got the trans installed today, so now we can really get some major stuff done. Tomorrow we'll put in the driveshaft and torque arm and a couple of other things, and maybe...maybe we'll get it started

 

just an update: we're pretty much done under the car, except for exhaust. I'm still trying to figure out if I'm going to do true duals or a catback setup. Either way, I'm probably going to have a shop custom-bend something (that'll cost me about $450-$500 installed). Putting on the power steering pump and alternator yesterday was a PAIN...putting them in probably took 10 mins, but I spend at least half an hour trying to find the right bolts. I have the worst luck with that

 

 

tuesday I'm going to get exhaust. I've abandoned the true duals--too many compromises and headaches--and am going to do a custom header-back (no cats) setup with quad stainless tips and a Magnaflow muffler.

 

lots of stuff today. first, I cleaned up the brakes a little bit:

Before:


After:


Pics, by popular demand:










First time it's been off the jackstands in a couple months:


Moving it out of the garage:






Now...the problems. Big ones. First, whenever I shift out of park, the thing backfires like crazy only out of the driver's side header. Also, we seem to have a vacuum leak somewhere, because when I turn the car off, there's an audible hissing that continues for five seconds or so until it dies down. I took the car for a drive for about a mile on the road. I couldn't get over 20 mph (just a guess, because my speedometer doesn't work). Revs would increase, but the thing wouldn't accelerate. I have no power steering. The car doesn't move in reverse. It still rolls when the car is in park. I can't even get the shifter all the way to 1. Other than that, everything's great.

 

trany linkage is not adjusted right. i think it messes things up if the computer thinks the car is in a different gear than it is. if its not getting a rpm signal to the computer or a vss signal it will screw the pooch as well. looks like u had a cat burglar.

 

you're lucky you don't have to replace the Opti yet either. talk about a pain in the a$$

 

Man, that would have been a ton easier to do when the engine was out.

 

oh ya. i wish i had that luxury lol

 

I got an rpm signal just fine. The tach worked, just the speedometer didn't. How can I adjust the tranny linkage?

I was told that they fixed the main problems with the opti for '96, so hopefully that won't be an issue. I have enough other ones to figure out.