That hood is very cool.

You ever had that moment in your build where you feel you're in over your head? Yeah, me too...

http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/a...77/file-94.jpg

"some assembly required"

looks great though!

Someone will be spending long nights in the cold garage, :lol:

Get working! while your here in the states

I don't think those caster wheels are gonna clear your brakes :)

I get that feeling when I pull out all the wires for the Fast XFI stuff....

Good stuff. That should keep you busy for a while.

Yeah I need to figure that out, but they sure will look cool...

So I had a first full day of working on junk. Disassemble, cut, grind, weld... Doesn't look like much got done but it really was quite a bit.

Out with the old...
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/a...77/file-97.jpg

http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/a...77/file-98.jpg

Prepping the new. Will have this in today and hopefully have the front out as well.
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/a...77/file-99.jpg

Prepping the front...
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/a...7/file-100.jpg

My new big block, in house...
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/a...7/file-101.jpg

I love everything about this car. Amazing

Awesome looking parts, nice project..

Moving right along. Great updates.

Thanks guys. Nothing exciting to show today. Getting rear suspension reset and that took WAY TOO LONG! Finally started getting the rear rails fitted up and should have that finished tomorrow. Ran into some problems with upper ball joints and hoping I can get that worked out with Howe tomorrow. Unfortunately life still gets in the way here with family stuff and dinners and blah, blah, blah. Just want a week of car stuff ALL DAY. Either way, hope to be ready for suspension brackets this time tomorrow and moving on getting the front end assembled.

More work finished yesterday, after an interruption by a planned doctor appointment. I sold the Hemi so I pulled it and began crating it up. Then it was on to finishing up the rear frame rails. What a long process that was; fit, grind, fit, grind, fit, grind, fit, grid, etc. Once I like the fit I braced the crap out of everything and welded the front of the rails solid. Then moved on to the rear, same process, cut, fit, grind, fit, grind, fit, grind... Still have a bit more grinding to do to get the fit so I'm 100% satisfied with it but that will be finished this morning after I finish crating the engine. Then weld them solid and move to the front. Here is a pic of the rear rails after I welded the front half and began fitting the rear half.

http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/a...7/file-103.jpg

http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/a...7/file-102.jpg

more to come today...

Great update Will. What are you using for an engine now that the Hemi is all crated up?

I like this question... I put it on the engine stand the other day and it is VERY front heavy. So much I put a jack stand under the pan to take some of the weight off.
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/a...7/file-101.jpg

Rear rails are finished; less some grinding on a few welds (I'm still not the best welder, but I'm getting better). REAL happy with how these came out too!
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/a...7/file-104.jpg

http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/a...7/file-106.jpg

Got the front cut off and hope to have the new ones welded on today.
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/a...7/file-105.jpg

http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/a...7/file-100.jpg

Also got the Hemi crated up and on it's way to PA.
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/a...ces/file-2.jpg

Here's where I'm at as of the close of working time today, about 4:00 pm.

Front frame rails in and so stoked how they came out. Real glad I decided to redo them, costly, but glad I did it.
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/a...7/file-110.jpg

http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/a...7/file-112.jpg

Just a few bolts short of dropping this in so I can measure up the new back-brace and start bending tube. I will have it in tomorrow.
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/a...7/file-113.jpg

The fun continues...

Awsome Build! :thumbsup:

I have a custom oil pan in my near future. Will be moving the engine around 12 inches back from this position. Right now the oil pan is not clearing the front cross member. May even have to notch it but I can get about 3-3.5" with the pan alone. That should be enough to get where I need to be.
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/a...7/file-114.jpg

Also started on the 1/2 trans loop, lighting sucks.
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/a...7/file-115.jpg

Will, good job.

I have one question: can you move the front crossmember? You'll bolt the rack to it but cmember can be a front or back of rack, right?

I see that you will come to same gross road as I did.

If you do some homework, you'll know that these engine are notorius about oiling problems and right way to go is drysump.

Your genII engine is not so bad as my III.

On Viper competition coupe engines dry sump oilpan is just over 1" high.

If you are going to go with wetsump, please make sure it is done right. Yhese are way different than old V8 systems.

Anyway, work hard, post more pics and enjoy!!!

Do I see tig machine there on the floor?

I'd rather not move the cross-member because I'm mounting my lower control arms to it. One way or another, I'll have some sort of cross-member under the engine.

I know the Viper oiling system is different than the traditional V8, I just haven't looked much into it yet. I thought about dry sump and know that would essentially solve my issues with pan clearance, I just don't know anything about dry sump. Any recommendations on sites where I can get educated on Viper dry sump vs. wet sump?

