SN95_Project
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- Nov 27, 2021
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Hi all. Picked up a '96GT convertible for my son for his 15th birthday last July. Needs some work, so the plan is for him and I to put some father/son time into it. Had our first real opp to work on it today. We're in the Cleveland, OH area and plan to take it to some shows (not to enter, but to cruise around to).
Info on car:
Red (I believe it's the laser red, but haven't checked the VIN code yet)
about 93K miles
Body is almost perfect. No rust at all anywhere. I DO believe it was wrecked at one time and repainted. There is some "less than desireable" panel alignment in a couple places.
Motor fires up quick and runs strong
No mods as of yet, but we worked on our first today - adding a power passenger seat (we won't be doing much that isn't a direct bolt on as he's learning and I don't want to drop a ton of cash on the car). he bought a track assembly at a swap meet, but it appears that the motors are too weak to move the rack (but move it fine without the seat on it).
Auto - he'll learn to drive a manual, but for now it's an auto for him. Transmission shifts smooth. Fluid is in good condition, but we'll flush it before we do too much with it.
"fake" hood scoop. Son hates it, but I'm not risking the paint to remove it and I'm not paying for a paint job. LOL.
Needs:
- Top itself doesn't leak, but there are a couple places where water gets between seals and glass. Not sure if I can just adjust it, if it will need a weatherstrip kit, or if it will need completely replaced (done - bought new weatherstrip for sides and windshield - also got a new sailcloth top. looks great!)
- ABS light is on
- Steering rack leaks (NVM - rack is good! it was the oil filter connector)
- Cruise not working (thinking it might have something to do with ABS light)
- AC condenser drain line broken (I actually did this on accident...). Leaks condensate into the passenger side floor. (fixed this with 2-part epoxy!)
- rear suspension - one side sits about 1 1/2" higher than the other. Hoping it's just new rear suspension. (done - I think there's some frame twist though)
- stereo wiring - Stereo install looks "ok", but obviously done by someone that wasn't 100% on their ability. Will need to remove and reinstall. Also, they put subs and amp in trunk, but didn't build it in a way that you can get to the spare tire! Will need to adjust. (done - made the system modular and you can pull subs easily now and get to the spare area)
- Will also replace front suspension. Has aftermarket wheels (nothing fancy), but want to make the ride as much of a stock feel as we can. It's not going to go to the track. (done - just need to adjust ride height now)
- low oil light occasionally comes on when it's parked at a steep incline. Oil is not low though.
I hope to start a build thread on it. Will post in the correct forum. Always willing to help where we can, if it's something we've already done. If anyone has any pointers for the "needs" list above, we're all ears!
Pic attached. There's a LOT less crap in the garage now as well. This was from when I bought it. Just got a 10x20 shed delivered and all the yard stuff is in there now.
**edits** - fixed some spelling errors I missed.
Info on car:
Red (I believe it's the laser red, but haven't checked the VIN code yet)
about 93K miles
Body is almost perfect. No rust at all anywhere. I DO believe it was wrecked at one time and repainted. There is some "less than desireable" panel alignment in a couple places.
Motor fires up quick and runs strong
No mods as of yet, but we worked on our first today - adding a power passenger seat (we won't be doing much that isn't a direct bolt on as he's learning and I don't want to drop a ton of cash on the car). he bought a track assembly at a swap meet, but it appears that the motors are too weak to move the rack (but move it fine without the seat on it).
Auto - he'll learn to drive a manual, but for now it's an auto for him. Transmission shifts smooth. Fluid is in good condition, but we'll flush it before we do too much with it.
"fake" hood scoop. Son hates it, but I'm not risking the paint to remove it and I'm not paying for a paint job. LOL.
Needs:
- Top itself doesn't leak, but there are a couple places where water gets between seals and glass. Not sure if I can just adjust it, if it will need a weatherstrip kit, or if it will need completely replaced (done - bought new weatherstrip for sides and windshield - also got a new sailcloth top. looks great!)
- ABS light is on
- Steering rack leaks (NVM - rack is good! it was the oil filter connector)
- Cruise not working (thinking it might have something to do with ABS light)
- AC condenser drain line broken (I actually did this on accident...). Leaks condensate into the passenger side floor. (fixed this with 2-part epoxy!)
- rear suspension - one side sits about 1 1/2" higher than the other. Hoping it's just new rear suspension. (done - I think there's some frame twist though)
- stereo wiring - Stereo install looks "ok", but obviously done by someone that wasn't 100% on their ability. Will need to remove and reinstall. Also, they put subs and amp in trunk, but didn't build it in a way that you can get to the spare tire! Will need to adjust. (done - made the system modular and you can pull subs easily now and get to the spare area)
- Will also replace front suspension. Has aftermarket wheels (nothing fancy), but want to make the ride as much of a stock feel as we can. It's not going to go to the track. (done - just need to adjust ride height now)
- low oil light occasionally comes on when it's parked at a steep incline. Oil is not low though.
I hope to start a build thread on it. Will post in the correct forum. Always willing to help where we can, if it's something we've already done. If anyone has any pointers for the "needs" list above, we're all ears!
Pic attached. There's a LOT less crap in the garage now as well. This was from when I bought it. Just got a 10x20 shed delivered and all the yard stuff is in there now.
**edits** - fixed some spelling errors I missed.
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