1996 Legacy Z28: Modification Timeline

1996 July, 96 Delivery from Valenti Chevrolet, Wallingford, CT
July, 96 Calaway installs cat back, Honker, Hurst shifter & Hotchkis strut tower brace
Oct, 96 Attended a magazine invitational day at Old Bridge Raceway Park for supercharged 4th gen f-bodies. That did it, the infection sets in
Dec, 96 joined in a national Vortech GP...... let the part buying begin!

1997 Jan. 3, 1997 MBA Products web site goes live, first products ship
Feb, 97 work starts at Jannetty Racing, Waterbury, CT.

Vortech blower, Zimmer program, KBDD sub frames, Eibach Pros, 1LE bars
April, 97 dyno 373 rwhp / 377 rwtrq.

June, 97 F-body.org national gathering. First time drag racing. Best run 12.70/1.9 60'/114.5 mph

Oct, 97 The decision was made to turn the car into an all out media project.
The disease progresses to a new level
1998 Jan, 98 Off to the body shop



March, 98 On to the engine shop in Jersey with the LT4 long block from GM, to be turned into a 383,
bigger pulleys for the Vortech blower, an Accel DFI and many, many problems with that build up. Car ran
a easy 12.12 @ 122 late in the season just before the 2200 mile Hot Rod East Coast Power Tour.


1999 Feb, 99 Preparation for the year begin

May, 99 The first track outing of the year........blown head gaskets..... the third time on the 383

June, 99 The 350 LT2.5 is planned from leftovers and whatever I could "throw" together & the
exchange begins. If you want it done right, DO IT YOURSELF! Thanks to Paul and Scott for the help.

July, 99 Late in the month, the first track trip was made....no blower, est. 400 hp......
time to start planning a nitrous system

The 383 goes for some "refreshening"...... look here for pictures of it torn down (383 page)
2000
March, 00 the Nitrous system get installed (see Nitrous page)
May, 00 off to Super Chevy in New Hampshire for some 11 sec passes

honored with a Editor's Choice Award
2001 The long New England winter:

March, 01 No major plans for this year. I have a full set of HAL shocks to install,
the 383 never got worked by the engine shop, so its in my basement. Needs a
new block or a .040 over piston. It will just sit in reserve, ...... for now!
More tuning via LT1-Edit, but just minor tweaks

Summer, 01 Added 36# SVO injectors into the mix as the 24's were maxed out at 5200 rpm.
Dyno tested at J&M Corvettes in Manchester, CT. Tune was close to spot on, made 385 r.w.h.p.

Passed CT. Emmisisons. Good thing it's a modified roller test (not sniffed at idle).

Nitrous system, due to lack of use, is suspect. Mastermind shows evidence of possible failure.

November, 01 After taking most of the year off from any form of racing or even shows, the most
IMPORTANT mod arrives......... the TITLE
Follow that up with a donor LT1 longblock (need the block) and look out 2002, 383 here I come.
......back in business
December, 01 With the end of production drawing near and the nifty factory incentives being offered
I thought the best mod I could get for my car was something to keep it company in the driveway!
Click here to see the " Wife's Red Car" [a 2002 Pontiac base model Trans AM]

2002 First outing or the year.... SLP Customer Appreciation Day April 20

......new aluminum air box lid, wheels (the XR LeMans had suffered some fatalities) & tires
May 02
After a CTFBA Car Show at the shop and some spirited 6500 rpm shifts getting on the highway
I developed a "tick"..... bent the push rods on the right side! Also found a roller rocker in "very poor"
condition.
As of Memorial Day weekend, I now have r&r'ed the upper valve train (new push rods and roller rockers
LT4 starter and new plugs.
Change over some suspension issues, and I ready for the 7th Annual NFME in Memphis

2003 Nothing if interest to report
Continue to drive the car. Never made it to Memphis
Continue to attend 2 or 3 car shows (mostly just at MBA Products)
Dynoed the car (was assisting on some tuning) at 385 rwph, through cats
Winter 03-04 - arranged the cars winter mod fest with Miller Race Cars of CT

2004 Miller Race Cars custom rebuilds the entire chassis and suspension
New components: Totally Tubular Front End (BMR K-member and front a-arms)
Poly motor mounts
Torque Arm (BMR modified by Miller)
Custom adaptation to existing sub-frame connectors
FLP Long tube headers and Y pipe w/cats & off road catless pipes
Rear lower control arms (adjustable w/ heim jionts only at rear mount)
Rear end rebuild
Brake pads as needed
Hals inspected and replaced as needed
Brake pads as needed
Replaced steering rack
Rebuilt 6 speed tranny installed
June: Drove the car to 9th Annual NFME (Indy 04)
Nice trip, car averages 22 highway mpg, make 2 passes down the track
Track results: on street tires and motor only: runs 13.1 and driven home!

2005 Car continues to be driven to local events, etc.
July:
With the death of MBA Products and with 82,000 mile on the odometer, the car goes
FOR SALE
ASKING $10,000 (BUT SERIOUS OFFERS WILL BE CONSIDERED)
CONTACT ME AT john132 at snet dot net
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