where warm

They are in great condition, I’m welding closed most of the factory holes.

Just updated, Las Vegas

Progress- pretty dirty but solid. 

While you are at it, you should install Hydroboost brakes. The vacuum produced by your big block will not make enough vacuum to assist you. The Hydroboost unit needs a mod to work with the brake pedal, and you will need the master cylinder from a Hydroboost vehicle. With a mod, the hoses for a mid 80s diesel Olds will work,  or you can use the ends from a donor (the donor parts are a lot cheaper). Hydroboost brakes are a great upgrade. You also need a flat mounting plate, and a tool to swap it with the one on the unit unless you get one from an early 90s ASTRO van. The little hoses to the proportioning valve have different nuts. You can mount it upside down if you need some extra space to get to the left rear sparkplug.

Radiator:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/125510318904?hash=item1d38ff7b38:g:~lIAAOSwPsdjIC8I&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAA8D%2F3ug1ijlaXoOxhKx1jqgqCda3UFHqLU0NeiCLjNpO%2B4jf%2BKZlcY9KBEaZmDTXCnUmzHuKUSx3Iewy1Ph%2FQNXTmMnrtQ65yjlPLt0S4wzorlJf%2BIxMLXr4FN2iL0p81YZCYP99k%2BMcI%2BghCfqCMiJQDcETNQ0Uj4ReaHaeCet9SxDUwnFVE%2BY%2B7WYNWhfCrlvKdIgEXv6vWwEysLlD%2FZPld7LVYpCI6cqka4LeIgwsAU%2BntdSsKI5PZ%2F35cMzVZbpwIylzW2igNeADi6VebAqnNpVkEFfSwty8hg6Z%2F%2B8CfApIjJAzhZMuRlLzG8rwrqw%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR8L8xLihYQ

https://www.ebay.com/itm/274903007080?hash=item40017eff68:g:QsMAAOSwkq1itR~g&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAA8HIZPjBkfkwjiDdTVV4SJypdjhBCksOaJr1u49YJCm3AeGbhvNvmsqaULbxWKWIoL2UGkBsJBEiR3gnmvNVHcRUqRprSUJ3GG1%2FVlqin3nPtet7QxcPdwn3lFH7Lds7zfj9IBd8CL8ksd2qmvUc8iZ9tBaYhL%2F7%2FFAiiJHIbLtohARWYYIPAIncecy4NZL4FCjYBKEmf46rez7emln%2FJx2vaJIILB1mGQPja9ey2SuPCAkA7z00uw0aYzJcKCZXto2zK1CYH4fsu6ywxLSw8ZY0aB5Aik9QZVyz1KOCRuTzKVqjJDZyGsbCveXh4WhLJbA%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR8L8xLihYQ

There are a lot of other special things you will need.

Fred Kiehl wrote:

While you are at it, you should install Hydroboost brakes. The vacuum produced by your big block will not make enough vacuum to assist you. The Hydroboost unit needs a mod to work with the brake pedal, and you will need the master cylinder from a Hydroboost vehicle. With a mod, the hoses for a mid 80s diesel Olds will work,  or you can use the ends from a donor (the donor parts are a lot cheaper). Hydroboost brakes are a great upgrade. You also need a flat mounting plate, and a tool to swap it with the one on the unit unless you get one from an early 90s ASTRO van. The little hoses to the proportioning valve have different nuts. You can mount it upside down if you need some extra space to get to the left rear sparkplug.

Great info, I'll look into this.

Fred Kiehl wrote:

Radiator:

There are a lot of other special things you will need.

Does this one fit right in or did you have to do some modifications to the car for it? On my 95' SS I used the Champion CC1517 3 row and it fit perfect.

The radiator is thicker and needs some mods to fit.

Off topic: how cool is your street?!? I love everything I see parked on the curb!

looking for 700hp? yeah, i would definitely not skimp on the brakes. Don't be like that guy who wrecked his old mercury hotrod on video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5oO226PgSkg

Swaggerwagon wrote:

Off topic: how cool is your street?!? I love everything I see parked on the curb!

That was at my friend's house where we pulled the engine and transmission. I have a 95 & 96 Impala SS at my place.

I haven't posted any updated pics in a while. Currently have all the suspension installed, rearend, and working on the interior. I'll post up more pics...

Old vs new...

Headliner remove and replace...

Bonny buckets in the back seat is pretty cool.

Buickman1 wrote:

Bonny buckets in the back seat is pretty cool.

Thanks!

ProForged front end kit and custom heavy duty rear sway bar

I don't see any of those sway bar and what looks like rear arms on any of the Holley/Proforged sites. Got part numbers?

booster wrote:

I don't see any of those sway bar and what looks like rear arms on any of the Holley/Proforged sites.  Got part numbers?

BMR makes a set of tubular lower arms with urethane bushings for about $290. The stock uppers will provide the necessary flexibility and compliance to keep the mounts happy. The BMR arms have mounting holes for the antiroll bar.

booster wrote:

I don't see any of those sway bar and what looks like rear arms on any of the Holley/Proforged sites.  Got part numbers?

They are all Spohn Performance parts, front & rear sway bars and rear upper/lower control arms. The rear is a custom 1.5" sway bar, Tom Frederico (ETCHUS) had a limited number of them made.

If you are not going to be doing a short spring lowering, you might, if you haven't already, consider the Proforged tall upper ball joints which will move the upper arm up enough to get rid of the positive camber progression in the beginning of suspension travel. Once you get all negative progression, you can align a bit negative and not have the funny squirm you can get when it goes from positive to negative like you get with stock height upper joints.

booster wrote:

If you are not going to be doing a short spring lowering, you might, if you haven't already, consider the Proforged tall upper ball joints which will move the upper arm up enough to get rid of the positive camber progression in the beginning of suspension travel.  Once you get all negative progression, you can align a bit negative and not have the funny squirm you can get when it goes from positive to negative like you get with stock height upper joints.

I'm using Hotchkis springs/Bilstein shocks and have installed Moog upper / lower control arms up front.

Are those lowering springs?

booster wrote:

Are those lowering springs?

I think the Hotchkis front springs drop it either 1 or 1 1/2 inch, can't remember which it is.

The old parts...

Cleaned and painted

I went with a Forever Sharp steering wheel. The wood matches the dash and door bezels pretty good.

Head unit installed and put the dash back together.

I was missing the drivers door arm rest. Buddy from Cali-SS club hooked me up. Cleaned and painted.

man you are making some fast progress

mtrhead79 wrote:

man you are making some fast progress

Thanks I appreciate that! Somedays it sure doesn't seem like it though....

Did some cleanup on the rear lens covers.

what did you do to clean them up? sanding? clearcoat?

Are they yellowed? Or do they illuminate clear?

Serendipity96 wrote:

what did you do to clean them up? sanding? clearcoat?

Yes, exactly. I used a handheld high speed sander, I think I started with 800grit for the bad spots. Then I moved up to 1000/2000/3000 until smooth. Ended up spraying with clear coat.

Rev Bob wrote:

Are they yellowed? Or do they illuminate clear?

They will illuminate clear. Haven't installed them yet.

I upgraded the steering box to the Borgeson Universal Street and Performance Series Steering Boxes 800130, it has a 12.7:1 ratio, along with the Jeep steering shaft.