My 85 Coupe Project.....

[franktf]

I bought this car back in June, It was just really clean little 4-eyed coupe with a 4cyl/auto..... I started working on it in July, now all the chassis and suspension work is done..... I built the trans this past weekend, and will be getting the engine together in the next week or so......

Here's a pic of the car back when I got it.....
http://s20.photobucket.com/albums/b218/franktf/?action=view&current=Picture215.jpg

and here's a couple current ones.....
http://s20.photobucket.com/albums/b218/franktf/?action=view&current=Picture412.jpg
http://s20.photobucket.com/albums/b218/franktf/?action=view&current=Picture419.jpg
http://s20.photobucket.com/albums/b218/franktf/?action=view&current=Picture420.jpg

[MiDiablo]

Well we know it'll be fast, since it's a White Coupe! :D

Pics don't do the car justice, Frank! Looks great bud!

-Jo$h

[864I'DCaprI]

Nice looking ride Frank....One day id like to shwang by and check it out in person, the last one was nice ,you paid alot of attention to detail on fab work....good luck

[**CHRIS**]

4 eyed pride!!

Looks great. :cool: Are you leaving the sail panels white?

[ODB]

nice Frank

[Krautburner]

Nice,the last coupe definatly moved.

[harold harper]

looking good!can't wait to see it finished and running down the track.

[Alan]

Great to see another 4-eyed coupe! Car looks beautiful. I like the contrast of the window surround area painted black and the factory polished trim pieces.

[slow poke]

i see you're in the park too...... where at ???? so i can come by and steal the side moldings !!!! :lol: looks good mang !!!!! :bigthumb:

[franktf]

4 eyed pride!!

Looks great. :cool: Are you leaving the sail panels white?

It is what it is for now..... No time, inclination or money to paint it right now..... When I do get around to it somtime next year I'm not sure what I will do with them..... :lol:

Thanks to all for the compliments..... :D

[franktf]

i see you're in the park too...... where at ???? so i can come by and steal the side moldings !!!! :lol: looks good mang !!!!! :bigthumb:

I am right across from J & J Autobody(right by 50th St and 72nd Ave)..... I have had the same shop since Sept of 89.....

You are welcome to come by to try and take the moldings, but I will be beating you with a really big stick while you are..... :lol:

[OldMan]

Looks good Frank!! :bigthumb:

[Scott]

Test

[Tiffiny]

4 eye = nnniiiccceee

[franktf]

After running in the NMRA race last week I have found I have just a little too much gear in the car, so I tore the rearend apart today..... Going to replace the 4.30 with a 4.10 gear which sould make it just about right for the 1/4.....

Here's a couple pic's of the car since I reconditiond the side moulding, window trim and mirrors with some fresh satin black.....
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b218/franktf/Picture244-1.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b218/franktf/Picture246.jpg

[864I'DCaprI]

Looks AWSOME Frank...Check you rep please....:nerd:

[Adrenalin]

Sick frank! I'd rep you but it wont let me!

[$hawn]

4.30 x 1/4 mile = big RPMs lol.

clean car! i'm curious, have you weighed it?

[shinysideup]

Real nice ride! Any plans for painting teh hood?

[franktf]

4.30 x 1/4 mile = big RPMs lol.

clean car! i'm curious, have you weighed it?

Actually wasn't real bad, it went through at 6700rpm..... Problem was it was all done pulling in high gear at around 1200 feet and 6250rpm..... :lol:

[franktf]

Real nice ride! Any plans for painting teh hood?

Someday when I paint the rest of the car, the whole thing really needs a paint job even though it looks decent.....

[franktf]

I got the new 4.10 gear today and it's almost too purty to put in, almost....

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b218/franktf/Picture273.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b218/franktf/Picture271.jpg

[Tiffiny]

430 ftw lol

[slow poke]

nice frank !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D

where did you get headlight covers ??????

DAMN, i wish mine had side moldings !!!!!!! :mad:

4 eyes FTMFW !!!!!!! :)

[99cobra281]

looks good man

[Gooser]

I like

[franktf]

where did you get headlight covers ??????

Summit Racing.....:D

[slow poke]

Summit Racing.....:D

sweet !!!! thanks... :D

[KAILUAZ]

Frank, how is the BBQ black holding up on the exhaust after running the car for awhile?

[franktf]

Looks basically the same as when I spryed it on..... I'l get you some pic's this weekend..... I would have responded earlier but I just got back from a 12 day vacation yesterday.....

