Green with envy

[Snader]

Was cleaning my harddrive and stumbled upon one of my first models. Yours looks better
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/448525/j.png

[ZacD]

The car really needs a green tooth somewhere.

[Tumerboy]

The car really needs a green tooth somewhere.

QFT

James, get on it.

[flaagan]

QFT

James, get on it.

:poly009: Already planning on making a black vinyl greentooth mouth, eyes, and thin black outline once the car's fully done.

[flaagan]

Got a few things done this weekend, was hoping to get more done but my lower back's killin me. The much needed vacation to Maui for a week was nice, being crammed in like cattle and not being able to sleep or sit comfortably on the flight back, not so nice. Ah well, take the good with the bad. :)

Anyways, since we got the headers back, I got the passenger side one back in (no picts of that, sorry). The driver side header and steering gear will hopefully be put in tomorrow after work.

A new, non custom-made radiator reservoir was put in space that's been cleared up with my big "hide the wires project".

http://studioflaagan.com/photos/cudaathome/cudawork050210_newreservoir.jpg

That space was previously occupied by this control for the dual electric fans:

http://studioflaagan.com/photos/cudaathome/cudawork050210_fancontrol.jpg

That was mounted to the opposing side of the radiator support frame on a slab of black delrin that I cut and shaped to fit into the frame groove:

http://studioflaagan.com/photos/cudaathome/cudawork050210_fancontrolmounted.jpg

The "hide the wires" project is something of a personal goal that I put forward, to clean up the engine bay so you don't have wires draped all over the place like the car originally did. I may not get it completely sorted out before the upcoming car show, but what I've gotten done so far is a pretty good start. Once the headers and steering gear is in and a few more wires sorted out I'll take a few more shots to show you what I'm talking about.

[flaagan]

Not to deviate from the subject matter of this thread, but chatting in #md brought up one of the other vehicles on our property, as 1966 Morgan +4. This is likely to be the 'next big project' after the 'cuda is out of the way and one or two things are sorted out around the place (like a potential garage remodel). After our experience with restoring the 'cuda, dad and I came to the decision that when we start on the Morgan, it's "going to be a hot rod project, not a resto, cause it's way too far gone and way too much effort to be a resto"... besides, we've had too many cool ideas to try out on the thing. :D

http://studioflaagan.com/photos/66morgan/morgan_exterior_01.jpg
http://studioflaagan.com/photos/66morgan/morgan_exterior_02.jpg
http://studioflaagan.com/photos/66morgan/morgan_exterior_front_01.jpg
http://studioflaagan.com/photos/66morgan/morgan_interior_dash_01.jpg

[Xoliul]

Sounds like a really sweet plan. A Morgan hotrod should be something original compared to all those buckets and hiboys.

[notman]

Haha, it's always awesome to see how the old tech was on cars. I've always wondered what they'd think if I could take my car back in time, and let them look it over.

[flaagan]

Well, got the driver side header and the steering gear in, got them all bolted down and hooked up the headers to the pipes. I got started on getting the idler arm hooked up to the steering gear but my shoulder started hurting too much; seeing as it's 11:30 I'd say that's as good a time to call it a night as any. :)

Tomorrow shall be getting the steering linkage all bolted back up, and then on to getting the new steering column put in, though that may have to wait as I need to get the instrument cluster back in and wired up, and see what I can do about the headlight switch that felt completely apart when I was taking the dash apart last.

At this point I've essentially got a deadline of 'next Monday' as that's when we're supposed to take it down to the body shop to get the other parts put on and get the paint touch-ups taken care of. That may be flexible by a few days, but at this point the car show's just over a month away, and I *really* do not want to miss is when we're this close to being 'done'(...ish).

@notman - yah, no kidding. Notice how the Morgan's got disc brakes? That reminded me of the Lotus that was featured on Top Gear, which Lotus refused to ship over to James Dean because they were afraid the Americans would copy their disc brake technology... so Dean bought a Porsche and the rest, as they say, is history.

[notman]

I missed that (funny, since I work for a braking company). I was in awe with the front frame design and the 4 blade solid fan.

