Facelift for Old Blue....

[RIXXX93GT]

Well what started out as a simple 6 point bar and some massaging of the rear fender lips......escalated into JimsSvt and Mfield working their magic. I dont have very clear pics of the cage yet since Mike got it all dusty with all my old paint....LOL but Jimmy's work on the cage was phenomenal. Guy can flat out weld. Mike has been massaging the body into much better form than it ever was from the factory.

[outlaw85]

Looking good Rick! Now thats a make over!

[Stangman]

Holy shit Rick!! It looks like my '88 mustang right now!!! Lol can't wait to see it when it is done!

[kennebellcobra]

Wow:eek: That car was clean to start with!

[Blowpastyou]

Awesome, snowball effect.... ask me how I know.

[jack90gt]

That car was beautifull the last time I saw it also....

[AntiRice427]

WOW! Whats the color/scheme going to be? Cant wait to see it!

[Buckeye]

lol My 68 is the same way. Started with the motors out so lets spray can the engine bay to full restore damn near. I hope your pocket book is not squeling in pain as loud as mine is from the big snowball that hit it.

[RyanR]

Looks like it's coming right along. I've always liked this car.

[RIXXX93GT]

Paint will be the same as it was before.

[jlt2006]

Looks good Rick.

[JIMS SVT]

Wow. Way to start off the new year!

[cstreu1026]

Is that thing going to be a race car or a show car? :cool2:

[Blowpastyou]

Is that thing going to be a race car or a show car? :cool2:


Looks like its going to be both.... Gonna be saweeet! I love the silver and blue.

[RIXXX93GT]

Its gonna be a good looking car thats really hard to get in and out of!

[NXcoupe]

Its gonna be a good looking car thats really hard to get in and out of!

lol, you're old!

[Metcalf Racing]

Oh my god what did you do?

[sprayn93coupe]

Looks good Rick!

[RIXXX93GT]

Thanks Jason, I would say it should qualify as a show and go car.

[firestang70]

Rick looking good! Jims' welds are amazing!

[RIXXX93GT]

More progress!

[Maximus]

WoW! Looking very good! :bigthumb

Who is doing the bodywork/paint?

[RIXXX93GT]

Thanks Craig. All bodywork/ paint/engine bay work by Mike Field.

[Maximus]

Thanks Craig. All bodywork/ paint/engine bay work by Mike Field.

Damn! What doesnt he do??:bigthumb

[MFIELD]

Damn! What doesnt he do??:bigthumb

Work on his own car. :lol:

[Sparky]

Work on his own car. :lol:

Stop breaking it and you won't have too! JFWY

[RIXXX93GT]

more pics

[NXcoupe]

Looks good Rick!

[Stangman]

Looks very good.. I cant wait to get half that far with my '88. I'll be excited IF I even start doing the body work this year, lmao

[5.0calypso93lx]

Looks bad ass. I wish they would have had those back when I was this deep in my car lol.

[RIXXX93GT]

Looks bad ass. I wish they would have had those back when I was this deep in my car lol.


Had what? If you mean the front panels, those are Mike Field custom pieces.

[MFIELD]

Stop breaking it and you won't have too! JFWY

LOL, no shit.

[MFIELD]

Had what? If you mean the front panels, those are Mike Field custom pieces.

No mass production here, hand made.:cool1:

[5.0calypso93lx]

Had what? If you mean the front panels, those are Mike Field custom pieces.

Ah I thought they were Scott Rod's. They look great for being hand made :bigthumb

[RIXXX93GT]

more work done son

[SCHMUCKINGHAM]

I see your going manual brakes, street car or just trailer it to the strip?

[RIXXX93GT]

95% strip car. Until Mike gets me hooked up with a 5th gear then it will be a 90% strip car. Speaking of manual brakes, I wish Skinny Kid Race cars would have mentioned the manual brake kit came wiht an olive colored master cylinder! What the Hell!

[NXcoupe]

It's coming along rick!

[SCHMUCKINGHAM]

95% strip car. Until Mike gets me hooked up with a 5th gear then it will be a 90% strip car. Speaking of manual brakes, I wish Skinny Kid Race cars would have mentioned the manual brake kit came wiht an olive colored master cylinder! What the Hell!

seems all the guys going manual run them strictly track, makes me rethink my manual brake street car idea.

[Stangman]

seems all the guys going manual run them strictly track, makes me rethink my manual brake street car idea.

Psssshhh.... all the old muscle cars were manual steering/ manual brakes... some with 4 wheel drums... I think you'd be better off nowadays with the modern paarts. Worst case, sell it if it doesn't work.

