Plastic Fantastic 2

today's fun, motor mount
the problem, passenger side is low
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CAD assisted design
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now in metal
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I need to do the front side now.editededited
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Then onto the passenger side.edited I started here because the mount was pretty floppy with all the metal removed, now it isn't so I can move back to leveling the motor in the chassis (once I'm finished with the driver's side)
 
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time to finish up the front
driver side
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passenger side
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off a bit
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which meant a quick install and removal of the motor
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chop and move up
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then turn it around and get to work on the back
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You are probably going to inspire someone to make/market a C5 conversion front clip.
 
First, I guess it would be very inappropriate -- now the work is done and looking good - to suggest or ask - wouldn't using motor plates have been a whole lot easier? :bomb:
As long as the frame rails are straight - they would have bypassed the fix you've made. But, most likely better having done that - you're reasonably sure its all squared up!:clap:

You are probably going to inspire someone to make/market a C5 conversion front clip.
I've been pouring over similar discussions on the LS1, Pro-touring, Lateral-g forums - I bet there is such a market - buy the K-Member seems to be the make or break deal, and track width as 69427 wanted to keep his inside stock fender flares. A lot of variations to deal with, no doubt.

Some interesting communities and projects using C5/6 components - like 29fordhotrod who is using c4 bits - but similar adaptations likely possible for 5/6 and a simple crossmember for his K-Member/steering mount.
http://1929fordhotrod.com/johnsblog/wp-content/gallery/chassis-plans/frame0005-blog.jpg
Here is a link to his plans page - it might be 90% of a "Conversion" idea for C4 front to C3 - C5 just a slight "twist" maybe:
http://1929fordhotrod.com/johnsblog/198487-c4-corvette-chassis-plans-model-ford-hot-rod/

Cheers - Jim
 
if the frame is straight... the wheels are in the right spots but how the frame connects those points is a bit, well, avant garde. and I did seriously consider a motor plate, but (and this isn't something I've put out there) my plan is to run this in the Optima Challenge. C3s can compete against the older muscle cars - but there are limits to what you can do to the frame (no roll cage, for instance).... at this point, they haven't said you can't substitute in newer suspensions (not exactly, but running with it now) - so I expect this to be a one-year shot before they close the loophole since i imagine the next 'cowboy' will simply rebody a C7 with a C3 shell and that will be the end of that.... long explanation, but that's why I didn't do motor plates. They do allow bracing (think aftermarket frames) and I may do that.... which is kind of the basis of the question at the end of today's post.

as for kits, give or take the Detroit speed kit is a C5 front without the C5 geometry... what I expect is people clipping in these rear suspensions. I remember a discussion on here about how to improve the C3 suspension (it was talking Guldstrand stuff).... that, ultimately, is what would be the logical step of that discussion....

so we got a bit of snow today
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as is normal, everything shut down.edited I went to work, enjoyed the commute because it was pretty much just me
so I came home and did stuff
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first box the rear attachment points in
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started boxing the bottom - my plan is to flip the frame over the weld the bottom
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what I haven't decided is if I need to attach the kick-ups to the cross bar on the old frame....edited
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the frame could use some strengthening and perhaps now is the time to try some new things.... I dunno
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As always -- Great Work! I know you posted the snow depth to make me feel guilty about not working on my project! :stirpot:

Not to worry - it's mid-60s today and once I get some parts orders in...

BTW - Did you catch the word I posted regarding the C7 bearings? That's my big order. NOTE- GMParts Direct has a month long discount sale going on too! (but RockAuto is a bit cheaper).:trumpet:

Cheers - Jim
 
As always -- Great Work! I know you posted the snow depth to make me feel guilty about not working on my project! :stirpot:

Not to worry - it's mid-60s today and once I get some parts orders in...

