87' GLHS... What direction to go?
Hi fellow turbo-dodgers. I have been into these cars since the 80's, owning a 86 S/C since 1988 and #0235 since 2000. The S was in very clean condition when I got it in 2000 with about 46k miles. I put a little TL&C back into it, and it was actually featured in Hemmings Muscle Machines magazine in 2005. Unfortunately, it has been sitting ever since and now I want to "re-recondition" it and this time, take it to a 10 out of 10 car. Ok, maybe a 9. It is 99% in it's original state as when it left the Shelby plant. It now has a whopping 48k miles, so it will never see a ton of miles. But when I do take it out, I would like it to be reliable and not worry about the A-525 exploding or the lightweight rods bending.
Driving it to it's new location quickly reminded me that even though she's been sitting in a garage all this time, this is still a 27 year old car. So the question is since I plan to go through every inch of this car, how much change would you do to a car in this state? I don't plan on going over 14 psi on a Stage II LM. Maybe add 2.5" swing valve and downpipe. Should I go with some TII rods and pistons and a A520/555 (using a rod shift kit) with moly plate and call it done? The block should be ok with quality bolts/studs. It would be nice if I could keep her internals as is, but not sure if I will end up making things worse if/when the lightweight rods and/or 525 fails?
Re: 87' GLHS... What direction to go?
Welcome to the site. Love to see some pics (or a link to the article).
Re: 87' GLHS... What direction to go?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
GLHS_0235
Hi fellow turbo-dodgers. I have been into these cars since the 80's, owning a 86 S/C since 1988 and #0235 since 2000. The S was in very clean condition when I got it in 2000 with about 46k miles. I put a little TL&C back into it, and it was actually featured in Hemmings Muscle Machines magazine in 2005. Unfortunately, it has been sitting ever since and now I want to "re-recondition" it and this time, take it to a 10 out of 10 car. Ok, maybe a 9. It is 99% in it's original state as when it left the Shelby plant. It now has a whopping 48k miles, so it will never see a ton of miles. But when I do take it out, I would like it to be reliable and not worry about the A-525 exploding or the lightweight rods bending.
Driving it to it's new location quickly reminded me that even though she's been sitting in a garage all this time, this is still a 27 year old car. So the question is since I plan to go through every inch of this car, how much change would you do to a car in this state? I don't plan on going over 14 psi on a Stage II LM. Maybe add 2.5" swing valve and downpipe. Should I go with some TII rods and pistons and a A520/555 (using a rod shift kit) with moly plate and call it done? The block should be ok with quality bolts/studs. It would be nice if I could keep her internals as is, but not sure if I will end up making things worse if/when the lightweight rods and/or 525 fails?
Glad to see you back, Mike!!!
I think you are on the right track. Keep it as stock appearing as possible.
The better rods and pistons with arp will be good. Maybe upgrade the turbo with a larger wheel, and do the 2.5 " exhaust. If you are only looking at 14/15 psi of boost, you could probably just keep the a525 and add the plate.
If interested, I have an a525 with shelby lsd and heim joint linkage, and I also have a couple of rebuilt a568's and a555's as well.
Post of some pictures of the glhs, people here would love to see it!!
BTW your old sc is still doing great. Gets driven only during the summer, and it still looks as good as when you had it!
Re: 87' GLHS... What direction to go?
I have two GLH turbos with thin rods and 525 transmissions.
No bent rods or transmission explosions. Both cars see race and 'spirited' street duty.
One has an LRE differential girdle and moly plate, the other has nothing.
Both cars have engines with near 100,000 miles.
I also had GLHS 0148. It had a few mods, but still had thin rods and an unmodified 525. No issues there either. I took it easy with the hole shots, but that car really loved the upper RPMs.
If you are going to try to make a ton of power and spin the engine above 5000 RPM all the time then look into the heavy duty parts.
If you plan to keep things near stock, then it should be fine the way it was built.
Just make sure you upgrade the shift linkage.
Re: 87' GLHS... What direction to go?
Well Andy keep that horseshoe in your back pocket. My Spearco intercooled log manifold GLHT's a525 is on tranny #5. Vehicle has 47K miles on it. They all have had all the good parts put in them (less claw and pawl LSD) and never had a slick bolted to the car. IMO, under 250 HP might consider rolling the dice, beyond 250 WHP my experience is they won't last long with spirited driving.