I think it would be killer :bigthumb

[NXcoupe]

I drove mine on the street with manual brakes for a long time. They work well, actually my race car stops easier than most of my power street cars.

[SCHMUCKINGHAM]

I drove mine on the street with manual brakes for a long time. They work well, actually my race car stops easier than most of my power street cars.

oh reeeeeeaaalllllyyyyyy


I may just do it then

[MFIELD]

The manual brake boosters have different pistons inside them to move more fluid to make up for not having the power assist.

[RIXXX93GT]

Im gonna have to change the thread title to the Mike Field magic show!

[Blowpastyou]

Very nice Rick. Awesome work mike

[Buckeye]

Too pretty to race now...

[Buckeye]

Oh and mike my Fairmont, Torino and Cougar all have manual brakes factory. It is fine as long as you buy the correct parts.

[draggin50]

Damn Rick that looks great! He has sure outdone himself!

[RIXXX93GT]

I have been grinning from ear to ear ever since I dropped the car off!

[draggin50]

I bet! That has turned out awesome! I love the smooth look and the color looks unreal on there. Sure does shine!

[Stangman]

That is beautiful Rick! Great work Mike! Glad to see the original color scheme going back on it too

[AntiRice427]

Damn that looks good!

[Steves LX]

That looks killer Rick!! Great job there Mike!!

[RIXXX93GT]

Jimmy's probably saying "why didnt this prick bring it to me for the cage when it was in this condition"! I have to give you props man these welds on the cage are amazing!

[RIXXX93GT]

yet another showing Mike is going the extra mile cleaning up the inner fender area.

[Maximus]

WOW!!

looking GREAT!!!:bigthumb

[kennebellcobra]

Hell of a job Mike!!:bigthumb Rick.... I will try not to drool on it when I see it:lol:

[JIMS SVT]

Are ya gonna paint the cage the same color?Lookin good.

[outlaw85]

Looks Great Rick!
Nice work Mike!
I'll second the cage being the same color!

[Stangman]

Love the quality of work going in to this car... it just gets better with every picture. :bigthumb

[RIXXX93GT]

Hmmm I may have to discuss that question with Mike.

[JIMS SVT]

Hmmm I may have to discuss that question with Mike.

You have every bit of interior out of it so why not?Ill look good.

[cstreu1026]

Man I really admire the people that can take car that far apart. I can't wait to see the finished product.

[MFIELD]

Are ya gonna paint the cage the same color?Lookin good.

Hey what did I do to you:D,

[JIMS SVT]

Hey what did I do to you:D,

Just do it.You already have the gun out and paint mixed.Just shoot it. lol

[RIXXX93GT]

GO GO GO GO........GOOOOOO Mike!

[R825OH]

Man your gonna hate gettin rubber chunks on the quarters! :lol:

[Rick93coupe]

Looks damn good Rick! Great work Mike!:bigthumb

[MFIELD]

GO GO GO GO........GOOOOOO Mike!

If I tell the wife I am adding something more I may need a place to stay.:)

[RIXXX93GT]

I have an rv you can hang out in.

[RIXXX93GT]

Up before the crack of dawn this morning and by 1:00 my how things changed! Thanks for helping out Rich!

[RIXXX93GT]

Pics dont do it justice.

[MFIELD]

I second that, thanks Rich. I'm beat.

[Stangman]

Wowww..... gorgeous... great looking paint

[Blowpastyou]

Want to do my car satin black Mike?

[Rich]

This car is freaking beautiful! The blue absolutely POPS out! It's going to be flat out sick!

[Blowpastyou]

The car does look AWESOME! Begging for a new set of Weldstars or alumastars.

[MFIELD]

Want to do my car satin black Mike?

I am not going to take on anything else for a little bit after this one is done so I can get my car back together.

[Stangman]

What gauge of sheetmetal did you use for Rick's inner fenders Mike? I really am tempted to do that to my '88

[MFIELD]

What gauge of sheetmetal did you use for Rick's inner fenders Mike? I really am tempted to do that to my '88

I cant remember right now but I'm sure Rick will and post up what he got. I think it was .030 or .035.

[RIXXX93GT]

It was 22 gauge.

[TurboNG]

Looks good Rick!:bigthumb

[RIXXX93GT]

The car does look AWESOME! Begging for a new set of Weldstars or alumastars.

I agree Eddie about the wheels but I made the mistake of not making that one of my first upgrades to 5 lug. Now that I have six perfectly good 4 lug rims with moser axles it makes it much more difficult (expensive)to switch. Ill have to live with the welds for awhile longer.