[flaagan]

I think the car knows it's gonna be around for another week (body shop called to delay delivery), cause right now I'm hoping it's just a faulty starter relay (seperate from the starter) that's keeping it from cranking over.

[flaagan]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dv4_mbfIlnI

8)

[notman]

Sweet! Sounds damn good.

Funny though, I was thinking that it sounded like you had a rocker clicking or a header leak, but wasn't sure if any of it had to do with youtubes sound compression, then I hear your dad say something about "It sounds like an exhaust leak" :) Not too difficult to fix though

I wish I leave nearby... I'd hit you up for a cruise in it ;)

[flaagan]

Yah, I put a note up on the actual youtube post saying we noticed the ticking sound, and suspect it's either a header leak or the new power steering gear still suckin in fluids. I'll be sorting it out over the next day or two. :)

[ZacD]

If I record engine sound of my car can you tell me whats wrong with it :P

[Firebert]

massive
erection

[notman]

If I record engine sound of my car can you tell me whats wrong with it :P

Maybe... if the problem is making a sound :P

[flaagan]

Well, after four days of serious wrenching, two of which spent not feeling all that great at all, I just drove the Barracuda ~60 miles down to Hollister to drop it off at the body shop.

The car has a handful of small electrical issues, and there's various other issues that need get sorted out, but aside from that (and waking up this morning feeling like I was gonna puke), it was a good drive down.

[flaagan]

Time for another update.

Dad picked the car up from the body shop today, they didn't have a chance to do the fiberglass hood yet, but managed to fix the dings in the stock hood and put that back on.

The car was making more of the horrid whining noises I'd noticed on the drive down to the body shop a few weeks back, so he dropped it off at the local mechanic who's worked on pretty much every vehicle we own at one point or another to fix that and some other problems.

Word is currently that the bearing went out on the rear end gearing (somewhat of a surprise since the whole posi rear end was reassembled with new gearing by a local shop a few years back and hasn't exactly been beat on), and that he may be able to fix a steering gear issue and some other items.

The show's this weekend, but both my dad and I are in agreement that we'd rather see it fixed and working than hobble its way over to the show and back. As it is, there's a myriad of small things to still do to the car, most of them detail work, that will improve its appearance. If it is in running condition by tomorrow, though, it will be taken to the show.

[rolfness]

nice to see progress on the cuda, be cool to get a greentooth on there..

that morgan would be a sick project..

I wish I had cool old cars lying around the garden.... lol

[flaagan]

Well, the 'cuda isn't gonna make it to the Mopar Alley Rally this year. Seems that when we had the posi rear end installed the shop reused the old bearings, and those gave up the ghost. Ah well, plenty of small details to sort out on the car anyways, it'll be badass for next year.

[flaagan]

I'd say it's coming along nicely...

http://studioflaagan.com/photos/cudaathome/cudaathome_06242010.jpg

[notman]

She's looking good... what's left now?

[adam]

James, she's a beaut.

[Eric Chadwick]

That is sweet. Lovin the old CA plates too.

[flaagan]

She's looking good... what's left now?

Oooh, a whole lotta stuff! :poly142:

The short list includes getting the trunk lid to set right (slight gap for some reason), getting the lower rear valence fixed (slight angle in the bodywork we're not happy with), getting the fiberglass hood installed, handful of other body-shop items. There's still a few electrical gremlins to sort out (like why the reverse lights stopped working), as well as mechanical (need to replace a faulty remanufactured steering gear). 'Personal' touches include the custom-made radiator / grill gap cover plate, and cleaning up / hiding the rest of the wiring in the engine bay. That's just stuff that's coming to mind right now.

It's in 'my' parking space in the main garage cause I've got enough other projects taking up the workshop that I'd rather not risk dinging it or having to constantly relocate it.

Been doing plenty of car stuff lately. I got bit by the 'mod bug' again for my 'vette, and the new front fascia I ordered showed up.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs055.ash2/36107_404956341021_626801021_4906340_559899_n.jpg

[notman]

I thought the body stuff was getting finished up recently? ;)

The reverse light should be reasonably easy at least :)

[flaagan]

I thought the body stuff was getting finished up recently? ;)

The reverse light should be reasonably easy at least :)

Things got kinda rushed when we thought it was gonna be ready in time for the car show. Probably should have realized then that trying to cram it was a bad idea, oh well.