BTW - Did you catch the word I posted regarding the C7 bearings? That's my big order. NOTE- GMParts Direct has a month long discount sale going on too! (but RockAuto is a bit cheaper).:trumpet:

Cheers - Jim

figures that I already ordered all the bits for the front... I need to look, though, about rear. thx!
 
first step tonight was figuring out what is wrong with this stupid thing.... it goes through consumables very quickly.edited blew the dust out... didn't make a difference.edited checked the torch (pulled it apart), nothing there seemed terribly amiss.... but now I'm out of consumables...

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then boxed this
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next is flip the frame over... so I don't make a mess... drain the diff...
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looks good, only had 30k miles..
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Any chance you can get a weight on the frame and the body separate? Just that they are apart now and would be useful. I'm going to post a "CG Guestimator" I put together in another thread.

Cheers - Jim
 
Any chance you can get a weight on the frame and the body separate? Just that they are apart now and would be useful. I'm going to post a "CG Guestimator" I put together in another thread.

Cheers - Jim

I'm not sure a frame weight would be accurate because I've front and back halfed it.... I'll see about the body - though that said, the brake system, interior and about half the dash is in place and there's a huge hole where the back used to be.....
 
Any numbers as long as we know the limits are helpful. BBShark - thanks for the Frame weight. My "guesstimate" was about 85# light (using the Camaro numbers).

Cheers - Jim
 
a bit further

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and now flip the frame over
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lots easier to weld this way
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​​​​​​​as for weight, didn't get to the body, but the frame has to be 500# as pictured
 
the snow is great, best of all, I get more time on thisedited
front end disassembled
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mental note, that makes the rear heavier....edited
so let's disassemble it as well
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I did get more welding in on the frame rails
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what is that term - it's a 50/50 chance you did it wrong... wrong, I think it's more like 100%... in the case I have to cut the e-brake cable bracket to remove the rear assemblies
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it's apart
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and now, because of the snow, I'm wondering if I should just clean it well then paint it... I'll have to decide after tomorrow - there is a bunch more welding to do.... once that's done, it'll be time to get it clean so I can paint and start reassembly for real.... which is good, I'm running out of places to stash C3 parts.
 
thread protectors
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hey look, cheap disks explode - it's why I wear expensive, safety gear
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welding up final holes
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Tomorrow, grinding then hoping the snow goes away enough to take the frame to be blasted.... if not, I'm sure I'll think of something
 
There was mention of the "kit" opportunity this build sort of indicates. Maybe a set of dimensioned drawings of each end, a bill of materials, and a tip-sheet would be useful. Maybe not everyone has the skills to do this job, but with the drawings they could hire someone who can.

Open Source? Sold as a plan set? There are several folks here on VM that could help with making a good set of drawings, Solidworks, Rhino, or even SketchUp that could be pdf'ed to a useful size.

Just early morning thoughts over coffee.

Cheers - Jim
 
most of it is already available with those C5 plans I posted earlier. The last of it would be locating the pins from the datum line.... I'll measure it again, then all of it is available if someone wants to do the work.
 
caution, there is some snark contained within this - it's not for this site, but for some reason (other forum) people think their opinion is quite something. My apologies, but you folks are great and it's not intended towards you

today started with deciding I'm not using this (still).... it's an aftermarket, bolt-in cross member but I think the stock, welded cross member is stronger
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So I did what was naturally the next step, I cut out more of the frame (so the purists will cry, I guess)
just for the record, this isn't a discussion - this is what I'm doing, like it, hate it.... don't care.
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as I cut it apart, nothing popped out of shape - which is good, considering how pretzelled this frame is
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and just like that, 40# lighter
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now to figure out how to put the upper shock mount back... no... how much floor I'm willing to cut out to put the shock in the right place

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​​​​​​​isn't there anymore.
 
Thanks for the warning. :)

Personally, I always want to do as much as I can myself and learn. Some people can't understand that concept.

Anyways, it looks like you are making progress and will be out driving the wheels off soon.
 
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