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Plastic Fantastic 76 Corvette
First, where I'm at. I built this car to compete in various SCCA and USCA events. It didn't start that way but it snowballed. First, where is it now.
https://i.imgur.com/W3AEFejh.jpg https://i.imgur.com/VVPSIpGh.jpg Okay let's back up 4 years. I bought the car for $2500 mostly because it was parts and I had flares that I hadn't put on another project. trust me, it looked even worse in person https://i.imgur.com/pJ2Gpnh.jpg but it's a 4 speed car, it was close, and I take home strays. Somewhere around 2018, I was watching one of the Motor Trend shows and Randy Probst mentioned that the 2010 Camaro was a better handling car then the 2010 Corvette.... Hmmmm, I've built more then a couple things including this https://i.imgur.com/JBUyF7Eh.jpg and lots of cars too..including the Corvette that was supposed to get the flares. What I have now is a 1976 Corvette that looks like a 73 with flares, 2010 Camaro SS rear suspension (clipped in place), and a 2010 Corvette front suspension with Aiden coil overs, Brembo brakes from the SS Camaro. The motor is a 12:1 compression bb 427 with ST-10 trans, sniper spark and fuel control. My goal was to do Optima Challenge. I made it, it broke the first day. Which was not optimal but given the car was in primer a year before AND I built a new motor for it in-between those dates... I did okay. But now, it's time to take this to the next level. It handles amazing - the Willow Springs picture, I'm doing 150 mph in that corner. What I did learn was I needed to tune the shocks, add stiffer sway bars, and start working on aero. It also gets a bit warm at full song for extended time. I figure builds come in 1/3rds. 1st - body work/suspension. 2nd - assembly after paint and driving, and 3rd - tuning. I'm solidly in 3. I'm also building a 64 Buick wagon in the background of this as a tow car - with a twin turbo 6.0 LS. Mostly, though, will be the things I identified above. currently it has terrible understeer, but I may have started to get a handle on that. I also broke the midplate on the t-10 so a TKX is waiting to be installed. It'll be a week or two before I start updating again - thanks for having me. |
motor shot
https://i.imgur.com/bPkRqK3h.jpg gratuitous Luigi shot https://i.imgur.com/ixDhnoNh.jpg optima, I was so far behind my goals that just making it was win. I had one autox on the car, no track time, maybe 300 miles on the entire car.... and still felt safe at 150 on Willow.... forgot, inside is Corbeau seats, Dakota Digital dash/gauges. |
Welcome!
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Welcome to the site. Sounds like a fun build. I look forward to the pics and progress. Good luck!
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Wow, quite the build. :thumbsup:
Sounds like you’re really getting to enjoy it too. |
Love it, keep posting and we will keep reading. Nice side pipes!
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Finally back on this
https://i.imgur.com/fOr6ObSh.jpg pull the shifter off https://i.imgur.com/Ui9hYQXh.jpg https://i.imgur.com/J5AEyEih.jpg fluid looks perfect! https://i.imgur.com/l2Fnqd8h.jpg wonder what I'll do with trans next... https://i.imgur.com/5S4v83nh.jpg and hooks https://i.imgur.com/OwZbbXUh.jpg basically they attach to the prior spring mounts.... https://i.imgur.com/7YH3iE3h.jpg https://i.imgur.com/CpXGE1Gh.jpg https://i.imgur.com/WtHKuj9h.jpg wrapped the hook with stainless rod - basically it adds a lot of strength https://i.imgur.com/tvngZuPh.jpg bit of cleanup tomorrow and paint them "please hook here not on a headlight red" https://i.imgur.com/RCphxH9h.jpg |
cleaned up
https://i.imgur.com/1y4L0s3h.jpg now with paint https://i.imgur.com/5mIgmA4h.jpg installed https://i.imgur.com/UTFcdgkh.jpg rear matching https://i.imgur.com/aKoSJzfh.jpg for sale ;) https://i.imgur.com/oejUQyZh.jpg first problem... the cross member is simply in the way https://i.imgur.com/jfwybhlh.jpg I could have got the trans in/out without removing it but that would be a real problem on race day since it'd mean moving the motor https://i.imgur.com/qBZPGcah.jpg now it's not a problem https://i.imgur.com/xBMrVCUh.jpg first issue... a bit of massaging and it's fine now https://i.imgur.com/qRdlcPAh.jpg time to set angles before building the cross member https://i.imgur.com/VWKmdkZh.jpg a bit of envisioning going on https://i.imgur.com/Xx0FPvvh.jpg it does fit really well, I have no trouble cutting the floor - which solves the issue of whether or not I need a special shifter https://i.imgur.com/6CSyCCvh.jpg |
Killer looking car! TKX is a great choice, which gearset did you go with?
