6 Link Progress (Bottom Bracket) (Pics)
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Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Barrie Ontario
6 Link Progress (Bottom Bracket) (Pics)
Just an other post on my progress so far. This morning I finished my bottom strut rod bracket. It will attach the inner strut rods 1.5” lower than stock. I started with 3” square tube. I first drilled the mounting holes in one side of the tube. I made sure that the weld seam of the tube was on the side of the tube that will be removed later.
I cut a temporary hole in the back of the tube and did a test fitting on the differential to insure the hole pattern was good before I continued.
I then drilled the holes for the strut bolts and holes for radius of my cuts.
I then cut out everything I didn’t want.
I then welded in ribs for strength.
Here is a look at my vette as it sits today.
Last weekend I painted up the rest of my parts with POR 15 so I can start assembly on the trailing arms. The picture also shows my welding bench. This was my first welding project and was a good way to start learning to weld.
Because I will have to move my exhaust in order to use this new bracket, I will temporarily use the stock strut rod bracket which I have modified for 16mm bolts. This will allow me to drive the car to an exhaust shop.
I cut a temporary hole in the back of the tube and did a test fitting on the differential to insure the hole pattern was good before I continued.
I then drilled the holes for the strut bolts and holes for radius of my cuts.
I then cut out everything I didn’t want.
I then welded in ribs for strength.
Here is a look at my vette as it sits today.
Last weekend I painted up the rest of my parts with POR 15 so I can start assembly on the trailing arms. The picture also shows my welding bench. This was my first welding project and was a good way to start learning to weld.
Because I will have to move my exhaust in order to use this new bracket, I will temporarily use the stock strut rod bracket which I have modified for 16mm bolts. This will allow me to drive the car to an exhaust shop.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,128
Likes: 3
From: Deltona (son of Deland and DAYTONA) FL
nice work! 
I'll be you didn't use a dremel on the floor to get the differential out! 
Can't wait to see it all back together.
Have you mesured to see how close your exhuast will be to the ground when you are finished? Crossing under the strut rod mount seems to be the lowest point.
I'll be you didn't use a dremel on the floor to get the differential out! Can't wait to see it all back together.
Have you mesured to see how close your exhuast will be to the ground when you are finished? Crossing under the strut rod mount seems to be the lowest point.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
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From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Originally Posted by isosceles
nice work! I'll be you didn't use a dremel on the floor to get the differential out!
Can't wait to see it all back together.
Have you mesured to see how close your exhuast will be to the ground when you are finished? Crossing under the strut rod mount seems to be the lowest point.
I'll be you didn't use a dremel on the floor to get the differential out! Can't wait to see it all back together.
Have you mesured to see how close your exhuast will be to the ground when you are finished? Crossing under the strut rod mount seems to be the lowest point.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 7,562
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From: B'Ville NY
Cruise-In III Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05
Great job I agree with Norval on your trailing arms, if they're not offset and you'd like to add some backspacing capacity back there, then something like what Norval did is certainly something you could easliy do 
I agree with Norval on your trailing arms, if they're not offset and you'd like to add some backspacing capacity back there, then something like what Norval did is certainly something you could easliy do
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Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Barrie Ontario
Originally Posted by norvalwilhelm
I had the same problem with my exhuast passing right where the 1 1/2 lower attachment point was forcing me to redo my exhuast.
Mark.
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Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Barrie Ontario
Originally Posted by norvalwilhelm
Are those offset trailing arms??? If not with your ability to fabricate you could easily whip up a set. No more difficult then the bracket.
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 94
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From: Barrie Ontario
Originally Posted by norvalwilhelm
You did a really nice job on that bracket. The welds look great, the radiusing on the ends is good. Overall finish is good.
A first class job.
A first class job.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,608
Likes: 3
From: Canberra AUSTRALIA
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Originally Posted by FLEXUSMARK
I have a custom 2-1/2" system with cats. I was thinking of joging the tubes closer together so they will pass under my bracket but between the lower ears. Is their any point in adding a H pipe to connect both sides of the exhaust at this point in the system? It would be behind the cats but in front of the mufflers. I don't want to lower the pipes any further than they are now. Since the center of my bracket is the same height as the stock bracket I should be able to keep the pipes at the same height.
