dean
Junior Member
Posts: 77
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Post by dean on Feb 24, 2011 18:32:54 GMT -5
I decided to put all the information my project in 1 thread so here goes: Specs Engine 4.3 V6 (Built 329HP 4 BBL) Transmission Turbo 350 (Street/Strip) Front cradle 1995 S10 (1 coil cut from springs 3" drop spindles) Rear end 1997 GMC Jimmy (Posi 3.545 disc brakes) Steering (modified power rack & pinion 2005 Chevy Aveo) Power brakes (2005 Chevy Aveo) Coil over shock rear suspension The frame is complete with 1/8 inch plate flooring I will post better images in the spring when I take it apart to sandblast and POR 15     |
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dean
Junior Member
Posts: 77
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Post by dean on Feb 24, 2011 18:38:32 GMT -5
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Post by dawgdk on Feb 24, 2011 19:18:59 GMT -5
vents are looking great Dean!! How much of a clearance problem was there with the engine under the front? I would realy like to know this because there's not much differance in the monte carlo front end i'm planning to use.
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dean
Junior Member
Posts: 77
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Post by dean on Feb 24, 2011 20:52:26 GMT -5
I used a van motor mount (shorter mount) the bottom of the carb is about even with the body so I am building a custom scoop both for clearance and to help with cooling. Be aware that to get my height the tube frame mounts under the S10 cradle (see 3rd frame image) it helps the engine sit lower in the body.
Hope that helps
Dean
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Post by jmurch on Feb 24, 2011 22:10:20 GMT -5
Dean, Do you know if a V8 will fit? I want to do my GT2 as a front mounted engine also but was thinking a small block V8. Also when you register your car do you use the S10 frame number? Thanks, John I decided to put all the information my project in 1 thread so here goes: Specs Engine 4.3 V6 (Built 329HP 4 BBL) Transmission Turbo 350 (Street/Strip) Front cradle 1995 S10 (1 coil cut from springs 3" drop spindles) Rear end 1997 GMC Jimmy (Posi 3.545 disc brakes) Steering (modified rack & pinion 1986 Pontiac Fiero) Power brakes (2004 Chevy Aveo) Coil over shock rear suspension The frame is complete with 1/8 inch plate flooring I will post better images in the spring when I take it apart to sandblast and POR 15 |
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dean
Junior Member
Posts: 77
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Post by dean on Feb 24, 2011 22:22:47 GMT -5
In Michigan we have to do a built title. But a 4.3 is just a 350 with 2 cylinders chopped off so a small block will fit the only problem might be the radiator but I got all the power I wanted with the 4.3 the car is only 1500 pounds after all.
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Post by dawgdk on Feb 25, 2011 8:06:18 GMT -5
Dean, thanks for the info!! It will come in real handy soon. So you're planning on the radiator under the front too I never figured there would be enough room for it too.
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dean
Junior Member
Posts: 77
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Post by dean on Feb 25, 2011 10:35:58 GMT -5
There's more room than you think but you have to move the front firewall back (a lot) I am also building a custom dash. I have incorporated a 5 inch body lift and a widened the passenger area into my design as well as body mounts to the frame front and rear (so no butt sag) at the moment I am working on the rear of the body molding in a cut down fiberglass bumper from a 1970 Nova and Firebird tail lights will post pics as I finish the mods.
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Post by dawgdk on Feb 25, 2011 11:30:34 GMT -5
5" whoa that's a lot!!! gonna sit about 1" higher than stock not bad at all. I'll be waiting for some pics.
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Post by skip20 on Feb 26, 2011 9:41:01 GMT -5
Glad to see you post this great project.
Looking good.
Like the scoops.
Still looking for the headers?
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dean
Junior Member
Posts: 77
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Post by dean on Feb 26, 2011 21:21:17 GMT -5
Thanks Skip found a set of headers the scoops look great but man what a ton of work to form them to the body curve but the results were worth it.
Dean
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dean
Junior Member
Posts: 77
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Post by dean on Feb 28, 2011 20:18:04 GMT -5
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Post by sselfinflicted on Mar 7, 2011 5:09:59 GMT -5
Dean, also working on a front engine car but built frame from scratch. Used 2x3 square channel. back halfed the frame rails from comp. engeneering, with there 4 link frame rails to receive the 9" ford rear. A mustangII frame in the mid to late 70s worked perfect to put a small block 355cie in the space. pushed the motor back in the hole after cutting a hood in the front. 350turbo trans with a brake 411 gears. layed a corvett radiator in at an angle and luvered the head lite covers to receive air thru them.93 vette radiator worked well. Now working on sumping the floor 2'' for head room on the roll cage. Project is about 50% complete and am still working on it. I'd hope to be Dragracing it toward the end of the season this year. should be a helluv a ride.
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Post by dawgdk on Mar 7, 2011 9:09:38 GMT -5
Hey sselfinflicted start a build post and add plenty of pictures !! I want to see chassis pictures and know what all you had to cut. Welcome to the board and feel free to ask questions.
