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

[1stworks]

Following.
Thanks for sharing.

[Curbandgutter]

Wow the build is looking great. I really liked your curve template. Keep up the excellent work.

[tygaboy]

Engine & Trans: Mock Up
November activities commence with some new stuff: Engine and trans mock up install!

LS3/Boxster 6 set ups create pretty high CV angles and in detailed conversation with Tony (Cracker), not to mention his subtle hinting a few posts back (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) , I'm taking his advice and mocking up the drive train before finalizing my firewall mods.

As you know, I have Tony's "old" LS3 engine. He used his considerable Southern charm and talked me into buying it. (OK, not much taking into required!). I figured it would save some time as it had already been proven in a 914 install, the intake was already flipped, it had low miles and I'd seen/heard video of it running.

Next, I purchased the Renegade Hybrids LS kit and their 6-speed kit. This was all maybe about a year ago. But after all that time, today was the first time I unpacked everything. It was like Christmas!

Gotta say, the Renegade stuff is really nice. Fit and finish is impressive.

I didn't install the flywheel and clutch as this phase is all about determining clearances and deciding if I want to do things like move the motor forward to, at least partially, address the CV angle.

Engine, meet Trans. Trans, Engine! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/grouphug.gif)

[tygaboy]

As I'm looking at this wild set up, I leaned up against the car... and felt something moving...
The car was trembling! But I have to admit, I don't know if it was from excitement or fear!
I've not spent much time around 'Merican power and I have to say, this thing looks fast just sitting there. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/w00t.gif)

What in the world will it be like to drive?

I am so motivated to work on this project!!!

[mgp4591]

I'm pretty sure that angle would make it tough to get in and out. If I remember, I'll mock that up and see how bad it might/might not be. Worth a look. Thanks for the idea!

Could be. But look at Sir Andy's car. His is easy to get in/out of. More swooped, but reality is, a bar like this doesn't interfere as much as you'd think. Sometimes it's actually easier to get in and out using the bar. And it triangulates the huge miss behind the firewall! That's an important part of this car, especially when you consider the worst rust weakening happens behind the firewall. Could also run an X tube to front suspension points.

Real cages and reinforcements have already been engineered. This is just brainstorming. But I figure this one red tube does more than all the black ones combined with less weight and effort?

Not trying to hijack your thread but Rand refers to Sir Andys roll bar setup. I haven't seen it and how it's done - any threads showing how he has it set up? Thanks, and now back to your regular program...

[914forme]

All that tooling in your shop I am just (IMG:style_emoticons/default/drooley.gif)

No get back to it get that engine in there, and figure this stuff out. I want to see this at Okteenerfest (IMG:style_emoticons/default/piratenanner.gif) I know long haul, but you could go for the Iron Butt award.

[tygaboy]

All that tooling in your shop I am just (IMG:style_emoticons/default/drooley.gif)

No get back to it get that engine in there, and figure this stuff out. I want to see this at Okteenerfest (IMG:style_emoticons/default/piratenanner.gif) I know long haul, but you could go for the Iron Butt award.

And the best part (don't hate me) is the cold saw, giant compressor and hydraulic bender belong to my race car fab buddy, Martin, who doesn't have shop space and asked if he could keep them at my place! Nothing like having the right tool for the job.

And if I have it running reliably by then, I may just take you up on Octeenerfest!
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif) ROAD TRIP!!

[tygaboy]

It was a frustrating weekend in that I didn't complete what I thought I could. I wanted to get the drive line mocked in but it quickly became apparent I would need some additional jacking capabilities.
But let's start off with this: I'm claiming the record. Not only is my 914 on jack stands, so are my engine and trans! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol-2.gif)

[tygaboy]

So the only progress to report for this weekend is that I've fabbed up a jack that should allow me to handle the drive train by myself.
Credit to AndyS for the basic design. I went a little overboard on strength but it's the material I had.

So if anyone asks, you better believe "I know Jack!" (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif)

[tygaboy]

And after all this hard work, I'm adding a little comic relief.
Here's the welding seat I built. Quite comfy with the full suspension!
And yes, that's an exhaust tip from an MV Agusta.

As my wife likes to point out, I'm the only person she knows who needs a muffler on his chair... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sunglasses.gif)

[JmuRiz]

Amazing how compact an LS motor is!

[Krieger]

Nice work Chris! You are making amazing progress! I'll have to come back out and take a look.

[Cracker]

Something else that just came to mind Chris...if you move the drivetrain further forward you may need to slot the trans mounts. Before I forget...

T

PS: I like the welding seat - spring!

[tygaboy]

Something else that just came to mind Chris...if you move the drivetrain further forward you may need to slot the trans mounts. Before I forget...

T

PS: I like the welding seat - spring!

Yep, I was looking at that very thing this afternoon. I was thinking I may just remake those upper trans mount brackets to get the motor forward. That and move the engine mounts.

[tygaboy]

So... the good/bad news is that this week I had my 2nd skin cancer surgery.
A 30 mm x 23mm section of my left cheek removed. Good news is it's gone, bad news is that for a week I'm not supposed to lift more than 15 lbs or do anything that gets my heart rate up. This will limit my planned weekend progress re: fitting the drive train.

I'll just have to do something "light weight". Fine. I'll make some carbon fiber trim panels! I've always liked the Singer treatment where they cover and paint the longs and tunnel in body color so I've decided to do that, too.

The simplest thing to do was to use one of the stiffening blanks as the mold.

[tygaboy]

I have a bit of 50" wide, 2x2 twill weave left over from when I was doing all the motorcycle parts. Perfect width to make a long cover!

This is the "composite station". I found a giant self healing mat that you see at fabric stores. You can use razor cutters to slice the material and the mat couldn't care less. Very cool.

[tygaboy]

A little mold release wax and PVA, then 2 layers of carbon and one of fiberglass and I'll be set!

This is just a simple wet layup vs vacuum bagging. I have all the vacuum bagging tools but for something like this, that will likely be painted, this is quicker and less costly.

You think it's boring watching paint dry? Try watching epoxy cure! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

[tygaboy]

And before you ask, yes, these covers are purely esthetic and therefore, break my Cardinal Rule of Composites:
Using carbon fiber to ADD weight! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol-2.gif)
But hey, with 430 hp, what's a few ozs?

So, fresh out of the mold with a bit of trimming, may I present: one carbon fiber 914 longitudinal cover blank!

[Cracker]

Sweet, Chris...I can certify that you won't notice the extra weight!

T

[tygaboy]

A couple of pics to give you the idea.
I may have to leave them in raw carbon. Remember, it'll have this treatment on the custom tunnel, too. I kinda like it!
I played around and fitted it on both sides, just to get a feel.

Memo to self: REMEMBER to make the other one a mirror image in terms of the direction of the weave... That's why I didn't make one long piece. It's all about the little details.