'01 Bullitt 4v 5.3 Big Bore Stroker/T56 Build Thread

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ninety5fiveoh

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Once it was finish welded, I set up my "spray booth" in my basement. Being that it was 30 degrees outside, this was my only option, but again I made it work. I bought SEM paint from my local auto paint supply store, and started huffing fumes...I mean painting...

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Prepped with Scotch Brite and Bestine:

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Self-etching primer:

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Filler primer:

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GM Light Tarnished Silver:

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Satin clearcoat:

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INSTALLED!!

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Then I turned my attention back to finishing the door bars. The machined clevis ends needed to have their slots opened a bit in order for them to slide smoothly over the tabs welded to the roll bar.

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Finish welded to the door bar:

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Painted to match the main hoop:

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Door bars installed!

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Maiden voyage with the roll bar installed!

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ninety5fiveoh

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In early April, I headed out to Island Dragway to make some shakedown passes in the car, which didn't end up going as well as I thought.

Heading out:

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In the lanes with my old man's Vortech blown, LS powered '55 Chevy 210:

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Long story short, the car didn't make it onto the trailer that night under it's own power due to some sort of clutch issue. After taking it apart, my suspicions were true and I had welded the clutch disc of my Spec 3+ directly to the flywheel after 2 and a half passes. OOOPS.

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The clutch was the ONE thing I regretted putting back in the car when I initially built it, as the first time I drove it I immediately hated it. So I did what I should've done in the first place and bought a McLeod RXT twin disc, McLeod steel flywheel, and a Quicktime bellhousing. I also installed a new FRPP throwout bearing and FRPP pilot bearing, Lakewood adjustable pivot ball, new OEM clutch cable, Anti-Venom mod, and fresh Pennzoil Synchromesh fluid.

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Of course the bellhousing didn't fit with my Kooks longtubes, so out came the angle grinder and the die grinder:

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Bellhousing indexed to the crank:

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I'd like to note that I did a LOT of reading on this before I installed the bellhousing, and indexing is an often overlooked step. I followed a few videos on Youtube and a few great threads on the Pro-Touring forums, and I must say that the transmission definitely seems to feel like it shifts smoother than it did with the stock bellhousing. Maybe it's in my head, maybe not.

I put it all back together and put about 50 miles on it. Driving home from my buddy's house, I noticed a vibration coming from the transmission area while cruising. Turns out the clutch fork was shot and was extremely loose on the pivot ball. Out came the trans for a second time, and I swapped out the clutch fork for a new FRPP fork and ANOTHER FRPP throwout bearing. I also removed the Anti-Venom mod while the trans was out as I hated how loose the shifter felt.

New chin spoiler installed, paint corrected, and Carpro Essense Plus and Reload applied:

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Plans for the car going forward this season are to install a Stifflers Fit Sytem, and swap the radials out for a set of Hoosier QTP bias ply tires and let 'er eat!
 

whitedevil95

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Wow dude that is some amazing work! I wish I had skills like that. Do u weld for work? Or self taught?


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Stage 4.6

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Awesome build, and gorgeous looking Bullet! Looks amazing with either set of wheels.
 

ninety5fiveoh

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Wow dude that is some amazing work! I wish I had skills like that. Do u weld for work? Or self taught?
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Thanks! I do not weld for work, I am self taught. I've been tig welding for probably 10+ years, but only 4-5 years of that has been consecutive and fairly consistent. Lots of Youtube videos, lots of argon, and many pounds of filler rod!

Awesome build, and gorgeous looking Bullet! Looks amazing with either set of wheels.

Thanks very much!
 

Dirks9901

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Probably one of the best builds on here. Love Bullitts. Nice job man!


PS: what drag wheel and tire setup are you running?

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AustinSN

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I can't believe I just read the entire thread.

This is incredible.
 

ninety5fiveoh

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ninety5fiveoh

DHG FTW!
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Impressive welding! Love this car, thanks for the updates

Thanks!

Probably one of the best builds on here. Love Bullitts. Nice job man!

PS: what drag wheel and tire setup are you running?

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The wheels are Weld RT-S S71 18x9 in front with 265/35/18 Michelin Pilot Super Sports, 15x8 out back with 275/50/15 MT ET Street SS radials. I'd like to swap the rears out for a 15x9.33 with a 27x11.5 Hoosier QTP at some point this season. Radials just don't work well for an IRS stick car, really needs the softer sidewall. This is part of the reason I destroyed the clutch, slipping it so much at the tree.
 
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