0EG@EnglandGreen

As always, full details of The Grond Chronicles are at http://www.grond.tv

Precis : Shattered Hammer, soon to be Reforged…

Part 1 of The Grond Chronicles : The Reincarnation, dealt with stripping the body panels and removing the entire drivetrain and engine. Details are here

Part 2 documented the complete engine teardown and looked like a scene out of Chernobyl. Details are here

I then auctioned off 2 of my melted pistons to benefit St. Jude Childrens Hospital on the Corvette Forum. That auction raised $2400 for the sick kids - here

Part 3 covered the interior demolition. Details are here

Along the way, I bought this – a JL Audio 18inch subwoofer. And a few amplifiers…

Part 4 documented how to install 4.5inch tubs on a C5 Coupe and a weld-in custom 6 point chrome moly roll cage (cage courtesy of Cajundude). Details are here

At the end of Part 4, I bought a brand new bare LS2 block - here

Part 5 covered the build of the custom fibreglass enclosure for the mega subwoofer, false floor, the beginnings of the amp racks, and targa top storage. Details are here

During Part 5, I became a Supporting Tuner - here

Part 6, that you are reading now, will detail the installation of a ratchet shifter connected to a 4L60E transaxle transmission. This is a C5 first!

Parts 7, 8, 9, etc. I will reveal as time goes on. This project will stretch for several months – at least until March 2007 - so please pull up a chair, open a cold one and get comfy.

So without further ado, here are the pics.

EG

Is there any interest in this as a turnkey mod?

Currently this is a weld-in permanent mod but I am thinking of offering this as still a custom mod - but turnkey and bolt-on - new shifter, housing, custom console and shift boot.

It will look stock when completed and only one x 1 inch hole will need to be drilled in the tunnel - no cutting and no welding!!

Any Interest??? Please post in this thread if you would be interested in this mod for your automatic C5...

Let's start with a B&M Pro Ratchet Shifter


I was told categorically by B&M that this shifter will NOT work in a Generation 5 Corvette. I had the same answer from Jeg's, Summit Racing et al...


So naturally I am going to try and make it work..


Started by fabbing up a bracket or two


And spending a lot of time fine tuning...


But after all that work, I realise too late that the 6 foot cable that ships with the shifter is w-a-y too short...


So ordered a 12 foot cable from Jeg's (cost $60 )


OK. Let’s get to work on the shifter!!

0EG@EnglandGreen

Let's begin with the stock automatic shifter.


I hate this shifter!!! Forget shifting fast up or down - I have missed so many shifts... Grrrrr....


Now this is what the doctor ordered But its too high...


That's better..


And it will look stock...


Garage Queens - Avert your eyes!!!!!!


Don't try this at home...


That's better...


This just may work... if I can clear the torque tube...


Not a lot of depth to play with - only 2 inches....


Pause for a quick modification of the console (read: cut it up )


Real men can't drive stock...


I love my Dremel

0EG@EnglandGreen

OK. Back to the shifter. Where was I?
Oh yes, made a template and offered it up


If I can get it at this height, this will look way cool




Transfer the template to steel...


Drill the mounting holes...


And cut it out


Smooth the edges...


And try it on for size...


Good fit... still concerned about torque tube clearance though...

0EG@EnglandGreen

The moment of truth (tunnel viewed from below)




Remember, this is a permanent mod!!


First tacks


This is the biggest downside to working alone. I end up having to jury-rig all sorts of Heath Robinson (Rube Goldberg to my American friends) contraptions just to do simple tasks.
Made this stand to hold the shifter base while I tacked it in place - or course, it caught on fire...


Now for the side support


Tacked in place


OK. Ran some beads on this bad boy


And on the top. It isn't going anywhere!

0EG@EnglandGreen

I ended up having to mount it higher than I would have liked


But the torque tube clearance was just too tight


It is extremely solid!!!!


Relieved the console for clearance


I was going to make a custom console anyway, so this does change not represent any more work


Let's see how it looks populated...


Sweet!! It clears the AVIC N2 by a mile!


I am very pleased with how this mod has turned out


And the feel of the shifter... Rapture!!!!


Sand, clean and Black rattle-can


Just the rubber weatherproofing to mount. It looks stock!

Stangkiller

That's lame! Post pictures!

Stephen, there's dust on your drivetrain...perhaps it's time to use that stuff, afterall, Rodney built it for your car, not your garage

Y2Kvert4me

I find it easier to load up each reply complete in a seperate tab and then click, click, click, submit each reply in succession...none of this placeholder crap while we all

Never had anyone sneak a reply in between.

Stangkiller

I'm a sneaky bastard though...i got that last post in just incase there was to be a place holder 5

Zilla

Talk aboot getting your post count up

peter pan

Sweet getting in between those holders and I only seen red X on the first post

devnull

CRAP!!! I just made page one of an E.G. post...

(feel like I accomplished something)...

Oh, and even better:

Stangkiller

Be prepared...he's going to advise you to run 100 posts per page



Stephen, the Shifter's looking great! As i've said before, i can't wait to drive it!

I hope that metal i picked up is working out well.

Zilla

devnull

(have been since the "last" time)...

Can't wait to see this thing done Stephen... DANG!

Zilla

EG

Once you get a lift some of the things will become easier when working alone

Zilla

EG Looks good especially once you painted shifter bracket

Stangkiller

Stephen, can't the "arms" those ends of the shifter be cut off for a better fitment?

0EG@EnglandGreen

There is a 20 seconds delay between each post - so I have to do "Placeholders" to stop the Impatient among us (you know who you are )

All pics are now posted with commentary anyway

0EG@EnglandGreen

Yes, I already planned to do that.

madeouttaglass

This thread is worthless without pictures of the fire.
Stephen looking for the extinguisher.> WooWooWoo!