Schwartz 1968 Corvette Convert

[jeff s]

My son, Dale Schwartz did this rendering. I just finished assembly of the 500 hp LS6 for it. It already had a new gen1 SBC in it, but we're ditching it.
Thanks

[jeff s]

Updated the web page with more pics:
http://www.schwartzperformance.com/1968corvette.htm
Thanks
Jeff

[tyoneal]

Jeff:

Very cool Corvette, I love that year.

Keep us posted with more pictures.

Thanks,

Ty O'Neal

BTW: I enjoyed visiting with you earlier this week. I'll call again after the New Year, so I can get a better idea what is possible with my car.

[GHOSTDANCER]

Great project :thumbsup: :cheers:

[jeff s]

Thanks guys.
I'm waiting for the tilt column from Flaming river and a couple headlight mechanism parts. Once the column is in and connected to the Steeroids Rack and Pinion, we'll drop in the 500 hp LS6.
Thanks

[69MyWay]

Very cool.

Are you going with the electric headlight conversion from vacuum?

The wheels are great.

Very nice!

[jeff s]

Vacuum for now, I've got everything new, and haven't had any problems in the past.

[jeff s]

I was hoping this one is gonna be pretty light weight as we ditched the heavy leaf spring, replaced by fiberglass, tubular a arms, and got rid of the heavy stock steering. And the LS engine gets rid of a couple hundred. I weighed the engine separately and added it up 2610#
Now that's with no fluids, so maybe 2700 ready to go.
With 500hp my math says easy high tens in the 1/4.

[69MyWay]

I was hoping this one is gonna be pretty light weight as we ditched the heavy leaf spring, replaced by fiberglass, tubular a arms, and got rid of the heavy stock steering. And the LS engine gets rid of a couple hundred. I weighed the engine separately and added it up 2610#
Now that's with no fluids, so maybe 2700 ready to go.
With 500hp my math says easy high tens in the 1/4.

Wow - Outside of these mods - how did you get the car that light? That is awesome.

Went the same route here on my 69 suspension - except running a big block with aluminum heads/intake. I still pork in over 3,200 lbs.

[jeff s]

Just those mods listed. It's a no air car, no power windows and such. 4 speed stock aluminum bell housing.

[rocketman]

Looks good, but honestly not feeling those wheels. maybe some nice polished or satin centers

[jeff s]

I stuck the LS6 engine in the 1968 Corvette sunday.
I used an LS7 clutch flywheel, with a BBC bell housing.
Machined up a mount for the ball stud on the block.
Our instruments will look like this.
We'll be driving this on Power Tour 2008.
Thanks

[G-Body]

Nice ride!!!
Those wheels although do absolutely nothing for that car!

[Twin_Turbo]

Those stock calipers and rotors look soooo out of place with those huge rims.

And you'll be tearing off that flexy flyer shiat called steeroids in no time. Cheap chinese $15 rod ends, sleeves and extra thin brackets for that nice flexing steering feeling. Check out the speedwaymotors site and then add the cost for the sleeves, rod ends, lock nuts, oversize steering shaft bearing (3/4) and the tie rod end adapters and you will see that ít's a couple hundred bucks worth of parts in a 1500 dollar package. I installed that system for a friend and redesigned all the brackets because it's just downright dangerous driving that at high speeds.

To go for that pro touring theme you should have really bought a set fo front and rear coil overs w/ the tubular arms and the offset trailing arms from van steel instead of the buggy springs.
Also why are you using cam exxentrics with adjustable strut rod sleeves? I'd get rid of the cam bolts and get some square plates w/ a 5/8 hole and use a normal bolt. Or does that bracket have vertical slots instead of horizontal ones (like stock) so you can change the inner pivot height?

Paint & Body look awesome

[jeff s]

Yea, I've already reworked the steering stuff and eliminated the crazy u joint set-up. Big brakes are coming. The eccentrics have been replaced with plates as those things rotate under cornering forces and no need for em with threaded rods. It was bought as an unfinished project so most of the junk was there. We also ditched the fresh small block in favor of the modded LS6.
I wish every project we do could have the best of everything, but it's not always in the budget.

