Just be careful, LS swapped custom Mopars don't resell very fast. (or at all)
And Hemi heads dump the exhaust down instead of out the sides like an LS. With stock manifolds the GEN3 HEMI is 26" wide; an LS is 22"(ish) without the exhaust manifolds (or headers)on. Add 1 3/4 or 2" Primaries, and your point may not be so valid for choosing a powerplant that will produce less power, turn off most enthusiasts, lower perceived value and take up more space. Cool car; just hate to see all that hard work go to waste.

Fortunately, the car isn't going to be for sale. I'm a "build it and drive it" type, and most folks won't know my secret with the hood closed. Crossbreeding doesn't bother me. Thank you for the notes on dimensions. Appreciate the outline, and if I were to change to another engine, it would be an aluminum block Gen3 hemi.

David

A few chassis updates.

I drew up a design for the rails that would accommodate the engine setback, and had them bent by Jimmy at MRC Fab just outside Charlotte, NC.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/JV...=w1380-h959-no

He transferred my design, and quickly rendered it in steel.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/lj...=w1024-h768-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/WI...E=w727-h969-no

Cleaned up and quickly laid it out on the floor - everything will trim to fit.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/U9...=w1024-h768-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/dh...=w1024-h768-no

The whole assembly will be stiffer and lighter than my Rev1 effort. As well, the project will also be documented and published on the YouTubes. A buddy of mine is hosting the videos, and I will continue to manage and keep this thread updated along the way. If you're taking a look, spend some time with Jason's catalog - he's made some really great content through the years.



Post and question, add a comment. Jason and I read them all.

David

Looking good!!

It's been a minute. Let's catch up.

The unibody is hung in the "birdcage," and the Rev1 frame is out, along with the last vestiges of the unibody rails.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/PE...=w1024-h592-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/8q...=w1024-h768-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/41...=w1024-h768-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/f-...=w1024-h768-no

Heavy duty attachment points, and nothing moved when I cut out the frame and rails.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/xl...=w1024-h768-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ks...=w1024-h768-no

David

With the rails open, I went back to original steel and got everything clean and ready to accept inner plates.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/uq...=w1024-h768-no

Unlike my previous effort, I designed this to be fully formed at the laser shop - no assembly required. Just careful measurement, and loading the design into the sheetmetal module in bend tech.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Ph...=w1024-h553-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Gt...=w1024-h768-no

Dimpled, cleco'd with still a bit of fine fitting to do
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/XA...=w1024-h897-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/yT...=w1024-h555-no

50 welds per flange per side, welded, individually air quenched
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Tx...=w1024-h768-no

Still straight
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/qt...=w1024-h768-no

David

I love the attention to detail!

This might be the only time the charger fits in my suburban.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/8Z...=w1024-h767-no

Laid out on the fixture table, we built it from the center out
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-f...=w1024-h768-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/1I...=w1024-h768-no

Chassisworks front crossmember, ready to get fit
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/sc...=w1024-h768-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/VA...=w1024-h768-no

Fully tacked, and ready to burn it all in - we went slow, and managed the shrink pretty well. Pictured here, it's within 1/64" of square
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/60...=w1024-h768-no

Plan is for hot root passes, to be covered by fat caps.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/lv...=w1024-h768-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/JL...=w1024-h768-no

You really get a sense of scale for just how big this car is
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/I7...=w1024-h768-no

Back at my place. We're in the middle of a remodel, so that's explains the huge stack of 1916 shiplap in the middle.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/i3...=w1024-h768-no

I've still got to do all the cap passes, T plates, engine mounts, shear plates, and more stuff I'm forgetting.

David

Thanks! I love getting into the weeds on the design and the execution.

David

I follow mrcfab on IG & recently saw the rail set-up which had me wondering where/what it was going under. Fast forward to today, I'm catching up on the Lat-g builds I follow & what do ya' know, I noticed the unique center structure.

I get the 'revision' mentality as I started my first DIY frame w/that thinking in mind (the 2nd time corrects deficiency's from the 1st attempt). That being said, that's a bunch of work accomplished only to switch designs. I prob would have struggled w/that decision :lol:.

Awesome fab work & I even stayed after work just to watch a couple of your You-Tube videos. I think you're doing awesome & like how your approach is when explaining things. I'm in DFW as well. If you ever need a hand... don't hesitate to reach out. You never know when some extra labor will come in handy.

Scot