Plastic Fantastic 2

[SuperBuickGuy]

some parts came in for it - I worked on my gas powered air brush compressor until I ran into needing parts... but had a few minutes to get a bit further

the short story - I have friends who transport medical personnel for free to the Bolivian highlands where they provide free medical help and air ambulance services to the people who live at the top of the world. They need to lower the weight of their equipment, and right now that's a 20lb air brush compressor and a 50 lb generator... this is 15 lbs. They asked for help, and I guess I was it (bottom of the barrel if you ask me)....
back to CC (Corvette Content).

some parts. Ordered 2 lenses, got 1

and fixed this... oops

in the spirit of breaking warranties....
I took this apart to see how hard it was going to be to limit its travel.edited Initially I was going to put an external switch... no need, just need to shorten a bit inside... but more on that later
​​​​​​​

this should give you an idea of why less weight is important
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtoDt-82g5E[/ame]

 

[bobs77vet]

wow i cant decide if thats exhilarating or terrifying...kind of like the scene in Ford vs Ferrrai with Henry Ford crying in the GT40

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

wow i cant decide if thats exhilarating or terrifying...kind of like the scene in Ford vs Ferrrai with Henry Ford crying in the GT40

that strip is at 13,000 feet.... terrifying. I have friends in the STOL community, all of them speak with admiration at where he flies.... I have a video that I can't share but it's where it nearly ends his career on a takeoff. We joke that our guardian angels are never bored.

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

continuation of breaking the warranty


clever - now to figure out how to shorten the push
and my most favoritest job ever... not

and finish work on the panel (cover the holes)

it would have been nice if this set of instructions had been included.. ah well, fortunately it's really expensive and they use FedUp

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

Insurance company pictures







still waiting for some random parts and now looking for a door trigger rod... ugh!
thankfully my '40 started acting up so I have yet something else to do

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

time consuming work
​​​​​​​

 

[GT6Steve]

I think I missed something on the linear actuators. Are those for headlights? Part numbers? Sorry to be obtuse, can't see where you discussed them before...

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

I think I missed something on the linear actuators. Are those for headlights? Part numbers? Sorry to be obtuse, can't see where you discussed them before...

no part numbers yet because I'm not sure they work
yes, to replace the vacuum system in the headlights

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

In other news, plastic arrived today, and it was fantastic
​​​​​​​

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

onward.... got a late start, and moved pretty slow, it was 20 degrees hotter than normal....edited

first things first, throw some paint on a place they didn't get.....edited

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

so since the '40 wasn't cooperating, time to carry on with the task I've been dreading... door reassembly
this picture was after 3 hours of work

then installed its power window motor (which then didn't actuate like it should....)

hour 4

finally using the one, new part that came with the car

clean glass


and I'm missing one clip... I can finish assembling the passenger door but the other side, I can't install the handle without the clip.... ugh
​​​​​​​

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

so I'm so glad I have the other door assembled ....edited
this, is a nightmare


lots of adjusting left


​​​​​​​
and it works... but I need to order a relay

 

[Red77]

I'm dreading door reassembly as well. I need to rebuild both sides anyway. They were all shot and rattly at the 17 year mark, the only thing keeping them from rattling now is that the car is parked.

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

I'm dreading door reassembly as well. I need to rebuild both sides anyway. They were all shot and rattly at the 17 year mark, the only thing keeping them from rattling now is that the car is parked.

I have tips.
1) remove the blocks (one bolt, it will fall into the door if you don't hang onto the block) at the top of each door rail (picture)
here

and here

2) take the nuts out of the cross channel that is bolted directly to the glass - there is an access hole for the front nut
3) loosen the rail bolts (what you just took the blocks out of)
4) gently pry the studs out of the rail and pull up a bit
5) remove glass guide (the missing bolt to the right of the track holders)


6) pull the glass straight up - it may hang a bit on the front guide rail but a bit of gentle prying will get it past that obstruction


to put it back, slide the front wheel in first (requires prying, again).

If you're working with the latch - life is MUCH easier if you unclip the rod from the inner door handle pivot

here is what is inside the door looks like on the ground

 

[Red77]

AWESOME! Just the push in the right direction I need. I may try to tackle putting the driver's side back together when it cools down here in Texas. I could play with adjusting the passenger side now though... Thanks for the tips!

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

glad to help

my nemesis

the fight


I win.editededited


the dash is mostly together, but I still need to work on the center stack...


and now a driver's side window

which I'm still awaiting parts...

drilling the back acrylic for fasteners


60 degree bit for the win

still have a long ways to go, but at least now it looks like a mostly assembled car

for example, I need to put the keyless locks in the doors... so these aren't on permanently.edited someday, I'll buy new ones


oh paint guy....edited

fitting the top

but yet


​​​​​​​

 

[bobs77vet]

i hate windows.

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

i hate windows.

I'm glad I'm mostly done.... that said, there are far worse window mechanisms out there - good example is the 64 wagon on the lift... or any squarebody gm truck....

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

finish up work on the interior... didn't get done but got further

yes, that's gorilla tape edging, I'm no Val

roll bar took some modifying



seatbelts are probably a good idea in this

once the bar is in, the rear window can't exit the car... though it stores behind the seat so it's all good


a bit more work inside until it's done
​​​​​​​
took this for a quick spin down my driveway..... lordy

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

I hit the road with it (less than 2 miles)... my first impression is it's a light switch, but imagine staring into a floodlight then it goes super nova. takes-your-breath-away-fast. This is the first, fast BBC I've owned.... I'm sold. with a mere 433 cubes.

