Brainstorming a new project, what's your opinion?

[Brewtal66]

Hey gang,

So I have a 66 Chevelle that's somewhat "pro touring" but turned into more of a show car. Ive been kicking around about making a real serious track car, that's pretty much go, not so much show.

I can get my hands on a 1971 Elky. This car was actually a race car that's been in the garage for the last 15 years. It has a full cage, tubbed, fiberglass front end, etc etc. My thought was that since this is already cut up, it would make the perfect candidate.

What is your thoughts? The goal is to have a really competitive car at the end of the day that's street legal. Is this car not worth it? I've seen plenty of super fast A-bodies, so this should work. Or is it too big and top heavy?

Thanks for entertaining my thoughts!

[DBasher]

I can dig it! But I gotta ask, competitive in what? HPDE and Time Attack or some wheel to wheel racing?

I've been kicking around the same idea of a purpose built car with a few friends. It always comes back to building a car you like and are passionate about. I can get an 80's G-body cheap, not sure I want to put the effort into something that new, we'll see.

Let's see the Elcky
:thumbsup:

[Vince@Meanstreets]

Hey gang,

So I have a 66 Chevelle that's somewhat "pro touring" but turned into more of a show car. Ive been kicking around about making a real serious track car, that's pretty much go, not so much show.

I can get my hands on a 1971 Elky. This car was actually a race car that's been in the garage for the last 15 years. It has a full cage, tubbed, fiberglass front end, etc etc. My thought was that since this is already cut up, it would make the perfect candidate.

What is your thoughts? The goal is to have a really competitive car at the end of the day that's street legal. Is this car not worth it? I've seen plenty of super fast A-bodies, so this should work. Or is it too big and top heavy?

Thanks for entertaining my thoughts!

Now are you talking about doing the Elco or chevelle body on that chassis?

Vince Asaro built a sweet Elco a few years back. I learned a few things about that body.
http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showpost.php?p=3192445&postcount=59


Advantage....you can get them super light and there is tons of room in the bed for suspension, mount the fuel cell right up against the cab, batteries, cooling systems....etc. all covered by tonneau cover.
The a body cowls are huge and not needed since its covered by the hood. You can cut that section out and push the engine back and have some fun with your center of gravity.

Im working on a few cool suspension components for a bodies. Give me a hollar when you get started. I can help you where I can.

[Flash68]

That was the same Elco I thought of Vince.... go for the Elky! :stirthepot:

[65_LS1_T56]

Hey gang,

So I have a 66 Chevelle that's somewhat "pro touring" but turned into more of a show car. Ive been kicking around about making a real serious track car, that's pretty much go, not so much show.

I can get my hands on a 1971 Elky. This car was actually a race car that's been in the garage for the last 15 years. It has a full cage, tubbed, fiberglass front end, etc etc. My thought was that since this is already cut up, it would make the perfect candidate.

What is your thoughts? The goal is to have a really competitive car at the end of the day that's street legal. Is this car not worth it? I've seen plenty of super fast A-bodies, so this should work. Or is it too big and top heavy?

Thanks for entertaining my thoughts!

I'd say do the Elky. From what a lot of guys have said, the weight balance front to rear is better than you'd think. With a front clip in glass, maybe real close!
Mike Holleman runs his sweet 65 Elky, very nice truck, errr car. Herb Lumpp also has a 66 that they've competed with. I'm personally a fan of them. We will have a '70 in our stable in a few short years for my oldest son's first car.
I'm sure you know that the Elky had the boxed side rails (like convertible) so it would require less mods to make it better than the 66's frame. Plus, you're 66 is already a nicely done car.

My dream Elky would have the bed open to display my trick built adjustable 3-link with a Watts :yes:

[Rick D]

Hey gang,

So I have a 66 Chevelle that's somewhat "pro touring" but turned into more of a show car. Ive been kicking around about making a real serious track car, that's pretty much go, not so much show.

I can get my hands on a 1971 Elky. This car was actually a race car that's been in the garage for the last 15 years. It has a full cage, tubbed, fiberglass front end, etc etc. My thought was that since this is already cut up, it would make the perfect candidate.

What is your thoughts? The goal is to have a really competitive car at the end of the day that's street legal. Is this car not worth it? I've seen plenty of super fast A-bodies, so this should work. Or is it too big and top heavy?

