Plastic Fantastic 2

[Red77]

No more understeer with a big block is a crowning achievement, so you're getting close. You've got a lot on your plate for sure, so your progress despite the challenges is extra inspiring.

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

wow, the impossibility of getting a rebuilt steering rack for a C5 or C6 is pretty remarkable.... I bought another used one, figure I'll get my current one rebuilt (maybe?)

 

[mfain]

wow, the impossibility of getting a rebuilt steering rack for a C5 or C6 is pretty remarkable.... I bought another used one, figure I'll get my current one rebuilt (maybe?)

I see a lot of that on CF. Several folks were complaining about the rebuilt ones they got from Zip Products leaking, but I see Zip is now showing out of stock. Good luck.

 

[phantomjock]

INQUIRING MINDS... want to know.
What is the advantage over Sweet - or other options? Front vs rear Steer?
Turns - Lock to Lock?
Power/Manual?
Span; wheel - to - wheel?
Easy Mount?
Price Point?

I can't believe it is about "maintaining" ethnic "purity"? Other bits are quite clearly from other suppliers, so please; school me on the advantage of C5/6 Rack.
I do know - it is difficult to source racks that match requirements - not unlike brake calipers, pads, etc., etc., etc. But is there something more specific I'm missing?

Thanks in advance. I appreciate you "smarten'-ing" me up. I'll be looking again soon too!

Cheers - Jim

 

[mfain]

Not trying to hijack, but I can supply a little insight. I have used both a Woodward and a Sweet rack, and my brother used a Woodward with C6 suspension in his Jag. The only critical thing is rack length. In order to keep control of bumpsteer, the ends of the rack need to fall on a line between the inner pick-up points of the upper and lower control arms. Since the control arms are not equal length, moving the rack up or down requires a different length. You can order most Woodward/Sweet racks in different lengths. Some racks, like the ones I use, are circle-track stuff and mount near the center with three bolts. I fabricate brackets on the cross-member to accommodate. Other racks, like the ones in the Jag, mount in collars further outboard. You can get the racks in manual or powered, and there is a wide range of ratios available. There is limited availability of racks for rear steer, except for some of the street rod stuff like Steeroids or Flaming River - I am not a fan. The Woodward/Sweet racks are about $1000, but then you need a pump, reservoir, and lines. I'm sure SuperBuickGuy can offer some thoughts. Below are two photos of the Sweet rack in my 56, a photo of the circle-track style mount, a photo of the Woodward rack I originally had in the 56, and a photo of a Woodward rack in the Jag w/C6 suspension. Hope this helps.

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

I don't have experience with Flaming river or Sweet to offer an opinion on either. The reasons I used the stock one was mostly price and availability. Not to knock what I've never used, however, I trust GM QC more then anyone else's.

That said, as it sprung a leaky seal within 300 miles of installation (it was used, 100k unit) - I may revisit that opinion.

and, I guess, another reason - I'm pushing the envelope on the rules for 'stock manufacturer mounting points' thus that also is a factor in why I'm where I'm at now. Of course, this is lurnin' so take my opinion as unsupported and mostly off the cuff

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

explanation, cold lap to get a feel for the track, my best time was 4 seconds faster

 

[phantomjock]

Pappy -
Thanks for the "Show-n-Tell."
SBG -
I copy the Corvette part is a "points" thing for the Optima.

Cheers - Jim

 

[bobs77vet]

does your trailer tilt and you can use ramps? how does it tilt gravity or hydraulic?

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

hi-lift tilt... hydraulic eventually
the ramps are for the Corvette.... everything else doesn't need them

if it weren't for bad luck

this isn't the problem

this is

if you're missing the issue - the mount tab is broken off.... wasn't in the box.

 

[Red77]

Ouch, that explains the bent tie rod. Must have pounded a curb pretty bad to snap off the mount.

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

Ouch, that explains the bent tie rod. Must have pounded a curb pretty bad to snap off the mount.

Ironic that the first response was "we told you about that" then the next response a few minutes later was "return accepted" .... lol, no buddy, you thought you informed.... with that said, why someone would pay what he's asking for a thorough broken part is a question for the ages.

 

[bobs77vet]

what a waste of time and effort, although on balance I suppose i have had good look buying parts from people

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

what a waste of time and effort, although on balance I suppose i have had good look buying parts from people

and the story continues. the seller sent a shipping label for a envelope (not a 6' tall box).... ebay and I are not amused. the seller has until Monday to make it right or ebay will.

