Perhaps my last post on this thread, since it is getting really long and the only major things remaining are installing the replacement Hooker cat-back exhaust when it arrives and then the NOS wet nitrous kit in a few weeks.
Pulled off all the old spark plug wires, some had a few cracks in the insulation, one had a heat burn, and they had become a little too loose and sloppy for me. Decided to make my own spark plug wires using a Moroso build-your-own kit I had lying around. (similar to this, but just the Moroso 8mm version:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vulcan-Extre...-/371191981870) I also got two packs of Spectre wire separators and ran all the wires neatly UNDER the headers instead of dropping down from the valve cover areas. Just makes for a cleaner look in my opinion. these are all measured to length so there is very minimal slop and they don't contact the block or headers
Last weekend I topped off the trans fluid and oil and took the car out for a basic test ride to make sure the rear suspension was working correctly, nothing felt awkward, that the transmission speedometer gears were working, and general shakedown. Everything was working absolutely great and my 30 min drive turned into a 3.5 hour tri-state drive.
I still wanted to get a full alignment after all the recent work, so I brought the car to a mechanic shop I trust and we both checked everything and then made a few adjustments to the panhard bar, lower control arms, minor front end adjustments, set pinion/driveshaft angle a bit better. All went well. During this, I noticed that my 13 year old hooker cat back exhaust had blew out a chunk (just at the lowest part by where the main pipe starts to go upwards to go over the axle). If you look in my earlier posts/photos ..it is all intact. I guess during the long drive I took the rusty spot finally gave out. Oh well, I needed an excuse to buy a new cat-back anyways!
Here you can see a sideview of the current stance, If you remember, earlier in the winter work I removed the rear rubber coil-spring isolators in favor of the heater-hose lowering mod... it gave me 1/2" body drop which I am glad I did. It looks way better from a side view
Last Thursday I took it over to the NJ Inspection station in Randolph, only had to wait about 6 minutes, drove it in and passed inspection.
This will probably be the last time I take it to inspection, as I am either going to go "historic" with QQ plates, or I'll have a beastly engine by that time and won't bother with inspection anyways.
So basically, all that is left is install the Hooker cat-back when it arrives, a full detail session, wet nitrous kit setup, and enjoy the car as much as possible.