The reverse lights, at least on the driver side, share a ground with another light, so initially it was splitting power with that other light. Why they're not working at all right now is a bit confusing to me.

[flaagan]

Figured I'd give a quick update on this (even though I'm in North Dakota on an ice fishing trip at the moment). I swapped in the car's third power steering gear a few months back, and we got a nice black carpetting put in the trunk area instead of the vinyl / plastic repro factory liner. Between other car projects, losing my job, doing IT work, house remodel projects, trying to start a vinyl decal biz, etc etc etc, this car's taken quite the back seat as of late. Still haven't gotten the fiberglass hood back or the few other things taken care of that were listed above, but will need to top off the fluids and take it for another 'shakedown' ride once the weather starts clearing up in Nor Cal. As it is, I'll probably start using the winter weather time to handle the engine wiring cleanup job and make that 'cover plate' for in front of the radiator. Here's hoping I land a job in the area so I can finally enjoy cruising this car around this coming summer!

[notman]

I missed this bump as it passed through. I guess I missed that you were unemployed now too :( What are you doing with the Vinyl decal biz?

Why so many swaps on the power steering?

[flaagan]

The decal biz has been an interest of mine for a while and now that I have access to a cutter I'm giving it a go. Besides the normal window decal stuff I'm also working on a 'customized stock decal idea. Things are still in a kind of design / gauge the market phase but I think car owners' penchant (especially on places like the Corvette forum) for wanting a unique look may make it a good sell. We shall see. ;)

As for the steering gear... the original turned out to be in bad shape, and getting it cooked when we painted it (powdercoating shop's error) didn't help the already aged seals. The first rebuilt one I put in had bad internals but we didn't find out until after it was installed. The third one I put in I had our preferred mechanic give it a thumbs up and made damn sure it wasn't cooked but air dried when we had it painted.

[flaagan]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qii5Y8Eeg4

:)

(1080p version up at youtube proper)

[ZacD]

GO FLAAGIE GO!

How do you mount the camera? Hear back from the phone interview yet?

[flaagan]

GO FLAAGIE GO!

How do you mount the camera? Hear back from the phone interview yet?


It's a GoPro camera with the suction cup mount on the rear quarter panel. In some of the later parts you can see the shadow for it against the car and road.

No word back on the phone interview. Not worried one way or the other. If I get picked up there, cool, if not, send stuff out to everyone else and focus on a couple of business ideas I have locally.

[Ninjas]

That is awesome. Great to see the car driving around!

[00Zero]

man, that sounds great. love the exhaust

[notman]

Sounds really good. And I don't mean from just the exhaust. The idle was pretty stable/smooth. No pops or misfires. Beautiful ride.

[flaagan]

Sounds really good. And I don't mean from just the exhaust. The idle was pretty stable/smooth. No pops or misfires. Beautiful ride.


Yah, car was running great. If it were for the two issues I would've taken it out on the freeway for a quick local loop. I'm kinda chompin at the bit to do so anyways, but I want to talk with our mechanic first.

[ru4it]

damn i think i need to go change myself after that video. she sounds like a dream!!

[flaagan]

Just a couple of updates~

We believe the clunking noise coming from the front end is originating in the power steering gear, so I'm going to have to order another one and install it. This will be the fourth power steering gear the car will have installed since the beginning of the resto... I'm really wishing I'd pushed harder for a tubular k member with rack and pinion steering now... I may not get it done before the car show, but the vehicle's drivable, so it's not a big issue.

The fiberglass hood's still off at the body shop.. I'm not holding my breath on it getting done in time for the car show, but it's not a fate worse than death..

Still a number of detail items to take care of, but they're all kind of on hold at the moment, and nothing that prevents the car from being driven.


In other car news, I've just created a website to blog the restoration / customization of the 1966 Morgan Plus 4 that my dad gave me, check it out at http://mogrod.com/.

