My Autofab 4 link solid axle install
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 4
From: 2011,2012 ECS CC 10.50 CHAMP Massapequa NY
One big question left. What are you going to do for mufflers?? I am thinking of borla xr-1 3" ovals or dynateck 3" ovals under the seats with turn downs under the rear crossmember.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,357
Likes: 1,592
From: Western NY
In the pictures, it looks like he's running the Hooker "Sidemount" headers. "Slide-in" mufflers are available for the side tubes.....
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,951
Likes: 1
From: Shore NJ
Thanks for the comps! I can't wait to launch it at the track. Maybe next week test and tune. The problem will be the tech inspection since I didn't get time to do the 6 point cage this winter. I'll just tell them its a 350 with a mild cam I guess.
Keep us up on your guys progress with you solid axle install.
Keep us up on your guys progress with you solid axle install.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 4
From: 2011,2012 ECS CC 10.50 CHAMP Massapequa NY
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 508
Likes: 1
From: Olive Branch MS
I am running the Hooker Max Flo mufflers in my sidepipes.
My rims have a 5.5" backspace and are 10" wide. There is about 3/4" between the inner sidewall and the closest part of the frame. Plenty of room it seems.
My rims have a 5.5" backspace and are 10" wide. There is about 3/4" between the inner sidewall and the closest part of the frame. Plenty of room it seems.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,139
Likes: 0
From: Salina Kansas
Those tires are listed as 9.2" wide treadwidth. with 3/4" clearance, and my modified frame, I think I could go with about a 10" wide tread and not have it stick out much. I might modify my frame even more to get more tire under it.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 508
Likes: 1
From: Olive Branch MS
Well, I measured the tires on the 10" rim and they were exactly 12" sidewall to sidewall.
Man, I was so tempted to modify the frame some and go with the 325 size. I just got to the point that I was ready to have it done.
On the weight thing, I didn't have anyway to weigh all of the heavy stuff. I really think this stuff is lighter that the stock stuff though. I could pick up the enitire 9" diff fully assembled, but couldn't pick up the stock rear housing, spring, and frame mount assembly. This isn't even including the 2 trailing arms with axles shafts, brake rotors, brake calipers, bearings and all, not to mention the half shafts.
I will be taking the car over to a circle track racers garage tomorrow I think and we are going to put it on a 4 wheel scale to start setting up the balance, so I will get a total weight, too.
Man, I was so tempted to modify the frame some and go with the 325 size. I just got to the point that I was ready to have it done.
On the weight thing, I didn't have anyway to weigh all of the heavy stuff. I really think this stuff is lighter that the stock stuff though. I could pick up the enitire 9" diff fully assembled, but couldn't pick up the stock rear housing, spring, and frame mount assembly. This isn't even including the 2 trailing arms with axles shafts, brake rotors, brake calipers, bearings and all, not to mention the half shafts.
I will be taking the car over to a circle track racers garage tomorrow I think and we are going to put it on a 4 wheel scale to start setting up the balance, so I will get a total weight, too.
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Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 508
Likes: 1
From: Olive Branch MS
Since I drive this mostly on the street, I went with a TrakLoc posi and we rebuilt the entire center section with all new parts. I already had a 3.50 ring and pinion so I put that in for now. I'll see how that does for finish line RPM and go from their. I think I'm going to by another center section from the U pull it junk yard here and build it up with a spool for all out racing.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,139
Likes: 0
From: Salina Kansas
Very nice Ron! I went with an even higher geared 3.25 to try to match up with the Tremec's 3.27 first gear and 1.34 3rd. Trying to keep the quarter mile to two shifts, but maybe that is a mistake. What trany are you running again?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 508
Likes: 1
From: Olive Branch MS
Right now I still have a TCI 700R4 with a 3000 stall converter. I honestly don't think its going to hold up though. One of the engineers at TCI comes up to our facility to work with our mechanical engineers every week and I keep asking him if he thinks it will hold up and he won't go on the record that it should even. I've got my eye on a TCI Super Street fighter TH350. It's rated to 750hp and shifts really solid. TCI just put it into our test vehicle and now it has to come out to switch to an electronically controlled 4L80e to test our new trans controller we are designing. I think I might be able to get it very cheap.
Yours is going to be a wild ride with your power and a clutch dump!
Yours is going to be a wild ride with your power and a clutch dump!
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 508
Likes: 1
From: Olive Branch MS
I was asked about the weight savings with a straight axle, so to get ready to set up the suspension for the track I did a 4 corner weigh-in. I was surprised that the car is only 3150lbs. I haven't done any of the extreme weight saving things either. Just your normal aluminum engine stuff and radiator. I'm even running a 700R4 and side pipes right now. This is with a completely stock interior, too. Also, this was weighed at a shop that does circle track car chassis so, his scales are pretty accurate. Now, I bet I can get this thing under 3000 pretty easy.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,139
Likes: 0
From: Salina Kansas
Yeah, I am weighing all my IRS stuff as I pull it out and will post the comparison info when I install my 4-link setup soon. I'll say this much so far, the IRS components add up to A LOT of weight. Autofab told me the 4-link should ship next week.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 508
Likes: 1
From: Olive Branch MS
I agree, that stuff was heavy
L78racer is installing one right now. I've been sending him some pics and measurements to compare. I'm suposed to go the track tomorrow night, so I will see how it hooks up.
L78racer is installing one right now. I've been sending him some pics and measurements to compare. I'm suposed to go the track tomorrow night, so I will see how it hooks up.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,139
Likes: 0
From: Salina Kansas
I have been thinking about the gusset thing since you mentioned it Grumpy. The 5 point rollcage I built has attachment points that are all on the kick up area of the frame, so...There really isn't anything extra between the kickup area and the lower part of the frame down by the trailing arm pockets. I'm thinking about putting some gussets down there while I have the rearend ripped out.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From: West Point NE
im in the process of doing this same kit...
complete 12 bolt is 180 lbs
each spindle with calipers 70 lbs a piece so 140
and i have the aluminum center section with the factory leaf.... while missing one broken half shaft.... weighs 150
so the cast irons one have to be 170 or so
all weighed last week....
before the diet...3180 with me and half tank of gas....now no a/c 4 link and other small stuff im goin for 3000 lbs....
complete 12 bolt is 180 lbs
each spindle with calipers 70 lbs a piece so 140
and i have the aluminum center section with the factory leaf.... while missing one broken half shaft.... weighs 150
so the cast irons one have to be 170 or so
all weighed last week....
before the diet...3180 with me and half tank of gas....now no a/c 4 link and other small stuff im goin for 3000 lbs....