Todd
Re: 87' GLHS... What direction to go?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
4 l-bodies
Well Andy keep that horseshoe in your back pocket. My Spearco intercooled log manifold GLHT's a525 is on tranny #5. Vehicle has 47K miles on it. They all have had all the good parts put in them (less claw and pawl LSD) and never had a slick bolted to the car. IMO, under 250 HP might consider rolling the dice, beyond 250 WHP my experience is they won't last long with spirited driving.
Todd
I agree. Although I think 14PSI off of a stock turbo will be well below that limit. I know that JT's light weight rod Shadow has a glove box full of 12.xx time slips on it and the other JT has a ton of severe duty time on the world's toughest 525 in his GLHS. I wouldn't upgrade anything on such an original car with so low of a HP target.
Re: 87' GLHS... What direction to go?
If that horse shoe would only work on the lottery...
Re: 87' GLHS... What direction to go?
I don't think anybody has bent or broken a lightweight rod in a mild engine.
Re: 87' GLHS... What direction to go?
Thanks for the welcome! CoolV300C - I will find some of the shots the editors took. She still looks the same. Although not shown in the pics, there are a few imperfections I want to see if I can correct in the paint. HI CINDY! Long time I know. Congrats on the new shop - I've been trying to catch up on what's been going on in the TD world. Glad to see you are still supporting the community! And I have been wondering how my ol' girl has been doing and if you still had her! Thanks. I think I will have a decent sized shopping list over to you shortly to review and advise... I would love to try a 568, but don't want to go to a cable shifter. Leaning towards he 555 anyway for insurance. Can't wait to come visit with you and James soon! Andy, I hope I am as lucky as you if I stay stock! Or if you can mail that horseshoe over to me I would appreciate it. I hear stories like yours, then hear the other side of the coin like from 4 l-bodies. Looks like the overall vote is I should be ok. Thanks all for the advice.
Re: 87' GLHS... What direction to go?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
cordes
I agree. Although I think 14PSI off of a stock turbo will be well below that limit. I know that JT's light weight rod Shadow has a glove box full of 12.xx time slips on it and the other JT has a ton of severe duty time on the world's toughest 525 in his GLHS. I wouldn't upgrade anything on such an original car with so low of a HP target.
Still going strong. Looks like I'll be testing it to the limits again this weekend at Carlisle at the auto cross. Probably need to check and see if I need to register first though. ;) Seriously, I don't think I'm putting any real power to the ground, well too much over stock. It does have the Shelby LSD in it, which may make it worse. I do know I've run a 14.05 at a mid 90 mph with slicks launching at 6K RPM, but that was before the LSD was installed. Has held up so far, but the 555 is going in by the end of this year for sure.
Re: 87' GLHS... What direction to go?
Re: 87' GLHS... What direction to go?
I started bustin em up quickly when trap speeds went above 106 MPH. Lost a diff pin once on big end of track. That was ugly!!! Fortunate that both the car and I lived to see another tranny install (lol). Picture someone throwing a 2x4 through a bicycle tire. My 100 to zero time had to be impressive!!! A LOT of collateral damage. After that happened, makes one think long and hard about putting in another 2 pinion diff.
Todd
Re: 87' GLHS... What direction to go?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
4 l-bodies
I started bustin em up quickly when trap speeds went above 106 MPH. Lost a diff pin once on big end of track. That was ugly!!! Fortunate that both the car and I lived to see another tranny install (lol). Picture someone throwing a 2x4 through a bicycle tire. My 100 to zero time had to be impressive!!! A LOT of collateral damage. After that happened, makes one think long and hard about putting in another 2 pinion diff.
Todd
With that said, sounds like the A525 will go on a shelf and replaced with a 555. I take it the 568 or 523 still cannot be rod operated?
Re: 87' GLHS... What direction to go?
Re: 87' GLHS... What direction to go?
Re: 87' GLHS... What direction to go?
Re: 87' GLHS... What direction to go?
My favorite kind of 'project car' one that doesn't need anything:lol: Nice clean S car:)
