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RSFreak
The other "John"
Joined: 23 Jan 2004
Posts: 2946
Location: Renton
1989 Chevrolet Camaro RS
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 Posted: Sat May 28, 2011 11:33 pm Post subject: Lowering a Berlinetta - part deux |
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For the second installment of our on going saga, we attempt to lower the rear of the Berlinetta and do some other minor fixes/improvements.
We decided to start light with a little engine bay de-greasing and pressure washing. Oh, and we added the chrome air cleaner (sorry Aaron, I know how much you hate shiney things!) 
So after cutting 3/4 of a coil off the rear springs and removing the isolator (heater hose was fitted over the top coil), the Berli dropped about 1.5" in the rear, still far short (no pun intended) of my goal. And the really crappy part is that the left side sits about 3/4" higher than the right despite having cut an additional 1/4 coil off the left spring! I think the shock is crapped up. Anybody else got any ideas? 
To finish off our session we decided to re-assemble the hodge-podge of parts that Gabe left in the back of my car. Easier said than done! Hey look! All that crap (eventually) comes together to form a center console and pod radio! 
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'86 Trans Am - 5.0L TPI - LT1 cam - 700R4 - WS6
'85 Camaro Berlinetta - IROC clone
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turbo_jimi
Member
Joined: 23 Feb 2004
Posts: 1206
Location: Tacoma
1985 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28
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| Posted: Sun May 29, 2011 5:58 am Post subject: |
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We also removed the smog pump and a couple of other emission components and got the overhead display (map and dome lights) working again.
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1985 Z28 Crate 350, Hurst T-5, 3.23s, Flowmaster Under previous set-up: 143.82 rwhp 216.98 lbs. torque @4390 rpms 3/12/11 |
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Schultzy89GTA
M.R.A. (11sec Club)
Joined: 08 Jan 2004
Posts: 4415
Location: Gresham, OR
1989 Pontiac GTA
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| Posted: Sun May 29, 2011 10:44 am Post subject: |
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Nice progress. Some of those old berli's had some cool options in them.
-Schultzy |
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chevymad
Master B
Joined: 11 Jan 2004
Posts: 5474
1987 Pontiac Formula
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| Posted: Sun May 29, 2011 11:10 am Post subject: |
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| That pod radio is interesting.. Makes me think about installing an Ipad there. |
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RSFreak
The other "John"
Joined: 23 Jan 2004
Posts: 2946
Location: Renton
1989 Chevrolet Camaro RS
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| Posted: Sun May 29, 2011 11:25 am Post subject: |
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| chevymad wrote: | | That pod radio is interesting.. Makes me think about installing an Ipad there. |
The pod is semi-functional. After replacing the 20amp fuse that somehow made its way from the fuse block to the glove box, the pod was actually able to store my pre-sets. The left side speakers are not functional. I will probably install another stereo in there somewhere, but I will keep the pod 'cause it is just so badass!
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'86 Trans Am - 5.0L TPI - LT1 cam - 700R4 - WS6
'85 Camaro Berlinetta - IROC clone
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Alphius
Peanut
Joined: 05 Sep 2006
Posts: 2429
Location: Grand Mound
1984 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28
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| Posted: Sun May 29, 2011 4:47 pm Post subject: |
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I only left a couple pieces in the back, geez man make me look bad.  I was not too worried about putting that one back together fully.
When I had it I only got the pod to turn on a couple times. It was unreliable at best, however it did run all 4 speakers fully. It just didn't do the tape player or the turning on part very reliably.  Are you sure you got all the plugs on the stereo module back on firmly? I think there were three from the dash harness and one to the pod part.
Progress is looking good!
