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Awd, lsx, t56 scratch build.

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Old 12-05-2015, 09:03 AM
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Default Awd, lsx, t56 scratch build.

This post will be a VERY VERY VERY slow process, hopefully not but it's a side project of mine and between work and family, it'll be a long time before it done.

Anyways, I'm making this post as a pic saver and time line for myself.

Parts-
5.3 aluminum lm4 (eventually forged internals shooting for 600-800awhp)
C6 torque tube cut down to 17" including bellhousing.
C5 t56 with fbody main shaft with 3 1/2" cut off the end.
Trailblazer ss np120 transfer case
Trailblazer ss front diff (4.10)
Cobra 31 spline 8.8 rear diff (4.10)

Wheelbase- 103"
Trackwidth front and back- 70"
Roof line- 39" (just to be lower than gt40)
Ride height- 3.5"
It will be a full tubed 1.5" .095" Dom tubing. Hoping for under 2500lbs with me in it and full tank of gas.

Will be making my own body, Pagani zonda / lemans prototype similar design, haven't really drawn up the body yet.

No more talking... pictures!!!

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That's it for now. Between the rear diff and transfer case there will be a 1" poly bushing like a guibo. Also inside the torque tube, it'll have an approx 3" driveshaft with regular c5-c6 poly bushing on both ends.

Up next, I'll be picking up the dom tubing and getting a tube bender and starting the frame. Also, welding the shorten torque and finishing making a bracket from t56 to transfer case.
Old 12-05-2015, 10:25 AM
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WOW! what an undertaking. Look forward to updates.
Will you be building a frame table, too?

Doug
Old 12-05-2015, 10:47 AM
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Originally Posted by DW SD
WOW! what an undertaking. Look forward to updates.
Will you be building a frame table, too?

Doug
Never seen a wooden frame table?? Hah. That is my frame table, 100% leveled in all corners, all measurements are on the table and drivetrain is being mocked up leveled and at riding height, both front and rear diffs are at wheelbase. Those pics just show a quick mock up since I just cut the torque tube yesterday, once it's all mated, I'll make it a more solid mock up platform and start with the tubing.
Old 12-05-2015, 10:57 AM
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The TBSS front is the regular 7.2 IFS used in lots of stuff right? Have you found any limited slips for those? Ive looked and looked and there isn't anything made. At one time there were Lock-Rites but they stopped making those even. Great project, keep us updated.
Old 12-05-2015, 11:22 AM
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Looks like you have a 8.8 rear diff from a Cobra. Look into getting a rear cover from the Explorer as it offers better mounting options.

Andrew
Old 12-05-2015, 11:22 AM
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Originally Posted by Hank Peabody
The TBSS front is the regular 7.2 IFS used in lots of stuff right? Have you found any limited slips for those? Ive looked and looked and there isn't anything made. At one time there were Lock-Rites but they stopped making those even. Great project, keep us updated.
Yea the front diff is used in more applications but I wanted the ss one due to the 4.10 gears. I haven't found limited slip for it though, unfortunately.
Old 12-05-2015, 11:25 AM
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Originally Posted by Project GatTagO
Looks like you have a 8.8 rear diff from a Cobra. Look into getting a rear cover from the Explorer as it offers better mounting options.

Andrew
Good point, I'll look into it, Im going to junkyard soon anyway, hopefully I'll find one there. Thanks
Old 12-05-2015, 01:20 PM
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That won't suffice as a frame table.... but this is going to be a cool project!

My buddy built his own frame table and it was a ton of work. Wood flatness will change with humidity.....
Obviously not everyone can build/justify a frame table like this....
My buddy's setup: 6'x20' piece of half inch plate steel. Large I beam down the center and at the ends and 2"x4" tubing for the outer frame rails. It has levelling feet every few feet as well.

Bought a magnetic base drill press just for the job of drilling 490+ holes and tapping them to 3/8 coarse thread. Funny fact... a friend of mine ran the numbers on how much the material weighed that we drilled and tapped out of the plate and it came to 100lbs.

Last edited by gnx7; 12-05-2015 at 01:26 PM.
Old 12-05-2015, 01:54 PM
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A table like that would be amazing if i were to build more than one car, eventually I'll probably end up making a decent 2x4 steel table or something similar. I only have $50 into this table since I had the wood in the garage. If I notice it warping due to humidity, then I'll upgrade.
Old 12-05-2015, 01:58 PM
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damn, that is all
Old 03-08-2016, 08:49 AM
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Looks like a good start. I like the way you think. Working on something similar.
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Old 03-09-2016, 08:35 PM
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I've been wanting to do an LS AWD car for quite some time. Subscribed! I can't wait to see your progress.
Old 03-09-2016, 09:16 PM
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I'm going to go along for this long ride you have planned . Interested to see how you work this out . I envy guys with the skill set you have my friend .
Old 03-10-2016, 12:35 AM
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Sweet project. I'm building an awd 54 gmc. 94 Bravada front suspension, front diff, and t-case, 8.8 IRS, 5.3L and 4L80e adapted to the t-case.
Old 03-10-2016, 08:05 PM
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Update! And my first problem!( I'm sure of many)

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So I started doing the cockpit floor and ran into my first dilemma. My front driveshaft will have to be roughly 67-69" long and it will need to be a 2 piece to be able to have a critical speed of 200+mph. It'll only see 350 hp (if i decide to go up to 1000hp) . Anyway, the yellow is how I'd LOVE for it to be, with carrier bearing right in front of the inclined section. It'll hAve to go up ~10° , and I'm afraid that wouldn't be good for the high critical speed. The blue line is obviously a straight shot (that's with swinging the transfer case up until it's parallel with the ground) but I'll have to put my seat about 7-9" high off the floor making the height of the car 44-45" off the ground. It's still low, roughly a vette height but if I could somehow get away with the (yellow line) way, I could keep my seat down low and keep my roof height at 39".

I emailed DSS and they told me the 10° incline might cause a problem so I'm guessing I'll have to go with the straight shot way.

Anyway, anyone running a high angle driveshaft with any success?
Old 03-11-2016, 10:51 AM
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3 piece driveshaft possibly?
Old 04-12-2016, 10:40 PM
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Kill the Torque tube, traditionally mount the tranny and loose 24"?
Old 04-12-2016, 11:00 PM
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Whoa, that's one hell of a project. I'll definitely be following this.
Old 04-12-2016, 11:02 PM
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Very cool concept, but yes, why use the torque tube if AWD is the goal?

Could you run the front driveshaft directly under the engine if you were to use a low profile dry-sump oil pan?

Definitely keep us posted.
Old 04-12-2016, 11:21 PM
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Driveshaft needs to be offset for diff clearance on the front......


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