Tuned

[ronin]

Hell I'm pulling out the ABS since it can't be counted on and is more of a hazard on a rough surface when it locks up just when you need it most without warning..... Better to flat spot the tires then fly off the cliff I say.

[Iconic Ride]

True. And if you "flat spot" them enough, they begin to take on an airfoil-like shape, thus enhancing your glide ratio as you leave the cliff's edge.

[cjtpb13]

I can only imagine that with such changes to the brakes and suspension that the original programme for the ABS system is so far out original specifications that you would probably be better off with it removed anyhow.

Frank are you pleased with the body now that you have had some time to really look it over ?

[ronin]

The body panels out of the box are rough for a street car but fine for a racer....

I started on the body work yesterday and widened the front clam 1.75" each side for the wider front wheels and to maintain a better track ratio with the rears..

Today starts the itchy stuff with a few layers of glass laid in and then sanding...

It helps having a proper height shrub and a folding workmate to work on.

[Iconic Ride]

Next step...?

[cjtpb13]

Frank,

Do you hand lay your composite or do you vacuum bag it? Just curious as I do a lot of vacuum repairs out in the field and it has makes a much stronger repair and much easier to finish. Though more work to set up.

[ronin]

I just hand layed it since the epoxy bond was so good once I sinched down the rivets. Two layers of glass mat on the bottom side made this clam ridged to say the least. The top side I'll leave up to the body shop to fill and fair for paint...

I'm now a nice 3.5" wider and no need to make front flairs..

Next step...?

Dam I could have used those guys last nite... 8:45pm out in the driveway and twenty rivets to go my dam rivet gun takes a shit, two minutes later my neighbor comes home and I borrow his el-cheapo rivet tool and get the job done while swatting misquotes with epoxy coated hands.

[cjtpb13]

LOL ! Frank i know that misery of swatting the mosquitos with aramid, carbon, or glass fibers stuck to the fingers...like Chevy Chase with the pine sap in National Lampoons Christmas Vacation...

How do you like the West System 610 epoxy ? I also find Fibreglast to be a great source also. And that little Milwaukee handheld saw is fantastic to work. Far beats a jigsaw or disc cutter any day.

how much needs to be done on the other panels ?

If I recall you are relocating the alchohol tank and a few other items. Any modifications needed to fit them in the front clam area ?

[ronin]

Well the new wider front clam was begin to sit lower so I lowered the power brake booster which gave me room to lower the dash panel by 2" and now the entire body will be cut and chopped 2". This could be the widest, lowest and fastest rocket sled 211 on the freakin planet..?

With the AC/heater unit removed the battery, new alcohol tank and chargecooler pump will sit in the now empty space and be as far forward as I can get them..

[Iconic Ride]

"With the AC/heater unit removed..."

You dog! Only in Southern California, eh Frank?

No fair! No fair!

[ronin]

Best part is I don't need that annoying rubber blade metronome swinging back and forth.

[cjtpb13]

At what line do you plan on loosing the 2 inches ?

I think I myself personally would miss the aircon. Though I have to deal with the humid Washington DC weather half of the time when I am home.

Any modifications of the dash other than lowering everything ? Was not sure if you were going to customize the interior to suit your needs.

[ronin]

I'll be getting a cool shirt for the hotter days and humidity is not an issue since it's a dry heat

For the dash I'm going for the proper idiot lights along with my AIM dash

My thought is to slice the inner and outer pannels length wise down the middle and then section the pannel at the rear bulkhead to add the needed height for a engine deck lidand allow for a larger cooling scoop.

Something like this.

Edited June 18, 2012 by ronin

[cjtpb13]

Hahaha on the weather...that was a good one...

Curious about the interior because I knew you had the custom made shifter. Was curious if you were somehow incorporating that into the design. You are in the midst of a project that opens up so many different areas of design that, besides being frustrating, I am certain also can be quite fun and rewarding. If I recall you rid yourself of the airbag in the previous car yes ? Does California have limitations for such things for inspection purposes? What I mean by that question is our inspections in Maryland rely upon the year of the car and the equipment that came with it. So if I am making a hotrod with a 31 Model A chassis I do not have to have seatbelts or such. But if I am using a 70's chassis I need to have them installed since they would dhave been original equipment.

Also thanks for the updates Frank. Fun watching this unfold....

Edited June 19, 2012 by cjtpb13

[ronin]

Now that's an ass...

[Bibs]

A pink one too!

[Iconic Ride]

Dumb question # 28...

Frank, with everything being made wider (in the above instance apparently with glass body "plugs," likely reinforced with the equivalent of automotive "rebar" to connect the sliced halves?), where does one source a bespoke length half shaft to reach the extended hubs?

[ronin]

Wishbones are not lengthened, width is all in the wheel..12.5 and 345 slicks..

Edited July 1, 2012 by ronin

[ronin]

So I had to do something with my slightly damaged wing and this is what I desided to do..

The center section will be foiled to be a true wing with spoilers on the sides..

[ronin]

There are no rules..

[Iconic Ride]

So what's the "Reynolds Number," Frank?

[ronin]

Yah got me.. If it doesn't tear off the car at speed I'll be happy.

[ronin]

I droped it down to get a better view of how things were shaping up.

[ronin]

Here is the diffuser ready for powdercoating..

[Iconic Ride]

A masterpiece! Belongs in the Louvre.