[notman]

Cool. I'll try to remember to check in... of course, we'll expect updates here too ;)

[Gilgamesh]

I had a 1976 Morris marina that was the same colour as that ... makes me shudder every time I see the colour as well lol.

[flaagan]

Cool. I'll try to remember to check in... of course, we'll expect updates here too ;)

Not planning on starting a new thread for the Morgan on here, but I can definitely keep this thread going with updates on it. In some ways having this thread be the main source of info on the Barracuda's resto was a mistake. If the forum craps out (like it has in the past) or something else unexpected happens (like a mod deletes or locks it), I will have lost a record of the work done on the 'cuda. That being said, the social aspect of this thread has been great fun for me while working on the car. :)

[notman]

Nah, I'm just hoping you might let us know when you get started. I noticed the blog isn't offering a RSS feed or notifying service, that I can subscribe to.

[flaagan]

Ah, gotcha. I'll see what I can do about that.

[flaagan]

Hey notman, try just adding http://mogrod.com/ to your feed reader. I just tried that with Google Reader and it appears to have worked.

[Keg]

So, flaagan told me if I didn't want to create a thread, I should post here.

My dad's been working on restoring what was once my grandpa's 69 Dodge Coronet 500. The engine is a 383 with a 4-barrel carb (originally had a 2 barrel). The car has been under cover for most of it's life so there was very little rust to deal with and the body was quite straight. We decided to keep it closer to stock instead of converting it into a super bee like nearly everyone does. Certain things were changed like the shifter going from the steering wheel to the center console. We still have the build sheet for the car and all the changes are changes that were available back in 1969 for this car.

There's still some accessories to be put on. Wheels are ordered (red lines with magnum 500 rims). The hope is to be mostly completed before my grandpa's 93rd birthday in a couple weeks so we can take him for a cruise in his old car.

http://sites.google.com/site/craigyoung81/69_Dodge_01.jpg

http://sites.google.com/site/craigyoung81/69_Dodge_02.jpg

http://sites.google.com/site/craigyoung81/69_Dodge_03.jpg

http://sites.google.com/site/craigyoung81/69_Dodge_04.jpg

[flaagan]

I'm flaagan, and I approve of the above post. :thumbup:

[flaagan]

Well, just made the decision to not take the 'cuda to the Mopar Alley Rally today. The weather's been bad enough lately that it just does not warrant taking the car out, so I'm going to have to wait another year to finally show the 'cuda there. I'm pretty irked about this, particularly cause this was a decision based on something completely out of my control. Hopefully the weather will improve in the coming months for the next Good Guys show and we can take it to that (there was a GG show this weekend too, no point in attending that).

[Rwolf]

ugh, makes me wish I could get a hands on a 69 Cougar.

[flaagan]

I was invited by a friend who works at Brokade to show the 'cuda at a Chilli Cook-off and car show they were doing today. Weather was awesome, and the cuda definitely stole the show, even from the CEO's Lambo (which had a "please sit and take photos in" sign on it). It was a small show, but hey, the showing has begun.

I apologize for how blurry the images are, I don't know why my phone took all the images so poorly, it's usually pretty damn good about this,

http://studioflaagan.com/photos/cudashows/2011brokade/IMG_20110610_111944.jpg

http://studioflaagan.com/photos/cudashows/2011brokade/IMG_20110610_120908.jpg

http://studioflaagan.com/photos/cudashows/2011brokade/IMG_20110610_120914.jpg

http://studioflaagan.com/photos/cudashows/2011brokade/IMG_20110610_120919.jpg

http://studioflaagan.com/photos/cudashows/2011brokade/IMG_20110610_120926.jpg

http://studioflaagan.com/photos/cudashows/2011brokade/IMG_20110610_120935.jpg

http://studioflaagan.com/photos/cudashows/2011brokade/IMG_20110610_120940.jpg

http://studioflaagan.com/photos/cudashows/2011brokade/IMG_20110610_120945.jpg

http://studioflaagan.com/photos/cudashows/2011brokade/IMG_20110610_120958.jpg

http://studioflaagan.com/photos/cudashows/2011brokade/IMG_20110610_121006.jpg

http://studioflaagan.com/photos/cudashows/2011brokade/IMG_20110610_121016.jpg

http://studioflaagan.com/photos/cudashows/2011brokade/IMG_20110610_121046.jpg

[Eric Chadwick]

flaagan, that barracuda is a sweet ride. Nice work man!

