Probject JDMvette

[CarRacer]

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

[Kevin 1G Drummer]

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.

[CarRacer]

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.

[s1ngletracker]

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.

[asshanson]

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.

[CarRacer]

We run an 18 gallon fuel cell.

Pictures of fuel cell installation here.

[s1ngletracker]

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...

[Andrew7dg]

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.

[FattyBoomBatty]

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

[CarRacer]

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.

[RS98GSX]

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

[s1ngletracker]

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.

[CarRacer]

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

[s1ngletracker]

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.

[CarRacer]

The motor is in place.

[1QUICK4]

Looking good man.

[s1ngletracker]

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

[CarRacer]

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.

[C3L1CA]

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

[OldSchoolMotors]

Originally Posted by Andrew7dg

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.

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.