Base to VR4 Swap + Complete Restoration

[green-lantern]

Get on the transmission issue. It only seems like a PITA until you actually start on the project.

I still haven't started that damn trans. Football's almost over so maybe I'll show it some love in the next few weeks.

What about you? Any updates?

[99ishVR-4]

I just realized that I never did show any after photos of what that same valve cover I filled with High-Temp Lab Metal looked like after I powdered it. I did take the easier route and went with the OEM black wrinkle finish, but it turned out looking very nice.
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Looks flawless, great job. Did you sandblast that one?

[99ishVR-4]

I still haven't started that damn trans. Football's almost over so maybe I'll show it some love in the next few weeks.

What about you? Any updates?

I haven't touched the car since the move and the new garage is a disaster right now. Finding it hard to get back into it as I just seem to never have any time. I can't believe its already been 2 1/2 months since the move, I haven't even unpacked everything yet.

[Street_Chally73]

No, that's just been stripped using aircraft paint remover, parts washer washed, & then hit with a pressure washer prior to powder-prepped & shot. Not too bad & now I know that I can redo my existing valve cover & just sell off the others I've experimented with for a final color choice.

[99ishVR-4]

Well its been 6 months and I finally decided to get out into the garage again. I have been sorting bolts back into their baggies for the last week. Not a quick process by any means. I am about done sorting bolts but I got the itch to put some things together so here is a couple of pics. Not too different than what you have already seen, but the nice shiny new bolts seem to be the finishing touch that the parts needed. At this rate, the car wont be ready until NG 2020... Started a new job also so I no longer sit around at home all day working 10 hours a week.. and I make less money too.. But it is nice to get out of the house and interact with the world again.

[99ishVR-4]

[sketch]

glad you've found work!

those parts look awesome ^_^

[Elderloc]

Okay I have to say this.. I think I finally have almost all the parts on my car from the rear forward done. Now I start looking at the starter, Alt and such Damn this thread it gives me ideas. So close yet so far away.

[99ishVR-4]

Small batch of parts from tonight, nothing exciting but this batch marks the end of my lazy year of not doing anything on the car. Finally got the garage all setup again so progress should start to continue on this project.



Also assembled the radiator fans with the plated hardware.

[99ishVR-4]

Did some powder coating last week.


Some of the brackets that bolt to the turbo and manifolds have a lot of pitting from rust. 2 coats of powders only covers so much and these aren't very showy parts so I didn't feel like priming/sanding/priming/sanding.....






Will be powder coating the lower intake plenum tomorrow. Can anyone who has coated one of these tell me how that goo on the bottom reacts in the oven? I soda blasted it today to remove all of the carbon from the runners. These areas will be masked off and the rest will be sandblasted.

Before:


After:





I also continued work on polishing my plenum, a job I should have just sent to April because polishing is just not my thing. I still cannot figure out a tool to get into the recessed areas between the bosses.