[flaagan]

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/268270_10150220038931022_626801021_7621262_5622568 _n.jpg

:)

[flaagan]

POWER BULGE HOOD~
http://studioflaagan.com/photos/cudaathome/20110710_hood01.jpg
http://studioflaagan.com/photos/cudaathome/20110710_hood02.jpg

Snooooooort~
http://studioflaagan.com/photos/cudaathome/20110710_hood03.jpg

[00Zero]

MMMMPH. looks epic. good job.

about that car show. ive never understood this, but why do people bring (seemingly) stock new cars like that mustang and challenger to shows like that?

[notman]

Loving the hood. Gives it a nice evil snout ;)

[flaagan]

00Zero - it was a company car show, so employees brought their rides. For 'normal' car shows.. I dunno.

[rolfness]

gieeeff meh nao :D

[Stinger88]

awesome. I'm super green with envy.

loving the low Baja. Is that a stinger exhaust? I think they are illegal over here (UK).

lambo would be my last choice in that lot. unless I could sell it and buy all the others.

[flaagan]

awesome. I'm super green with envy.

loving the low Baja. Is that a stinger exhaust? I think they are illegal over here (UK).

lambo would be my last choice in that lot. unless I could sell it and buy all the others.


That Lambo's the CEO of Brokade's. He had a sign in it saying "feel free to sit in and take photos"... which caused a lot of headache for me keeping people from getting their mitts all over the cuda and climbing in and out of it. :poly127: I was also a little irked cause that guy's got a Veyron and he brought a Lambo instead... I mean, come on.. *rare* million + dollar car or a Lambo... You don't have to think too hard about that!

[rolfness]

well the veyron is too precious...

[Stinger88]

Yeah. I've got a Ferrari GTO 250. But I tend to just show off my Ford CMAX....

[Ninjas]

I am starting to think about fixing some cosmetic issues on my 91 civic SI hatch. I got some minor hail damage last month, but can maybe pop the dents or something...

Just replaced my AC condenser and dryer. Biggest job I have done so far on my own. Gives me a much better appreciation on what a full restoration project like this entails.

[edit]
Love the hood. Seems like you found a nice compromise with your dad's idea for a painted one -- or maybe you can get a third hood and paint that :)

[flaagan]

Latest update's kinda irksome. The fiberglass hood's starting to bow up in the middle some, getting in contact with the body shop about a few ideas for fixing that (mostly involves strengthening the sides with metal strips). Also, apparently the power steering pump's decided it doesn't like being used any more and has started making a rather unpleasant noise... going to have to call up Year One about replacing both that AND the power steering gear this week... oh joy.

[00Zero]

seems like you've been in power steering hell throughout this project.

[flaagan]

seems like you've been in power steering hell throughout this project.


Just about... kinda wishing I'd pushed harder sooner to switch over to this setup:
http://www.magnumforce.com/magnumforce_tubular_kmember.htm

The time and money that's been spent trying to sort out this 'stock' steering setup has probably surpassed what doing that setup would've cost. If I didn't have my own project car to worry about now I'd be tempted to just pay for that upgrade and be done with it.

[notman]

Is it common for this generation to have steering issues? Just curious if someone might have some advice to resolve this issue once and for all.

That hood issue sucks too. Could it result from having the hood open for extended periods? (like car shows ;))

[flaagan]

Is it common for this generation to have steering issues? Just curious if someone might have some advice to resolve this issue once and for all.

That hood issue sucks too. Could it result from having the hood open for extended periods? (like car shows ;))

The steering issues is a mix of things (I think in part because it's all rebuilt stuff).

As for the hood, that's mainly because it's the tension against it from the springs against it being held down by the hood pins.