Thanks for entertaining my thoughts!

I love the idea of the Elky, it's already a race car so it shouldn't be to hard to make it fit the racing you want todo!

As the question was asked, what kind of racing series do you want to compete in? You say be very competitive? That cost A LOT of money which I'm sure you know and if your thinking Optima you still have to go up against the newer more aerodynamic cars.

[Brewtal66]

Thanks for your support! I'm definitely in love with the idea, just trying to make sure it makes sense on paper.

When I say race and be competitive, I'm talking about autocross events and things like the Optima series. Nothing too terribly crazy. I'm not even worried about finishing first as I know I lack in the driving department, but I'd just like to have a car that's capable of being competitive haha.

I'll have to go over the car again. I know that it has some heavy work done to the bed. It has a full four link, fuel cell, and rear mounted batteries. The owner was telling me the car/truck weighed 2800LBS with him in it! His best was a high 8, with a single carb'd N/A 540.

[Vince@Meanstreets]

Thanks for your support! I'm definitely in love with the idea, just trying to make sure it makes sense on paper.

When I say race and be competitive, I'm talking about autocross events and things like the Optima series. Nothing too terribly crazy. I'm not even worried about finishing first as I know I lack in the driving department, but I'd just like to have a car that's capable of being competitive haha.

I'll have to go over the car again. I know that it has some heavy work done to the bed. It has a full four link, fuel cell, and rear mounted batteries. The owner was telling me the car/truck weighed 2800LBS with him in it! His best was a high 8, with a single carb'd N/A 540.

going from drag to road race/autox should be easy. With the right oil pan and back up oiling system that 540 should be just fine. You might need a cam and gear change though.

Post up some pictures when you get it. I wanna see that suspension. You maybe able to use some of it too.

@ 2800 lbs and running a 3000 lbs limit group gives you 200 lbs to add and move around. Which is a huge advantage.

[camcojb]

I like the idea Tim, if the Elky can be bought at the right price. I've always loved the El Camino's, my second car was a 65. I got to drive a friend of my Mom's 71 El Camino for a few weeks in high school, and can still remember that car. :thumbsup:

[Brewtal66]

going from drag to road race/autox should be easy. With the right oil pan and back up oiling system that 540 should be just fine. You might need a cam and gear change though.

Post up some pictures when you get it. I wanna see that suspension. You maybe able to use some of it too.

@ 2800 lbs and running a 3000 lbs limit group gives you 200 lbs to add and move around. Which is a huge advantage.

I should mention that the 540 and PG will stay with him. I'd much rather have a modern LS and T-56 anyways. I probably won't use the rear end either...I'd have to have it widened, rear geared, etc...by time its all said and done I might as well just pick up something new.

I like the idea Tim, if the Elky can be bought at the right price. I've always loved the El Camino's, my second car was a 65. I got to drive a friend of my Mom's 71 El Camino for a few weeks in high school, and can still remember that car. :thumbsup:

Funny, the guy that owns this 71 Elky, use to own a 65 Elky as well. He sold it about 5 years ago though. When I first started hanging around him he had all the toys: massive motorhome and enclosed trailer, this 71 Elky, 33 Chevy street rod, 67 Nova(drag car), 65 Elky, Sand car, Harley, etc. He's slowly sold everything off. Right now his focus is on a '65 Chevelle.

I know there's no way to prove it, but he said this was a real SS too. Not that it means much to me, but that's kind of cool. Pretty sure I can get this car for a song and a dance. Right now I'm figuring out the registration end of it.

[Brewtal66]

I ran over to his house this morning and snapped a few pictures of this Elky. You can see all the junk on top of it, so I wasn't able to get a good picture. And the lighting was horrible, so excuse these really bad pictures.