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84 Camaro Z28 - LS1/T56
85 Silverado - Low and Slow |
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Al Hasse
Member
Joined: 19 Nov 2005
Posts: 4379
Location: Bremerton, WA
1992 Chevrolet Camaro RS
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| Posted: Sun May 29, 2011 5:52 pm Post subject: |
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| RSFreak wrote: | | chevymad wrote: | | That pod radio is interesting.. Makes me think about installing an Ipad there. |
The pod is semi-functional. After replacing the 20amp fuse that somehow made its way from the fuse block to the glove box, the pod was actually able to store my pre-sets. The left side speakers are not functional. I will probably install another stereo in there somewhere, but I will keep the pod 'cause it is just so badass! |
I've seen some pretty slick installs that put the head unit somewhere out of sight, and its faceplate somewhere accessible to the driver. It requires some dis-assembly of the head unit though. Mainly done to keep an original look to the interior. I know someone who might be able to do something like that, but it will probably have a good price tag too.
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92 Camaro
89 Camaro
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iansane
Member
Joined: 16 Jan 2004
Posts: 5740
Location: Bothell
1991 Pontiac Trans Am
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| Posted: Sun May 29, 2011 6:39 pm Post subject: |
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I always thought the berli's digital dash and pod thing were ultra 80s cool.
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| Quote: | | Sometimes I actually think I'm slightly retarded in the mouth. |
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turbo_jimi
Member
Joined: 23 Feb 2004
Posts: 1206
Location: Tacoma
1985 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28
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| Posted: Sun May 29, 2011 6:58 pm Post subject: |
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funny how there are a ton of "partial" pics of my cars on the net but rarely a complete photo...
_________________
1985 Z28 Crate 350, Hurst T-5, 3.23s, Flowmaster Under previous set-up: 143.82 rwhp 216.98 lbs. torque @4390 rpms 3/12/11 |
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RSFreak
The other "John"
Joined: 23 Jan 2004
Posts: 2946
Location: Renton
1989 Chevrolet Camaro RS
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| Posted: Sun May 29, 2011 7:53 pm Post subject: |
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| Alphius wrote: | | I was not too worried about putting that one back together fully. |
No sh*t!!! 
But yeah, all of the wires are connected properly. Today the left side front speaker started working so I figure the rear will come along soon.
| Al Hasse wrote: | | I've seen some pretty slick installs that put the head unit somewhere out of sight, and its faceplate somewhere accessible to the driver. It requires some dis-assembly of the head unit though. Mainly done to keep an original look to the interior. |
I have already planned on doing something like that and keeping the pod just because it is awesome.
| turbo_jimi wrote: | | funny how there are a ton of "partial" pics of my cars on the net but rarely a complete photo... |
Thats because your car is always next to a cooler one. 
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'86 Trans Am - 5.0L TPI - LT1 cam - 700R4 - WS6
'85 Camaro Berlinetta - IROC clone
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TurdGen1989
Member
Joined: 30 Aug 2009
Posts: 472
Location: Roseburg,OR
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| Posted: Mon May 30, 2011 9:27 am Post subject: |
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The whole dash looks like something off a space ship. You got a pic of the entire cluster/dash? Looks sweet anyway lol
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Phil.
GMC High Sierra
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RSFreak
The other "John"
Joined: 23 Jan 2004
Posts: 2946
Location: Renton
1989 Chevrolet Camaro RS
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| Posted: Mon May 30, 2011 1:49 pm Post subject: |
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Here is a pic from the '85 sales literature.
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'86 Trans Am - 5.0L TPI - LT1 cam - 700R4 - WS6
'85 Camaro Berlinetta - IROC clone
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popballz
Member
Joined: 18 Nov 2007
Posts: 533
Location: Tacoma, WA
1989 Pontiac Firebird
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| Posted: Mon May 30, 2011 2:08 pm Post subject: |
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that dash and radio are tight! i've never seen one before
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-Donald
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RSFreak
The other "John"
Joined: 23 Jan 2004
Posts: 2946
Location: Renton
1989 Chevrolet Camaro RS
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| Posted: Mon May 30, 2011 5:45 pm Post subject: |
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The dash, pod radio, and roof console are the main reasons I wanted this car.
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'86 Trans Am - 5.0L TPI - LT1 cam - 700R4 - WS6
'85 Camaro Berlinetta - IROC clone
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