8.50 index build
Hello all, long time member, just never had a class car.
One year ago I had a bad top end wreck with my 8.50 index Malibu that I built, owned and raced for 27+ years. Car made a hard left past the finish line, put me into the wall which then caused the car to barrel roll as many as 7 times I'm told. I don't remember any of the accident, so no apparent cause was found. https://youtu.be/GbIMbO3kSD0 https://i.imgur.com/B0lIZI7.jpg https://i.imgur.com/QoCWtFg.jpg?1 https://i.imgur.com/aLKvDDn.jpg https://i.imgur.com/oNl7emW.jpg?1 A couple weeks after the crash I was able to source a body to begin building again. My dream car was gone so the new car would simply be a purpose built race car, chosen for ease of parts availability, low purchase cost and light weight. https://i.imgur.com/ISq8okm.jpg https://i.imgur.com/8ceXfZJ.jpg https://i.imgur.com/dqS9SrJ.jpg I have many, many pics of the build in detail, not sure how much interest there would be to see this project. |
Re: 8.50 index build
The first car looked very nice, i'm sure this one will be too. I am always interested in any build!
Keep up the good work and keep posting please! |
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https://i.imgur.com/3mhNCQ4.jpg
Found alot more rust than I was hoping for. One area I really didn't want to get into was the front frame rails which have a reputation for rusting out under the master cylinder and combination valve. https://i.imgur.com/g5V1Hmm.jpg https://i.imgur.com/RZyKN5g.jpg https://i.imgur.com/CJLd2kl.jpg I tried ordering a replacement frame rail kit but didn't like how it was going to install, plus I found an issue with the factory placement of the passenger rail, so I decided to make my own. Drew them up on CAD at work and cut them out on the cnc plasma. https://i.imgur.com/zIUTAJC.jpg https://i.imgur.com/5d5qTPk.jpg https://i.imgur.com/Fc6nc3m.jpg https://i.imgur.com/g5lhPe9.jpg https://i.imgur.com/T6k3hKU.jpg https://i.imgur.com/flVgbaf.jpg https://i.imgur.com/EzURAbg.jpg https://i.imgur.com/JgqeDbs.jpg https://i.imgur.com/Y55amBf.jpg https://i.imgur.com/vBypGIm.jpg |
Re: 8.50 index build
So many holes to weld up in the shock towers...
https://i.imgur.com/WvHb1eF.jpg https://i.imgur.com/ld2Pvjg.jpg Body back from media blasting... https://i.imgur.com/mGhVX3K.jpg https://i.imgur.com/GPOW64s.jpg In the mean time parts were ordered and slowly starting to come in. https://i.imgur.com/OuT18u2.jpg https://i.imgur.com/gH2rJ3w.jpg https://i.imgur.com/D1gFBFR.jpg https://i.imgur.com/9AbU4O4.jpg https://i.imgur.com/KOb40tE.jpg https://i.imgur.com/OuInVRo.jpg https://i.imgur.com/NfLPoCq.jpg https://i.imgur.com/uGqKbgS.jpg https://i.imgur.com/e0aU6xa.jpg https://i.imgur.com/6MPHF2d.jpg https://i.imgur.com/imzMTFR.jpg https://i.imgur.com/uKvfuZy.jpg https://i.imgur.com/UPbpqBs.jpg https://i.imgur.com/KYXLeKU.jpg?1 |
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At this point the front end was rebuilt as far as I could go for the time being. I was ready to start the tube work but was waiting for a bay to open up at work to get started.
So in the mean time I worked on building the rear housing. First was a mockup and measurements of the rear wheel/tire combination. https://i.imgur.com/YpA55Hl.jpg Then the rear could begin with welding on the 4 link doubler plates. https://i.imgur.com/qDFyrs5.jpg https://i.imgur.com/t2c6VSP.jpg?1 https://i.imgur.com/Tj9nKgE.jpg?1 Housing and 4 link brackets being fixtured up. https://i.imgur.com/caB3bhY.jpg?1 https://i.imgur.com/zLRKxXT.jpg?1 https://i.imgur.com/iI4BG1R.jpg?1 https://i.imgur.com/vLWYFct.jpg?1 https://i.imgur.com/aWqOpn2.jpg https://i.imgur.com/cFWV0hD.jpg https://i.imgur.com/Xa8hdks.jpg Once all the welding was done the housing ends could be fit which is a very time consuming/tedious process to get them perfectly square to the axle centerline. https://i.imgur.com/rXmh9yM.jpg https://i.imgur.com/0XJWY6B.jpg A fixture was then made to hold the housing to the chassis table. https://i.imgur.com/JSR2goy.jpg About the time I was completing the work on the rear, a bay opened up at work so I transferred the car to its new home. https://i.imgur.com/v9PsGOx.jpg ...and now tube work could begin. https://i.imgur.com/HZmeP6b.jpg https://i.imgur.com/JxmSo4z.jpg https://i.imgur.com/OO0Pa9B.jpg https://i.imgur.com/5bmG0W9.jpg |
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I believe they call that rust trap you replaced a torque box.
