[rr97cmaross]

I decided, after watching some in-car video and seeing a bunch of flex between the a-pillar and a-pillar downtube, that it was time to put a cage in the car that was "proper" and would be something I wouldn't rip out again. This being the 3rd rebuild of it, I had some serious learning points from the first two times and wanted to implement ALOT of changes. With that being said, my goals were:
1. Enhance safety
2. Enhance torsional and longitudinal stiffness
3. Build the car in a way which would fit rule sets to keep my idea of a "play toy"
4. Attempt to build a tube frame within the factory sheet metal without doing a full conversion.

With that in mind, I'd always liked the idea of creating a truss structure since it seemed to offer the solutions to #'s 1 & 2, and seemed to more closely mimick a full tube framed car. I figured if I could get the design and stiffness out of the tube structure, I could get rid of alot of the factory sheet metal and get the cars weight down. I had played around with many different designs (modeled on FEA software) and found one which I really liked but ran into problems with packaging.

The solution came from some pictures I found of some of Alans work. He built a cage in a Black camaro which was just what I was looking for. Many thanks to Alan, his great work, and willingness to post pictures and help everyone out as he was a huge help in this build.

On to the pics (some of these were taken with a phone, apologies)

(IMG:http://i827.photobucket.com/albums/zz195/silentmover1/IMG00082.jpg)

(IMG:http://i827.photobucket.com/albums/zz195/silentmover1/IMG00083.jpg)

(IMG:http://i827.photobucket.com/albums/zz195/silentmover1/IMG00085.jpg)

(IMG:http://i827.photobucket.com/albums/zz195/silentmover1/P1010004.jpg)

[rr97cmaross]

Ready to put this one in the car! LS1 intake, fuel rails, injectors and throttle body. I used the truck (04 buick ranier) harness and spent a minute or two elongating or shortening damn near every wire in the harness. Since the LM4 was originally a drive by wire motor, I added the IAC and TPS sensors to the harness. The computer will be coming from Carolina Auto Masters and we're using and 04 GTO PCM and MAF. I certainly isn't the prettiest harness ever made but it should get the job done.
(IMG:http://i827.photobucket.com/albums/zz195/silentmover1/IMAG0045.jpg)


I used Mcleod's modular bellhousing with the lt1 t56. No major issues with it but I had to cut a "window" out of the motor plate for clearance around the oil pan rail at the rear (You can just make out the cut to the lower left of the clutch; plate painted black where the coating was ground off), and clearance the starter area for the headers.
(IMG:http://i827.photobucket.com/albums/zz195/silentmover1/IMAG0041.jpg)


I went with the corvette front drive and found an issue trying to mate the HP hose to the PS adapter due to the proximity of the pulley. The solution came from a box of parts my dad had from his car (a Doug Rippie ex WC camaro) that used the factory stub out from the pump with a -6 nipple welded on. The alternator will be mounted on the lower passenger side of the motor using the AC belt grooves on the damper.
(IMG:http://i827.photobucket.com/albums/zz195/silentmover1/IMAG0042.jpg)

Still have to figure out what I'm gonna do for a cooler. I'm thinking the snazzy new low profile adapter Improved Racing is releasing is the way to go.......