Lateral-g Forums - My Cuda Project Part II...now at Bruning Auto Design

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- - My Cuda Project Part II...now at Bruning Auto Design (https://www.lateral-g.net/forums/showthread.php?t=17432)

Saw this car on LX related forums and WOW this thing is beyond killer. I'd love to see this thing when it's finished. Guys I'll give you an A+++++ on the quality of this build and I'm personally very envious of this car.

John

Quote:

Originally Posted by DRJDVM's '69 (Post 211401)

I dont know I believe that... the stock tubs are decent size but I think a 335 would be real tight. It also depends on how the car sits....if you dont mind it sitting kinda high and roll the outer lip it might just fit. Plus "fitting" and "fitting right" aren always the same thing. If you dont mind alittle rubbing from time to time, then okay.

A 315 probably but a 335 is cutting it pretty close in my opinion. And yes, the range of 19 tires is alittle smaller than the 18 or 20's

If you go to my pix link below I have some pix of the 335 being fit into the cut out stock tub location..... this was done at the previous shop, so don't pay attention to the quality of the fab work :)

I really am thankfull for your pics:hail:, it helps with my plans alot. I really like the low stance your going with but I dont think(living in michigan) that the roads here would be that forgiving to me:lol: I am currently trying to think through my next step as far as wheel tubs are concerned. i will probably go with 18's myself, but want the 335's.

19's are starting to get a little more popular with the pontiac g8 gt and one or two lexus runnning them.

So I got the car back from Bruning this weekend.... there was alot done since my last update.... bottom line is the work is awesome.... I couldnt be happier (except if I had taken my car there in the first place and my budget allowed them to do even more work on my car)
So here we go... last update was about getting the stance I wanted.. so once we got it to sit where we wanted Tim figured out a way to make it happen...

First was to modify the stock mounts of the Air Ride stuff out back. Tim started with the stock bracket and essentially shortened it almost 2 inches.
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/e...avemount-4.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/e...avemount-2.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/e...avemount-1.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/e...vemounts00.jpg

Then it was the front end... this was more of a limiting factor...... we could only change it so much without opening another can of worms...... motor too high, huge trans tunnel etc etc. So Tim basically "channelled" the RMS k-frame into the stock frame... so rather than bolt to the underside of the frame, it sat inside it and was welded in for good.....that raised the frame up 1.5 inches...allows the body to sit lower but not give up precious ground clearence. After much debate we also raised the UCA mounts too to keep the geometry correct
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/e...rstance010.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/e...rstance014.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/e...rstance017.jpg

Then back to the rear of the car.... the next was the rear valance. After making a plan, it was evident that it was going to be a real PITA to bolt and unbolt the tank once the valance was welded in for good. So Tim came up with a new way to mount the tank...completely strapless...very clean..
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/e...esstank004.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/e...esstank009.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/e...esstank005.jpg

Then the valance.....we went back and forth with a design...lots of back and forth with overall width and depth etc etc.....
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/e...valance005.jpg
Nice and tight against the tank...it flows real well into the tank...especially without the straps
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/e...valance006.jpg

Then we had to design an exhaust opening...lots and back and forth again... I wanted some of the "stock Cuda" look but something that flowed with the valance recess. We tried several different ones....... alot of the rear of the car has been inspired by Sick Fish so I wanted to not do a carbon copy...... but none of the other designs really worked and looked right....so the final design is alittle more "Sick Fish" that I was originally shooting for, but boy does it look good. Tim and I went back and forth about that.......in the end he convinced me that "what looks good, looks good".....yes someone has already done something very similar but look at all the 1st gens and Chevelles etc that copy each other over and over again....if it looks good it will get repeated no doubt. Its when people dont copy you that you need to worry...

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/e...valance010.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/e...valance014.jpg

It looks great. Only advice I have is on the gas tank. From my experience with off roading (jeeps and rock buggies) a lot of people have problems with solid mounting their tanks when not using straps. The most common thing I have seen is cracking around where the ear that the bolts go through meets the tank. I put some rubber bushings that I had cut down between my tank and frame to help soak up some of the vibration.

Very nice Ned!
She's getting there.:thumbsup: