My purpose built track car
#61
Drifting
Looking good, Ken. Can't wait to see it on track. I still have those 315/35-17s for you too. I'll bring them to the track.
#62
Drifting
Thread Starter
I have been making more progress. I didn't get it done for the July trackday, and life has found a way to get in the way. I am now shooting for my next trackday a month from now.
Since the last update, I have pretty much buttoned up the front end, including mounting the rack and pinion. Of course, on closer inspection tonight I realized the rack isn't completely level. I need to raise the driver's side about 1/8". Once the rack was in I was able to mock up the steering shaft. I was going to put in the final version until I found out the metal shop gave me the wrong size tubing.
Something else I got done that has been bothering me is the alternator mount. I wanted to keep the belt drive as simple as possible. Not only for weight reduction, but to minimize the space requirements and the number of pieces that can go bad. Even though the LSx parts are all supposed to interchange, there are some small differences. When I tried to mount the alt bracket, I found out that one of the require bolt holes was not drilled in this block. The result is I am using one bolt into the block and the tension rod. I will see how it works, and if necessary make a bracket to brace the mount on the outside face.
The other big thing I got done is the diagonal bracing in the cockpit. Because the engine sits under the main cross bar, I was not able to run a single diagonal from opposite corners of the main roll hoop. My solution is to run two diagonals angled forward to a common point. Another bar then runs from there to the base of the "windshield". A final tube runs to the front end bracing to tie it all together. (in the picture below, I still need to fit and weld the last of the 3 diagonals)
In addition to this work, I ordered a "new" half shaft online to replace the one with a torn boot. I found it for $70 with no core charge. I guess I will see what it looks like when I get it. I also ordered some stainless braided brake lines from DRM so I can start plumbing the brakes.
Ken
Since the last update, I have pretty much buttoned up the front end, including mounting the rack and pinion. Of course, on closer inspection tonight I realized the rack isn't completely level. I need to raise the driver's side about 1/8". Once the rack was in I was able to mock up the steering shaft. I was going to put in the final version until I found out the metal shop gave me the wrong size tubing.
Something else I got done that has been bothering me is the alternator mount. I wanted to keep the belt drive as simple as possible. Not only for weight reduction, but to minimize the space requirements and the number of pieces that can go bad. Even though the LSx parts are all supposed to interchange, there are some small differences. When I tried to mount the alt bracket, I found out that one of the require bolt holes was not drilled in this block. The result is I am using one bolt into the block and the tension rod. I will see how it works, and if necessary make a bracket to brace the mount on the outside face.
The other big thing I got done is the diagonal bracing in the cockpit. Because the engine sits under the main cross bar, I was not able to run a single diagonal from opposite corners of the main roll hoop. My solution is to run two diagonals angled forward to a common point. Another bar then runs from there to the base of the "windshield". A final tube runs to the front end bracing to tie it all together. (in the picture below, I still need to fit and weld the last of the 3 diagonals)
In addition to this work, I ordered a "new" half shaft online to replace the one with a torn boot. I found it for $70 with no core charge. I guess I will see what it looks like when I get it. I also ordered some stainless braided brake lines from DRM so I can start plumbing the brakes.
Ken
#64
I had a similar problem of mounting/driving an alternator on my tube framed,LS6 powered GTU car.I put the alt. where the A/C compressor was and drove it with the short 4 rib A/C belt and tensioner.That gets it low and out of the way.Then I drove the water pump with the shorter belt/stock tensioner combo as shown in the "LS1 installation "manual. It was a simple matter of modding the stock A/C bracket and fabbing up a small steel adapter to mount the alt.I'm not sure how to attach pics to these posts,but e-mail me and I will send you some pics.
Dave D.
Dave D.
#66
Drifting
Thread Starter
[QUOTE=ctk30;1566694942]Have you looked into dimple dies to make sheet metal gussets and braces?
QUOTE]
I don't have dimple dies, but I did buy a bead roller for the sheetmetal panels. I made one so far, and it's a lot harder to make straight beads than it looks. It really takes two people to do.
Dave,
I would love to see some pics. I will send you an email. I am using an electric water pump because I didn't want any belts running up near my head.
69427,
I will try to get some wide angle shots. I have purposely limited those because the garage is a mess. I have been cleaning it every chance I get in preparation for getting the car off the build table. I am hoping I can get the car off the table and on the ground this weekend. That should make for some good shots.
