65 Nova subframe - Page 2 - Lateral-g Forums

slow4dr · #11 10-13-2007, 08:52 PM

<-------------C4 checking in

While were on the subject, did anyone buy the Wayne Due C4 frame jig for the Nova's?

bucks69 · #12 10-13-2007, 09:35 PM

That would be novanutcase who has chimed in on this thread that has the hybred c5/nova. it would be a good idea to look at his build to see just how awesome that machine is.

rich-allen · #13 10-15-2007, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bucks69

That would be novanutcase who has chimed in on this thread that has the hybred c5/nova. it would be a good idea to look at his build to see just how awesome that machine is.

My friend and I both follow novanutcase's build. It's inspiring to say the least.
It wont be easy to build but I have the facilities and my friend has the time.

Two pieces of many fabricating machines in our shop

novanutcase · #14 10-15-2007, 10:02 AM

Buck and Rich!

Thanks for the compliments!

So you want to use C5 parts. My guess is you want it to handle like a 'Vette? You have the gear to fab it. Now you just need to go measure the 'Vette of your choice. You'll need to transfer those measurements to your friends car and start deciding what you'll have to change and where you'll need to compromise. I would say that if you are going to design your own front end you probably want to start at the spindle and design from there. Track width will have to be narrowed. Since you're doing custom fab are you going to lengthen the wheelbase? What ride height are you going to go with. Airbags? If you don't want to go to all that trouble then I would suggest you find a car with a Chris Alston or Morrison clip and and take all the measurements you can from there. Analyze it and change whatever you think you can make better. I hope you know suspension engineering because for you to optimize it you'll need to know. Even a 1/4" off somewhere will make the car drive differently.

Good Luck!

John

P.S. You should look at Jasons(slow4dr) build too! He's using a C4 'Vette front end! Lot's of good info and engineering going on there!

krptonite · #15 10-25-2007, 06:57 PM

I have c4 front and rear in my 67 which i believe is the same width as earlier models. I built my own clip for it and although the fabrication was easy it took a lot of setup time in the first place and it has blockhugger headers and a smallblock motor, there is about a quarter of an inch between the header and the upper arm alignment bolts, i laid a steel sheet on the floor and rolled the car over it and set it on jackstands, then tacked some square tube to steel sheet and chassis so it wouldnt move when unbolting parts, then very carefully marked centerlines and wheel centers on plate with a large set square so i knew i would still have clearance for wheels and fenderlips then made up two stands from flat plate like an upside down tee that had the wheel bolt pattern drilled to the vertical face at ride height so i could bolt the c4 hubs to and tacked these down to plate once on alignment marks. then made a small fixture to mount the rad support to and tacked it down to the plate also, these are the main reference points so need to be good , i then mocked up where the steering rack needed to be and tacked a frame down again, then its a case of routing steel between these points, i took anti dive angles etc from a stock vette before starting framework, if i can find any pics of the frame i will post them, hope this helps.

krptonite · #16 10-25-2007, 07:09 PM

some pics of the front end.

rich-allen · #17 10-26-2007, 06:41 AM

Thanks for the pics!

Every little bit helps. We brought the car into the shop this week and plan on starting the jig this weekend.

cheers!

ryans67deuce · #18 11-01-2007, 07:27 PM

Getting a hold of someone with a Wayne Due C4 subframe may be a big help to you. I have a bunch of pics I could send you of my old car, but can't measure it of course. The track width on mine was brought in about 1.5" on each side in order to run a wider wheel/tire combo, but it required a custom rack to be built. The C4 setup did not require engine set-back like the C5 either. Shoot me a PM with your email if you'd like some pics...

Ryan

Mrfixit · #19 11-09-2007, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by novanutcase

It can be done but you're going to have to move the engine back but even with that the LCA pivot points are going to be REALLY close to the engine so custom headers will be mandatory. You'll also probably have to fab your own UCA's along with working on attach points that will clear the engine. In a nutshell, it ain't easy!!

Rodger put it best when he said it's like putting 10 lb of crap in a 5 lb bag!

John

That reminds me of a story...

An engineer left the nuclear power plant after thirty years to start his long awaited retirement. A few months later he received a frantic phone call asking him for help. It seems that the reactor was on the verge of a melt-down and no one could figure out what was happening.

The engineer showed up at the plant and walked around an listened to the sounds, read the gauges. After about an hour he walked over to a piece of monitoring equipment and drew a bid "X" on it with chalk and told them to look there and he left. The crew took his advice and not too long later, they found the problem and fixed the reactor.

A week later, the plant received a bill from the retired engineer for $10,000.

Startled, the plant manager returned the bill with a note saying that $10,000 dollars was a lot of money for a chalk mark and that he would need more detail before he would consider paying. The engineer returned the bill with his clarification: $1.00 for the chalk - $9,999 for knowing where to put it!

Engineers love that story.

novanutcase · #20 11-09-2007, 11:01 PM

That's a good one!

John