BUILD-OFF CHALLENGE: Tygaboy's '75 LS3, It seemed a good idea at the time... Options

[Andyrew]

I think the rain drop is too vertical, I think it needs to be flares out at more of an angle. Also it still might be too tall but that'll be easier to determine with the skin on.

At least this is in comparison to the 916 images.

Still looks damn amazing.

How much would it take to build up maybe an additional "V" brace along the inner A piller out of say 14ga? That would do a lot for strength, even just for chassis twist alone. You probably need to hog out some of the a pillar trim but that's the fun stuff (hidden secrets).

[tygaboy]

I think the rain drop is too vertical, I think it needs to be flares out at more of an angle. Also it still might be too tall but that'll be easier to determine with the skin on.

At least this is in comparison to the 916 images.

Still looks damn amazing.

How much would it take to build up maybe an additional "V" brace along the inner A piller out of say 14ga? That would do a lot for strength, even just for chassis twist alone. You probably need to hog out some of the a pillar trim but that's the fun stuff (hidden secrets).

@Andyrew - I think I'm going to pause on the steel roof skin work for a bit. Why, you ask? I'm taking a stock roof and a couple other items to the composite mfg I posted about a few months ago.

If costs are "reasonable", I think I'd prefer a composite roof skin. Also, this MAY lead to the availability of some very high quality parts - I'm hoping hoods, trunks and bumpers. I'd have to front the $ for the molds so we'll have to see if it pencils out.

I'll report back on all this, once I know what's what.

[Andyrew]

I think the rain drop is too vertical, I think it needs to be flares out at more of an angle. Also it still might be too tall but that'll be easier to determine with the skin on.

At least this is in comparison to the 916 images.

Still looks damn amazing.

How much would it take to build up maybe an additional "V" brace along the inner A piller out of say 14ga? That would do a lot for strength, even just for chassis twist alone. You probably need to hog out some of the a pillar trim but that's the fun stuff (hidden secrets).

@Andyrew - I think I'm going to pause on the steel roof skin work for a bit. Why, you ask? I'm taking a stock roof and a couple other items to the composite mfg I posted about a few months ago.

If costs are "reasonable", I think I'd prefer a composite roof skin. Also, this MAY lead to the availability of some very high quality parts - I'm hoping hoods, trunks and bumpers. I'd have to front the $ for the molds so we'll have to see if it pencils out.

I'll report back on all this, once I know what's what.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/chowtime.gif)

[tygaboy]

Initial location/fit/line up for trimming of the other brace pieces.

[tygaboy]

Passenger front fit and tacked in, then roof test fit.

[tygaboy]

The X-brace is fit and tacked in! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/piratenanner.gif)

I have one area on the underside, rear part of the roof that needs to be trimmed for everything to clear and I'll be ready to final weld this in.

[Dion]

Looking forward to seeing a composite skin on that roof. Structurally it looks amazing.
“Top” work Chris!

Cheers

[tygaboy]

I'm adding an "end cap" to each of the corner areas of the X-brace. The underside of the roof rolls over and nearly contacts the upper edge of the X-brace so these caps barely protrude above that level and essentially contact the roof, making them a nice surface to which that area of the roof can be bonded. Plus, these nicely tie the ends of the X-brace to the side bars.

Next, I need to get the carbon fiber roof panel and position it on the car. That will allow me to measure and fab these caps for the rest of the X-brace such that they juuuuust contact the under side of the roof and serve as additional bonding surfaces.

This whole fixed roof effort seems to be going to plan, at least so far. But keen eyes will notice the main side bars are still only tacked in. If it all goes south, I can remove the entire structure and run a stock, removable roof set up.

Fingers crossed it doesn't go that way...

[Cairo94507]

Just amazing! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[mbseto]

I really hope to see this car in person one day.

[tygaboy]

I really hope to see this car in person one day.

@mbseto - If (and it's a pretty big if) my master plan comes to fruition, I'd like to do a cross country tour, stop and meet everyone who's commented on my build and have them sign the underside of the trunk lid.

You all have had some sort of impact on my thinking, planning or execution and I really hope I find a way to honor that.

