Re: 8.50 index build
Rear housing back under the car after completing tubs & rear tin work.
https://i.imgur.com/zaDGdR7.jpg |
Re: 8.50 index build
Time to move up front and begin the carbon nose install. Tree fabrication first.
https://i.imgur.com/WVOOVMY.jpg https://i.imgur.com/FllECmk.jpg https://i.imgur.com/L7AZPF3.jpg https://i.imgur.com/lCHuJDV.jpg https://i.imgur.com/Tv1YRWA.jpg https://i.imgur.com/qBNRsKE.jpg With mocking up the front end I realized the carb & intake just wasn't going to clear the 4" cowl hood. I don't want a scoop, don't want a larger cowl and don't want a hole in the hood. This was a tough decision but after some research I decided to convert the car to EFI. The throttle body is 1" shorter than the 1250 dominator and a different intake will be 1.4" shorter than the current sv565 intake. Not a cheap change half the way through the build, but I wasn't willing to alter the hood and the EFI swap will have other benefits once the car is running again. |
Re: 8.50 index build
One thing that hurt the most was the Racepak dash mount tuned out so nice and clean. But with swapping to EFI, I had to make a clean break and change the dash display as well.
The EFI system I will be using is the Holley Dominator and the 7" display. The opening in the carbon dash will need some carbon work to close the larger racepak hole in for a clean reveal. https://i.imgur.com/G24Eav6.jpg https://i.imgur.com/jTxrGbs.jpg https://i.imgur.com/SysHzHU.jpg https://i.imgur.com/K7oTSSq.jpg https://i.imgur.com/4NFwqoA.jpg |
Re: 8.50 index build
At this point in the build I was starting to have troubled keeping motivated staying after work hours and trying to be productive till 8 or 9 pm.
I decided it was time to take the car home and finish the rest of the fabrication there. Front end wasn't finished mounted, but good enough to set the car on the ground, roll it outside and see how it would look. https://i.imgur.com/NDoj75F.jpg https://i.imgur.com/kXj7aiD.jpg https://i.imgur.com/tLsCRta.jpg https://i.imgur.com/efMizaF.jpg https://i.imgur.com/aRUl4Su.jpg https://i.imgur.com/sUpn0Rg.jpg |
Re: 8.50 index build
Back home...
https://i.imgur.com/FCqMQeG.jpg First I gotta clean up and organize this mess before I can get back to work. https://i.imgur.com/TxS1GhY.jpg |
Re: 8.50 index build
Next project is to complete the front end mounts.
https://i.imgur.com/Ab13Sg8.jpg https://i.imgur.com/Rt09LjL.jpg https://i.imgur.com/bzKMjAF.jpg https://i.imgur.com/oj7pCPg.jpg https://i.imgur.com/4Vr2bXX.jpg https://i.imgur.com/aXdAvAb.jpg https://i.imgur.com/RJXIPhR.jpg https://i.imgur.com/w4ULGCJ.jpg https://i.imgur.com/xfVltEn.jpg https://i.imgur.com/ZgUZy13.jpg https://i.imgur.com/YxPKANm.jpg https://i.imgur.com/iy4KLrZ.jpg |
Re: 8.50 index build
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Re: 8.50 index build
One project I knew was coming was to build headers. To be able to do so at home I needed to buy a couple tools.
https://i.imgur.com/IgGyGQy.jpg Portable band saw with table. https://i.imgur.com/wSA5AcL.jpg 12" disc sander. https://i.imgur.com/PuuqkEX.jpg Working on mounting various components. https://i.imgur.com/Z2O5EYg.jpg https://i.imgur.com/Y7rEKIm.jpg https://i.imgur.com/zx9cyVE.jpg https://i.imgur.com/YxLdaCX.jpg https://i.imgur.com/sQUHj93.jpg https://i.imgur.com/zHd67j0.jpg https://i.imgur.com/lY0MKau.jpg https://i.imgur.com/Q2hee8u.jpg https://i.imgur.com/02L89jP.jpg https://i.imgur.com/fLSY8NJ.jpg https://i.imgur.com/jpfPTuO.jpg https://i.imgur.com/oDsvtXS.jpg https://i.imgur.com/yXb2OSe.jpg |
Re: 8.50 index build
Reinstalling the VIN tag.
https://i.imgur.com/wIJShvp.jpg https://i.imgur.com/uiz642E.jpg Weight bar tabs https://i.imgur.com/HmX4aDO.jpg https://i.imgur.com/hq9deHo.jpg |
Re: 8.50 index build
Stainless brake lines for the rear.
