Project WidowMaker - The Chevelle Build Thread

[agto8u]

Read your entire build, WOW! Mad skills and attention to detail. You mentioned using a router to make quick work of aluminum, interesting. What type of bits do you use and where do you get them?



Thanks,

Adrian

[chunger]

How do you attach the MDF to each other and to the trunk area? Just screw it down?

[The WidowMaker]

Read your entire build, WOW! Mad skills and attention to detail. You mentioned using a router to make quick work of aluminum, interesting. What type of bits do you use and where do you get them?

i use carbide wood router bits from mlcs. cheap and good. take multiple small slower passes and they cut like butter. id say it take me about twice as long to do something in aluminum as it would with wood.

How do you attach the MDF to each other and to the trunk area? Just screw it down?

i wanted to use as few screws as possible and keep these pieces removable. i have my battery on the right side and all my isis stuff and amp will be over the axle. plus if i take it to an autocross event i can pull all this out in a couple minutes to load a jack, stands and tools and not worry about messing up the panels. with that said, there are 4, 3/4" square maple strips underneath for a flat base that will be screwed to the sheetmetal. i will only use a couple screws to mount the 1/2 mdf floor to these strips. i then made some aluminum brackets for the side pieces with 1 in the middle on the bottom and one about half way up each side. this not only secures the sides, but also the front and back. there will be 3 more for the big piece. i was planning on using the "christmas tree" fastners, but ended up testing velcro first. theyre really well attached, and thats with about 1/8" slop to allow for the material. i have a feeling they will be really snug when done.

[csouth]

Tim, more awesome work as usual. I wanted to do a similar MDF panel in my trunk once my car gets to that stage, but thats in the distant future...lol

[The WidowMaker]

I wanted to do a similar MDF panel in my trunk once my car gets to that stage, but thats in the distant future...lol

its amazing how long ive been working on this car. going on 8 years now.... insane...

[The WidowMaker]

still working on the interior, but a few updates. first, the block is done and in the garage. i put a deposit down on the motor and erik at hke will be building it. plan is still the same; 454ci, afr 245 heads, greg good ported super victor, ls7 dry sump. should be a beast.

the dry sump tank showed up from peterson. i originally wanted them to build a semi custom tank. i needed the catch can rotated compared to the inlets, catch can shortened 1" and a sight tube put on. they wanted about $400 extra for this work. instead, i had them build me a stock tank and had them leave the bottom of the catch can off. it will be easy enough to cut an inch off and weld. i still need to figure out a filling solution and something to check the level.

i got a free 12 hour day from the family and got the seat belts welded up. i used 1/8" plate and created a lower mounting point for the retractor and used the same plate that mounts the harness bar and the upper point of the 3 point. it has a huge surface area and isnt going anywhere. i struggled with getting the 3rd point as high as possible, but ended up with a ~25* angle off my shoulder. i had to make sure that the rear door panel will still cover it while using up every 1/8" possible. im 6'3", so it only gets better with shorter passengers. its been a couple weeks and its pretty wet here with the marine layer so it already has a nice layer of flash rust.

and heres the latest on the trunk panels. theyre mounted and ready for more router work. im going to get all the inside edges cut and cut out the inlays as well. then its on to the rear shelf, dash, door panels and center console....

[srh3trinity]

That tank looks cool.

[The WidowMaker]

That tank looks cool.

thanks, i think so as well. the welds are really nice. whoever welded the tanks that are photographed in their catalogs either didnt weld this tank or got much better. i was worried that it wouldnt look this nice, but these are some insane beads.

[The WidowMaker]

inside edges are now routed. i was hoping to find a bit that left a ledge for the inlay to sit on, but it didnt work out. not a huge deal, but could have been a little easier.

i also started to pull the really old dynamat off the package tray and found a mess underneath. it looks like a few sets of speakers had been installed, so instead of dealing with swiss cheese, i cut it all out and welded some sheetmetal back in. i would have done without any metal and just my mdf package tray, but the upper portion of the 3pt is going through and i obviously wanted some support.

[The WidowMaker]

double....

[The WidowMaker]

more progress on the interior. got some work done on the package tray. there will be a 1/8" piece inlayed and the speakers will be flush with that. i plan to build the box in the next week or so and finish getting the speakers mounted.

i also added a couple pics of the door handles. still rough, but getting closer. the ring bros handles were WAY too small for my hands so i made some spacers. not sure if i will epoxy or attach another way, but they will get smoothed and painted as one piece.

[The WidowMaker]

more updated pics. i would call the trunk just about done. i plan on making an aluminum "cover" for the trunk latch hole and i need to remount the new back piece. other than that, its ready for material.

a few people have asked about the back cuts that i used to lighten the panels. if i wouldnt have put the detail in the panels, i could have gone with a thin piece and not needed a back cut. id also wait until done mounting before doing the cut if i did them again.

[Evoix]

I'm a fan of this thread.

[Trans]

Car is looking good,your defenitely taking your sweet time building it.

[The WidowMaker]

your defenitely taking your sweet time building it.

couldnt be more true and it feels like it. 3 kids, work, life and now my house might be on the market this week. that'll set me back a few more months.

[Zanie]

your defenitely taking your sweet time building it.

thats kind of a jerky thing to say!
Did you read thru or skim thru this thread? I'm guessing the latter.

[craigs73]

thats kind of a jerky thing to say!
Did you read thru or skim thru this thread? I'm guessing the latter.

x2

tim the car looks great keep up the great work

[deano9666]

Wow wow wow
Way to go Tim, just spent the last few hours reading your post,
You have talent, you inspire me.

I'm hopin to start rippin my 67 nova apart soon, just received my LS2, MN6 and ironing out the final details on my AME rolling chassis
I love this site, learning so much from you guys

[formula350]

^^^ya wow!!! im impressed i just read your entire tread took me a couple hours lol well im inspired, off to the garage!! hope the neighbors dont mind its 10pm lol

[greg5436]

Very impressive from front to rear.some people don't understand when you are doing everything yourself it's hard to put an extra 20 hours a week in with everything else going on in life.you are doing a great job and glad you got over your illness.you will be cruising soon. Greg