First off, a little background for my car, hopefully this shines some light on why I would do anything to this car.
(incoming long-winded post, but it's late and I can't fall asleep)
1999 - Started College in Tampa, FL. One fine, hotter than necessary day, I find in the apartment parking lot a white, 1999, brand spanking new 3000GT VR4. Eyes widened, drop of the jaw, I was in love! Then I reluctantly walked over to my '88 Cavalier and drove to school....
Fast forward to ~2006. My first duty station, Spokane, WA. I stumble upon a 1998 Base model. I drove 8 years without learning a stick, and with the snow 3-4 months of the year, I didn't feel like starting. The car was in very good condition, had just over 60k miles on it, and was black with dark tint. Beautiful car, albeit my knowledge of the car was simply 'ooo, preeetty'. I did not, however, realize till a couple years later that it was very underpowered, lacking the DOHC which is upgraded and modded all the time.
Lets hit that fast forward button again. March 2008. I am now at yet another base, dealing with the same temperatures and goofy weather changes. This month seemed like any other, cold enough to be uncomfortable, and wind penetrating even my nicest hoodie. I step outside on my porch for a morning cigarette. First thing that is seen is my car, under its carport. I blink hard, step back into my door, and shut it. I take a deep breath, step back out, and sigh with enough force to almost pass out. My car, out of every car I know of here, was placed on cinder blocks, and a jack. All the stock rims and tires stripped away. Dealing with insurance and such resulted in some 18" Chrome Diamo 26 Karat rims, which luckily looked nice.
Another hit of the fast forward button. Current day and time. I am just a couple payments from my first fully owned car. To be quite honest, both the anxiety of getting so close and the future relief I will feel is overwhelming, lol. (since I have been doing over double payments a month, it puts almost a grand for my leisure back in my account) August-September timeframe is when the girl gets to be 100% owned by muah.
Currently, the car is almost the same as when I got it, with a few minor rock chips, small stain on passenger side seat, and a little rough on the drivers side seat. (no covers + chain wallets + button-clad BDU's = bleh) 75k miles. (ya, ya, I don't drive that much, especially because a chunk of that was driving from base to base) The transmission seems to be slowly working its way down, becoming a bit rough around the edges, but only I feel the changes apparently. I read through a lot of the articles on here, always coming to the older model Base's, with manuals or bigger engines. I say to heck with that! I know there are very few people that have done upgrades/modifications to their cars, and mine is no exception.
So, to the nitty-gritty. First off, answers to normal comments as follows:
1) ATX is staying, even though a rebuild may be in order.
2) Engine is staying, underpowered, yes, but I am not looking to race, but to build a car worthy of shows in whether it be audio or just overall looks. Rebuild, however, is an option.
3) I know, I know, I could get a VR4 for less than 20k with decent mileage, but I live in a crappy town, with very bad roads. Either I am running 30 MPH max on base, or 45 MPH on the short trip to base. No reason to have a car I would want to keep garaged if I cannot.
4) Ya, I said all that and contradicted myself. This would be a show car, but I want to do all the internals first, then worry about external. When that time arrives, she gets a car cover or rental storage and I buy a daily bucket to do my redundant work routine.
5) The audio system is already in the works, meaning after 1800 in audio minus custom work and sub/amp, I would rather not ditch anything. I did that to my last car to get the GT.
6) I did read a lot of the posts, but not much seems to deal with this style.
7) Finally, if you skipped the story, or you still don't get it, in a nutshell she is my baby. I don't want her to go away, but I want to 'freshen' her up.
Questions I have:
1) If I start out with rebuilding the transmission or engine, what is a good site to go to for upgrades or kits for the SOHC?
2) I saw a topic that ended abruptly, that showed a single turbo setup or supercharger. This was built by a company, but it seems the whole thing was scrapped. Is this true or is anyone else working on something that is compatible?
3) What is a good brake setup that would stop them from squealing at every single stop!? This was evident from a few weeks after purchase, to now, even after I replaced them.
I looked at the ATX N/A guides here, but they all seem to work with
DOHC engines. I know I am limited to almost nothing, but I don't care! Any and all help is very much appreciated. I have plans for this car in the coming year or 2. Thanks!
-Let me finish off with a picture-
Simply put, SOHC ATX, what should I start with?
