A 1985 LeBaron's return from the depths of hell

[Dodge Aries K]

I figured it's about time to get started on a project log for this thing. This is my 1985 Chrysler LeBaron Turbo Coupe. What once started off being a nice car probably for some little old lady to drive turned into this monstrosity.

http://i615.photobucket.com/albums/tt235/aenoymotors/1985%20Chrysler%20LeBaron%20Turbo%20Coupe/306_3472.jpg
http://i615.photobucket.com/albums/tt235/aenoymotors/1985%20Chrysler%20LeBaron%20Turbo%20Coupe/306_3471.jpg
http://i615.photobucket.com/albums/tt235/aenoymotors/1985%20Chrysler%20LeBaron%20Turbo%20Coupe/306_3470.jpg
http://i615.photobucket.com/albums/tt235/aenoymotors/1985%20Chrysler%20LeBaron%20Turbo%20Coupe/306_3469.jpg
http://i615.photobucket.com/albums/tt235/aenoymotors/1985%20Chrysler%20LeBaron%20Turbo%20Coupe/306_3468.jpg
http://i615.photobucket.com/albums/tt235/aenoymotors/1985%20Chrysler%20LeBaron%20Turbo%20Coupe/306_3478.jpg

Yeah, that's a whole lot of screwed up. Poor car went through some really stupid owners. At least one of them did a few things right. The engine and transmission were rebuilt and work perfectly. It has a Direct Connection camshaft in it as well which is pretty sweet. Headwork has been performed so it flows better (although what exactly I have no clue) and the transmission has a modded valve body so it shifts extremely quick and firm. I'm guessing the person I got it from is the idiot who decided to ghetto it up. These cars just don't look right without the landau top and this clearly shows if you "attempt" to make it look better. Eventually I'll take it in and have the guys at the body shop attempt to patch up this crap work and make it look a bit more presentable. I also got the side trimmings from a Reliant Coupe but it seems like they won't work on this thing... oh well.

The interior is something else, too... The Mark Cross seats are something I just added to replace the ghetto'ed in Cavalier seats. So unsafe those were...

http://i615.photobucket.com/albums/tt235/aenoymotors/1985%20Chrysler%20LeBaron%20Turbo%20Coupe/306_3477.jpg
http://i615.photobucket.com/albums/tt235/aenoymotors/1985%20Chrysler%20LeBaron%20Turbo%20Coupe/306_3476.jpg
http://i615.photobucket.com/albums/tt235/aenoymotors/1985%20Chrysler%20LeBaron%20Turbo%20Coupe/306_3475.jpg
http://i615.photobucket.com/albums/tt235/aenoymotors/1985%20Chrysler%20LeBaron%20Turbo%20Coupe/306_3474.jpg
http://i615.photobucket.com/albums/tt235/aenoymotors/1985%20Chrysler%20LeBaron%20Turbo%20Coupe/306_3473.jpg

I just don't understand how someone could trash the car so bad. Oh well... that's why I ended up with it for pretty much nothing. I had to use silicone sealer on the crappy sunroof since it was pissing water in all over the inside. This summer I'll get it a new seal (somehow) and then it'll work properly again. It's also missing the roof braces so I got those to add to it as well. The aftermarket gauges will be removed and relocated to a more suitable spot. I'm thinking of getting those gauge pods that mount to the outside of the car on the cowl for a more retro look.

Okay, the most important part... some underside shots...

http://i615.photobucket.com/albums/tt235/aenoymotors/1985%20Chrysler%20LeBaron%20Turbo%20Coupe/306_3481.jpg
http://i615.photobucket.com/albums/tt235/aenoymotors/1985%20Chrysler%20LeBaron%20Turbo%20Coupe/306_3480.jpg
http://i615.photobucket.com/albums/tt235/aenoymotors/1985%20Chrysler%20LeBaron%20Turbo%20Coupe/306_3479.jpg
http://i615.photobucket.com/albums/tt235/aenoymotors/1985%20Chrysler%20LeBaron%20Turbo%20Coupe/306_3482.jpg

Nice and clean. Aww yeah.

