New crossmember....
Thread Starter
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From: Corsicana, Tx
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New crossmember....
Just thought I'd show a few pics of what I've been working on lately. These are some pics of my new crossmember for the Vette. You've seen how the exhaust pipes run through the crossmember. You can squeeze 3" through there, but with a big block the pipes have some pretty sharp 90* bends trying to get through it. I made my original crossmember removable years ago to make it easier to work on....but now I can use full length 3.5" header extensions and I'm going to fab up a new exhaust system with 4" minimum oval pipe. The 3" pipes kill my 540 and I'm getting too lazy to uncap it...so we need new stuff.
These are during fabrication and before paint...but you get an idea. I had to modify/extend the bracket for the emergency brake pulley. Next I may add a driveshaft loop to come off of it. The trans mount part is made from 2 pieces of angle iron welded together and smoothed off. I had the tubing bent at a local roundy pounder frame shop and I made the end plates with a torch and a drill press.
I had bought a commercially available universal crossmember, but considering how I use my car, I just wasn't comfortable with the thin tubing it was made from, so I built my own.
JIM
These are during fabrication and before paint...but you get an idea. I had to modify/extend the bracket for the emergency brake pulley. Next I may add a driveshaft loop to come off of it. The trans mount part is made from 2 pieces of angle iron welded together and smoothed off. I had the tubing bent at a local roundy pounder frame shop and I made the end plates with a torch and a drill press.
I had bought a commercially available universal crossmember, but considering how I use my car, I just wasn't comfortable with the thin tubing it was made from, so I built my own.
JIM
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,820
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From: Puyallup WA
Nice work Jim! Your fabrication skills are quite impressive.
I have been wondering when you would get around to replacing your 3" exhaust system. This looks like a good starting point.
Hopefully you will post some pics of the finished exhaust system. The reward will be ET's and MPH in the same range you are in now. The only hit you will take will be the extra weight of running a full exhaust.
Steve
I have been wondering when you would get around to replacing your 3" exhaust system. This looks like a good starting point.
Hopefully you will post some pics of the finished exhaust system. The reward will be ET's and MPH in the same range you are in now. The only hit you will take will be the extra weight of running a full exhaust.
Steve
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From: Corsicana, Tx
2020 C2 of the Year - Modified Winner
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2017 C2 of Year Finalist
Thanks guys! It takes me a while..but I get it done!
Steve....been a long time! Hey, I'm just trying to catch up to where you've already been! Mark and I have been contemplating the exhaust system with various ideas. Weren't you using 3.5" oval with the 542? How much did it hurt on just motor? You still a Dynomax Ultraflow fan?
Depending on how I build system, weight shouldn't be too bad. At the track I only drop out a 1 ft section just aft of the headers..so I'm still carrying the full exhaust system down the track.
JIM
Steve....been a long time! Hey, I'm just trying to catch up to where you've already been! Mark and I have been contemplating the exhaust system with various ideas. Weren't you using 3.5" oval with the 542? How much did it hurt on just motor? You still a Dynomax Ultraflow fan?
Depending on how I build system, weight shouldn't be too bad. At the track I only drop out a 1 ft section just aft of the headers..so I'm still carrying the full exhaust system down the track.
JIM
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,620
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From: Orlando Florida
Jim,
Nice work.
Got mine from Bowtie Overdrives.
http://www.bowtieoverdrives.com/cata....php?ITEMID=62
Yours looks about the same as what they sell for the
200R4. Works with the T-400
Last edited by JoeC427; Aug 21, 2008 at 10:13 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: DFW TX
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St. Jude Donor '07
Rookie.....LOL
Looks great Jim, I think the heavier tubing was a better idea.
I still don't know why you just don't save yourself some time and install Zoomies.
Looks great Jim, I think the heavier tubing was a better idea.
I still don't know why you just don't save yourself some time and install Zoomies.
Thread Starter
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From: Corsicana, Tx
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Yo Buddy....
Got you message...been to Denver and Kansas City since then though.
You fix that thing yet? Need to find that little wire from top of the lifter. I've seen more than one end up in oil pump and lock it up.
JIM
Got you message...been to Denver and Kansas City since then though.
You fix that thing yet? Need to find that little wire from top of the lifter. I've seen more than one end up in oil pump and lock it up.
JIM
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Thread Starter
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From: Corsicana, Tx
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Yep...I looked at that Bowtie O/D one to see if it would be easier to use theirs after a little tweeking. But I decided it was easier to start from scratch using heavy chassis tubing. I also wanted to utilize the frame plates I already had in the car..then there was that pesky emergency brake pulley that was going to need to be done anyway. I WISH someone had made a bolt in one...sure would have saved some weekend time!
JIM
JIM
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From: DFW TX
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BTW - I'm going to put something together in Sept. at my house and invite all the guys over. Maybe we start up at RPM or Corvettes of Dallas for dyno session and then back to my house for brisket and beer.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
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From: Corsicana, Tx
2020 C2 of the Year - Modified Winner
2020 Corvette of the Year (performance mods)
C2 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
2017 C2 of Year Finalist
Now THAT sounds like a good day!
JIM
JIM
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,820
Likes: 283
From: Puyallup WA
Thanks guys! It takes me a while..but I get it done!
Steve....been a long time! Hey, I'm just trying to catch up to where you've already been! Mark and I have been contemplating the exhaust system with various ideas. Weren't you using 3.5" oval with the 542? How much did it hurt on just motor? You still a Dynomax Ultraflow fan?
Depending on how I build system, weight shouldn't be too bad. At the track I only drop out a 1 ft section just aft of the headers..so I'm still carrying the full exhaust system down the track.
JIM
Steve....been a long time! Hey, I'm just trying to catch up to where you've already been! Mark and I have been contemplating the exhaust system with various ideas. Weren't you using 3.5" oval with the 542? How much did it hurt on just motor? You still a Dynomax Ultraflow fan?
Depending on how I build system, weight shouldn't be too bad. At the track I only drop out a 1 ft section just aft of the headers..so I'm still carrying the full exhaust system down the track.
JIM
And yes, I still am a Dynomax Ultraflo fan. They are a tough muffler to beat.
Steve
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Dallas Texas
You are Welcome
Chicago and Vegas on my end. I've got two of them floating around in there. Going to try and fish them out of the oil pan this weekend.
BTW - I'm going to put something together in Sept. at my house and invite all the guys over. Maybe we start up at RPM or Corvettes of Dallas for dyno session and then back to my house for brisket and beer.
BTW - I'm going to put something together in Sept. at my house and invite all the guys over. Maybe we start up at RPM or Corvettes of Dallas for dyno session and then back to my house for brisket and beer.
I am rolling out the welcome mat for you and the group.
Tell me how we can help make your event memorable.
Todd