The SN65 project car

Hi All,

Yesterday was a tough day.

After much debate, we decided to powder coat the front spindles and the rear lower control arms. I was wishing to keep them natural, but I was beaten into submission by the rest of the guys in the shop. Both items had a few cosmetic issues (stains in the castings and inconsistent surface texture) that just did not look right. I dropped these items off at the powder coater, but they will not be ready until Thursday, which is going to slow us down a bit on the assembly.

Also, I found out that it will be a week or two before we can receive a cooling mod kit from LDC Chicago. This means that we are going to have to continue with the Apten kit and make it work as best we can. I am sure we can get it to fit up right, but it would be a lot easier with the LDC Chicago kit. This is also going to slow us down a bit.

Wayne finished off the interior of the flares by grinding all the surfaces smooth and "filling / skim coating" the inner gaps and contours with the same 4040 material used to bond the flare to the quarter panel. Once we apply the undercoating to the inside of the wheel housing, it will look perfect. When he was done with the flares, he started skim coating the roof and the top of the cowl area.

attachment.php


attachment.php


attachment.php


Just for grins I posted a close up of the chassis (of the fuel and brake lines between the rear frame rails). If you look close you will note that we are using 3m strip caulk at all the pop riveted and screwed components (you can see it ooze from behind some of the mounted items). This may be a little excessive, but we feel it is good insurance against any rust weeping from where the fastener scratches the coating during installation.

Today we continue to detail and assemble as many parts as we can. We will concentrate on the suspension and chassis as well as finishing off the engine cooling modification.

Wish us luck today, we are going to need it. :-)

SN65
Come see this WIP at
Julian's Collision Center
http://www.julianscollisioncenter.com/
 
shelbe67 said:
what kind of paint are you using? is it a single stage paint? I was just wondering this thing looks awesome you really give me a reason to go and work on mine!
Hi S,

We are using a PPG basecoat clearcoat system. It is interesting to note that the PPG number for the 05 Screaming Yellow base is 666.

Good luck on your project.

Catch you l8r

SN65
Come see this WIP at
Julian's Collision Center
http://www.julianscollisioncenter.com/
 
Wow, been awhile since I've been on here. Looks awesome man. I can't wait to see a fender shot with ther flares next to the photoshop. Are you still set on the 2003 wheels or is there a surprise in the works?

Best regards. Keep on banging that thing out man, I can't wait to see/hear it.
 
MrBobMarley said:
Wow, been awhile since I've been on here. Looks awesome man. I can't wait to see a fender shot with ther flares next to the photoshop. Are you still set on the 2003 wheels or is there a surprise in the works?

Best regards. Keep on banging that thing out man, I can't wait to see/hear it.
Hi BM,

Glad to see you back.

I am still planning on using the 03 Cobra wheels. I may trade up to Cobra "R" wheels (or some other custom wheel), but I will make that determination after I get the car on its wheels.

Catch you l8r

SN65
Come see this WIP at
Julian's Collision Center
http://www.julianscollisioncenter.com/
 
shelbe67 said:
I know that you probably dont need them but are you gonna use some subframe connectors?
Hi S,

No, we are not going to use subframe connectors. I believe the chassis is as stiff enough as is. Once we have the car on the frame rack again, we will perform some torsional tests on the chassis just to see how stiff it really is.

Catch you l8r

SN65
Come see this WIP at
Julian's Collision Center
http://www.julianscollisioncenter.com/
 
Hi All,

We did not get as far as we had hoped yesterday. Work raised it's ugly head and I had some issues that needed my personal attention. Also, I will have to go out of town next week so the schedule will slip a bit more. I guess that ain't too bad in that we will not have some of the parts needed to install the drivetrain. We really need a new clutch pressure plate, etc... and Centerforce says that they currently have 300 03 Cobra clutch setups on backorder.

Anyway, we have been plugging away on the IRS. The re-assembly and the installation of the Maximum Motorsports bushing kit is a bit more complex than we thought it was going to be. We thought "just insert the bushings and bolt it up, but no such luck. Lots of shimming and alignment issues. And you know us, we are not happy unless this thing lines up right on the button.

Anyway... Here is a shot of the IRS as it sits this morning.

attachment.php


While I am working on this, Wayne will be finishing the FRP work on the rear fender flares.

Well it is time to get back to work. Wish us luck.

SN65
Come see this WIP at
Julian's Collision Center
http://www.julianscollisioncenter.com/
 
SN65 said:
Hi All,

We really need a new clutch pressure plate, etc... and Centerforce says that they currently have 300 03 Cobra clutch setups on backorder.


SN65
Come see this WIP at
Julian's Collision Center
http://www.julianscollisioncenter.com/

You should call them up and explain to them the creation you have put together. In addition send them a few pics and I would be very surprised if you weren't bumped up to the top of the list. Who knows, you might even get it discounted. This car is definitely going to get some publicity and I am sure Centerforce would be happy for a mention of one of their components in the car.