January-February 2022
About the only location in the suspension that didn't have poly bushings were the rear control arms. Since the blower went on wheel hop has become more of a problem so I figured it was time to replace the control arm bushings with poly. Removing the rear control arms is quite an undertaking but we got it done without much fanfare and got the bushings replaced. Along the way I cleaned up the control arms and also installed new spring pads.
July-August 2021/March 2022
As I was preparing to install my TVS2300 I was planning ahead to install a boost gauge. I undertook the process to buy a spare gauge cluster bezel and add a gauge pod to the bezel to house the boost gauge. The gauge itself is a Speedhut 2 inch gauge. Wiring was pretty easy and I had it wired and plumbed into the car before the blower was installed. Building the gauge pod was a much bigger pain than I anticipated but the results were pretty decent. Here are a few photos of that gauge pod.
After I had the car retuned for the blower, the tuner suggested I install an AFR gauge. I didn't want to lose my boost gauge, so I bought another Speedhut gauge, an AFR gauge of course. In order to have both gauges I needed a bezel with two pods and I REALLY didn't want to build another one myself so I bought an Ortiz dual gauge pod to use instead. The paint on the new bezel as it arrived was horrible textured rubbery stuff so I sanded it all off and painted the bezel black and nickel to match the GTO interior.
May 2022
Alas, the AFR gauge never worked correctly on both the WOT readings (checked against two other sending units and HPTuner) and the warning light system. The gauge was returned for a refund and the dual bezel was sold and I transitioned back to a single gauge pod with just the boost gauge.
May/June 2022
I'm in the process of widening a pair of stock 18 inch wheels so I can fit 275's in the rear. I already have the tires which are Michelin Pilot Sport 4S's in 245/40-R18 and 275/35-R18s in size, respectively front and rear. I have also had the wheels widened by Weldcraft in Wisconsin. The wheels are off to get cleaned up and powder coated, more to come when I get the wheels back and the tires mounted. Hopefully, and the expectation is, that they will bolt right on without further modifications or spacers. Might have to put very small spacers in front to make sure the fronts maintain the necessary tire-to-strut body clearance.
June 22, 2022
I decided to install tall Holley valve covers to replace the stock height covers and spacers which are needed to clear the 1.8 ratio rockers. Here are the tall covers painted and ready to install on the car. The stock height ones were stripped and repainted to be used on the red 04 car.
July 2022
The widened wheels with fresh powder coating.
And the set up on the car.
I also finally got personalized plates for this car.