[franktf]

Well I took apart for some changes..... Striping down the inside, removing the front and rear windows, mounting some new Kirkey Prp Street/Drag aluminum seats al in preperation for a cage install..... Then I am going to remove the trunk floor and install a fuel cell..... :-o

This past weekend I removed the windshield and most of the interior..... I also removed the gas tank and got one set of seat brackets made.....

Here are some progress pic's or mabye unprogress pic's depending on how you look at it..... :crack:

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b218/franktf/Picture277.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b218/franktf/Picture278.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b218/franktf/Picture279.jpg

[Adrenalin]

Holy Crap you just got that thing back together!! :lol:

Well, all in the name of FUN! so it's all good I suppose and if there is anyone who can do it with ease, I know you can!

What size and type of cell are you going with?

[franktf]

Holy Crap you just got that thing back together!! :lol:

Well, all in the name of FUN! so it's all good I suppose and if there is anyone who can do it with ease, I know you can!

What size and type of cell are you going with?


Hell it's been together for almost 6 months, it's long past time for some changes..... I'm actually putting the cage and stuff in cause I want to put some kind of decent motor combo together and I prefer to make the car legal before making it faster.....

I have been looking for an old 12 gal Harwood, but haven't had much luck with that..... I'll probably end up getting a 12 gal Jaz if I can't find what I'm looking for soon.....

[99cobra281]

nice

[slow poke]

still in shock that you're gonna go thru the dash pad.... :-o

[franktf]

still in shock that you're gonna go thru the dash pad.... :-o

chop chop..... hahahahahahaha..... :crack:

[KAILUAZ]

Can I hire you to remove my front and rear windows also? :lol:
I'm sure this will turn out killer!

[franktf]

Well I got the seat mounts finished today and removed the rear window..... Then I finished removing all the tar paper from the floor in the passenger compartment..... Now I just need to take the dash out and remove the outer heater-a/c ducts from behind it for cage clearance, and remove the shifter and last little piece of carpet from under it..... Then the interior will be ready for the cage install..... Tomorrow I will get everything removed from the trunk including some of the floor.....

Here's a couple pic's of the new seatsin the car(one with the cover and one without).....
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b218/franktf/Picture296.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b218/franktf/Picture297.jpg

[franktf]

Can I hire you to remove my front and rear windows also? :lol:

Have hammer, Will travel......:-o

I could probaby help ya out towards the end of the month or beginning of next month when my car is a NBS getting the cage installed.....

Or here is a do it your self kit..... A couple pieces of wood, hose clamps, dykes, small phillips screwdriver and some fishing leader..... :lol:


http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b218/franktf/Picture303.jpg

[franktf]

Made more progress this week..... Now basically the entire inside of the car and trunk are gutted, tail lights are removed along with the rear bumper cover and bumper..... I also cut the trunk floor out then trimmed and cleaned up the opening..... Oh yeah, all the exhaust is off the car except for the headers now..... My new aluminum fuel cell is on the way, and i will be working on the mounting for it and the battery this weekend.....

Here what she looks like now.....

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b218/franktf/Picture304.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b218/franktf/Picture305.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b218/franktf/Picture308.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b218/franktf/Picture309.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b218/franktf/Picture310.jpg

[864I'DCaprI]

Woohooo looking like swiss cheese, GREAT job man!!! Keep it up..

[KAILUAZ]

I might just steal your custom window removal idea, that seems pretty simple. Any tricks to getting the fishing leader started?
The car looks great BTW!

[franktf]

I might just steal your custom window removal idea, that seems pretty simple. Any tricks to getting the fishing leader started?
The car looks great BTW!

Just use a real small screw driver and push it through the top corner of the seal from the inside out..... Then you can just feed the wire through the hole.....

[slow poke]

looking good frank !!!! :bigthumb:

[KAILUAZ]

Just use a real small screw driver and push it through the top corner of the seal from the inside out..... Then you can just feed the wire through the hole.....

Thanks, your da man!

[Adrenalin]

Holy crap!

Man you make me look like a lazy ass! Damnit I gotta get to work instead of sitting on my fat ass!


I laughed out loud for real when I saw you post the home window kit! You da man Frank! As always, it's coming along NICELY!

[franktf]

I got a little more done this weekend, very little..... I guess I wasn't smart enough to check that there was still some C02/Argon in the bottle for my welder..... So I only had enough to do a small amount of welding.....

Here's the progress pic's.....

