Back from the Dead... Almost Literally

[NOS2006]

Hey guys! I've been around on here every once in awhile, but haven't really said much. Not enough news out there for me to spend too much time for me to comment on, but I do still read when I've got an opportunity.

I've been real busy lately... some of you will remember that I picked up an '04 Neon R/T about 13 months ago. Well, I ended up doing a motor swap to an SRT powertrain basically all by myself. It was expensive since I didn't buy a donor car and just bought every part piece by piece, so that drove me into the floor as far as money went. I did the swap while doing 20 credit hours at school (still have 2 semesters left before I either go to grad school for Aerospace or find a job). The swap was worth it; the car is much faster now. I did snap the trans twice since doing the swap, but that's been fixed, as well as a few other small problems. It was fun to do and one hell of an experience, but I think I might be selling the car.

At first I wanted a fast car, but now that I have one, I'm not sure I do. One, it's not as reliable as I'd like since it's modified more than I initially expected it to be (to put it into perspective, I ran a LS1 GTO w/ heads, cams, and LT's who dyno'd 430/400 and he only put about half a car on me from ~10-85, and that's with him launching first -- I didn't even know we were racing until he punched it unexpectedly). And two, I had a pretty major event happen to me this last weekend that makes me not want to even risk myself running my car too hard. I love speed and I love pure performance, but I don't want to tempt myself to experience those everytime I touch the gas pedal and see the needle creep from vacuum toward boost.

I was up north (about 5 hours north in Cheboygan, MI) with friends and we woke up Saturday morning to get some breakfast. Six of them could fit in a friend's F150 and the other two of us just jumped in my best friend's S2000, him driving and me sitting passenger. We were coming up on a corner in the middle of nothing but farmland when an animal crept out on the road. Swerving into the oncoming traffic lane (no traffic at all), he avoided the animal. However, his back wheel caught the gravel, sent us sideways over the embankment, and we went for a ride. I think we were going about 55-60 MPH when we left the road and we ended up rolling 3 times, top down, and going approximately 40-50 yards from the edge of the road. I basically suffered bumps, bruises, and major whiplash and he ended up with some fractured vertebrae, fractured skull, and concussion. We both blacked out, and I'm not sure if I got a concussion or not, but it wasn't fun at all as I'm sure you can imagine.

This just shows that even a very capable car can be ruined at any given moment; we're both lucky to be alive. So, since then (and even a little before.. but moreso now), I've been looking at '08+ Saab 9-3s with the 2.0T and six-speed manual to welcome me back to the GM family. I'm excited to find one, and I'll let you guys know when I do. I just need to fix the small things that are wrong with my car now and sell it. Once it's sold, I'll finally have money to buy one of the two cars I haven't gotten off my mind for the last couple of years (9-3 and an LS3 Corvette... eventually). I'm definitely excited about this future purchase, and my first plans are to tint the windows and put a set of Cobalt Turbo SS wheels on it (with chrome black powdercoating).

lol I didn't really mean to get all sad and sobby at all, just wanted to say hey and share what's been going on with me and why I've been gone. Hope all is well with all of you guys (and gals!) old and new! Let me know if you guys want any pics/video of the Neon's swap or of the S2000.

[NINETY EIGHT REGENCY]

Nos, I am glad you are still alive. That was a lot to hear. That was so sad. I hope the others are okay. Yes, life is short. All too often people take too much for granted. You are better physically I hope. I hope you get your cars you mentioned. I know we used to joke about a Chevrolet Aveo SS, but that may be come a reality as GM is going to make performance cars out of the next generation small cars.

I hope you move forward and continue to pursue your goals and dreams. I noticed a lot of older members have been coming back lately. Thank you for letting people know what is going on with you. The last time I saw your name you were headed to college or in college. It has been that long.

Please take care.

[Drew Dowdell]

Good that you're still around.... in more ways than one!

[caddycruiser]

Wow. Glad you are okay after all that, and I like the Saab idea.

[Croc]

NOS, glad you're alright. Welcome to the I've-Done-Crazy-Fun-Things-with-Cars-and-Lived-to-Tell-about-It Club.

Yay, another site Admin has returned!

[Camino LS6]

Glad to see you back, NOS!

And even happier that you survived the Honda wreck.

[Blake Noble]

It's the return of Dirty Frank. Good to see you back NOS.

