Converting Unibody 4th gen to Solid Frame?
11-19-2008, 11:35 PM
#21
Ok, this project is a go. A stripped 98 trans am shell has been located. 
I'm going to be working on the smaller details as I go along, but right now what would you guys recommend I make the new floors out of? I figure 16ga steel for the footwells and below the seat just for safety, but what about the rest where it can be much lighter?
Remember that this is just a street car. It doesn't have to be built to NHRA or any other specs.
I'm going to be working on the smaller details as I go along, but right now what would you guys recommend I make the new floors out of? I figure 16ga steel for the footwells and below the seat just for safety, but what about the rest where it can be much lighter?
Remember that this is just a street car. It doesn't have to be built to NHRA or any other specs.
Last edited by JasonWW; 11-19-2008 at 11:43 PM.
12-03-2008, 11:58 PM
#27
Well I have my stripped 98 TA donor body home. I'm just cleaning it up a little and removing a few extra parts. I need to pull the broke rear end out next. Luckily this car was stored in a garage so there is no rust on it or on the wiring connectors. That helps. The down side is it's an auto car so I'll need to alter the wiring harness and trans tunnel a little plus swap the pedal box out. No big deal, just a little extra work.
I also picked me up a little Hobart Handler 125 MIG welder, auto darkening helmet and a few other little things. Now I need to brush up on my welding skills.
The new frame design will be a space frame. I've been studing factory space frame designs to pick up some of the basics. There's not many cars like this so I've been studying the Lamborghini Countach mainly. It's very impressive. Also the Factory Five Racing GTM. I want to focus on stiffness and light weight.
In studing the C6 Vette I've learned the steel frame weighs 420lbs and the Z06 aluminum frame weighs 285lbs. What's funny is the Z06 car weighs 3150lbs total and the GTM, which is basically the same car, weighs 2350lbs. Where did the weight go? Most of the parts are the same minus the torque tube and driveshaft. The GTM also uses the Porsche G50 trans which might be a little lighter than the C6 unit. Still, where did the weight go?
Anyway, does anyone know of websites showing front engined factory tube framed cars? Or at least proffesionally built ones. I can't think of any myself.
I also picked me up a little Hobart Handler 125 MIG welder, auto darkening helmet and a few other little things. Now I need to brush up on my welding skills.
The new frame design will be a space frame. I've been studing factory space frame designs to pick up some of the basics. There's not many cars like this so I've been studying the Lamborghini Countach mainly. It's very impressive. Also the Factory Five Racing GTM. I want to focus on stiffness and light weight.
In studing the C6 Vette I've learned the steel frame weighs 420lbs and the Z06 aluminum frame weighs 285lbs. What's funny is the Z06 car weighs 3150lbs total and the GTM, which is basically the same car, weighs 2350lbs. Where did the weight go? Most of the parts are the same minus the torque tube and driveshaft. The GTM also uses the Porsche G50 trans which might be a little lighter than the C6 unit. Still, where did the weight go?
Anyway, does anyone know of websites showing front engined factory tube framed cars? Or at least proffesionally built ones. I can't think of any myself.
Last edited by JasonWW; 12-04-2008 at 12:28 AM.
12-04-2008, 12:29 AM
#28
I don't know if anyone has weighed a stripped 4th gen shell, so I plan to do that soon. I'll just subtract the weight of the front windshield, wiring harness and AC stuff under the dash. That should be pretty accurate I guess.
I'm thinking of creating a strong foundation on the firewall so I can tie my new front rails into the top of it.
I'll post some pics soon.
I'm thinking of creating a strong foundation on the firewall so I can tie my new front rails into the top of it.
I'll post some pics soon.
Last edited by JasonWW; 12-04-2008 at 12:38 AM.
12-04-2008, 09:02 AM
#29
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doing a full tube chassis is probably going 2 be the best way 2 do it
just like a race car
because then u can move everything that is in the way
and there is alot of **** in the way
but it is going 2 be a **** load of work
back in the day i was thinking about getting a civic and doing a full tube chassis, rear wheel drive and v8
just like a race car
because then u can move everything that is in the way
and there is alot of **** in the way
but it is going 2 be a **** load of work
back in the day i was thinking about getting a civic and doing a full tube chassis, rear wheel drive and v8
12-04-2008, 01:08 PM
#30
My original plan involved cutting off all the metal except for the firewall and door jams. The firewall so the dash, wiring and AC would still fit and the door jambs so that the stock doors would fit.