Yes there is a TIG machine on the cart. I haven't had a chance to start playing with it but it's on my list this week. Tons to do... Thanks.

Just that you crossmember is so huge in the middle. I think that doesnt need to be, you could make it lighter with tubular structure. Frames will be connected from the front end also, like radiator support?

Everything about the snakemotor is somehow classified. Some kind of secret society " need to pay to know only"

Nobody will tell you nothing. You have to pay them to do it and even then they have machined the part number off so you have to go back.

At least thats what I have come across. I have try to know what bearings they are putting in camjournals, I know they are from oldschool amc motor but not know witch.

I think that is because Vipers are still expensive and modification on them is more expensive so nobody want to spread to info.

Drysump engines has been used on competition coupe models only.

We have one CC here in Finland, maeby you can find owner/mechanic of one of those easier and ask.

I'm doing it cos then I can set the engine down, much more effective that setting it back cos it dont weight so much. About 60kg lighter that small block mopar.

Dry sump is no rocket sciense, can find universal kits from drag racing application, just need a good pump, good real tank w/paffles (you dont want airbubbles in you oil),many filters, pressure regulators and pan that has good pickups.

Sorry about the long post but I dont want held info.

Keep it up... :thumbsup:

Thanks for all the info Juhani. I did some quick research yesterday morning and this "may" be an option for me, though I'll keep it as a final option. I'm going to get everything tacked in place up front, drop the pan, put the engine back in and see where I'm at.

The crossmember is large but I'm not going to cage the car and the core support/radiator mount will not be intended for structure. I'm building that out of aluminum to lighten the front as much as I can now that I have the V10. Tube would certainly be lighter but I wouldn't gain much for clearance. The cross-member is a 2x4 tube and I think the least I could probably go is 1.5 inch tube so I would only gain an inch vertically, granted I would gain a decent amount on depth but I have some other ideas for that if needed. I want to get it all mocked up and see where I am at first.

I just had a thought about all the Viper stuff and lack of information. Have you ever spoken with Chuck Tator? He is on the Viper forums as Viper Wizard and seems to be one of the know all's of the Viper. He was formerly the oldest Dodge dealer in the U.S. and dealt only in Vipers, Chrysler shut him down when they were down-sizing dealers. He still runs a garage focused on Vipers. I've connected with him a couple times and he has been very helpful. Also, the guys at Woodhouse garage have been very helpful. I have seen the guys that will only help "if" you buy and that is super frustrating because while I may not be buying now, I will be later and I'll remember their lack of help.

Yesterday I got the steering rack in and the front uppers are located. Only tacked the mounts for the rack in place. Based on the height of the tie rod ends, I may be able to lower the rack a bit so I'll wait for the front lowers to be in before welding the brackets solid and putting in the bracing.

http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/a...7/file-118.jpg

http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/a...7/file-119.jpg

will,

It looks like you need some shorter bolts on that p-side UCA. I work part time at a hardware store let me know I can send some over for you.

http://www.marshallshardware.com/

Thanks Bryce, those are just for mock-up. Hope to have the actual brackets installed tomorrow. I'll let you know if I need something though.

A little bit more progress today. Seems like I'm doing more problem solving than building right now but it's coming along.

A custom oil pan from Charlie's is definitely in my future. I pulled the pan and dropped the engine again; all the room I need. Will be a real shallow pan at the cross member but I'll make up for it at the rear of the engine. The sump on this engine is unlike any V8 I've seen. I'll have to snap a picture of it.
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/a...7/file-120.jpg

http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/a...7/file-121.jpg

cool project
 

Thats a pretty awesome project Will. Lotta motor, little car-great combo.
Looks like you could just attach the gas petal right to the bellhousing! Is it gonna be tight in the footwell area?

Thanks Aaron! The footwell will be a bit tight but I think I'll be okay. Hoping I won't have to offset anything but we'll see.

Thank you Stainless Headers! The collectors are smaller than I thought, building these might be easier than I expected. Bonus!
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/a...7/file-123.jpg

I've been waiting to buy this for a while, so excited for it. It's freaking awesome!!!
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/a...7/file-124.jpg

Been making some good progress there Will. Those rails look real good.
Are you setting up the front susp. mounts from a design?
My ford v10 has an actual sump(like an old v8) I've done some work with those viper v 10s and as others have said, be careful with your oiling.

Thanks Gary. The sump is wicked on the Viper V10, oil gets sucked through a screen in the bottom of the pan, then routed through a cavity cast into the pan to the front of the block. I've never seen anything like it. Hoping to start in on my back brace tomorrow.

Some of the work that was finished yesterday.

