Street Rod Jim's 33 Hot Rod V2 #1143 Build - The Journey Begins

[Street Rod Jim]

Hi Everyone. I have been waiting a long time to build a car and I have officially purchased a 33 Hot Rod V2. This is my first build, but I am going to try to keep the build quality as high as possible (within reason) while building mostly on my own….but with the help of you guys and some friends when needed... in my own garage. I plan on doing most of the body work and possibly final paint, but we will see. I know when to farm it out if needed. However, I would really like to learn that side of it.

The car I am building consist of a Coupe Top, Extra Clearance Hood & Sides, Bike Fenders, Rear Exhaust, Chrome Steering Wheel, A/C Heat, Leather Bench Seat, 4 link Moser, Power Steering, 4L65e Trans and an LS Engine which I have already rebuilt.

The kicker in all this is that I am vlogging the whole thing on my Street Rod Jim YouTube channel. Unlike other channels, I will be going through the whole process as much as possible, so people get a real idea of what it takes to do any of these FFR builds. I am also posting a lot of research, cost analysis, the engine build, how to find an engine, my experience at the factory five build school etc… I will update build cost and such as I go since it will be an ongoing weekly vlog. I hope this vlog/build brings much information to the community and onlookers wanting to get into the community in a different format than normal. I am a visual person myself, so I know there are others that will benefit from this type of format.

I have already posted all my research and such. (Even some C5 corvette videos which will interest the GTM followers) Now that I am actually ready to build the 33 Hot Rod, I am finally starting my official build thread. I am super excited and know that I will bang my head against the wall a few times. But whatever happens, it will be caught on camera. LOL!

Street Rod Jim Channel: http://bit.ly/32V8G0a
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Thanks to David Hodgkins, Dave Smith, Tony Zullo and David Brigham for all their help.

[Street Rod Jim]

The Moser rear end and the 33 Hot Rod v2 has arrived!

Factory Five Moser 8.8 Rear End Differential Arrived Video

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Street Rod Jim's Factory Five 33 Hot Rod V2 Delivery Day Video

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[Street Rod Jim]

Inventory was pretty crazy. Took a whole week before and after work.

Factory Five 33 Hot Rod V2 - Inventory Video

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I also had some help removing the body off the car.

Body Removal Video

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[andyw]

We're waiting for delivery, delayed by the snow storm. What did you use for removing the tape residue on the body?

[peterh226]

We're waiting for delivery, delayed by the snow storm. What did you use for removing the tape residue on the body?

Buy a gallon of acetone and a bunch of rags and microfiber cloth’s. A spray bottle for the acetone will help too. Be careful of the fumes, but you’ll use a lot for cleaning stuff. Buy boxes of gloves as well.

[Street Rod Jim]

We're waiting for delivery, delayed by the snow storm. What did you use for removing the tape residue on the body?

I used acetone, but Lacquer thinner I think works better.

[Street Rod Jim]

Fixing the curvature of the 33 Hot Rod Trunk

[Street Rod Jim]

Sanding the gel coat - Preparing for paint

[Street Rod Jim]

Sanding the gel coat - Preparing for paint Part 2

[Street Rod Jim]

Adding after market inserts to form the curvature of the 33 Hot Rod Trunk Part 2

[Street Rod Jim]

Adding after market inserts to form the curvature of the 33 Hot Rod Trunk Part 3

[Street Rod Jim]

Trimming and sanding the front side panels (Engine Covers) of the 33 Hot Rod V2

[Street Rod Jim]

Extending fiberglass on the lower valance of the 33 Hot Rod V2

[Street Rod Jim]

Installing the two piece valance of the 33 Hot Rod V2

[Street Rod Jim]

Jim gets an body work evaluation from his mentor Greg

[Street Rod Jim]

Jim works out all the nuances of the hard top and gets it ready for the real body work.

[sethmark]

Good luck. It’s crazy fun with the right attitude.

[Street Rod Jim]

Good luck. It’s crazy fun with the right attitude.

Thanks!

[peterh226]

Good luck. It’s crazy fun with the right attitude.

There is more to this thought than you can imagine. I've messed around with cars all my life, but this takes it to a whole new level. It's a blast, but I have no schedule or expectation. Sometimes I just sit out there and look at it. The forums are great, and getting the right tools makes a huge difference. You'll find the instructions are a guideline, with lots of room for variation. Remember, everytime you ask a question, it helps us to think it through as well.

[sethmark]

Peter is exactly right. There’s plenty of times where I just stare at it and try and figure out how to solve whatever the problem is. I strongly urge you to consider doing the bodywork first. I thought everybody was nuts for suggesting it and I ignored it. I was wrong.

[Street Rod Jim]

Peter is exactly right. There’s plenty of times where I just stare at it and try and figure out how to solve whatever the problem is. I strongly urge you to consider doing the bodywork first. I thought everybody was nuts for suggesting it and I ignored it. I was wrong.

Thanks for the comment here and on youtube!

[sethmark]

Thanks for the comment here and on youtube!

I make mention emphatically because I wish someone had done that for me. To have the doors trunk and body ready to rock ‘n’ roll would’ve made this process a lot more enjoyable than trying to not damage stuff.

[wrp]

Good Luck, enjoy every minute. When you get stuck, walk away for a while.

