The Beater from New England

[Brandon C]

Sup guys, joined StanceWorks a few weeks ago and figured I'd introduce myself. Name's Brandon, and I'm looking to go, in a manner of speaking, apeshit on my current beater, a 99 Lumina. Since the pictures, the entire car has been subjected to the wrath of a can of primer-black spray-paint (Rustoleum FTW), and will probably see another coat on some areas before being generally left alone in the paint department. All the dents have been filled/pulled, and now I'm looking to modify.


Sweet-ass trunklid, got replaced with an LTZ one after the snow-plow got backed into it


I was still pulling the door-molding off at that point, looks much better without it.

For those of you who don't know anything about Luminas, the aftermarket is non-existant; they only made them for five years for the public, and it was based on a modified version of the Monte Carlo platform, AKA the W-1.5. Some bits transfer, but I've got an LS model, so nothing performance-wise transfers, and doing a motor swap is out of the question. Therefore, I ask you this; is there any way to get this car a little lower without ruining the handling? I still DD this thing occasionally, and my commute is 45 minutes through psychotic city driving. Normally the Accord gets those duties (the old man lends me it, an 04 EX-L V6), but this is the only car that's really mine.

I was thinking about getting some white and making a not-so-perfect Blues Brother tribute, but I'm open to suggestions, especially on how to lower this beast. Can't sit on the ground though, unless I bag it, since our driveway is steep as hell. I'll get better pics up when i finish painting the thing, hopefully this weekend or the next.

[Lt. Dangle]

I can't wait to see this transpire. It will be like the twilight zone if you make this thing look cool, and be functional.

Either way, props for being different. Holler.

[Brandon C]

Thanks man, first goal is to check out the hubs under the caps, and if they look mean enough (and match, preferably) they'll come off, get washed thoroughly and see a can of red paint and a set of locking lugs. After that, I'm basically looking at any option as viable. Literally any suggestion would be entertained as long as budget allows it.

[jasonklee]

This will be very interesting to see.

Welcome to StanceWorks

[Brandon C]

I certainly hope so. Winter got this thing pretty dirty, but I'll take some pictures tomorrow and throw em up, Show you guys what I'm working with better.

[kramerbuccs24]

I don't want to be "that guy," but unless you're absolutely in love with this car I think it would benefit you to at least consider other platform options before throwing time and money at this car. "Doing something different" is great (not many people stance first-gen MR2s lol), but stancing a 90s GM "grandpa" car with literally zero aftermarket will likely require a LOT of work to get not very far. Many 80s and 90s Civics, Corollas, 240sxs, etc. etc. etc. can be had for sub 3k if you're on a budget and there is literally no limit to the amount of bolt-on parts that can get you any stance, hp or customization you could possibly desire.

Just something to think about. My first car was a 2005 Nissan Altima SER and although I loved the car to death, after about 13 months of ownership I realized the extremely limited aftermarket and less than ideal powertrain (FWD with no LSD) would hinder the pursuing of my loves of autocross, drag racing and stance.

If you do choose to modify this car, good luck, keep it clean and keep us posted!

[Brandon C]

Believe me, I get that, and I'm actually leaning towards just stancing my Accord (old man gave me the 04 for Christmas), but that Chevy isn't just any Chevy, he's Walt. Fuckin Walt the champ. When I bought him he was only firing on three cylinders and the exhaust was dragging, but by God I learned not only how to fix a ton of problems, but how to work on cars from him. I put forty grand on the odometer over three years (151K right now), and I'm quite aware he's getting closer to death. The tranny's hard to shift, the engine's gotten louder on startup and stuff's just getting old.

It's not so much about dumping money in; I have no funds thanks to college, so everything I would do would be cheap and probably home-fabricated if possible. No, this is more about giving the poor bastard one last run for glory. He deserves it, and he'll never be fast, so he might as well look good when he goes down.

[benz88]

check out the W-Body forums. Lowest springs are around 1.8" drop, Which actually gets the car tucking really good. the IRS helps. I helped build a friends 98 Z34.

[Brandon C]

check out the W-Body forums. Lowest springs are around 1.8" drop, Which actually gets the car tucking really good. the IRS helps. I helped build a friends 98 Z34.

I'll have to go looking, I honestly figured they wouldn't exist. You don't remember who made the springs, do you?

[kramerbuccs24]

Believe me, I get that, and I'm actually leaning towards just stancing my Accord (old man gave me the 04 for Christmas), but that Chevy isn't just any Chevy, he's Walt. Fuckin Walt the champ. When I bought him he was only firing on three cylinders and the exhaust was dragging, but by God I learned not only how to fix a ton of problems, but how to work on cars from him. I put forty grand on the odometer over three years (151K right now), and I'm quite aware he's getting closer to death. The tranny's hard to shift, the engine's gotten louder on startup and stuff's just getting old.

It's not so much about dumping money in; I have no funds thanks to college, so everything I would do would be cheap and probably home-fabricated if possible. No, this is more about giving the poor bastard one last run for glory. He deserves it, and he'll never be fast, so he might as well look good when he goes down.

Gotchya. Right when I read he was "Walt the champ" I knew you'd be keeping it . Stance the fucking shit out of him!

[*96tegls*]

in for this build

[Brandon C]

Thanks guys, can't wait to post some pictures up tomorrow and let you know what I'm working with. Also, doubt he'll see this, but I've got to give thanks to Sir Burroughs. Seeing Rusty is what really made me realize that the game can be changed in a major way, as long as you're willing to get your hands dirty.

Also, donations of big bags of money will be briefly argued with, then accepted. All will go right into Walt

[benz88]

I'll have to go looking, I honestly figured they wouldn't exist. You don't remember who made the springs, do you?

This was years ago. but Sprint i know did. Maybe H&R made some. I wonder if anyone makes coilovers for them now.

[Brandon C]

This was years ago. but Sprint i know did. Maybe H&R made some. I wonder if anyone makes coilovers for them now.

Eh, don't got the money for the Sprint ones right now, but they drop 1.6 at both ends so that's probably the best solution. I'd doubt coilovers exist though, I'm probably the only person who goes flying down back-roads with a Lumina

It's unlikely, but I'll give a go at trying to find them used. Thanks for the help though, seriously.

[Brandon C]

Fresh pictures got shit upon by a NorEaster that hit me, started mid-afternoon and the news says it'll be sticking around until tomorrow. Gonna do some lurking in the meanwhile, any suggestions for threads is welcome.