Mark.
Mark.
I am putting a Magnaflow X-pipe in that exact spot between the strut rods. I know it is a fair way back but it is before the mufflers whcih should quieten the car and it is also in the flow path so it should allow for a small amount of scavenging between sides.
Nice work on the fab. Keep posting your progress.
Pete
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
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From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Originally Posted by FLEXUSMARK
No, they are still stock. I have stock rims and tires. New tires are on a long list of things to do. The next major mod I would like to do is a TKO trans. I have read how to do them by using the stock arms and adding to the inside of the arm. Then remove the outside portion of the stock arm and cap to suit.
I just installed my rims and tires this weekend and my back are 10 x 18 with 6 1/2 inch backspacing and they fit perfectly with my homemade offset trailing arms.
I too brought my exhuast closer together to pass inside the lower strut rod mount.
I feel a H pipe this far back is of no use.
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Very nice, I did some work on my bracket too but it's not as easy as i thought, to position the camber rod directly below the halfshaft the thing will require quite an intricate shape, I now have the rods almost parallel w/ the halfshaft and I don't want that....so back to the drawing board. I wish the 80-82 diff was set up like the older ones, makes the bracket a much cleaner setup. Sure was a wasted couple of hours building that thing 
I did finish 1 toe control bracket on the hub...
I'll be facing that exhaust problem also..still thinking about ending them under the doors but that would mean redoing the trans crossmember with a bigger opening for the whole muffler to go in there as they won't fit under the floor
I did finish 1 toe control bracket on the hub...I'll be facing that exhaust problem also..still thinking about ending them under the doors but that would mean redoing the trans crossmember with a bigger opening for the whole muffler to go in there as they won't fit under the floor
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
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From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Exiting the exhaust just in front of the rear wheels is not a good idea. You need your hearing and on long trips it will become tiring, With the exhaust out the back it is further away so it is quieter with the same mufflers and at speed you outrun it.
I found with side exhaust after even 1/2 hour run answer the phone for the next couple of days was anoying.
I know alot of you think you don't worry about little things like hearing but it will get you eventually. Save your ears.
Put the exhuast out the back along with the best mufflers you can afford.
Running open side pipes is studip for you, annoy to eveyone you pass on the road and draws attention that you might not want.
I found with side exhaust after even 1/2 hour run answer the phone for the next couple of days was anoying.
I know alot of you think you don't worry about little things like hearing but it will get you eventually. Save your ears.
Put the exhuast out the back along with the best mufflers you can afford.
Running open side pipes is studip for you, annoy to eveyone you pass on the road and draws attention that you might not want.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
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I have it like that on my truck also...not a problem at all...and all those odors..yummie yummie I'm running mufflers, the 2 hairdryers will quet things down also..I'm not worried about it being too loud..if it is I'll wear earplugs (not)
Running loud pipes is awesome, a guy in a convertible got so ticked off when I full throttled it on the highway that he came running past and I swear he just vented the whole cursing words dictionary ... nothing like car alarm tripping exhaust
I'm running mufflers, the 2 hairdryers will quet things down also..I'm not worried about it being too loud..if it is I'll wear earplugs (not)Running loud pipes is awesome, a guy in a convertible got so ticked off when I full throttled it on the highway that he came running past and I swear he just vented the whole cursing words dictionary
... nothing like car alarm tripping exhaust
Last edited by Twin_Turbo; Mar 7, 2005 at 10:48 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
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From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Marck your young yet. Just like young smokers, cancer will never get them. You will pay for the load exhaust in another 30 years. Besides pollution is everyones problem. Attract attention by having a nice car not by how loud and anoying it can be.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,362
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From: Brazos TX
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
Good work, Mark. You are making very nice progress. The updates are great!
Hah, you got that right! I've always had all my cars that loud. It's great fun.
Originally Posted by Twin_Turbo
nothing like car alarm tripping exhaust