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| WAWUZAT Northstar build thread (lots of pix) (Page 11/16) |
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WAWUZAT
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SEP 30, 05:11 PM
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| quote | | Originally posted by fieroguru: That is taking the lowering of the fiero chassis to the extreme! Good job on the build! |
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Thanks! I did that about 10 years ago. The GT40 body has enough room for those 3-1/2" tall top-hats. I modified the engine cradle back then by cutting it where it sweeps upward at the forward end, and welding it back together in a straight line (no more upsweep). I also modified the rear cradle mounts to allow for the 2-1/2" higher position of the entire drivetrain. If you look closer, you can see where I notched & boxed the chassis to clear the axle & tie-rod.
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WAWUZAT
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OCT 15, 08:26 PM
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I've been OBE again! (OBE = overtaken by events) How long can a thread sit idle before it's sent to the archives?
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Russ544
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OCT 15, 10:19 PM
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several months I think, but don't worry, we won't let it die 
it's looking great,
Russ544
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WAWUZAT
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NOV 17, 08:05 PM
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OK, I'm making progress again. I fabricated & welded panels onto the strut towers, and will post pix soon. I also have started fabricating brackets that are bolted to the engine/transaxle that will be used when I complete making the motor mounts. As soon as these brackets are ready, I'll pull the cradle and start introducing it to the new drivetrain. I anticipate installing a total of five mounts using polyurethane bushings.
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Toddster
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NOV 17, 10:36 PM
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I love the level of detail you are engaged in.
Good job!
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AJxtcman
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NOV 23, 08:46 PM
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| quote | Originally posted by WAWUZAT:
I looked at the Spintech website, but could not find any oval or rectangular tubing. I't just as well since I'll have to fabricate my own anyway because I'll need to have the rectangular tube make a turn/bend.
All I've gotten done this week is to get the intake manifold, fuel rail, and throttle body installed. I did not like the Fel-Pro intake gaskets too much, and used "clip-on" GM gaskets. I also used a GM "seal kit" to rebuild the fuel rail ... included all the O-rings, the little metal retainer clips, parts to rebuild the pressure regulator, and the short vacuum tube with rubber ends. If those of you that are familiar with the Northstar will look close at my intake manifold, you may be able to figure out why this took me an entire week.
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I am borrowing your picture. I am working on my very own smooth intake
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AJxtcman
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NOV 23, 08:57 PM
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WAWUZAT
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NOV 23, 09:41 PM
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No problem. I've posted a few questions/comments on that forum ... though it's been a few months since I did.
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WAWUZAT
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DEC 01, 07:58 PM
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Dropped the cradle from under the car today and pulled it into the garage.
Since taking this photo, I cut off brackets that won't be needed with the N*. I'll tackweld some temporary braces across the cradle and fabricate new crossmembers. The rear crossmember will be a simple box-beam made from 1/8" x 3" flat bar. The front crossmember is a length of pipe I've had machined for Delrin bushing inserts at each end, and will eventually contain my anti-swaybar. I'll fab the rear member first since I can't final position the front member until after I hang the drivetrain in place over the cradle and take some measurements.
EDIT TO ADD: The rear anti-swaybar is one I obtained through Paul Hosler in this forum. Real nice stuff. The swaybar can be ordered from a large variety of torsion cross-bars, and the end-arms are separate pieces. It was the ONLY swaybar I could find that could be installed "through" the chassis.[This message has been edited by WAWUZAT (edited 12-01-2007).]
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WAWUZAT
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DEC 08, 06:39 PM
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Today I got around to tack-welding some temporary braces in place, then fired up the "smoke wrench" to remove the original crossmembers.
Since taking this photo, I've cleaned up the torch cuts, and started fabricating the new rear crossmember. I'll leave all of the temporary braces on until after the welding is complete, then I can remove the rear temporary braces.
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