Really amazing quality work. Might I ask what your line of work is? |
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Rocker/torque box was just one of several areas with rust. I kept cutting till there was no more rust. Lol |
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Excellant workmanship. Glad you got back on the horse after having a bad crash.
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Time to move to the rear and work on the backhalf.
https://i.imgur.com/fH2FYtW.jpg?2 https://i.imgur.com/P0T6HxI.jpg?2 https://i.imgur.com/vblRPh9.jpg?2 https://i.imgur.com/N4RIvab.jpg?2 https://i.imgur.com/5L1ICoP.jpg?2 https://i.imgur.com/0FNoM8B.jpg?2 |
Re: 8.50 index build
Awesome work thus far. The way it is progressing your new ride will be
as good or even nicer than the Malibu was. Good luck Jimmy |
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A couple key body pieces came in. The front end is carbon fiber from Motor City Solutions. The other piece is an original rear bumper that seems to be as rare as hens teeth. I'm converting the car from a 1989 areo nose to the 85-86 4 eye configuration and stock rear bumpers aren't reproduced and hard to find.
https://i.imgur.com/bZp4gWI.jpg?2 https://i.imgur.com/Q5A0U61.jpg?2 Oh yea, I forgot, the carbon fiber roof skin came in as well. https://i.imgur.com/loUEFfG.jpg?2 |
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Now was time to move to the front. First up was to tie the lower part of the front frame rails into the floor structure.
https://i.imgur.com/vdY4HH4.jpg?2 After that was done the engine & transmission were positioned so the midplate and motorplate could be fabricated. https://i.imgur.com/HVcAwbJ.jpg?2 https://i.imgur.com/uIJkj7e.jpg?2 https://i.imgur.com/P405sEj.jpg?1 https://i.imgur.com/gGYWXOB.jpg?1 https://i.imgur.com/CRIVCKZ.jpg?1 Last small item up front was to tie the shock towers in with tube. https://i.imgur.com/11b6Dct.jpg?2 https://i.imgur.com/2fGXDFc.jpg?2 |
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At this point the major part of the tube work was done and the body needed to come off long enough to weld any area not accessable with it on.
https://i.imgur.com/2fGXDFc.jpg?2 https://i.imgur.com/MrlBo9I.jpg?2 https://i.imgur.com/qTuspK7.jpg?2 https://i.imgur.com/zBendFx.jpg?2 |
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Car removed from the table and first time mocking up the suspension.
https://i.imgur.com/u7GWMQK.jpg?2 https://i.imgur.com/eNQuQJ2.jpg?2 |
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Momentous occasion. First time sitting on 4 wheels since it arrived at my house in stock form.
https://i.imgur.com/nzwZLt8.jpg?2 https://i.imgur.com/Y3BwPPK.jpg?2 https://i.imgur.com/89hL5kb.jpg?2 https://i.imgur.com/QjLpdgR.jpg?2 https://i.imgur.com/s3WYypl.jpg?2 |
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From here on out, the project was just working through one small project after another in which there were many.
First up was mounting the Racetech seat. https://i.imgur.com/yg1mIaO.jpg?2 https://i.imgur.com/aO6kyqR.jpg?2 Mockup block removed and the engine out of my Malibu set in place. https://i.imgur.com/C1fS3ls.jpg https://i.imgur.com/3vllPWz.jpg Hood clearance issue...will get back to that later. https://i.imgur.com/k4IBRnP.jpg Brake pedal mount. https://i.imgur.com/OmVfaot.jpg https://i.imgur.com/RnG8icz.jpg Removable transmission crossmember and mount. https://i.imgur.com/6vkOJ3J.jpg https://i.imgur.com/rP04b5s.jpg https://i.imgur.com/jkoPA5h.jpg https://i.imgur.com/KDPpSp4.jpg Front driveshaft loop. https://i.imgur.com/zxPwNCg.jpg |
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Steering column.
https://i.imgur.com/dWGa8go.jpg Steering linkage. https://i.imgur.com/gMHL7H7.jpg https://i.imgur.com/gYS3cX4.jpg Chute handle https://i.imgur.com/LWHyWNs.jpg Throttle pedal recycled from the Malibu https://i.imgur.com/JpL8YeS.jpg Battery mount https://i.imgur.com/H05dXW9.jpg |
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Now comes time for the tin work.
https://i.imgur.com/ovJFt9w.jpg https://i.imgur.com/7aNv8im.jpg https://i.imgur.com/hZT2m3u.jpg https://i.imgur.com/Enumldk.jpg https://i.imgur.com/KcB7Ujz.jpg https://i.imgur.com/NFS1DvV.jpg https://i.imgur.com/9AxmsIv.jpg https://i.imgur.com/LjVEk3p.jpg https://i.imgur.com/kCaw2oR.jpg https://i.imgur.com/KBW3NfP.jpg https://i.imgur.com/hzmEYE2.jpg |
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Firewall up next. Not totally thrilled with how this came out, but...
