getting back in the game...

I've been dormant for a while because my blue 9c1 was off the road. Well, it still is. But I got another one to run for a while.

I have changed my avatar picture to the new[er] car.

Steve

Nice! I like the PO3 caps!

MASShole9C1 wrote:

Nice! I like the PO3 caps!

Want some? I have two complete sets..........

V8Killer wrote:

MASShole9C1 wrote:

Nice! I like the PO3 caps!

Want some? I have two complete sets..........

Nope. Unless they're free

The car was originally purchased for the Concord (NH) Police Dept. The last assignment this car had prior to going to the private sector was a DARE car. They painted the car Marblehead had the DARE logo and and image of Tony the Tiger on the hood. When I got the car this June, the graphics had been removed, but some of the the clearcoat came off too (that's how I could see Tony).

I happened to have a Marblehead hood sitting around (a long story that I won't go into here) that matches pretty well. As an added bonus, this hood also has the flat LTZ hood badge. But the previous owner of that hood painted the bottom half of the badge to cover up the word CAPRICE. I'd like it back. Any suggestions?

looks like cheap paint on the badge that could be cleaned off with lacquer thinner, or maybe even steel wool if you dont like to use solvent.

Yup. Try thinner. Maybe dilute it first and dab it with a rag.

Steel wool won't scratch the crap out of it? I'm also concerned about chemicals clouding or otherwise ruining it or the paint.

I think I have some steel wool at home, I'll try it.

I don't think I would use steel wool. It will definitely scratch, even if you use fine.

Tom

I ended up using on of those abrasive pads to get the paint off, then the buffing wheel from my headlight restore kit (for yellowed/clouded headlights) to restore the glossy shine.

Thanks

Mods so far:
Wheel covers
OFF switch with trunk release
LTZ hood badge
Fuel bib
Hood swap (no more Tony the Tiger)
Replaced the spotlight head with a black plastic one.
Blacked out the tail light chrome (to mach the already black bumper trim and door handles)

In the wings:
1LE elbow
9C1 wheels with bolt-on centers

booth9C1SS wrote:

I ended up using on of those abrasive pads to get the paint off, then the buffing wheel from my headlight restore kit (for yellowed/clouded headlights) to restore the glossy shine.

Thanks

Assuming it came out good, pics?

booth9C1SS wrote:

Hey! Alright! Looks factory fresh no. Great job.

Whole car picks would be nice steve. lol

LOL...why did someone paint the badge?

I was going to suggest what you did...glad to see it came out nice! Moar pics!

I was noticing more and more exhaust noise. When I finally decided that this was definitely too noisy I looked under the car and saw the muffler hanging. The intermediate pipe rusted completely at the muffler.

What a great opportunity to get dual exhaust.

When I removed the rest of the stock stuff I saw the the rear resonator had a large crack/hole in the leading end (where the pipe enters) and the rest of the y-pipe was like swiss cheese.  I'm glad I didn't just try to repair it (or pay to have repaired).

I ended up getting a jegs performance exhaust from ebay. The car doesn't leak any more, it sounds awesome, and I think it freed up some ponies.  While it's only a 4.3l car, it can breathe better. Stock everything exits through a single crimp curved 2" pipe. Now it's two 2.5" mandrel bent pipes and two turbo - type mufflers.

But installing it in a dirt driveway and no lift wasn't a whole lot of fun.

Steve

Glen, I'll post picks soon.

Nice work!

I haven't been really detailed about the car.

Since I got it in late June, I have:

• Installed the police wheel covers over the plain black wheels
  
• Replaced the spotlight head with a black one
  
• Replaced both turn signal cancellation springs
  
• Replaced the AM/FM radio with a AM/FM/CD radio with speed compensated volume
  
• Installed Twilight Sentinal control
  
• Installed the 9C1 trunk switch (I forget the SEO code) replacing the OFF. New has OFF and trunk release. right side of radio
  
• Added civilian trunk carpeting
  
• Added fuel bib
  
• Installed the green dinger box. This is dings when you leave your lights on or the key in the ignition. Stock 9C1 is tan. Green adds feature that dings if the turn signal is left on for more than 1/2 mile. My car didn't have any dinger box at all (Concord NH PD removed it) and this is what I had.
  
• Replaced the plain steel wheels and covers with the N97 wheels with center caps
  
• Replaced hood and added LTZ hood badge
  
• Utilizing the existing hole, swapped out the cosmetic antenna (on the trunklid) for one that is tuned for the 2M ham band, and installed a small ham radio. KC1BSS
  
• Added T53 trunk lights
  
• Swapped out the 9C1 vinyl seats for civilian cloth velour. Retaining manual driver and passenger seats for now.  This added a sixth seating position up front (60/40) and gave me armrest for the rear passengers
  
• Installed an electrochromatic (auto dimming) rear view mirror.  This one has compass and exterior temp displayed athe the same time.  I don't have the temp sensor installed yet
  
• Painted the grill black to match the [already black] bumper trim. I still haven't decided if I like this or not.
  
• Installed a sentina push bumper.  The car had previously had one installed, and I happened to have one here.
  
• replaced the rusty/broken/bubble gum welded single exhaust with Jegs dual performance exhast. Much betterer!
  

Steve

RPO 6H6 for the stealth/trunk button combo on the right hand side of the radio. Have one in my '96 9C1.

The car seems a little floaty at higher speeds. I am considering one of two options;

• install civilian air dam sides or,
  
• lower the front a inch or so (3/4 coil).
  

Comments?

Mine isn't floaty. But mine is also extremely low. I have civilian air dam ends installed. Not sure how much difference that would make.

My blue 95 9C1 was very stable with all five air dams (with modified civilian outers), -1 coil off front springs (slightly lower than stock impala ss), 89 9c1 rear springs (stiffer), and impala ss rims and tires.

Well, air dams are free... maybe I'll try them first.

I've got a set of rear 9C1 springs from an '89 I scrapped this summer, if you're looking...

I think suspension is going to make more difference than airdams.

Since doing the exhaust, I've been getting a check engine light. P0400. EGR flow malfunction. EGR wasn't throwing codes before. What should I be looking for?