98 Grand Prix GTP RWD conversion with LSx/T56
07-08-2008, 03:35 PM
#21
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GM did this to a Monte Carlo and had Hot Rod promote it as if it would get built if enough people wrote GM to make it happen. They used a modified F-Body floor pan. That's the direction I'd head.
My guess is that you'll reconsider running 315's in back unless you want 1 bucket seat or seats made for really little kids. Also consider how low you want it. Getting really low makes packaging that much harder.
I think this would be really cool if it ends up looking stock, no tube frame or tinwork interior. That's the tough part.
My guess is that you'll reconsider running 315's in back unless you want 1 bucket seat or seats made for really little kids. Also consider how low you want it. Getting really low makes packaging that much harder.
I think this would be really cool if it ends up looking stock, no tube frame or tinwork interior. That's the tough part.
And that's also the goal: Factory looking interior (It'll be really custom, but hopefully like you said no hacked up metal or whatnot parts) and exterior.
I am also thinking about the 315's.... My buddys vette has 275's on it and that's really pretty big. We'll see how it ends up.
Will post pics once I have something interesting to take pics OF. Camaro floor is coming the rest of the way out tomorrow (I hope)
07-08-2008, 07:06 PM
#22
It was more than just the F-body floor pan; they essentially removed the top half of an F car and W body, then simply grafted the upper half of the W-body onto the F-body chassis. So under the skin if was reall just an F-body including the front suspension towers, firewall, floor pans and rear suspension.
07-11-2008, 02:43 AM
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I'll snap some pics of the car right now in the daylight. Not real exciting yet.... the interior is stripped out and the rocker panels are all cut up to remove rust ( and make way for my SFC/support rails). Heck, the engine is even still in it, haha. I might be getting a rear end here very soon though.
07-14-2008, 04:53 AM
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Hope all goes well with the major swap. pics would be appreciated as I have a GTP myself. It would be nice to pic one up and do a rwd 6 spd swap!
Best of luck!!!
Best of luck!!!
07-14-2008, 04:04 PM
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Yes, a vette chassis. I don't want to leak too much as I don't want my idea stolen, but if I can lengthen the torque tube and move the engine mounts forward more on the front subframe, it might be very possible in my car.
07-14-2008, 04:41 PM
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The torque tube bolts up to the bellhousing. It would be a relatively simple matter of machining a spacer that goes between the torque tube and the bellhousing.
we need pictures of your car before hand 
08-29-2008, 07:26 PM
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Small update for any who are interested in my project. Due to monitary concerns in the short term (damn job market and economy) I am driving the red car again. However, here's the changes in the overall plan I have made:
It turns out that by using a Corvette arrangement, I will actually have less fab work involved to get the car rolling. Plus, I'll get the benefits of having a better suspension setup, IRS, rear trans, all that good stuff. So this has been set in stone, I'm scrapping the live axle for the entire Corvette drivetrain.
Another thing is I will probably not do the roll cage, for the simple reason of wanting the car to be DD capable when it's finished. after all the figuring about it, that's the idea that suits the goal of the car best.
Also, the camaro floor is a no-go. It was just going to be too much work to get the floor out of the donor, then fabbed into mine, to be very effective.
A question to you guys:
Can anyone tell me how far above the ground the top of the torque tube would sit at stockish ride height on a Corvette? Trying to get a feel for how much of the tunnel will need enlarged and by how much.
It turns out that by using a Corvette arrangement, I will actually have less fab work involved to get the car rolling. Plus, I'll get the benefits of having a better suspension setup, IRS, rear trans, all that good stuff. So this has been set in stone, I'm scrapping the live axle for the entire Corvette drivetrain.
Another thing is I will probably not do the roll cage, for the simple reason of wanting the car to be DD capable when it's finished. after all the figuring about it, that's the idea that suits the goal of the car best.
Also, the camaro floor is a no-go. It was just going to be too much work to get the floor out of the donor, then fabbed into mine, to be very effective.
A question to you guys:
Can anyone tell me how far above the ground the top of the torque tube would sit at stockish ride height on a Corvette? Trying to get a feel for how much of the tunnel will need enlarged and by how much.
10-21-2008, 07:48 AM
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10-30-2008, 01:12 PM
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I have the exact same process except my car is a 1997 4dr. It is tubbed/narrowed with a 700r4 instead of a t56 which I really wanted but can't have. The center tunnel doesn't have to be raised as much as you'd think and with out the live axle, even less. Probably only the section between the banks of seats need be elevated and still retain factory seating. My project more than likely will have the live axle but I may opt out for a IRS if i can persuade someone to sell it to me!! I'm also using the same 8pt roll cage as the "other" car you mentioned and my vehicle will also be daily driven. What are you doing with the engine cradle?
10-30-2008, 01:50 PM
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This is a bit off topic but what are you planning on doing with the motor. I'm in the planning stages of putting a 3800 SC motor in a Fiero. If the price is right and your not too far away I might be interested in your motor.
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