Hello all,
I would like to show you guys our latest project, a 55 Chevy. Our hope is to have a great all around car that excels at any open track or autox event but still be able to drive on the street and keep the ride bearable. The main purpose of this car will be driving events so we are keeping the creature comforts to a minimum to save on weight and really putting all our efforts into making the drivability and handling our main focus.
To start with we (Newman Car Creations) took the stock chassis and did our conversion on it so that it accepts C-4 Corvette suspension front and rear. We coated the underside of the frame with 10gage sheet metal to smooth out the skip weld that runs down the bottom of the frame and to give it some more strength. We also built a sheet metal X-member to give the frame as much rigidity as possible.
The new power plant consists of a LS-376/480 with a T56 six speed. The motor is moved back 5” into the firewall and in doing that we were able to drop the front of the motor down and get the pulley sitting behind the rack and pinion (opposite of what the wagon has, motor sitting on top of the rack and much higher). We are trying to keep all the weight behind the front axle and keep the roll center low.
We put one of our Newman Car Creations/ Dana 44 Replacement differential’s in the car with a .373 ring and pinion and True Track limited slip. We also installed our new Free Action Link Kit on the rear suspension which replaces all the stock Corvette links with a new billet link and spherical bearing’s. This and the independent rear suspension will help us keep the ride as plush and soft on the street as possible. We also gave the rear a mini-tub which allows us to run an 11” wheel. We were amazed at how little you really have to cut and go into the trunk.
Our next weight saving idea was to put the exhaust in the front fenders. The idea behind it was that it will take less tubing and therefore cut down on weight. We don’t know how this will work and if it is going to get the front fenders too hot. It will be wrapped with some sort of insulation to try and cut down on heat. We are also hoping that it will be quiet (if you saw our 57 wagon run you will notice that it is not very loud and we like it that way!).
Inside the car we are planning on keeping it very basic. The steering wheel got pushed up and back so that it is in a better driving position for me. We are hoping to run minimal interior, no back seat and in its place some sort of tire rack for track slicks and tools. The doors will get stock interior door panels with no frills. Hand role up windows, no heater, no A/C.
Well I think you guys get the point on where this is going, we have had so much fun with our wagon with its under powered LT-1 and 6 speed that I can only imagine that this will be twice as fun! 2x power = 2x fun right? looking forward to feed back and thoughts.
Kyle Newman
"copy and paste" does wonders...lol had to loose a few images though (to many for one post.)
and it took me a whole 2 minutes
(edit) ok 4 mins.
killer build for sure but then again everything you guys do is sweet!
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