Re: 58 Corvette RACEtoration is back online!
 

Wade,
Nice work. Real nice. You might want to check with a tech guy in your area. I also race a Corvette and was told the bracing for the seat either has to be 2" x 2" Box tubing or 1 5/8" round tubing. Thickness was never discussed. I know PRO stockers that don't have anything close to that.

Re: 58 Corvette RACEtoration is back online!
 

Thanks Terry, I know what you mean about checking and double checking. I think our cars are different in that your frame runs along the rocker, and mine is actually under my seat. I have a 4" X 3" box tubing main frame "under" my seat, and a 4" "I" beam running diagonal "under" the seat as well. I guarantee you there is not a car out there with more steel under their *** than that! LOL You could wrap a chain around my front seat/crotch belt cross member and pick that whole car up with a crane. Each seat has (6) bolts in it, (4) through the floor. Since I started this project, I have corresponded with several NHRA officials with reference to one of my enhancement ideas or another....only to be shot down LOL It almost seems to be easier to "just say no" then the issue goes away and they don't have to explain why they granted it to anyone down the road. That makes me kinda wonder, If they say no to my tiny tiny things....how in the world did a stocker get to running eight seconds! I know, I know $$$$! A very well known official (won't post his name, but he is legendary) told me if you run traditional Super/Stock the chance of any change is "O"...you are many times more likely to get change/upgrade/enhancement in the newer car (ie front wheel drive conversion) GT classes. It should be easy to get a "Best Engineered " car award with a comp car in Super/Stock trim I would think. I try to do things the right way by asking for permission...after all that's what they'll tell you, that they want you to do....the sad part is, had I not said anything...they probably would have never found this enhancement, and it had absolutely no impact on performance advantage what so ever...it was that small of a modification...but you live and learn....I LEARNED! It's a whole lot easier to "JUST SAY NO" !

Wade Mahaffey

Re: 58 Corvette RACEtoration is back online!
 

Wade like usual top notch high quality work. Great idea for the belt hold down. You'rre a real artist with the electric rod. Claude Ruel

Re: 58 Corvette RACEtoration is back online!
 

After some re-evaluation, I have decided to re-locate my transmission cooler. It was very nice and tucked away in between the right frame rail and the "X" cross member.

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/q...s/DSCN2495.jpg

The problem with that location was that it would/could hamper a transmission or converter change operation. The new location also allows hot air pulled through the cooler to vent into and through the rear wheel well area. There are a few other considerations that offer an advantage to the new location.

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/q...s/DSCN2509.jpg


http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/q...s/DSCN2510.jpg

Re: 58 Corvette RACEtoration is back online!
 

Is this gonna be a 283/dual-4 car? Awesome stuff, btw...

Re: 58 Corvette RACEtoration is back online!
 

Brent, I was planning on a 283 single four and a glide to get me going. You can do all kinds of stuff over in GT if you want. I don't want to spend the money on a fast program...unless I'm forced to! LOL They don't give you anything for being fast anymore, except you get to chase. When you write on the window, it makes us all get to the finish line at the same time...or at least we're supposed too! My driving preparation and performance at both ends is far more important than how fast I was going when I got there! LOL

Re: 58 Corvette RACEtoration is back online!
 

It'll be cool, either way...hehe Lookin forward to seeing the finished product... Yea, speed aint everything...ive had just as much fun, running my 14 second wagon, as i have, my 10 second Bird... A win is a win, no matter how fast you were goin, when you got there...hehe

Re: 58 Corvette RACEtoration is back online!
 

This is my cooling package. It uses a Flex-a-lite 3300 CFM electric fan. The hand formed aluminum transition was fabricated to maintain the factory correct radiator laid back angle while the fan angle was straight up and down, as stock. It fits in the stock core support very nicely, and closely resembles the stock unit.


http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/q...s/DSCN2523.jpg


http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/q...s/DSCN2518.jpg

Re: 58 Corvette RACEtoration is back online!
 

Wade,
You are a master fabricator! Thanks for sharing the build.
Mike

Re: 58 Corvette RACEtoration is back online!
 

Very cool project, I look forward to next update :-)

Re: 58 Corvette RACEtoration is back online!
 

