Thread: The transformation has begun...

normally i dont like that kind of wheel, but on yours looks pretty sexy.

looks good man. keep up the good work

Well, I can do my happy dance now, going to order some G2 caliper paint (black or silver, would go red, but not sure I want to draw attention to the rear caliper or lack there of - but it does stop the car) but the front end is pretty much done. Camber is still off a bit, but the tires did tuck under the fender well after rolling car back and forth a few times.

Much happier with the brake line (not dot approved though). Used a 10mm-1.0 female x #3 reverse flare up at the hard line, then a 10mm x #3 banjo with a 35 degree bend down at the caliper. Connected the two with a 18" x #3 line. It's not nearly as taunt as the stocker, didn't have to bend any brackets and has a slight cool factor to boot.

Monday night I'll start tearing into the rear suspension, and dissasemble the rear hub assemblies, haven't decided which route to go on the lateral rods yet. The stock 2004+ adustable ones, the ones by Wbody or there's always BMR if I want to drop an arm and leg with the price. UMI was at the GM Nationals offering 20% off on all their products, of course they don't make the lateral bars yet for our cars..

what did you end up doing to fix the rocker rust/disaster. My GP has rockers taht dont exist anymore and its driving me insane, i just got the car a few weeks ago and i want to start doing some upgrades but not before fixing the hideous cancer eating my sides lol

Originally Posted by Mad Monkey

what did you end up doing to fix the rocker rust/disaster. My GP has rockers taht dont exist anymore and its driving me insane, i just got the car a few weeks ago and i want to start doing some upgrades but not before fixing the hideous cancer eating my sides lol

Actually I'm doing the opposite, doing everything else before that is tackled. My driver side is about perfect, but most of the passenger side is gone - although it doesn't seem to have effected the molding. So until it heads down to the bodyshop for some bodywork, I can't answer that question. Sorry.

Originally Posted by offroadfury6

i dunno why everyone likes to debadge. i'm fairly against debading personally. but wheels are looking great. lemme know when u get the suspension tweaked out and tell us how the ride is ... also great job with the altezza tails, i like those...looks good IMO

I might consider not putting the "3800V6" badge back on after the new bumper goes on, but like you I kinda like the "Grand Prix" emblems/badges, gives it a little bit of identity.

Thanks about the the tails. And I will let the group know how the ride is, hopefully not too bad... Not expecting a cadillac ride, but hoping it's not a bucking bronco either...

Just a lil update, started tearing the rear suspension apart, the trailing arm seems to the piece that is going to be a pita, that and possible the upper support to get the lateral bars off. Rear spindles and backing plates have been blasted and painted, so I can start putting that back together with the new hub, etc..

Ordered more parts, after much searching found another source for the lateral bars, HT Motorsports in Michigan. Guys name is Erik and very nice to work with - the bars can be powder coated but I ordered them bare, will paint when I get them. Both bars will be adjustable, initially I'll just make them the same length as the stock ones. Price is a lil more then the ones WBody store offer, but less then BMR's. Will be ordering the trailing arms from him next week. I'll post up pics when I get them.

After seeing how wimpy the rear brake calipers are on the GP's, searched for a rear 12" GXP setup from a 2005-2008. Found a used setup for a reasonable price yesterday, that should be coming sometime next week. Comparing prices, I didn't spend too much more then I did for the stock reman calipers and new drilled rotors.

That's about it, will post pics when I get them...

Originally Posted by Bio248

my work has ALL pictures blocked all the time. i cant wait to get the internet so i can check this out. i want to see those rims NOW.

My company has the same thing, it's a real PITA too when someone posts something that says "here's a picture". I'd really like to see it but have to wait, or browse the forum using my cell phone...

Or I click on a post and it's blocked because some word in the post has something to do with a weapon... LOL

no i asked for the spoiler first so i got first dibs lol