https://i.imgur.com/dlCQVfy.jpg https://i.imgur.com/Xx1MJYj.jpg https://i.imgur.com/91zXmSk.jpg https://i.imgur.com/I1y80KL.jpg https://i.imgur.com/qzLpCMs.jpg https://i.imgur.com/lTS2L3B.jpg https://i.imgur.com/bq2lgpj.jpg Remote reservoir lines. https://i.imgur.com/vlcz8Fx.jpg |
Re: 8.50 index build
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I race at Cecil during the Street Car Shooutout monthly series which runs April through November.[/QUOTE] Thanks. I was just wondering what else that car could be used for. Of course, I don't follow much, besides NHRA S/SS and a bit of Comp now that we have a team member involved ;-) |
Re: 8.50 index build
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This car would be legal for various classes like brackets, Top Sportsman, index, X275... Cage will cert for 25.2 (good to 6.0 at 3000 lbs) as well as 25.3 (good to 6.50 at 3600 lbs). |
Re: 8.50 index build
What a great car....and your workmanship is fabulous! 🤩
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Re: 8.50 index build
The next project was to build headers. Did everything I could to get out of having to build them myself, but in the end I had to force myself to do it. Hated every minute of it except the welding.
https://i.imgur.com/MxOfEju.jpg https://i.imgur.com/2mouoyu.jpg https://i.imgur.com/4o4xjZk.jpg https://i.imgur.com/mdYNQmz.jpg https://i.imgur.com/0NrfcUk.jpg https://i.imgur.com/zGZZuJg.jpg https://i.imgur.com/H1QiACw.jpg https://i.imgur.com/kWuJUIh.jpg One side tacked in place... Simple fixture I made to hole the collectors in place. https://i.imgur.com/Q3nKf3G.jpg |
Re: 8.50 index build
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Re: 8.50 index build
Beautiful workmanship. Just curious what brand of welder you use at home?
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Re: 8.50 index build
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I have an Everlast PowerTig 255ext water cooled. I took it to the shop when doing the tube work so everything on the car was done with this welder. https://i.imgur.com/QC36r4R.jpg |
Re: 8.50 index build
T.I.G.H.T I would not like to be your starter.
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Re: 8.50 index build
Did you make those collectors ?
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Re: 8.50 index build
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If you mean header tubes and the starter, the closest tube is at least 2 or 3 inches away. can take the starter on and off and connect/disconnect wires without removing any header tubes. |
Re: 8.50 index build
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The flanges and primary tubes are from SPD. |
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Re: 8.50 index build
Beautiful work, thanks for posting!
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Re: 8.50 index build
Nice work Todd, I always followed your Malibu build on Team Chevelle. Sure a shame about that car, but glad you came out of it OK.
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Re: 8.50 index build
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Re: 8.50 index build
Next item on the build was to finish up the stainless brake lines in the front. This was really my first time trying stainless which is a bit more of a challenge than your ordinary mild steel hard line. The routing makes this even more of a challenge, but I think they came out pretty well, just very tedious and time consuming.
https://i.imgur.com/Kjn6PK0.jpg https://i.imgur.com/zYcqc91.jpg https://i.imgur.com/BVK1ZRT.jpg https://i.imgur.com/HZSZifi.jpg https://i.imgur.com/XLyKt6J.jpg https://i.imgur.com/1mtOXvL.jpg https://i.imgur.com/TnJS11d.jpg |
Re: 8.50 index build
My engine builders son does CNC machine work out of their shop so I was able to talk him into making me this custom firewall mount sensor block for the EFI system. This allows the sensors to stay on the inside of the car to keep from passing so many wires through the firewall and the sensors then get plumbed on the engine compartment side.
https://i.imgur.com/eYdSjPj.jpg Front suspension limiters came in. https://i.imgur.com/rAln8Kb.jpg Chassis tag installed. https://i.imgur.com/Z7LdAB1.jpg Window new wrapped up. https://i.imgur.com/CFk6nfG.jpg Exhaust support rods completed. https://i.imgur.com/zD4TiYh.jpg And starting to mock up the radiator and fuel system. https://i.imgur.com/ouLEefr.jpg |
Re: 8.50 index build
Davis didn't have the radiator I wanted (with -16 bungs) in stock and it would have been 8 to 12 weeks wait, but they did have one in stock with 1 1/4" nipples, so I ordered that and swapped the fittings out.
https://i.imgur.com/goUmw0c.jpg https://i.imgur.com/S7AmCea.jpg |
Re: 8.50 index build
Fuel cell safety loop and mount.
https://i.imgur.com/JhZUtZG.jpg Along with the fuel pump mount. https://i.imgur.com/RcanUD5.jpg https://i.imgur.com/oueBGVg.jpg https://i.imgur.com/wpGgndR.jpg https://i.imgur.com/2UzlinB.jpg |
Re: 8.50 index build
Space up front was pretty tight so I had to get a little creative to fit the fuel system.
Had a customer show me this style pre-filter which helped save a bunch of room and plumbing. It's a bulkhead filter that goes inside the fuel cell. https://i.imgur.com/sW4e227.jpg Post filter support/mount. https://i.imgur.com/ubl3d9p.jpg https://i.imgur.com/vQfubnW.jpg https://i.imgur.com/6WW6awu.jpg https://i.imgur.com/BZPvuO9.jpg https://i.imgur.com/y3L9iV9.jpg |
Re: 8.50 index build
After a very long wait, the new throttle body finally came in from Wilson so I could cut the hole in the firewall for the throttle rod.