Got my wheelie bars all welded up today. I use the S&W standard 48" bars, then I cut and modify several portions to better fit the Corvette. The nine inch rear already had brackets in place on the rear. I welded up all of the housing components prior to narrowing and welding the ends on last. Now that they are welded up and fit perfect, I will disassemble, box them up....and off to chrome!


http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/q...s/DSCN2529.jpg

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/q...s/DSCN2531.jpg

Wade Mahaffey

Re: 58 Corvette RACEtoration is back online!
 

I've been working in the rear of the car. When I had put the car on the ground, it seemed a little high in the back with the new leaf springs. I know a lot of weight still has to be put in the car as it's just a shell. But I removed two of the four leafs from each side

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/q...s/DSCN2559.jpg


I made provisions for maximum wheelie bar clearance. I notched the rear frame cross member and welded in material for a nice finish. The modification allows the wheelie bars to travel higher, but stop prior to hitting the cars body

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/q...s/DSCN2567.jpg

Re: 58 Corvette RACEtoration is back online!
 

Awesome job!

Re: 58 Corvette RACEtoration is back online!
 

Wade, forget the chrome just clear coat them, raw metal is cool also.lol Looking good keep up the great work. Claude Ruel

Re: 58 Corvette RACEtoration is back online!
 

Raw is cool, but chrome is my favorite color....especially when it lays on top of red! That combination cannot be beat on Race Cars, Hot Rods and Fire Trucks. LOL Actually Chrome is clear, the nickel is the silver and usually over copper base. Each step polished to a high luster

Wade Mahaffey

Re: 58 Corvette RACEtoration is back online!
 

Wade,,, I've enjoyed following this build. I don't get east very often, so I wonder if you plan on having the car at Columbus next May for the Northern Class Nationals? I'm looking forward to seeing a lot of the cars and meeting the people that are on here at the event.
Keep up the good work,,, and I'm wondering if you'll need to put a 3rd leaf back in once the car settles.
Danny Durham

Re: 58 Corvette RACEtoration is back online!
 

It is certainly possible that I may have to add a leaf back into the mix. And maybe not even the normally next leaf, but maybe the #4 shorter leaf. There are several combinations of leaf springs arrangement, that will provide adjustable advantage. That, supported with (Strange Engineering) external adjustable shocks should allow me to tailor the rear suspension to the desired static and dynamic performance conditions.

I would like to support Michael's Northern Class Nationals event with the car.

Wade Mahaffey

Re: 58 Corvette RACEtoration is back online!
 

I'll make a point to drop by and see you there, Wade. Take care.
Danny Durham

Re: 58 Corvette RACEtoration is back online!
 

Wade,
What's new with the Vette?

Re: 58 Corvette RACEtoration is back online!
 

I gotta spray the under side Red, then put it back on the frame. Once I do that I can tie the cage into the chassis. Then I can start making the cool stuff...the real cool stuff! I'll be back on it soon

Wade Mahaffey

Re: 58 Corvette RACEtoration is back online!
 

Thanks Wade, I look forward to the next chapter.

Re: 58 Corvette RACEtoration is back online!
 

Any updates available????

Re: 58 Corvette RACEtoration is back online!
 

You should use some sort mid engine support. Like a mid plate. A friend ran the same car with a two four 283 and a stick. He couldn't shift the the car until he made mounts to the bell housing like the tri five passenger cars. This happened even with a Lakewood bell housing. Looks like a very nice car and brought back memories of running a car like yours.

Re: 58 Corvette RACEtoration is back online!
 

Yes the mid mount was in place early on, you can see it in the photos if you look closely.

Wade Mahaffey

Re: 58 Corvette RACEtoration is back online!
 

Wade, got any new updates.... ;)

Re: 58 Corvette RACEtoration is back online!
 

The 58 is sitting, I walk by it almost daily. I stumbled onto a 62 barn find in my neighborhood. Been sitting for 38 years. Stripped it down to raw glass, and found more than I bargained for... (been hit a few times)... I had to redo all the repairs. Then learn body work and paint... Just finished final sanding, and looking to paint it myself also. Then I need a few months to make it road worthy. Everything that had fluid is replaced ie fuel, brakes, water. It was a mess... but what a journey

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/q...s/DSCN4187.jpg

This is what I found once I got all the paint and plastic off... both front fenders were this bad... and the nose as well....wow, what a fight I had
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/q...s/DSCN4554.jpg

This is what it looks like now after learning the body & paint trade, just before Red Paint. I figure the 58 should be a piece of cake after this 62 mess

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/q...29_2006591.jpg

Re: 58 Corvette RACEtoration is back online!
 

Wade,
You have a PM.