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cross member time https://i.imgur.com/KI6DfbEh.jpg now 4 https://i.imgur.com/tUALWF9h.jpg and weld https://i.imgur.com/ehAAgIlh.jpg and cross member https://i.imgur.com/6ulL9Jdh.jpg need to finish welding, put the e-brake cable pulley in place then paint it.... but doneish |
time to finish up the cross member
make the e-brake work https://i.imgur.com/6ulL9Jd.jpg weld some braces too https://i.imgur.com/PpuOidH.jpg then paint https://i.imgur.com/owpJlau.jpg and done https://i.imgur.com/ZWzv9ci.jpg then little stuff like - will an 18" wheel fit on the back - yes https://i.imgur.com/6n2n2yK.jpg and rubbing issue.... such a temptation to just grind that 1/4" off https://i.imgur.com/JmThET3.jpg https://i.imgur.com/G1kQ8RF.jpg then fix the clutch linkage https://i.imgur.com/OwpXAJf.jpg the car was a 4 speed car and those rods were likely there since new.... the pivot was half worn through - so it was time to make it a bit better |
ugh, when a company doesn't call back when you call them to ask shipping status.... that means it's on its way, right?
right? :secret: :action-smiley-027: thankfully there is a 'get by' solution but ugh, again. |
Oh boy. FedUp strikes again. I live near Seattle... according to FedUp it will be on my doorstep between 9:45 and 3:30. Today. Right. At least the good news is it was sent last week...
Scheduled delivery: Tuesday, 10/26/2021 Estimated between: 9:45 am - 3:30 pm IN TRANSIT Departed FedEx location BILLINGS, MT I'll be lucky if it arrives before I have to leave for SEMA on Sunday... place your bets now, folks. Thankfully the car doesn't have to be there.... |
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would you just look at that
https://i.imgur.com/LPg4Jz2h.jpg winking... https://i.imgur.com/ovG3dl5h.jpg not winking https://i.imgur.com/9vSw9hDh.jpg things get a bit crowded when I need to use the lift for the daily https://i.imgur.com/KBnbd92h.jpg wiring the speedo https://i.imgur.com/5UM50Z9h.jpg imagine taking the interior apart to pull the old 3 wire cable out and putting in the 2 wire.. https://i.imgur.com/sxa0THMh.jpg and lastly, I'll try to save the fenders by cranking up the coils https://i.imgur.com/PFiGZunh.jpg Not a lot happening because I'm waiting for key parts so... driveshaft and shifter should be here Thursday... hoping to get it in before I leave on Sunday.... we will see. I could move it if the driveshaft arrives... |
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one day late, but it's here
https://i.imgur.com/s7Eg1vNh.jpg I need to check American Power train's tape measure... that isn't a 3" offset... it's a nice piece, for certain, but I need a real 3" https://i.imgur.com/8IVuLjPh.jpg I'm not against it coming up from the center, but it is a bit annoying https://i.imgur.com/Nv3B2u2h.jpg seems my shifter isn't going to work either... maybe if I put a skull on it? https://i.imgur.com/vrSc6oIh.jpg driveshaft tomorrow. |
apparently "shorten" means "put in a new, larger tube".... I'm not upset about it because I could make it work.... but goodness, why?
https://i.imgur.com/nfT5Z2Bh.jpg I'll have to make tabs to weld the rear crossmember back in but I think I'll finally get to the cross bracing I intended before, so it will be like this until after SEMA https://i.imgur.com/68qKZMqh.jpg and yes, I used a body sledge hammer to create space |
Coming along nicely. Sweet daily by the way!
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welll... I'm back. SEMA was an absolute blast, however I did come back with a cold so not all is great on the home front.... ah well.
