Big Cajun's LY GT Resurrection
 

Finally after 3 years of waiting, I can proceed with attempting to get my 2004 Lightning Yellow GT running again.

I put off doing a lot of work it needed uncertain if I was going to keep it.

Plans are in the works for getting a new crate engine from Pineapple Racing thanks to Rob Babicki who sold his to me.

Updates to follow.

its blowed up mane. ya digz?

My goal is simple, get my 8 running again
and fix the numerous issues that need to be addressed.
I'm not doing a build or real restoration, I just want it driveable again, most importantly;

New engine (duh)
Left oil cooler hose
Driver side headlight
Both rear shocks

Ancillary issues;
Sohn bundle
Catch can
New brake rotors and pads.
New tires

If I can get these problems fixed without going broke, then eventually I'll think about a new paint job

Yes it is.
But it was a slow motion, 2 year gradual blowup until it would no longer start in 11/19.
The WB I had after it died never measured up.
I miss my baby.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...2c2e3a484c.jpg

BC, Good looking specimen... exterior looks clean. All the best getting her rolling again.

you gonna swap it yourself or are you still planning on paying someone to do it?

I would bump tires and brakes up to the necessary fixes seeing that it's been sitting for 3ish years

Thanks.

I'm going to bring it, or more likely have it transported, to The Rotary Doctor in Neosho, MO.
They charge about $1200, not sure if I get a discount for the old engine.
It's about 2 hours south of here.
I'm still sorting everything out.

I might be able to DIY, but I don't want to spend the time doing it and maybe getting it wrong.
I don't think I'm up to it physically anymore.

Yeah, that's a good idea.
I think that area is in the Ozark foothills, so there's likely some twisties.

how about seeing if theres some local peeps that would give ya a hand

It's a good thought, but I don't think so.
I can afford to pay a pro, get some peace of mind knowing (hoping) that it'll get done right the first time, and I'd like it back ASAP.

It would be nice to get it back before my operation in October.
I think sonic is right about brakes and tires first.
I'm thinking about the Quickjacks.

My wife thinks I'm nuts for spending all this money on an old car.

You can't take it with you, right?

New car that’s fun about $35,000, old car that’s more fun with no payments revived about $12,000, LY for the win. Will follow your progress BC and glad you’re doing this.

Thanks for the encouragement brother.
It is without a doubt the best car I ever owned, and compares favorably or surpasses many late model cars I've rented for long road trips as far as comfort, quiet cabin and ergonomics are concerned.

I remember a Subaru that had the parking brake lever next to the seat that was pressing against my thigh and driving me crazy.

The worst was a VW that had a tapered center console that rubbed against my leg and was nearly torture.

If it didn't have cruise control to where I could move my leg off of the accelerator , I would've had to stop somewhere and rent another car.

Ironically, the MSRP for my fully loaded '04 was + $35K.

It took me almost 5 years to resurrect the first 8 I bought, with a bad engine. It was totally worth it. I get in it and drive just to drive. Many times, when I can't sleep, at 2:30 in the morning, I'll put 100+ miles in. No other car made me want to do that.

Keep going, make it the way you want, you will be glad you did!

Thanks.
I know exactly what you mean.
They are special cars.

I need to get the engine here first, Rob B. has graciously allowed me to get it shipped when I'm ready for it.

I'll have to make room in my garage and convert a cart that I use to overwinter plants to the same height as my pickup's tail gate so I can move it around by myself.

It feels good to know it's going to be ready in a few months.
(Hopefully)

I might have the oil cooler hose, not sure because I gave a full set away to someone else, but there is another partial set, let me know specifically which one and I’ll check

.

It's the driver's side first section off the cooler in the bumper.
I appreciate the offer, don't go through any trouble, I had planned on getting a new section.

I thought about getting a complete braided SS set but it's too much work for me and I don't want to add to my installation labor costs.
It's probably going to be a few weeks before I get one.
Thanks.

it’s $450 MSRP, but suit yourself if you’d rather not be bothered with pming me.
.

