I think in those areas I would make an addition to the door frame that extends out to the skin and then glass over that tube.
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I think in those areas I would make an addition to the door frame that extends out to the skin and then glass over that tube.
I think you will find that if you do a small square tube down low, and another one up high, horizontally, and weld them to the door frame and then glass over them, that will make for a very strong, durable, door.
Yeah, the joys of a one-off car. When I built the door frame, I was thinking sleek, minimal material, minimize weight. You can be assured that the passenger door frame will fit the door skin a little better!
I have a functioning door! On passenger side, will make the door frame slightly different so I can glass the frame directly to the door skin per Mike's recommendations.
http://fs5.directupload.net/images/170619/dweiphzi.jpg
http://fs5.directupload.net/images/170619/uv9bgg5p.jpg
Panels will be refinished of course
http://fs5.directupload.net/images/170624/2keyw2bd.jpg
http://fs5.directupload.net/images/170624/ciullqkf.jpg
Progress!
Bee-
Doors and door cards look great! You are in possession of large brass ones my friend! Taking the parts from different cars, cutting things up, welding like a madman, adding countless customizations all in the pursuit of a cool ride; mad respect!!
I have really enjoyed following along, and always look forward to your latest update. Keep up the awesome work!
Regards,
Steve
Thanks guys, slowly but surely! I have a track weekend at M1 Concourse in 3 weeks, need to do a few prep things on the roadster (fluids, brakes, alignment, maybe bumpsteer, pre-radiator aluminum) which will take a little time away from the 'project'.
Started side "B" this morning.
http://fs5.directupload.net/images/170624/9fm97ee4.jpg
Just throwing this out there... If you are cutting fiberglass, I highly recommend a respirator like the one on the left. It keeps the dust out of your lungs. Good $30 investment, every garage should have one...obviously need it for VOCs as well. N95 on the right, I can smell the fiberglass so it's not keeping all the dust out of your system. Keeping it out of your eyes, that's a whole 'nother thing :cool:
http://fs5.directupload.net/images/170624/iavlrrrm.jpg
Here we go again!
http://fs5.directupload.net/images/170624/sgxvqvsq.jpg
The devil really is in the necessary details... ie the adjustable window stops :rolleyes:
http://fs5.directupload.net/images/170625/tlx8y9r4.jpg
Passenger door coming along.
http://fs5.directupload.net/images/170625/5ouhu92p.jpg
http://fs5.directupload.net/images/170625/wrii2qyl.jpg
Picked up a spare roof, going to build it into a lightweight composite roof, ideally one that I can separate in half for stowage like the 918 and other modern targas. The Honda roof is pretty cool though, aluminum and weighs about 22 pounds with cosmetics included.
http://fs5.directupload.net/images/170625/p5tejh2f.jpg
GTM off the lift, need to prep the go kart for track weekend in 1 week.
I always thought the roadster was a little car... Until now! It is massive! :p
http://fs5.directupload.net/images/170707/makxevc4.jpg
Back on the ground with new door frame, I like the height of the outer door bar at 25". Inner chassis side bars planned as well for rigidity and protection.
http://fs5.directupload.net/images/170707/mdgqgk8c.jpg
Spending the weekend at M1 Concourse. Interesting track. Roadster has been performing great.. Thanks FFR!
http://fs5.directupload.net/images/170716/2u8scfta.jpg
Saw this pretty lady walking after dinner. Gorgeous!
http://fs5.directupload.net/images/170716/z2hj6lil.jpg
Your thread caught my eye not because I knew what you were doing, but by your screen name. (My last name is "Beamon", pronounced the same as your screen name!) But I am so glad I took the time to read your thread! My customization work on my MKIV to add a tilt front is child's play compared to your amazing work! I just read the entire thread. Your work is truly amazing. Your vision is amazing. You can be very proud of what you are doing! It takes confidence to cut up any of these finely designed vehicles, but to do it to the top of the line GTM takes some serious levels of skill and creativity. I chuckled at your question about the look of the taillights. By that point in your thread, I was already so dumbfounded with your amazing work that I could barely form words to tell you how much I loved the taillights! It all is truly amazing. Keep up the good work, and thank you for sharing it with us! Your work is inspiring me!! I had been thinking Coupe as my next project, but your inspiration is drawing me back to reconsidering the GTM again. I guess I had better finish the FlipTop first!