[Buckeye]

Looks good nothing like a spray gun to bring oohs and aaas

[Blowpastyou]

Moser can plug and redrill your axles Rick, they can do it while you wait if you get there early. I understand on the cost stand point though. Im going to send you a pm.

[JIMS SVT]

Dont you have access to a mill? redrill them axles yourself.

[Mustard]

Car looks sweet bud

[91boost]

Looks great!!!

[RIXXX93GT]

I called Moser and they told me it couldnt be done? I just took their word for it. Ill lay it out tomorrow on CAD system and see how much meat is left.

[Blowpastyou]

They have a price to do it on their website.

[motox159]

Is that the factory 2-tone colors? Looks dang good bro. Mine will be similar, but possibly just going with the blue all over. Want to keep it looking stock, minus a cobra r hood. Very clean looking car, nice paint!

[RIXXX93GT]

hhhmmmmm!:confused:

[RIXXX93GT]

Yes its 93 Lapis Blue and stock titanium with clear coat.

[AntiRice427]

Its looking better every day! There are some people working at Moser that don't know what their talking about.

[motox159]

Not to copy man!!!!! I think mine is the crystal blue or another that was out there for the 90' GT. Not to copy at all bro!!!! Car looks great man, mine will not see the track. Building a decent driver. No hatin man!

[RIXXX93GT]

I believe the reason they gave was that I already have them drilled for 5/8" studs instead of 1/2".

[JIMS SVT]

Updates?

[RIXXX93GT]

Well Mike has been away watching some high HP cars in Georgia. I have a shit ton of wiring work to do with the car. Will post up more pics this week though Im sure.

[Stangman]

When is Mike getting back? I need to get up to the shop...

[RIXXX93GT]

Mike Field not Mike Bell.

[Stangman]

Ohhhh, lmao my bad!

[RIXXX93GT]

small update: Moved the car so I can start on wiring and re-installing parts. Have to get a new headliner and a switch panel. Re-locate battery box, re-wire car the right way this time. Engine is at Dayton Perf. Slid in Mikes custom hyd roller camshaft now debating about peeling the heads off for a freshen and to peek at the bores. Mikes also adding 5th gear back into my trans. Got my fabricated valve covers done and ready with welded in bungs for venting. Made my own egr delete and 4" race crank pulley. Stuck my sfi balancer up in a rotary table on the mill at lunch today and put some distinguishable timing marks on it at 10 deg retarded TDC then every 5 degrees until 40 total advanced and 90/180/270.

[RIXXX93GT]

Picked up my draglites from INSANEBA tonight......DAMN these things look better than new! Great job Brandon!

[RIXXX93GT]

Well as Mike Field can attest I have never been the "wiring guru". I thought something like this would help out. Not your usual membrane style switches, they have an audible and tactile click when they are pushed and also the switch changes from red to green showing you its go time. All 8 switches can be programmed as on/off or momentary and also what is turned on with the ignition and off. I have been spending the last few nights taking care of a few loose ends on the motor home (more wiring) getting it ready for the summer. Also been taking some time to clean up the old wiring on the engine harness and dash wiring..fun fun. Getting a care package ready to send to Kenny for some much needed powder coating. Now if I could only decide on the colors and finish I want for all of it. Im digging the warlock grey and s&s wrinkle coat, silver sparkle, etc. The plan is to build things up to support future HP increases as reasonably as money allows. Next is to decide on the fuel system, probably stay with what I have for now as it should be good up to about 475-500rwhp and good fuel systems can get crazy expensive fast. Thats the extent of the updates for now.

[outlaw85]

You will really like it Rick I just put that exact same system in my car.

[MFIELD]

Definately digging those switchs

[Mustard]

switches look very cool

[RIXXX93GT]

Well some small progress made and a few pics. The ARC8000 switch panel brackets are custom made pieces and work out perfectly. They instruct you to use a hose clamp to secure them to roll bar....yea right. Thanks to Mike Field for the dash help, very small amount of cutting involved. The big white thing is my newest purchase and way overdue.

[mustangboy]

I love those switch panels, I had one in my mini tub car and it made me feel like a wiring genius. Actually I'm not but it is so easy to install it is ridiculous. BTW when you get that care package ready you know where to find me;)

[RIXXX93GT]

You got it!

[DNTRYIT]

good looking car!

[mustang8998]

I like that switch panel. I'm thinking about one, for my car, but I'll have to mount it on the dash. Where did you mount the relay panel?

