Iziks Hot Rod Kit

[Iziks]

Kit is ordered and should be here in June! Now the hard part of waiting.

Going with the hard top, but no hood, side covers or fenders. Installing an LS3 power plant. The IRS was recommended from a couple sources, so going with that, but that is the one part I am still a little unsure about. The hesitancy comes from ignorance of the IRS set up, not from any experience. Solid rear axle is the only car I have ever driven.

As of now I am thinking a flat white body with flat black engine compartment and matte black wheels. The LS3 will come in standard dressing right now, but black valve covers are easy and I would like to add a black Holley sniper intake - but that would be more for looks than performance. May be hard to justify the cost for the looks, but we will see. The standard LS3 intake is just not that attractive to me - especially with an open engine compartment.

Other options include power windows, upgraded seats, insulation, and Wilwood brakes. No AC for this car, but will be adding a heater.

I will update the thread as things happen, but will be quiet for a few months. I am going to the build school in February and looking forward to that.

This is all new to me, so any comments or suggestions are welcome!

[JimLev]

The IRS is a good option, better handling and ride quality.
I bought Edelbrock coil covers and Holley Sniper fuel rails to spice up the looks. Pics later.

[33fromSD]

Congrats, June will come quick enough.

Regarding the heater, go with Summit Racings Vintage AirII Heater / Defroster. Good little unit, I installed this in mine. I have a rag top so no real need for AC.

Link --> https://www.summitracing.com/parts/vta-506101

Some guys on here will tell you the hard tops get pretty toasty so you may want to consider AC.

Jim

[Iziks]

Hmm. Thanks. I will give it some thought. I am usually a no AC and windows down person. I was hoping insulation would help.

[NAZ]

Sounds like a good build plan. With an open engine bay, have you considered a single plane intake with one of those EFI systems that looks like a carb to give it the old school look? If you haven't decided on a trans yet, an auto will free up some foot-box space as three pedals will make you drive with ballet shoes it's so tight.

Have fun with your build.

[Iziks]

Auto trans it is! I will check out the intake. Thanks!

[JimLev]

Here's how I "dressed up" my LS3.

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[Iziks]

Here's how I "dressed up" my LS3.

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Very nice. I will have to check out your build. Thanks

[HVACMAN]

Congratulations on getting your kit ordered. Your build sounds a lot like mine except mine is a Gen1 and being in SE Texas the ac was a necessity. lol


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[Jeff33Ford]

Congrats. Sounds like you and I will be close to the same timeline. Plenty of time for research and part collection.

[Iziks]

Kit arrived today. Get to start inventory and go from there. A real leap of faith for me. I am not a mechanic or fabricator and this is my first try at something like this. If anyone sees me screwing up or headed for trouble, please let me know. I am sure it is simply out of ignorance.

After inventory and stripping the body from the chassis, I am thinking of flipping the chassis and drilling the lower floor aluminum holes first just so I don’t have to do that lying on my back under the chassis on Jack stands. Any thoughts there?

Some front and rear suspension parts on POL list, so can’t go in order of the manual anyway.

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[Salty Chief 35]

Congrats, good luck with your build.
Respectfully
Jeremie

[33PizzaGuy]

Congrats Iziks on your new project. Sounds like you have a well laid out plan and is going to look solid. I went no fenders (bike fenders to protect paint ) and a open engine bay with power windows, 383 stroker with Holley Sniper EFI. Cant wait to see your progress. Good luck.

Scott

[narly1]

Congrats! You can do this, you have a great community behind you more than willing to help.

Narly1

[Iziks]

That is a beauty Scott

[33fromSD]

Iziks, Best advice I could offer is just enjoy the build.

You are doing something very few people can, and that is building your own hot rod. Many just buy built or have someone build it for them, but this small group here have chosen to do something unique so take pride and joy in that. We're all here to support you.

Good luck & have fun.

Jim

[Iziks]

Hmm. Inventory complete. Lots on back order including parts from both front and rear suspension, brakes, and lower firewall. Does not seem like there is much I can do yet…

[Jim Frahm]

Kit arrived today. Get to start inventory and go from there. A real leap of faith for me. I am not a mechanic or fabricator and this is my first try at something like this. If anyone sees me screwing up or headed for trouble, please let me know. I am sure it is simply out of ignorance.

After inventory and stripping the body from the chassis, I am thinking of flipping the chassis and drilling the lower floor aluminum holes first just so I don’t have to do that lying on my back under the chassis on Jack stands. Any thoughts there?

Some front and rear suspension parts on POL list, so can’t go in order of the manual anyway.