You said you'd check.
(?)

Thanks for the offer.
I just ordered a new Mishimoto line for $138.

Advanced Auto has a 15% discount on Carquest Wearever brake parts.
I saved $70 on rotors and pads for all 4 wheels.
Free shipping to home.

I contacted The Rotary Doctor in Neosho, MO. for a quote on installing my new engine, which I will hopefully be taking delivery of on Tuesday.

Since I don't need my old engine for a rebuild core, he agreed to keep the old engine with the knowledge that it was pretty worn out and after having progressively worse hot start issues for 2 years, he is still giving me a discount.

$800 for installation.
I think that's more than fair.
It's tentatively scheduled for 9/12.

800 really isn't that bad especially if that includes fluids, and coolant burp.

Hey Fickert, have you been gone awhile, or just frequenting threads I don't read?

It does include that, and some other stuff I can't remember.
It was a phone conversation and I don't remember a lot of things unless I read it.

When I parked my 8, it was after trying a cold start after I made the bad compression engine mistake of starting it, moving it, and shutting it off.

It flooded, and I cranked it a ton until it sounded completely different.
I'm still not sure what happened, if it blew a seal, or something locked up, or if the starter burned up.
I knew the engine needed to be replaced and I was in bad physical shape so I decided to just park it until I made the ultimate decision of fix it or f-it.

I just ordered an updated starter as I believe it has the original weak '04 starter.
I never looked at it close enough to verify it.

As much as I had cranked it as the engine gradually got worse, it probably is a good idea to get a new one.
I ordered a 2K 13 tooth Carquest brand from Advance Auto with a lifetime warranty, after the core and a Speekperks discount it's $145.

I'm going to get a new battery when I bring the old starter core in and see if I can get lucky enough for it to start on the hope it was the starter.

That will be in a week or 2 when my new Quickjacks get here.

:fingersx:

I'm unsure if it's a good idea to try starting it with old gas though.

I'm open to helpful suggestions, if someone has any.

I've got the Sakebomb IGN1A coil kit, so I'm thinking I'm good there.

I might have a good barely used set of plugs in the garage, if not, new ones will be bought.

Probably new wires is a good idea.

Quickjacks got here early, threw a monkey in the wrench.
Now they're taking up the space I need for my engine on Tuesday.

I have to figure out where to store them now, probably in the shed until I can clean out the garage.

I'm really excited to hear that you're getting the car back on the road!!! It's a beautiful car and definitely more than worthy of the restoration you're giving it!! How's the interior on the car?

Excellent shape, it's one of the reasons I decided to keep it.
The driver's side leather is a little worn from +100k of DD, but still intact, the common crack on the passenger side dash isn't there, it was on the WB I had.

It just occurred to me that maybe the dash with the nav hood is less prone to cracking?
It was never garage kept since I got it in 2012, parked outside at work every day, but did spend a lot of time under my deck at home

Other than that the car is in excellent shape except for the bumper that had a couple of run ins with road debris that damaged it and resulted in a cracked headlight.
The Rotary Doctor will replace it for me for $125.
I may get the bumper repaired and painted down the road.

In speaking with him I got the impression he may be a good source for used parts.
He said he had a lot of Xenon headlights and he advertises parts on his website.

</title> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" type="image/x-icon" href="http://www.therotarydoctor.net/mb/favicon.ico"/> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/mb/_dm/s/rt/dist/css/nee-css-font-package.min.css?version=2021-12-20T11_43_46" /> <link rel

The weight of the Quickjack frames is giving me second thoughts.
I thought since one end would always be on the ground I wouldn't be lifting the whole 96 lbs., but getting that one end off the ground and up high enough to roll it is a little harder than I thought it would be.

I'm still working on the hangers.
At 70" long I have to modify the shed rafter a bit.
Getting them vertical is going to be a challenge.

