Doug,
What's wrong with the forged SpeedTech spindles?
Andrew
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Doug,
What's wrong with the forged SpeedTech spindles?
Andrew
Andrew; I'm trying to resist LS. My friends keep telling me that too. Another friend wants me to drop a RB26 engine in it instead since that is much lighter but I will gladly stick with my Pontiac engine - don't want to modify too many things on this project. ;)
Thanks!
I wouldn't bother building new uprights just for changing the caster. For me, I wanted low scrub with a good SAI, centerbolt system - but not the one bolting an adapter flange to the hub, a modern wheel bearing and didn't want to use lots of adapters for the brakes etc. This was enought for making my own instead.
I created my own suspension geometry and didn't want to compromise too much, so that was why I did my own.
To utilize custom made uprights, you'll probably need custom arms, mounting points in the frame etc too.
I designed mine with 4° caster, 5° SAI and a small amount of Trail if I remember correct. I'm not in front of the CAD-computer right now...
I would probably also do RB26 all day long. It's not that important for me what engine there is, but the Pontiac engines are getting quite rare nowadays. Atleast when you look at modified cars here in Sweden.
I really wanna have a 180 degree crank (and cam) for my current engine. That would probably confuse a lot of people :)
Thanks for your reply, I appreciate it!
Thanks for reading my thread! ;)
I'm just glad if I can inspire/help.
Thing is that my current employer has the right equipment for fabricating a crank. Lathes are running 24/7 though and I don't know anyone at the Machining Site. ...yet.
Of course, private projects are not allowed. But some rules should just be considered a recommendation. ;)
A small sized, high reving Pontiac engine would suit this project quite well I think. I.e. my own version of a 303, which then would be called RAVI of course. ;)
Just dreaming right now, but it would be nice to have once the car is 'finished' and the chassis is sorted out.
Pics...
With a rolling chassis, I switched focus to start mounting doors and fenders. Really lousy fitment, but that will have to be fixed later. Right now, I just want to have them there so I can start wiring lights, build mounts for grilles, hood hinges etc.
Removed all paint from doors and fenders. Right door do have some battle scars, but my plan is to make a fiber glass outer skin once panel gaps etc has been adjusted. There fore I will just slap some bondo over it and grind it straight before I make a mold of it.
https://static1.pt-content.com/image...MG_51762-1.jpg
The lower part was warped (convex) due to the previous lead work, but I straightened that with a gas torch after watching 10 min on youtube. I probably should have watched atleast 20 min, but it came out OK and again - I'm not planning to keep the metal skin very long.
Refurbed the hinges too. Made new bushings in the lathe since the one I got with the kit had too much play. Now there's no play at all.
https://static1.pt-content.com/image..._DSC9491-1.jpg
Driver side:
https://static1.pt-content.com/image...MG_53872-1.jpg
Also "got the chance" to practice TIG-welding sheet metal on this one since I can't fit a MIG in my tiny garage.
https://static1.pt-content.com/image...DSC94761-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/image..._DSC9482-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/image...DSC94841-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/image..._DSC9486-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/image..._DSC9487-1.jpg
Turned out OK but not great. I'll have to continue to practice...
Just a quick grind here. It looked a little better once I was finished with it, but definitely not a pro at this yet. Will probably never be either...
https://static1.pt-content.com/image..._DSC9490-1.jpg
And BOOM! How's that?
https://static1.pt-content.com/image...IMG_5462-1.jpg
Looks better than it is, though. No mounts for fenders or front yet. No references at all so this will take some time...
https://static1.pt-content.com/image...IMG_5499-1.jpg
Looks fantastic! And I like where you're going with the sketches on the fender!
Very nice! I love this build.
Oh, and I bought an english wheel, so that I can fix my 'sketches on the fenders'. ;)
Foldable, wall hanged, unit. Good quality impression, but some minor things need to be addressed before I can start using it.
https://static1.pt-content.com/image...MG_50942-1.jpg
Mounted the front fenders and did as good as I could with lining them up to the doors. The panel work on my car is really really bad - atleast one door and one fender has been changed during its life and probably something else too. They're definitely not lining up very good, so I will have to address that. Later. Right now, I just want them there so that I can fab attachment points for front of fenders, front, lower valance panel, headlights etc - so that I can start routing the last wires of the electrical system.
Used this device, which I don't even know the Swedish name of, for finding the center body line. With that, it was easy to mark an exact position to align against on all panels.
https://static1.pt-content.com/image...IMG_5737-1.jpg
I remember measuring the body before I started designing the suspension in CAD. Obviously, I didn't leave much margin between metal and rubber... I will have to build new wheel arches anyway, so it won't be a problem.
https://static1.pt-content.com/image...IMG_5764-1.jpg
Rear fitment suddenly looks lame. I do have some space problems between inner tire and inner part of the wheel house so I'm just running a 285 on a 10.5" rim. A 295 or 305 would probably be better... making the dedione wider isn't that much work and I haven't ordered the final half shafts yet, so I can fine tune this in the future depending on how the front wheel arches comes out.
https://static1.pt-content.com/image...IMG_5765-1.jpg
Aaaaaaand 2019 livery is now official! White, blue (well...) and red! All panels are fixed with clecos, now I can start fabricating front supports for the fenders.
https://static1.pt-content.com/image..._DSC9728-1.jpg
I think that is called a contour gauge. I also think you need to paint it in 'Merica livery...LOL
Andrew
Thanks Andrew, you're probably right. :)
Started extending the radiator frame to support the front fenders.
Fixture and measuring everything 25 times. Really really hard to find reference points (I'm probably way to picky here) but after making sure that sides are straight, both fenders are level, hood fits, front fits (well... let's get back to that later...) I made this hyper sophisticated fixture - 3/4" square tube and two clamps - to keep the fenders in the right place while I was building the supports.
https://static1.pt-content.com/image..._DSC9758-1.jpg
I love my mill...
https://static1.pt-content.com/image...IMG_5691-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/image...IMG_5693-1.jpg
Mounting points for radiator frame. When I did it, luckily I remembered that I was gonna have fenders on it - sooner or later - so I left room for a couple of threaded holes in top and bottom of it for later use (but I forgot hood support and hood lock, unfortunately...).
Tacked together. I was gonna have another bar making a X, but it's really stiff so I'l probably leave it like this. I'll add some tubes later to hold the head and parking lights.
https://static1.pt-content.com/image..._DSC9756-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/image..._DSC9757-1.jpg
Awesome as usual. As for the hood latch, you could always just run pins or the aero catch latch systems.