I think now I'm also going to keep the rear fenders. I'll tie it all together with square tubing (no bends) below the body and then have a shop bend up a rollbar from round DOM tubing (maybe chrome it, maybe bolt it in) for the upper, visable part.
Last edited by JasonWW; 12-04-2008 at 01:33 PM.
12-04-2008, 05:44 PM
#31
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It's Texas, anything is possible.
Why not just find a wrecked C5 and drop an F-body shell on it?
Or better yet, just buy a C5 and drill holes in it so it stinks like exhaust and rattles then randomly disconnect wires so things mysteriously stop working? Saves a lot of custom fabrication.
Why not just find a wrecked C5 and drop an F-body shell on it?
Or better yet, just buy a C5 and drill holes in it so it stinks like exhaust and rattles then randomly disconnect wires so things mysteriously stop working? Saves a lot of custom fabrication.
12-04-2008, 07:22 PM
#32
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http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/02-05...QQcmdZViewItem
You may be able to use some info from car like this. I know the main frame rails are tubular and 1 peice per side( could be wrong) and you could have a whole host of front and rear suspension options. If that chassis design can handle 700+ horse power it may workfor what you are doing. Good luck
You may be able to use some info from car like this. I know the main frame rails are tubular and 1 peice per side( could be wrong) and you could have a whole host of front and rear suspension options. If that chassis design can handle 700+ horse power it may workfor what you are doing. Good luck
12-04-2008, 07:33 PM
#33
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At work we use 18 guage with beads rolled into it for our floors. You would be suprised how just a simple X will strengthen the sheetmetal. If you use hat channel from side to side under the floor it will support alot of weight.
12-04-2008, 08:07 PM
#34
Same thing I asked for that question> F.Y.I. good inform>>>>
https://ls1tech.com/forums/conversio...5-chassis.html
https://ls1tech.com/forums/conversio...5-chassis.html
It's Texas, anything is possible<<<<
.
Why not just find a wrecked C5 and drop an F-body shell on it?
Or better yet, just buy a C5 and drill holes in it so it stinks like exhaust and rattles then randomly disconnect wires so things mysteriously stop working? Saves a lot of custom fabrication.
.Why not just find a wrecked C5 and drop an F-body shell on it?
Or better yet, just buy a C5 and drill holes in it so it stinks like exhaust and rattles then randomly disconnect wires so things mysteriously stop working? Saves a lot of custom fabrication.
12-04-2008, 09:05 PM
#35
I don't want a lame C5 frame. Think stiffer and lighter.
By the time you do all the mods to it to get it to fit the f-body, it would have been easier to start from scratch. It creates more work than some of you guys think.
Dave96, why are you here? I guess your trying to be funny. You failed. :-(
All I want to buy at this point is raw tubing.
By the time you do all the mods to it to get it to fit the f-body, it would have been easier to start from scratch. It creates more work than some of you guys think.
Dave96, why are you here? I guess your trying to be funny. You failed. :-(
All I want to buy at this point is raw tubing.
Last edited by JasonWW; 12-05-2008 at 09:16 PM.
12-05-2008, 12:25 PM
#39
If you had actually used any logic you'd know that you can't put the f-body over the top of a y-body chassis. You have to convert the LS1 k-member to fit it otherwise you'd have to move the firewall back or the front wheels forward, then try to get the side rails to squeeze under the f-body door jambs without increasing the vehicles height. It's much simpler to just build a chassis exactly to my needs. I've got an engine and trans already, so there's really not much of the C5 chassis that's usable. I could use the front spindles and upper control arms maybe, but I'm not buying a wrecked car of even a whole chassis for just those pieces. That's the real logic of it.
Since you didn't see these problems I have to assume you didn't really think about it. You just threw an idea out.
Since you didn't see these problems I have to assume you didn't really think about it. You just threw an idea out.
Last edited by JasonWW; 12-05-2008 at 12:36 PM.