Ken
QUOTE]
I don't have dimple dies, but I did buy a bead roller for the sheetmetal panels. I made one so far, and it's a lot harder to make straight beads than it looks. It really takes two people to do.
Dave,
I would love to see some pics. I will send you an email. I am using an electric water pump because I didn't want any belts running up near my head.
69427,
I will try to get some wide angle shots. I have purposely limited those because the garage is a mess. I have been cleaning it every chance I get in preparation for getting the car off the build table. I am hoping I can get the car off the table and on the ground this weekend. That should make for some good shots.
Ken
#67
I doubt you are any closer to the engine than I am in my racer.With the water pump drive,the belt and tensioner are on the right side(far from your head) and if it should ever break(although I have never seen a serpentine belt break without an outside cause such as pulley siezure)it's rotation direction would take it away from the driver's side.The alt. mounted low on the right just gets the thing out of the way.
BTW,I am using a Honda Civic alt. converted to single wire.It's smaller than the GM unit with more than enough amps to power the car.Don't spend the high $$$ on the fancy "racing" alts,they're just the same case(Nippondenso) as the Civic and most starter/generator shops can convert them to single wire cheaper than the "racing"units.!Also,don't get the "smallest" case Nip. alt. as these units were originally designed for use on tractors and light equipment and can't take high rpms for long(the stators come apart) and may be rated for 75 amps,but at our underhood temps(175 to 210 deg)their output falls to less than 20 amps due to heat soak.
BTW,I am using a Honda Civic alt. converted to single wire.It's smaller than the GM unit with more than enough amps to power the car.Don't spend the high $$$ on the fancy "racing" alts,they're just the same case(Nippondenso) as the Civic and most starter/generator shops can convert them to single wire cheaper than the "racing"units.!Also,don't get the "smallest" case Nip. alt. as these units were originally designed for use on tractors and light equipment and can't take high rpms for long(the stators come apart) and may be rated for 75 amps,but at our underhood temps(175 to 210 deg)their output falls to less than 20 amps due to heat soak.
#68
Tech Contributor
Member Since: Jun 2004
Location: I tend to be leery of any guy who doesn't own a chainsaw or a handgun.
Posts: 18,342
Received 766 Likes
on
548 Posts
..............
69427,
I will try to get some wide angle shots. I have purposely limited those because the garage is a mess. I have been cleaning it every chance I get in preparation for getting the car off the build table. I am hoping I can get the car off the table and on the ground this weekend. That should make for some good shots.
Ken
69427,
I will try to get some wide angle shots. I have purposely limited those because the garage is a mess. I have been cleaning it every chance I get in preparation for getting the car off the build table. I am hoping I can get the car off the table and on the ground this weekend. That should make for some good shots.
Ken
Mike
#69
Drifting
Thread Starter
My buddy came over on Sunday, and we got the car off the build table and onto the ground. It sure was nice to see it sitting on the wheels. The car seems a lot lower than when it was on the table.
We also got the engine and tranny bolted together completely. Before, the flexplate was not bolted to the torque converter. The bolt pattern was slightly off because this combo was never envisioned by GM. We had to grind the bolt holes a little, and then add a small spacer between the converter and the plate. Before putting the combo in the frame, we installed the starter. Now it's time to install the half shafts, and the drivetrain will be complete. Enough of the typing, here are the pictures:
We also got the engine and tranny bolted together completely. Before, the flexplate was not bolted to the torque converter. The bolt pattern was slightly off because this combo was never envisioned by GM. We had to grind the bolt holes a little, and then add a small spacer between the converter and the plate. Before putting the combo in the frame, we installed the starter. Now it's time to install the half shafts, and the drivetrain will be complete. Enough of the typing, here are the pictures:
#71
Drifting
Thread Starter
I haven't posted any updates lately, but I was very busy working on the car. I did not want to finish the car up just so it could sit all winter. My last opportunity to drive it was this past weekend at Grattan. It took a lot of late nights, but with the help of my friends I was able to take the car out for it's maiden voyage. Don't get me wrong, I still have a lot of work to complete the car, but it was driveable and it gave me a chance to find out what works and what doesn't. Of course, it rained on us Saturday, but there were some times when the rain stopped and the pavement started to dry. It was just enough so that I can say the car doesn't exhibit any scary handling trates. I did manage to spin it, and get it sideways a bit. I attribute that to the wet, and not being able to get the tires up to temp at all (it couldn't be a lack of talent ). I do think the rear springs may be too stiff, but I don't think I can make that conclusion until trying it in the dry. Most likely, I will buy some softer springs and have them available at the next track day.
