[GTZ]

hey all,
Im Brad. Ive had a 97 Astro awd for 2 years now. I bought it for $2500 with 130k on it. I cant leave anything stock so its gotten some attention on the inerior. mainly an 03' fully loaded harness which allowed me to add rear heat and A/C, power mirrors, overhead display, Upgraded sound system with door tweeters and rear amp and controls, power seat, and all the appropriot bells and whistles for a 3door rear conversion. It also had its commercial grill and lights swapped out and super-high quality chineese 9006 hids! I pimped my ride.
My old man bought a VanExpress edition brand new in 87' and ive always thought they were cool. Im a little more into Berettas than vans (hence GTZ) but theres a time and place for both. One of the main reasons I got the van is I plan to eventually trailer my 90' GTZ to the drag strip as it has a Quad4 engine built for nitrous and I can't imagine the cv axles among other things holding out for long.
I tend to drift my van in the snow. Actually the reason I signed up now is I think I broke something doing doughnuts in my yard showing off to my wrx buddy and I need some help. I know I know newbies are so needy. Its got a rear-end klunk and its acting like the spiders welded solid. Ill make a post in the appropriate place though.

 

[Big_kid]

Welcome aboard!
:chevy:

 

[astro355]

Yes, welcome to the site. Funny thing is I'll be up in Madison on Saturday.

 

[AstroAustin]

Hi Brad. Lets see some photos of this interior and front end pimped ride.
Come around often!

 

[Matrixx]

Hi GTZ

Welcome aboard.

 

[GTZ]

I tried to post a pic but it turns out i dont know what im doing. Im horrible with computers and this is different from the other forums ive been on. So basically if some one could walk me through how to do that ill try again.

 

[Positive P]

Welcome,welcome,welcome!

 

[fede]

Welcome to the forums!! Id love to see some pics of your van!! Ill try to help you post them.
If you already have them on a website just right click the image, click properties and copy and paste the link.
If you dont have them online just go to: http://www.imageshack.us/ and upload them on there. They'll give you a link and just copy and paste them.

 

[GTZ]

lets see what this does...


This was like day one when I got it.

 

[GTZ]

van front. I think im gettin it now! Also my van wont start! I think its just out of gas though.

 

[GTZ]

Pretty clean under hood. I think I might have cleaned it up when I had to do a water pump this winter.


Im out of van pics! So heres my 69 Impala project. All origional. Im gonna paint it 69 vett "rally yellow"

 

[GTZ]

The nice thing with those 2 vehicles is they keep me out of trouble. Where as this one gets me in trouble. 171whp Quad4, Its getting M/Ts this year and a close ratio trans. Im expecting a low 14sec 1/4 mile. Then im going to spray and 80hp wet shot on it and see how blow-up-able it is.

 

[astro355]

I would try a 50 shot first, at least you would get a couple passes before it goes. I have worked with some of those quad 4's in the past, they can be pretty quick. Which track do you go to?

 

[GTZ]

Ya im gonna start small and test everything on the dyno first.
Mainly Byron and Eauclaire. Its been to different tracks all around depending on where we have beretta gatherings or (dont laugh)"Berettafest" Ive run at Columbus,OH/ Detroit/ Cordova by Geneseo, IL/ Last year we raced somewhere just under Toronto.
Ive run at Da-Grove but I don't like it. My 60' looked like I was launching in grass.

 

[astro355]

Yeah, track prep goes a long way. That's why I usually stick to Byron. I'll go to RSD sometimes if I feel like listening to everyone trying to get spots. :roll:

 

[GTZ]

Ya people just seem smarter at Byron.

 

[astro355]

The next time your at Byron, you'll have to let me know. I think I will be down there April 11th or 12th.