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b218/franktf/IM000038.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b218/franktf/IM000039.jpg

[GNs-r-slow]

Sweet car, fab work looks nice!!

[franktf]

Thanks.....

Made some more progress since the weekend..... Got the fuel cell and fuel pump mounting tabs welded in, also got the first filler piece in the trunk floor..... The new fuel filter should be here tomorrow so I can make the mounting tabs for it, and then I can put the rest of the sheet metal in the trunk floor this weekend..... July 4th weekend it goes to NBS for the chromoly cage install.....

More progress pic's.....
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b218/franktf/Picture314.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b218/franktf/Picture315.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b218/franktf/Picture316.jpg

[351coupe]

That's looking badass brother!!!

[79 pace car]

damn Frank, the car looks awesome. wish i had your skills :D

[864I'DCaprI]

Good job man, nice and clean looking..

[franktf]

Thanks guys,

Today I welded in the fuel filter mounting brackets, drilled and welded studs in the fuel cell mounting tabs..... Then I was able trim and weld in the last 2 pieces of the trunk floor..... I also made and welded in a filler panel where the gas tank filler neck goes through the trunk floor..... I primmed the entire trunk floor so it wouldn't surface rust while the car is getting the cage installed.....
The car is now ready to go to NBS for the cage install this week.....
In the mean while I will get the cover for the bottom of the fuel cell made, and I also need to make 2 small filler panels for infront off and behind the cell, these will be made of aluminum and pop-rivited in for possible access purposes later.....

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b218/franktf/Picture0029.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b218/franktf/Picture0030.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b218/franktf/Picture0032.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b218/franktf/Picture0035.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b218/franktf/Picture0033.jpg

[Zman]

looks good Frank

[shinysideup]

Very professional looking, Im inspired!

I like the pre-planning and execution of the tabs for everything.

[864I'DCaprI]

Damn..... /\+1

[302andSome]

nice fab there

[MiDiablo]

Fuckin' A Frank. Looks bad-ass man. :naughty:

[franktf]

Thanks to all,


Well I dropped it off at NBS this morning to get the cage done..... and now I think I'm feeling ill, man I hate leaving my car in anyone elses care..... :roll:

[351coupe]

Thanks to all,


Well I dropped it off at NBS this morning to get the cage done..... and now I think I'm feeling ill, man I hate leaving my car in anyone elses care..... :roll:I know how you feel,but you should sleep well if it's at NBS.

[franktf]

I know how you feel,but you should sleep well if it's at NBS.

Yeah, I have known Dave and Andrew for many years and I have faith in what they do, or it wouldn't be there..... It's just this is the first time I have leaft my car in anywhere to get anything done in well, hell is longer then I can even remember..... :D

[slow poke]

looks friggin AWESOME frank !!!!!!!!! :bigthumb: :bigthumb: :bigthumb:

[franktf]

Well, I went by NBS late this afternoon and Andrew is not wasting any time on my car..... He has already got the main hoop in, the rear bars in, the kickers to the frame connectors in and has started working on the front plates.....

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b218/franktf/Picture0037.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b218/franktf/Picture0039.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b218/franktf/Picture0040.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b218/franktf/Picture0038.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b218/franktf/Picture0036.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b218/franktf/Picture0041.jpg

[MiDiablo]

Lookin' good brutha!

[slow poke]

looking good !!!!

[Na306StAnG]

< was told by a little birdy, that someone picked there car up today.... :mullet:

[franktf]

< was told by a little birdy, that someone picked there car up today.... :mullet:

Who me...... Yeah I picked it up Sat morning, I must have gotten the A+ service..... I mean a 1 week turnaround for a cage install is insanely fast..... Now it's time for me to get off my lazy azz and work on it again..... :D

A few pic's after I got it back to the shop.....

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b218/franktf/Picture0042.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b218/franktf/Picture0043.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b218/franktf/Picture0046.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b218/franktf/Picture0048.jpg

[cochese]

Car looks killer,cage turned out peferct from the pics.Kepp up the good work,can't wait till its complete I have been following your progress.

[MiDiablo]

Looks awesome Frank! Makes me wish I was already in a new house, so I can get back to working on Frankie muhself!

