**This article is work on a 78 Malibu drag car, but will absolutely equate to our Turbo Regal's, as well.**
I'm rebuilding my 454 this winter after four years of campaigning the car. The only updates will be a new UD Harold solid 271/279, .656/.656, 108 LSA cam, extensive port work on my Edelbrock RPM heads, 2.25 valves, and port work on my Victor intake. All else will remain the same.
While the motor is out we're taking the opportunity to install some bars running from the front bars in the cage, through the firewall, and to the front of the frame. I had to take the window out to get the dash out. And yes, next time I build a car I will make sure the front bars on the cage follow the window line and drop down right against the firewall. Having the dash pinned in front of the down bars is priceless. The cage is currently cert'd to 8.50 so I didn't want to screw with it too much at this point.
This will be a fun project and I've been learning a few tricks from my friend Kevin, from Baker Performance, and http://www.refinis h i t.net/ (run that together)He's real good with the fabbing, and was kind enough to come over to my house and give me a hand and his knowledge.
My buddy Kevin and I attempted to pull the windshield ourselves. We got 98% done and I cracked it. Oh, well. Another $200 down the drain. :roll:
Dash came out with some finessing. Even with the heat/air box out there was lots of wiring left over. This is the first time the dash has actually been out of the car, even though I put a dash cap in the car a couple years ago, I did it with the dash in the car. After looking at that birds nest of wiring it's pretty clear I have my work 'cut out' for me! We are going to try and reduce that mess down to a managable amount by removing all unnecessary wiring.
Windshield out and preparing to measure/cut holes through firewall for new bars.
Here's the dash. The stock dash is pretty light when you pull all the BS off the back of them. I'll do a little cleanup on this, make sure the dash cap is secured better, and stuff her back in once the wiring is done.
More updates as I go. I'll take a little more detailed pics as we get into this project. Hopefully this will give some folks some ideas. Thanks.
I'm rebuilding my 454 this winter after four years of campaigning the car. The only updates will be a new UD Harold solid 271/279, .656/.656, 108 LSA cam, extensive port work on my Edelbrock RPM heads, 2.25 valves, and port work on my Victor intake. All else will remain the same.
While the motor is out we're taking the opportunity to install some bars running from the front bars in the cage, through the firewall, and to the front of the frame. I had to take the window out to get the dash out. And yes, next time I build a car I will make sure the front bars on the cage follow the window line and drop down right against the firewall. Having the dash pinned in front of the down bars is priceless. The cage is currently cert'd to 8.50 so I didn't want to screw with it too much at this point.
This will be a fun project and I've been learning a few tricks from my friend Kevin, from Baker Performance, and http://www.refinis h i t.net/ (run that together)He's real good with the fabbing, and was kind enough to come over to my house and give me a hand and his knowledge.
My buddy Kevin and I attempted to pull the windshield ourselves. We got 98% done and I cracked it. Oh, well. Another $200 down the drain. :roll:
Dash came out with some finessing. Even with the heat/air box out there was lots of wiring left over. This is the first time the dash has actually been out of the car, even though I put a dash cap in the car a couple years ago, I did it with the dash in the car. After looking at that birds nest of wiring it's pretty clear I have my work 'cut out' for me! We are going to try and reduce that mess down to a managable amount by removing all unnecessary wiring.
Windshield out and preparing to measure/cut holes through firewall for new bars.
Here's the dash. The stock dash is pretty light when you pull all the BS off the back of them. I'll do a little cleanup on this, make sure the dash cap is secured better, and stuff her back in once the wiring is done.
More updates as I go. I'll take a little more detailed pics as we get into this project. Hopefully this will give some folks some ideas. Thanks.