[Twin_Turbo]

Yea, I've already reworked the steering stuff and eliminated the crazy u joint set-up. Big brakes are coming. The eccentrics have been replaced with plates as those things rotate under cornering forces and no need for em with threaded rods. It was bought as an unfinished project so most of the junk was there. We also ditched the fresh small block in favor of the modded LS6.
I wish every project we do could have the best of everything, but it's not always in the budget.


Yes, the eccentrics rotate, that's why i mentioned it.

Looking forward to seeing it w/ big brakes, what are you going w/?

I'm working on a 69 vert for a buddy of mine, same suspension and all but w/ flaming river manual r&p and after working out the bugs and cutting and rewelding the entire carrier (it didn't fit and the geometry was off, rack sitting crooked) I msut say it steers a lot tighter than the steeroids thing and surprisingly light given that it's a manual setup. The tie rod (bump steer) geometry isn't perfect on it (the steeroids w/ the long rods isn't perfect either but w/ the small angular effect on the long rods it's a bit better than the flaming river...will see how it pans out when finished)

[jeff s]

I was thinking 6 piston ZO6 calipers. That Steeroids is junk.
Had to make new brackets, the rack also has a couple tight spots in it.
Any idea where their rack comes from?
Getting closer.

[frankenstang]

I know his wife said NO, but, that car would look KILLER with some black sidepipes!!!


At least it's a driver now.

[jeff s]

The car made its 1st public appearance at the 2008 Chicagoland Goodguys show in the BFG Display.
With only 2 miles on it, we set 3rd fastest time in the autocross.
(vendor class)
The new Baer 6P 14" six piston brakes arrived today.
Pics soon.

[cometose]

With only 2 miles on it, we set 3rd fastest time in the autocross.


That's freakin' awesome,looking forward to the pics!

[jeff s]

Here's a pic from Goodguys and the new 14" Baer 6P brakes installed today.
(These brakes are price competetive with Wilwood, Look like monoblocks but are not.)

More build pics here:
www.schwartzperformance.com/68vette.htm


Thanks

[GHOSTDANCER]

:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :cheers:

[JV69z/28]

I was thinking 6 piston ZO6 calipers. That Steeroids is junk.
Had to make new brackets, the rack also has a couple tight spots in it.
Any idea where their rack comes from?
Getting closer.

:thumbsup: 1st of all the car looks great Jeff.
I don't want to hijack the tread but if the Steeroids and Flaming River racks are lets say disappointing at best as well as pricey what would be an alternative steering upgrade for these cars that works? Is the Jeep set up any good? Or are you just better off with the stock steering and making sure everything is either new or in like new condition?

[jeff s]

Steeroids works ok now, just required some work to make it right.
Don't know about the other stuff.
I like a rack over that complicated stock set-up, lighter and a bunch less hoses and hard lines.

[jeff s]

Here's the completed project. The Final weight ended up at 2970 with nearly a full tank.
Thanks

[awr68]

Looks great Jeff!! Your final thoughts on the build??

[jeff s]

It handles better than I expected. With only 2 miles on it, set 3rd fastest time at Goodguys Chicagoland, beating at least one mfg car with race compound tires by about a second and an expensive Nova by several seconds. This car has BFG KDWtt, 300 treadwear. With some proper tires this thing is an autocross weapon.
I hope to take it to the drag strip before they close for the season.
400 rwhp and 2970 lbs full of gas it should make a good number.
I may have to run a couple more GG AX events next year, to prove it's the fastest, although that was not originally the plan. (photo by Rob McGaffin)
Thanks

[awr68]

Sweet! Looks like a fun car!!

[jeff s]

Here's the car's owner, all 4' 11" and 95 lbs of her. We had to modify the seat mounting so she could push the clutch all the way down.
(photo by Rob McGaffin)

[jeff s]

I recently got the word the feature story is going to be in June issue of Hot Rod Magazine.
Thanks

[awr68]

She makes that front wheel look HUGE!!!