Thank you for the kind words! I really considered a tilt front on the Roadster as well, I followed a thread on a tilt front a while back (maybe Stinson Pilot). I also think that the Coupe would be an awesome build, I have definitely considered it. In my mind, it's a lot like the Roadster as far as how I would enjoy it, so I wanted something completely different. I'm not going to build more than 1 GTM, so I decided to go a little crazy and make sure it ended up the way I want it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jazzman
I just spent a couple days at M1 Concourse. After a few laps to get those tire walls out of my mind, I ended up really liking the track. Other than 1 episode resulting in a 'tow of shame' (car sputtered and died after the hairpin turn...turns out I had triggered the inertial fuel cutoff switch - didn't even get off the track!), the car did amazing. But it seemed like I was in between 2nd and 3rd gear for a lot of the corners. I'm ready to take it up a notch with more power and real aero. That's where the GTM comes in.
Good luck finishing your Roadster! You will have a ton of fun with it.
Getting brakes done on the GTM so I can get an official alignment including caster prior to any permanent fender positioning. Hope to have them bled today.
Summer is not conducive to a blistering build pace. Kids started school this week, summer flew by.
Spending a lot of time with the roadster, Auburn auction/cruise-ins in 2 weeks, heading to Gingerman in 4 weeks.
Here's a pic from M1 Concourse. Lap timer wasn't working right, from video I was running a 1:22.5 or so.
http://fs5.directupload.net/images/170818/osqya6r8.jpg
Brakes are done and bled. I read that you have to use some kind of GM tool to trigger the ABS while bleeding, everything seemed to bleed fine with no leaks and a very firm pedal. That may change the first time the ABS actuates.
The FFR supplied seats are OK, but leave a little to be desired. I feel like they were made to fit all sizes from 150-280 pounds. I'm sure they fit fine with the standard chassis, but I'm finding them to be too wide in the seat and upper wing areas. Yes they fit, but barely, and I don't need that wide of a seat. So I tried something that really turned out great. Del Sol seats are desirable swaps in the Honda community, they have excellent support and sit lower than other Honda seats. I disassembled the Del Sol seat into upper and lower portions and ditched the OEM sliders. Total weight of the upper and lower portions with metal internals is 16 lbs, compared to 13.6 lbs for the FFR GTM seat. Headrest is removable via clips, will have to be modified.
Should be straight forward to fab up some brackets.
Crappy donor seat used for proof of concept, will find a nice one or get it recovered.
Seat bottom width at maximum point (bolsters) is 19.5". Seat upright is 19.5" wide at bolster, 17.5" wide at upper 'wings'.
http://fs5.directupload.net/images/170819/2hxhjvn3.jpg
http://fs5.directupload.net/images/170819/bxq7htli.jpg
The lower seat portion fits perfectly in the GTM seat location, as does the upper.
http://fs5.directupload.net/images/170819/96ybwx6c.jpg
Other than a thin metal shell and very comfortable foam, my butt is right on the floor. Headroom, baby!
http://fs5.directupload.net/images/170819/hmugnvl9.jpg
Really leaning towards a mono front wiper, to keep things simple and light. I procured a Toyota rear window wiper that looks like it will work well for the rare times I see rain. Off/int/run. Entire assembly with wiper/arm is 2.8lbs.
http://fs5.directupload.net/images/170822/sg8mt7fm.jpg
http://fs5.directupload.net/images/170822/mocgrfoc.jpg
Holy smokes, just went through this entire thread. To think when I first clicked on it I was going to be looking at someone's really nice build thread...wow did I underestimate what I'd see. Hats off to you on what so far looks incredible. Sub'd to see the rest ;)
BTW...love the Mexico Blue on the Roadster. I'm a huge Porsche fan and that is one of my favorite colors.
Glad to hear you enjoyed catching up! Yeah I had my mind set on Mexico Blue for the roadster... Showed my painter (who specializes in muscle cars) and he was skeptical, to say the least, about my color choice. As soon as he had color on the car, he was immediately sending pics to his buddies, it really works.Quote:
Originally Posted by mia65cobra
Didn't have time to get an alignment this morning. So the latest tangent is that I'm going to build up the passenger door as a suicide door and see which side I like better. Actually, with the shape of my door frame and limited ability to hinge solidly at the front, I won't be surprised if the passenger door wins the talent contest. I think it's going to be a cool feature.
Driver side. Works but there is flexing of the door (at the hinge) while open.
http://fs5.directupload.net/images/170827/g4n45uz3.jpg
Getting ready to fab up the passenger side.
http://fs5.directupload.net/images/170827/igwx233e.jpg
Love the idea of the suicide door. Hope you can make that work. Looks like it would make it much easier to get in and out also.
Summer is winding down, time to make some progress on the GTM... Took the roadster up to Gingerman Raceway last weekend, had a ball with it. It really holds its own up against the new stuff but just can't keep up on the long straights. Was running about a 1:50 lap on day 2. Instructor gave me a nice compliment, said of the many Cobra replicas he's been in, mine drove and handled the best. He's done over 20k laps at Gingerman. I'm still a rookie, just done a couple track days a year for the past few years...
