Question? $2,500 C4 Corvette TriFive all new frame Think there's a maket?

[rat_rod_russell]

So I've been working with cooler and cooler technology and I've come up with an idea to convert my 55-57 frame for the guys who want to do it at home. A completely new frame for the 55-57's that takes the C4 corvette suspension front and rear that a guy with decent skills could build in his garage at home. It comes in a few UPS boxes, in a pile of parts and its all pegged and slotted tubing and flat steel cut on a CNC laser. So all a normal guy would need is 3x F clamps, a 2' x 5' flat table to clamp to, measuring tape, decent welding equipment and the knowledge to use it. And I'll do a full set of videos online so you can watch me showing how to do the frame with just the above mentioned tools. No huge frame jig and no super crazy measuring equipment needed.

Does it sound interesting? Does it sound like the right price range for the do it yourself guys? I know my 6k frame is just over the top for most guys and without the new CNC technology you could have never built this frame without my massive jig. But now if you could imagine all the parts keyed like a jig saw puzzle so you can't even mix up the parts. Then the only way to screw it up is if you don't give it the cool down time the parts need after you clamp them to the flat table and weld them out.

Please tell me what you think, I'm open to any and all suggestions.
- Russell

[jy211]

at that price I think you'd have people interested.

[takid455]

YOU WOULD NEED to do something w/ the legal end as if someone duct tapes it together and then crashes. Then comes after you b/c you made the parts.

A frame is a pretty serious piece. However, the kit car companies do it. I would do it under a subsidiary company in case something did happen.

[nickcornilsen]

It's for supporting a car body in a display situation only

Go with C5 suspension... much better stuff, and getting easier to find than C4 stuff IMHO. Making the differentials stand alone (w/out the trans axle) is not to difficult.

And at that price, are the customers going to have to source thier own parts?

[rat_rod_russell]

Originally Posted by takid455

YOU WOULD NEED to do something w/ the legal end as if someone duct tapes it together and then crashes. Then comes after you b/c you made the parts.

A frame is a pretty serious piece. However, the kit car companies do it. I would do it under a subsidiary company in case something did happen.

Right I have a pretty substantial contract already for the Frames we build for the 55-57's.

Originally Posted by nickcornilsen

It's for supporting a car body in a display situation only

Go with C5 suspension... much better stuff, and getting easier to find than C4 stuff IMHO. Making the differentials stand alone (w/out the trans axle) is not to difficult.

And at that price, are the customers going to have to source thier own parts?

LOL, This guy don't know me very well do he, lol. You might check out the link in my sig

Seriously the reason I'm doing this is because I'm tired of the C4 suspensions and I want to go all C5/6. But I have a fully developed and tested frame why just discontinue it. As I get my other C5/6 chassis online and tested, including my C5/6 Differential Adapter that turns the stock trans-axle into a stand alone differential, I'll stop building the C4 rolling chassis and welded frames all together and just do the kit frames and my lovely C5/6 frames.

Thanks guys
-Russell

[96z28ss]

Not sure how this is different, but Ironworks already makes a DIY frame kit.

The other issue your going to have is the C4 stuff is starting to get harder to find. I think Newman chassis is now having certain C4 parts made cause of availability.

[nickcornilsen]

Originally Posted by rat_rod_russell

Right I have a pretty substantial contract already for the Frames we build for the 55-57's.



LOL, This guy don't know me very well do he, lol. You might check out the link in my sig

Seriously the reason I'm doing this is because I'm tired of the C4 suspensions and I want to go all C5/6. But I have a fully developed and tested frame why just discontinue it. As I get my other C5/6 chassis online and tested, including my C5/6 Differential Adapter that turns the stock trans-axle into a stand alone differential, I'll stop building the C4 rolling chassis and welded frames all together and just do the kit frames and my lovely C5/6 frames.

Thanks guys
-Russell

Indeed, I don't know you at all... Now that i see your C5 design, I think you should just kit that up, forget the C4 stuff!
I like your extensive use of CAD... It makes the job so much easier doesn't it?

[214Chevy]

Originally Posted by 96z28ss

....... but Ironworks already makes a DIY frame kit.

Has Ironworks released theirs to the public yet? I mean are they ready to sell them to the buyer yet? Last I heard, they were not just ready to release them to the average joe quite yet.

[out2kayak]

Are you willing to live with the liability risk? Unfortunately, we live in a very litigious society.

[rat_rod_russell]

Originally Posted by nickcornilsen

Indeed, I don't know you at all... Now that i see your C5 design, I think you should just kit that up, forget the C4 stuff!
I like your extensive use of CAD... It makes the job so much easier doesn't it?

Lol, I need funds to finish the C5/6 stuff but depending on how this works out that might very well happen after I thrash mine for at least 10k and get 10 in the feel with feed back from other guys to make sure that its possible then we'll look as selling it as a do it your self at home kit.

Originally Posted by 509Chevelle

Has Ironworks released theirs to the public yet? I mean are they ready to sell them to the buyer yet? Last I heard, they were not just ready to release them to the average joe quite yet.

I've seen Rodgers frame and its awesome. I put it a little out of the rang of most home builders but very much a solid solution for a shop with a proper table and a tig for sure. My plan of attack is a little different. Instead of all flat plate parts I'm going to do it all from rectangular tubing. My frame is also subdivided into small self jigging sections to stop any thing from getting out of line. I'm also planning on covering shrinkage and I'm also going to give some examples of it in our movies so guys know why you say "Do as I say." I find if you reason with a person and give them logic to think about they take it to heart much faster.

Originally Posted by out2kayak

Are you willing to live with the liability risk? Unfortunately, we live in a very litigious society.

Theirs always risk. Anything worth doing has risks and I plan to cover that in my videos. I also think the frame is over engineered enough with extra gusset plate all over the place to take up the slack. I'm also going to include several extra scrap parts in the kit so the welder can practice before jumping off into the frame welding.

I should probable post a photo


This is the current one, minus the exhaust of course.



I'm going to re design it a little in the back. That's my fathers original design and I've always wanted to change it.

Here's one of the lasers at work if you've never seen a 3D laser this might give you a better idea of what I'm planning.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UeGVbtrrHjE

Thanks again guys for the input
-Russell