Congrats on the feature! :cheers:

[jeff s]

she is tiny

[GHOSTDANCER]

Congrats :cheers:

[tyoneal]

Congratulations! It looks as usual from you, just great.

Will She also be Featured?? :unibrow:

[groovyjay]

Vette turned out superb. I have the same suspension on my car and I like it a lot! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[jeff s]

Thanks, It works really well after i tweaked it a bit.
I can't wait to see the Hot Rod Magazine article on it.
Sucks, though, I build her a car, she files for divorce.

[Van B]

Thanks, It works really well after i tweaked it a bit.
I can't wait to see the Hot Rod Magazine article on it.
Sucks, though, I build her a car, she files for divorce.

Sorry to hear that Jeff.

[deuce_454]

Thanks, It works really well after i tweaked it a bit.
I can't wait to see the Hot Rod Magazine article on it.
Sucks, though, I build her a car, she files for divorce.

whaaat??? :wow:

[groovyjay]

Thanks, It works really well after i tweaked it a bit.
I can't wait to see the Hot Rod Magazine article on it.
Sucks, though, I build her a car, she files for divorce.

Could you into little more detail on how you tweaked it? Sorry to hear about the divorce, always :( place to be in.

[jeff s]

I welded and gussetted the steering rack brackets to eliminate flex, re-engineered the ujoint set-up to eliminate one of them, now only two joints. My secret alignment specs.

[tyoneal]

Jeff:


I'm sincerely sorry you are having the rough time. Hang in there, I 'm sure things will work out for you. You have many Talents.

Take care,

Ty

[groovyjay]

I welded and gussetted the steering rack brackets to eliminate flex, re-engineered the ujoint set-up to eliminate one of them, now only two joints. My secret alignment specs.
:cool: :thumbsup:

[jeff s]

Check it out in the June 09 issue of Hot Rod out now.
BTW she's available.

[89 RS]

Jeff, Just got the issue in the mail today. Very nice build on the Corvette!

[69MyWay]

Maybe after it is on the stand for a bit somebody can scan it in here.

I don't get that magazine...yet.

[frankenstang]

Dude, seriously, Hot Rod should be a requirement in the house. Turn in your man card!!!!!


The article was good. And the car is awesome in person. That LS6 looks like Zora himself installed it.
And Jeff had the LSx plus Muncie 4 spd figured out before any of the magazine guys did.

[69MyWay]

Dude, seriously, Hot Rod should be a requirement in the house. Turn in your man card!!!!!


The article was good. And the car is awesome in person. That LS6 looks like Zora himself installed it.
And Jeff had the LSx plus Muncie 4 spd figured out before any of the magazine guys did.


Ah...FOUND IT!

http://www.hotrod.com/featuredvehicles/hrdp_0906_1968_chevrolet_corvette/index.html

[jeff s]

I ended up with this car in my divorce.
Third in the Goodguys Vendor class 1st time out. This car is an autocross weapon.
The finest handling C3 I ever drove, and i've owned a bunch of them.
It's being auctioned at Mecum Bloomington Gold end of June 2010
Saturday afternoon.

[69MyWay]

I ended up with this car in my divorce.
Third in the Goodguys Vendor class 1st time out. This car is an autocross weapon.
The finest handling C3 I ever drove, and i've owned a bunch of them.
It's being auctioned at Mecum Bloomington Gold end of June 2010
Saturday afternoon.

Man, that is going to make one happy new owner. That is one fine machine and it has the mechanical to back up the looks.

I need to get up your way and see your shop. I'm going up to speed inc the end of April - maybe I can slide out and see you then.

[Jims78elky]

Check it out in the June 09 issue of Hot Rod out now.
BTW she's available.

Jeff I've seen allot of you recently in the last few issues of Hot Rod and they did a little write up about whats going on with upcoming builds in your shop..It sure looks like you have some great bad ass projects in the works there!


All the best Jeff.. :thumbsup:


-Jim

[jeff s]

Here's a link to the Hot Rod feature story.
http://www.hotrod.com/featuredvehicles/hrdp_0906_1968_chevrolet_corvette/

Car was in Milwaukee last I heard.