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TCC_Omni
10-04-2007, 07:28 PM
Three years ago our SkillsUSA (VICA) club purchased an '86 GLH Turbo from a local repair shop. It was a left over parts car. The car had sat until recently when the club recruited new members interested in resurrecting the car. While the overall goal for this car has not been set, we would like to make it safe and driveable. One idea was to make it to the Grassroots Motorsports Challenge. The floorpan is non-exsistant on the driver's side, it is missing a clutch pedal, and the fuel pump is dead. Other than that it is still pretty rough.

I am the school's Chrysler (CAP) instructor, but my knowledge of older Mopars is limited to what I have learned on the internet. I hope my students and I can learn from the members of this board and bring this car back to life.

I will post pictures of it as soon as I can.

B. Rubin
Tidewater Community College
http://www.tcc.edu/automotive

85shelbycharger
10-04-2007, 08:03 PM
Sounds like a cool project :thumb: Post up some pictures!

SL#189
10-04-2007, 08:03 PM
Welcome! This is a great community and resource for these cars. :thumb:

Turbodave
10-05-2007, 10:48 AM
Welcome! We would be glad to help you guys with this project. Feel free to post up if you need any parts or advice, you came to the right place for that.

TCC_Omni
10-09-2007, 05:09 PM
As requested, pictures of the project. We actually got it to run today with a pressurized fuel canister and some brake cleaner. No knocking noises detected but the car does idle at 4000rpm due to a missing IAC. It is also missing a MAP sensor from the PCM.

Honda student questions our Chrysler student about the awesome Omni.
http://www.tcc.edu/faculty/webpages/brubin/automotive/images/Photo_100907_002.jpg

I hear this is a common problem on Omni's.
http://www.tcc.edu/faculty/webpages/brubin/automotive/images/Photo_100907_003.jpg

http://www.tcc.edu/faculty/webpages/brubin/automotive/images/Photo_100907_004.jpg

Can you spot the missing parts? If so, please let me know what they are.
http://www.tcc.edu/faculty/webpages/brubin/automotive/images/Photo_100907_007.jpg

http://www.tcc.edu/faculty/webpages/brubin/automotive/images/Photo_100907_009.jpg

No MAP sensor here.
http://www.tcc.edu/faculty/webpages/brubin/automotive/images/Photo_100907_010.jpg

"AAAHHHH, this car is older than I am!!!"
http://www.tcc.edu/faculty/webpages/brubin/automotive/images/Photo_100907_012.jpg

"Why is this key stuck? What do you mean it only goes in one way??!!"
http://www.tcc.edu/faculty/webpages/brubin/automotive/images/Photo_100907_013.jpg

At least it pushes well.
http://www.tcc.edu/faculty/webpages/brubin/automotive/images/Photo_100907_014.jpg

http://www.tcc.edu/faculty/webpages/brubin/automotive/images/Photo_100907_017.jpg

Turbodave
10-09-2007, 06:34 PM
With some work on the floorboards and a lot of TLC it could be a fun project. The frame rail still looks solid so that's a good sign. Should keep the students busy and provide lots of learning opportunities. I'm sure an IAC motor and Map sensor will help getting it running better. 85-87 2.2 turbo cars all use the same of both part so if you guys are looking for replacements they are probably not too hard to come across in your local junkyards.

contraption22
10-09-2007, 08:22 PM
Just a little rust. No biggie! Good luck guys! Should be a fun project.

1FastCSX289
10-09-2007, 08:35 PM
Hey man, I am an auto technology instructor as well.....but at the high school level. My kids are also working on a turbo mopar as well. We're building a pretty stout little Dodge Rampage for the drag strip. We were hoping to have it done last year, but it looks like we are going to still be working on it for a while.

Good luck with that Omni. If you have any turbo-mopar related questions, feel free to ask away! Keep us updated.

http://www.turbo-mopar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13349&highlight=student+rampage


P.S. Ive got a logic module with a MAP sensor for that thing too. Let me know if you need it.



:)

cordes
10-09-2007, 10:43 PM
Good luck getting that going. As mentioned it should not be too much work, and should be a lot of fun. I would post up if you need some parts. I know that a lot of us have that old TI stuff lying around collecting dust. :)

TCC_Omni
10-09-2007, 11:29 PM
Thanks for all the replys. Here is the short list of the parts we need. I'm sure there is more but this is what we need so far:

IAC
MAP
Turbo vacuum box (mounts to R/F fender)
Clutch pedal and cable
Air intake hoses
Exterior door handles
Shifter linkages on transmission
L/F turn lens
Fuel Injectors
Fuel Pump

1FastCSX289
10-09-2007, 11:50 PM
Ive got the IAC, MAP (part of the Logic Module), Fuel Injectors, and probably the intake hoses. PM me and we'll work something out.

