its looking awesome. I can't wait to see this thing when its done.
Are you going with a notchback or fastback? I've wanted to do the engine compartment venting from between the taillights for the longest time (very Ferrari like), but I have that pesky trunk in the way. Keep it up!
Its going to be both, I have the fastback sails (rest of the back was damaged) that I will be glassing to the stock notchie back that the car came with.
I've been thinking the same thing about the tail lights, I could also cut some holes in the bumper as well........but that just screams hey I'm 19, got my first civic, look what I can do with a jigsaw. haha
Jer
[This message has been edited by coppertop_01 (edited 02-06-2011).]
I wouldn't do the bumper, looks juvenile like you said.
The vent between the tail lights is definitely nice:
Either that, or you could go with something like the Ferrari 599xx and do two circular vents that look like tail lights but are actual vents (in addition to two actual tail lights, obviously needs to be road legal lol)
All I want to say is -- wow. What a cool project. I just checked out your blogspot and all seems to be well thought out. I'm curious on what the decklid is going to look like with the intercooler. Is it going to be exposed or ... What are your plans? I was always interested in the 85 prototype turbo and how gm inserted it in the wing.
Great job though. What's your idea on horse power with the engine.. Oh, I love the dump out for the exhaust and the two pipes sticking out.
Again-- wow
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[This message has been edited by unboundmo (edited 02-07-2011).]
Thanks, currently the plan for the intercooler is to have a bird catcher (similar to a F16 jet inlet under the pilot cabin) coming over the roof, curving down 90 degrees right into the intercooler.
BTW my pipe bender is finally here, as well my poly insert bushings for the custom rear control arms came in today. Finally have the pieces so I can start the front and rear suspension fabrication, just gotta buy some piping to start.......
Engine test fit part 2 into subframe ver 2.0 happened today, seems to be sitting ok, engine might be sitting a inch higher, need to check on clearance but it should be ok. Jig seems to be working out quite well as well.
Lasered the final pieces of the engine cradle today, formed and welded them as well.....currently dry fit onto the frame, needs a little trimming to make it fit 100% but came out really good.
Unfortunately I won't be welding it this weekend, maybe sometime next week.
Big update on the blog today, big push to have the engine re-mounted, engine cradle, rear suspension and front suspension mocked up by spring.........an added benefit would be the brakes, but I ain't pushing my luck.
The new 88 style engine cradle and engine have been test fit on the chassis, everything seems to fit well, very cool to see everything coming together well.
If all goes well this week and this weekend, I hope to have the entire 88 engine cradle, engine, exhaust, control arms and custom rear knuckles mounted......it won't be 100% welded, everything is going to be tack welded to ensure it works before I take the time to weld everything permanent.
Here's a teaser pic, check out the blog to see the rest.
Click this link to see the full size pic
Jer
[This message has been edited by coppertop_01 (edited 02-22-2011).]
i assume you are using the cobalt ss axles .how do they look strength wise compared to the fiero axles ? this is awesome work , way beyond me but gives me lots of ideas for future stuff for my car .thanks for keeping us posted .
Got some more work done today, the second knuckle and hub are installed, also got the coilover struts modified for the Fiero and installed. My TIG welder really really can't handle 1/4" thick alum, so I did what I could to get it holding enough to send them out to get welded this week, updates and pictures are all loaded on the blog.
when this engine was in the ION and supercharged it was making near 275hp, with the turbo and an good tune I should be able to make in the neighborhood of 300-330, the turbo is a stock LNF unit as maxes out on the LNF motor at around 330, keep in mind this is a LSJ without the direct injection, so I might loose a couple HP when compared to the LNF.
At this point, I'll be happy when the car is running again..........lol
Haha, I hear ya. I've been drooling over the thought of an LSJ swap ever since I bought my redline. I'll be curious too to see what your weight balance is... Just from my guestimating, I'd think if the battery was up front, it'd be close to 50/50. I'm excited to see what your final weight is as well... but with 300+ hp, it'll definitely be an awesome swap.
Mounted some rotors this weekend, but the main posting is pictures of CCFiero's new rear knuckle, he's modified several things to aid in his build (I will let him explain what he's done to the design)
Today my rear strut housings came back from alum welding, installed the bilstien inserts and got to mounting everything all back together..........its all coming together nicely, I have a few things that I will have to clean up before I can bolt it all together.
double, its going to be another couple years before the car is on the road, the plan is to have the project complete in another 3 years.........
But today is the first time in almost 2 years my project car has some rims on it, rear suspension is looking good and looks like everything is going to work well.
First real bit of progress with the front suspension was done today, nothing more than a quick test fit but progress none the less. Right now everything is really rough fitting and not completed but I did find a couple issues but nothing too major, still waiting on a couple pieces to complete the suspension projects but I should have them in a week or two.
There is a fair bit of progress with the front suspension over the last two weeks, still waiting on a few parts but it really is getting closer to completion.
Not that anybody actually posts in this thread, but the project finally got one side of the front suspension complete enough to mount a tire to it, looks really good......like with any project there is a couple things that came up during the install that will need to have some time spent to look at and figure out a solution, but it is showing some good progress tonight.
Not that anybody actually posts in this thread, but the project finally got one side of the front suspension complete enough to mount a tire to it, looks really good......like with any project there is a couple things that came up during the install that will need to have some time spent to look at and figure out a solution, but it is showing some good progress tonight.
I realize that people watch, I check how many hits the blog gets and from where, I was only saying that this thread doesn't see much action/discussion.
I've tried to keep all the control arms to the stock 84-87 geometry, the only thing I had to modify was the location of the upper control arm on the frame for two reasons, one there wasn't enough room to mount the larger cross shaft and the other is that the cobalt/ION knuckle was an inch taller than the stock 84-87 steering knuckle. I haven't done any analysis yet, I need to take some dimensions and send them CCfiero's way, but nothing has been written in stone yet as well, I have only tack welded everything together and with the full adjustable upper control arm I should be able to control the full range of motions. I've also kept the steering rack open to change, not just the rack but the location so I can get the proper tie rod length and mounting location.
Well I got all four wheels on today, also after 2 years its finally sitting on the ground again........close to the ground, at the lowest setting I have 4.25" ground clearance, and thats before everything else is installed, yes I realize that I will have to raise it, just looks really good sitting low.
Just curious... did the stock 84-87 front upper control arm also angle "down" towards the outside of the car as well (when the suspension is supporting the vehicle?
Won't this create positive camber during compression?
I will check my daily driver tomorrow, but I am pretty sure the angle in similar manor. If there is a problem I already know what I can do to adjust the angle of the upper control arm while sitting in the regular ride height.
I will check my daily driver tomorrow, but I am pretty sure the angle in similar manor. If there is a problem I already know what I can do to adjust the angle of the upper control arm while sitting in the regular ride height.
Jer
I assume you raised the inner pivot the same amount as the difference in height between the original knuckle and your new knuckles?
Suspension geometry must be considered wholistically... Simply moving one point, then moving another the same amount is not likely to give desirable results.
How do the kingpin inclination and scrub radius of your new knuckles compare to stock?
