Been thinking about how to make the thing handle well. Was gonna do a 9" w/ T/A mount and do all custom a-arms up front w/ the ATS spindles. Why not integrate the frame w/ a C5. Chevelle wheelbase is 112" and the vette is 104.5". I could have the DS and the tq tube lengthened 7.5". I'm also looking at it price wise.

Price for all the main parts I would buy:
ATS spindles w/steering arms - ~$750
Custom A-Arms (upper/lower) - ~$1000
Custom 9" housing - ~$1000
T/A, panhard, brace, etc ~$1000
And other fab work that would have to be done.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/99-Co...spagenameZWDVW

Now this seems like it could be a good option. Get a running motor, 6 spd (out back!), IRS, good front susp, can use the stock spindles for the C6 Z06 brakes w/ ABS.

Am I thinking a little crazy??

 

Sounds a little crazy. Too much time and $$$. Might as well get a custom frame and keep the solid axle in the rear. I don't think you will see a huge difference over a properly set up solid vs IRS. Just my .02. I will do this eventually when I have a much larger budget.



http://www.schwartzperformance.com/products.htm

OR
http://www.artmorrison.com/maxg/profile/index.cfm

 

There is someone on this site who is building a nice old truck and wants to put a whole C5 chassis under it. He needs the torque tube lengthened, but he can't find anyone willing to try. I doubt you can use the C5 chassis. I bet you could incorporate the C5 suspension arms up front, and use a Ford 9" out back. Since you are building a Chevelle, do not use any kind of torque arm. The stock A-body 4 link can be made to handle very well. Also, I read a few years ago that someone was trying to use very long lower control arms like they use on NASCAR trucks. This seemed to be the traction/handling answer for the big A bodies. Don't know if this idea ever cought on.

 

If I did any custom rear suspension it would be a 3-link w/ a panhard bar or watts linkage. Checkout this project, he posts on protouring a lot and has done some awsome work.

http://www.iimuchfabrication.com/Rear%20Suspension/

 

I would go 3 link as well. There was a 3 link setup posted up not long ago on Pro-touring.com and Chevelles.com. I believe Dennis68 started the topic on Protouring.com.

 

I like the idea of getting the tranny weight out back and got my idea from the "Project 50/50" @ ATS.

 

I am not sure how you would go about contacting him but Jay Leno had his torque tube lengthened for the 66 Olds Toronado that he built. It was done by a guy name Bernard Juchli.

http://www.seriouswheels.com/top-196...o-Jay-Leno.htm

I did a little search and his home number is 626-355-0587.

Tim

 

Interesting...I'll see if I can call Jay Leno's garage to get a different contact # but otherwise that is my only shot. Thanks!

 

I'm trying to contact him too (thanks sierrac3_s2000). I know there are companies (at least one) that make composite shafts for the C5/C6. The tube itself is not a problem to lengthen, just the shaft, so that might be an option.

I think that same rolling chassis was on eBay over two years ago (or one very similar). I contacted them about it but ended up going through a different seller. Mine came with the whole vette frame which the seller in your link claimed was "part of the body." They we're partially right; the body is epoxied to the frame, but they are separable.

If you got that set-up you would have the two "cradles": the front/engine cradle and the rear/trans cradle. The lower control arms, front and rear, mount to those cradles as do the springs and swaybars. So if you mounted the cradles to your existing frame you would need to fab up the upper arm and shock mounts on the frame (not a difficult task). The cradles just bolt to the frame and use guide pins (drill holes in your frame for the guide pins).

Another plus is that the engine mounts directly to the front cradle, so that's all taken care of in one shot. You would need to fab up a tunnel for the torque tube as well.

Not to bad so far, but the big question is; how much kick-up would you need in the front and rear frame to set the ride height where you want it. If you just use a stock straight-ish frame it will look lifted. The tunnel for the torque tube in the vette is 12" high, so that tells you how low the body sits.

The C5/C6 front/rear kick-ups are pretty big. That's why I chose to use the C5 frame and floor. The floor is flush with the bottom of the frame unlike standard frame/body configs where the body/floor sit on top of the frame.

So, if you go that route you will have some work to do, but a sweet ride when it's done. If you want any more details let me know.

 

Hey guys you're welcome on the info but I want to add one thing about the phone number. I searched around and found out that he used to have his own shop but now exclusively works for the Leno Garage. I searched the phone records in the area of his shop and came up with that number so I assume it is him but I could be wrong. I didn't really figure there would be two guys living in the same area with that name but who knows. I hope it is and he can help you guys out. Happy 4th of July! So far it has been quiet here in Iraq. I hope it stays that way.

Tim