Prelude to my radical twin turbo build (pic heavy)

rodfarva

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This winter, I've been quite busy with several projects on the car including weight reduction and adding a 10-point cage. My plan is to continue running the stock long block and Whipple 2.9 until late-summer or fall, and then the motor is coming out for a radical, custom twin-turbo build. Be warned, some of the photos to follow are not for the faint of heart. Charles at G.R.E.A.D Tuning has been instrumental in this project with tuning, technical assistance, and allowing me to use shop space.


Just getting started
dashbefore.jpg


Look at that massive, bulky heater/ac/blower assembly
dashbefore2.jpg


Minus a few unnecessary items
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No before pic of this, but trust me, the fat has been trimmed before reinstalling it
100_1625.jpg


Now you see it
100_1605.jpg


Now you don't. The rear parcel shelf and supports needed to be cut out in order to prepare for installation of a rear firewall that is needed for the future fuel cell.
100_1609.jpg


Cage is in and is being painted
100_1615.jpg


Another view
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And another one

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The top portion of the new rear firewall
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Another view
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The front of the rear firewall. The firewall itself (in order to be NHRA compliant) is made of 0.032" aluminum sheet with the covering that you see in the pics. I still need to finish the piece that covers the floor where the rear seat bottom was.
100_1646.jpg


The interior is close to being put back together.
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The bars fit fairly tight
100_1644.jpg


Still need to finish the custom rear seat delete bottom.
100_1640.jpg


bye-bye evap system crap
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Those little guys...I wouldn't worry about those little guys. Many more of those will be coming out a little bit down the road when the standalone ECU (Big Stuff 3) goes in
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the heavy, old front brakes
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The new and much lighter front brakes
strange2.jpg


I guess my right calf will be getting a workout (yes, I had to make and run custom new brake lines to most of the car)
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The car is now down to 3320 lbs with 1/4 tank fuel and no driver, which I think is pretty good considering the iron 5.4 block, heavy whipple blower, and full 10-point cage. More pics to follow in a couple days.
 
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Matt D

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Wow that is a serious build brother! :beerchug2:

that weight is very respectable for a shelby! Dam :hi:
 

rodfarva

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It wasn't the initial plan for this car, but one thing led to another, and here I am. lol
 

GB10

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Same thing happened to me, lol. I planned on a mild turbo setup and now it has turned into a drag car that can be driven on the street rather than a street car I could race. It just never ends, but once I get some seat time at the track it will be worth it. Good luck man, looks real nice.
 

retfr8flyr

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Great job but I have to ask, why didn't you just buy a v6 car and cut it up instead of chopping up an Shelby?


Earl
 

bullittrevor

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wish i had the money/time to tear my car down and do something like this. sick build. is a 2.9L not going to be good enough?
 

retfr8flyr

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Exactly....by the time you would mimic that car you would have over that $50,000 price tag.
Actually with the build he is doing he will be replacing or rebuilding almost everthing but the body shell. I could buy a v6, build it the way he is doing and not put $50,000 into it. He started at $50,000 and now is adding additional costs. Just a different way of doing things. I hate to see good cars cut up into race cars, would rather see them made from shitbox versions.


Earl
 

ScottsVaporGT

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Actually with the build he is doing he will be replacing or rebuilding almost everthing but the body shell. I could buy a v6, build it the way he is doing and not put $50,000 into it. He started at $50,000 and now is adding additional costs. Just a different way of doing things. I hate to see good cars cut up into race cars, would rather see them made from shitbox versions.


Earl

Thats when you know you have more money than brains...I to dont understand why you would cut up this car just for the looks and being able to say its a gt500, even though I do appreciate the hard work and time spent getting it to this point...and will say the work does look good.
 

GrnBullitt08

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Actually with the build he is doing he will be replacing or rebuilding almost everthing but the body shell. I could buy a v6, build it the way he is doing and not put $50,000 into it. He started at $50,000 and now is adding additional costs. Just a different way of doing things. I hate to see good cars cut up into race cars, would rather see them made from shitbox versions.


Earl

Used V6 - $10,000
GT500 body upgrade - $6,000
GT500 Drivetrain (Motor + Trans) - $10,000
Whipple 2.9L Swap - $6,000
Clutch & Flywheel upgrade - $1,200
Computer System Swap - $800-$1,000
Fuel System upgrade - $1,500
8.8" Upgraded Rear - $1,500
Suspension Components - $1,000
Wheels & Tires - $3,000

Total around $40,000.....

Thats doesnt include labor on half of it or the misc parts that will fall in between.

Granted it may be slightly under the $50K price tag, buts its still alot more of a drawn out process and your bound to run into more issues and complications.

So...We both make solid points my friend lol....:beer:
 

s8v4o

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Used V6 - $10,000
GT500 body upgrade - $6,000
GT500 Drivetrain (Motor + Trans) - $10,000
Whipple 2.9L Swap - $6,000
Clutch & Flywheel upgrade - $1,200
Computer System Swap - $800-$1,000
Fuel System upgrade - $1,500
8.8" Upgraded Rear - $1,500
Suspension Components - $1,000
Wheels & Tires - $3,000

Total around $40,000.....

Thats doesnt include labor on half of it or the misc parts that will fall in between.

Granted it may be slightly under the $50K price tag, buts its still alot more of a drawn out process and your bound to run into more issues and complications.

So...We both make solid points my friend lol....:beer:


GT500 body upgrade - (not needed for a race car although it looks cool)


GT500 Drivetrain (Motor + Trans)
Clutch & Flywheel upgrade
Computer System Swap
Fuel System upgrade

All that and WAY more on ebay for 14,000 (buy it now, but currently at 7,xxx) And its ALUMINUM!!!!!!


8.8" Upgraded Rear - $1,500
Suspension Components - $1,000
Wheels & Tires - $3,000

I'll go with these numbers till I find cheaper (haven't looked yet)

So that's $29,500 in "Performance"
 

s8v4o

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On second thought I forgot to add the whipple, but so did you to the initial price of the car, also add the wheels and tires as well. Now he's in for 60 large.


OP, great weight saving man! Do you have a before weight?
 

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