I did have problems with the transmission. My initial thought is that I overfilled it. I need to check it using the GM service procedure to be sure though. Basically, the trans would not engage/slip after a corner, or towards the end of a straight. That is one of the first things I have to fix.
Another problem was the coolant temp. With the huge radiator, the cold temps, and the electric pump, the coolant would never get to operating temp. I am using the Mezeire race pump, and it doesn't have a provision for a thermostat. I found an inline thermostat housing made by Wilson Manifolds this morning, and I will order one of those. That should help with several issues.
Anyways, here are some videos of the shakedown run:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ilzXKGvHvI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Pe7jaoPcKM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-WUXNfdznM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxD-q34Hhz8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-Xzyh_iZP8
I did have problems with the transmission. My initial thought is that I overfilled it. I need to check it using the GM service procedure to be sure though. Basically, the trans would not engage/slip after a corner, or towards the end of a straight. That is one of the first things I have to fix.
Another problem was the coolant temp. With the huge radiator, the cold temps, and the electric pump, the coolant would never get to operating temp. I am using the Mezeire race pump, and it doesn't have a provision for a thermostat. I found an inline thermostat housing made by Wilson Manifolds this morning, and I will order one of those. That should help with several issues.
Anyways, here are some videos of the shakedown run:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ilzXKGvHvI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Pe7jaoPcKM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-WUXNfdznM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxD-q34Hhz8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-Xzyh_iZP8
#73
Tech Contributor
Member Since: Jun 2004
Location: I tend to be leery of any guy who doesn't own a chainsaw or a handgun.
Posts: 18,342
Received 766 Likes
on
548 Posts
Conratulations on getting some seat time in your car. Despite the weather, it looked like fun. Great job. Keep us updated on further progress.
Mike
Mike
#74
Le Mans Master
Kudos to you. Good job. It's great to see the project in that state. You should be proud. I would imagine that this will give you some more motivation to complete it.
#75
Drifting
Glad to be there for the maiden voyage!
I congratulate you on finishing it and how well it ran. Cant wait to see it at Gingerman in the dry!
I want vin# KG0000000002
I congratulate you on finishing it and how well it ran. Cant wait to see it at Gingerman in the dry!
I want vin# KG0000000002
#77
Drifting
Thread Starter
Thansk for the compliments guys. I took the last week off from the project to catch up with things around the house. My wife has been very understanding the past year, but she has a nice long list of things that were piling up.
I can't wait to get it out again next year. I will post some more pics as I finish up some of the details.
Thanks again,
Ken
I can't wait to get it out again next year. I will post some more pics as I finish up some of the details.
Thanks again,
Ken
#78
Drifting
Thread Starter
Well, after much too long of a wait, I finally have a weight for the car.
Car alone:
Total: 2441
Front: 895 (37%)
Rear: 1546 (63%)
LF/RR: 1243 (51%)
LR/RF: 1198 (49%)
Right: 1221 (50%)
Left: 1220 (50%)
With driver:
OK, let's get this out of the way right now. It says I weigh 274 lbs. Pretty close; I was holding my breath.
Total: 2715
Front: 1053 (39%)
Rear: 1662 (61%)
LF/RR: 1390 (51%)
LR/RF: 1325 (49%)
Right: 1303 (48%)
Left: 1412 (52%)
The car is a little heavier than I was expecting, but I'm always the optimist. The most surprising thing is that the diagonal weight percentages stay the same with or without the driver. I really wasn't expecting that.
Ken
Car alone:
Total: 2441
Front: 895 (37%)
Rear: 1546 (63%)
LF/RR: 1243 (51%)
LR/RF: 1198 (49%)
Right: 1221 (50%)
Left: 1220 (50%)
With driver:
OK, let's get this out of the way right now. It says I weigh 274 lbs. Pretty close; I was holding my breath.
Total: 2715
Front: 1053 (39%)
Rear: 1662 (61%)
LF/RR: 1390 (51%)
LR/RF: 1325 (49%)
Right: 1303 (48%)
Left: 1412 (52%)
The car is a little heavier than I was expecting, but I'm always the optimist. The most surprising thing is that the diagonal weight percentages stay the same with or without the driver. I really wasn't expecting that.
Ken