300decel, 3doghouse, Tomguy thanks for the positive comments and posting, somehow I missed the notifications.

rwd4ever, I am using the Flaming River rear steer power rack.

I have been driving the car now as a daily driver. Don’t drive far to work, only about 10 miles each way. But now have about 1100 miles.

Been making a list of things to change.

Steering geometry feels good, turning radius is good. Issue 1 is too much power from the pump. I am using the gm stock pump, with shims to lower pressure/flow. Still too much, going to switch to the Flaming River pump. Issue 2. I’m also getting too much input into the steering from the road. Stock this car had a steering stabilizer, I have yet to figure out a way to add one, just no room.

Even though the total weight of the car only increased a little over 100lbs with the the swap, the front end still feels too heavy. I’m not happy with how the transmission shifts from 1st to 2nd, and with the gearing in the rear end the engine is spinning about 2500rpms at highway speeds.

The car looks great, I get asked about it almost every day, but driving it doesn’t match the looks, at least in comfort. Power is crazy, going to kill me! On the highway the engine just begs for more right foot! I’m sure I’ve surprised a few fellow motorists with the acceleration.

So in the planning stages now for changes.

First up is a diet. Going to build another engine starting with an LS2 aluminum block. Most everything will swap over but the pistons. That will save about 100lbs. I will loose a little power, but have way too much anyway.

Second will be to switch to a 4L65e or 4L70e transmission. This will save another 100lbs or so. This will also make the car feel a little lighter as it will have a better 1st to 2nd shift and a little better gearing for highway speeds.

While I have the engine/trans out I will also be stiffening up the rack and pinion mount and frame connection, maybe rebuild the engine crossmember to make some room for the steering stabilizer. Hopefully this will firm up the overall steering feel and minimize road input.

I’m also getting a little too much vibration from the engine to the car, so going to swap to different mounts.

This will be about a $4k endeavor I’m estimating. These changes should get me under stock weight too!

On the interior the dash, gauges, stereo, AC, push button start, automatic headlights, backup camera, console, trans shifter and location, intermittent wipers, etc are all winners. The factory seating vinyl is in almost perfect shape, but the padding needs to be updated to get some of the height back from sagging.

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