1984 Turbo LS El Camino Project - 'Desert Eagle'

[melman109]

Just call me crazy, right after completing my el camino build I decided I wanted something different. Got tired of the carburetor and bling and decided I wanted to put together a fuel injected "chrome-less" street machine. Plans for the makeover include but aren't limited to the following

Body:
2010 Porsche GT silver
Custom Steel Roll pan
Shaved Conquista trim
Shaved Marker lights
Shaved hood emblem
Shaved Antenna
Shaved Firewall
Powder coated window and bed trim
Heads Up Composites front fiberglass bumper
Ridetech billet gas cap

Drivetrain:
Low Mileage 5.3l LS Engine
- Billet Holley fuel rails
- LS1 Vette intake manifold
- Black billet March Performance
- GM Performance Valve covers
- Brp Swap mounts


Aftermarket 9" Ford rear end
- 31 spline Axles
- 4:11 Gears

Built B&M 700r4 Transmission
- Gforce X Member

Suspension, wheels & Brakes:
- UMI boxed upper and lower Trailing arms
- UMI rear "Pro-Touring" Sway Bar
- UMI drive shaft loop
- UMI upper and lower tubular control arms
- UMI front sway bar
- C6 Z06 Front and rear calipers
- Kore3 Brackets
- s10 Blazer spindles

Rushforth Rated X wheels
- 20x8.5 front 20x10" rear Powder coated satin black

Interior:
- Custom roll cage (Door bars inspired by the Ridetech "TigerCage"
- Autometer gauges
- TCI Outlaw Shifter
- Billet Specialties Steering wheel
- Lokar Emergency Brake
- Leather seats

[melman109]

Couple pictures of the car after I took all the trim off and dropped her off at Insane Innovations to get the cage installed and for body work and paint. The rear is currently dropped 2" and the front is resting QA1 adjustable coilovers. its def not a DONK lol


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[melman109]

Couple pics of the cage


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[melman109]

Mocked up the Ridetech cap!

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Custom metal roll pan from Grant Kustoms welded in place

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[WSSix]

nice Donk!

I kid. I kid.


Sounds like a cool build. I like what you have planned for the car. Keep us updated with lots of pictures please.

[melman109]

Heads Up Composites Front bumper mocked up!

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[melman109]

nice Donk!

I kid. I kid.


Sounds like a cool build. I like what you have planned for the car. Keep us updated with lots of pictures please.


:lol: Thanks! Will do..

[melman109]

Here is the 5.3L that I plan on turbocharging once I get it in the car.


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[melman109]

Rear UMI Performance suspension goodies

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[melman109]

Powdercoated 9' Rear end

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[melman109]

C6 Z06 Calipers and rotors with Kore3 Rear Brackets.

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[melman109]

I should have my Rushforth Rated X Wheels in 6-8 weeks Ordered them in all black. I've been a fan of these wheels for a long time.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7295/10362445804_811bc6bf5c_z.jpg

[CRCRFT78]

I liked it before you tore it apart. Can't wait to see what you do with it this time around. Out of curiosity,why didn't you just sell it and start with another Elco?:thumbsup:

[melman109]

I liked it before you tore it apart. Can't wait to see what you do with it this time around. Out of curiosity,why didn't you just sell it and start with another Elco?:thumbsup:

Thanks! I thought about selling it but no one would have paid me for what I had into it. I rather take a loss and keep the car. Then to take a loss and to try to find another one with a straight body. If I had the space I would have kept it and built another one. I was actually able to bless one of my car club members with my old drivetrain (he's a hard worker and has been dealing with a bunch of crap lately) which made it all worth it.

[Ketzer]

I was actually able to bless one of my car club members with my old drivetrain (he's a hard worker and has been dealing with a bunch of crap lately) which made it all worth it.

That's awesomeness right there.



Jeff-

[CRCRFT78]

Respect to you for that move Mel. Can't wait to see what you do with it now.

[melman109]

Thanks! Should have car back from body shop by next week (fingers crossed). I'll post more pics once I get it home!

[melman109]

Cage and jambs Painted!


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[melman109]

Some progress, still working on the engine bay...

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[tubbed69]

that's a very cool project,I like it.doing a great job so far:thumbsup:

[melman109]

that's a very cool project,I like it.doing a great job so far:thumbsup:


Thank you sir! i'll be happy if it comes out half as nice as your 69 camaro!

[waynieZ]

Looking good!

[melman109]

Looking good!

Thanks Wayne! :thumbsup:

[melman109]

20x10 Rear
20x8.5 Front
Falken FK452 Tires on the way


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[instro84]

nice digginn the blacked out motor and accesories.