The GTM story continues with two steps backwards. I didn't care for my main roll hoop on the GTM... If I leaned the seat back, my helmeted head easily contacted it up top, and it stuck in too much from my b-pillar, which was contacting my seat back.
Here's a pic of what I'm talking about :
http://fs5.directupload.net/images/170925/6rx4amra.jpg
So I busted out the Sawzall and markers and got to work
http://fs5.directupload.net/images/170925/qugmax7p.jpg
http://fs5.directupload.net/images/170925/pfvacfz4.jpg
I am SO MUCH happier with this roll hoop compared to the old one. I really took my time to make every bend perfect,
I got it to where I want it down to millimeters. It just disappears into the body. Now I can move forward on the project without that 'I think that could be better' feeling...
http://fs5.directupload.net/images/170925/yjjpy2n7.jpg
http://fs5.directupload.net/images/170925/ob2j63zq.jpg
http://fs5.directupload.net/images/170925/2zhvy2e7.jpg
http://fs5.directupload.net/images/170925/qau3eoei.jpg
Its amazing the time and work you have done to the car. Cant wait to see the finished product.
Hey, I think I see a little piece of metal there that used to be part of the original GTM you started with. :)
I think you are referring to the hatch hinge mount. Unfortunately, it is destined for the scrap heap. :cool:Quote:
Originally Posted by dallas_
Mad skills Bee!
I always look forward to your updates! I really admire the vision you have for this car, and even more the ability to convert that image to action.
I hope you are able to spend a lot of time in the shop this winter, so we can all see the progress you are making.
Thanks for posting your progress; seriously mad skills!!
Regards,
Steve
yeah Beeman! Looking good!
It’s scary to make the first cut, but your into it now!
Every day is a new challenge of how do we make this fit and work.
I wish I was right there with you.
The best part is when you are done you will have a very fast one of a kind car super car.
That’s priceless.
Thanks for the kind words and encouragement, I'll try to keep things moving along!
Just got a text from my engine builder. Not sure how they crammed 525 ponies into this, but LPE is awesome!
http://fs5.directupload.net/images/170926/7ftsd3pi.jpg
I don't know what LPE is selling you, but 525 HP LS3s are a standard factory crate option from GM. It's what we run in the FFR PDG GTM race car. We actually get a bit more than that with a good tune and carefully built exhaust.
http://www.jegs.com/p/Chevrolet-Perf...41625/10002/-1
Yeah Crash, I'm familiar with the GM crate motors, I looked at the one you linked to, it's very similar to the one that is being built for me. Cost is similar so it really didn't affect my decision. LPE built the LS1 I have in my C5, and I have had no issues with it. I wanted to stay with them for the GTM because I have experience with them, plus great communication and support. I'll have help with installation and a dyno tune as well. Plus I want a little LPE sticker on the GTM.:cool:
She has a heart! Engine arriving tomorrow, better get cracking! Swapped out the LS3 water pump for the LS1, smooth valley cover, moved oil pressure sender to side of block...
https://i.imgur.com/jpMPH2J.jpg
Looking Good!
Another frame mod, at full lock my tires are about 2" below this tube, could contact on compression... Stupid wide tires...
http://fs1.directupload.net/images/171021/kvqsh3u4.jpg
So before I go further, taking these down to re-do that tube, shouldn't be too bad. Got the driver's side taken down...
Seems good that you caught that when you did.
Well, I noticed it as soon as I installed the CCW's a long time ago, has been on the 'to-do list' for a while... One of those things that I wasn't looking forward to but knew I had to correct. I'm trying to finalize the chassis so I can get a final alignment and go to town on the body.
Got that frame tube replaced, had to redo the shock mount, no big deal. These are the vette tires, even more clearance with the CCW'S.
http://fs5.directupload.net/images/171028/qu3ntalj.jpg
Now it's time to get the door frame done, it's going to be a complete redo so I can hinge at the rear.
http://fs1.directupload.net/images/171028/vb33vhww.jpg
Nice work. Suicide doors? Sweet! :)Quote:
Originally Posted by beeman
Just got done getting an alignment, had not checked it since moving the UCA mounts.
7.5 caster
1.15 camber
1/16 toe
Had a wide range of options up to 3 of camber and 9+ of caster.
Numbers look good. What about bump steer?
I had it down to minimal after moving the mounts but before this alignment today, so I'll obviously have to redo it. I think the driver's side alignment was around 8 caster and -2 camber where we started today. I didn't want quite that much caster or camber so we dialed both down a bit. So I'll recheck the bump steer and optimize it at some point.