Project Bad Penny - more changes because done is boring

[Steve1968LS2]

Steve,
I've seen vintage trans am cars where they raised the inner fenders up for clearance, so much that they had to put a notch in where the hood hinges were hitting.
David
Check this photo and notice the fender attachment flanges are bend inward towards the engine. The inner fenders look more like a second gen. See the notches near the hinges?

Tires going "up" isn't really a problem.. we get a bit of rubbing when at full lock and compressed in a turn. That's what we'll be fixing.

and maybe a 440 cui LS (alum) engine just for fun...

[JEFFTATE]

Steve,
I've seen vintage trans am cars where they raised the inner fenders up for clearance, so much that they had to put a notch in where the hood hinges were hitting.
David
Check this photo and notice the fender attachment flanges are bend inward towards the engine. The inner fenders look more like a second gen. See the notches near the hinges?

It seems like that idea could be taken even further , by removing material from the fender flange and moving the mount way upward..
Kinda' completely remove the crease that's up by the hood and hinges..

As for the functional louvers , the doors on them may have to slide rather than swing to open and close . Because of air cleaner clearance....

[wmhjr]

Steve, that thing is magnificent. Makes my fingers itch wanting to get behind the wheel of it. A word of advice - if you ever hear I'm out on the west coast in your area, make sure the car is hermetically sealed and locked somewhere I cannot find it. I'm not sure any real car guy could resist.

[Steve1968LS2]

Steve, that thing is magnificent. Makes my fingers itch wanting to get behind the wheel of it. A word of advice - if you ever hear I'm out on the west coast in your area, make sure the car is hermetically sealed and locked somewhere I cannot find it. I'm not sure any real car guy could resist.

Hey, come out to an event and you can take her for a spin.. just ask Jeff Tate.. lol

[David Pozzi]

I think we're going to have to put a longer throw gas pedal in Penny.

[Steve1968LS2]

I think we're going to have to put a longer throw gas pedal in Penny.

Didn't you tell me you wanted another 100 hp for Gingerman???

and I have this nitrous kit just sitting in my garage...

[Young Gun]

Didn't you tell me you wanted another 100 hp for Gingerman???

and I have this nitrous kit just sitting in my garage...

So Steve... Looking to adopt any time soon, I would be happy to drive you around all day in penny, Im sure that can get stressful and what not... lol She looks awesome as usual, jealous is a gross understatement i think

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

DOH!!! I f'd up and forgot about that.. my appologies. I would blame it on the holidays, but that's lame.

Will get on it tonight.

thanks my man!!

[Steve1968LS2]

So Steve... Looking to adopt any time soon, I would be happy to drive you around all day in penny, Im sure that can get stressful and what not... lol She looks awesome as usual, jealous is a gross understatement i think

Thanks... I'm just really fortunate that my job helps me make my "visions" happen..

Of course I'm just as broke.. but I have nicer stuff to show for it. lol

You need to come out here for the Del Mar autocross or something..

[trapin]

The carbon fiber with that Prowler Orange paint is just too much. Just when you think a car can't get any prettier...boom! I know you borrowed that stuff from Track Rat but I would definitely make carbon fiber a permanent addition to Penny.

Any plans to bring it back out to the mid-west for Gingerman and Pigeon Forge again?

[JEFFTATE]

Hey, come out to an event and you can take her for a spin.. just ask Jeff Tate.. lol

I done drove Penny !!

[srh3trinity]

Now you are talking about a 440 LS? It is always fun to see scope creep (unless you are paying the bills I guess), especially when we are talking about Penny. Upgrades to Penny keep the winter months interesting, so it is money well spent.

[preston]

Tires going "up" isn't really a problem.. we get a bit of rubbing when at full lock and compressed in a turn. That's what we'll be fixing.

If you don't have to be careful to keep the tires from hitting the tops of the fenders during jounce, your car is not lowered enough

[steelerguy]

Hey Steve, how do you like that AutoRad radiator? Curious to hear about the fitment challenges. I am very close to ordering one but wanted to get the opinion of someone who has already installed one.

[Steve1968LS2]

Hey Steve, how do you like that AutoRad radiator? Curious to hear about the fitment challenges. I am very close to ordering one but wanted to get the opinion of someone who has already installed one.

We really like it... there were a couple of issues that found. The nice part is that I spoke with the owner and he's making changes to future kits base on my suggestions. It's nice to see responses like this from companies.

Problem on was that the core support mount sat 3/4 or and inch too high. This means we needed a thicker spacer or a "stepped" mount. Future kits will have a way to step the mount. Not a big deal, but a PITA to fab on the spot.

Problem two was that on the LS style radiator the fill cap should be on the driver's side. In this configuration you would have a hard time running the car with the cap off (to fill, etc) since it would splash from the water pump inlet.

Like I said future ones will be changed. Other than that I love the kit. If you look at the earlier pics I posted you can really see how much bigger the opening is. When I mount my huge Setrab 925 cooler it's only going to shroud a small percent of the radiator and the increased cooling capacity should be really nice to have.

In my case we're going to move the cap ourselves. Here it is with thier optional core support closeout. I think it's pretty sweet looking, but I've gotten use to the DSE version, so we're going to fab it to work.

Also, the Autorad deal gives more clearance between the radiator fans and the water pump, so people would have an easier time with packaging an air induction system.

Here's a shot with their closeout...



Finalized the Oil Cooler system:

Canton high-flow t-stat
Setrab 925 oil cooler

Cooler is like this one:
http://www.patrickmotorsports.com/part/1574/

The cooler will me mountd to bosses on the pass side of the radiator. The 10 AN lines will pass through the core support via bulkhead fitttings and go to the t-stat mounted to front side of the core support. All the lines on the front will be hard lines. This way the cooling system will be integral to the core support.

Also finalized the new engine:

440 cui LS engine
Darton MID sleeves in an LS2 block
Lunati Pro Crank = 4" stroke
4.185 Bore
Wiseco -8cc pistons
Compression should be 11.2:1 with 70 cc heads
K1 lightweght H-beam rods (6.125")
Canton oil pan

Either
235 Trick flow heads with Fast 92mm intake
or
Mast 12-degree Black Lable LS3 style heads with FAST 102mm intake

We're guessing 660 hp and right at 600 ft-lbs or torque.

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

damn,... that looks great!

[dlouie87]

Hi steve,
can you give me more info on the 90 degree elbow on throttle body? is it custom?

-Dan

[Steve1968LS2]

Hi steve,
can you give me more info on the 90 degree elbow on throttle body? is it custom?

-Dan

It's a cast aluminum part from Street and Performance ( www.hotrodlane.cc )

The MAF is special from them as well and holds to one side using a set screw. If you call them they should know what it is by the description. I need to call them soon and order one for the Track Rat engine.

[dlouie87]

Thanks!

I'm not looking forward in replacing my stock MAF.. maybe I can get a aluminum welder to make one.

BTW, your car on speedhunters was my inspiration to start a classic car project from a Subaru :D

[Steve1968LS2]

Thanks!

I'm not looking forward in replacing my stock MAF.. maybe I can get a aluminum welder to make one.

BTW, your car on speedhunters was my inspiration to start a classic car project from a Subaru :D

You can use a stock MAF with that elbow.. you just need to connect it with a piece of hose. This way is a bit cleaner. The elbow itself make the intake fab process MUCH easier.