https://i.imgur.com/M41fxHl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/vBKv3Bl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/eHuZJYs.jpg |
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Chromoly driveshaft enclosure.
https://i.imgur.com/0rCMrTl.jpg Line lock and remote master cylinder reservoir. https://i.imgur.com/jrsRfKv.jpg Electronics panels https://i.imgur.com/tmX1L9r.jpg Cut back and cap off the rockers. https://i.imgur.com/rJo1ycN.jpg Chute anchor. https://i.imgur.com/15Q5KM9.jpg |
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Shock tower rust hole patch.
https://i.imgur.com/z7eT677.jpg Preparing the stock cowl panel to be reinstalled. https://i.imgur.com/QcwfIjO.jpg https://i.imgur.com/wgqFTqu.jpg https://i.imgur.com/gVHy94i.jpg Closing off the cowl windshield base to the dash bar. https://i.imgur.com/eYsEokI.jpg |
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But the quality and work on this is no different than any other car we build for customers. |
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Wow! Amazing!
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Also curious, why use the stock shock towers? Amazing work! |
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I work for a shop in Maryland called HFR Fabrication. |
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Nice work.
I think I can figure out what an 8.50 index class is but where does one get to race in it? How many times a year? |
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QUOTE=Mark Yacavone;650177]Nice work.
I think I can figure out what an 8.50 index class is but where does one get to race in it? How many times a year?[/QUOTE] We have about 4 tracks in the area they will run 8:50 10:00 and 11:50 indexes. Heads up pro tree. Atco, Cecil, and maple grove are some tracks doing it. Also pro dial is becoming a popular class. If you notice all the indexes are right where the brakes for more rules are i.e. 1150 is the cut off for a roll bar. 10 flat is a cut off for a lot of the 9.99 Certs, and 850 is the cut off of many other certifications i.e. roll cage etc. most of these classes do not include electronics either, I run the 1150 index with my street strip car and I know we are not allowed throttle stops or delay boxes. The class started out was supposed to be all streetcar as usual most of these classes have morphed into something a little different |
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We have about 4 tracks in the area they will run 8:50 10:00 and 11:50 indexes. Heads up pro tree. Atco, Cecil, and maple grove are some tracks doing it. Also pro dial is becoming a popular class. If you notice all the indexes are right where the brakes for more rules are i.e. 1150 is the cut off for a roll bar. 10 flat is a cut off for a lot of the 9.99 Certs, and 850 is the cut off of many other certifications i.e. roll cage etc. most of these classes do not include electronics either, I run the 1150 index with my street strip car and I know we are not allowed throttle stops or delay boxes. The class started out was supposed to be all streetcar as usual most of these classes have morphed into something a little different[/QUOTE] ^^^This^^^ I race at Cecil during the Street Car Shooutout monthly series which runs April through November. |
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Had to create a bump out in the lower firewall to have some room for the fittings on the master cylinders.
https://i.imgur.com/gzcEl7U.jpg https://i.imgur.com/ii1PJWY.jpg Some parts coming in along the way. https://i.imgur.com/obSuQfn.jpg https://i.imgur.com/KYtVeKa.jpg https://i.imgur.com/7VmUvUy.jpg https://i.imgur.com/iqTpcOh.jpg https://i.imgur.com/SLjUXOE.jpg |
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This past weekend we had index racing. 6.0 to 7.5 in .5 increments. It was a all run so tree was staggered accordingly. We had around 40 cars and turned out to be fun. 1/8 mile
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Real nice work buddy. See you soon.
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Time for tubs.
Strips to attach tubs to tubes. https://i.imgur.com/o1QJdFT.jpg https://i.imgur.com/3r4otAD.jpg https://i.imgur.com/xYYFzIm.jpg https://i.imgur.com/H0bbmuE.jpg https://i.imgur.com/NP04YBI.jpg https://i.imgur.com/Y7iZUPZ.jpg https://i.imgur.com/hHoIcDn.jpg https://i.imgur.com/2PApRe9.jpg |
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Rear tinwork.
https://i.imgur.com/Nxw681Z.jpg https://i.imgur.com/bbToD1l.jpg https://i.imgur.com/WRpebcB.jpg https://i.imgur.com/vU6lh6b.jpg https://i.imgur.com/dWhCdHF.jpg Decided to add a second battery tray. https://i.imgur.com/BVmyTth.jpg Ballast bars & mounts. https://i.imgur.com/buRskl8.jpg |
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Anderson connector for battery charging.
https://i.imgur.com/WGfZXaL.jpg https://i.imgur.com/OzxLP3m.jpg https://i.imgur.com/pEbR1Oh.jpg Chute anchor hole drilled in the back bumper. https://i.imgur.com/hVQi7Cv.jpg |
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