1966 GTO L92 / 6L80E / Air Ride Street Challenge Project

[Kevin O]

I get your drift on the rack and pinion setup.     I like the original steering box and I really like the Saginaw pump on the engine, but we'll have to see what we can make work.   

I've seen multiple fuel pickups used in stock tanks that work OK, and also surge or slosh tanks.    But I want to keep this one simple!   (if you can believe that!)

[67RSSS]

Particularly since he actually wants to drive it!  I have heard and read some positive feedback with the baskets, but it isn't positive low level control like welded baffles.  Unfortunately, you may or may not have the time for a full custom tank.  A lot of testing has to happen with the fuel supply.  We got very lucky though, and our tank was a week early.  Just trying to keep things moving, and trying to keep from spending all your customers cash...

[67RSSS]

On the S&P site there is a 65 Chevelle build that has the F-Body accesories and it looks like itclears, but they changed everything over to a new routing scheme.  The build is at http://216.25.99.66/Streetstories/65ls1chevelle.pdf
They used A on pages 86 and 87, for the truck engines, this is $1840.00.

[newguy]

Looks like a lotta work to get all the details figured out to make this puppy run and fit right...  As Kevin stated - I plan to DRIVE this car!

I have started my own website for it - www.driven-1.com

I'm eagerly awaiting for the next video blog to show some more progress. 

[Kevin O]

There are alot of details to chase, but we're making it all come together.    We've got some new insight on the steering system today as well as some fuel system possibilities.     Much more to come!

[67RSSS]

Kevin, here is the cheapest correct tool for damper install I have found.  For $44, you can't go wrong...
http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=391883

[Kevin O]

That's cool.   We have a pretty good puller / installer set, I'll have to make sure it has the thread pitch of the LS1.   Thanks for finding and posting that one.. I'll look into it.   

[Kevin O]

We're in the shop today working on fitting the engine and trans.    The current setup puts the power steering pulley right through the steering box, which brings up a coupe scenarios.    The first is that the owner originally wanted a rack & pinion setup for this car, but we were hesitant because of the time frame being short.     I didn't want to get into a steering / clearance fabrication nightmare.     I also don't like some conversions using a rack that is designed for a car weighing 2000lbs less than the GTO, and the bump-steer issues that can go along with improper tie rod length and geometry. 

Coincidentally, we Eric from Speed Direct contacted us about using their Steeroids rack and pinion setup on the car.    They already have the '68-'72 conversions available, but they wanted to expand their line into the '64-'67 range and though this would also help our clearance issue.     We've seen their conversions before an like how they use a rack capable of steering heavy cars and that they're conscious of proper geometry and tie rod length to reduce bumpsteer.      They sent some pics over to show the clearance, and it looks like there will be a ton of room even if we use the current belt setup, so we're going to test and see how it all fits together.       More to come on this part!

[Kevin O]

We're open to suggestions on the shifter...


So I'm assuming we'll need something from a Corvette or a floor-shift Caddy, seeing that all the trucks are column shift, right?

[Kevin O]

Wow, this is a huge transmission.

Here's some shots of another test fit from under the car... the top of the trans is 1/4 inch from touching the floor of the car.     The trans has to go up at least another 4.5 inches to bring the bottom of the pan to 1" below the frame.     Then, the output shaft is up higher than usual, so the trans tunnel and the drive shaft tunnel have to be cut out to make room.    Next comes possible issues with the engine / trans angle... the engine may have to go up in the front to allow for the trans to pitch down towards the rear axle, making the engine / hood clearance too tight.    Hmmm...

[Qball]

Is it that the accessories would be too high causing your tight hood clearances?  If so, could you use a cu$tom accessory drive?

[Kevin O]

Anything is possible... it just has to fit the timeline and budget!       

[67RSSS]

Kevin, how do you guys feel about a custom trans tunnel?  The 6 speed autos are huge!

[Kevin O]

We're more concerned with making not only a custom trans tunnel, but also a driveshaft tunnel running all the way back.     See how low the trans pan is?    Most transmissions have the pan flush with the bottom of the bellhousing.    This one hangs another 2" down.   I don't dig that, especially on a car that's going to have an air suspension system and can be lowered all the way down.     So in order to get the trans pan high enough, we'll have to elevate the trans - and the engine - up another 4 - 5 inches at least.    That's going to affect the output of the trans and the driveshaft, the floor, the rear seat, etc., etc.... we're considering some other options at this point.     And we don't want to do a ton of custom work, cut up the car, and then find out that the 6-speed may not be the right choice for a musclecar.      You know?   The we'd have to un-do all that work just to put a traditional GM auto back in the car.     

[67RSSS]

May not be anywhere near as cool, but a 4L80E fits pretty nicely with just a few reliefs in the tunnel.  A T56 6speed would also fit nicely, and is a LOT of fun to drive in an older car.  The hydraulic setup isn't fun, but it isn't hard either.  Had not considered the drop on the pan, wonder it there will be an aftermarket solution to that issue in the near future?  I can imagine a remote resevoir type scheme, or a pan that swings wide, or something along that line.  The car based 6 speed auto for rear wheel apps isn't available yet, but when it is, it will make this a moot point.