My starter and oil cooler line came in today.
Even got a free air freshener, I don't know what it smells like, but I don't think it's penguin.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...a3f91c0c7a.jpg

Along with a gym equipment style pulley to lift my QJ frames onto the hangars.
Things are starting to come together.
😊

please ditch the front plate and fugly chrome plate borders before you start driving it again, they look like shit

Front plate has to stay, state law.
The frames aren't shiny anymore, I'm taking them off, but I will put some regular rectangle ones on it.
I have them on my truck, I like them.

front plates are gayer than cum on a mustache. become ungovernable

Nope.
Not inviting the poleece into my life.

Local cop is being buried today after he was shot by a POS he pulled over for expired tags.

I have a headache.
I hope it doesn't last until September when I find out if I bought a new $6000 boat anchor.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...37280a7d4f.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...b5edb7e0be.jpg

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...b95c6e44ec.jpg

My shipping experience with R&L Carriers hasn't been good.

if you don't see any physical damage to the keg you'll be fine

also...
https://memegenerator.net/img/instances/73316871.jpg

I don't ever recall one that was possibly dropped off a loading dock 4 feet onto concrete.

I'm afraid if any of the components shifted at all it's going to either not run or not run like a new engine should.

told ya its pre blowed up mane. hope it all work out for ya

Jesus how did they fuck up that bad, absolutely no care in the world from those workers, insane.

First off, when I booked it I agreed to pick it up at the terminal because residential delivery and liftgate fees doubled the price.
I specified I would pick it up for $356, I got a confirmation email and charged it to Paypal.

The tracking number didn't work, it was a 2 day transit and they were going to contact me when it got there, so I wasn't concerned.

On Tuesday when I was going to pick it up after work, a delivery driver called me and said he was on his way to my house with a lift gate truck and needed to collect $700+.

I told him I didn't agree to that and he needed to bring it back to the terminal.
Called customer service and got it straightened out.

I can only assume they dropped it transferring it from the delivery truck to the loading dock, or a fork truck operator dropped it taking it out.
The crate was laying on it's side with one side busted open, the engine was sitting upright on the side of the crate, and they shrink wrapped the box together.
It practically fell apart when I cut the shrink wrap.
Even the well stapled corners had busted open.

Idk how else the engine could've flipped over 90° inside the crate.

I probably should've refused delivery, but PayPal had the payment to the seller on hold until I took delivery, so I didn't think it was fair to make him wait.
I couldn't in good conscience send it back, and I know R&L couldn't replace the engine,
so I decided to accept it.

Is there any damage to the engine? That's awful that they dropped it.

Nothing obvious, but I'm concerned that if they did drop it off the dock or out of the back of truck that the housings or irons could've shifted and might affect the engine's performance.
Even if it does run that'll always be in the back of my mind.

BC, Completely irresponsible of the shipping company.

If you didn't want to reject receipt d/t the arrangement having bought from a personal seller..., it probably w/h been a good idea to lodge a formal complaint w/ lots of photo documentation w/the shipping company. Still m/b a good idea.

I certainly hope there's no impact to the performance of the engine once installed, but if there is...diverse interests /responsibilities exist, and it m/b beneficial to have proactively submitted a formal complaint w/the shipper documenting what appears to have been a significant and potentially costly incident.

All the best.

Thanks.
I did communicate with R&L Carriers.
Their customer service said I need to contact the brokers that arranged the shipment.
I don't see the point of this because the brokers had nothing to do with the actual handling of the freight.

:icon_tup:

Agreed. Interesting that the ones who dropped the ball (so to speak) would point you elsewhere. :suspect:

:)
I thought so too.
I emailed them also along with pics.

I have a compression tester, I assume the shop does too, so if it does run either he or I can test it to see if I have uniform numbers.
If I get less than satisfactory results then I'll likely file a claim.