Anyway, that's it for now. I plan on swapping out stupid log for the blow thru setup, tossing in a stock intercooler, swapping the car to a proper gearbox, and seeing where it goes from there. Oh yeah, and returning the car to something respectable instead of this hell-demon monster that the previous idiots have turned it into.

[roachjuice]

i like your fart cannon and cold air intake...... lol sweet car.:thumb:

[Dodge Aries K]

Hahaha I didn't even notice that before! Stupid previous owners!

[roachjuice]

lol hell yea. how much did you buy it for?

[Dodge Aries K]

I traded my rusty 1983 Aries wagon for it straight up.

[roachjuice]

hack that fart cannon off and put it on craigslist for some ricer to get. 10 bux lol

[Spycker]

straight pipe that -----!

[Dodge Aries K]

Pulled the leaky Sunroof out of the car. Roof panel is definitely warped from it not being braced. Fun fun fun...

Also started ripping out the mess of plastic hose stuff EVERYWHERE under the hood. What a mess!

[raccoon]

how hard do you think it would be to change the roof skin? the glass would have to be removed. but it wouldnt be all to hard i think.

[Dodge Aries K]

Not really sure. I pulled the sunroof assembly out (damn aftermarket crap) and installed the roof braced I got out of the junkyard today. Simplified the vacuum setup (just boost control solenoid, map, and FPR) and took it for a quick spin. Man, for being an automatic log car it sure can scoot! I'm looking forward to getting the speedometer working to see how quick it actually accelerates!

Once I get it running well then it'll go on a date to the body shop to have the landau roof removal lines filled in and the roof fixed. No more sunroof for this car... roof will be closed up again like it originally was.

[Dodge Aries K]

Body shop Mexican took a quick glance at the roof today for me. He thinks he's not going to be able to fix the hugeass hole and make it look nice and strong at the same time. He suggested to me to find one in a junkyard where he can cut the roof skin off of it to attach to this one or he said what I was thinking anyway... it's going to get autocrossed and drag raced... rivit a plate over the hole and call it good. That's probably going to be what happens since this poor bastard will never look right again anyway. Damn hillbilly previous owners! Gah!

[raccoon]

no, change the roof skin and write a how to! i have the same problem.

[ShadowFromHell]

You would be surprised how easy it would be to change a roof skin with the right tools. Pull all the glass, get a good SLOW drill, a handful of spot weld drill bits and go to town! I did a few of them in my auto body days and I think they are one of the easiest welded panel replacements to do.

[Dodge Aries K]

Well, maybe another day. But for now, the roof hole is covered and secured thanks to rivits and sheetmetal. The roof skin is so warped and damaged that it was a real chore to just get the sheetmetal panel to rivit on properly. Stupid damn sunroofs!

Because of this, I dub this car the "Road Warrior" since my buddy said it looks like it's from Mad Max. Totally awesome.

[ShadowFromHell]

I wonder if you couldnt make some plexi side windows that fit the hole a little bit better? If you did that, filled the "stripe" on the side it would looks alot better, and be pretty easy.

[Dodge Aries K]

I was thinking either plexi or just painting the area in there black or something. I'm not really sure...

[Dodge Aries K]

The turbo went kaput. I have another turbo for it... or I have the later intake and a mitsu turbo. WIth the good garrett... $700, with the Mitsu and intake... $700.

My life situation means that I have no place, time, or money to work on this or really any other car anymore. It's parked at my buddy's farm in Marengo. Engine is still fine, the turbo just like... blew apart or something when I was on the highway. Makes a really good james bond smokescreen now thanks to that.

[Dodge Aries K]

Bad news... Road Warrior is dead and is now rotting in a junkyard. I traded it to someone for a 1991 Grand Caravan C/V and $150... gave them a replacement turbocharger for it. The kid's dad got pissed off at it and made him junk it. Maybe LKQ will set it out, maybe they won't. Damn shame, that was a hell of a good engine. Direct Connection camshaft. Rebuilt awesome A413 automatic in there. RIP Road Warrior...