So I'm sure that some people might not take interest in this build but I saved a car that was headed to the scrap heap. I started with a Belvedere and searched for some sort of upgrades to make the perform a bit better like a brake swap or better suspension stuff. I ended up swapping the suspension with C4 Corvette stuff front and rear. To top it off I found a Gen 1 Viper motor on craigslist for $600. I'm not passing this off as a traditional build by any means, however, I want to leave the car as original looking on the outside as possible. I guess this falls into the "restomod" category. I've been making time lapses of progress.
Time Lapses-
04-29-2012
Mingus
Welcome to the site. Very cool build. It's fun seeing all of the "alternative" cars on here lately. BTW, C4 'Vette suspension and a Viper engine qualify as PT in my book.
04-29-2012
53Vipette
4 Attachment(s)
I ended up not using the original dash, I couldn't stand the thought of cutting it up. I just used 1/4" round bar and some 22 ga. metal to cover it with. The dash took me a few days and there is still a lot of little stuff I have to finish on it. Eventually, I'll cover it in suede and body work/paint the rest. I pretty much did the same thing on the trans tunnel which will be removable. The Gen 1 motors have the thermostat housing on the back of the motor so in the case of needing to service I can get to it. The swap was pretty straight forward, oddly enough the Viper motors use Dodge truck motor mounts which car easily adaptable to almost anything. It should be noted the viper motors are uniquely large. Also, some of the parts interchange, I currently have a Gen 3 intake on a Gen 1 motor with Gen 2 tube headers. You can get most of these parts cheap on eBay. Attachment 58843 Attachment 58844 Attachment 58847 Attachment 58845 Attachment 58842 Attachment 58846 Attachment 58884
04-29-2012
53Vipette
7 Attachment(s)
I finished the passenger side floors, unfortunately my real job will be consuming my life for the next few months. So don't expect updates until like March/April. However, I can still answer questions if you have any. I leave you with these last pics until my return. What you can expect to see after the next few months is the rest of the parts I need to continue with this project. To continue I'll need to find a fuel cell and pump, steering column, brake pedals(might end up making some), seats and harnesses, shockwave's and air management, finally is an I.S.I.S power system. I want to do this as well... http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/h...s/viewall.html I figured since I already have a bunch of high tech stuff going on I might as well make it as safe and stable of a platform as possible. I tend to get carried away with these projects so it might end up being a full on race car that I drive on the street. We shall see.
Thanks for reading
Matt Attachment 58848Attachment 58849Attachment 58850Attachment 58851Attachment 58852Attachment 58853Attachment 58854
04-29-2012
662door
I love it! Keep it going.
04-29-2012
53Vipette
This week I received my steering column in the mail so I could press on with the pedal placement and the seating configuration. It's an tilt/telescopic unit out of a C5 Corvette. Eventually I'd like integrate the ABS/Active Handling unit from a similar car into this project.
To start I had to cut the firewall/floor out of the car to make room for the Tilton pedals. I had an issue with the placement of components, to include the seats, pedals and steering wheel, the problem was the with how the car "fit" me I guess. I had to mess with it for a while but I figured everything out. After all that I had to make a few brackets and mounts to hold everything in place, it was really straight forward. Overall, I think the setup is really comfortable, but it's an odd feeling sitting so high up. I really have no choice in the matter because of the height and length of the windshield and hood respectively. All that is left is finish welding everything and build a small set of gussets for the upper support that connects to the body.
A side note also.. I've finally got my CNC Plasma table working, but I still like the satisfaction that comes from making parts by hand. I'll save the table for when I need to make a bunch of the same parts, like the seat brackets.
I spent the day doing the center console... It took me a while to just get this far. I had to clean and organize the shop today, it never seems to fail that after only a few hours of working the place looks a bomb went off. I really didn't know what I wanted to do with this console I kind of just free formed it. All I wanted was something visually stimulating. After a few more hours of working with it I should be able to get it looking way better.
