FWD conversions for GT super stock

[Dragsinger]

While we are brainstorming, let's talk about FWD conversations. I am an experience racer and experienced builder with plenty of shop equipment. Have completed and successfully raced many conventional builds. However, taking on a FWD conversion for GT super stock may strongly challenge my experience.

If some of you have done a conversion in house, tell me about your experience.

My thought is, the older cars are becoming harder to find in good condition while the newer cars are easy to find and low in initial cost.

Is there a FWD "core" that is a reasonable construction base that allows sufficient engine & component room?

[SSDiv6]

Originally Posted by Dragsinger

While we are brainstorming, let's talk about FWD conversations. I am an experience racer and experienced builder with plenty of shop equipment. Have completed and successfully raced many conventional builds. However, taking on a FWD conversion for GT super stock may strongly challenge my experience.

If some of you have done a conversion in house, tell me about your experience.

My thought is, the older cars are becoming harder to find in good condition while the newer cars are easy to find and low in initial cost.

Is there a FWD "core" that is a reasonable construction base that allows sufficient engine & component room?

Check www.9500rpm.com website for his Ford Probe conversion.

Also, since you are a GM person, check FJ Smith's website. He has all the frame pieces for the GM FWD conversions.

[JHeath]

Also checkout www.brinkracecraft.com, Ashton Hudson's Escort ZX2 SS/CS is in the gallery,many construction pics.

[cutta]

I looked at the build of the SS/CS car and saw they replaced the entire floor. I was under the impression that the stock floor had to be maintained. Looked like modified the firewall as well. More freedom with the entire build than I thought. Wonder what that escort weighed after the build was done.

[SSDiv6]

Originally Posted by cutta

I looked at the build of the SS/CS car and saw they replaced the entire floor. I was under the impression that the stock floor had to be maintained. Looked like modified the firewall as well. More freedom with the entire build than I thought. Wonder what that escort weighed after the build was done.

It's all about creativity and whom inspects the car...

FRAME
Frame or subfloor must be stock for body used. Subframes on
unibody cars may be joined under car.

FIREWALL
Alterations prohibited. Firewall coverings prohibited.

FLOOR
Removable floor section for transmission/shifter installation
permitted; restricted to 6 square feet (2 x 3 feet, 1 x 6 feet, etc.) of
steel material identical to area removed. Stock floor may be
sectioned where rear framerails have been narrowed. Area between
framerails must be stock floor, in original location. Area between
new rear framerails (from four-link crossmember rearward only) and
body may be replaced with material equal to or heavier than
original; must be in original location. All other floor material must be
stock and in original location.

Theses excerpts are straight from the rule book...

[FireSale]

Originally Posted by cutta

I looked at the build of the SS/CS car and saw they replaced the entire floor. I was under the impression that the stock floor had to be maintained. Looked like modified the firewall as well. More freedom with the entire build than I thought. Wonder what that escort weighed after the build was done.

I went through that build link too and it didn't look like an NHRA legal GT car.


Dale

[JHeath]

The rulebook allows a few more modifications in Modified Stock, compared to the FWD GT conversion. I don't have a rule book in front of me, but at least on the firewall, it can be replaced, I believe there is a spec as to where it should be mounted. Not sure about the floor.