[Na306StAnG]

Who me...... Yeah I picked it up Sat morning, I must have gotten the A+ service..... I mean a 1 week turnaround for a cage install is insanely fast..... Now it's time for me to get off my lazy azz and work on it again..... :D

We'll, you had a week off so I'm sure your all rested up. :D And when Todd told me you picked the car up already i was like :-o Can't wait to see her start coming back together. And whats the plan with the drivetrain? Are you staying with that cast iron headed weapon? :lol:

[franktf]

We'll, you had a week off so I'm sure your all rested up. :D And when Todd told me you picked the car up already i was like :-o Can't wait to see her start coming back together. And whats the plan with the drivetrain? Are you staying with that cast iron headed weapon? :lol:

It's gonna take a little while to get it back together, I still got alot of shit too do..... As far as the drivetrain goes, it's gonna have the same old shit that's been in it for a while..... I have spent a good chunk of change on what I am doing now, and i just found out I'm going to be out of a job at the beginning of the year probably..... So I have to whatch how much I spend for a while.....:crack:

[Na306StAnG]

I have spent a good chunk of change on what I am doing now, and i just found out I'm going to be out of a job at the beginning of the year probably..... So I have to watch how much I spend for a while.....:crack:

Frank, that sucks bro! But at least you have a couple of months to find something else if you do wind up not having a job at the beginning of the year.

If you ever need an extra person in the way while you put it back together you know how to get in touch with me. :cool:

[slow poke]

saw it in person last week at NBS and it turned out awesome AS USUAL !!!!! :bigthumb: :bigthumb:

[franktf]

Made a little progress the last couple days..... I got the dash to fit around the cage, but I still have to fit the dash pad..... I also put a quick coat of primer on the cage so it won't start to get surface rusted while I am getting everything to fit..... and I decided to cut the center out of the package tray and replace it with aluminum, rather then fill all the holes in it or just cover it up..... plus it makes a better fit around the rear bars of the cage.....

A few pic's of the package tray.....
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b218/franktf/Picture0049.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b218/franktf/Picture0050.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b218/franktf/Picture0058.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b218/franktf/Picture0057.jpg

[864I'DCaprI]

Damn Frank, again Awsome job. I sound like a broken record!! I should just quote myself. But man, I read where you might be out of a job soon. That sucks man and hope it dont happen to you. IF it does you can DEF make it at building race cars!! You do some amazing work. I cant wait till I see her when shes all done. GL with the rest and Im looking forward to more updates. TOP notch shiznit going on in that garage of yours :nerd:

[franktf]

I finished the rear firewall over the weekend and painted the underside of the floor in the trunk area..... The last couple days I have been working on painting the trunk area which should be done tomorrow..... This weekend I'll be able to put the trunk area together and get the fuel system stuff back under the car.....

Here's a couple pic's of the firewall.....
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b218/franktf/Picture059.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b218/franktf/Picture062.jpg

[864I'DCaprI]

HOLY FAWK Frank, thats awsome bro.... Man I wish I could do shit like that....GREAT work

[GNs-r-slow]

Top notch Frank!! Sucks to hear about the current employment, but a craftsman as yourself will never be out of a job.

[Steve B]

Thats what you get when you use the rule book, looks awesome!

[franktf]

Thanks guys.....

I finished painting the trunk this week..... Then I put a bunch of stuff back on including the rear bumper, taillights, battery switch, battery/mount, fuel cell, fuel pump, filter and all the fuel lines made except for one fitting..... Basically the whole trunk is back together except for wiring, that will be the last thing I do once everything is mounted and ready to go.....

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b218/franktf/Picture0065.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b218/franktf/Picture0064.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b218/franktf/Picture0066.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b218/franktf/Picture0071.jpg

[Tiffiny]

nice

[MiDiablo]

Grade A quality fabrication and installation. Keep up the great work Frank!

-Josh

[slow poke]

very nice frank !!!!!

[Black_notch]

Looks awesome Frank, well done.

[franktf]

Thanks.....

I think it's about time for an update..... Actually I got real lazy and over working on the car and didn't even go down to the shop and look at it for a couple weeks.....

Well I'm happy to say about a week ago I got off my lazy ass and got back to work on it..... I have gotten a buch of little stuff done on it like the rest of a custom rear seat delete, mounted the overhead switch panel, put in some new seat belt mounts that have better angle then the stock ones..... and I am currently putting a dash from a 88 in it, I just could not get the original 85 dash to look right where the a-pillar bars of the cage go through it(I cut up 3 perfect 85 dash pads and nothing looked right)..... I have also cleaned up and repainted the floors underneith the car where the plates for the cage are welded in..... I have no pic's right now because I haven't been bringing the camera with me, but I will get some this weekend.....

