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View Full Version : New member, not a new Alero owner...


surreal_awakening
03-12-2008, 11:07 AM
What's shaking people? So I just joined the site, but I'm not new to the Alero. I bought my 99 GLS Coupe in October of 98. I was originally on the Alero.org site when it was pretty much the only thing out there. Some of the names here seem familiar. Back in the day I was working on the "Million Mile Alero Project". I think I probably had 100k+ miles back then. I'm at 245k now, and the car has been sitting for the majority of the last 3 years. But I knew there was a reason I didn't get rid of it. After totaling my Mitsu Mirage back in January, and suffering with $3.25+ gas in my Cherokee (12mpg baby!), it's time to revive the ho once more.

As it stands now, she's bone stock, and a little worse for the wear. Mechanically she's just tired all around, with blown head gaskets right now being the biggest issue. Cosmetically, she's got very minor body damage up front that's barely noticeable, and the white rear bumper is an eyesore against the black body. The leather interior is just beat. The only mod is 17" 5-spoke wheels from a 2005 Bonneville which I plan on keeping at least for a while, and some Hankook tires. I'll get some baseline pics up here soon.

Primarily she's going to be a daily driver, so I'm not building a show car. I'm going to replace the struts and springs, wheel bearings, axles, steering rack, sway bars, add strut tower braces, along with all the small parts that go along with it. I'm going to do the brake upgrade while I'm at it also. I bought a wrecked GAGT about 2 years ago and stripped it for parts, so I'll be changing out the interior from neutral leather to gray cloth. Eventually I'll probably have the body cleaned up and painted, but no body kit. I wouldn't mind having the OSV kit, but mechanical issues have priority over my wallet right now. I'm looking to cap my investment around $3k. Also on the "wish list" with the OSV kit is mild engine upgrades. I have a complete spare 3400 engine and trans from the GAGT also. But again, not a priority for the time being.

I've already ordered Sprint springs and GR-2 struts, new wheel bearings at all 4 corners, and a new head set and head bolts to do the gaskets, so I'll be getting under way soon, once I finish compiling my parts.

Anyway, with that long intro out of the way, I'll try to get some pics up and keep you all posted on my progress. Oh, any input on rear brake upgrades yet?

cherrington17
03-12-2008, 11:12 AM
cliff is the man w/ rear brakes.

welcome aboard...er...back.

TheMeaningOfLife
03-12-2008, 11:12 AM
Wow, 245k!? Thats great to know they live that long! Welcome to the site!

Trickyslick
03-12-2008, 02:37 PM
Welcome and enjoy...

Midgear
03-12-2008, 06:05 PM
christ i thought 130k was alot :lol:

Daytona
03-14-2008, 12:17 PM
Welcome aboard!

[ion] C2
03-14-2008, 12:19 PM
Welcome!

Lame, I just got set down a notch on miles. I'm only at 180,000. (Well, I will be in a few miles, forgot to look at the odometer but its like 2-4 miles.) But I do have the highest mileage boosted Alero!

Redog
03-14-2008, 07:44 PM
245K on a 3.4 is very very very impressive. :eek:

Alero.org wasn't really that great, I was on there too.

surreal_awakening
03-18-2008, 11:23 PM
Ok, finally got some pics of the old hag...

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/surreal_awakening/1999%20Oldsmobile%20Alero/RIM00050.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/surreal_awakening/1999%20Oldsmobile%20Alero/RIM00041.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/surreal_awakening/1999%20Oldsmobile%20Alero/RIM00049.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/surreal_awakening/1999%20Oldsmobile%20Alero/RIM00048.jpg


I started tearing the engine apart this week to replace the gaskets. Aside from that, most of the parts are in now. KYB GR-2 Struts, Sprint Springs, new wheel bearings front and rear, new strut mounts front and rear, new CV axles, and a few odds and ends are all piled in my living room right now. A few more little items to order up and I'll be ready to roll putting it together.

billytheman1188
03-18-2008, 11:35 PM
get some pics of the ho' lowered! :-)

Welcome to the "new" alero site ;-)

adam337
03-18-2008, 11:36 PM
i like the whole three different color paint scheme

billytheman1188
03-18-2008, 11:38 PM
i like the whole three different color paint scheme

3? what are you smoking?:blink:

surreal_awakening
03-18-2008, 11:46 PM
Yep....silver GAGT mirrors, white bumper and black car. Although at one point I had a mismatched blue mirror, so it was 4 at one point.

billytheman1188
03-18-2008, 11:48 PM
Yep....silver GAGT mirrors, white bumper and black car. Although at one point I had a mismatched blue mirror, so it was 4 at one point.

LMAO, i didnt even see the mirrors:lol::lol:

tw0123
03-18-2008, 11:52 PM
^^ the body is black, the mirrors are silver and the rear bumper is white!! last time i checked that adds up to 3 different colours...

telcart
03-24-2008, 05:14 PM
That is one dirty engine bay!

CharleyO99Alero
03-24-2008, 05:46 PM
***

Welcome to the forums, surreal_awakening. :)


***

lonnie
03-27-2008, 02:08 PM
That is one dirty engine bay!This would officially make it four colors LOL! Welcome to the site and having that many miles on that car is very impresive, I wonder how much has been spent to reach that though.

surreal_awakening
03-27-2008, 02:45 PM
Prior to my current overhaul I spent very little on repairs and maintenance. 2 water pumps, 1 power steering pump, complete gasket set at 150k, 2 tensioner pulleys. Other than that I can't think of anything significant. I'm still on the original struts and springs. Just regular maintenance mostly. Mobil1 changed on a (semi-)regular basis

lonnie
03-27-2008, 03:02 PM
Prior to my current overhaul I spent very little on repairs and maintenance. 2 water pumps, 1 power steering pump, complete gasket set at 150k, 2 tensioner pulleys. Other than that I can't think of anything significant. I'm still on the original struts and springs. Just regular maintenance mostly. Mobil1 changed on a (semi-)regular basis
You must be doing all your own work, cause I can see those being very expensive depending on who does the work.

surreal_awakening
03-27-2008, 03:53 PM
Yes, I do all my own work.