LBC Build Log - Apex

[Scott Davis]

Got a solid chunk of the exhaust put together. I thought I'd be better at this lol. Compound angles are tricky. Pie cuts might actually be easier. Before they are completely welded up I'm going to sand blast them so I can Cerakote them.

Picked up the benchtop blast cabinet at HF. Had some much needed modifications to work properly. Replacing the pick up straw with the gravity feed and metering valve makes it actually usable. Also replaced the crummy hoses and connections + bulkhead fitting.

 

[Rich Kruger]

Try to get that cabinet to seal as best as possible. If you using glass bead it makes the floor like ice.

 

[Scott Davis]

Started putting together a transaxle support. This is a G96.01. Still need to weld on the tabs and close the square tubing. I did tack in some round tubing inside the bolt holes also to prevent the "thin" walled square tubing from collapsing. Also I bought a powerflex gearbox bushing to close the gap of the mount and tighten things up (PFR57-530B). Also provide a flat surface to mount to.

and the bushing.

 

[Scott Davis]

I won't be able to move forward completing the exhaust without dealing with the body. Something I've been dreading since test fitting it several times. Every time we start on the body we move on to something else because we just have no clue how to make it fit.....But it must be done.

I started by cutting another inch off of the roofline sheet metal (which unfortunately meant cannibalizing my firewall mount). This did allow to drop the body some, but things are still drastically off. Despite the center of the car appearing "equally" aligned around the driver/passenger door jams, the rear of the car is at least 1 1/2" to driver side in the rear. Also still can't open/close doors. The opening with the side skirts (attached to mid-section) is too small. Here's a pic of it mocked into place anyway. Will pray WHOEVER worked on the grey Superlite car before they abandoned it, will be able to chat with me at Superlite. Fran said he had pictures but I've never been able to get them.

 

[Scott Davis]

I cut out a vent hole. The idea is for the exhaust to be visible through here...sweeping up before wrapping around to the muffler/tips.

 

[Scott Davis]

Pretty happy to have finally found the Aerocatch 3 latches at a decent price (it's the little things). Typically $280ish plus shipping (for 2) across the board here in US, but I picked up 4 for $240 even with $30 uk shipping from Demontweeks on Ebay. I was skeptical what was going to come....but all good.

Can anyone recommend a good black button head (or more appropriate) bolt to mount these. The head will be visible/exposed. I've bought some in the past that haven't lasted (rust).

What I've had. Hillco black ice

 

[Brian Kissel]

Scott, you could get these 316 stainless bolts and have the heads powder coated. The 18-8 stainless bolts you got still have iron in them and will rust as you say. 316 stainless is really corrosion resistant.

McMaster-Carr

McMaster-Carr is the complete source for your plant with over 595,000 products. 98% of products ordered ship from stock and deliver same or next day.

www.mcmaster.com

Regards Brian

 

[Scott Davis]

We just spent weeks trying to diagnose our frame and body fitment issues. I've had it with plumb bobs and lasers for sure. We definitely have a chassis squareness issues. Mounting the rear-end to the center section was a nightmare. Nothing fit and most everything had to be cut-off and redone. We did check chassis squareness originally and thought we were within 1/16". Well something must have moved or there was a measurement issue, and since then....things have become much more "permanent". Long story short we are going to have to cut many welds and supports and pull the rear-end off. The four remaining mounting tabs that came from Superlite (that mount to the existing Eclipse locations) probably need to be cutoff too. I imagine it will take a very long time (given the short amount I work on this thing weekly).

That said I'm trying to get every little item that welds to the chassis complete now since everything is coming out. I think the frame will get final paint before anything goes back in. So instead of starting to straighten things out I'm currently finishing the exhaust and mounts and putting tabs where I think the body will mount. And for extra punishment, I'm thinking of converting to pushrod lol.

Holding spintech mufflers up with tons of duck tape...really wish they were lighter. lol.

 

[Brian]

Scott, can you post a few pictures of what these latches look like open and how they'll fit into the gunnel?

They look tasty, but not enough info on their websites or any of the ebay listers.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Scott Davis]

Scott, can you post a few pictures of what these latches look like open and how they'll fit into the gunnel?

They look tasty, but not enough info on their websites or any of the ebay listers.

Thanks in advance.

Yes, I'll take some pics when I'm back. Aerocatch has 2 "full-size" rectangular latches; one that is surfaced mounted and these which are recessed. These are certainly going to be the more difficult to install and get the right thickness of the recessed area. I think ultimately this will be a cleaner look than the large surfaced mounted ones (for a street car); but it will be a balance of looks/strength on how flush they are.

This short video does a pretty good job showing the difference Youtube-Aerocatch3

 

[Brian]

THANKS!!

Yea, that's perfect. I was wondering if it split in the middle like that. Next question is if the arc of the pivot on the ends of the clams is long enough for them to not bind as they approach from behind rather than dropping straight down. Looks like it wouldn't be a problem.

 

[Scott Davis]

Actually straight down is more of an issue (well I guess that depends on orientation). The halves need to slide together as there is a tongue/groove.
I don't (plan to) have a pivot issue as I'm just lifting off the rear clam (for better or for worse).