...assuming I actually finish the dang thing!

[tygaboy]

Here's the freshly installed front corner cap. Pretty much the same on both sides so I'll spare the server the extra pic...

I have a ways to go on my TIG welding but these won't be visible. So long as they're strong.

And yes, I went back and fully welded the gaps at the corner, just didn't take a pic.

[mbseto]

I really hope to see this car in person one day.

@mbseto - If (and it's a pretty big if) my master plan comes to fruition, I'd like to do a cross country tour, stop and meet everyone who's commented on my build and have them sign the underside of the trunk lid.

You all have had some sort of impact on my thinking, planning or execution and I really hope I find a way to honor that.

...assuming I actually finish the dang thing!

I'll definitely keep an eye out for this!

[914forme]

...assuming I actually finish the dang thing!

Dibs if you don't finish it (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif)

[914forme]

Some one had to say it. And trust me I understand if it gets to that, but would prefer if you (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif) on. It is hard when life gets in the way, and you lose the vision you had for the project.

[tygaboy]

Some one had to say it. And trust me I understand if it gets to that, but would prefer if you (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif) on. It is hard when life gets in the way, and you lose the vision you had for the project.

@914forme Stephen - Not to worry. The "assuming I actually finish..." comment was my attempt to poke fun at myself for how I constantly re-do, change or add more scope to this build.
No loss of vision and nothing really in the way. Well, OK, just me! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)
Back to it...

[Nogoodwithusernames]

I really hope to see this car in person one day.

@mbseto - If (and it's a pretty big if) my master plan comes to fruition, I'd like to do a cross country tour, stop and meet everyone who's commented on my build and have them sign the underside of the trunk lid.

You all have had some sort of impact on my thinking, planning or execution and I really hope I find a way to honor that.

...assuming I actually finish the dang thing!

Oh please say it's true! I've only commented a few times but I must claim my right to ogle this awesome machine! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/drooley.gif) (Also I'm not so far away, might even be on the way for your road trip)

Since you have the extra roof rigidity have you thought of still making the top removable? Or does having the stock roof bonded on add some extra stiffness?

[dan10101]

...assuming I actually finish the dang thing!

Dibs if you don't finish it (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif)

We could start bidding on the uncompleted project, but the price keeps going up everyday so this could get expensive.

[914forme]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) or cheaper as it narrows the focus from people who would not want this sort of thing. The value is only valued by a few. I am sure this would be a short list of us, who would be willing to pony up for such awesomeness as you see in this car.

The downside is that this car crosses lots of other car centric interest areas. Its a custom, its a hotrod, its a Porsche, its a 914, and its a piece of art if your into metal art.

But what I said and I say it again. Chris finish this build, I know how hard it is even when it is the right decision to not finished project can haunt you for years. That being said do this for you, your the only one you need to make happy here. Build it for you, build it because you want to, then drive it and if you hate it, let it go. Experience speaking here.

When I was 14 I picked up a 1965 Jeep CJ-5 that was in pieces out of a guys garage. He bought everything new, including a new Fiberglass body. I spent 2 years rebuilding the Jeep, and when I turned 16 I was able to drive it on the street. I learned to weld and fabricate on this Jeep, I learned to rebuild drive lines brakes, everything. It was mine I put my heart and soul into it. I drove it down the driveway, and onto the street went 1000 feet, turned around in the neighbors driveway and drove it back home, and put it in the garage. It sat for 10 years, and I never drove it, I sold it finally to a friend moving to Colorado, where it lived a great life. And Glad that CJ-5 lived its proper life. But it would not have been sitting in a garage in Ohio.

[tygaboy]

I decided to work on something that is required to get the car running: radiator hoses!
As mentioned a while back, I'm going to run the hoses under the car in the floor "channels". It proven to work, etc, etc.
That said, I didn't want to use the typical plumber style hose routing clamp, as pictured here. Nothing wrong with them, they just don't appeal to me.
In particular, I didn't like the way they look like they could "unfold" at the 90 degree bend. Yes, I know they are shaped in such a way as to add cross section to combat that, but still.

So, I came up with an idea I thought might work...