Exterior handles can be found in the "Help" section at your local parts store. I know ive seen them at Auto Stoned......er..... Zone.

devlish
10-10-2007, 11:08 AM
cool project, good luck with it!!!

and yes, those rusty floorboards are common.

we cut out all the rust and patched ours up nicely...
http://www.projectglh.com/images/day11/IMGP5131.JPG

http://www.projectglh.com/images/day12/5.JPG

http://www.projectglh.com/images/day13/5.JPG
then sprayed the whole floorboard with bedliner (still wet in that pic, that's why it's all glossy)
(www.projectglh.com)

again, good luck with your project!! i know we've had our ups and downs, and one problem after another, but it's still been fun and can't wait to race it yet this season!! i'm sure yours will be a blast as well!!

Marshallone
10-12-2007, 07:22 AM
Did you know their is a Shelby Dodge Club in the area? We meet the first tuesday of every month in Virginia Beach. Contact Jim Byrd he is in the book and we would be more than happy to help with the project. Or shoot me a PM I have his number somewhere at the house.

blk86trbo
10-12-2007, 02:01 PM
Perfect car for a group of enthusiasts to restore. Looks like a great project, have fun!

TCC_Omni
11-07-2007, 05:16 PM
I got to meet with the Eastern Virginia Shelby Dodge Club last night. It was great to meet everyone and get a ride in Chuck's Shadow.

Here is the latest update. We received a donation of an '87 LeBaron with a Turbo I. It is a running unit with most of the engine components we needed. We also received an '88 Omni Automatic that has PERFECT FLOORPANS. After reviewing both cars, we have decided to use the '88 Omni as the tub for all the GLH goodies from the blue car (GLH's came in silver, right?). We even have a Mopar Performance PCM in the GLH.

Here are some of the pics, I will upload the pics of the other cars later today.

The underside of the blue GLH. Not pretty.
http://www.tcc.edu/faculty/webpages/brubin/automotive/images/omni/Photo_100207_001.jpg

I wonder why this control arm was loose.
http://www.tcc.edu/faculty/webpages/brubin/automotive/images/omni/Photo_102207_005.jpg

A plus for the blue GLH, it came with new brakes front and rear.
http://www.tcc.edu/faculty/webpages/brubin/automotive/images/omni/Photo_110107_003.jpg

TCC_Omni
11-07-2007, 06:50 PM
Here are the rest of the pics, showing the '88 Omni.

1988 Omni - Future GLH Clone
http://www.tcc.edu/faculty/webpages/brubin/automotive/images/omni/Photo_110707_002.jpg

http://www.tcc.edu/faculty/webpages/brubin/automotive/images/omni/Photo_110707_005.jpg

Reinforced rear axle on the blue GLH. Is this stock or aftermarket?
http://www.tcc.edu/faculty/webpages/brubin/automotive/images/omni/Photo_110707_008.jpg

http://www.tcc.edu/faculty/webpages/brubin/automotive/images/omni/Photo_110707_011.jpg

http://www.tcc.edu/faculty/webpages/brubin/automotive/images/omni/Photo_110707_012.jpg

Turbodave
11-07-2007, 09:16 PM
Nice pics, the silver car looks like a good recipient of the GLH parts. That rear axle is stock with the sway bar, but the reinforcement was done later by somebody. That's a pretty common old school modification to these cars to stiffen up the rear axle beyond what the sway bar will do. Should make for a car that likes to autocross on 3 wheels.

devlish
11-07-2007, 11:00 PM
looks like a nice tub to put the GLH goodies in. nice find!!! good luck again with the project... should be FUN!

TCC_Omni
11-13-2007, 10:36 PM
The student club voted to go ahead with the transfer of parts. We were able to get the rear suspensions swapped along with numerous trim pieces. The drivetrain and front suspension are scheduled to be swapped at the beginning of Dec.

