Satan's "Lady Bug"

[454bug]

Looking good Ray. Glad to see a lot of progress was made since the last big update!

Thanks dude! I hope your projects are progressing as well!

[454bug]

Oh man, Of all the bug projects I've found on the internet, this one is the most thorough. Hell, I even joined the forum to pick your brain on some stuff.

My big question - how is the body bolted to the frame? (I can kinda see some tabs in the pictures) More importantly, did you re-use the original body locations and heater channels, or did you make new steel sections?

Follow up - how sealed is the floor? Is there a gap under the custom sheet metal floor / sills?

I understand it is a track / nice weather car - so water isn't as big of a concern, but I wanted to get mine to sit pretty closed off from the elements. Also mine is pretty rusty where the channels are, so I'd have to make new channel sections. (or weld it all to flat plate.

I attached some pictures of the bug and the plans for the future for fun.

Thanks for taking the time!!

Hey Backlash,

Thanks for checking in!

You are welcome to search through my build thread and catch some discussions on the mounting of the body to the frame. For instance, I have copied a few pictures from one of the posts from page 40 of this thread:








As you can see, we cut out the heater channels on both sides of the body. We welded in flat plate in place of the channels.




You can see where we'll cut to by the white line marked underneath:



We than built mounting connections on the bottom of the body to meet these tabs. My sheetmetal guy built some close out plates to cover this up.

To answer your question about the gaps under the car, after the exhaust is fitted, we will see what space is needed to be covered up and/or insulated. As previously discussed, I will powder coat all aluminum panels. After they are installed in place, there will be a layer of material applied to the bottom side of the panels. This "lizard skin" type product will help with sealing, temperature control, and sound deadening to some degree.

As you mentioned, I'm not really concerned with a perfect waterproof fit since I doubt this vehicle will ever experience rain/bad weather!

Good luck with your project! I look forward to seeing a build thread on it on one of these sites. When you get started, send me a link to where it will be located. Take care!

[454bug]

Oh man, Of all the bug projects I've found on the internets this one is the most thorough. Hell, I even joined the forum to pick your brain on some stuff.

My big question - how is the body bolted to the frame? (I can kinda see some tabs in the pictures) More importantly, did you re-use the original body locations and heater channels, or did you make new steel sections?

Follow up - how sealed is the floor? Is there a gap under the custom sheet metal floor / sills?

I understand it is a track / nice weather car - so water isn't as big of a concern, but I wanted to get mine to sit pretty closed off from the elements. Also mine is pretty rusty where the channels are, so I'd have to make new channel sections. (or weld it all to flat plate.

I attached some pictures of the bug and the plans for the future for fun.

Thanks for taking the time!!

Hey Backlash,

To give you an idea of how they came out, here's some pictures from the panels fitted, tacked, and welded in:

[mc84_zz4]

Ray!
It’s great to see you’re making progress, even with all the 4,238 other things going on.
The panels amaze me every time we see updates, truly well done!
I’m looking forward to more installments of this insane project.

[454bug]

Ray!
It’s great to see you’re making progress, even with all the 4,238 other things going on.
The panels amaze me every time we see updates, truly well done!
I’m looking forward to more installments of this insane project.

Hey Dave,

Thanks for checking in!

A new chapter is opening with my project! Finally, after 8 long, excruciating years the car is back in my garage!



Here are my partners in crime (co-workers) that helped me go pick up the car and all the bits and pieces.


Sittin' low and nasty!








I'm fixin' to piss off some neighbors!!!

[Motown 454]

I'm fixin' to piss off some neighbors!!!
Growing up that was my favorite thing to do! Glad to see it home! It sure has personality with that hunk of horse power sitting up front.

[TheBandit]

Absolutely stellar project! Congrats on getting it home.

[chop top cortina mk2]

love this car, love what your doing cant wait to see more.

[tommycomfort]

Man, I've been following this thread for about as long as I can remember. Seeing it on the ground like that is truly exciting!

[rixtrix1]

Man, I've been following this thread for about as long as I can remember. Seeing it on the ground like that is truly exciting!

Me, too!!!

[454bug]

Absolutely stellar project! Congrats on getting it home.

Thanks Bandit!

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love this car, love what your doing cant wait to see more.

You've got quite the project yourself! I look forward to seeing your progress as well!

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Man, I've been following this thread for about as long as I can remember. Seeing it on the ground like that is truly exciting!