I'll briefly explain the process I went through to get the basic design. I measured everything like ten times and tried to visualize how I wanted it to look. I was shooting for something that was simple but had the circa 1950s futuristic feel with out over powering the dash. So that seems like a lot more than what you really see here, but hey everyone needs some inspiration! Anyways, I don't have a brake right now so I used my slip form roller to add a radius to the console.. which makes another set of problems. The roller is only 37" long and I need a console that was about 41" long thus the splice piece. Since all of this will be removable to service the rear of the motor ( i.e. the thermostat housing and rear spark plugs) and various other components I had to make it in several interlock and overlapping parts. In some of the photos you'll notice that the rear of the console has a gap between the body brace, yet the front "tubes" touch the upper rear engine cover. The plan is to be able to lift and slide the console back to remove it. Also, it's going to function as a main support between the two sections of flooring. I'll build some hidden braces that are constructed similar to an aircraft rib. I suspect that this will be more than rigid enough since it's constructed out of 18 ga steel plus the addition on the internal supports should yield plenty of strength. The remainder will be filled in sheet metal which you should see in the coming days or at least by the weekend.
Wow, unbelievable work. I scanned through the pictures before i read, i knew instantly by how far back that engine was set back (and the transmission) that it had to be a viper v10 haha.. I love the idea of trying to keep it stock appearing from the outside, great fab work with the tunnels and the floor, cant wait to see more. Good luck on the build!
Ps: i just started watching the time lapses, very cool!
04-29-2012
53Vipette
21 Attachment(s)
I should probably include a few pictures of the outside of the car and the suspension swap. It might help since a little fancy metal work on the inside doesn't really make cars go fast and handle well on the track. I've spent the last few months doing as little as possible to the outside. The only real mods I've done are a roll pan which will continue into a full belly pan later on. The front and rear suspension was a learning experience for sure. The rear subframe was pretty simple however, it was a challenge to try and fit those wide ass wheels under the car. I ended up cutting the inner fender wells and liners out so I could make room. Luckily, the trunk was all rusted out so it wasn't a totally loss when I had to cut it out for the rear end. With the front I just made new stubs out of 2x4 box tubing. Right now they are a little long, I wanted them long so I could connect them to the core support and have something to mount the swap bar to. Eventually this car will get a full set of Shockwaves and I'll dump the 'vette springs and shock set ups.
The other forum this is on didn't go over well with them... I figured you guys would like it more. Thanks for the support too!
04-29-2012
53Vipette
Quote:
Originally Posted by 662door
I love it! Keep it going.
I've been at this for a while so I have a ton of pics from the past progress I hope you have enjoyed the build so far.
04-29-2012
53Vipette
Quote:
Originally Posted by ALLstrokedOUT
Wow, unbelievable work. I scanned through the pictures before i read, i knew instantly by how far back that engine was set back (and the transmission) that it had to be a viper v10 haha.. I love the idea of trying to keep it stock appearing from the outside, great fab work with the tunnels and the floor, cant wait to see more. Good luck on the build!
Ps: i just started watching the time lapses, very cool!
I didn't realize early on how far back it was really going to be until I cut the firewall and set it in. That was the first "Oh ****!" moment we had on the project after that it started to get challenging in a fun way. I just hope it is fun to drive! Thanks for watching and there will be more to come soon.
Sorry for your loss. That sucks someone smashed your Mopar.. I'll be reading that thread tomorrow at work now!
04-29-2012
cobragt
Nice fab work!
04-30-2012
Dirtleg
Very nice I like this alot. Interesting combination of parts and unique car to start with. Keep the updates coming.
04-30-2012
wellis77
Quote:
Originally Posted by 53Vipette
I didn't realize early on how far back it was really going to be until I cut the firewall and set it in. That was the first "Oh ****!" moment...
I know that all too well. Seems we think a little bit alike. I'm using Gen 3 Viper suspension, Gen 2 eng/trans, Gen 4 hood skin, Gen 3 buckets and pedal assembly (planning something from each generation in the build, even the new one), RideTech, ISIS, MiModHP, ... I can relate to the fun challenges. I'm still working through a steering rack challenge on my build. Requires some creative engineering but we'll get there. I really like this build though and will definitely be following along.
I like to Gen 3 intake swap. I'm going to swap the entire upper half to Gen 4, change the cam, boom, 600 HP. Love the motor though, but yeah, it's HUGE!
Good luck with your build.
04-30-2012
nicke
I love it! Awesome build! Can't wait to see more!
04-30-2012
aidanfancystang
WOW that is going to be badass!!!
04-30-2012
dusterbd13
so, so righteous.
dont paint it. or prime it. or anything else. its just right the way it is.