New featured project

[Kris Horton]

Looks like a wicked project. I love that generation of Corvette. As colors go, the silver/silver combo might look color. I might know a guy that could help you decide.

Kris

[groovyjay]

Originally Posted by Roarvette

Can't be sure on color yet,
Leaning towards, Dark Sliver with lighter silver stripes.
Thought about a similar color to the Cobra Concept car shown on Rides.
I like yellow, and even more a color I have in my head which is Yellow/silver/pearl, looks great when I close my eyes, but might not be possible.
I intend to drive this car everyday, so a bright color might attract too much attention.
Any comments???

Roarvette

If you want to avoid attention, get a Mini Van! That is seriously wicked looking ride. I'm currently putting together a twin turbo 1963 Grand Sport and I'm hoping to get the set rear suspension set up from Guldstrand. Is that the coil over kit or the one with standard shocks? Do keep us posted!

Jay
www.C3-R.com

[groovyjay]

Forgot to ask...



From this picture you can see how you boxed up the section infront of the trailing arm pockets was this required because of the guldstrand set up or was it something else? I also see you notched a piece on top of the frame, are you going to route some fuel line there or what's the purpose of that? Just curious

[Roarvette]

You are very observant. A friend of mine owns the real #004 Grandsport Corvette. There is a lot of work required to install the Guldstrand suspension. A lot of planning is required along with some extensive fabrication. You will have interference between the brake calipers and the Aluminum carrier if you don't use stock brakes. This can be solved, but again more fab work is required. It probably would be cheaper just to go with C4 or C5 suspension.
Yes, my fuel lines will run from the fuel cell out over the frame rail and then down inside the frame and up to the fire wall. I have both a feed line and a return line.
If you want a set of flares, I have the molds, and we could work something out.
Roarvette

[groovyjay]

Originally Posted by Roarvette

You are very observant. A friend of mine owns the real #004 Grandsport Corvette. There is a lot of work required to install the Guldstrand suspension. A lot of planning is required along with some extensive fabrication. You will have interference between the brake calipers and the Aluminum carrier if you don't use stock brakes. This can be solved, but again more fab work is required. It probably would be cheaper just to go with C4 or C5 suspension.
Yes, my fuel lines will run from the fuel cell out over the frame rail and then down inside the frame and up to the fire wall. I have both a feed line and a return line.
If you want a set of flares, I have the molds, and we could work something out.
Roarvette

Wow, your friend's got the original 004?
This site has been one of my favourites for quite some time now:
http://www.racingicons.com/gs/004/index.html
Where abouts are you located? I'm making another big 17 state road trip starting from NYC on 10th of this month it would be awesome to see your project in the flesh and talk some more BS while looking at it

Do have any more pics of the frame mods you did to make the GS suspension work? Any dimensions? I still haven't heard back from the guys at Guldstrand, how quickly did you get yours? I've haerd people having to wait months for the 5-link...

Where did you get the brake set up?

I think the flares on my Grand Sport body will be wide enough for me at this point, but thanks for the offer anyway!



Keep us posted!

[groovyjay]

Also more info/pics about the tranny cross member and your wicked gas pedal assembly would be highly appreciated!

[Roarvette]

The main issue with the Guldstrand set up was with the interference that I had between the Stainless Steel Brakes calipers and the cast upright. The top mounting lug was right where the caliper was. It might work well with the stock Corvette piece, but then what's the point in using stock stuff.
The Frame mods were made for a couple of reasons. One was to make a mount for the main hoop of the roll cage. Also with all that torque, over 600 ft. lbs minimum, the four links that are put under load are right there as well.
The 5 link suspension took me 2 months to get. but they build these in batches of 5 or so, and depending on when you order, it could be 5 month I have been told. If I had to do it again, I would probably just make the suspension myself. It is pretty simple. I would probably use C4 or C5 outer bearing carriers, and just make up all the brackets.
In order to install the Guldstrand 5 link, you need to bolt their bracket to the existing trailing arm bolt hole. They then give you a couple of "lugs" that you are supposed to weld to the back of the frame. These pick up both the bracket and the lower links. It all makes sense when you have the parts in front of you. everything is located from the stock holes, so no real drawings are needed.
You must also cut clearance in the rear part of the frame so the upper link will fit in.
More trivial issues are how you anchor the emergency cable and brake lines.
Best bet is to weld a lug to the frame near the caliper and just put the SS
line there. Don't try to run the line up the links like stock, because it will be hard to adjust the arms with brake lines in the way.
The emergency cable is a bigger issue, because the stress of the cable jacket on the bracket is vital to making it work. Here I am making a bracket that will have a 1" dia. hole in it and a clamping ring on it so I can mount it to the suspension link and still loosen it to adjust the suspension.

The cross member was fabricated by me, and it has 4.5" diameter tobing to pass the 3" dia. exhaust through it. I made it removable so that I can swap the clutch and trans with the engine in. It seems easier this way. I have my Cobra set up the same and it works well. It took a couple of days to make it, but was pretty straight forward. The bigger issue was the interference with the floor. Between the transmission, the exhaust, the bigger drive shaft and the racing seats, the entire floor was cut out and re-made with fiberglass.

With the larger transmission and bellhousing, I could not use the stock gas pedal. So again, I just made one. It works a cable that is perfect for the 502 Ram Jet fuel injection system. It has a adjustable stop and is mounted to the stock firewall holes. I positioned it so that it would work well for heel and toe use.

Finally, I am in Florida, near Palm Beach. If you are near here, please call. I would love to show you the car. If you need any parts made, let me know, I might be able to help.

Roarvette

I have probably solved some of the problems that you have run into.

[SN65]

Originally Posted by Roarvette

Can't be sure on color yet,
Leaning towards, Dark Sliver with lighter silver stripes.
Thought about a similar color to the Cobra Concept car shown on Rides.
I like yellow, and even more a color I have in my head which is Yellow/silver/pearl, looks great when I close my eyes, but might not be possible.
I intend to drive this car everyday, so a bright color might attract too much attention.
Any comments???

Roarvette

Hi RV,

I think that a yellow silver black color scheme would look great. Silver is also nice, but EVERYBODY is going silver (silver is the new red).

I was facing the same issues when deciding on a color for my car. I finally choose the path least traveled.

For your ref, here is a photo of my engine bay showing the colors I picked.

Bob

[Roarvette]

I like yellow, and your car looks nice. But what is it they say, that yellow is the new orange??
I think I will try to have a custom color made which will be the yellow pearl pushed heavily toward silver. Then use plain silver stripes. I think it could work. I'll keep the tires black just for contrast...
Why be normal.
I think you may be right about the all silver look...
Once the car is all in primer, I'll decide.

[SN65]

Originally Posted by Roarvette

I like yellow, and your car looks nice. But what is it they say, that yellow is the new orange??
I think I will try to have a custom color made which will be the yellow pearl pushed heavily toward silver. Then use plain silver stripes. I think it could work. I'll keep the tires black just for contrast...
Why be normal.
I think you may be right about the all silver look...
Once the car is all in primer, I'll decide.

Hi RV,

Actually, I think they are saying that orange is the new pink.

If you are still thinking silver as a possibility, might I recommend the PPG Vibrance series. Their silver is the most intence I have ever seen. It is what we were considering before we went yellow.

Good luck with your project. Maybe when we are both done we can race for titles. I always wanted to own a nice Vett and I am sure that yours will be very, very nice when complete.

choise of color aside, I am sure your car will look fantastic which ever color you choose.

Bob