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Congratulations on your kit! Don’t worry too much about the POL list or your MIK (Missing In Kit) list after inventory. There are so many things you can work on that working around missing parts isn’t an issue. The POL/MIK parts will arrive soon enough,,, at least mine did anyway.

Good luck and let the fun begin.

[e36m3]

Iziks, welcome to the adventure. Be patient and enjoy the process. Ask lots of questions, we're here to help.

Thanks,

Andy

[Iziks]

Nothing too exciting. Used some carpet squares for protection. Flipped the chassis and drilled all the mounting holes for the lower floor. Worked great! Can’t imagine doing that on my back under Jack stands!
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[progmgr1]

You mean you haven't bought a lift yet? (Half joking, but we on the Forum are always happy to help you spend your money) Welcome to the madness, and enjoy the build.

Keith HR #894

[Iziks]

Well. Shoot. Got my first POL shipment today, but rather disappointing. Still missing a bunch of front and rear suspension parts, the box of aluminum which includes the bottom firewall pieces, engine mounts, etc. Doesn’t seem like a lot I can do. Put in the fuel tank and rear plumbing and just waiting on the next POL box.170024

[33fromSD]

Looks great!! Did you order the insulation kit too with the noise mat (kind of like dana mat)? If yes, there is actually a piece for under the tank. Even if you didn't, since it would be say to do you may want to consider put some under the tank to help mute road noise.

Jim

[Mastertech5]

Sounds like a plan. Take your time enjoy the process and stop and stare once in a while at all the things you've accomplished, then carry on. There's plenty of guys here to help, just ask.
I'm about 2 weeks ahead of you and don't have some stuff that you do. My POL WAS a page and a half but got 2 boxes last Saturday. Plenty more to come. I've had to do things here and there until parts arrive where I can actually finish a section. Check out my build page.

[Iziks]

Thanks. I am following your build. Decided to clear coat the steering column after seeing what you did. I am enjoying the process, just anxious.

[Mastertech5]

Looks great!! Did you order the insulation kit too with the noise mat (kind of like dana mat)? If yes, there is actually a piece for under the tank. Even if you didn't, since it would be say to do you may want to consider put some under the tank to help mute road noise.

Jim

Actually the piece you mention to put under the tank goes on the back side of the waterfall. I looked at the directions after I read your post and the picture and layout map are confusing. It looks like it goes under the tank but read the caption and it says back of waterfall. I checked because I'm just about to install my tank and didn't want to get it wrong. Your idea about using dynamat is great. I was thinking about using a piece of roofing ice shield that I have left over, mostly to protect the tank from rubbing on the rivets, even though everything is bolted down things have a way moving around when hitting bumps or on hard launches lol.
Bruce

[33fromSD]

Actually the piece you mention to put under the tank goes on the back side of the waterfall. I looked at the directions after I read your post and the picture and layout map are confusing. It looks like it goes under the tank but read the caption and it says back of waterfall. I checked because I'm just about to install my tank and didn't want to get it wrong. Your idea about using dynamat is great. I was thinking about using a piece of roofing ice shield that I have left over, mostly to protect the tank from rubbing on the rivets, even though everything is bolted down things have a way moving around when hitting bumps or on hard launches lol.
Bruce

Hey Bruce, I think i must have gotten a bonus piece in my kit then because I got enough to do under the tank and the aluminum on waterfall. All other pieces were used in there proper locations too. Anyway, I would either use dynamat (sorry about my spelling above earlier) or your idea of ice shield. just something under the tank for protection and noise reduction.

Jim

[Mastertech5]

Maybe I should check all my pieces. I didn't go through them when they showed up because I didn't think I would need them till later.

[65BYBYE]

Enjoy your build it should bee a blast!

[Iziks]

Finally just bought some hardware for missing POL items and got to work. Major milestone today. Test fir the drivetrain. Did a little modifications to get the transmission to fit, then threw on the firewall and put the motor and trans in. Firewall is done with Cerakote to help with heat.171802171803

[Iziks]

Got a little work done. Finally starting to look like a car. Full suspension and drivetrain is in. Still waiting on brakes and exhaust manifolds (POL). Going to finish fuel lines and start on AC next.

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[Mastertech5]

I started mine on June 12th. Not as far along as you. I am also using an LS power plant. Front LCA left hand clevises finally coming tomorrow. Still no big nuts for the control arm pivot bolts
Yours is looking good. Great progress. Carry on with the fun!

[Iziks]

AC lines installed. Didn’t like the FF suggested routing - too high on firewall since I am not running a hood. Here is what I ended up with. Seems like I did not use any of the FF supplied fittings. Lol. Heater bypass valve still in POL list, so can’t run heater lines yet, but the plan is to run the along bottom of frame and put the bypass valve inside the firewall. Don’t mind all the hap hazard exposed wiring. Still working on a plan there.

