1978 corvette wide body build
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 2,148
Likes: 828
From: Kalamazoo Michigan
Van Steel delrin bushings for my cross member were to small so I made some shims.
Shims inserted in crossmember hole.
Press fit the bushings in nice a tight.
Both bushings pressed in. Ready to mount my freshly rebuilt rear end.
Rear end ready to go back into the car. I should now have all the parts for the rear suspension and trailing arms to be re-installed. Hope to have complete by the weekend. Still waiting for some parts to complete the front suspension. Hopefully will have them from Van Steel by Friday.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 2,148
Likes: 828
From: Kalamazoo Michigan
Got the diff and crossmember installed along with the drive shaft, axles and coil overs.
Need to weld in the upper shock mounts tomorrow. Install the brake calipers and brake lines. Then it will be ready for an alignment on the rear. Next will be the front semi coil overs.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 2,148
Likes: 828
From: Kalamazoo Michigan
Had to bend new hard brake lines that go from the Flexible stainless lines to the caliper.
Used a laser to shoot a straight line off the frame of the car just below the side sills to measure the rear trailing arms for shimming.
Calipers are mounted and brake lines installed. Just need to finish the front suspension and then I can bleed the brakes.
Rear suspension is ready for alignment.
Wheels are on. Received the rest of the front suspension parts today. Trying to complete the front tomorrow.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 2,148
Likes: 828
From: Kalamazoo Michigan
Rear all installed. Ready to bleed the brakes set ride height and align.
Front all installed. Ready to set ride height, set bump steer, and align.
Except for a few missed parts from Van Steel while packaging. Everythingwent well and installed pretty easy. The one thing I think could have been better is where they installed the brake line mount for the hardline to flex line. Right behind the coilover. Had to make new lines to keep away from the coil spring.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 2,148
Likes: 828
From: Kalamazoo Michigan
As soon as I can get some better pictures from the side I will post them. Back to working on the 2011 GS. Trying to get them both ready for some race track time.
Can't wait for race season!
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 2,148
Likes: 828
From: Kalamazoo Michigan
Can't wait for opening week end at Gingerman. Lots of track tuning planned for this summer. This car is going to be a lot of fun with all the new parts!! Aiming for Motorstate Challenge in July at Gingerman.
C3 needs a wheel alignment and track set up and she'll be ready to go. C6 needs nothing but warmer weather!!
C6 is ready for a full season of NASA Great Lakes TT competition! Daytona in September is the goal for this car!!
Back to the rear diffuser.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 2,148
Likes: 828
From: Kalamazoo Michigan
Finally got the snow removed around the trailer. We have some temps coming in the mid 30's next week. I'm hopeful to get the C3 to the alignment rack soon!
Getting closer on the rear diffuser.
Making mounting brackets.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 2,148
Likes: 828
From: Kalamazoo Michigan
C6 is ready to go! First weekend of April Heading to Gingerman. Going for a dyno next week. She weighed in at 3082 with a full tank of fuel. 2970 lbs dry. With me in the car with gear about 3160LBS.
Need to do a little corner weight adjustments, but not bad.
I will weigh the c3 this weekend once the red car is in the trailer loaded to go to the dyno.
As soon as the c6 is back from the dyno the c3 will be heading to the alignment shop.
Getting close on the diffuser.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 2,148
Likes: 828
From: Kalamazoo Michigan
After a few 45 degree sunny days here in Michigan, I was able to get the c6 outside fired up and ready to load in the trailer to go get dyno'd.
After removing the axle back exhaust she sounds NICE! Headers with straight pipes and turn downs.
C3 got moved to the other side of the shop. Will get her fired up tomorrow.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 141
Likes: 8
From: San Jose, Costa Rica
Men I love this project, so many ideas you have given me, specially the roll bar I have a 73 coupe so it has to be bit different than yours but I love how it looks with the bucket seats I was a bit afraid of putting a roll bar in the car but thanks to your project I most definitely will, can't wait to finish hoarding parts to start my build. I do have a question what actuators are you using to pop up the headlights? Cheers.
