More recent pictures of the '95

Nice job Andrew, might have to consider that when my ELC goes!

pretty clever ...looks cool

I looks really good Andrew the port holes look really good to and I really like those rims, I wish I could find some of those, the ones I have are a pain in the a#@ to clean and they don't look nearly as nice.

Thanks all .

Black Shadow - you have those old silver rims too? Those are now winter wheels for me haha. Have you seen them in chrome? I would LOVE to have a chrome set of them.

Another small update - I gained access to another used K&N cone filter the other day and cleaned and re-oiled it. Turned out brand new so I turned it loose on the Riv and made a FWI. It's a full 3.5" intake so it's nice and even all the way to the throttle body.

I used to have just a K&N drop-in with a gutted air box and the supercharger was nice and noticeable when you got on it. I liked it. I set up this FWI today and the sound is not any louder, which i find surprising. I also can't say I noticed a huge difference in power gain, if anything. I had to run to the bank, which is on the way to where i normally work, so I decided to see if the intake made a difference on a commute I'm used to. The car SEEMS more responsive and little more spunky, but I dunno. Was the setup I had just as good, do you think?

Changed the oil today and decided to the engine cleaned up! Looks pretty good for what it was. I never cleaned it much since last year when I bought it because it wasn't that bad, really. A while back I took the supercharger off twice for various reasons and that was scuzzy, but I just wiped it off. This time, I went through the whole thing with a toothbrush mwahaha. Didn't take me long because it STILL wasn't that dirty. Anyway, a clean engine is a happy engine.

NICE! Wanna come do mine? I will buy the toothbrush! LOL

Seriously though, good to see you haven't got a piano tied to your ass like i do somedays.

nice. Clean engine = sweet.

"Lookin sharp"

I don't mean to bring back my old post from years ago, but I just wanted to let you all know that my '95 is now out for the count .

Over the last year, at some point, unibody rust developed and the subframe is no longer stable and is going to collapse. The rust and rot is extensive enough that it's not repairable within most people's means and I've decided to part it out. I'll be making a thread once I get the car up the snowy hill and into the garage to start work.

I'm not leaving the site, in face I"m looking for a Riviera to replace it, but I wanted to thank you all for the HUGE amounts of advice on the car, and I'm grateful for having learned so much from all of you.

It's been a good supercharged ride, but it's time to park.

I'll be waiting, I'm going to need a box o parts from you. Wish you were closer cuz i could use that passenger seat.

As will I... Just think of it like donating organs, your keeping other Rivs alive with your misfortune

Thanks guys. I'm actually pretty upset right now about it - I had such an emotional attachment to that car because I did all the work myself. Sigh lol.

Bowersk - That is a shame! The passenger seat is in perfect condition. Most of the interior is perfect actually. Except the carpet. Anyway, that'll be in the parting-out thread.

You and Hometown Hero - we'll talk then! Just waiting for the snow to go away so I can get the car up into the ManCaveGarage. Everything available except the drivetrain - make a list for me!

Sad to hear Andrew, the car looks great. When you actually get workin' on the car, could ya take a few pics of the structure damage for the rest of us to keep an eye on? Also, thank you for offering up parts here, I will definately need some.

Good idea BMD. I will certainly do that. Anything to help support the website that supported me. And hey, like I told the others, make a list. Should have the car in the ManCaveGarage soon to start working on pulling it apart...within 2 weeks I HOPE.

Sorry to see. Hope you are able to find another replacement soon.

That's to bad b/c your Riv looks very nice otherwise. can't you replace the cradle? I actually just had a similar problem with my 98 and I already located a couple of replacements for the job come spring. Those things are rust prone on the cars especially in the northern half of the US where there is snow and the most dreaded SALT! I will not give up on the RIVI.....

Well it's not actually the cradle that's the problem...it's the body that's rotted and where the cradle bolts into the body has just about disintegrated. At my cousin's shop, all 3 of my cousin's looked at it, as well as two of the mechanics there and they all said 'oh...sh*t.'

I really don't want to have to end the car's life, but for what the problem is, there's no cost-effective wait to do it. The damage is so severe it would make any welder cry.

But you're right, if it were just the subframe, I'd be on the trail of one by now I'm sure. And I'm sure you're right....salt was the culprit

Thanks for the timely reply. As I said my cradle just failed on Saturday afternoon on a trip and I had to get someone to drive my F-350 down to me and then rent a uhaul car trailer to get it back home in the terrible winter storm that hit the Midwest area. Anyway 10.5 hours later I got it back home. I wish only the cradle needed replacing on yours but I will take a look to make sure mine isn't rotten up there too. Thanks for letting me know this.

Ugh that's terrible. That's exactly why i quit driving the car last week whenever I saw my problem. Well it seems like you're on a good track now, and yes, please check under the body where the mounts are and check the metal structure. I'm paranoid for other people in the rust belt now lol.

Sorry to hear that, man! I know it hurts when you gotta give up the ride--been there, done that.

try selling to whole thing for parts.

Yeah I thought about that but I'd much rather take the time to split it up myself and know that the parts would for the most part be going to members of this board and be well used.

I can't say I WANTED to take the car apart, but it'll be more rewarding for me in the end. And for whoever buys parts lol.

Here everyone - got two pictures tonight real quick of why you should check under your car once in a while and check for rust....aka, the reason my car is going to Buick Heaven:

Passenger outside mount:
http://www.zamiska.net/z/rustmount01.jpg

Drivers side inside mount, facing front of car:
http://www.zamiska.net/z/rustmount02.jpg

I know these may not look like TOO much, but there's ZERO metal above or around the passenger mounts...nothing to weld to, rot everywhere else. The driver's side isn't as bad, but still not feasibly fixable.

Wow, thanks for the pics and for the heads up Andrew.