Well, a nice clean new engine can brighten up anybody's day. Here I am mounting the accessories with a Concept One Serpentine kit. Sme modification was necessary to the water pump to clear the pully.
I also took off the flex plate and put on the flywheel and the Centerforce Clutch assy.
The Transmission is from Dodge and has the 2.92 first gear and the 50% overdrive. I am running a 3.70 rear gear and 25" tall tires.
Next installment, Clean engine meets rusty frame... tune in to see who wins...
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500+ HP, 500+ Ft. Lbs, 500+ Cu. In. Yeah the numbers match!
The engine/transmission assy. are about 1.5" longer than stock. This required that the transmission support be modified. At this point, it just became easier just to build a new one. I made 4" ID exhaust pass through tubes so the 3" exhaust could be accomodated, and made the center section removable.
I also added some clearance for one of the header tubes that came too close to the frame, and made clearance for the PS pump.
On the bottom of the crossmember, I made a "Bash Box", which should protect the oil pan from any "Smokey and the Bandit, or Dukes of Hazzard" moments.
All seams were welded on the entire chassis for strength.
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500+ HP, 500+ Ft. Lbs, 500+ Cu. In. Yeah the numbers match!
The next step on the chassis was to install the 5 link rear suspension. A lot of welding was required. I incorporated the main rollbar hoop and the forward links to the 4 length wise suspension links. I figured that there would be a lot of load on those links when I put them between my left foot and the pavement.
The roll cage is next...
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500+ HP, 500+ Ft. Lbs, 500+ Cu. In. Yeah the numbers match!
I decided that if I was going to stiffen up my chassis to deal with the extra power and tire forces, a cage might be a good idea. After doing some research, I found out the John Greenwood of Corvette racing fame didn't run forward of the dash area with any of his cages, I decided to do the same, so 10 point became 8 point. The corvette body construction causes a problem for any cages. Either you weld one in through holes in the floor to the chassis, or you have to make a cage that sits in the body, but bolts to the chassis. That is the method that I chose. It is a little bit like building a ship in a bottle.
The pictures explain most of what I did. I have added door bars which go from the main tube but end at the transmission crossmember.
Adding a roll cage points out exactly how small a car the Corvette Coupe really is.
As you can see from the pics., I was able to put the windshield bars in such a way, that there is no blocking of your view out from the drivers seat. I had to bend the drivers side bar 5 times to get it right!!!
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500+ HP, 500+ Ft. Lbs, 500+ Cu. In. Yeah the numbers match!
If I ever see another piece of 320 grit sandpaper I am going to scream...
After taking out a second on the house to pay for the indispensible green masking tape, I finally put the color and clear on and pulled the car into day light.
So What do you think about the color choice?
It is a GT40 color, Tungsten and Satin Silver on the stripe.
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500+ HP, 500+ Ft. Lbs, 500+ Cu. In. Yeah the numbers match!
Brian Hobaugh SCCA National Tour June 2014
First Hemi 'Cuda Convertible Ever Built
Short clips: Goodguys Pleasanton autocross and pit videos
It's like a ball of yarn unwinding, that has no end... Author DKz Garage
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