Talk me out of cutting my car back up.

[CamaroAJ]

And by cut it back up I mean from the firewall back to remove the engine being set back so far, make the trans tunnel bigger, mount corvette saddle tanks behind the seats, remove the Lateral Dynamics 3 link, and install a C5 torque tube, transmission, and IRS suspension.

Yes I know the amount of work.
Yes I know it's going to cost me money.
Yes I know I'll need new wheels

I originally wanted this car to be IRS from the start and I ended up with a 3 link. Now a smoking deal on the torque tube, C5 Z06 trans, diff, and suspension has come up and I really want it. It would need the axles made 3" shorter and the sub frame narrowed 6". This will help move more weight to the back of the car and lower to the ground. It's ok to tell me I'm stupid because I have a rolling chassis now and will need to cut out all the work I've already done.

[raustinss]

Simplest answer


NO


Cut it up and do it

[Flash68]

I'm sure you could get decent resale $ for the LD 3 link.

How far back is the current engine set back?

[ErikLS2]

I might be interested in that 3 Link

[DBasher]

If it's what you've wanted from the get go and you're realistic about what it's going to take to do the work.....I say do it.

[jy211]

just build new car and sell old one :lol:

[ironworks]

Speaking from experience, its a cool idea you will never be able to finish as the work to do it right is unreal. There are just so many variables to deal with. If your cool with possibly never finishing the car and just having a never ending project go right ahead (and some people are). Do it. It's way more work to do than anyone realizes.

Even if you paid a shop to do it so they could work on it full time it will take quite a while.

[dhutton]

Why not strike a compromise and install an Art Morrison IRS? More money but a whole lot less work and project delay.

Don

[CamaroAJ]

Speaking from experience, its a cool idea you will never be able to finish as the work to do it right is unreal. There are just so many variables to deal with. If your cool with possibly never finishing the car and just having a never ending project go right ahead (and some people are). Do it. It's way more work to do than anyone realizes.

Even if you paid a shop to do it so they could work on it full time it will take quite a while.

Can you expand on that more? What seems to be the major hold up on them? I measured the frame rails on a vette and rocker to rocker on my car its the vette frame is roughly 15" wider so I won't be able to use the vette tanks like I wanted. I can buy rear vette frame rails and that gives me the upper arm mounts and from that I can tie into the Camaro chassis and build the tin work from there.

Why not strike a compromise and install an Art Morrison IRS? More money but a whole lot less work and project delay.

Don

Cost and serviceability. I like using as many factory parts as I can so if something happens out on a road trip I can get parts local quicker.

[ironworks]

Can you expand on that more? What seems to be the major hold up on them? I measured the frame rails on a vette and rocker to rocker on my car its the vette frame is roughly 15" wider so I won't be able to use the vette tanks like I wanted. I can buy rear vette frame rails and that gives me the upper arm mounts and from that I can tie into the Camaro chassis and build the tin work from there.


There is probably a reason why the idea you have has never been done with success. Or done well.

[Blake Foster]

Talk to Ron Sutton first.
Get his take on the why or why not, The C5 IRS is a good suspension but STILL needs work to be correct. and like Rodger said it is SOOO much work to install that the benefits are just not there. The LD is a decent set up, I am sure it could be improved on as well, if it was me I would finish the car and enjoy it.

[Vegas69]

I don't think it's worth the trouble. I drove my 69 and C6 during the same period. I preferred the way my 69 drove. You can get muscle cars damn sporty these days with aftermarket parts, proper setup, and tuning.

[Ron in SoCal]

I'm with the no-vote guys. I had researched this in depth for a buddy years ago and even spoke with Rodger at the time. The retro fits I had seen (another never competed project) put the frame very high into the cabin and limited headroom. The Vette frame is wider and ergo the foot print works better as intended with a wider car. Not to mention the torque tube mods...

I have seen one where the builder widened a Camaro body and dropped it on top, 'a-la' West Coast Customs style. The car seemed to work ok, but visually you could tell it was not a catalog Camaro (lol).

AJ your project is so awesome ... the parts selection, design and fab work thus far. I say keep plugging ahead.

Hope you don't mind my .02

[Ron in SoCal]

But if you do decide to forge ahead, please rename your project?

'No-vette-maro'

or

'Vette-no-maro'

:idea:

:D :cheers:

[Ketzer]

Finish this one and get the suspension tuned properly.

Save the idea for the next project.

[Build-It-Break-it]

I think it be easier it use the C4 suspension if you wanted to graft it in. You'd get your off the self oem parts like you want.

I don't see the gain with the work involved for the C4 or C6 oem suspension tho.

[dhutton]

Can you expand on that more? What seems to be the major hold up on them? I measured the frame rails on a vette and rocker to rocker on my car its the vette frame is roughly 15" wider so I won't be able to use the vette tanks like I wanted. I can buy rear vette frame rails and that gives me the upper arm mounts and from that I can tie into the Camaro chassis and build the tin work from there.



Cost and serviceability. I like using as many factory parts as I can so if something happens out on a road trip I can get parts local quicker.

It uses a stock 5th gen Camaro center section and Corvette or 5th gen Camaro brakes and hubs etc. Shortened axles but you're going that way anyway...

Don

[CamaroAJ]

Basically what I'm taking away from all of this is to finish my car and build another one with IRS, that way I have one car lol.

I already have a project name, list of mods, and how I want to build it. Its a sickness I tell ya.:lostmarbles:

[spode]

Here is 3 builds with that setup. I haven't updated mine for a while as it seems to take me a lot time just on the thread, but I'm still making progress.

http://www.lateral-g.net/forums/showthread.php4?t=21450
http://www.lateral-g.net/forums/showthread.php4?t=27585
http://www.lateral-g.net/forums/showthread.php4?t=49216

I thought of the corvette tanks too but decided on the stock location.
I think you would be money and time ahead to get an Art Morrison or any others IRS setup. It's a lot of work just to move the trans to the back.
https://www.artmorrison.com/multi-link-IRS.php

Jeff
P.S. I understand the sickness. Build it how you want.

[CamaroAJ]

Here is 3 builds with that setup. I haven't updated mine for a while as it seems to take me a lot time just on the thread, but I'm still making progress.

http://www.lateral-g.net/forums/showthread.php4?t=21450
http://www.lateral-g.net/forums/showthread.php4?t=27585
http://www.lateral-g.net/forums/showthread.php4?t=49216

I thought of the corvette tanks too but decided on the stock location.
I think you would be money and time ahead to get an Art Morrison or any others IRS setup. It's a lot of work just to move the trans to the back.
https://www.artmorrison.com/multi-link-IRS.php

Jeff
P.S. I understand the sickness. Build it how you want.

Funny thing is, I looked at all 3 of those threads before I started this one lol. I think I'll keep my car as is. I've said from the get go that this will be my last solid axle car I ever build so I might as well finish it.

[rustomatic]

You are right about "the sickness," which is why I say DO IT!

[96z28ss]

There is another one. not sure of the status on it. May be at SEMA this year.
Check out the build thread.
I'm not a fan of the extra body line on the fenders but lets see what it looks like when its done and has graphics on it.

http://www.eckertsrodandcustom.com/projects_torque.php