RS32
01-01-2013, 10:08 PM
#101
Super Moderator Alumni
Happy new Year Buddy
John will be back in a week after some R&R, I contacted the forum moderators and asked permission if we could set him up a thread so he can elaborate on the kit and answer questions, however I havent had a response as yet.
John also seems to have found a supplier for the bell housing issue so technically the kit can be supplied imediately.
Cheers
John
John will be back in a week after some R&R, I contacted the forum moderators and asked permission if we could set him up a thread so he can elaborate on the kit and answer questions, however I havent had a response as yet.
John also seems to have found a supplier for the bell housing issue so technically the kit can be supplied imediately.
Cheers
John
PM me with anything you may need and I promise to respond.
04-29-2013, 07:08 AM
#104
Member
Thread Starter
Yes I know guys long time between updates,
There has been a sh*t load happening with work, no excuse, but also had a major scare over the motor and box recently
I get to work early one morning and get a text msg on the cell phone, "John ring me urgently about your motor and box !"
Thinking the worst that someone had broken into John's shop and taken off with the lot I made the call, John answers and says that I better pick it up post haste, asking why he explains that the receivers are coming in as he has gone bust after a major deal in the States to supply kits for the current model Vette's he had spent a few $100 G's tooling up fell through.
It was a mad rush to get it out of there but as you see by the photo, mother and child have been re-united and are safe and sound.
So yes, soon I start on the chassis and motor, scouts !
John
There has been a sh*t load happening with work, no excuse, but also had a major scare over the motor and box recently
I get to work early one morning and get a text msg on the cell phone, "John ring me urgently about your motor and box !"
Thinking the worst that someone had broken into John's shop and taken off with the lot I made the call, John answers and says that I better pick it up post haste, asking why he explains that the receivers are coming in as he has gone bust after a major deal in the States to supply kits for the current model Vette's he had spent a few $100 G's tooling up fell through.
It was a mad rush to get it out of there but as you see by the photo, mother and child have been re-united and are safe and sound.
So yes, soon I start on the chassis and motor, scouts !
John
02-22-2014, 09:13 AM
#106
Member
Thread Starter
Long time no post, and a few updates.
First, I was contacted by a Benz owner named Michael in NYC who enquired about the conversion kit, put him in contact with John here in Australia and believe that there is a manual conversion now taking shape on your side of the pond also, Michael if you read this put up your hand.
On my side, well the major hurdle no longer seems to be one after 2 days work.
The following is a series of pics starting with fabricating a rotiserie from the plans I drewup and pre cut pieces I ordered a month ago.
In order to get this chassis even half way set up correctly with the limited tools and technology we had on hand, this had to be done.
Afterwards you will see the genesis of the chassis as it developed, a friend of mine and fellow clubman Z owner and I finished the entire mock up squared and true on the car up to the rear section where it dives upward back to the rear hatch floor pan, that will have to wait for another Saturday as there are fair few redundent mounts etc plus a sectionisation required in two sections to accomodate the set up.
All in all, even though Lochlan was pretty reserved when we first started the new chassis, I think even he saw the versatility it will deliver in light of double the HP the new drive train will deliver..............I hope anyhow.
Cheers
John
First, I was contacted by a Benz owner named Michael in NYC who enquired about the conversion kit, put him in contact with John here in Australia and believe that there is a manual conversion now taking shape on your side of the pond also, Michael if you read this put up your hand.
On my side, well the major hurdle no longer seems to be one after 2 days work.
The following is a series of pics starting with fabricating a rotiserie from the plans I drewup and pre cut pieces I ordered a month ago.
In order to get this chassis even half way set up correctly with the limited tools and technology we had on hand, this had to be done.
Afterwards you will see the genesis of the chassis as it developed, a friend of mine and fellow clubman Z owner and I finished the entire mock up squared and true on the car up to the rear section where it dives upward back to the rear hatch floor pan, that will have to wait for another Saturday as there are fair few redundent mounts etc plus a sectionisation required in two sections to accomodate the set up.
All in all, even though Lochlan was pretty reserved when we first started the new chassis, I think even he saw the versatility it will deliver in light of double the HP the new drive train will deliver..............I hope anyhow.
Cheers
John
11-19-2014, 01:33 PM
#110
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Washington DC
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1999 E320 4matic Wagon, 2005 C55 AMG - sold, 1998 VW Jetta TDI - sold, 2006 C230 Sport - Totaled :(
I just read through this entire thread...was hoping to see what happened!! Hopefully this project is still alive, very nice work.
