Lars' Tech Project - Latest Photos: It Runs!
11-14-2005, 01:17 PM
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Lars' Tech Project - Latest Photos: It Runs!
Project Nova is moving along at a steady pace, and the car is now running under its own power! All power systems have been shaken down and tried out with a few passes out in the street, and everything works perfectly. I’m now doing the final body work and fit-up of the panels in preparation for paint. These photos were taken this past weekend just prior to laying the first coats of fill primer on the car. The car is now all one color, and I’m blocking out the primer. But here are a few shots of some of the features on the car:
Enjoying cold beer and racecar fabrication…weekends don’t get much better! I have divided my garage in half with a roll-up curtain in order to keep the sanding dust out of the bar area and the engine assembly area.
Bottom view of the car shows off the full tube frame and the “street legal” exhaust system with “mufflers.” Inward facing exhaust outlets help in noise cancellation and keep the exhaust from kicking up dust when running the car through a dirt pit area.
The interior is complete less installation of the passenger side seat. All gauges have been mounted in the filled dash to keep the appearance as clean as possible. Fusebox, junctions, ignition system (with coil) and all electrical is mounted inside the glovebox. Tranny brake button can be seen on the trans tunnel just aft of the shifter. Line lock button is installed on the shifter handle.
The motor plate allows the engine to be installed with no crossmember under the block. This gives free and easy access to pulling the pan for bearing inspection/replacement in the pits. Note Wilwood disc brakes, coilover suspension system and Pinto rack & pinion.
355 small block installation was made as clean as possible to facilitate easy access and maintenance. Note fuel return system running through the fuel bowls utilizing a return-style regulator mounted on the firewall. GM A/C blower motor turns the water pump. Carb in this photo is a borrowed 950HP Holley just so we could get the car running until we get the 1050 Dominator procured. Throttle response and power with the 950 on the 355 is crisp and instant, but the 1050 tends to run .2 faster in the quarter.
Ford 9” is narrowed and set up with 5.13:1 gears with a spool. The Holley “black” pump sounds like a small engine running in the back of the car… All fuel lines and brake lines are stainless steel (1/2” feed and 3/8” return).
Enjoying cold beer and racecar fabrication…weekends don’t get much better! I have divided my garage in half with a roll-up curtain in order to keep the sanding dust out of the bar area and the engine assembly area.
Bottom view of the car shows off the full tube frame and the “street legal” exhaust system with “mufflers.” Inward facing exhaust outlets help in noise cancellation and keep the exhaust from kicking up dust when running the car through a dirt pit area.
The interior is complete less installation of the passenger side seat. All gauges have been mounted in the filled dash to keep the appearance as clean as possible. Fusebox, junctions, ignition system (with coil) and all electrical is mounted inside the glovebox. Tranny brake button can be seen on the trans tunnel just aft of the shifter. Line lock button is installed on the shifter handle.
The motor plate allows the engine to be installed with no crossmember under the block. This gives free and easy access to pulling the pan for bearing inspection/replacement in the pits. Note Wilwood disc brakes, coilover suspension system and Pinto rack & pinion.
355 small block installation was made as clean as possible to facilitate easy access and maintenance. Note fuel return system running through the fuel bowls utilizing a return-style regulator mounted on the firewall. GM A/C blower motor turns the water pump. Carb in this photo is a borrowed 950HP Holley just so we could get the car running until we get the 1050 Dominator procured. Throttle response and power with the 950 on the 355 is crisp and instant, but the 1050 tends to run .2 faster in the quarter.
Ford 9” is narrowed and set up with 5.13:1 gears with a spool. The Holley “black” pump sounds like a small engine running in the back of the car… All fuel lines and brake lines are stainless steel (1/2” feed and 3/8” return).
11-14-2005, 01:34 PM
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Gee, Lars, I guess "J"-Stock Automatic is out of the question now 
Looks terrific - should be magazine article material when it's done!
Looks terrific - should be magazine article material when it's done!
11-14-2005, 01:46 PM
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Thanks, John! We're planning on showing the car in one of the "restored" classes...
I'm thinking, too, the car is magazine quality - I'd like to send some review photos in once it's completed to see if we can get a feature on it in one of the mags... any ideas on who might want to do a feature..?
I'm thinking, too, the car is magazine quality - I'd like to send some review photos in once it's completed to see if we can get a feature on it in one of the mags... any ideas on who might want to do a feature..?