Hey Tommy,

Yeah, it FEELS like it's been going on FOREVER!! I hope I can make up for lost time, now that it's back in my possession!

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Me, too!!!

[454bug]

I'm fixin' to piss off some neighbors!!!
Growing up that was my favorite thing to do! Glad to see it home! It sure has personality with that hunk of horse power sitting up front.

Hey Wayne,

I know you can relate to these kind of timing frustrations!

Because this project has drug on for so long, it has experienced just about every type of "scope creep" possible. The last piece of the project that hasn't changed was the engine. Well, now it has. My car has only been at my house for a week and look what's happened:

[Motown 454]

Wow! Looking for more power ? lol

[454bug]

If you haven't been to the "For Sale - Parts" page lately, I posted my drive train there! The last big piece of the puzzle to transform my hotrod is to install of a de-stroked LS7 (388 or 400 cubic inch). 8,500 rpm, 725-750 hp, 575-585 torque. I want a zinger!!

The low torque, high rpm will suit the 2,500# car much better.

Backed by a Liberty Gears T56 Magnum!

[454bug]

Wow! Looking for more power ? lol

Actually coming down about 100hp or so... But MUCH less torque (~250 less torque). With this light, relatively shorter wheelbase (96"), it needs less torque and more rpm's! I have raced my '89 Mustang for a number of years now and the sustained, high rpm's needed on a lot of these long sweeping turns is much better handled with extra rpm's. I envisioned using lower rpm's and torquing my way around the track with the big block but I don't think the longevity of the motor would be there. The last thing I would want to experience is a connecting rod coming through the block at 150 mph and oil bathing my tires!!!

I am making REALLY good deals on brand new parts that have done nothing but help me mock things up. Someone is going to save a LOT of money.

I've already sold my overdrive, F/I intake, and valve covers. I've got a lot of other parts I need to get listed. 95% of the parts are all brand new.

I could list these parts on other sites. But, I want to start here because this is where I've made my internet home for the last 12 years. I want to let this community get first shot at parts before I list them on Racing Junk and other sites. I hope I can help out a number of other site members get their project some needed parts.

If I can sell a few of the bigger pieces, I can order my motor, LS bellhousing, dry sump stuff, etc.

To be continued...

[Motown 454]

I hear you about switching directions, It's a curse around here. Your expected to switch at least once.

[454bug]

I hear you about switching directions, It's a curse around here. Your expected to switch at least once.

This is true! It's like a requirement.

These projects take so long to complete. The world changes around you so fast. I just want to finish the project and get to enjoy it! I promised myself, this is the LAST change!

[Bugzilla]

Ray - Dont feel bad. I am now on my 3rd different engine.... Its just how these things go. I did the opposite though. Each time I get a new engine, it gets bigger with less rpm haha

[454bug]

Ray - Don't feel bad. I am now on my 3rd different engine.... Its just how these things go. I did the opposite though. Each time I get a new engine, it gets bigger with less rpm haha

Hey Sean,

It's really a sickness! What seemed powerful 10 years ago isn't anymore. Well, as long as we are having fun, that's what counts!

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[454bug]

Hey everyone,

As always, I hope all of your projects have been coming along for you. I have REALLY enjoyed this working from home since March! The hour saved every day from no commuting has been great spending it out in the garage. In addition, I've been able to jump out there during my lunch break as well.

As mentioned earlier, I've made the decision to sell my BBC setup and go LS. I've been successful in selling some parts so far. I'm only advertising right now on Pro Touring. If I get closer to needing my new motor some time next year, I will step up my advertising when the time is right. I wanted to give this awesome community of gear heads first chance at everything since this is where I've spent the last 12 years!

I have a few updates I wanted to post. I learned a few things over the years with this project. Therefore, instead of purchasing my motor early on and then it sitting for extended periods of time, I decided to purchase a mock-up LS engine. I will make my engine purchase much closer to when I am ready for it! Fortunately, I found a local company just a few miles from my house that produces every conceivable engine made with dimensionally correct layout of bolt patterns across the entire model. You can install headers, intakes, water pumps, oil pans, etc. on it. VERY cool! And it only weighs about 40 pounds.





It's amazing how much more room I will have in my engine bay with this motor versus my BBC!





I purchased some Billet Specialties LS conversion motor plates:



And, fortunately, I located some Kooks Mid-Length headers that fit perfectly without having to go custom!



Perfect clearance!