Well, i've been lurking on here for over a year now and never created an account
so its time.

i'm getting started with just a build list and will add pics as i get them on the phone. i am mid build so many of you will get to watch it unfold

for starters,
engine:

• ge bottom end
• gte pistons
• gte head gasket
• arp head studs
• ge head(pnp)
• larger intake valves
• bc cams
• custom intake manifold
• ebay header(for now)
• precision 6777 bb turbo
• 1300 black ops injectors
• custom fuel rail

chassis

• custom built tube front end
• tein coilovers
• custom chassis struts and braces
• monsterservice 40mm front and rear fenders
• vertex front bumber
• don't know brand on side skirts
• work vsx rims w/ nito neo-gens
• homemade rear diffuser

interior

• corbeau seats
• nrg gold wheel
• autometer gt gauges
• removing everything tan because i hate it

again i will post pics later
right now i just finished installing the aem v2 from dezod
i removed all of the pedals to aid in my manual swap and am going with a floor mount setup, its just so much easier, cheaper and cleaner than getting the oem clutch/brake from toyota
i've done a complete wiring tuck and put the fatory ecu under the dash, and the aem replaced the factory passenger air bag.


i'm piecing together parts for my ar5 swap. i went with the colorado trans, and as some of you may know the shifter is too far forward. being and engineer by trade, i'm working on a mounting bracket to move the shifter further back to the stock location, i've got my inspiration from the t56 swaps in mustangs.

stay tuned for progress and current pics

















before the break down





aem mounting location





ecu relocation





master cylinders mounted in car, used the opening to fish my custom made harness





the transmission transplant





wide body kit to be installed


update as of 2/24/16
the ar5 trans i ordered is out of a colorado, the shifter is located too far forward so i'm fabricating a setup similar to the t5 shifter relocation setup in most restomod mustangs. without pics, i've shortened the factory shifter, pressed the ball up about a quarter of an inche, created a plate that mounts under the factory shifter, and i have a crx shifter i had laying around that mounts to the plate, to which i will be mounted in the correct location to line up with the opening in the floor... its kind of an old school setup a lot of hot rod guys ues.
anyone who is interested in an ar5 swap, here is the parts list i've compiled so far with the help from aaron at driftmotion

• AR5 transmission (gmc canyon in my situation)
• oem toyota bellhousing 2j to ri54
• r154 clutch with gm spline clutch plate
• r154 slave, fork
• bearings from drift motion
• washers and spacers from driftmotion
• custom driveshaft

pretty much everything is the same as the r154, the only thing different is the bearing and some washers, and the clutch plate. shifter is in a different location, but... if you get the solstice version you can just use the jx100 factor shifter and it puts it in almost perfect location, but i couldn't find one for less than $750, and i got this trans $350 delivered, and have the syncros from the hummer in it.

i didn't have a factory clutch, and i gave up trying to get my hands on the oem one, kept finding them in the $350-450 range, so i ordered a set of floor mount pedals with master cylinders. this deleted the brake booster and big bulky master in the engine bay, when it gets here i will just have 3 small remote reservoirs in the bulky brake booster location. this also eliminates that ugly and inconvenient abs unit. which if i really wanted to keep i could, but it makes hard braking on good tires unpredictable.

thats all for today. i'll post more pictures of the shifter assembly once i finish the protoype, and the pedals when i begin he install.

 

pulled the motor over the weekend.







went pretty smooth. made giant mess of fluids though

then, this morning, i get a knock on the door and my fenders came in. a whole 2 weeks early. this was the jump i needed.
did a quick mock up this evening, i will be cutting and drilling as the week goes by to get everything hard mounted, and then painted. the exterior is finally starting to look complete again. things are moving pretty quick.





this was very difficult to source





fitment is pretty straight, even with zip ties in this pic





i love how this kit lines up perfect with any bumper, i didn't want to have to ditch the vertex bumper





i'll tweak and make this straight at final install. but overall pleased with the fitment. get to keep the 20s.

 

Looks good.

Just a suggestion, but you would have better response from running a thinner gasket or GE non-vvti pistons with the GTE gasket.

 

subscribed.

 

Looking good bro
x2

 

some new updates. been pretty busy.
i'm also compiling a list of part numbers for pretty much every piece of the ar swap, which btw, is extremely easy and straight forward once you actually start doing it .

while the motor is out of the car i'm doing some pretty extensive body work on the engine bay, and i got all my panels painted.



this will make your butthole pucker














welding in trailer fenders, using carboard to mock up











seem filler on the inside of the front fenders and painted. don't care about looks, just function





this is all removed





all welded in





starting forming. worst experience ever. i'm paying someone to do the other side. its worth it to me














everying on and lined up. need to weld in new headlight brackets




i guess i didn't take pics of the final seem job on the rear fenders

 

more parts updates. trans and motor stuff.





act hd clutch





wiseco pistons








bc 262 cams. (trying to stay somewhat streetable)








with the wheel on

 

I ended up getting a huge deal from relentless motorsports tx, bc rods, wiseco pistons, bc cams, bc springs and retainers. Valves are already new. Hks gte gasket.

 

quick update. nothing huge. just some powder coat and the last batch of rebuild parts




wanted anodized copper, but this looks way better





this is sitting on one of my back up motors. i use it for test fitting parts

 

Nice project - I'd really love to see pictures of your modified shifter housing. I need to do the same.

 

Beautiful Build

 

I'd like more info on the AR5 swap. I'm doing a 3uz/r154 swap into my first gen GS, but I know the AR5 is a cousin to the R154. Interested in hearing about the how much the AR5 can hold and if its as notchy as the r154

 

Been on the fence on the monsterservice flares and I think its time to pull the trigger... Sweet build

 

Any progress?