Probject JDMvette
 

We started the initial baby steps for our swap project. The car itself is a Chevette we run in the Chump Car endurance races. We just completed a 24 hour race at Iowa Soeedway in May, finishing 11th. We have two more races this year, one in Brainerd in July that we may not make and another race at Iowa in September that we will make.


We just ordered our bellhousing and will be going with the T5 transmission. Due to the stock drive train limits and the rigors of endurance racing we will be running a 13g turbo on stock boost.


Main hurdles to clear are:
Converting from cable clutch to hydraulic
Building and fitting a surge tank for our fuel cell setup
Routing water lines and fitting our radiator to the chassis




Link to more pictures and an in car video


http://www.missedshift.com/wp-conten...it-600x450.jpg

Re: Probject JDMvette
 

I forget where I saw it, but I know there is a company that sells a bracket to convert the t5 trans to a hydraulic setup. I found it when I was looking into the 302 swap into my old 240.

Re: Probject JDMvette
 

I believe you are talking about a hydraulic throw out bearing, which is a very good solution.

The good part is that the motor side is taken care of, the guy designs the bellhousings to use the stock Mitsu clutch fork, pivot and clutch slave. The car side is going to be the bitch. We'll most likely end up going with a Wilwood pedal setup.

Re: Probject JDMvette
 

How big is your stock fuel tank? Something you might want to keep in mind when deciding how much boost to run, etc. Our tank is 12 gallons and we could only go 1:15 on a tank at Brainerd. It sucked and was an automatic handicap.

Re: Probject JDMvette
 

I was going to say, I thought you couldn't run a fuel cell or some fancy system, it had to be the stock tank. Good luck with the project.

Re: Probject JDMvette
 

We run an 18 gallon fuel cell.

Pictures of fuel cell installation here.

Re: Probject JDMvette
 

FYI, that is actually against the rules. YOu can install a fuel cell +/- 2 gallons from the stock size. If only we could just get a monstrous fuel tank...

Re: Probject JDMvette
 

I am guessing this isn't for chump car anymore. That bellhousing has to be worth more then the car + trans plus fuel cell? How much do you have into this and are you prepared to have.someone buy it for 500? I would.

Re: Probject JDMvette
 

SQs have a 20 gallon tank. Might look into that for your next car! :)

Re: Probject JDMvette
 

The car ran at Iowa with the cell and it went through tech as well. I dunno. I think the diesel Chevette's came with a 16 gallon tank too.

It is and will remain 100% a Chump car. Luckily we gained a lot of leeway when we picked a huge pile like the Chevette. Chump rules don't value the chassis if you use a shitbox and swap the motor. Combine that with a beat up old fwd turbo dsm and you have the start of something fun. Besides, good luck claiming any car for $500. Only the promoters can claim cars, and then they auction it with a starting bid of $1500.

Re: Probject JDMvette
 

where you at in shakopee I wanna come see this thing!

Re: Probject JDMvette
 

I'd strongly recommend emailing the tech guys before you really tackle this, if you haven't already. Can't hurt to make sure you have something cleared and don't waste your time only to find out they'll make you run EC or nail you with lots of penalty laps.

Re: Probject JDMvette
 

I emailed the central region tech inspector before we even started. He didn't raise any issues when I told him our plans.

Re: Probject JDMvette
 

Cool, sounds like you have your ducks in line. Best of luck! We're simplifying our setup for the chumpionship, will be going back to NA (we've blown 2 headgaskets now and we're not sure why) and using the extra money to perhaps add a camber kit and replace the rear struts, maybe a few bushings and we likely also have a bent suspension arm somewhere.

Re: Probject JDMvette
 

The motor is in place.

http://www.missedshift.com/wp-conten...ns-600x450.jpg

Re: Probject JDMvette
 

Looking good man.

Re: Probject JDMvette
 

You got a month! get all your loose ends tied up and we'll see you at the chumpionship!

Re: Probject JDMvette
 

I have less than a month. Pops is leaving for 2 weeks on Monday for a baseball park tour in his RV. I can do some stuff while he's away but there's a lot I won't be able to. I'm hoping to nail down the fuel system and wiring while he's gone. Lots to do before September.

Re: Probject JDMvette
 

Looks like a fun but time consuming project. Hope all goes well and you can go out racing with it!

Re: Probject JDMvette
 

Looks like a Bill Hincher bellhousing, the kit's around $300.

Not bad at all, and very well designed bellhousing.

I use Bill's W series bellhousing, Bill is a great guy if you ever need help.

Re: Probject JDMvette
 

Nice! :)

Really can't wait to see this car run man.

Re: Probject JDMvette
 

Got to work on the fuel injection conversion this week and added a surge tank and got everything plumbed.

http://www.missedshift.com/wp-conten...-Installed.jpg

More fuel injection conversion pictures.

Re: Probject JDMvette
 

Got a few more things done lately. I installed the turbo intake, MAS, and air filter. There wasn't enough space to run it all in the engine bay so I had to put the air filter on the outside of the core support. Luckily we run solid engine mounts so nothing will move and I can run it like this. I also got the aluminum radiator mounted, the radiator came out of a forklift and was the only thing that would fit. Even a half sized Civic radiator was too tall. In the pictures, it's just sitting in there but I finished the mounting brackets today and didn't snag any pictures of them. Working on the radiator hoses is going to be the next hurdle. Getting the water pump outlet to 180* and getting the thermostat housing hose to run under the intake will both be interesting. I have a couple j-bends that should help in the creation of hard pipes and eliminate the issue of long rubber radiator hoses collapsing.


http://img.galantvr4.org/127000/127200-0-0-0.jpg

http://img.galantvr4.org/127000/127201-0-0-0.jpg

Re: Probject JDMvette
 

pics didn't work... this thing gonna be ready in a week or so??

Re: Probject JDMvette
 

Looking good.

I am sooo going to pick your brain when I find a nice 'vette 2 door

Re: Probject JDMvette
 

Very cool! Nice progress, keep it up!

Re: Probject JDMvette
 

I think so. Exhaust, wiring, fuel system, and intercooler are all done. I'm going to work on getting the motor to hold oil tonight (cooler, turbo feed, and oil pressure gauge) and hopefully test fire it tomm without the radiator.

Ghetto top mount intercooler pictures and write up.

Re: Probject JDMvette
 

Awesome! That intercooler is so Chumpcar. I'm surprised, you managed to do it about as, if not more ghetto than we did it :D I'm looking forward to playing around out there with another turbo car!

Re: Probject JDMvette
 

It runs and moves under its own power now.


Walk around of it while it sits idling.

Re: Probject JDMvette
 

Is that even possible anymore? lol.

I find this project hilarious, disturbing and awesome all at the same time.

Re: Probject JDMvette
 

Dude! that is awesome. You guys did an amazing amount of custom work in an incredibly short amount of time. Does it drive?

Re: Probject JDMvette
 

What is your AIV looking like now? $0 for Chevette, $500 for DSM engine/turbo setup?

Re: Probject JDMvette
 

That's the plan. I'm using the Anglia ebgine swap as an example in the rules as a guideline. Who knows what the officials (or the other racers) will say though. I just want to pass a few cars and have fun. I know we won't win but it'll be interesting though. Half the fun was had before we even got to the track in building this goofy thing.

Re: Probject JDMvette
 

This is the best response I could hope for, it made me laugh.

Re: Probject JDMvette
 

It moves again.Made it to the track and we get teched at 8am.