D54:Engine Install + Pedal Assembly

I've finally moved the frame off the build table and onto jack stands for the rest of assembly. Below you can see the engine is back in with the modified engine and transmission mounts.

The parts are finally coming out of boxes and below is the pedal assembly. I'm hoping this is one of the next things to get installed. Depending on how high I can mount the pedals, I may not need to shorten them at all, but that is yet to be determined. I also need to figure out if the brakes will be too "strong" since they were designed for a car that weighed almost 3 times what this one will. Again... TBD.

D53:Transmission Tunnel Finishing

I wanted to show an update to the transmission tunnel changes. Obviously the larger tubes are visible, but also the removal of the lower crossbar that I kept having to move up and down with the engine. I'll add it back when I get the engine height finalized.

D52:Rear End Mods and Mockup

Another day working on the rear end. I've done a little finish welding on the mounts for the rear sub frame. Below is a shot with the sub-frame installed.

I also build some additional support around the rear "control arm" mounts.

Below is a picture of the rear end half installed. It shows how everything should fit together during final assembly. The control arm does hit the frame in full droop, but that is about 7" inches below what I'm guessing is normal ride height which shouldn't cause any issues once the shocks are installed.

D51:Rear Sub Frame and Tranny Tunnel Mods

I worked on a few frame mods today. First was doing some welding and finishing on the new mounts for the rear sub-frame.

I also swapped the lower transmission tunnel tubes for 1" square instead of the previous 3/4" square tubes. I was worried that with the transmission/engine weight on these two members was too much for a 3/4" tube.

D50:Rear Sub Frame Support

I figured out a way to still use the factory rear sub frame and reinforce it to keep the rear end from flexing. The last time I had the frame on jack stands I noticed a pretty large amount of flex in the rear end and realized I needed to tie the sub frame into the rear of the frame instead of just the top.

The sub frame can still slide in and out of the frame and now has support from the bottom of the frame as well. I know the rear sub frame doesn't really fit into the rest of the frame, but it should be thoroughly hidden once everything is assembled and the body is on. It definitely makes adapting the rear end to this build much easier.

D49:Rear Suspension Mods D3

My third and final attempt at modifying the rear arms was probably my best. In my last attempt I built a simple jig to hold the stock arm and then cut the ends off. With the ends cut off I began reconstructing the center section. I started with the old piece of 2" square 16ga tubing that I used for the steering rack mount and cut it lengthwise into quarters. I reassembled the quarters into the center section channel. I think most people will agree that the final attempt is the cleanest, but I think both of the last two will work fine.