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

moving and Corvette transportation just got a bit easier...

 

[phantomjock]

Luigi got a license! How about his CCW?
Best of luck at the pumps. Safe travels.
Cheers - Jim

 

[bobs77vet]

nice set up that should be easy towing

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

It's time to get ready for practice at Portland international raceway and Optima
by fixing a bent bracket
I think I may have touched a tree with the spoiler... oops

bracket had to come off (not fun)

and got a repaint

the guy I bought the house from owns a shop with water jet - so he's going to cut out brackets for me. I want the spoiler to move back, but Optima requires that the spoiler be no taller then 8" above the highest point of the deck.... so two brackets

measure the highest point with a box top


so these two bits...

 

[Red77]

As an engineer that has access to AutoCAD and SolidWorks, Cardboard Aided Design is still the go to for retrofitting attachments onto equipment. I rarely have fitment issues when I make real templates like you have here. Nice to have a connection with a waterjet too. Looking great!

 

[bobs77vet]

nice , did you move?

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

nice , did you move?

I've put 5000 miles on my Colorado in the last month and not yet done. At least 3 more trips @460 miles each

so the answer is 'moving'

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

I guess I didn't update.
We are moving 230 miles east to Kennewick Washington.
to this
5 acres, 60x64 foot shop, house is big enough


complete with gantry crane
and the answer on how I return with 2 trailers


and 'how to unstuck the neighbor's forklift


two fun stories.
1) someone told me that I'd 'cut the grass with that old car' - so I told him I brought my lawnmower


and
2) guy approaches me in a parking lot on my way east, says "what year is it?" I said "I think it's a 2007 but we got it in 2008, pretty sweet lawnmower, isn't it?"

then all he wanted to do was talk about the other thing on the trailer... weird, who doesn't like a good lawnmower?

the house and shop were built by a guy who owns a welding shop in Kennewick. He offered to use his water jet to cut out pieces for me, super nice guy. This shop he built to house his business, eventually it grew so he built a place in town - then his now-ex-wife wanted to move to California. I get the feeling that he was taking the opportunity to move on because he sold and told her good bye. He's build a new barndominium to reflect his new life. The gantry crane is something he builds as part of his business.... lord is it useful.

 

[mfain]

And you can see the shop floor!!!!

 

[phantomjock]

Very Nice! With that shop - and WOW a Gantry, I'd be happy living in an RV. Maybe next lifetime...

pappy; And you can see the shop floor!!!!

Wish I could!

 

[rtj]

4x the size of my shop, I would settle for 60x32. Maybe someday. That looks great!

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

And you can see the shop floor!!!!

for only a few days more....

 

[Red77]

Looks awesome! Lots of room for the projects, I'm sure you'll be in full swing in no time.

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

now in aluminum


but wait, there's more


then load up and go


to here


with a brief stop to see parents - and their Corvette


Did SCCA Track Night in America at PIR. that was fun, car stayed together and seems ready to run at Optima. Exhaust was quiet enough that I may remove the cones - then if there's a problem, just reinstall them. They kind of kill top end speed... but the rule is this - they give you a warning, then you can fix it, and it's fine, but you have to tell them what you did.... so if the cones aren't there and it's too loud, I'll know that by putting them back in that I'll be okay....

and wow is that concrete slick at PIR.

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

and the report. It handled very well, despite the hp handicap, it did well. That said, it could be better. I need to put more of an angle of attack in the wing - when I'm hard on the brakes, having downforce would really be nice. The problem was it was tailhappy (oversteer).... which is an odd problem for a Corvette. Might click another into the front coil overs. It also could use stronger anti-roll bars (but not this time)

another issue, down the back stretch is kind of a hump that runs down the center of the track, the rear wanted to follow it a bit

and the final issue - I need to put an anti-bird device on it because I got a starling at 120 mph. It didn't hurt the car (just clipped the top of the windshield) but that didn't do the bird any good at all. I suspect I'll find biohazard stuff in the car - who knew that one pitfall of racing was birds? ah well, that one looked suspiciously like one that crapped on my car up here in Kennewick - so the karma sheet is balanced.

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

and to remind on the stands - the guy I bought this house from, the one who built the shop I now own, is the guy who owns the company who cut out those parts.