Any new S/SS cars being built for 2011

[Adger Smith]

Rick,
Let me know when you need some stocker heads for that 231 V-6 project.
I'm way ahead of the curve on them because of a Turbo buick project.
I even have some cherry "select" castings.
Adger

[Jeff Lee]

Originally Posted by Wade Mahaffey

Frank, I'm right in the thick of the "Best Engineered" portion of this build. The stuff where folks go how did you do that? or Why did you do that? or what does that do? LOL Actually, I'm repairing all the little stress cracks that seem to be unending. But it's on the rotissorie, so now is the time to do it and do it right. Once I get paint on it and back on the frame, I think it will move along swiftly. The tough stuff has been long done, and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Hopefully it will be done early enough to get some real good seat time this fall. I'm just hard headed and must do all of the build myself.....design, engineering, fabrication, body, paint, plumbing, wiring, etc etc. That's just how I believe hot rods should be done. Anyway, I believe it fits in "L" naturally, but who cares....as long as there are no DPs and CJs untill the eliminator.

Wade Mahaffey

It appears you are running factory fiberglass. What does NHRA allow as far as replacement body panels? I know the fiasco over a E/S '62 'Vette started with tech leaning over a fender and cracking it. I have my doubts that an OEM part would crack like that so I assume it was thinner grade.
I'm also under the impression SS/AH can run carbon fiber (I could be wrong on this) as NHRA looks at it as "just another glass".
And everybody knows the Taiwanese steel replacement panels for american muscle cars is thinner gauge.
What is your interpretation of this?

[Wade Mahaffey]

Jeff, I have reinforced several areas of the Corvette that I felt could come back to bite me down the road. My primary concern is to build something that will last thru the rigors of racing combined with street driving. I have some insite as to the areas that need improvement (stress cracks from the last 50 years). I did notice the front fenders did flex from force down from the top. I fiberglassed a few strips on the underside of the top of the fenders. I try to predict and engage any and all senarios with reguard to vehicle stress, body and chassis. Even my old Super/Gas Roadster body had street weight fiberglass. (thicker) It's 25 years old and still looks great. My dad (not a car guy) told me one day "you only get out of something, what you put into it". This Corvette is taking awhile to build because I'm "putting into it". It needs to fall in line behind all my other cars that have "Best Engineered" awards to their credit. See my profile "albums" under "my home built stuff"

As far as thinner panels, I don't like cracks and/or dents. but then again I'm not crazy about the absolute fast thing. I like fast with class!

Wade Mahaffey

[Jeff Lee]

Oh I can see you build some quality stuff! No doubt your 'Vette will receive a Best Engineered (and probably Best Appearing too). I see what your doing on the fiberglass but I'm just curious what somebody could get away with on a fiberglass car, longevity not being an issue.

[Rick Angles]

Originally Posted by Adger Smith

Rick,
Let me know when you need some stocker heads for that 231 V-6 project.
I'm way ahead of the curve on them because of a Turbo buick project.
I even have some cherry "select" castings.
Adger

Thanks, I will keep that in mind. Just to let you know, tho, it is a '75 odd-fire. I have a '75 nose so I can change the model to fit the engine. Not sure how that will work out and may look for a '77 even fire anyway. Starting out, I know I have a long curve ahead of me right now,

[Wade Mahaffey]

I know there are many ways to remove weight from any car to achive a ballast advantage. It just depends on how much work you want to do. There are many ways to hide things that would require complete disassembly to find. This is especially true in the front wheel drive conversion vehicles. On a fiberglass car, one could create a mold from an origonal....then reproduce with fewer layers of mat/resin....thus a lighter part. There probably is not a car out there, that does'nt have an aluminum part/bracket where a steel one used to be. Some tracks have a scale that can provide front axle weight and rear as well. If two Super/Stock Camaros with the same combo take the scales and one is 50 lbs lighter on the nose, that may be an indicator that one is using other than stock materials/components. The problem with this presents when a person that really knows a particular car, sees that your car is not correct (ie wrong hood, interior, body trim package etc, etc ...these are small things). If an aftermarket front end was on a Corvette.....a real Corvette man would be all over that...and could provide the proof for the official. Then he/she contacts the officals and they must then investigate. I would hate to re-skin or re-chassis my car because I was greedy....even if I got a year off to do it! It can be done, but you would probably be better off doing it yourself (provided you had the talent and equitment)...that way you're the only one that knows what happened!

as far as replacing fiberglass parts with other composites....they let stockers run in the 9s now a days....I would'nt bet on anything

Wade Mahaffey

[Mark Yacavone]

Originally Posted by Rick Angles

Thanks, I will keep that in mind. Just to let you know, tho, it is a '75 odd-fire. I have a '75 nose so I can change the model to fit the engine. Not sure how that will work out and may look for a '77 even fire anyway. Starting out, I know I have a long curve ahead of me right now,

You want the 78 even fire. Those heads precede the raised port GN type castings ( sorry, Adger)

[Ed Carpenter]

Originally Posted by Wade Mahaffey

Jeff, I have reinforced several areas of the Corvette that I felt could come back to bite me down the road. My primary concern is to build something that will last thru the rigors of racing combined with street driving. I have some insite as to the areas that need improvement (stress cracks from the last 50 years). I did notice the front fenders did flex from force down from the top. I fiberglassed a few strips on the underside of the top of the fenders. I try to predict and engage any and all senarios with reguard to vehicle stress, body and chassis. Even my old Super/Gas Roadster body had street weight fiberglass. (thicker) It's 25 years old and still looks great. My dad (not a car guy) told me one day "you only get out of something, what you put into it". This Corvette is taking awhile to build because I'm "putting into it". It needs to fall in line behind all my other cars that have "Best Engineered" awards to their credit. See my profile "albums" under "my home built stuff"

As far as thinner panels, I don't like cracks and/or dents. but then again I'm not crazy about the absolute fast thing. I like fast with class!

Wade Mahaffey

Wade that car would be waaaaaaaaaay cool with a stick in it. Ed

[Wade Mahaffey]

Ed, the goodies for that senario are in place (clutch linkage pivot mount and pedals), and you are so right. Rowin at 9,000 would be too much, and will occur at some point. But at first I'm trying to mount a serious attack on the Super/Stock Eliminator. The PG is the tool needed to dial in the little 283 Corvette's bracket package. Now for the street stuff, there's only one way in my opinion.....stick! Miss Hurst, Linda Vaughn loves my Street Roadster with the 5-speed stick!

Wade Mahaffey

[MattConte]

Originally Posted by Wade Mahaffey

How long ago what this photo taken? I see the Arlen Fadley Maverick in the background. I did not know that this car was restored. Does anyone have any photos of it? Who is the owner? I love that car.