You are a crazy man, but in the most positive way, I raise my glass to you
You are a crazy man, but in the most positive way, I raise my glass to you
12-13-2014, 01:34 PM
#111
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Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: AL and TX
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BMW's and my AMG
I just had to register so I could say THANK YOU! I have done a similar swap on my E39 Touring. It is close to M5 specs now. I just need some more "hobby" time.
I work with Mercedes and have been "looking" for the right one for me. Well, I enjoying the third pedal as well as the overall expierence that the manual trans offers. The previous reason is why I just haven't been able to "pull the plug" on getting an Auto Merc. I have been close but in the end I know I will be dissapointed.
Again, thank you for taking the leap doing this. I'll have to read about the ECU issue. I was fortunate enough my car was made in a Manual so I was able to use it's programming for my car, that is, after I bought a GT1/DIS/INPA setup.
Awesome work!!!
P.S., does this "kit" require a special Tremec? I know I had issues with them in the past when I was adapting one to a '67 camaro. Quite a few versions from Ford, Chevy, Viper floating around.
I work with Mercedes and have been "looking" for the right one for me. Well, I enjoying the third pedal as well as the overall expierence that the manual trans offers. The previous reason is why I just haven't been able to "pull the plug" on getting an Auto Merc. I have been close but in the end I know I will be dissapointed.
Again, thank you for taking the leap doing this. I'll have to read about the ECU issue. I was fortunate enough my car was made in a Manual so I was able to use it's programming for my car, that is, after I bought a GT1/DIS/INPA setup.
Awesome work!!!
P.S., does this "kit" require a special Tremec? I know I had issues with them in the past when I was adapting one to a '67 camaro. Quite a few versions from Ford, Chevy, Viper floating around.
01-28-2016, 05:32 AM
#112
Member
Thread Starter
Hell folks I'm sorry
The past 18 months has been one of ups and downs and as a result the project went into moth ***** up until 2 weeks ago.
Good news is that its progressing again.
In the last episode, you all noted that I kicked off the new chassis build, well I will let the pic's do the talking, but to elaborate, before the motor can go any further to the point of being bench started, it needs to be trial fitted first, hence the need for the chassis which will carry the entire drive train and save the 40 year old body from tearing itself apart.
I hope to have the engine, box and differential all sitting in their position over the coming weeks. I know the fabrication looks industrial as its more or less heavy mig tacked together, but once all done it will be all TIG'd to create a seamless finish before media blasting and powder coating.
The "Z" cross member was a waste of time as I am now running a BMW rack out of a E46 as you will see in the pic's, The new cross member is a permanent key feature of the new chassis now, I am about to start on the rear diff cradle assy and then graft in a series of "X" sections along the floor pan section of the chassis.
The last cross member in the series shows the exhaust portals being started, from the cross member the final diff cradle will extend to the rear of the car.
With the symmetry of the new chassis, I will be able to aluminum flat sheet the bottom if I choose which will improve some of the aerodynamics of the car.
Cheers
John
The past 18 months has been one of ups and downs and as a result the project went into moth ***** up until 2 weeks ago.
Good news is that its progressing again.
In the last episode, you all noted that I kicked off the new chassis build, well I will let the pic's do the talking, but to elaborate, before the motor can go any further to the point of being bench started, it needs to be trial fitted first, hence the need for the chassis which will carry the entire drive train and save the 40 year old body from tearing itself apart.
I hope to have the engine, box and differential all sitting in their position over the coming weeks. I know the fabrication looks industrial as its more or less heavy mig tacked together, but once all done it will be all TIG'd to create a seamless finish before media blasting and powder coating.
The "Z" cross member was a waste of time as I am now running a BMW rack out of a E46 as you will see in the pic's, The new cross member is a permanent key feature of the new chassis now, I am about to start on the rear diff cradle assy and then graft in a series of "X" sections along the floor pan section of the chassis.
The last cross member in the series shows the exhaust portals being started, from the cross member the final diff cradle will extend to the rear of the car.
With the symmetry of the new chassis, I will be able to aluminum flat sheet the bottom if I choose which will improve some of the aerodynamics of the car.
Cheers
John
01-28-2016, 05:40 AM
#113
Member
Thread Starter
Cheers
John
01-28-2016, 05:42 AM
#114
Member
Thread Starter
I raise my glass of Rakija to you also, it takes a Mulac to know a Mulac LMAO
John
01-28-2016, 06:49 AM
#117
Member
Thread Starter
01-28-2016, 10:13 PM
#121
Super Member
01-29-2016, 01:10 AM
#122
Member
Thread Starter
The later post 2008 update commodore was exported to the U.S. as the Pontiac G8
Cheers
John
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_Lumina
Last edited by Sirpent; 01-29-2016 at 01:26 AM.