[notman]

As for the hood, that's mainly because it's the tension against it from the springs against it being held down by the hood pins.

Ahh, that makes sense too

[flaagan]

Ahh, that makes sense too


Yeah. Seems kind of silly since we put springs on that are specifically softer for fiberglass hoods. At least the hood's a hell of a lot lighter (and easier to open / close) than the stock hood.

[flaagan]

Heya folks!
It's been a while, but got some updates on the ol' Barracuda.

This past weekend was this year's Mopar Alley Rally, and we decided to get things sorted out and make it...

... well, I've got some good news, as the images below will show...


http://mogrod.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/moparalleyrally_cudaclose.jpg

http://mogrod.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/moparalleyrally_cudaline.jpg

It was a blast driving it to and from the show in the absolutely gorgeous weather. We lucked out cause it rained the very next day.

The car definitely got a lot of attention, especially when I was driving it up to the spot. We arrived late, and had to travel through the rest of the show instead of using the 'main' entrance... everyone was turning around and oogling the car as I was driving it up.

Definitely made my day.

There's still plenty to sort out on the car (electrical and mechanical gremlins), but man, what a blast to drive!

[ZacD]

Nice yours really stands out, the car works really well as a convertible.

[walreu]

Lookin sexy! I would definetly be proud to own that car.
..but i can't help imagining a large darker green Greentooth logo in it :D

[Cody]

Another green car, just got it done, with all the general discussion talk, didn't want to give it it's own thread. Hope you don't mind :)

Youtube video of the process in HD-> Graffiti Car by Daniel Levin - YouTube
http://i47.tinypic.com/j17m02.jpg

http://i46.tinypic.com/63tvs4.jpg

http://i47.tinypic.com/vo50qv.jpg

Done by a graffiti artist friend of mine, rattle can with a matte clear finish [hides all the hail damage]. Rims and tail lights on the to-do list.

[Kave]

That looks terrible.No offense.

[Jeremy Tabor]

lol. Following up a raw insult with "no offense," is ridiculous. Man up, and own your statement. No offense.

But about the car: Huh, that is interesting. I probably would have gone the stenciled route, but I guess since you guys elected for spray paint in the first place, you probably wanted that loose feel, haha. What are your plans for the rims and tail lights, if you don't mind me asking?

[notman]

I don't think the flat graffiti goes well with black glossy wheels and tinted/glossy windows.

Personally, I don't like it. It looks like someone stole your car and tried to vandalize it. Vandalizing is different than graffiti, where someone is attempting to create a design. Take for instance your image, with the graffiti'd walls. Your car doesn't blend in, because the car has random lines, rather than attempts to create artistic elements. Additionally, none of the graffiti lines flow with any of the body styling.

But then again, I'm an older guy and maybe I just don't get it. What really matters, is do you like it? And maybe you weren't looking for opinions, which is why I initially didn't reply, but since Kave didn't provide constructive feedback, I figured I would pop in with some.

[konstruct]

Vandalizing is different than graffiti,

If it isn't vandalism, then it isn't graffiti. :P

[ZacD]

I wish it worked more with the lines of the car, I don't think it looks horrible.

[Cody]

Ya, still considering gloss clear, but I like the feel right now. Also, I don't know if I can gloss it, due to changes in the level of the paint and the matte clear already on it. Anyone think that's possible?

Plans for the rims- they are curb rashed to hell, bought the set on craigslist for $100. So I am probably just going to paint the chrome lip green. And for the tail lights, I am probably going to tint them black.

I love the hell out of it. Anyone who knows me knows the car is my style. I like crazy stuff. It puts a smile on my face every time I walk up to it. As far as opinions, sure if you have one. I just thought I'd share with you guys. It makes me laugh when people don't like it, makes me like it more somehow, so I don't mind.

I understand it's not graffiti, but I don't have a better word for it besides insane. :)

[Avanthera]

^^ what ZacD said.

Some people like only super clean paint jobs, others messy jobs, I can like both. Atm, it looks so random that it doesn't look like an actual paint job, it looks more like a blur of colors going down the road. Not saying that I hate it, just that I'm not loving it.

