[ErikW]

Originally Posted by Mark G

Who's Headers ..

Stainless Headers Manufacturing Inc.

https://www.stainlessheaders.com/pro..._Turbo_Header/

[ErikW]

Today Nick got the door bar X braces in and started on the funny car cage.

[Mark G]

Originally Posted by ErikW

Stainless Headers Manufacturing Inc.

https://www.stainlessheaders.com/pro..._Turbo_Header/

Thank You

[ErikW]

Originally Posted by JSPONT

Very nice!! Are you going to be able to get the band clamp on the driver side header?

No, we are going to cut off the v-band flange and extend the log.

[JSPONT]

I have Ross pistons in my turbo Pontiac ordered from Butler. Not sure if you got pressed( probably not) but floating pins. They forgot to machine the pin bore. I took them to my local machine shop. Butler did make good on the cost.

[ErikW]

Originally Posted by JSPONT

I have Ross pistons in my turbo Pontiac ordered from Butler. Not sure if you got pressed( probably not) but floating pins. They forgot to machine the pin bore. I took them to my local machine shop. Butler did make good on the cost.

Floating, hope I don't have the same issue but I'll deal with it. Like I said, they have to go to the machine shop anyway.

[ErikW]

So, as you can see, we will be making our own front motor plate out of 1/4" aluminum. There will be a lot of aluminum fab going on in this build. My son Nick is doing all of the Tig welding on this project, he also just acquired a new mill and will be doing a lot of the machining and lathe work. So stay tuned as we make our own stud girdles, EFI top for the Gutsram base, injector bosses for the secondary set of fuel rails (We will have a gasoline set of rails and a methanol set of rails stacked on the Gutsram base) Fuel rails from blank fuel rail stock, Lower crank pulley and drive mandrel from a 6" round billet among other odds and ends. Lots of work ahead of us! Next up we are going to install the mini tubs while we can still get back there before putting too much cage in the way. More to come.......

[ErikW]

Started the install of the DSE mini tubs. And, my quarter panel came in!

[HWYSTR455]

I'm not sure what cam you're running, but if it's a drag car, I would agree 3.00s are no where near steep enough. You're going to want somewhat of a tall tire for a better contact patch especially with big power, so I would think you want something like 4.11, 4.33, 4.56, or maybe even bigger.

With a 7500 rpm, 29" tire, 3.73s, and a .75 OD, you're at a top speed of around 235mph.

4.11 = 210mph
4.33 = 200mph
4.56 = 190mph

Figure out what your power band is, peak RPM, and tire height is before you decide on a gear.

With a tall soft-sidewall tire, anything over 160 is a handful. 200 and you have to have a chute. It's a rule, but you need it to help keep you straight as you slow down too.

When I was doing my 2nd gen boosted build for ECTA and standing mile, I did calculations on 7200-7500 rpm, 3.25 rear, .82 OD, with a 26" tire. I didn't care about 1/4 mile, and knew it would just blow the tire off if I tried, but my calculated top speeds were in the 220 mph range. My goal was the 200mph club.

If you're over 1200hp, I hope your trans is fully built, and if you plan on lockup under full throttle, you need a stout converter, like a 3 disc billet unit.

.

[HWYSTR455]

If you want examples of a cage in a 2nd gen, look at the Herb Adams VSE Cheverra:

https://www.hotrod.com/articles/chevy-vse-cheverra/

https://www.chevyhardcore.com/featur...heverra-racer/


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[RUDOLFSSON]

I enjoy the photos! Good luck with the project Sir.

Kris.

[ErikW]

Tonight we're focusing on the front sub frame. From the factory the engine is shifted over towards the passenger side. So much so that the engine x-member is not symmetrical at all. It's way fatter on the driver's side. So, before we cut out the center we will even it out with the passenger side. This will help with clearance for the log style turbo manifolds we have seeing as we centered the engine in the chassis.

[ErikW]

Cut the center out. It will be plated on either side and 4130 tubing will takes it's place. A pinto rack will be mounted to the tubing. Unwanted motor mount holes were welded up. More to come ..........

[brad cox]

Looking good Erik! Just curious what are your plans for mounting the leaf springs?

[ErikW]

Leaf spring buckets will attach to the dropped x-member. We have some really nice adjustable ( multiple holes) heavy wall buckets. They will be braced into the cage also. Then the factory rear frame rails will be boxed and tied into the chassis as well. Stay tuned, that part is coming.

[HWYSTR455]

Nice. Often overlooked.

I like that the box tube was slid in there for strength.

.

[HWYSTR455]

You're about an hour from me, I should visit some time!

.

[ErikW]

Thanks for all of the advice HWYSTR455, I'll take all of that into consideration. I think we're going to keep rpm down below 7000 for longevity. The cage has to meet very certain criteria and is being built using SFI's 25.5 Instructions. Not a lot of wiggle room for interpretation. But thank you for the pics.
Thanks Kris!

[Colin70TA]

Wow! Awesome build and really nice fab skills! We are currently building a 77 TA track car and you have officially put me to shame! Great work, look forward to more updates!

[ErikW]

Posting more tonight. Stay tuned.