[slow poke]

nice progress frank.... :bigthumb:

but 3 "perfect" dash pads ???? :-o:(............. :lol:

[Wade95]

As always,,,great work. Hope to see ya this weekend to drop off my sump and tank to ya.

[franktf]

nice progress frank.... :bigthumb:

but 3 "perfect" dash pads ???? :-o:(............. :lol:

That's right 3, and 1 perfect factory charcoal dash too boot.....
I knew you would like that.....

[slow poke]

That's right 3, and 1 perfect factory charcoal dash too boot.....
I knew you would like that.....


:(:(



got any red ones laying around ???

[79 pace car]

That's right 3, and 1 perfect factory charcoal dash too boot.....
I knew you would like that.....

you sonofabitch i need a good one :lol:

[KAILUAZ]

Frank, don't post that over at Four Eyed Pride, they would ban you for life :lol:

[franktf]

Frank, don't post that over at Four Eyed Pride, they would ban you for life :lol:


There far too anal retentive for me over the too even bother with!!!!!:lol:

[franktf]

Slowly making progress..... I got to holes from the heat/ac in the firewall plugged up..... I also cleaned up the the insidee of the firewall and floorpan, relocated some seatbelt monuts and put sound deadner down..... I made the support for the rear seat delete I made, I just need to trim up the cover panel and install it..... and I put in the battery cable, alt feed wire - I had to feed them through the raocker panel because there was no way to get the cable around the cage and not interfear with the carpet fitting properly.....

Here's a few pic's.....


http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b218/franktf/Picture0073.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b218/franktf/Picture0075.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b218/franktf/Picture0077.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b218/franktf/Picture0078.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b218/franktf/Picture0079.jpg

[MiDiablo]

Still looking great Frank! Love that bracket for the RSD!

[slow poke]

looks great frank... :bigthumb:

[franktf]

Thanks.....

Got the rest of the rear seat delete made and finished up with sound deadner..... I will finally be able to paint the cage now.....

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b218/franktf/Picture0086.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b218/franktf/Picture0085.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b218/franktf/Picture0087.jpg

[MiDiablo]

What'd ya do, cut some speaker holes into the bottom of the R.S.D.?

[franktf]

What'd ya do, cut some speaker holes into the bottom of the R.S.D.?

Yup, street cars got to have some kind of tunes in them..... :D

[franktf]

More updates, been working on it alot lately..... I painted the cage.....

Here's some pic's..... The last one is a close up so you can get an idea of what the finish looks like.....

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b218/franktf/Picture0089.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b218/franktf/Picture0090.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b218/franktf/Picture0091.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b218/franktf/Picture0094.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b218/franktf/Picture0092.jpg

[franktf]

Next I recovered the headliner, put the carpet on the seat delete/rear deck area, installed the rear speakers, did all the wiring to the rear of the car, installed the overhead switch panel and got the plastic rear quater panels along with all the headliner trim..... I also got started on the new modified under dash wiring harness.....

Here's the pic's of the interior stuff so far.....

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b218/franktf/Picture0101.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b218/franktf/Picture0102.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b218/franktf/Picture0104.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b218/franktf/Picture0105.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b218/franktf/Picture0106.jpg

[slow poke]

:bigthumb::bigthumb: ,, looking good !!!!

[franktf]

Thanks Mitch, I think it's coming along nicely.....

[Gooser]

Looking Good Frank

[franktf]

It finally lives again, and I actually got to drive it around some today..... Now it just need a motor that makes some powa.....

but everything is back together and ready to be beat on some more..... I just need to get the outside cleaned up and it's all good to go for now.....

Here's a few pic's.....
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b218/franktf/Picture0113.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b218/franktf/Picture0115.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b218/franktf/Picture0116.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b218/franktf/Picture0123.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b218/franktf/Picture0120.jpg

[shinysideup]

Looks killer!

[Stealth Mode]

i thought u were jokin about the speakers cuz!!! shit looks killer. nice job

[slow poke]

WOW !!!!! turned out REALLY NICE frank...... :bigthumb:

[topher469]

Looks great brotha

[slow poke]

looks friggin AWESOME in person !!!!!!! :bigthumb:

[Na306StAnG]

^ understatement

[franktf]

Yeah, but now the shit is one broke biotch..... :crack:

On the second pass I made last night it snapped the front of the crank off and made all kinds of not good noises while trying to shake me out of the car..... :-o
I guess i'll have too take it apart and see how bad the carnage is..... :lol: