Question? $2,500 C4 Corvette TriFive all new frame Think there's a maket?

[rat_rod_russell]

So I've been working with cooler and cooler technology and I've come up with an idea to convert my 55-57 frame for the guys who want to do it at home. A completely new frame for the 55-57's that takes the C4 corvette suspension front and rear that a guy with decent skills could build in his garage at home. It comes in a few UPS boxes, in a pile of parts and its all pegged and slotted tubing and flat steel cut on a CNC laser. So all a normal guy would need is 3x F clamps, a 2' x 5' flat table to clamp to, measuring tape, decent welding equipment and the knowledge to use it. And I'll do a full set of videos online so you can watch me showing how to do the frame with just the above mentioned tools. No huge frame jig and no super crazy measuring equipment needed.

Does it sound interesting? Does it sound like the right price range for the do it yourself guys? I know my 6k frame is just over the top for most guys and without the new CNC technology you could have never built this frame without my massive jig. But now if you could imagine all the parts keyed like a jig saw puzzle so you can't even mix up the parts. Then the only way to screw it up is if you don't give it the cool down time the parts need after you clamp them to the flat table and weld them out.

Please tell me what you think, I'm open to any and all suggestions.
- Russell

[jy211]

at that price I think you'd have people interested.

[takid455]

YOU WOULD NEED to do something w/ the legal end as if someone duct tapes it together and then crashes. Then comes after you b/c you made the parts.

A frame is a pretty serious piece. However, the kit car companies do it. I would do it under a subsidiary company in case something did happen.

[nickcornilsen]

It's for supporting a car body in a display situation only

Go with C5 suspension... much better stuff, and getting easier to find than C4 stuff IMHO. Making the differentials stand alone (w/out the trans axle) is not to difficult.

And at that price, are the customers going to have to source thier own parts?

[rat_rod_russell]

Originally Posted by takid455

YOU WOULD NEED to do something w/ the legal end as if someone duct tapes it together and then crashes. Then comes after you b/c you made the parts.

A frame is a pretty serious piece. However, the kit car companies do it. I would do it under a subsidiary company in case something did happen.

Right I have a pretty substantial contract already for the Frames we build for the 55-57's.

Originally Posted by nickcornilsen

It's for supporting a car body in a display situation only

Go with C5 suspension... much better stuff, and getting easier to find than C4 stuff IMHO. Making the differentials stand alone (w/out the trans axle) is not to difficult.

And at that price, are the customers going to have to source thier own parts?

LOL, This guy don't know me very well do he, lol. You might check out the link in my sig

Seriously the reason I'm doing this is because I'm tired of the C4 suspensions and I want to go all C5/6. But I have a fully developed and tested frame why just discontinue it. As I get my other C5/6 chassis online and tested, including my C5/6 Differential Adapter that turns the stock trans-axle into a stand alone differential, I'll stop building the C4 rolling chassis and welded frames all together and just do the kit frames and my lovely C5/6 frames.

Thanks guys
-Russell

[96z28ss]

Not sure how this is different, but Ironworks already makes a DIY frame kit.

The other issue your going to have is the C4 stuff is starting to get harder to find. I think Newman chassis is now having certain C4 parts made cause of availability.

[nickcornilsen]

Originally Posted by rat_rod_russell

Right I have a pretty substantial contract already for the Frames we build for the 55-57's.



LOL, This guy don't know me very well do he, lol. You might check out the link in my sig

Seriously the reason I'm doing this is because I'm tired of the C4 suspensions and I want to go all C5/6. But I have a fully developed and tested frame why just discontinue it. As I get my other C5/6 chassis online and tested, including my C5/6 Differential Adapter that turns the stock trans-axle into a stand alone differential, I'll stop building the C4 rolling chassis and welded frames all together and just do the kit frames and my lovely C5/6 frames.

Thanks guys
-Russell

Indeed, I don't know you at all... Now that i see your C5 design, I think you should just kit that up, forget the C4 stuff!
I like your extensive use of CAD... It makes the job so much easier doesn't it?

[Andrew]

Originally Posted by rat_rod_russell

Right I have a pretty substantial contract already for the Frames we build for the 55-57's.



LOL, This guy don't know me very well do he, lol. You might check out the link in my sig

Seriously the reason I'm doing this is because I'm tired of the C4 suspensions and I want to go all C5/6. But I have a fully developed and tested frame why just discontinue it. As I get my other C5/6 chassis online and tested, including my C5/6 Differential Adapter that turns the stock trans-axle into a stand alone differential, I'll stop building the C4 rolling chassis and welded frames all together and just do the kit frames and my lovely C5/6 frames.

Thanks guys
-Russell

You really peaked my interest with this comment. Is it anything like the chassis concepts adapter? If I remember correctly they are somewhere around $1300ish.

I remember seeing some talk (text) about retrofitting an 03-04 8.8" housing into the c5/c6 sub-frame as well.


On topic that kit looks really well put together. A bit overwhelming at first but I imagine one step at a time it would piece together very nicely.