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[Iziks]

FF exhaust manifolds on POL, so found a deal on some black ceramic ones. Got those installed. I am using the supplied spacers between the manifold and down pipe. Should there be a gasket on each side of the spacer?

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[Mastertech5]

FF exhaust manifolds on POL, so found a deal on some black ceramic ones. Got those installed. I am using the supplied spacers between the manifold and down pipe. Should there be a gasket on each side of the spacer?

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Got a notification today. FFR is shipping my LS3 manifolds today. I should get them tomorrow. Maybe you should have waited. I would think there should be gaskets on both sides of the spacers. Did the spacers come with the manifolds? I don't have spacers, just the down pipes.

[Iziks]

Not updating here as I should. Did get to go kart the chassis. Had a couple small178258178259178260 leaks to fix. Ran my wiring. Still need to wire the AC switches. Just trying a body test fit and trying to get dash organized so I can clean up under dash wiring…

[Just 1 More]

What dash gauge set up is that?

[Iziks]

Dakota digital. Not my first choice, but everything else was on back order.

[DanQ]

I ordered my 33 kit late December, and was told it should be completed 5/20/23. I am hoping to see it delivered some time in June. I am going with full fenders and running boards, hood, side panels, and no top at this time. Maybe adding the convertible soft top down the road. This is a 100% in my shop build, from building the engine and trans, to paint and body. I guess it helps to be a mechanic for the last 45 years!

[Iziks]

Nice. Best of luck!

[Dgc333]

I am surprised that more folks that opt for the hard top do not chose the Speedstar body. This is my Speedstar.

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[Iziks]

Very cool. I was told by FF that the top on the Speedstar body is not as tall and could be a problem for headroom if the driver is tall.

[Mastertech5]

I'm 6 ft. tall and heard the same thing so I went with the Hot Rod. Didn't want to chance it.

[Dgc333]

Very cool. I was told by FF that the top on the Speedstar body is not as tall and could be a problem for headroom if the driver is tall.

I am 6 ft tall and I have about 2" of head room. When I sat in the Speedstar they had in the show room I had more head room but it had the Vintage Race seats, I got the standard seats because they are easier to get in and out of.

[narly1]

I am 6 ft tall and I have about 2" of head room.

Ya Dave, you're 6' tall but what inseam?

You height less your inseam would give an idea of the distance from the seat to the top of your head and that + 2" would be the approximate headroom available.

I'm 6'3 and typically go with 36" inseam pants (Think hard-boiled egg on stilts, LOL.) so thinking I'll be good in the headroom department, leg room not so much, I'll probably have to build the seat pad front edge up to support my thighs properly.

Earl

[Dgc333]

Ya Dave, you're 6' tall but what inseam?

You height less your inseam would give an idea of the distance from the seat to the top of your head and that + 2" would be the approximate headroom available.

I'm 6'3 and typically go with 36" inseam pants (Think hard-boiled egg on stilts, LOL.) so thinking I'll be good in the headroom department, leg room not so much, I'll probably have to build the seat pad front edge up to support my thighs properly.

Earl
My inseam is 32".

[narly1]

My inseam is 32".

So doing the math, even though I'm 3" taller than you the headroom should be about the same for me. :)

Earl

[Iziks]

Project is still coming along. Anyone in St Louis area available for some registration questions? More specifically, the inspection process and if a 1933 “replica” is eligible for historic plates in MO. 180172

[Iziks]

Still progressing. Doors are a major PIA. Just troubleshooting some engine / Trans issues before moving along. Also applied for title, so I got that process rolling. Seems to be a several month process beginning to end in MO.183850183849

[Iziks]

Silly me. I thought the front windshield would fit right in. Apparently that is going to require some trimming of the top to get it to fit.

[Mastertech5]

It should fit. That doesn't seem right.
Did you see my question in the area below the build section threads? Seeing how you got your kit at about the same time and have AC and have your radiator mounted, I'm having trouble figuring out the condenser bracket positions. How did you do yours? Any help appreciated, thanks!

[Mastertech5]

One more thing. The hood hinge mounts. How did you put yours on the grill. Picture of possible, please. Thanks!

[Iziks]

Sorry. No hood on mine

[progmgr1]

I have the Gen 2 hood hinges mounted on a Gen 1 Hot Rod. This is the best photo currently available of that area. Hope it helps.

Keith HR #894

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[Iziks]

Still lots to be done, but I did get a VIN. Everything required to pass a MO inspection is done, so I can actually license it and drive it soon while I finish it up. Made a video on my iPhone, but not sure how to post it. Arg.

[RoadRacer]

I always upload to YouTube and then paste in the link here