jmgak47

iTrader: (3)

More power to ya. That is a big project!

PUNISHER TA

iTrader: (13)

Thanks guys.


Calling it a night... 5:30AM (Got a little carried away) (Still Day 1)

Disassembly is complete..













Next: Ill work on figuring out measurements for my FAB9 and get the windshield out and start cutting out the cowl/firewall/trans tunnel/strut towers/etc... and see where I stop... Should be fun.. Im going to do my best to remove all unnecessary metal, either by cutting out entire brackets, or hole saw where optional..

I plan to gusset the cage to the chassis, so that should bring some strength back to it.

PUNISHER TA

iTrader: (13)

So, I started thinking about my rearend... and I decided to figure out what tires/wheels I was going to run...

This brought me to an issue...

I was kind of excited about running a big tire...

but when I start looking at it... I have ~24" of width to play with... but my tubs, which are 36" diameter, are really just minitubs... so the vertical clearance is the same as stock... which mean that I am stuck running the same diameter tires as stock (relative to ride height)

So at "stock" ride height, I think a 28 , maybe 29" tire... and since no one makes a wide tire for that diameter... Im stuck running the same size tires as people with stock wheelwells... WTF?

So, Im thinking about cutting the tubs out, and putting bigger tubs in, (might as well, I have room front/back), as well as clearancing, and moving the tub up 5-6" ... Any thoughts about this?

Then I would be able to run a 33x18.5 ...?

BOBS99SS

iTrader: (2)

Im also with the group that says ditch the 6 speed, would be way less of a pita,the popcorn vid is still my fav,

PUNISHER TA

iTrader: (13)

Thanks, I had a fun time making those videos.

Well I decided I didn't like the tubs that are in the car, so I just bought new 40" tubs.

The tubs that are in it are really only mini-tubs... so I am going to do a full tub... droping a lot more weight in the process... I am going to bring the tubs up ~6 inches, so I can fit a big tire without having the car in 4x4 mode...

BLK95-Z

iTrader: (2)

Wow Ive been reading about this car for years. Glad to see it getting redone instead of scrapped. Subscribed

v7guy

iTrader: (1)

While I realize a slushbox would be faster and more consistent I think I would still keep a stick in it, I really enjoy rowing the gears. It'd be hard to give that up.

MIGHTYMOUSE

iTrader: (59)

did you consider the role that the bars you just cut out would play in keeping that convertible body straight provided it ever makes any power?

PUNISHER TA

iTrader: (13)

I understand what you are saying.

Both door bars, and the drivers side front down bar was already cutout when I got it. Also, I really didnt like the positioning of the halo, it seemed really ridiculous... So I wanted to re-do it. There was no way I could leave the halo how it was.

But, I am still unsure whether I want to go with a full cage or not...

The way I look at it, if I ran a full cage I could run to 8.50, which would be nice, but then there is a possibilty of hitting my head on it, if I were in a crash on the street. Also, ingress/egress would be restricted vs an open convertible...

If I ran a 6pt, I would be limited at the track, but driving it on the street would be much more comfortable... Also, if I were to go with a "6pt"... I am still planning on front halfing the car, so I would incorporate a series of dash bars, tying into the 6pt, as well as the new frame rails that Hardcore ran under the car. The door bars would become a sort of X...


Also, the car already has a sort of 25.5 look going on under the car.

PUNISHER TA

iTrader: (13)

Also, pretty interesting... :/ The car is literally immaculate, no corrosion anywhere, all the chassis bolts come right out, like a new car..

BUT, the front suspension is destroyed... its all bent, looks like it came down HARD after a wheelie, or someone dropped it off the roof...

BLK95-Z

iTrader: (2)

Is that a factory K member? Suprised it didnt have a nicer one with all the work thats been done

PUNISHER TA

iTrader: (13)

Yea.. its kinda crushed... lol

BLWN1

iTrader: (6)

Ls Fest True Street winner, Fast Track performance had a 404 with a 106 and PG if I recall correctly.... fyi

Jadedbird

iTrader: (27)

Read your last build. Loved it. This one seems even more crazy

PUNISHER TA

iTrader: (13)

Thank you. I had fun with the last one and learned a lot... This one will be tenfold...



I got my 40" tubs today... O_O WOW!


I have a lot of metal to cutout... Im looking at buying a plasma cutter...

PUNISHER TA

iTrader: (13)

Got a tire off a top fuel dragster for mockup, while I wait for my wheels and tires.

uninflated it is roughly the same size as my tires inflated, so it works out well.

These pictures are taken at full compression.

Conrad

iTrader: (20)

Bah, bike tires. How are you going to run tires that wide to 200+ mph?

PUNISHER TA

iTrader: (13)

I wont, Ill have another set of "street wheels"

Conrad

iTrader: (20)

Got it. Should be an awesome build, looking forward to results. My dad BlackBirdDaddy is doing a huron speed turbo build for his TA.

gjohnsonws6

iTrader: (12)

I see several things that could go against you during construction that will end up giving you a less than desirable result in the end. For one since this is a convertible you have no structural integrity. You are planning to cut and remove even more parent metal that keeps everything square and true. This type of work requires a frame jig that holds everything together during fabrication. This is not something you just do in the garage. Next concern I see is possible damage to the front end and you proceeding to install a front half without making sure its straight. If you want to do this right start out by having the front rails checked and repaired if needed along with a new k member. If all is well then install temporary bracing then it will be ready for the jig and cutting/ fabing and cage. I would not do another thing to it until this is done.