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Trev · 10-13-2004, 04:51 PM

I received my new subframe from Wayne Dues Chassis Shop this week. Here is a photo as it was unpacked. You can see the C4 Corvette front suspension in the background. Wayne has not built many 2nd Gen. subframes, so he did not powder coat it for me, prefering to wait until I had done an assembly test first. Initial measurement comparrisons with my 78 suggest a significant improvement in clearances to headers, oil pan and general engine compartment. Time will tell.

Trev · 10-13-2004, 04:51 PM

I received my new subframe from Wayne Dues Chassis Shop this week. Here is a photo as it was unpacked. You can see the C4 Corvette front suspension in the background. Wayne has not built many 2nd Gen. subframes, so he did not powder coat it for me, prefering to wait until I had done an assembly test first. Initial measurement comparrisons with my 78 suggest a significant improvement in clearances to headers, oil pan and general engine compartment. Time will tell.

Trev · 10-13-2004, 04:55 PM

Also in the mail today was my set of Alston Chassis subframe connectors. I will have to modify the front end to fit my new subframe, but I dummied them up onto my 78, and they looked really good. I have had a set of the old style rectangular box section connectors on the shelf for years, but could never bring myself to install them because they look so ugly. I can't wait to get these in place on my new car.

Larry Navarro · 10-14-2004, 07:55 PM

OKAY....I gotta have one, where do I get that subframe and whats the price?

LeighP · 10-14-2004, 10:28 PM

Oh, man...that looks too nice! Should be excellent when finished....whats the drivetrain going to be?

Trev · 10-16-2004, 05:38 AM

Subframe was custom built by Wayne Due's Chassis Shop in Marysville, WA. Check out his website www.waynedue.com. Wayne builds mainly 1st gen replacement subframes including all of Mark Steilows cars.
The subframe will use C4 Corvette suspension which I found myself. Wayne rebuilt it for me using Global West Del-Alum bushings. Sandblasted and clear anodising the arms.
I will buy Baer brakes all round for the car. I have been holding off on this as the toughest decision has been wheels. Everybody (including me) loves Snowflakes, but to take advantage of a better brake package, I need to go with a bigger wheel. So I have to find a style that will work with the car. This is tough, as I have seen very few 2nd Gen. cars with 17" or 18" wheels that look good. Early 70s cars look good with 5 spokes, but Bandit style cars need a more complicated looking wheel. I have decided to use 285/40x18 rear tires as these give me the 27" diameter that looks best on a T/A. and they will fit into the stock (mostly) wheelwells (I didn't want to mini tub to get 315s in) as I already have a new set of Global West lowered rear springs.
Engine will be a big inch Pontiac. Most likely from P.Dude. I am tempted by the Butler aluminum block, but not sure about availability or price compared to a Dude built IA block.
Trans is a TKO 600 from Keisler. I bought the whole kit including Steel Bellhousing and Hydraulic clutch set up.
More later.

gpta · 10-16-2004, 07:29 AM

The shop I work at is building a protouring 69 camaro. We got a wayne due sub with c-4 components. It works great, he knows what he is doing. I want to see some pics of yours when you have it in the car w/wheels. I might do the same for my 72 bird.
Wade

Skip Fix · 10-16-2004, 12:50 PM

Trev depending on the size brake 16x8 GTA wheels look pretty good on a second gen. They are really light also. Figure the factory put 12" brakes on 15" wheel station wagons.

Trev · 10-16-2004, 04:53 PM

I set a spare block in the subframe this afternoon. At first I though there must be something wrong! How can there be this much clearance between the block and crosmembers? So I set it at approx. ride height from the floor and started making comparisons to my 78. It is difficult to be sure, as my 78 is lowered heavily in front, but everything appears to be where it should. Here are a couple more pics.

Trev · 10-16-2004, 04:57 PM

I decided to go with the early 70s style engine mounts (because I have a new set in stock). I am not sure how it would have looked if I had gone with the later style. I should be able to mount my Tri- Y headers and still stand between the engine and framerail!?!

Stuart · 10-16-2004, 05:26 PM

Those are some nice looking welds on that subframe. Looks like a real quality piece.

Skip Fix · 10-16-2004, 05:59 PM

Pretty slick Trev! That's going to be a cool car, should handle well.

My "dream car" is a 67 Corvette fastback with all the chassis and brake parts from a late model like that. With an aluminum big block in it!

Can you shoot a picture of the body at the firewall/cowl on the driver's side. I'm trying to chse a water leak on my 81 near the fusebox at that junction on the cowl before I pull the fender.Probably a body seam there leaking. When the water builds up there on the cowl underneath the fender edge that's when it leaks. Not in the wiper cowl.

Trev · 10-17-2004, 05:18 AM

Hey Skip, is this what you want to see, or do you want it from inside the car?

Great minds think alike. My next project (visible in the shot above with the engine block) is a 64 Coupe. The SRIII chassis is already ordered. Mine will have an LS6 though.

Skip Fix · 10-17-2004, 07:30 AM

Trev maybe a 45 degree from the front side and a litle on top by the "X" stamped in the firewall.Leak looks like it may be just to the outside of the fender mounting bolt on the firewall, or tickling down. When you look from the inside above the fuse box there above the parking brake. Trickles down so could be leaking and running down inside there.Maybe that body seam by the X.

Trev · 10-18-2004, 11:24 AM

Photo for Skip

Skip Fix · 10-18-2004, 12:40 PM

Thanks Trev. I'll bet there's a crack in the body seam sealer where those three seams join there above the X. Had a rear window seam leak I had to fix on this car before.

Keep us posted on your project. How do the Alston connectors bolt to the rear spring mount? I had some Moroso's that I guess really needed the floor cut. I cut one end off and moved it down.Those Alston's look better quality.

Skip Fix · 10-18-2004, 03:36 PM

I forgot to mention the aluminum BBC would be EFI in a 5 or 6 speed, but 67 Vette interior. I liked the 4 splits on the fender and 4 wheel discs of the 67. Even thought using the single mid 70s style blneded in would look good.Add some flairs and some BIG meats all around.

Let me know if you need any 78 TA info. Had mine since new and have body shop manual as well as regular shop manual.I did take the Gay Pontiac dealer emblem off it when I lived near San Francisco.

Trev · 10-18-2004, 04:36 PM

The Alstons don't go to the spring mount, they go to the frame rail. That is one of the things I like about them. The other is that the round tube design tucks up really close to the floor. I will post some installation pics when I get into it.

Skip Fix · 10-18-2004, 05:48 PM

Sounds easier when messing with rear springs than fighting the perch and a connector.

fast1970transam · 10-18-2004, 06:51 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Larry Navarro:
OKAY....I gotta have one, where do I get that subframe and whats the price? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

When i talked to wayne he said a bare c4 frame goes for about 1200.00, price might have changed.

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