My Delcoed Rides

[Holden202T]

ticked off another box in the quest to get this thing on the tarmac today!

P1060113.jpg

as i mentioned earlier, i wanted the roll bars in so i could mount the harness to it, and now i can.

P1060114.jpg

also while i was shopping at VPW i got some of this stuff.

P1060115.jpg

just have to make some re-enforement plate for the crotch strap, the side belts attach to the original seatbelt bolts so that was easy enough.

[Holden202T]

well today marks a fairly big milestone in this projects timeline .... tonight i took her for a lap around the block ... first real drive i've had other than the odd driveway test etc.
i'm pleased to say that other than the tailshaft hitting the floor under load the car went REALLY well

i think i need to work on the rear springs, i was always a bit sus on them as they look like stock ones that have been cut so i figured i'd take it for a drive and see what happens, and when you stand on it the ass end drops alot so i think thats the main reason the tailshaft hits, so im thinking i'll see if i can get some properly lowered ones that should be a bit stiffer and stop this issue.

if not i'll cut and raise the rear part of the trans tunnel!

anyways, enjoy the video guys, i sure enjoyed making it!

[yoda69]

Looks and sounds good.
Nice to see you stopping at the stop signs.

[delcowizzid]

hehe so she goes ok then bit sideways i see . i wouldnt stiffen it up to much ide just mod the floor you want it to squat on launch

[Holden202T]

yeah i know but not that much .... cut springs are never good for any car!! especially stock ones!

i want to get it up on stands and have a good look at everything, it might end up that i can lengthen bump stops or something to get it sorted ....

[delcowizzid]

is it the driveshaft or upper control arms

[Holden202T]

its the tailshaft .... when i put it in it was freshly painted, now theres a few rings near the rear uni end that have no paint on them anymore! thats all i could see with a torch tonight ...

[Holden202T]

heres the evidence!

P1060129.jpg

with the springs removed at full bump stop the tailshaft is nearly an inch off the floor .... my guess is the upper control arm bushes have too much give in them and are causing this issue .... they are stock rubber commodore bushes with cracks on the outside ... i'll get some nolathane ones and hopefully that should stop it!!

[Holden202T]

got the new bushes in this morning, took her for a quick squirt up the road, no more diif on floor issues, got pretty much double the clearance on the floor to tailshaft now so im happy!

when the bushes were out and in my hand it was clear to see they were stuffed.

while i had the gem at my mates workshop i put it on his scales and worked out all the corner weights and total weight, shes currently weighing in at 2352lb with me in the car. Few more things like bumpers and little bits to go in but i'd say she'll roughly be 2400lb ish once its ready to race including driver and helmet etc.

without driver its pretty much perfect 50/50 side to side weights and front 57% and rear 43% so not tooooo far off 50/50 front to rear. over time i want to move the battery too the boot and stuff like that to try and get more weight in the rear, but considering its a gemini with a straight 6 in it i'm pretty happy with the weight distribution at the moment!

[VNracer34G]

Nice work man, that bender is scarily similar to mine, nice touch getting the protractor with it . Its a joy to work with good gear, nice looking welds there too

Those boxes welded into the rear floor i presume are for the top links off the diff - begging for another couple of holes to be able to tune the rear, rear squat = tyre smoke, transfer weight rearwards on launch and push down on the tyres (arsepushingup)= lower et's.

I suppose the car reacts better with those bushes done, must have felt like a kick in the arse before