In news that relates to this. Talked to OUSCA (Optima challenge) about schedule - and there isn't a schedule yet. I got a feeling that there may not be a west-coast version. That would suck - ah well, the Wilwood Corvette Challenge is game as is the Silver State Challenge. I drove the route from Ely - I could see doing that. I also.... this is my OPINION and in no way judging - the current crop of Optima cars aren't street cars anymore, and building a race car doesn't interest me. Sure, I'll make it faster but it's not what I am interested in building. Anyway, where I left off Talked to American Powertrain (who sold me the shifter). They'll send me the right offset after I call them on Monday (love SEMA - had a great talk with FiTech (I still don't think it was their fault - except they didn't call back - we talked, we're good), American Powertrain, Aldan American, and all sorts of other suppliers. time to put the brace back in place https://i.imgur.com/SUZfjq0.jpg fits https://i.imgur.com/WVYfwrq.jpg paint is drying https://i.imgur.com/MDr56Jg.jpg Oh look, and not even a little stock C3 suspension. https://i.imgur.com/PsTkl0b.jpg and I'm thinking about doing a PF3.... ZL1 rear, C7 front, 632 motor.... though this time, I'd have Art Morrison just bend me some new rails based off the dimensions of what I've built now Next is a new fuel tank similar to what I built for PF1.... need more capacity, might also change out the lifters to get my idle oil pressure back.... next up is aero with a belly pan and 'stupid' wings. When I went to SEMA in 2018, I was glad my car wasn't there. This year, mine would have fit right in - takes twice as long to build but it's 4x a better build. |
cross members in place...
https://i.imgur.com/vGHIJIdh.jpg time to build a bigger tank.... https://i.imgur.com/WuqmDhIh.jpg side view https://i.imgur.com/lA8Yfs0h.jpg finding center of the gas filler https://i.imgur.com/C4ETyIeh.jpg I'm building a 16 ga stainless steel tank.... should be about 27 fill gallons (about 28.5 gallons total capacity). Why now? simple, my dad has roll dies at his shop in Oregon - and I'm going there for Thanksgiving - then spend 10 minutes bending it up... |
got the 3" offset today - works fantastic
https://i.imgur.com/JdIB8hEh.jpg it even clears the console cover (bonus) https://i.imgur.com/9DTnkgAh.jpg so I posted a picture from SEMA about a GM shift lever - it was $234.00.... mine is stainless https://i.imgur.com/0xvJZpDh.jpg closer https://i.imgur.com/AQJ8jSph.jpg and done https://i.imgur.com/NCwKiSNh.jpg |
One thing I don't like about my color combo of Dakota Digital dash is it's nearly impossible to read at speed... to time for a linear display with warning light
https://i.imgur.com/sOAuAwrh.jpg https://i.imgur.com/2RuXWvTh.jpg it's a good spot, no water gets there, it's in line of sight, and it's really easy to wire. https://i.imgur.com/ZuuLqCVh.jpg time to construct the cold air intake https://i.imgur.com/r4Y1FbCh.jpg things are so screwy, it's cheaper to use 304 4" stainless tube, mirror finish then it is to use aluminum https://i.imgur.com/Gr6i5c4h.jpg lay out https://i.imgur.com/pJpsdrgh.jpg finished https://i.imgur.com/T4MedAxh.jpg and check for clearance https://i.imgur.com/uxsFLtKh.jpg another issue - I need to seal the radiator to the core support... done https://i.imgur.com/qXH0L2Bh.jpg in other news, I fixed the e-brake and I correctly wired the speedo. Tomorrow (hopefully) I can go do a loop with it and my '40 to set the speedometer.... it's funny, it's the little things that are most useful... |
it annoys me when I put the dash all back together then need to pull it apart again... the brown wire that needs to go to the blue wire is inside...
https://i.imgur.com/V1Xy0cv.jpg |
In other news..... Optima challenge is the same but different
announcement https://mailchi.mp/d32c3784d4c6/usca...1?e=77724350d4 it's cool because Willow Springs is now Portland International Raceway (1000 miles closer). Middle of July. Great too since the Autox season doesn't start up here until late March.. well, except for one thing DB levels. PIR has them and enforces them.... in fact, the only west coast track that doesn't have an enforced limit is Utah Motorsports. So that noise is coming back soon.... Thankfully I have a day or two to procrastinate but I need to get my noise down ugh |
I like the changes you're making. Good luck getting prepared for Optima.