11-14-2005, 01:49 PM
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"GM A/C blower motor turns the water pump."
Why did you do this instead of getting an electric water pump?
Looks great! When are you going to spray the color?
Why did you do this instead of getting an electric water pump?
Looks great! When are you going to spray the color?
11-14-2005, 02:19 PM
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Electric water pump: $269.00
Use existing stock water pump and fabricate an electric drive system using an old blower motor from my shed : FREE
Effectiveness: Identical.
I'm hoping to get this thing blocked, prepped, and ready for paint before Christmas. Don't plan on leaving town, 'cause you're on the invite list to waste a day prepping this thing for the booth...
Use existing stock water pump and fabricate an electric drive system using an old blower motor from my shed : FREE
Effectiveness: Identical.
I'm hoping to get this thing blocked, prepped, and ready for paint before Christmas. Don't plan on leaving town, 'cause you're on the invite list to waste a day prepping this thing for the booth...
11-14-2005, 02:38 PM
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The engine is a very mild 355 "street" engine with a stock bottom end, Dart heads out of the box, and a big CompCams solid drag race profile cam. It dyno'd at a modest 433.7 horsepower at 6200 rpm and 391 ft/lbs at 4900 (pulled the dyno run up through 6900 rpm on the stock-rod bottom end with power dropping to 401 horse at 6900). If the car comes out to a finished weight of about 2500 pounds, it should put the car in the mid to low 11-second range.
We just had the car tech inspected by NHRA, and the cage is certified down to 7 seconds. The intent is to re-engine the car with something a bit more potent once we have a little track time on it to shake down the chassis. Then drop this little 430-horse 355 in my '64 Vette.
We just had the car tech inspected by NHRA, and the cage is certified down to 7 seconds. The intent is to re-engine the car with something a bit more potent once we have a little track time on it to shake down the chassis. Then drop this little 430-horse 355 in my '64 Vette.
Last edited by lars; 11-14-2005 at 04:16 PM.
11-14-2005, 04:38 PM
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Originally Posted by lars
Thanks, John! We're planning on showing the car in one of the "restored" classes...
I'm thinking, too, the car is magazine quality - I'd like to send some review photos in once it's completed to see if we can get a feature on it in one of the mags... any ideas on who might want to do a feature..?
I'm thinking, too, the car is magazine quality - I'd like to send some review photos in once it's completed to see if we can get a feature on it in one of the mags... any ideas on who might want to do a feature..?
11-14-2005, 07:11 PM
#11
Le Mans Master
Originally Posted by lars
The engine is a very mild 355 "street" engine with a stock bottom end, Dart heads out of the box, and a big CompCams solid drag race profile cam. It dyno'd at a modest 433.7 horsepower at 6200 rpm and 391 ft/lbs at 4900 (pulled the dyno run up through 6900 rpm on the stock-rod bottom end with power dropping to 401 horse at 6900). If the car comes out to a finished weight of about 2500 pounds, it should put the car in the mid to low 11-second range.
We just had the car tech inspected by NHRA, and the cage is certified down to 7 seconds. The intent is to re-engine the car with something a bit more potent once we have a little track time on it to shake down the chassis. Then drop this little 430-horse 355 in my '64 Vette.
We just had the car tech inspected by NHRA, and the cage is certified down to 7 seconds. The intent is to re-engine the car with something a bit more potent once we have a little track time on it to shake down the chassis. Then drop this little 430-horse 355 in my '64 Vette.
The intent is to re-engine the car with something a bit more potent once we have a little track time on it to shake down
That ther is some sweet fabben... Very Very Nice.. I gotta start drinken more beer...
11-14-2005, 07:11 PM
#12
Le Mans Master
Originally Posted by lars
The engine is a very mild 355 "street" engine with a stock bottom end, Dart heads out of the box, and a big CompCams solid drag race profile cam. It dyno'd at a modest 433.7 horsepower at 6200 rpm and 391 ft/lbs at 4900 (pulled the dyno run up through 6900 rpm on the stock-rod bottom end with power dropping to 401 horse at 6900). If the car comes out to a finished weight of about 2500 pounds, it should put the car in the mid to low 11-second range.
We just had the car tech inspected by NHRA, and the cage is certified down to 7 seconds. The intent is to re-engine the car with something a bit more potent once we have a little track time on it to shake down the chassis. Then drop this little 430-horse 355 in my '64 Vette.
