The salvage yard will be my parts supply store for sure. I'll just go ahead and lay out the list of mods I'm dreaming of doing here. Partially as notes for myself and partially so others can chime in if i'm not doing it right. and please do chime in! I will edit this as I have more information and I don't plan to blow the car apart to do this all at once either. That's how projects get started and never finished.
The overall concept will be a kind-of resto-mod version of what I think the car should have been. Fun, spunky, comfortable, and easy to drive. Something that can do a little road course, occasional drag racing, or road tripping but is not great at any one thing other than looking awesome doing it. The look will be a nod to the pro touring scene but I'm not going to hack it up or have it cost a boatload of money to do. I 100% do not want to change the look or tarnish the charm of the car either. Clear as mud, great! here's the list:
- Front brakes/spindles from a 2000-ish 2WD Blazer:
The big benefits are the sealed bearing and the 2 piston calipers. I know they will fit on a GBody and from what I understand GBody stuff will fit on the Vega. Plus, there a bazillion round-body blazers in the junkyard.
- Possible shortening of the steering arm on the spindles for better steering angle and turning radius. I'm on the fence because I have heard horror stories. It is a workaround to having a rack in the car. thoughts?
- Front Upper control arms:
I plan to either: swap them side to side and mod them for the S10 Balljoint, or get the adjustable ones with the S10 Balljoint.
I know swapping them will increases steering difficulty but I have something later that will remedy that downside.
- Front lower control arms:
There are a number of ways to tackle this in the FAQ section. I don't know if I want to spend money on some lowers or weld in the S10 balljoint adapter. I'm cheap so I'll probably weld in the UB Machine adapter. either way, I don't want to use the ball joint spacers because I think it's hokey. If you have used them, what is your experience and confidence level in going this route?
- Complete 2000-ish 2WD blazer S10 rear axle with an RPO code of GU6 G80:
The RPO code 'GU6' from the glovebox means a 3.42 gear ratio which is very common on these and I think might be good for a low powered V8 and 5 speed combo. The designation G80 designates limited slip which is less common. I think the I might have to piece the axle together in the junkyard or buy two and return one. The big benefits are; 5x4.75 lug pattern, stronger diff and axles, and it comes with disc brakes to match what will eventually go on the front. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the width should be about right. I'll have to get new wheels anyway so I'm not scared to measure for another offset.
After some reading it looks like there is a big problem of the 2WD blazer brakes hitting the body of the Vega and "requiring" a mini-tub. I know the 2000 4WD blazer brake backing plates are 100% the same as the 2WD except, they put the caliper below and behind the axle. They will still be shielded by the wheel but not interfere with the body during their range of travel.
http://www.lsxharness.com/336816530- Anti-hop 'tabs' on the upper control arm mounts.
- Power vacuum brake booster and a disc-brake-friendly master cylinder that fits.
this is something I will need help nailing down. I planned on using a S10 one, but read somewhere it doesn't fit.
- 5 speed swap
I have an unknown-to-me 4 speed behind the v8 now. So I need to figure out what bell housing I have vs which one I need, but I think I want to use an fbody V8 5 speed with an s10 5 speed tailshaft housing. I read that a Chevette tail housing was better somewhere, but I need to look more.
- A/C
I'm looking at the vintage air Gen II mini. Room in the engine bay is at a premium so this will help me get it all inside in the pass footwell. Passengers don't need legroom.
- Electric power steering
2002-07 Saturn Vue or 2005-06 Chevy Equinox power steering and Bruno controller. Splice it into the stock Vega Column. Possibly make some hybrid Late-model-Monza/GBody tilt column with intermittent wiper switch all at once.
Bruno controller unit:
https://www.epowersteering.com/purchase ... /basic-kit- front splitter, sway bars, springs and shocks, oil pan that doesn't hang below the k-member, Cragar soft eight 16" wheels and low profile tires, modern seatbelts, electric fans, relocate battery maybe. . . Drive it!
Let me know what you think!! Please jump in with suggestions and recommendations.