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I've complained before that people take my ideas without even a thank you. That's fine, I like they did, now I can take their updates to my design and help a few around here save some dollars
https://i.imgur.com/RMvSxv1h.jpg C5 motors and controllers they put the motor on the opposite side - which created its own issue of having to build back the part I cut out https://i.imgur.com/K8PhlEKh.jpg tomorrow, wiring - my car's alternator is on the opposite side as stock - but even so the wiring needs quite a bit of mods. Shop was 26* tonight so I figure I can get more proactive heating tomorrow and perhaps have feeling in my fingers while I wire. |
Now you're starting to see how I build. Spend time on the foundation, then burn through to get it on the street. Once that's done, come back and fill in the blanks
onward had to buy new ends because I'm sure I tossed the vacuum stuff years ago https://i.imgur.com/AzeBcu4h.jpg install bumpers https://i.imgur.com/g8QFGkVh.jpg grind clean https://i.imgur.com/W8qMQCch.jpg take springs off https://i.imgur.com/W8qMQCch.jpg the controller needed to go on an inner fender that no longer exists (and the alternator is now on the opposite side of the motor https://i.imgur.com/4HY2U7bh.jpg not sure what their plan was on wiring, but I shortened some, lengthened others https://i.imgur.com/TxJ3pSsh.jpg https://i.imgur.com/itTv11Vh.jpg hiding wiring https://i.imgur.com/ZIFSckUh.jpg https://i.imgur.com/wNnE4qih.jpg |
lights are done, outside of a bit of trial and error on shaft length, they seem to work fine.. at speed? it'll be a day or 50 before I can test
speaking of testing Last year, I couldn't run at Portland Raceway because my car is a bit louder then the 105 db that the track allows. Just a bit - 2 db. This is the fix should get me under 100 db at full song - with no attendant loss of performance... we will see https://i.imgur.com/y3heIFNh.jpg likely the configuration https://i.imgur.com/lucQLQmh.jpg 10" overall, according to my calculations, I only need 8" https://i.imgur.com/CFAJfbvh.jpg roughly here https://i.imgur.com/iZ8YgCJh.jpg but much playing with these is going to happen between now and Optima in July. I may reduce the length of the inserts or simply change them to a different style... I do know that PF3 will have long tube headers that have much shorter primary tubes then lined sidepipes.... worst case is I put a diverter on the tip or make the tips removable so that the exhaust doesn't aim at the measuring device |
I swear I should put the dash on with velcro
rewiring lights https://i.imgur.com/Uv0XMpvh.jpg but it's 3 degrees in my shop.... so I spent time trying to decide what I'm going to do about a stereo (soundbar suggestions are welcome). I loathe spending time on a radio, but I hate even more losing points that can be had for $30 bux and a couple Kraco speakers I also talked to CIRO today about a rear wing.... Rick (owner) runs a C3 as well, so lots of talking there.... rule checking Optima - I'm not sure I can run a dual element wing.... as this is the first wing I've ever run (wing virgin)..... I don't know. Oh and signed up for Portland Raceway version of the Optima Challenge this year.... hopefully things will go better then they did at Willow Springs last year... (lost my dog, then the FiTech EFI scrambled because of an electrical surge caused by using the headlight motors - the problem is hindsight, all I knew at the time was the computer was DOA) |
Digging through my photos... my first Autox ever....
https://i.imgur.com/nc3blui.mp4 https://i.imgur.com/9v1RqjF.mp4 please be kind... there's a much funnier one but I'll save that for later.. it's from inside the car and had a bit of editorial ;) |
measure for wing
so there's a much larger discussion about requirements of Optima and SCCA.... suffice to say Ciro Racing is helping then making the wing for my car.... and this is the information they need
https://i.imgur.com/D1QG8Mzh.jpg the tl;dr https://i.imgur.com/6pENdpSh.jpg find the center line, then make a straight line above it (roof line) https://i.imgur.com/25ZUawjh.jpg https://i.imgur.com/jtWdunth.jpg https://i.imgur.com/NvAVx39h.jpg an issue that is important is that the spoiler isn't straight https://i.imgur.com/6JGdEyxh.jpg and the furthest point (as required for the rules) https://i.imgur.com/yO2o8jGh.jpg the angle at the point where the spoiler will live https://i.imgur.com/bFtiGoqh.jpg the legs will drop onto or beside the frame rails - this is where the frame rails are https://i.imgur.com/hefNzkeh.jpg and the total width of the legs https://i.imgur.com/VukG5V9h.jpg again with dimensions https://i.imgur.com/rSbLklwh.jpg https://i.imgur.com/YQ4SO8Ch.jpg center line is 4" this is more for info purposes only and not directly related to the issue at hand https://i.imgur.com/q5dMoZBh.jpg https://i.imgur.com/O9c8Cbuh.jpg https://i.imgur.com/D4PujTeh.jpg https://i.imgur.com/RIkqkkNh.jpg https://i.imgur.com/6hrCqUYh.jpg https://i.imgur.com/xoYOclWh.jpg |
First... nutty dog shot....
