Postal123

All,

I wanted to post an update. The body is finally mounted on its new chassis. Over 8 days and approx 100 hrs I managed to remove the body, modify the rear floor area, treat the rocker areas, clean/undercoat the body and mount the body. I've seen posts asking for pics of the floor mod for the SRIII frame but wasn't able to find any myself. Here's my attempt to help any who follow-suit out. Hope the helps...the frame fit was perfect!

regards,
Rob

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...g?t=1318822964

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...g?t=1318822964

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...g?t=1318822964

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...g?t=1318822964

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...g?t=1318822964

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...g?t=1318822964

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...g?t=1318822964

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...g?t=1318822965

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...g?t=1318822965

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...g?t=1318822965

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...g?t=1318822965

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...g?t=1318822965

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...g?t=1318822965

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...g?t=1318822965

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...g?t=1318822965

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...g?t=1318822965

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...g?t=1318822965

Postal123

All -- I need to add that photo #7 (mock-up) of the floor is a bad pic; it show the top panel too high near the seat backs...this was only an experiment, is not correct and was posted in error.

Apologies,
Rob

riggs 74

Very nice setup.

Riggs.

BTAL

Ok, something is definitely wrong with those pictures... Your garage is WAY WAY too clean and organized.

Nice work!

Postal123

Thanks to both of you. I'm needing to clean and regroup so I don't get burned out. I still have a long way to go, but hopefully will have really cool car on the road in a few months.

r,
Rob

parkerracing

Well it couldn't have fit THAT perfect if you had to modify the rear storage area that much...lol.

Is that mod manditory with the SRIII or something unique to your wheel/tire combo? Cool ride.

MotorHead

I thought he was tubbing it.

gcusmano74

A very ambitious and gorgeous job.
Congrats to you.

Postal123

It is required for all SRIII frames. 1st, the storage comparment/battery box needs to be removed to clear the diff mount. I guess you could just modify each inner-side to allow a wider passage down the center, but I haven't seen anyone do this and don't really see a benefit for the effort involved. Many do mount an underbody battery box, but it is marked, cut and installed after the large flat panel has been bonded in place...I am planning to do this with a stainless box. 2nd, the frame rails that continue to the rear are a tad narrower than the stock frame (where the coil-over top mounts are located) and they require what Mike, at SRIII, refers to as 'football' panels. Some frames can accept 'tubs' which would require additional inner fenderwell 'tubbing'...mine was built to mimic the stock look as much as possible...hence; my 'football' panels are actually below the limiting fender wells so I will have the same wheel space as a stock vette. I will have to measure carefully for offset, but will not have to worry about trailing arm interference.

All in all, the only difficulty stems from uncertainty...I think I could do it in half the time now, but taking a sawzall to your floor is a little intimidating...lots of body up and down going on throughout.

I hope this helps and please post or PM if you have questions. Mike at SRIII is first class to work with...always available, always patient and always very helpful.

Now that I'm getting into the Corvette specific areas I'm sure I'll be leaning on many of you for support. Ordered my AIM and Shop manual last night...doors, headlights, wiper door, windshield trim??? These cars aren't exactly intuitive...

r,
Rob

opnwide

Looking good.
Wish I could post more, but I think I need to go to my garage and tidy up a bit...

Postal123

I know I'm a little OCD about trying to keep things organized, but I HATE clutter! I love to throw things away...actually I had to have a storage unit for the car and chassis while I was assigned in Korea last year...so any big items (hood, deck lid, top, the old chassis) get transported back to the storage unit while the project goes on. Recently moved in and spent some time getting a 2-car garage ready for the body swap...can't wait til I have a single unit corvette as opposed to things all over the place. Stop giving me grief

mark6669

Great looking car Keep the pictures coming. My 69 has Jamison chassis very similar to SRIII
I put vintage air in & rt front battery mount from midyear
Mark

SmokedTires

Great job so far

NassyVette

Look'n good, thanks for sharing the pics/notes.

ylose

So amazing....i would love that frame equipped with C5 components.

Maymyvetteliveforevr

Excellent job!

Just so I understand correctly, it took you approximately 100 man hours to remove the body, perform the work you specified and reinstall the body? Did you have help, as in extra set of hands, at any point

Postal123

Thanks.

Regarding the C5 option, I agree it would be nice...I did speak with Mike at SRIII in depth on my options. At his advice I specifically went with '87 C4 gear and a Dana 44 upgraded diff. Why? My goal is a modernized restomod ie. all the niceties that are possible and still allow a look that is as close as possible to orginal both inside and out. When C4s went from 16 to 17 inch rims, the track width increased (i believe 1 inch per side/2 inches overall) and the greater the track width the more concern I had with the 'look'. Many of the finished SRIII cars are using very modern looking high offset wheels...while I 'am hoping' to get the desired look with 17fr/18rr TTIIs. If you look at the last pic it shows how the spacesavers fit in the well. Just somthing to think about...there are few SRIIIs now using the newest drivetrains, to include a modified tunnel with torque tubes...there's your performance option!

It was approx 100-110 hrs and yes I did work alone. This included 10-15 additional hours just trying to make everything pretty (channels and underbody). In addtion, if I knew beforehand, how/where to cut and how exactly the floor pieces were supposed to fit it, it would have gone much faster. This is my first corvette, so lots of first-time learning going on.

If all would like, I will post a few pics of the bare chassis, and continue to post pics as I go along??

r,
Rob