Project WidowMaker - The Build Thread

[Ron in SoCal]

Nice update Tim! My opinion is get the pan baffle. It's cheap insurance...

[The WidowMaker]

i agree. without the pan baffle the two setups are only 50 bucks apart. but an extra 250 to not worry about it is worth it. im going to call tomorrow and order one.

thanks again for all your help ron. and let me know next time youre in the LB.

[Ron in SoCal]

You got it Tim. Maybe Monday, mid-day. I'll let you know

[The WidowMaker]

small update. i was able to get the drivers side inner fender done. welded in a notch in the top and had to relocate all the holes. i have the passenger side cut up and a template made for the notch. i still only have 3" of bump travel with the wheels straight. anyone think this isnt enough?

i also picked up an old style ls7 water pump for my wegner front drive, new ls coils on ebay for 128 bucks, new (dyno time only) FIC 60lb injectors for 150 bucks and the ls7 pan fittings for $35. im still working on the aviaid pan baffle, peterson tank and a few other small parts. block is now supposed to be done in 2 weeks.

for those interested in the ls9 injectors, they are also labeled as magnuson, edelbrock and lsa 52 lb. most guys yank them during the installation of their aftermarket supercharger.

more later.....

[The WidowMaker]

just another small update. both front wheel tubs are done and ive moved back to the bumper. ive finished machining the second part of the inserts and have now moved on to gettting them mounted. i have a few more small projects on the body, but i think my next plan is to start the interior. i want to get the trunk and rear package tray roughed in and start on a center console. i just want the mounts done and welded before i spray the coating on the bottom. im hoping that marquez is close to done with their interior. i called them the end of last year and they hadnt started yet but planned to have it by this time.

the block still isnt done, but ive now been told the end of this week. i started talking with wegner again, but they are a few grand more than hke. the plan is still to ship the block to erik at hke and get this thing done.

[dug]

slow/small progress is still progress nonetheless!

[The WidowMaker]

slow/small progress is still progress nonetheless!

true. still not feeling perfect yet, so i'll take what i can get.

i mocked up the new hellas last night to check clearance for the peterson tank. the h4's fit perfect with no cutting needed, but the h1's need a hole in the core support and stick further out the back. in addition, my hellas fit different in the trim ring with one sitting about 1/4" out further than the other. since the h4 fit without cutting and they look different, im thinking about running all h4's and having the inner h4 hooked just to the brights.

and for those that are interested, check out lehigh valley (<-- short version)...... ive always used my 4.5" variable speed grinder to do all the work (grinding, cutting, blending, etc) and switch back and forth tons of times a day. finally, last year i picked up a second cheaper one speed grinder that i only used with the harbor freight cut off wheels. after running through about 100 dics, i finally decided to give the dewalt wheels a chance at twice the price. ive found that i get more than twice the use and i havent had one gernade yet. i wont use the hf again. they worked, but a slight bind on a deep straight cut an they were toast.

so back to the first sentence and lehigh valley..... home depot used to stock norton abrasives and had flap wheels for ~6 bucks a pop. expensive, but cheaper than dewalt and they didnt compare to the HF stuff. they recently switched suppliers and jacked up the price again. i went looking and found lehigh valley. ended up with 50 bucks worth of stuff at my door and gave them a shot yesterday. VERY VERY impressed. it seems like they last a little longer although the rumor is they use norton abrasives. they have a thin and thick version, but the thick is only $2.50 ea and is thicker than the old nortons. check them out.