This thing is like a piece of art. https://i.imgur.com/AiEiaOS.jpg https://i.imgur.com/oVeFP9G.jpg https://i.imgur.com/MR37Ne2.jpg https://i.imgur.com/kXxNyiE.jpg The old intake isn't gonna allow the throttle body to clear my 4" cowl hood, so I'm changing from the sv565 intake to its predecessor, the 2927 which will need a fair amount of machine work to fit due to the 2 axis cylinder head dowel shift on my engine. Will also be ported to try and match the performance of the old intake. Here's a picture a buddy sent comparing the old vs new height. https://i.imgur.com/xEsg6nm.jpg Mocking up the new intake with the restrictor plate I run. https://i.imgur.com/1w8HANx.jpg https://i.imgur.com/NhgQfFz.jpg https://i.imgur.com/cwcIH4e.jpg |
Re: 8.50 index build
Trans overflow canister fabricated & mounted.
https://i.imgur.com/n1edi4e.jpg Radiator support rod, coolant overflow and vacuum pump puke can mounted. https://i.imgur.com/ASzKbCH.jpg https://i.imgur.com/8EhsZnI.jpg https://i.imgur.com/A4Q4QcY.jpg https://i.imgur.com/Qyw16P1.jpg Built the car with a mockup th400 case so I did a quick mockup with my actual trans, my Coan 400xlt that RPM has serviced in the past. https://i.imgur.com/jPY5jE9.jpg |
Re: 8.50 index build
Had to get a racing buddy to come over and repair the worst of the body damage. We also removed the gas fill door since the tub ran through the middle of it.
https://i.imgur.com/DV8OFcN.jpg https://i.imgur.com/Rb0QGRQ.jpg https://i.imgur.com/k3J08Uh.jpg Passenger side was a bit beat up too, now all fixed up. https://i.imgur.com/PNi4FJK.jpg |
Re: 8.50 index build
At this point the car was mostly complete so I wanted to weigh the car to see where the weight might be and to see if the weight bias worked out as planned.
The class I run doesn't get radial prep, but I've raced on a radial for nearly 27 years. So I put myself at a bit of a disadvantage being on the radial. Knowing this I can't run the front end as nose heavy as a heads up car on fly paper prep, so I was shooting to be about 54% on the nose which I knew was gonna be a challenge with an iron block BBC under the hood. For this reason I moved the main hoop back which moved my driving position back, and used all carbon fiber body parts in the front. Will also have a carbon roof skin. I am keeping the stock rear hatch and glass as well as keeping stock steel doors with factory glass and power windows. https://i.imgur.com/OYqZUB7.jpg I then stacked everything in the car to simulate race weight. https://i.imgur.com/rRzuXTC.jpg https://i.imgur.com/m5Kh9gr.jpg https://i.imgur.com/AAFVzW5.jpg https://i.imgur.com/UXmOe7K.jpg And this is the result, with and without driver. Ignor the corner weights being jacked up as my floor isn't perfectly flat and I use scale leveling pads when scaling the car to setup the suspension. https://i.imgur.com/E0bkSPD.jpg https://i.imgur.com/aMZkup8.jpg It wound up a little heavier than expected, but given the stock doors and hatch, plus I built the back half heavier with 1 1/2 x .065 for weight in the rear, it's not a huge surprise its a little heavy. But for my class, we have a 2800 lb minimum weight, so I'm still gonna have to add 150-200 lbs ballast to be race ready. |
Re: 8.50 index build
Can't forget the chute mount...
Again, due to space constraints I had to get a little creative here too. I dislike the 3/8" or 1/2" tube mounts for spring launcher chutes. I used a mono-stalk mount on the Malibu but had to change the mounting configuration for the Mustang. https://i.imgur.com/JxBjMbE.jpg https://i.imgur.com/ErWTpLE.jpg https://i.imgur.com/PdFBx9E.jpg https://i.imgur.com/qnVK05T.jpg Chute cable strain relief. https://i.imgur.com/Mq5lner.jpg |
Re: 8.50 index build
That pretty much was it for the fabrication on the car itself, but one last fabrication project was to build a transport dolly so the car could be sent for powder coating, then body/paint work.
https://i.imgur.com/bIS2RjF.jpg https://i.imgur.com/VWW2OIc.jpg https://i.imgur.com/c4lTnAT.jpg https://i.imgur.com/5jRhsda.jpg And strip the car down bare... https://i.imgur.com/0iVof8g.jpg https://i.imgur.com/wdy0UdE.jpg https://i.imgur.com/oZwtVoD.jpg https://i.imgur.com/qJlH3zQ.jpg https://i.imgur.com/khoAusz.jpg https://i.imgur.com/IMc4Ub0.jpg |
Re: 8.50 index build
Todd thanks so much for posting the progress of your new ride.
I can't say enough how impressed Iam with your work. Jimmy |
Re: 8.50 index build
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Glad to see some are enjoying following the build. I believe it's something not many get to see in detail to get a feel for how much time and work it takes to build a car from scratch. |
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