Re: Ford vs Chevy Build-up
 

Exactly! Anything that came off or was modified I have a list as what it weighed before and after. Having a digital scale to weight refrigerant is what I use. A couple of pounds here and there adds up. I would shoot for getting the car down to the lowest class it fits in, and then put the weight back in where you want it to get back to the class you choose. Its amazing how much weight you can pull out of a car if you work at it. The top will not need any of the mechanical devices to raise and lower it automatically.

Rear Suspension parts, Metco. Also you can only relocate the upper control arm, so nothing adjustable on the lowers. Good struts and shocks. Aftermarket springs are overrated, and a waste of money. Shocks and struts are where its at. No anti-roll bar is needed with good shocks.

Sean

Re: Ford vs Chevy Build-up
 

Good to know about the sway bar...it will be deleted then. From what I gather a set of well worn GT springs work better than anything, maybe with a coil cut out. Just so happens there is a set already in the car. :) Have you ever experimented with 26" tires vs 28"?

Re: Ford vs Chevy Build-up
 

I have three different sets of springs. The original 83 GT springs with a coil cut, for K/S, and now an uncut 90 GT set for L/S, and a set from a Faimont wagon. The wagon springs were way too much for L weight.

The smallest tires ever on the car were Goodyear 28" but that has been many years ago, and with 5.13 gears. When I decided to do the bodywork and paint is when I was able to go to the 29.5 stick MT's. Unless you put a 9" in it you are screwed with gear selection. Also only street gears are available for the 8.8, which I have only had 2 sets in the car. The pinion gear stress fractures and starts cracking. High RPM launches and having the clutch set too tight doesn't help their life span.

For gears, Motive sells a lightened 8.8 set, welding the tubes to the center section is not a absolute have to deal, but highly recommended. Installing an LPW rear cover to preload the bearing caps, you may already have one on the Camero. An 8.8 and 12 bolt are very similar in design.

Sean

Re: Ford vs Chevy Build-up
 

Thanks Sean - This being an automatic car I'm sure will cut the stress off those gears. My thoughts on the smaller tire were with the auto in mind as well.

Re: Ford vs Chevy Build-up
 

Plans for this weekend are to begin stripping the interior out of the car in preparation for welding of the subframe connectors and roll bar. Parts to begin drifting in next week...roll bar is being built, expect 3-4 week time frame.

Bought a Team Z UCA kit today for the 8.8 housing...

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/q...psc1ce9c15.jpg

I'll couple these with some Southside Machine copies of LCA's...

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/q...psd8788747.jpg

I will be changing the interior color with Black carpet and painting the dash/console either White or Black.

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps76f625c6.jpg

Tentatively planning on removing the E-brake lever and mounting the shifter in that recessed area.

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/q...psc2e4146a.jpg

Re: Ford vs Chevy Build-up
 

Got a little something done today...stripped the interior and trunk area. Next will be removing all the rubberized sound barrier from the pans...oh boy. Following that will come under dash gutting and removal of inside door reinforcement bars. Parts are piling up fast...

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/q...psb8cd3760.jpg

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps48b8047c.jpg

(See the gaurdrail inside the door?)
http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/q...psd6ef2952.jpg

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps28ab7ef7.jpg

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/q...psb2f92a73.jpg

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/q...psc7fb9d00.jpg

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/q...pse57ee3d5.jpg

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps06ca6bc7.jpg

Re: Ford vs Chevy Build-up
 

What type? Brand?

Re: Ford vs Chevy Build-up
 

http://www.maximummotorsports.com/MM...bare-P580.aspx

Same folks are building a roll bar for me right now.

Re: Ford vs Chevy Build-up
 

Same thing thats going on my car. Just sitting in the rafters awaiting their time with the welder.

Re: Ford vs Chevy Build-up
 

I'll be attempting to do those along with the roll bar myself...car will probably be shaped like a pretzel by the time I finish hehe.

I'm going to need another deck lid...stupid spoiler sat up there loose for so long it ate on the lid pretty good.

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps549e8f72.jpg

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps21b7583e.jpg