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t43/Bad66Chevelle454/71%20Elky/IMG_0605_zpsee4e5893.jpg (http://s157.photobucket.com/user/Bad66Chevelle454/media/71%20Elky/IMG_0605_zpsee4e5893.jpg.html)

Under the back:
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t43/Bad66Chevelle454/71%20Elky/IMG_0622_zps369dd9e8.jpg (http://s157.photobucket.com/user/Bad66Chevelle454/media/71%20Elky/IMG_0622_zps369dd9e8.jpg.html)

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t43/Bad66Chevelle454/71%20Elky/IMG_0608_zps734188fe.jpg (http://s157.photobucket.com/user/Bad66Chevelle454/media/71%20Elky/IMG_0608_zps734188fe.jpg.html)

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t43/Bad66Chevelle454/71%20Elky/IMG_0606_zps00504a1d.jpg (http://s157.photobucket.com/user/Bad66Chevelle454/media/71%20Elky/IMG_0606_zps00504a1d.jpg.html)

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t43/Bad66Chevelle454/71%20Elky/IMG_0610_zpsa50ffdaf.jpg (http://s157.photobucket.com/user/Bad66Chevelle454/media/71%20Elky/IMG_0610_zpsa50ffdaf.jpg.html)

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t43/Bad66Chevelle454/71%20Elky/IMG_0621_zpsfc0672bd.jpg (http://s157.photobucket.com/user/Bad66Chevelle454/media/71%20Elky/IMG_0621_zpsfc0672bd.jpg.html)

[Vince@Meanstreets]

ZZ top baby!!!!!!!!

Not too bad, trans tunnel done, cage looks good, back halved, clearanced for big tires , your more than half way there.

700hp LS and a Mag T56 and ford 9 in the rear will be the way to go. You should be able to use the rear lower link mounts.

[Brewtal66]

ZZ top baby!!!!!!!!

Not too bad, trans tunnel done, cage looks good, back halved, clearanced for big tires , your more than half way there.

700hp LS and a Mag T56 and ford 9 in the rear will be the way to go. You should be able to use the rear lower link mounts.

Looking at the pictures...would I be able to use that rearend? Just thinking the rear rims would have a ton of offset on them.

The cage actually continues all the way into the engine bay too....so the chassis has to be stiff as hell already.

[GregWeld]

Pick ups and "Elkys" do NOT make good track cars.... Check out any of the times on USCA -- or Good-Guys and you'll see the trucks just aren't competitive, despite having some pretty good drivers. They just don't hook up.

I used to have a 69 El Camino SS with a 396... was the worst driving car ever. All it ever did was light up the tires.

If you want to build a track car - at least start out with something that isn't burdened right out of the box. This stuff is hard enough and costs enough as it is without trying to turn something that doesn't work into something that is now just expensive and doesn't work.

[Brewtal66]

Pick ups and "Elkys" do NOT make good track cars.... Check out any of the times on USCA -- or Good-Guys and you'll see the trucks just aren't competitive, despite having some pretty good drivers. They just don't hook up.

I used to have a 69 El Camino SS with a 396... was the worst driving car ever. All it ever did was light up the tires.

If you want to build a track car - at least start out with something that isn't burdened right out of the box. This stuff is hard enough and costs enough as it is without trying to turn something that doesn't work into something that is now just expensive and doesn't work.

Even if I move the engine and trans back and get this to an almost 50/50 weight distribution?

[Vince@Meanstreets]

Even if I move the engine and trans back and get this to an almost 50/50 weight distribution?

yep, super light is not always a good thing but it all can be tuned. Beauty of starting with a light car and link suspension. You can add and move weight around and tune AS for traction.

Your gonna want some rear weight biased. 45 front/ 55 rear.

Most of those cars Greg speaks of are still tri 4 bar rears with not a lot of tire. With a clean sheet suspension a lot of improments can be made. Long arm 3 link, cantillever coil overs and watts comes to mind.

Let the rear end go if he wants it. Your probably better off starting fresh. Theres a bunch to change on the current rear end housing.

[Brewtal66]

yep, super light is not always a good thing but it all can be tuned. Beauty of starting with a light car and link suspension. You can add and move weight around and tune AS for traction.

Your gonna want some rear weight biased. 45 front/ 55 rear.

Most of those cars Greg speaks of are still tri 4 bar rears with not a lot of tire. With a clean sheet suspension a lot of improments can be made. Long arm 3 link, cantillever coil overs and watts comes to mind.

Let the rear end go if he wants it. Your probably better off starting fresh. Theres a bunch to change on the current rear end housing.

I know some weight will get added back into the car. For starters, I'd put in a glass front windshield. I'd also put the guts back in the door to have working windows. A bigger fuel cell would add a little weight.

What's your thought on a rear mounted radiator?

[Vince@Meanstreets]

Not necessary. The cooling system will be lighter where it belongs. If you are worried about upfront weight your better off with and aluminum rad support and composite bumpers.