Good to hear you made it out of that wreck without any major life-long injuries. Being in any accident, no matter what degree it is, is no fun. I still have problems with my neck, back, and right knee from my first wreck.

[Intrepidation]

Glad you're ok! Welcome back and don't be a stranger. Get some new photos up of that Neon before you sell it!

[Blake Noble]

NOS, before I forget, how exactly did you go about upgrading the top of the Neon's dash with that leather material you bought? I've liked that touch since you first posted pics of it and I've been thinking about doing that to whatever I trade the Camaro to if its possible.

Edited September 1, 2010 by whiteknight

[Intrepidation]

I don't know how he did it, but there's special 3M adhesive you can use to glue down leather or vinyl to the surface. It requires prep wok to make sure the surface is clean and ready for the adhesive, so it forms a strong bond.

It's something I may end up doing to my door panels to get the two tone look I want.

[ocnblu]

Glad to hear you're OK after the big crash. Damn, I am sure something like that changes your perspective on certain things. Please do not be a strangler, Nostradamus.

[NOS2006]

haha The Aveo SS... I forgot about that one, that's hilarious because it's true!

Camino... the S2000 did pretty well surprisingly. The whole car's totaled, but if you were to take pictures of the interior, you would never know it was messed up on the outside. Apparently Honda does their own crash rollover testing even though it's not government mandated on convertibles.

whiteknight, I used simple contact cement. However, it didn't hold up around the edges and it's starting to peel back. Also, make sure you use the contact cement on both the material and the surface you're laying it on.. and use a lot of it! But do make sure it's tacky before putting the two sides together. Once they touch though, they don't want to let go, so be careful with it and don't mess up!

oblu, it sure does change my perspective on things. Crazy how that happens, eh?

Thanks for all the well wishes and good words, guys!

Also, this is what I want the Saab to look like. Although exterior color doesn't really matter to me because the tinted windows and dark wheels will look good on any of the colors IMO...

[z28luvr01]

Glad you're back NOS. That's some story. I'm happy you survived that.

I've always had a soft spot for the 9-3, especially the 08+ models. Very underappreciated vehicle. Hope you find one.

[Blake Noble]

whiteknight, I used simple contact cement. However, it didn't hold up around the edges and it's starting to peel back. Also, make sure you use the contact cement on both the material and the surface you're laying it on.. and use a lot of it! But do make sure it's tacky before putting the two sides together. Once they touch though, they don't want to let go, so be careful with it and don't mess up!

Sounds quite simple then. I'm sure the prep work is the same using contact cement or the 3M adhesive DF mentioned, i.e. making sure the surface is wiped down clean.

I guess the main issue is cutting the material correctly and finding a way for it to fit the design of the dash.

I wonder how exactly it could work out with this interior ...

I guess following the line that breaks the dash horizontally down the middle would be a starting place.

Edited September 2, 2010 by whiteknight

[NOS2006]

Hmm. That looks like some cut and sew might need to be done to make it wrap around the back side of the cluster correctly... That doesn't look fun, sir. lol

[Blake Noble]

Hmm. That looks like some cut and sew might need to be done to make it wrap around the back side of the cluster correctly... That doesn't look fun, sir. lol

Indeed, it doesn't. That whole fascia (the black section) does pop off, though, so I could cut and tailor it when I install an aftermarket stereo ... the MCE Dakota interior would be easier to do this to, though.

I'm sort of jumping the gun here, though. I don't know if I can get the truck yet, lol.

[NOS2006]

lol Well if you do, let us know how it goes!

And thanks, Z... I've always had a soft spot too, but I didn't think I would ever be serious about getting one until now!

[loki]

glad you're ok!

[NOS2006]

Here's the best video I've got of the Neon w/ the swap done. Only thing different right now (other than trans internals) is that the battery's in the trunk and not up front.

http://img818.imageshack.us/img818/6046/dsci0001.mp4

And a few pics of the S2000... (notice the driver's side crash bar that may have saved our lives)

[Camino LS6]

Man, you were lucky!

[knightfan26917]

Frank,

Good to see you back here!!!!

And, glad you are still alive.

Cort | 36.m.IL | 5 Monte Carlos.1 Caprice Classic | pig valve.pacemaker * Rt 66+northwestUS, 2011?

MCs.CC | models.HO.legos.CHD.RadioShows | RoadTrips.us66 = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort

"We've misplaced feelings that we used to know" ... John Berry ... 'Standing On The Edge Of Goodbye'