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Post by jmurch on Mar 7, 2011 10:59:24 GMT -5
I agree. I plan to do a front engine with my GTII. I'm in Thailand and will have fabricate many parts or use parts from other cars.
John
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dean
Junior Member
Posts: 77
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Post by dean on Mar 7, 2011 18:26:39 GMT -5
Glad to hear my project is helping others try this as to getting air flow to the radiator I am using a custom one out of aluminum and a grill from a Mercury with headlights from an 08 Montana it's really going to change the look of the front though.
Dean
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Post by skip20 on Mar 14, 2011 9:18:17 GMT -5
Hey bumper looks great, but you need to round the corner to match the top of the bumper!
Paint doesn't like sharp corner.
Now you the Tran Am tail lights!
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dean
Junior Member
Posts: 77
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Post by dean on Mar 22, 2011 12:29:38 GMT -5
Thanks Skip, I had planned to round everything I got the buckets made and mounted for my tail lights now I just have to blend everything into the rear deck with a look I like sometimes I think that's the hardest part. I will post some pic's as soon as my kid brings my camera back, now my next challenge I think it will be a convertible I will be using a top frame from an MGB with parts from a Lebaron convertible top as well.
Anyway we'll see if it works
Dean
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dean
Junior Member
Posts: 77
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Post by dean on Apr 14, 2011 17:41:02 GMT -5
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Post by dawgdk on Apr 14, 2011 21:08:55 GMT -5
Sure did change the looks of the rear!!! Are you planning on using a rear spoiler ?
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dean
Junior Member
Posts: 77
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Post by dean on Apr 14, 2011 21:48:47 GMT -5
Yes I am using a Fiero wing with 8" risers w/LED lights in the risers, once I finish the rear deck I will mount it for photo's. The tail lights and bumper really do change the look of the rear though.
Dean
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Post by big bob on Apr 15, 2011 14:06:12 GMT -5
nice work!
more pics!!
big bob
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dean
Junior Member
Posts: 77
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Post by dean on Apr 18, 2011 17:17:39 GMT -5
Thanks Bob been working a lot so I don't get to work on it as much as I would like. I did get out today and finished the passenger side vent so now its time to figure out if I can make the convertible I want I will post some pics if I get it to work.
Dean
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Post by skip20 on Apr 22, 2011 8:49:00 GMT -5
Hey, the tail lights look GREAT!
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dean
Junior Member
Posts: 77
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Post by dean on Apr 24, 2011 18:37:35 GMT -5
Thanks Skip, started toying with another idea I am thinking power right hand drive just a thought since I have to build a custom dash anyway not much extra work.
Dean
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Post by legendarydawg on May 18, 2011 19:16:13 GMT -5
hello dean Im new member looking to build front engine gt2 . I was wondering how you have mounted your gt2 to the s10 frame?
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dean
Junior Member
Posts: 77
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Post by dean on May 26, 2011 17:07:30 GMT -5
Hi I will try to give you as much info as I can.
I used a 95 s10 front cradle I cut it off just behind the engine then I built a custom frame the rest of the way back out of 2 inch 1/4 inch wall square tube the rear end is out of a 97 4wd jimmy (so I could have rear disc brakes and posi) then I set up a four link coil over shock rear suspension the new rear frame had to mount under the s10 cradle and use 3 inch lowering spindles as well as cut 1 coil from the front springs.
This was the only way to get a ride height that would work I also built a 5 inch lift into the body and had to move the front firewall back a large amount to give me the engine space, I built the frame as a pan similar to the VW so the floor and tunnel are all part of the frame both to make mounting and removing the body easier.
Now steering I was going to use a shortened rack and pinion but decided I wanted to be able to use stock parts in case I ever needed repairs away from home so I got a little crazy and went with right hand drive by doing this I could use a power rack and pinion out of an 05 Chevy Aveo and outer tie rod ends from a Mercedes my rack then fit like a glove.
My power brake booster and pedal assembly both came from the 05 Aveo as well. I built a square tunnel and I am using the auto shifter out of a 72 Corvette that's everything that comes to mind if you have any questions just post and I will try to answer them.
Dean
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dean
Junior Member
Posts: 77
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Post by dean on Jul 28, 2011 19:28:49 GMT -5
Finally got back to work I did decide to go with right hand drive it made the steering fit much better. I have decided to go with the older style Corvette look on the rear window I got the rear deck complete now (just need another couple layers of glass ) I am currently fiberglassing the new roof I cut up 2 GT2 roofs and fiberglassed them together as soon as I finish that I will install the mounts for the rear window and the Wing. Here are a couple pics in progress Dean     |
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Post by big bob on Jul 29, 2011 11:34:15 GMT -5
real nice, congrats on sticking with it.
i got to get mu butt in gear...
how you gonna do access to engine compartment?
big bob
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dean
Junior Member
Posts: 77
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Post by dean on Jul 29, 2011 12:14:08 GMT -5
I am building a hood in the front my fuel cell is in back.
Dean
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