Progress Thread 89 Smoke Gray coupe build thread

[thinkfaster]

I've documented most of the stuff done to my car on Instagram to date, but figured I'd circle back and share here as I definitely got a lot of motivation from others on the forum and want to pay it forward!

1989 Smoke Gray (1K) coupe with just under 75k original miles. 99% stock and totally unmolested, PO lost interest after tearing the interior out.....and getting rid of most of it

The day I bought it, July 8, 2019:

 

[thinkfaster]

My plan was/is to get the everything inside refreshed first, then revive the paint/exterior as best as possible, upgrade suspension/brakes, and finally evaluate what I want to do with the drivetrain last.

Sound deadening, carpet, & seats

Scored some seat cores locally for $150

One seat down:

 

[thinkfaster]

Interior trim & panels

 

[thinkfaster]

Door refresh time!

The window run channel was a PAIN to get out, super brittle

SEM Trim Black is amazing stuff!

 

[thinkfaster]

Roll cage, interior assembly, and a new windshield! The MM 6 point cage fit great but it was TIGHT.

Welded in my own diagonal bar

Fresh back from powdercoat! Smoke gray to match the exterior paint

seriously the worst part....

all back together!!

 

[Fri Guy]

Awesome job so far. Can't wait to see it done.

 

[thinkfaster]

Reviving the original paint and respraying the rear bumper! Chemical Guys stuff worked pretty well for me.

It's kind of hard to tell in photos how faded/oxidized the paint was before, but this comparison pic should help:

Shined up enough to keep me happy for now!

Now to address the rear bumper

filled and sanded

Primed

Basecoat/clearcoat

Trim! SEM trim black again. Can't say enough good things about it!

Done!

 

[thinkfaster]

Exterior trim repaint then transitioning to brakes/suspension, starting with a 5 lug swap!

First crack at 5 lug swap with fox spindles and drums

Also tossed on the Viking double adjustable coilovers in the rear

 

[thinkfaster]

So....I was only able to tolerate the fox front spindles that wouldn't allow me to install the wheel center caps for approximately 50 miles...then this happened:

 

[mob]

Nice! I love the roll cage, I want to do that one day. How did you paint the rear bumper? Is that spray can or a real gun and paint?

 

[thinkfaster]

After a little drive time on the new coil overs, I decided it was time for more rear tire. I snagged a couple 18x10's saleen reps for the rear and some new 295/35 Nittos.

Before with an 18x9 and 265/35 Nitto

Aaaaand after

Empty parking garage cell phone photo shoot time! It quickly became evident that the new ATS Brebmo's and big, shiny 13" front rotors made the rear drums look absolutely PATHETIC.

 

[thinkfaster]

Neglected trunk time! Got really tired of looking for a clean set of coupe trunk panels, so I made my own floor and bought the ScottRod trim panles (Sound deadening applied to the back, of course)

 

[thinkfaster]

NOW....time to address those puny rear drums. I scored a factory 3.73 geared 8.8 from an 88 T-bird to start building.

Stripped and wire brushed

Pressure washed & POR15'd

Trac Lok replaced with the M-4700-c carbon fiber disc kit.

New axle bearings, seals, SS lines, and NRC cobra caliper brackets

Like a piece of jewelry!

And the PITA 93 Cobra Booster/Master swap

Done! New MM Extreme Duty control arms as well....more to come!

 

[thinkfaster]

Nice! I love the roll cage, I want to do that one day. How did you paint the rear bumper? Is that spray can or a real gun and paint?

Thanks!

For the bumper, I used a spray can kit from Automotive Touchup. It matches pretty well, no complaints for $100 worth of material and a little bit of my time!

 

[thinkfaster]

Just realized I missed posting a pic of the completed interior! Here's a couple photos I took last fall.

And yes, I know my 1/4 windows look like compared to every other piece of new or refinished trim on the car.....I've had them on order through Classic Industries since July 2022!!

 

[mob]

Thanks!

For the bumper, I used a spray can kit from Automotive Touchup. It matches pretty well, no complaints for $100 worth of material and a little bit of my time!

Damn! that looks good! I'm going to do the same on mine I think, I just want to color match my front bumper and not have a mismatched car

Love the seats too

 

[General karthief]

Why no head rests?

 

[thinkfaster]

And yes, I know my 1/4 windows look like compared to every other piece of new or refinished trim on the car.....I've had them on order through Classic Industries since July 2022!!

EDIT: July 2021*****

 

[thinkfaster]

Damn! that looks good! I'm going to do the same on mine I think, I just want to color match my front bumper and not have a mismatched car

Love the seats too

Thanks! I just prepped really well, put plenty of material on there to cut later, and allowed plenty of time to cure before cutting it in!

 

[thinkfaster]

Why no head rests?

For safety, of course!

I have them, but the new upholstery came with no pre-cut holes in it for headrests and I thought it looked pretty clean/unique so I left it alone for now.