85 Cutlass LY6 build
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Uniontown, Pa
I think it could be possible to be that much lighter than his. I'm going to do a pin-on fiberglass hood and might also do a bolt-on fiberglass trunk. I have no interior except for a dash and I'm going to do Kirkey seats, one on race day, and an aluminum firewall to the trunk. A/c deleted, no windshield wipers or motor, crash bars cut out of the doors, roll up windows, manual locks, manual steering box, manual brake master cylinder, mini starter, electric water pump that is half the weight of stock, 12 gallon plastic fuel cell, 1pound each chromoly bumper brackets, inner bumpers cut out and made into bracket extensions. The Weld wheels should be light. My S60 has a Strange lightweight spool that will be lighter than a true-trac. A th400 is lighter than a 4l80e. I am planning on going with a Holcomb motorsport lightweight steering column with should cut some weight and a jt racecraft core support which is 20 lbs lighter than stock. Other than that the only weight I will be adding is from the 8 point cage.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,533
Likes: 12
Your car should be way lighter . My car is a street car Ac, power etc. I'm going to do coil overs , tubular control arms ccw classics polished, black everything out. That's the plan anyway. You should be able to get down to 3000 lb ,maybe even lighter .my wife would shoot me if I took her seat out lol
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Uniontown, Pa
Yeah I love your car for what it is. I'm going to love mine for what it is too. Maybe the next one I can do one that is this fast but turn,stop, and be comfortable, too. Holding out for a grand national or t-type fot that.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Uniontown, Pa
I think that is what I am going to go with. Changing plans and going with a 4L80e. Going to get the Jake's stage 2 rebuild kit and a Tci transbrake full manual valvebody. Got a good deal on the tranny and the overdrive would be nice. Started on the roll cage last night after work. Got the main hoop in. Starting to feel like I'm more than halfway done with the project.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Uniontown, Pa
Iceman core support
Cage welded in. Still have to weld the floor pieces in.
Holcomb lightweight steering column and Grant steering wheel.
Progress so far. The front springs have arrived so I can put the front together with the blazer spindles.
I'm happy with the progress so far. Still waiting to get my hands on a 4l80e. A guy on my crew at work has a salvage yard as a side business and he was sure he had one in a 2002 chevy van but he gave it a quick glance and now he thinks its a 4l60e. He said he is getting a 2wd truck in the yard that he is certain has one. Still waiting to find out about that.
Also contacted a couple torque converter companies about quotes and estimates on what stall to run. Circle D recommended 4800-5000 stall with my specs. Should be interesting. Haha. This thing is getting past street/strip and moving towards "racecar with license plates".
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Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Uniontown, Pa
Got the stainless brake lines and line lock in, and installed the new steering column. Once I get the Kirkey seat and brackets, I can get the column adjusted to where I want it.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Uniontown, Pa
Traded my stock hood and hinges straight up for a fiberglass pin-on hood with a 4" cowl. Have all the body panels now. I will just wait until i have the car together before I paint it.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Uniontown, Pa
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Uniontown, Pa
Yeah I know, but I was looking to drive to the track. I didn't really want to deal with a powerglide on the street. I'm not building a dedicated racecar to conform to an NHRA class, yet anyway, mostly test and tune's, flashlight drags, and some street class stuff. More for fun than anything.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Uniontown, Pa
Thanks for the compliments also. Its slowing down now, had to pay for an engagement ring so I have to recover before I can buy more stuff. Still waiting for the trans to get pulled. The guy is taking forever. Should have taken a road trip and done it myself.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Uniontown, Pa
Found a deal on CL. Hughes 4L80e with 300 miles. Going to upgrade it with the Jake's D1 transbrake and check it out internally. Fluid didn't smell burnt and the shafts looked good. Going to order the converter this spring and get this car into the home stretch.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Uniontown, Pa
Got the front suspension together. Still have to get the front blazer calipers.
Won the Rci fuel cell on ebay. Got it for very cheap. I can start getting the plumbing for the fuel system going. Comp valve locks came in also. That was the last internal engine piece I needed.
Re-thought the transbrake thing. I think I am just going to get the Jake's manual controller and footbrake at the track. When I pull the engine in the future for upgrades I can do the transbrake at that time. I just figured the money would be better spent elsewhere to get this thing going.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Uniontown, Pa
Got the hole cut in the trunkpan for the sump. Going to mount the fuel pump next weekend. Still need to get the mounting brackets for the fuel cell. Also ordered a new upper u-joint for the jeep steering shaft. It has more play than I care for.
Was offered some Ls7 takeoff heads, but that would require selling off my Ly6 and the intake, and I would still be short $ for an Ls7 shortblock. At least I know they are there. After my truck and school loans are paid off in a few years, I will start putting an Ls7 together with those heads.
