[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]

So I'm finally in a position to start working this again....some significant life challenges delayed the progress a few months. Finally picked my new motor up, the lm4. The build included a rediculous set of custom JE pistons on stock rods, ARP rod bolts, stock heads pocket ported with larger ls1 intake valves, one piece pushrods with stock style rockers, camaro pan with improved racing's baffle and ARP head bolts, and COMP cam. All in all I'm not sure this was the most cost effective way to go, mainly because of the silly pistons. Even with 42k on the motor some of the pistons were flattened and getting 5.3 pistons proved just about non existent; mainly options to get the compression up to a decent level (LT was 12.6, this one is a full point below). Still have to source a ls1 intake, injectors and fuel rails, computer and either modify the existing or get a new harness. So far ill be using a vette front drive and ARH headers. Thanks to Alan for the contact at tpis which offered many recommendations. Pics and more to follow......

This post has been edited by rr97cmaross: Dec 10 2011, 11:22 PM

[StanIROCZ]

So I'm finally in a position to start working this again....some significant life challenges delayed the progress a few months. Finally picked my new motor up, the lm4. The build included a rediculous set of custom JE pistons on stock rods, ARP rod bolts, stock heads pocket ported with larger ls1 intake valves, one piece pushrods with stock style rockers, camaro pan with improved racing's baffle and ARP head bolts, and COMP cam. All in all I'm not sure this was the most cost effective way to go, mainly because of the silly pistons. Even with 42k on the motor some of the pistons were flattened and getting 5.3 pistons proved just about non existent; mainly options to get the compression up to a decent level (LT was 12.6, this one is a full point below). Still have to source a ls1 intake, injectors and fuel rails, computer and either modify the existing or get a new harness. So far ill be using a vette front drive and ARH headers. Thanks to Alan for the contact at tpis which offered many recommendations. Pics and more to follow......

What was the issue with your stock pistons?

The 5.3 should make nice #'s for AI.

[rr97cmaross]

So I'm finally in a position to start working this again....some significant life challenges delayed the progress a few months. Finally picked my new motor up, the lm4. The build included a rediculous set of custom JE pistons on stock rods, ARP rod bolts, stock heads pocket ported with larger ls1 intake valves, one piece pushrods with stock style rockers, camaro pan with improved racing's baffle and ARP head bolts, and COMP cam. All in all I'm not sure this was the most cost effective way to go, mainly because of the silly pistons. Even with 42k on the motor some of the pistons were flattened and getting 5.3 pistons proved just about non existent; mainly options to get the compression up to a decent level (LT was 12.6, this one is a full point below). Still have to source a ls1 intake, injectors and fuel rails, computer and either modify the existing or get a new harness. So far ill be using a vette front drive and ARH headers. Thanks to Alan for the contact at tpis which offered many recommendations. Pics and more to follow......

What was the issue with your stock pistons?

The 5.3 should make nice #'s for AI.

Good numbers is what I'm looking for with this, the ls architecture is great and I'm excited to finally have one. The stock pistons, 4 of them, were out of round. It seems running these motors hard before everything is heated up causes some piston rock issues. That said, I didn't NEED new pistons, but I wanted the compression up and I didn't want to have to replace anything in the shortblock except bearings.