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Re: LS1/t56 swap

Posted: Mon Jan 04, 2016 9:38 pm
by woody90gtz
Why spindle mount rather than sealed bearing? Just for durability? Quite similar to the C6 conversion on my F2 spindles.

Re: LS1/t56 swap

Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2016 10:53 am
by Alxsmt
Yeah its stronger. After all the bearing issues I've had and reading the c4 also has issues was a huge reason. Along with the bolt pattern I wanted too. These are a true race proven setup. Bearing were one of the big things I had to cure with this conversion, killing 4 bearings in 500 miles was one of the major reasons I decided to even go rwd

Re: LS1/t56 swap

Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2016 1:46 am
by Alxsmt
few more updates from today

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modified the subframe a bit more on both sides. I still need to beef up the back of it.

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finally have both sides "together"! kept forgetting parts in my garage.. its just sitting there, wanted to see how wide the track really was on the car

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Its not perfectly centered. but close enough to get an idea of what Im up against. The subframe does need to go up a little along with the control arms too. Nothing was measured for this quick mock up.

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once I saw it I figured i would try and pull the fenders out once everything is solid. I know for a fact they have at least 1" of movement in them still.


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how badass does this look??

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those pictures were with zero camber. I added about -2*

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I cant believe how much it tucked in! I only did one side, didnt want to lose my measurements on the other control arm for factory length.

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Its... PERFECT! well it will be I should say.


I probably wont make it out to work on it more for a few weeks.. but when I do Ill be able to finish up the subframe bracing at least.

Re: LS1/t56 swap

Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2016 2:48 am
by keiffith
Been gone a while and really surprised to see this chugging along. bookmarked for future reference to my dream of a 3.8 turbo RWD beretta.

what kind of frame reinforcement are you putting in to prevent the car from twisting itself apart? my idea was to link the roll cage to the front and rear subframes.

Re: LS1/t56 swap

Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2016 11:01 am
by Alxsmt
Why a 3.8? It would be cool just curious. Beretta GNX?

I plan to build a full frame along with a 6 point cage. 8 or 10 point if i have the head room to safely drive it on the street without a helmet

Re: LS1/t56 swap

Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2016 2:29 am
by keiffith
essentially yes. i want to use a c5 transaxle so i can get more weght to the rear and to minimize firewall hackage.

I have a preference for 6's and the 3.8 has always been my favorite.

Re: LS1/t56 swap

Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2016 10:03 am
by Alxsmt
Nice, it would be pretty cool. Something to think about is the torque tube is giant. Not sure if you would adapt that to work or not. Pretty sure its bigger than a t56 tho, and its the whole floor. I Built a nomad (well some of it) way back when i worked at a street rod shop, it had full c5 drivetrain, almost had no room for a seat. Like the beretta, it was a lot more narrow. Ill see if i can dig up some pics tonight

Re: LS1/t56 swap

Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2016 8:08 pm
by woody90gtz
Looking really good. I'm amazed at how much that negative camber changed the placement.

Re: LS1/t56 swap

Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2016 12:50 am
by Alxsmt
Thanks! Yeah i couldnt believe it only took 2*!! It looks like its going to make my life a bit easier

Re: LS1/t56 swap

Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2016 1:02 am
by Alxsmt
keiffith wrote:essentially yes. i want to use a c5 transaxle so i can get more weght to the rear and to minimize firewall hackage.

I have a preference for 6's and the 3.8 has always been my favorite.
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Pics dont really do it justice for how big it is, compare it to the t56 belhousing pic i posted earlier up aginst the beretta. Something to keep in mind anyways.

Re: LS1/t56 swap

Posted: Sun Feb 07, 2016 11:32 pm
by Alxsmt
Made some decent progress today.

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Finally decided to put the factory measuring points to work to make sure the front end was square (Huge thanks to a friend for hooking me up with the diagrams awhile back, Should have checked it a long time ago). Everything was good, so I modified my subframe a bit and added some cross bracing that I can use for a measuring point. square and level. (the slots cut in the subframe for the control arms were an educated guess. I didnt measure, thats why it looks funny)


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Added more bracing up front, nothing was measured, just added to help keep it from moving for the time being.


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Upper brace was added, more if just a measuring point. Perfectly square and level. Makes getting the engine in and out a HUGE pain in the ass! oh well.. needed to be done.


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Cut more out for the upper control arms


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The reason for the upper "brace"


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Within 1/16" in this pic. Ended up moving around trying to figure out some other things, thought id add it tho.

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I needed to move the subframe up 1" to get this ride height with the correct geometry. SOO ill be adding a 1x6 by going across the modified subframe to sit the aftermarket subframe on. Really undecided on if im going to weld it all together, drill a few holes and bolt it in with a little slop just in case it needs to get moved a hair one way or another, or just use big ass C clamps till the real frame goes under..

I think another day on the front end, then Ill start building something to square it all up with the back and start on the back. I dont think Im going to weld or drill any holes just yet on the front end as far as mounting goes. Also need to figure out what to do about rust prevention on the aftermarket subframe so I can leave it in the car. Its going to get ground off anyways when it gets welded to the real frame, and painted, so Im trying to be cheap about it. Might end up doing por15 tho..

Re: LS1/t56 swap

Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2016 7:31 am
by bonecrrusher
POR15 will be a pain to sand off - just get some self etching primer - that should seal it up.

Re: LS1/t56 swap

Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2016 10:49 am
by Alxsmt
Good to know, i didnt know that. Might not be bad if i can paint over it.. etching primer cant be too bad tho.

Thanks

Re: LS1/t56 swap

Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2016 12:57 pm
by Barry
How much caster are you aiming for?

Looking good. Very excited for this.

Re: LS1/t56 swap

Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2016 3:02 pm
by Alxsmt
Ill probably end up shooting for +5*. Ill be setting it up for zero camber and factory caster when I finalize where its going. I havnt measured caster at all. Probably wouldnt be a bad idea so I at least know where it is.. I guess it could end up moving the tire off center.