New Caprice - Discussion forums

This is something that's very popular on another forum I'm on. It's for stuff that doesn't merit its own thread or addition to individual member builds. They are like "I did this, here it is, here's some pics, later" type posts. Can even be for mundane things like "I changed the oil" and "replaced the wipers".

So I'll start. Was actually done on Friday. Had the Goodyear Run-Flats taken off my black wheels and replaced with a set of used General GMax 245 40R19 I picked up on MarketPlace. Two of the Run-Flats had worn out and I didn't like the harsh ride.

And a few days prior, I replaced the cabin air filter. Man did it need it! So what did you do to your Caprice today?

Good thread idea.

Yesterday finally got around to slapping the SS springs on my takeoff struts, along with whiteline mounts. I was overthinking it... a lot.

Didn't get a chance to install (didn't feel like pissing my wife off too bad on Mother's Day...), and with rain today doesn't seem likely. Either way, nice weather led to more motivation.

Also stripped off the paint from my G8 handles (much to my surprise, a razor blade and some nail polish remover works wonders). Someone had painted over the chrome and it was unsurprisingly flaking off. So I have one handle done, and I am very pleased with the subtle difference. Makes the car feel a little more upscale.

Next up is having a shop size up the exhaust tips I have to see if they'll fit the bumper openings (need to just remove my axle back and mock them up myself with enough time), re-align the car, and grab some terminals to wire TU/TD.

OP, I have those tires on my crown vic and my wife's Mazda. I have been quite pleased with them.

-J

I also changed my cabin filter. I think I discovered several new species.

Took it to the Custom Exhaust Shop to install the system I had bought 2 years ago. Said it would take 4 hours. He keeps calling me with new problems. First was tight quarters to get one manifold out. Then the O2 sensor wires weren't long enough to get them in to their locations. Then can't get the dispstick out to get the other manifold out. I have a feeling that I won't get it back today and will turn into an 8 hour job. In a way I'm glad I'm not doing this in my driveway on jack stands but it'll cost me

Will update my build thread when it's done with a before and after video.

Edit: Called me again because he couldn't get the left header in because of the steering shaft. He was proposing to cut and reweld a tube. I had to tell him that other guys (here) had to disconnect the steering shaft to get it in. I don't blame him since it is the only one he's ever worked on and likely the only one ever. He's probably used to rice burners.

Exhaust sitting on the shelf for two years? Holy hell you have some patience

What does it consist of?

-J

It was late in 2018 by the time I got it all together and then summer 2019, life got in the way.

I'll put details in my build thread once it's back. Because it's taking longer than a day, he'll only be able to work on it in between other appointments. Might not be done till Friday. For the dipstick, at first he was talking about pulling the pan , then said he would cut it and then piece it back together with a sleeve. And the O2 sensors, at first he was proposing to weld in some new bungs. I told him I'd extend the wires myself. I think he's more used to cat-back systems rather than full systems with headers. Ah if I only had a garage with a lift! (someday)

I have cut a 1/2" space in the flange of headers before to slide over the dipstick... Removing the factory manifolds shouldn't be a problem, plenty of room...

Maurice

lastcall190 wrote: ↑Mon May 11, 2020 4:38 pm Exhaust sitting on the shelf for two years? Holy hell you have some patience

What does it consist of?

-J

Our exhaust project was pretty much the same. Got an X-Force system from another forum member, and it sat on the shelf for over a year (big projects get done in our shop during the 'winter' here when temps in the shop aren't 1,000,000-deg F). Finally got it to the front of the project line and got it installed.

Didn't do it today, but we did get the 9C1 out of the garage a couple of weeks ago for a road trip to look at an R/V. It was the first time the car had been out in probably 3 months. It was a good run, probably 70 miles drive each way. It's been a while since I've been on the freeway, and it seems to have become quite the 'wild west' there these days. I was rolling along at about 80, even through town where the speed limit is 60, and was still getting passed!

My wife complained that our Caprice doesn't get any 'respect'. They'd be lining up behind her Tahoe PPV, but I guess since the Caprice was a bit dirty, no one gave it a second look.

Called the exhaust shop about it and the best I got was "I'm gonna try to get it finished tomorrow because I don't want to have a long Friday". Doesn't inspire a lot of confidence.

Finally drove her home from the exhaust shop just now. ONLY took him a total of 12 hours over 4 days and I'm $1300 poorer for it Was it worth it? Hell yeah!

She ran surprisingly well for not having any O2 sensors hooked up.