https://i.imgur.com/zAKGzpVh.jpg today was mostly organizing my shop but got started (again) on the gas tank https://i.imgur.com/lBESlXQh.jpg then lay out https://i.imgur.com/Z1EVrDmh.jpg I need to build a die https://i.imgur.com/kEUpYXCh.jpg there it is, just got to get metal tomorrow https://i.imgur.com/oDKjAjfh.jpg |
Big (stupid) wing coming
https://i.imgur.com/Cd2azr6.jpg I bought from CIRO racing. The guy who owns the company races a C3 and has done really well autocrossing. Nice guy too... Okay so to explain 'stupid' I made a friend a couple years ago now, he's an autistic kid named Anthony.... he is amazing at forced perspective photography.... what is that? go here and ask yourself 'real' or 'toy' https://anthonyryanschmidt.com/gallery some are easier to tell.... truth is, they're all toys. And he's 13. We've become friends - so much shadow of who I was at his age - anywho, his brother is a car nut too.... I think he's 8. But he's a car nut too - likes imports (I'll fix this - I already Anthony saying 'stock is boring') - and I showed him what I plan... his response was "big stupid wing".... so I explained to him why the big stupid wing and as any good 8 year old, he's fully on board with the idea now. But from here on out, it's the big, stupid wing. and to close the circle there a bit - the family lives 5 miles from me and Luigi's brother is their dog. but I'll have a pinstriped on the carbon wing 'big stupid wing' |
New tool
https://i.imgur.com/yoCE2cdh.jpg in use https://i.imgur.com/dPyMZkch.jpg so time to fix 2 problems... first I can't get enough caster but also too wide, this will gain me almost an inch - which, major bonus is the front tires won't rub on the fenders.... https://i.imgur.com/jjDBiQrh.jpg quite frankly, this is why I built this in... so now mark... tomorrow cut https://i.imgur.com/3OMd8fRh.jpg |
Sooo, I know, brakes only slow you down....
and I know, no holes https://i.imgur.com/hdY41o3h.jpg these actually came with the rear when I bought it.... no idea miles but they got me on the road https://i.imgur.com/YbGXzSDh.jpg back is done.... https://i.imgur.com/VaymLnCh.jpg front is going to take a minute since I don't have a 10 mm tap chop is done https://i.imgur.com/7PuAqqdh.jpg tacked the fronts again.... a bit more grinding but I also need a tap to chase the threads https://i.imgur.com/dXBKK6Yh.jpg |
Tap got, reassembled...
https://i.imgur.com/q9oQvuoh.jpg https://i.imgur.com/7AukpgDh.jpg gained 2* I need to open up the new rotors a bit then align it.... all by 1 tomorrow |
Brakes. To catch up, the spindle is C5/C6 corvette - which has a larger hub ring then the Camaro - why, dunno, but it does so a warranty was broken, again
https://i.imgur.com/qLpED4mh.jpg I may not use my lathe often, but when I need it, it really is handy https://i.imgur.com/Pv8rnHPh.jpg 2.5 degrees camber, 7 degree caster. Drove it today, drives great... I may put shims in it for 'normal' driving and get back to 1.5* and 5 or so caster https://i.imgur.com/Bjtovdbh.jpg bling https://i.imgur.com/RFvvJg2h.jpg trying to decide whether or not to repaint the caliper.... probably won't, but at least I considered it? https://i.imgur.com/fX4c3Ahh.jpg It's their rules, but I refuse to invest big dollars in something that I don't need.... https://i.imgur.com/V8KuJSTh.jpg $36.00 - I think the speakers set me back $12 https://i.imgur.com/QLJcquAh.jpg |
time to clean up some wiring and install the radio
easier to just take it apart https://i.imgur.com/M8QAIvwh.jpg one of the really cool things about the Dakota Digital dash is it's 2 plugs to remove it all https://i.imgur.com/lYchaqDh.jpg and install the chassis https://i.imgur.com/nElBJ3oh.jpg the vent didn't secure to the dash pad... fixing that and that stuff can fall into it https://i.imgur.com/zzihOVgh.jpg the tabs will hold the duct to the dash pad... all epoxied in place https://i.imgur.com/9t4frwEh.jpg now no stuff down the vent https://i.imgur.com/o4ucHVDh.jpg |
most of the reason I took the dash out was to put speakers and clean up wiring... also, to install the remote door locks... first speakers
https://i.imgur.com/pmfQer1h.jpg epoxy is great for stopping rattles https://i.imgur.com/Y4kTpkch.jpg and speaker installs https://i.imgur.com/3zSPaEsh.jpg I'd never put a stereo in this but it's what gets me points.... next up is reinstall, align the windows, install the remote locks, install reverse lights.... all for the points I'll also probably have the wheels powder coated... they've grown on me.... |
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