01-29-2016, 01:11 AM
#123
Member
Thread Starter
02-08-2016, 04:43 AM
#124
Member
Thread Starter
Well got stuck into the rear end geometry over the weekend and working around small factory tolerances when the sheet metal and rear mustache bar mounts were welded in place.
Going with a solid rear means that the play in items such as the hangers and rear lower LCA support's that allowed everything to bolt up and line up with a bit of manipulation just isn't there and things get pretty tight with bolt points etc when you are working with substantially larger chunks or metal.
Anyhow, the picture series below tell the story, the original hanger plates pictured for the last time will now be consigned to the parts bin, in their place 5mm walled RHS beam utilising the hanger bolt points and the 2 mustache mounts, this should give a good foundation for the suspension set up and mounting the diff off.
The forward member that the LCA's will eventually be grafted to utilise the 4 bolt mounts from the old LCA forward cross member.
YES, crush tubes will be added to all these bolt points shortly.
From there 205mm hangers from the same material currently held in place by some plates and clamps. and off of these 42mm OD pipe with a 4mm wall thickness. These are welded to the hangers and will act as the pivot rods for Arizona Z type LCA's, all that will need to be done is to weld on 4 brackets on each so that the Rose Joints/ Rod Ends can bolt up to. These will have 3-4 bolts points on each to allow for the joints to be bolted higher or lower to help with adjustment should it be needed when the suspension is lowered etc etc etc.
So that was all for today, new "D" size gas bottle is great, no problems running out of gas, but of course I ran out of mig wire this time.
Stay tuned getting closer to fitting the motor, box and diff into the new chassis.
Cheers
John
Going with a solid rear means that the play in items such as the hangers and rear lower LCA support's that allowed everything to bolt up and line up with a bit of manipulation just isn't there and things get pretty tight with bolt points etc when you are working with substantially larger chunks or metal.
Anyhow, the picture series below tell the story, the original hanger plates pictured for the last time will now be consigned to the parts bin, in their place 5mm walled RHS beam utilising the hanger bolt points and the 2 mustache mounts, this should give a good foundation for the suspension set up and mounting the diff off.
The forward member that the LCA's will eventually be grafted to utilise the 4 bolt mounts from the old LCA forward cross member.
YES, crush tubes will be added to all these bolt points shortly.
From there 205mm hangers from the same material currently held in place by some plates and clamps. and off of these 42mm OD pipe with a 4mm wall thickness. These are welded to the hangers and will act as the pivot rods for Arizona Z type LCA's, all that will need to be done is to weld on 4 brackets on each so that the Rose Joints/ Rod Ends can bolt up to. These will have 3-4 bolts points on each to allow for the joints to be bolted higher or lower to help with adjustment should it be needed when the suspension is lowered etc etc etc.
So that was all for today, new "D" size gas bottle is great, no problems running out of gas, but of course I ran out of mig wire this time.
Stay tuned getting closer to fitting the motor, box and diff into the new chassis.
Cheers
John
03-14-2016, 12:35 AM
#125
Member
Thread Starter
OK, so slowly slowly but its all coming together slowly
Finished the dual exhaust port mock up's in the rearward member and have now started positioning the differential.
The original diff outriggers on either side of the front of the diff were unusable as they came off a FG Ford XR8 sedan and the Z hasnt got the rook to accomodate them in any way, do I fabricated some 10mm mount plates and using poly bushes managed to mount the first one in place.
The rear of the diff will need some rework in that I will have to laser scan the hat so as to have a plate laser cut from which I will create a new hat with dual mounts incorporated similar in concept to the one pictured last below, this is a $1,000 aftermarket item available here in Oz for the same diff in the sedan
Unfortunately the placement of these mounts would interfere with my spare wheel well so that renders it useless as an alternative.
Cheers
John
Finished the dual exhaust port mock up's in the rearward member and have now started positioning the differential.
The original diff outriggers on either side of the front of the diff were unusable as they came off a FG Ford XR8 sedan and the Z hasnt got the rook to accomodate them in any way, do I fabricated some 10mm mount plates and using poly bushes managed to mount the first one in place.
The rear of the diff will need some rework in that I will have to laser scan the hat so as to have a plate laser cut from which I will create a new hat with dual mounts incorporated similar in concept to the one pictured last below, this is a $1,000 aftermarket item available here in Oz for the same diff in the sedan
Unfortunately the placement of these mounts would interfere with my spare wheel well so that renders it useless as an alternative.
Cheers
John