[FF33rod]

Saw one of your latest videos regarding paint. For the miscellaneous (and numerous) raw metal parts included in the kit, highly recommend getting a relatively inexpensive powder coating setup like that available from Eastwood. Powder coat is a lot more durable than rattle can and a lot more convenient than mixing and spraying a 2 part. The powder is available from a few different sources, is cheap, and in a huge array of colour/finish. Prismatic powders silk satin black matches the powder coated chassis perfectly.

[Street Rod Jim]

Saw one of your latest videos regarding paint. For the miscellaneous (and numerous) raw metal parts included in the kit, highly recommend getting a relatively inexpensive powder coating setup like that available from Eastwood. Powder coat is a lot more durable than rattle can and a lot more convenient than mixing and spraying a 2 part. The powder is available from a few different sources, is cheap, and in a huge array of colour/finish. Prismatic powders silk satin black matches the powder coated chassis perfectly.

Unfortunately the biggest issue with this is the size of parts. You can buy a used full size oven cheap, but I have nowhere to store that and no 220V besides my laundry room. Not interested in using the oven I cook with. Otherwise I agree totally.

[Robodent]

Good luck !!! Take your time it’s not a race to the finish. Don’t compromise from the git go. It’s yours have fun and enjoy it. Rob

[Street Rod Jim]

So once you get your car and it's all inventoried.... now what.

Where Do I Start Overview

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Building The Koni Shocks

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[Street Rod Jim]

Firewall Alignment: The most import part of the build.

Firewall Alignment

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Building the Wilwood Pedal Box

Building Wilwood Pedal Box

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[Street Rod Jim]

It was really difficult trying to talk to auto paint stores getting the lingo down. This was my experience.

Auto Paint Lingo

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[Street Rod Jim]

So the differential has not been my friend. Fitment issues, manual discrepancies, modifications....

Marking Panels and Differential Install
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Upper Control Arm Modification
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Manual Discrepancy
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[Street Rod Jim]

Color selection by far the hardest for me to envision. For whatever reason, I have to see it before I can fully take it in. Being a big part of the build, I spent some time and finally picked my colors out.

Paint Color Selection

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Paint Preparation

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[Street Rod Jim]

Drilling all the panels has been a process. A long process. However, I feel like I am moving forward.

Marking and Drilling panels

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Cleaning Up The Firewall

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[Street Rod Jim]

Well, the manual mentions that there is a few parts to paint, but in really there is a load of parts that need something on them. I will be prepping to try to spray at home.

Sanding Parts For Grey Primer

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Prepping For Spray Paint

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[e36m3]

Great build thread! I'm getting close to buying a 33 kit. I've found your videos very useful. The LS versus Coyote video helped me decide on the on LS. Why did you decide to go with an auto tranny? I'm leaning towards a stick, but I'm worried about foot box room. I'm 6'1' and have had a few back surgeries so leg room is important for me.

thanks,

Andy

[FF33rod]

Great build thread! I'm getting close to buying a 33 kit. I've found your videos very useful. The LS versus Coyote video helped me decide on the on LS. Why did you decide to go with an auto tranny? I'm leaning towards a stick, but I'm worried about foot box room. I'm 6'1' and have had a few back surgeries so leg room is important for me.

thanks,

Andy

Gen2 has added leg room so your height shouldn't be an issue. The footbox is crowded with the clutch pedal added so if you have size 15s that is more the issue. Read some of the other build threads (e.g. Peterh and seth) that have used Chev engines - you need to get creative with the engine mounts and the mating up with the exhaust.
Steve

[Street Rod Jim]

Great build thread! I'm getting close to buying a 33 kit. I've found your videos very useful. The LS versus Coyote video helped me decide on the on LS. Why did you decide to go with an auto tranny? I'm leaning towards a stick, but I'm worried about foot box room. I'm 6'1' and have had a few back surgeries so leg room is important for me.

thanks,

Andy

Andy, There is not a lot of room in the pedal area. I can post a picture when I get a chance. But I also have neck issues and pushing a pedal in every 5 seconds is no fun for me. I was going to add a paddle shifter but it was $1500 to do so I took it off the build. I also bought a 2003 C5 Corvette with LS and 4l65e (same combo I am building) and it was a pleasure to drive. A preview if you will. The 33 will have about 200 more HP than the vette and 1500 lbs lighter. Hopefully it will be streetable. Yikes!

[Street Rod Jim]

I went to paint at home and everything I did to make it the best situation possible just did not work out.

Primer Coat On Parts

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[Street Rod Jim]

So I am finally cooled off enough to talk about my DIY paint experience.

DIY Paint Results
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[Street Rod Jim]

I went to build the radiator and ran into difficulties drilling some stainless steel.

Building The Radiator And Grill

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[Street Rod Jim]

Great build thread! I'm getting close to buying a 33 kit. I've found your videos very useful. The LS versus Coyote video helped me decide on the on LS. Why did you decide to go with an auto tranny? I'm leaning towards a stick, but I'm worried about foot box room. I'm 6'1' and have had a few back surgeries so leg room is important for me.

thanks,

Andy

Andy, here is pictures of the pedal area. Not much room on the left for the clutch and depending on how wide your transmission is, the gas pedal gets pushed to the left. My trans is really wide. (4l65e). Hopefully this helps. Jim
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