[Brewtal66]

I'm pretty sure he already has a glass front bumper for it. I'd also add some carpeting and a basic stereo, and some heat/AC.

Sounds like it will be a fun car. Next step is to get it registered in my name. Hasn't been registered since the 80s.

[BMR Sales]

Pick ups and "Elkys" do NOT make good track cars.... Check out any of the times on USCA -- or Good-Guys and you'll see the trucks just aren't competitive, despite having some pretty good drivers. They just don't hook up.

I used to have a 69 El Camino SS with a 396... was the worst driving car ever. All it ever did was light up the tires.



Bad Driving Car, but still a lot of Smiles per Mile!

[Wissing72]

I like the idea, but I am a fan of Chevelles and El Camino's... I also like to do things the difficult way.
If you can get it reasonably, go for it. It looks like it would be fun. I would sport the paint that's on it and keep it simple and run the hell out of it on some tracks!

[Brewtal66]

I like the idea, but I am a fan of Chevelles and El Camino's... I also like to do things the difficult way.
If you can get it reasonably, go for it. It looks like it would be fun. I would sport the paint that's on it and keep it simple and run the hell out of it on some tracks!

That's sort of the plan! I already thought of a very cool 80's inspired project name for it...But I'll keep that under wraps for now. :)

[Vince@Meanstreets]

Did you get it?

[Brewtal66]

Did you get it?

I haven't been back over to my buddies. The car isn't going anywhere...it's been in his back garage for the last 15 years, just about completely forgotten about. This weekend I'm hoping I'll have a few minutes of time to sneak over there and talk with him about it.

I don't know if I posted this, but I was able to figure out the VIN. The tag on the cowl is long gone, he bought it on a bill of sale, no title, etc. My buddy that's a Chevelle expert said to that there should be a partial VIN by the heater blower motor hole. The numbers were there, and full legible. With that, we figured out the rest of the VIN.

I even called the DMV and it's not in their records at all. So that's a huge help. Now I have to start all the paperwork with the DMV to get it in my name, and registered.

[Ben@SpeedTech]

My first thoughts without reading all the replies were-

If you plan on autocrossing it you'll likely get some flack from the rule nazis that call it a race car rather than a street car. It's got no "stock appearing" interior, lexan windows, a modified floor, narrowed frame rails, etc etc. This puts you in a class competing with purpose built full custom frame autocross race cars, and to be competitive there it costs a lot of money and you have to have your ducks in a row with engineering the suspension.

Are the window regulators still in the doors - if you put glass back in will they roll up and down? More than likely they left with the original glass.

It's a drag car, realistically you'll completely replace the entire suspension and brakes to make it handle well/ stop.

Tire spin can be controlled with properly setting up the suspension. How often have we seen Elkys lifting tires at the drag strip, and there are a few elkys doing well in autocross. Any car, even a 69 Camaro, can get oversteer and kick the rear out if there's too much power and/or the suspension is set up wrong.

Those are big meats out back. Wide street tires that are sticky enough to be competitive on the autocross course are hard to come by, the Rival has a 335-18 but that's not going to fill those wheel tubs. Just guessing on the rear axle width, rear wheels with that much offset to make a 335 work on that axle may not be cheap and all the weight will be on the outside of the wheel with minimal backspacing. Not sure that's the right combo so you may be looking at a new rear axle?

With narrowed frame rails will all your new suspension pick up points be at optimum for handling?

Old fiberglass has a tendency to sag, so panel fitment may not be the best if you're looking to have a pretty car.

In a way, it would almost be better to start fresh with a full bodied car rather than starting with a "cut up" old school built drag car, but that's an opinion and not necessarily fact.

Lighter weight is an advantage, and you might be able to sell all the drag suspension out of it. :)

I bring all this up because I have a drag Nova that I was toying with turning into an autocross car. After thinking about it it was way too much backing up to move forward and decided to leave it a drag car and just autocross my daily driver wagon.

[rustomatic]

It's better, because it's a Ranchero, but you get the idea...

http://bringatrailer.com/wp-content/plugins/PostviaEmail/images/1965_Ford_Falcon_Ranchero_Trans_Am_Vintage_Race_Ca r_Cosworth_V8_For_Sale_Front_resize.jpg