We just had the car tech inspected by NHRA, and the cage is certified down to 7 seconds. The intent is to re-engine the car with something a bit more potent once we have a little track time on it to shake down the chassis. Then drop this little 430-horse 355 in my '64 Vette.
The intent is to re-engine the car with something a bit more potent once we have a little track time on it to shake down
That ther is some sweet fabben... Very Very Nice.. I gotta start drinken more beer...
11-14-2005, 07:12 PM
#13
Le Mans Master
Originally Posted by lars
The engine is a very mild 355 "street" engine with a stock bottom end, Dart heads out of the box, and a big CompCams solid drag race profile cam. It dyno'd at a modest 433.7 horsepower at 6200 rpm and 391 ft/lbs at 4900 (pulled the dyno run up through 6900 rpm on the stock-rod bottom end with power dropping to 401 horse at 6900). If the car comes out to a finished weight of about 2500 pounds, it should put the car in the mid to low 11-second range.
We just had the car tech inspected by NHRA, and the cage is certified down to 7 seconds. The intent is to re-engine the car with something a bit more potent once we have a little track time on it to shake down the chassis. Then drop this little 430-horse 355 in my '64 Vette.
We just had the car tech inspected by NHRA, and the cage is certified down to 7 seconds. The intent is to re-engine the car with something a bit more potent once we have a little track time on it to shake down the chassis. Then drop this little 430-horse 355 in my '64 Vette.
The intent is to re-engine the car with something a bit more potent once we have a little track time on it to shake down
That ther is some sweet fabben... Very Very Nice.. I gotta start drinken more beer...
11-14-2005, 07:15 PM
#14
Le Mans Master
Originally Posted by lars
The engine is a very mild 355 "street" engine with a stock bottom end, Dart heads out of the box, and a big CompCams solid drag race profile cam. It dyno'd at a modest 433.7 horsepower at 6200 rpm and 391 ft/lbs at 4900 (pulled the dyno run up through 6900 rpm on the stock-rod bottom end with power dropping to 401 horse at 6900). If the car comes out to a finished weight of about 2500 pounds, it should put the car in the mid to low 11-second range.
We just had the car tech inspected by NHRA, and the cage is certified down to 7 seconds. The intent is to re-engine the car with something a bit more potent once we have a little track time on it to shake down the chassis. Then drop this little 430-horse 355 in my '64 Vette.
We just had the car tech inspected by NHRA, and the cage is certified down to 7 seconds. The intent is to re-engine the car with something a bit more potent once we have a little track time on it to shake down the chassis. Then drop this little 430-horse 355 in my '64 Vette.
The intent is to re-engine the car with something a bit more potent once we have a little track time on it to shake down
That ther is some sweet fabben... Very Very Nice.. I gotta start drinken more beer...
11-14-2005, 08:57 PM
#16
Burning Brakes
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Originally Posted by lars
Electric water pump: $269.00
Use existing stock water pump and fabricate an electric drive system using an old blower motor from my shed : FREE
Effectiveness: Identical.
I'm hoping to get this thing blocked, prepped, and ready for paint before Christmas. Don't plan on leaving town, 'cause you're on the invite list to waste a day prepping this thing for the booth...
Use existing stock water pump and fabricate an electric drive system using an old blower motor from my shed : FREE
Effectiveness: Identical.
I'm hoping to get this thing blocked, prepped, and ready for paint before Christmas. Don't plan on leaving town, 'cause you're on the invite list to waste a day prepping this thing for the booth...
So, you're doing the project on the cheap. Figures.
You know how I've missed the 16' sanding board, let me know when I can get dusty.
11-15-2005, 12:55 PM
#18
Safety Car
Great looking fabrication, lars. The car looks like one heck of a fun project. Sounds like the CCC boys are gearing up for a 'group beer' work session! ... NICE
John
John
11-15-2005, 01:59 PM
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Originally Posted by Brutal64
So, you're doing the project on the cheap. Figures.
You know how I've missed the 16' sanding board, let me know when I can get dusty.
You know how I've missed the 16' sanding board, let me know when I can get dusty.
By fabricating everything possible on this car and only buying the things absolutely not possible to build ourselves (like the Wilwood calipers, Flaming River rack, etc), the total receipts and the projected completion costs for the entire car, including the initial purchase price of the car, is coming in at under $15,000...
Your 16" board is laying right alongside the car. Whenever you want to inhale some dust and be able to pick blue/green buggers, I'll even load it up with a piece of sandpaper for you.
