Rob and I built all the exhaust, got it tacked up and then plan was to have a real good "TIG man" do the final weld to make it all nice and pretty....

So once I got the crossmember stuff all dialed in, I took it to a local fab guy and had everything but the front V-band clamps final welded. Even before that, the front pipes to the headers were alittle "sprung" after everything was tacked together.... I had to kinda "squeeze" the pipes together to get the collector V-band clamps matched up...wasnt too crazy about having that tension there... so I orded up some flex couplers just in case...

After the joints were TIG welded, the "sprung" section was worse. I messed with ratchet straps to try and bend them in a little etc, which worked, but still wasnt happy. So I cut the front section off and added the flex couplers and its way better now...there is no tension between exhaust and headers at all.... This will also allow for some engine movement and heat expansion etc etc.......I dialed in the front V-band flange and header flange and took it all back to the TIG man to get that part final welded...should be done next week

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/e...I/IMG_6683.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/e...I/IMG_6682.jpg

Even before that, I had to cut some sections out of the floor to clear exhaust and v-band clamps and a tiny notch in the frame to get alittle more clearence from header to frame. So I closed up all that stuff....

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/e...I/IMG_6655.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/e...I/IMG_6654.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/e...I/IMG_6657.jpg

Looks good man. I'd go with the 4" for the intake. Glad you were able to use the flex joints, a good idea anyway. Looks like Mr. Woodall did a nice job

Looks great Ned! I say the 4" as well. I love this build, can't wait to see more.

i think its about that time again. updates!!!

I'm sure Ned will be posting soon

Ned dropped off the car today @ our shop.. He has a small list of things he wants us to do for him to push the project into the next phase of work he wants to do himself..

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/...n/IMG_1837.jpg

Yeah -- but did he drop off a 100K check with the car?

:willy: :lol: :woot:

Yes I did.... But the check is post dated and Cris agreed that he wouldn't deposit it until 2025.... So we are all good to go :)


But in all seriousness..... Monet and I made the 6 hour haul down Monday.... Severe weather warning over the I5 grapevine overpass.... Great.... Luckily it only snowed alittle and we made it fine. It was alittle nerve racking towing in the snow and wondering if it was going to get worse once we got into it. It all worked out fine.... Now we just have to get back :)

Cris and I went over the car and my list...... Now his wheels are turning and I'm sure other ideas will start popping up. My goal is to work within my budget for this stage of the car and get as much stuff done there as my budget allows. Cris knows my checkbook has limits, so the goal is to get the most "bang for the buck"

Before heading back Tuesday, Cris and I will go over the car again after he had some time to process and brainstorm off my list, and then tie up the details.... Then we head back homeward and the ball is in his court

Now I just need to keep myself within my budget.....

we will stay tuned