[melman109]

nice digginn the blacked out motor and accesories.

Thanks, I got tired of polishing all the aluminum/Chrome that I had on my last engine
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5482/11377582595_383939391c_z.jpg

[214Chevy]

20x10 Rear
20x8.5 Front
Falken FK452 Tires on the way


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Wheels are sweet!!

[melman109]

Wheels are sweet!!

Thanks! I've been a fan of the Rated X's for a long time. I may end up with another set for my camaro :unibrow:

the rear tires came in yesterday. I had them mounted today 275/35R20 Falken FK452 I ordered 245/30R20's for the front
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The guys at Insane Innovations worked on notching the frame today
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Quick "mock up" before they welded everything back up. Car is on jack stands and will sit much lower when all said and done. Plenty of clearance. Big thanks to Jason from Rushforth wheels for helping me get the backspacing dialed in.
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[Jon69RagTop]

Those wheels are perfect, nice choice.

[WSSix]

x2 good choice on the wheels

[samckitt]

Great build. Keep up the great work.

[olds87]

Really cool build you have going on. Keep up the good work.

[melman109]

Thanks fellas! I should have the car back from the body shop in about 5 days

[melman109]

Finally got the car back home!!! I'm not sure if I like the sidewall on the front tires, I think i'm going to run a 35 series tire up front instead of the 30 series


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[Bryan O]

:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :cheers:

[CRCRFT78]

Any updates?

[1transam]

Loving this elco

[melman109]

Thanks Fellas! Here are a few shots after the engine install



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[melman109]

Here are a few more shots with the front clip back on the car. I'm currently working on getting the engine and body wired up.


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[syborg tt]

Nice work Mel I really love the colors in the engine bay

[melman109]

Another Shot of the front end
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[melman109]

Nice work Mel I really love the colors in the engine bay

Thanks Marty!:thumbsup:

[intocarss]

Very clean looking

[melman109]

Picked up a katech coil pack relocation kit

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Also picked up my Autometer American Muscle Gauges and got them all wired up

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[YoungProTourer]

Nice! Love the color combos man. Going to be a sweet build.

[Evan Iroc-Z]

Those gauges are beautiful!!

[WSSix]

Looking great, Mel! Nice garage too. Keep up the good work.

[CRCRFT78]

Hey Mel any updates on the Elco? What front suspension are you using?

[melman109]

Hey Mel any updates on the Elco? What front suspension are you using?

It's been in paint jail for the last 7 months :( I should have it home within the next month or so. I'm running UMI tubular upper and lower control arms, Viking coilovers, UMI sway bar, s10 blazer spindles and C6 Z06 calipers and rotors with kore3 brackets.

[waynieZ]

It's really coming together nice. I love the blacked out motor and accessories.

[melman109]

It's really coming together nice. I love the blacked out motor and accessories.

Thanks Wayne

[CRCRFT78]

Looking good. Can't wait to see it finished. Time for me to get moving on my Malibu.

[jy211]

Looks great!

[awr68]

Really liking this build! Love the color combo, wheels, engine...the whole deal!

Why is it back at the paint shop?

[RoadRace Elco]

i like the roll cage, want something like that in my 66 Elco but was wondering is the a halo i guess thats what its called ? i see what it looks like is a 4 point

[melman109]

Looking good. Can't wait to see it finished. Time for me to get moving on my Malibu.

Thanks, I'll post some updates as soon as I get her back home from the body shop

[melman109]

Looks great!

:thumbsup:

[melman109]

Really liking this build! Love the color combo, wheels, engine...the whole deal!

Why is it back at the paint shop?

Thanks Tony! Unfortunately the last painter didn't prep my car properly and left a few pieces unfinished. Rocker panels never got sanded and in certain areas the paint was starting to flake off. Sucked because it looked great in pictures but I wanted it done right so I took it to a more reputable shop

[melman109]

i like the roll cage, want something like that in my 66 Elco but was wondering is the a halo i guess thats what its called ? i see what it looks like is a 4 point

Yes sir, I wanted something that was easy to get in and out of and had a local shop build a cage similar to the ride tech tiger cage

[awr68]

Thanks Tony! Unfortunately the last painter didn't prep my car properly and left a few pieces unfinished. Rocker panels never got sanded and in certain areas the paint was starting to flake off. Sucked because it looked great in pictures but I wanted it done right so I took it to a more reputable shop

It happens. Better to take care of it now. Later would be less fun.
Can't wait to see more progress pics!