[RIXXX93GT]

Havent finished it yet but the relay panel along with the other electronics will be on a hinged aluminum plate behind the glove box.

[RIXXX93GT]

My how time flies. Its been over 8 months since the last update. With many thanks to Mfield, NXcoupe and Rich much progress has been made.
Body= done
Engine= done
Trans= done
Fuel system= done
Brakes= done
Wiring= 80% done
The efi has been yanked in favor of a Pro Systems carb/ Vic Jr intake combo. Wiring suddenly became far less daunting a task. Engine/trans/driveshaft all are installed and we even fired it up the other night. Mfield and Rich have been working tirelessly on this thing and the wiring is almost complete. I cleaned the carpet tonight, headliner material should be in soon. Fuel setup consists of a new stock sumped tank with #10 feed, #8 return and #8 vent. Earls shutoff valve, Magnafuel Quick Star 300 pump, Magnafuel large port regulator, all #10 braided line and two #8 feeds for Pro Systems 750 HP DP carb. The wiring job Mfield is doing is phenomenal, the ARC 8000 switch setup is SWEET as Mike puts it. I made a custom billet gauge bezel to take place of the stock cluster and it holds the tach, oil, water, fuel level and volt phantom gauges along with indicator lights for 2step/oil/water/and line lock. The wiring is all hidden and the engine looks like its hanging in space with the removal of the stabilizer bar mounts and smoothing of the engine bay. The powerplant got the Mike Bell massage with new ring package, custom cam, hone, new bearings, balanced, oil pump. Heads were checked out, new HG's and flywheel surfaced. New Quick Time Bell along with a new Spec stage 3+ clutch. Skinny kid manual brake kit installed, all new lines ran and hidden. Headers were ceramic coated by Aesthetic Finishers in Piqua. Intake powder coating by Kenny from Killer Koatings in warlock grey...looks awesome. I couldnt be happier with how its turning out and cant wait to head to the track. Pics to come later.
__________________

[mad max]

Seen this at dayton performances customer appreciation party and the car looks awesome. Cant wait to see it all together and going down the track.

[kennebellcobra]

We need pics.... I'm ready to do more of this :drool:

[Markcore]

We need pics.... I'm ready to do more of this :drool:

+1 :bigthumb

[mustangboy]

Thanks for the props and get some pics posted up of the progress!!

[Steves LX]

Yeah Jack we need some pics ASAP!! I dont have no help out here in Brown County West Virginia and I need some pics to follow dammit!!!:lol:

[RIXXX93GT]

pics pics pics

[outlaw85]

Looking good Rick!

[cobra429boss]

anyway you can post some pics of your wheels insane did for you rick.. and the car looks good.. Congrats..

[kennebellcobra]

Looks great Rick:bigthumb

[sprayn93coupe]

Looks really good Rick!

[RIXXX93GT]

I hauled old blue down to Mike Bell at Dayton Performance hoping to get a couple base runs then, delve into the ignition timing arena, and from this point in the test we would only change one aspect. Mike had the dyno raring to goResults of the first run were down a little at 373rwhp. ad about ten more pounds of air in slicks. took 4 degrees timing out and presto = 414rwhp. Mike Field and Rich Taylor crunched the numbers and the new session would be dialed in. Taylor calls out for 36 total timing, Field reaches far back in his brain and belches you need them #80 jets in back. The test session goes without a hitch and the team is rewarded with a fine 423.81 whp 380 ft.lbs tq. Thanks to Mr. Bell for his motor and dyno expertise! Now we are off to Mr. Fields house to fix my k-member from the motor mount trying to push it out the side of the car. In a jiffy Mr. Field was bending metal to his will. One added support bar and back in business.
I have to admit, working on cars as a team when everyone has the same goal which is make races/ meet new personal goals/ and drive them like they was stolen is the only way to go. Everybody chips in and pulls for each other. I also need to give props to Patrick at Pro Systems carbs, he was one jet off from being perfect after setting it up for my combo. Now its time to bust a 10 second run then out come the 3.90 gears and in go some 4.??

[redfirepearlgt]

Very nice!!!!

[kennebellcobra]

WOW!!!! VERY NICE guys! Can't wait to see what it can do now!

[MFIELD]

Now quit playing around with it and run it out the back door. Good times as always. Big thanks to Mike for use of the Dyno.

[sprayn93coupe]

Very nice!

[Blkcobra01]

Nice numbers Rick glad to hear you got it tuned and the bugs figured out. Still can't get over the k-member that's crazy.