Hood swap
http://www.tcc.edu/faculty/webpages/brubin/automotive/images/omni/Photo_111307_002.jpg

http://www.tcc.edu/faculty/webpages/brubin/automotive/images/omni/Photo_111307_003.jpg

http://www.tcc.edu/faculty/webpages/brubin/automotive/images/omni/Pb134588.jpg

http://www.tcc.edu/faculty/webpages/brubin/automotive/images/omni/Pb134593.jpg

Rear Suspension Swap
http://www.tcc.edu/faculty/webpages/brubin/automotive/images/omni/Pb134595.jpg

http://www.tcc.edu/faculty/webpages/brubin/automotive/images/omni/Pb134597.jpg

http://www.tcc.edu/faculty/webpages/brubin/automotive/images/omni/Pb134599.jpg

http://www.tcc.edu/faculty/webpages/brubin/automotive/images/omni/Pb134600.jpg

http://www.tcc.edu/faculty/webpages/brubin/automotive/images/omni/Pb134601.jpg

http://www.tcc.edu/faculty/webpages/brubin/automotive/images/omni/Pb134603.jpg

http://www.tcc.edu/faculty/webpages/brubin/automotive/images/omni/Pb134604.jpg

stargazer7467
12-12-2007, 12:45 PM
are those just U bolts on the rear axle?

Turbodave
12-12-2007, 04:14 PM
are those just U bolts on the rear axle?

The U-bolts are holding a thick piece of flat stock to the rear axle beam. This reduces it's likelyhood to twist and in effect functions like having a bigger swaybar on the back. Omni's with clamped rear axles are good for going around an autocross course on 3 wheels.

devlish
12-12-2007, 04:30 PM
i'll have to keep that in mind if i wanna 3-wheel one of mine someday. i'm sure the koni's, coil-overs, and polybushings all around will help with that too though.

any new progress reports on this project?

johnl
12-15-2007, 12:16 AM
This is a great project. Must make you feel good to assist enthusiastic students through their project decisions. Be sure to let them know that the blue color of the GLHT is "Santa Fe Springs Blue" which is a reference to the Shelby-Chrysler facility that was in the city of Santa Fe Springs, California and that is where the prototypes for that car were developed. The Dodge Omni GLHT, in a sense, IS a Shelby.

clarkwhoracing
12-15-2007, 08:58 AM
What a cool project.

Glad to see a dodge being a canidate.

Most of the schools around where I am the kids do ford's or chevy's.

TCC_Omni
02-20-2008, 07:23 PM
We're baaaack!!!

The car now runs. Doesn't move, but it runs (still need clutch pedal and linkages). The students hooked up a line the test port and it runs.

We have put all the pics and video on our main automotive page:
http://www.tcc.edu/faculty/webpages/brubin/automotive

We wound up using the LeBaron's wire harness and ECU because the GLH harness we had was badly butchered by the previous owner. We also are going to use the LeBaron's fuel pump because we know it works.

I will try to post a higher quality video over the weekend.

cordes
02-20-2008, 08:05 PM
Glad to hear that it is coming together. Keep us updated.

TCC_Omni
02-22-2008, 08:23 AM
Yesterday I scored a clutch pedal assembly with cable!!! :nod: Just happened to come across it after I got a tip there was a Horizon at the local junkyard. I think we will have to swap the pedal assembly from the blue car to make this work, but at least we have all the pieces (I hope).

Now here's my next question. The Turbo Omni uses equal length half (CV) shafts. What other Chrysler product uses those shafts? The ones we have are not the best.

t3rse
02-22-2008, 10:36 AM
with that trans any stock charger or rampage or horizon (omni). they aren't very expensive as remans but i don't think that is what you are looking for.

TCC_Omni
02-22-2008, 10:44 AM
Our stock 88 Omni had unequal length half shafts. The GLH had a straight axle coming out of the right side of the trans and then connected to a CV axle.

Turbodave
02-22-2008, 12:39 PM
Our stock 88 Omni had unequal length half shafts. The GLH had a straight axle coming out of the right side of the trans and then connected to a CV axle.

The equal length axles were used in all turbo 5 speed cars. The only ones that will be a direct fit into the Omni are ones from another Omni GLH or Shelby Charger.

The drivers and passenger side are the same once you get the intermediate shaft seperated from the CV joint. Rebuilt ones should be easy to get from most parts stores.

The 88-90 automatic axles are bigger on the trans side and won't fit into the stock 525 transmission.

You can probably get away with using axles from any 5speed L-body or 87 and older carburetted L-body. These are the same size as yours on the tranny side, only issue I've noticed with some of them is that they are slightly shorter on the hub side and when put through the thicker hub that the GLH uses it doesn't leave as many threads for the hub nut and hardware. I had to leave the spring behind the axle nut retainer out and use a slightly smaller cotter pin on my Rampage when I put this combo together.