You could probably give it some clean lines over what you already have to pull it all together, give it some direction rather than the randomness.

But if you like that then go with it, doesn't really matter what anybody thinks, unless you try to pick up girls in it.:)

[Kave]

lol. Following up a raw insult with "no offense," is ridiculous. Man up, and own your statement. No offense.

But about the car: Huh, that is interesting. I probably would have gone the stenciled route, but I guess since you guys elected for spray paint in the first place, you probably wanted that loose feel, haha. What are your plans for the rims and tail lights, if you don't mind me asking?

I'm not trying to insult him though, hence the no offence, taste is subjective etc and i think that looks bad.

If i was like "I FUCKED YOUR MUM KILLED HER AND TOOK A SHIT ON HER GRAVE.NO OFFENSE" then yeah, i guess what you said applies.

[Stinger88]

I kinda like it. I wouldn't do it to my own car but its cool. It'd make a change seeing it on the road. Cars are bloody boring these days. Fair play to you for making something different.

I'm not a fan of the smudged areas. Particularly noticable on the door panel. I think the whole thing would look better if all the lines where sharper.

[Mark Dygert]

I'm not a fan of the thread highjack, "oh sweet Goddess of Monday you have brought back a favorite thread of mine! What gifts have you brought me this day!?"

WFT!? Where are the new Cuda pics?! MOther FUCKER! I've been cheated! Worst Monday ever. Oh cruel Goddess of Monday you are a tricky bitch.


Anyway...
Is the 'new thread' button really that scary? Why not leave 13 pages about one particular car, about one particular car and start a new thread about another car?

Oh what to do with all of the saved electrons? The possibilities are endless...

[notman]

I agree with Mark, though maybe with a bit less sarcasm ;) I too was initially hoping for more 'Cuda pics, or an update on Flaagan's Morgan (though I see those on his blog).

[Cody]

Sorry guys, anyway to move all the posts? Or just delete it all, I'm cool with it.

[pior]

I kiiinda want to make a paintover of that! I think it could look very cool if dynamic graffiti shapes were grouped together. Right now it's way too busy to be readable but it could be turned into something cool with a second pass...

[flaagan]

Just a quick vid, adjusted the idle speed setting up a hair today to try and keep the thing from stalling when in gear and warmed up.

Took the video with my Galaxy Nexus, pretty happy with the audio quality.

Rumble rumble rumble.. - YouTube

I've done some other stuff recently, which I'll post up in the next day or two. :thumbup:

[rooster]

sounds beefy :)

[flaagan]

Time for some more updates!

Start with a pair of photos from taking my cousin for a cruise in the car a few weeks back. Just fun to share.

http://studioflaagan.com/photos/cudaathome/work_032013/cousin_cruise_01.jpg
http://studioflaagan.com/photos/cudaathome/work_032013/cousin_cruise_02.jpg

Next up is a new way to hold the fiberglass hood up that I made. The previous setup, a pair of pvc tubes with hood pins on the tops, was starting to risk damaging the expensive fiberglass hood, so we needed a more 'hands off' approach.

http://studioflaagan.com/photos/cudaathome/work_032013/new_hoodpin_01.jpg
http://studioflaagan.com/photos/cudaathome/work_032013/new_hoodpin_02.jpg

We've mused over the idea of blacking out the rear bumper area like some cuda's have had done, but didn't want a permanent paint on there. Plasti-dip (which I've used on my Corvette and other vehicels) gave us a solution!

http://studioflaagan.com/photos/cudaathome/work_032013/plastidip_rearbumper_01.jpg
http://studioflaagan.com/photos/cudaathome/work_032013/plastidip_rearbumper_02.jpg
http://studioflaagan.com/photos/cudaathome/work_032013/plastidip_rearbumper_03a.jpg
http://studioflaagan.com/photos/cudaathome/work_032013/plastidip_rearbumper_03b.jpg

Holds up well, and can just be peeled right off!