 

[Red77]

That's what I like to hear! Be careful, but enjoy every second.

 

[rtj]

I hit the road with it (less than 2 miles)... my first impression is it's a light switch, but imagine staring into a floodlight then it goes super nova. takes-your-breath-away-fast. This is the first, fast BBC I've owned.... I'm sold. with a mere 433 cubes.

Glad to hear it. People seem to be LS focused, but to me a 500hp LS is not like a 500hp BB chev.

Car looks great in those photos.

 

[phantomjock]

Dyno-time soon?

Those black wheels are starting to grow on me. You still thinking Bronze?

Cheers - JIm

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

I hit the road with it (less than 2 miles)... my first impression is it's a light switch, but imagine staring into a floodlight then it goes super nova. takes-your-breath-away-fast. This is the first, fast BBC I've owned.... I'm sold. with a mere 433 cubes.

Glad to hear it. People seem to be LS focused, but to me a 500hp LS is not like a 500hp BB chev.

Car looks great in those photos.

I've always thought the BBC had better flow potential over a LS. Also, more cubes equal easier, more usable power bands (I get away with 4 speeds because I have torque and hp). The LS is a great platform, however, I think for things which don't just impress on a dyno - BBC are the under sung hero. Also, I plan on running this in the Optima challenge, all the others are using LS motors - using a BBC should help distinguish it from all the rest. That said, if I had to deal with vehicle, emission testing... this BBC would be on a stand in my garage.

Dyno-time soon?

Those black wheels are starting to grow on me. You still thinking Bronze?

Cheers - JIm

Dyno, eventually, at this point I can get it close and honestly it's got enough power that fine tuning may not gain me much of anything useful....

there will be refinements to its style - bronze or dark bronze would be cool - but it and aftermarket seats (and door panels) are things that will come later.... maybe after my budget has recovered a bit...

 

[mfain]

I hit the road with it (less than 2 miles)... my first impression is it's a light switch, but imagine staring into a floodlight then it goes super nova. takes-your-breath-away-fast. This is the first, fast BBC I've owned.... I'm sold. with a mere 433 cubes.

Glad to hear it. People seem to be LS focused, but to me a 500hp LS is not like a 500hp BB chev.

Car looks great in those photos.

I've always thought the BBC had better flow potential over a LS. Also, more cubes equal easier, more usable power bands (I get away with 4 speeds because I have torque and hp). The LS is a great platform, however, I think for things which don't just impress on a dyno - BBC are the under sung hero. Also, I plan on running this in the Optima challenge, all the others are using LS motors - using a BBC should help distinguish it from all the rest. That said, if I had to deal with vehicle, emission testing... this BBC would be on a stand in my garage.

Dyno-time soon?

Those black wheels are starting to grow on me. You still thinking Bronze?

Cheers - JIm

Dyno, eventually, at this point I can get it close and honestly it's got enough power that fine tuning may not gain me much of anything useful....

there will be refinements to its style - bronze or dark bronze would be cool - but it and aftermarket seats (and door panels) are things that will come later.... maybe after my budget has recovered a bit...

As a case in point regarding BBCs, as of Aug 14 this year the fastest piston powered car on earth is George Poteet's 557 CI, twin turbo BBC making almost 3200 hp. He ran 470 at Bonneville during Speed Week in Speed Demon.

Cheers

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

while this is my first truly fast big block, I've had them in 1st gen Camaros - and I've always liked them.... if they can fit, dollar for dollar they are the best value. That said, I suspect that people like you and I are going to cause a renaissance to BB power. Weights for those curious. 530 SBC, 580 LS, 660 BBC. with that said, I have a friend with (soon) a 427 SBC Dart block.... the scales are coming out.

Since somebody doesn't think I'm grounded... here's a ground


my life with black cars in one picture...


seat bolted in, seat belts (bonus) and ready to go to get aligned tomorrow.


windows still don't go up.... that's maybe next on my list
​​​​​​​

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

and time to start making it fast
first was fix the throttle pedal (to get full throttle and not take 40 lbs of effort) and connect the vacuum advance

noticed I could see the core support - distracting, but not anymore

full tank of fuel


those are pretty good numbers

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

for those curious, this is stock
Curb weight, lb

3540

Weight distribution (with driver), front/rear, %

49/51
Speed on 100-ft radius, mph

33.0

Lateral acceleration, g

0.726

Speed thru 700-ft slalom, mph

63.6

Speed on 100-ft radius, mph

33.0

Lateral acceleration, g

0.726

Speed thru 700-ft slalom, mph

63.6

 

[69427]

..............................

As a case in point regarding BBCs, as of Aug 14 this year the fastest piston powered car on earth is George Poteet's 557 CI, twin turbo BBC making almost 3200 hp. He ran 470 at Bonneville during Speed Week in Speed Demon.

Cheers

Every time I see numbers like that, I wish the Chevy guys in the ol' Can-Am series had gotten serious about turbocharging their big blocks a couple years earlier. Even at 40% of that power, that would have been enough to keep up with the Porsche 917-30.

 

[bobs77vet]

how much closer can you get the weight? or are you satisfied with that. it looks pretty good to me