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Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2008 6:06 pm Post subject:

That's looking very good!

You are almost ready to install the engine eh? Cool

Graber
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Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2008 1:43 pm Post subject: WA LA La Bala!!!

Yes I'm stoked! Very Happy

Still lots to do, but it is begining to look like a car. I had to remove tube 37 on the drivers side to clear the transmission. Tube 50 in front of the engine also had to go. I will re-engineer tubes 49 and 50 once I get the rear clam shell and see how that fits. Motor mounts for the 2.0L Ecotec will be very easy using stock mounts and tabs off the frame. The exhaust header will also need some cutting and welding.

In this photo you can see the shifter cables which have been routed under the oil pan. I will be building rod extentions with bell cranks to hook up to the shifter.

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Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2008 9:06 pm Post subject:

That looks really good! You're doing a very nice job Jim. How do you feel about the process of construction? Are the plans working out as advertised?(minus our 'early-adopter' teething problems of course! Smile

I know those suck.)

Are you able to weigh the car as it sits? I would think that you are in the 900-1000Lb range right now.

Is it possible to have a side view photo?
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Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2008 7:07 am Post subject:

Overall I have found the drawings to be pretty self explanatory. There are a couple of instanses where I think the measurements where lacking. I will have to go back through them to find the cases. I also think you should round your measurements to the nearest 1/8". I don't think most of us will be able to cut to 27/32" anyway. 1/8" is close enough. I do not have any way of weighing NC La Bala. When it is finished I'll take it down to the scales at the scrap yard and post the weight slip. I'll be working on the Pax side engine mounts today. Once they are tacked in, and the engine secured, I'll roll it outside and get some side shots. I'm not going to mess with tubes 49 and 50 till I get the rear clamshell. Spell checker on this forum would also be helpful. Smile

Jim
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Always remember, ain't nothing is as simple as it seems.

Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2008 12:47 pm Post subject: Passenger side motor mount

Finished up the Passenger side motor mount. I'm waiting on the rest of the mounts coming from Morad Parts Company. They are the folks I bought the engine from and have been very helpful with other parts and info. Very Happy

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Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2008 12:55 pm Post subject: Rolling frame with engine

Here are the pictures you ask for Steve. Distance between the seat back wings is 45".

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Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2008 7:38 pm Post subject:

Excellent! Cool

I can hardly wait till you have it running and drivable!
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Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2008 8:30 pm Post subject:

Very neat!

What did you end up with for push/pull rod lengths in the front and rear?

Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2008 8:33 am Post subject:

First off I'll answer Colins question. Currently my front ride height is 4", and my pull rods are 10 1/2" eye to eye. My rear ride height is set at 5", and the push rod is 9 3/4" eye to eye. I think you could get by with 8" swedge tube front and rear. Finished the frame tabs for the transmission mount this afternoon. The second photo shows the mount tight up against the frame rail. Glad Steve didn't design the engine bay any narrower. Very Happy

I will start teaching an 8 day class tomorrow. Probably will not make much progress till that is finished. Hopefully when that is done I can send off my wiring and ECU for modification. Looking forward to hearing this thing run.

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Always remember, ain't nothing is as simple as it seems.

Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2008 7:00 am Post subject:

Looking great,where are you sending your computer and harness too?also have you figured out anything on your axles yet?i havent found a place for axels yet,but if you want a great place for your computer to be reprogramed,ryan from sinister performance is the man.hes in indiana.he is doing my small block fiero.very reasonable.
John

Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2008 6:16 pm Post subject:

Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2008 10:19 pm Post subject:

How are you going to handle the standard transmission shift linkage? Wont it be backwards, since it is a FWD trans?

Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2008 8:40 am Post subject: Bellcranks

I used a pair of bellcranks with 1/4" heim joints and needle bearing pivot points. Very smooth, no slop. I'll post some photos soon.
Jim
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Always remember, ain't nothing is as simple as it seems.

Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2008 12:52 pm Post subject:

But where the shift cables go on top of the tranny and to the bottom of the shifter....it's be backwards, 1st 3rd, 5th would be on bottom, 2nd, 4th, 6th/R would be on top, no?

Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2008 1:01 pm Post subject:

Oh and what is that in front of the rad, a tiny intercooler? Razz

EDIT: Kinda looks like an oil cooler?

Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2008 1:44 pm Post subject:

Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2008 2:22 pm Post subject:

Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2008 2:46 pm Post subject:

Water has a better heat transfer ratio than air, This cooler should be fine. According to Steve, my car should be lighter than the prototype due to some design changes. I have no doubt that it will be very quick. I'm in the process of putting the floor in NC La Bala right now. I'll be posting pics of that and the shift linkage on Friday.
Jim
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Always remember, ain't nothing is as simple as it seems.

Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2008 2:47 pm Post subject: