After finishing the stripe removal project, I decided to improve it's running condition.
Since the SS had a little over 110K when I purchased it, some mechanical work needed to be done. First order of business was dropping in the "freebie" K&N air filter that was in my Cutlass, then installing new upper and lower radiator hoses. Believe it or not, she still had the originals in place, so I bought some Gates replacements and swapped them right away. I also replaced the front rotors, bearings, and brake pads, and bolted up a pair of Moog polyurethane swaybar endlinks. After that, I did a full tuneup with new MSD wires, cap and rotor, and AC Delco plugs. Even after installing a new Delco EGR valve, O2 sensor, and Standard replacement EGR solenoid, she still throws a Code 53. Eh, I'll figure it out eventually.
Though I plan to keep this SS as stock as possible, the original exhaust system had a leak at the y-pipe, and the cat was partially clogged. So, in went the Random Technology 3" high-flow cat and custom 2 1/4" cat-back exhaust with Hooker Aerochamber mufflers and GN-style tailpipes that were leftover from my '85 SS. It has picked up some power and sounds much better than the stock stuff!
Here's the before shot of the engine bay. Here's the finished product.
I wound up pulling everything off the fenderwells and compounding the inner fenders, then putting a coat of wax on them. I hit the black plastic stuff with Armor All tire foam to clean it all and give a nice dull finish. I installed the washer and overflow tanks from my old '85 SS, which were in much nicer shape than the originals. I also repainted the air cleaner assembly and the top plate for the air box.
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