Started on the bumper mounts. Hope to have those finished before I head back Sunday so I can plan for the core support.
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/a...7/file-131.jpg

Continued work on the rear suspension. Bending tube, notching tube by hand (way tough).
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/a...7/file-135.jpg
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/a...7/file-133.jpg
need to finish the other side of this x-brace behind the LCA mounts. Should have that done along with the rest of the mounts. Hopefully will get to the shockwave mounts as well.
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/a...7/file-134.jpg

Having a stainless fuel tank built and will be running Vaporworx in it. More to come on that. Playing with the mock-up template.
http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/a...7/file-127.jpg

http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/a...7/file-125.jpg

Two more days of work before a two month break. Hoping to get a lot done the next two days, but I'm moving pretty slow...

Slow progress today with having to hand notch some tubes, fab brackets/tabs, etc. The rear is almost finished. I couldn't mount the shocks because the amount of anti-squat in the LCA causes the shock to hit the UCA, so I'll need to fab some rear LCA's. No problem though, I planned to anyway. Just have to do it sooner than expected. One more day to go...

http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/a...7/file-144.jpg

http://i876.photobucket.com/albums/a...7/file-143.jpg

looking realy good :thumbsup:

Thanks Cencal.

Sadly, my time for this trip has come to a close and there won't be any more pics until the end of February. Yesterday was mostly spent cleaning and organizing the garage. Although, I did pull the engine out, move the steering rack down, and build new brackets for it. I began locating the rear diff but ran out of time with having to clean, pack, see the fam one last time, etc. That doesn't mean that progress won't be had over the next couple months though. I'm having a custom stainless fuel tank built by Eric Mueller and Mike Toupin of Mopar Engineering, I'll be incorporating Vaporworx into the tank as well. They will also be building my radiator once I get that sized up in February. Development of my MiMod system will also continue in hopes that it is finished once I return as well. So far it's looking real good and I can't wait to see everything when it's finished. Then, there is always my hood, which who knows when that will show up...

So, all is done for now. Took about 10 steps backward and almost 10 forward, but I am real happy with how everything is coming out. Still a lot of things to figure out and build, but all doable and I'm looking forward to my next visit in February. That will be when I can really put some hours in on the car. I can't wait!

Until next time, happy new year!

Hey, great build Will. I noticed something and have to ask a question. On your front, upper control arms, shouldn't they be tilted back instead of forwards for breaking when you stop so the front end of the car doesn't take such a big nose dive. That's what I've always been told and I've always seen the front, uppers tilted backwards for that purpose rather it's aftermarket frames or stock. I'm just asking, but hey, what do I know?

The anti-dive is picked up in the lower control arms. I had some interference with the LCA & steering rack so had to reconfigure some things and didn't get the front put back together. My front lowers are angled up toward the driver. I'm using Viper spindles so the geometry is based off Viper geometry which has the geometry laid out this way for packaging. Good eye!

I was going to mention a dry sump for you when I was there. I saw that weird pan setup you were talking about. A dry sump really is not that hard tho. You can run one using your stock oil pump and 1 extra 2 or 3 stage pump. There are obviously a few problems to solve tho....

The extra pump is usually spun with a gilmer (toothed) belt that is spun from the crank at about half engine speed. It would require a custom machined adapter to fit on the front of your crank pulley. Either that or you would need a serp pulley to be larger than the diameter of the crank pulley. Then of course it has to be mounted low on the engine so that oil will drain to it.

The tank itself is easy. You can pick those up from lots of places, just pick how much oil you want it to hold. The stock oil pump will feed from the fitting at the bottom of the tank, the external pump will send oil back to the tank at the top and is usually built so that oil spins against the side of the tank then down thru a couple screens to get the air bubbles out of it.

Another thing to figure out is how to get a fitting to connect to the oil pickup of the stock oil pump. Since you have a TIG, (can you TIG cast aluminum?) you may be able to modify that one. Just somehow get an AN fitting onto the pick up and build the bottom with 2-3 more fittings (depending on how many stages your external pump has) to feed the other pump. They should sit lowest in the pan on the drivers side with the bottom of the pan slanted to the drivers side. Put a screen above the drain fitting to stop any pieces of metal and maybe a magnet before each one too to try to save the pump in case of catastrophic engine failure

Thanks for the info on the wet sump Steve. I looked into a kit but at $5500 it was out of the question. However, building my own is far more reasonable and a better option. The biggest issue here is how to mount the external pump. The cast pan can be Tigged so putting an AN fitting on the pickup is no problem. I'll have to look at some external pumps to see what kind of options I have to mount it. The other problem is where to put the tank. I want to make sure I can get AC in the car, may already be difficult with the engine setback, so I may have to get creative but this seems like a viable alternative I need to research more. Great idea! Thanks.