wanabgts

Finally been making good progress on my xp c4 Corvette for the 2013 season. I decided early on that the weight of the car was going to be the major draw back to using this chassis. So I went to work looking for engine options to shave weight, while keeping my original 400-450whp goal in sight.

I decided on the newest LE5 Ecotec engine, with a well designed turbo system. Can make my power goal on a stock engine, they are cheap and plentiful, and the solstice trans bolts right up.

I will be adding more this in detail but for now I will throw up some pics. I just got the engine fitted, it fits quite well actually.

Here are some specs on the weight differences

small block-490lbs

ecotec-255lbs

ZF6-speed-160lbs

Solstice 5-speed-112lbs

So Im on a decent path to what I feel would be a competetive weight.

On to pics!

wanabgts

Kubs

Why didnt you just start with a Solstice? Something about putting half the engine back in doesnt seem right. That being said I look forward to seeing what you do with it.

travisnd

Interesting idea. I agree with Kubs... why not just race a Solstice? As for weight did you add up all the turbo stuff too?

TRACKMAN2

believe me well try anthing to get those things to run!!!

Sidney004

Very innovative; if you have the fabrication skills(which you do) go for it! Do the Ecotechs need to be dry sumped?

Zee Freak

Thats a very cool and interesting project you have going there.
I think that might be the worlds first corvette with a four cylinder swap.
Keep us posted I'd like to see this when its done.

GS023

How bout this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JQ-UiRV_4M

GN motor in a C4

travisnd

I was about to post that

wanabgts

Thanks for the interest guys.

I didn't start with a solstice because there is always extra costs associated with starting with a newer chassis. Plus in a class where most of the original car ends up missing, I think this is still a solid chassis to use. Tire/weight ratios should be similar as well.

I work at a performance shop that specializes in turbo fabrication and tuning. I will be using all my knowledge on this car to acheive to my goals, as well as using some technology alot of my competitors have not considered yet.

I have not weighed the components yet, but your average turbo system weights about 85lbs, I will be trying to reduce that number by being able to compact the system due to all the room im working with. When i weighed the small block it had no exhaust manifolds, same with the ecotec.

And by the way, Ill put half the engine in all day long if it has the same power band and weights 200lbs less.

I will be building a custom intake manifold and exhaust manifold after I have completed all my engine mounting....check out this cool peice from CBM, its an intake manifold flange that is actually o-ringed since the stock manifold is plastic and seals in this fasion. Its a great peice.





thanks again,
Zack

travisnd

Sounds good... get to work... we like build threads. Take lots of pictures

wanabgts

Got some parts in for the exhaust manifold we will be building with the next couple weeks. Should have my underbody brace finished up tonight, which means the transmission mount will be close! Ill put pics up when completed.





Im going with 1.5" schedule 10 pipe instead of schedule 40 to try and keep the weight down. I will be totally backpurging the manifold when building it as the anti-lag will be very hard on my exhaust components.

Thanks,
Zack

wanabgts

Got a bit done on the car today after work. Im building an aluminum underbody brace for the car that will be the platform for my transmission and differential mounts. I had to take the hit on ground clearance, but I am not planning on overlowering the car anyhow as roll center correction won't be in the cards.

Here are some pics of the progress, the other two cross bars are done and should be welded up tomorrow!











thanks,
Zack

wanabgts

Still working on the brace some, should be able to get it x'd up tonight.

Zack

travisnd

Why do this X-brace? Is the car not going to have a cage?

wanabgts

Yes the x-brace is overkill for a caged car, however i also need a way to mount my transmission and the front of the rear diff. So by building a lightweight solid platform, I can make my mounts off the brace.

Zack

travisnd

But it appears that you lose a ton of ground clearance. I could see hopping a curb and that getting ripped to heck.

93Rubie

First off, way cool build. I like it a lot.

If it going to be a race car, why does he need to worry about ground clearance?

travisnd

Having that X hang low like that would be very easy to high-side. There are plenty of places you want to straddle a curb where I wouldn't want that hanging down under the car.

RC000E

I like this build! Check my avatar bro...that's my kinda work. ((Not tryin to thread jack, just pumped to see this kind of build...I'll remove if you like)

Top Secret was known for their road raced/top end Supra that crushed all with the 3SGTE in place of the 2JZ. Less weight, better balance, tons of power.






I'm known for building custom forced induction brute force 4 cylinders in my area. I tune and fab a good number of them every month.

Scion TC build...466whp on pump gas...has more in it, way more.