Another project for the car we're working on is a shroud over the gap between the front grill framework and the radiator, to both hide what's down there and help direct airflow. This is secondary to the next project, so at the moment I've only been sketching out the outline of it.

http://studioflaagan.com/photos/cudaathome/work_032013/radiator_shroud_design_01.jpg

The other thing I'm working on is using the CNC router at work to create some custom inserts for the hood scoops on the fiberglass hood. Originally we'd had the body shop cut out the inserts by hand from some perforated steel we'd provided. We wanted something a little more most custom looking for the car.

http://studioflaagan.com/photos/cudaathome/work_032013/hood_insert_design_01.jpg
http://studioflaagan.com/photos/cudaathome/work_032013/hood_insert_design_02.jpg
http://studioflaagan.com/photos/cudaathome/work_032013/hood_insert_design_03.jpg
http://studioflaagan.com/photos/cudaathome/work_032013/hood_insert_design_04.jpg
http://studioflaagan.com/photos/cudaathome/work_032013/hood_insert_design_05.jpg

And for reference, here's one of the original ones with the one I made below it.

http://studioflaagan.com/photos/cudaathome/work_032013/hood_insert_design_06.jpg

I just tested the new one on the hood and have to make a number of small modifications (hole location, overall size, etc). It's not surprising since I didn't have much in the way of reference, but the new one's marked up for me to go off of for both sides.

[notman]

Nice! Must be nice to finally be a point where you can just play with small upgrades/tweaks now ;)

BTW, what's been going on with the MOG? I haven't seen a blog update in a while

[flaagan]

The MogRod's been stalled for the past few months due to other things going on and my previous designs for the new chassis being too complicated to easily start tackling. I've been looking at some kit cars and other folks project vehicles lately and decided to go back to a simpler straight box chassis.

With any luck in the next month or two I'll be able to start building the new chassis and pick up steam on that car again.

[flaagan]

Result.

http://studioflaagan.com/photos/cudaathome/work_032013/hood_insert_design_07.jpg

[ZacD]

Looks so much better than a perforated steel mesh, I wonder how many people will actually notice it though.

[flaagan]

Looks so much better than a perforated steel mesh, I wonder how many people will actually notice it though.

Dunno, don't care. It's one of those details that needed to be taken care of. :)

[notman]

Those are the best upgrades IMO. The small details that are done well enough that people don't notice them. They just know SOMETHING is cooler about your car, even if they can't place a finger on it. You can also usually find the guys who really know the car, because they'll be the ones to point it out ;)

And for the record, I probably would have gone with black, but they still look good :P

[flaagan]

They will be getting anodized black in the near future. Was going to powdercoat them with some other parts, but realized the powdercoat would add too much thickness for it to fit properly.

[notman]

Oh, they are still aluminum, aren't they? I thought you had painted them the body color, but they are probably just reflecting the body color.

[pior]

I know pretty much nothing about cars BUT I just wanted to chime in a say thank you for mentioning Plastidip and posting pictures of what you got done with it - I've been researching it a bit since you posted about and now have a few cans ordered, as it seems to be one of the most awesome DIY products I ever heard of !!

[flaagan]

I know pretty much nothing about cars BUT I just wanted to chime in a say thank you for mentioning Plastidip and posting pictures of what you got done with it - I've been researching it a bit since you posted about and now have a few cans ordered, as it seems to be one of the most awesome DIY products I ever heard of !!

Some useful info for you:

https://www.dipyourcar.com/home.php
This guy pretty much created the 'plasti-dip your car' craze and wisely made a business out of it.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-general/2987345-plasti-dip-fans-please-enter-if-you-dont-know-now-ya-know.html
Corvette forum with a bunch of discussion / results from guys who've used it on their cars.

You can usually find the black (and occasionally clear) Plasti-dip at Home Depot and Lowes, only place I've seen the red and white versions is at True Value.

[flaagan]

Oh, they are still aluminum, aren't they? I thought you had painted them the body color, but they are probably just reflecting the body color.

Yeah, I don't think the green would look too great on them, bit too much of it at that point. Depending on how the look black, I may plastidip the area around them on the hood (where you can see the scoop outline is simulated).