2003 Cobra LS Swap (8/1/22 - Wiring Chassis)

[Burning]

Somewhat productive weekend.

Longer fender tabs arrived on Thursday so Friday night i got them welded up and tacked in place. You can see the length difference from the original set.

Tore everything off and burned in all of the bars! Even added back the quick latch posts so i can use them again.

Then i removed my K Member (UPR) to install my buddies K Member (AJE) which will be used to mock-up the motor front and mid plates. Set the engine in place and test fit the massive 2k Shearer A2W. I need about 1/4" of an inch lower to clear the 4" cowl.

Went ahead and threw the suspension on to set ride height before establishing a drive-line angle for the motor. Fun fact UPR a-arms will fit AJE K members even though they both said it wont work lol.

So i am running 3/8 aluminum spacer already to lower the k member but still need about 1/4" to clear my cowl (dont want to cut the hood and have this out if i cant help it). I am going to mock the motor plate up, and mark the tabs 1/2" lower to help adjust the motor down to clear the hood. Right now at the current ride height and with the 3/8" spacer and nothing under the transmission cross member i am at 2.8 degrees in relation to the concrete. Before i weld the mid plate in ill double check the degree again to see if i need to lower the tail-housing to get it back to 3 degrees +/- 0.5 degree. From my understanding 2-5 degrees is a good set point for drive-line angles. I do have adjustable rear upper control arms to adjust the pinion angle to match the engine as well.

The Shearer fab t6 flange came in as well. Its a really nice piece well worth the wait and the cost.

Hopefully my GT55 from Forced Inductions ships any day now, Thats all for this week!

 

[Burning]

Next task....

Motorplate lowered 1/2" to accomadate this massive A2W intercooler. Started off with taking a cereal box and making some templates for both sides, lots of careful cutting and measuring. The line you see is the mark where the motorplate is at with engine mounts. I needed to lower it 1/2 so i just scribed and cut 1/2" lower than that datum line.

Here it is on the bar, the bottom of the motorplate will be even with this tab.

Making some cuts out of 1/4" steel plate.

Drilled the mounting holes and notched it for the bar.

Mounted on both sides, this is without the engine mounts on and the motor resting on these plates at this point.

Only 0.1 degrees off in relation to the frame rails... Not bad!

Tacked in and fully resting on the tabs.

Final results! She fits, its close but it fits. I have about 3/16" clearance between hood and top of the highest point of the intake manifold. Pan clearance is just shy of 6" at ride height.

Ill start working on making the mid plate tabs tonight, hopefully get them all welded in and epoxy prime the front end/firewall this weekend. Bars are starting to get surface rust and i dont want to deal with that! GT55 still has yet to ship, really all i am waiting on to start making the hotside. May switch gears and start to mockup the rear mount radiator. I need to probably get a sheet of aluminum and start making a custom ice tank to fit the room i have in the trunk too!

 

[Northernregal]

 

[Turbo Zach]

If only it wasn't a Mustang. Jk I still like it. Good work so far.

 

[Supercharged111]

Forgive me if I missed it, but how much weight does this save you? Good work BTW.

 

[mclellan83]

Ooh... I am liking all of this.

You know you are in trouble when Mike is on board

 

[Burning]

If only it wasn't a Mustang. Jk I still like it. Good work so far.

Dont worry, i got a monte carlo that will be coming back once the turbo kit is made for this car. It will be getting the works too.

Forgive me if I missed it, but how much weight does this save you? Good work BTW.

It was like 60lbs difference between the stock support system and this one.

You know you are in trouble when Mike is on board

Lmao! Im just trying to compete with those guys at this point, everyone has some incredible builds.


Didnt really do much on the car this weekend besides move it over to the other side of the garage. I brought my friends car over to tackle his front end.

you can see how much space im working with!

Car is pretty much at ride height here, it may come down a little bit when i get more weight in it.

Bringing my buddies car over to chop off this crappy homemade tubular front, and install one of the Codion ones.

Also took some cool comparisons between the standard 1800HP Shearer with the low ram and the 2000HP Shearer fabricated lid. We are going to sell his unit and see about getting a low profile 1800HP.

Also snagged this truck up last night... NO RUST at all! transmission has 1st and reverse only, doesn't engage in drive so i think it may be some solenoids going bad. I picked it up for $1500. Really tempted to lower it and make it a shop truck with a turbo. 2006 Sierra 1500 SLT with 190k on the ticker.

 

[Northernregal]

I am glad I'm not the only one looking for a poverty 1500 chev that needs a turbo.

I see nothing but win goingn on here, carry on sir.

 

[Burning]

I am glad I'm not the only one looking for a poverty 1500 chev that needs a turbo.

I see nothing but win goingn on here, carry on sir.

I buy 2-3 GM Trucks/SUVs a month to part out and make money to pay for my car hobbies...but this one. This one has me tempted to keep because it is too nice. My buddy who helps me and i have always wanted to do a single cab short bed, but this one right here might change my mind lol.

 

[motorheadmike]

I am glad I'm not the only one looking for a poverty 1500 chev that needs a turbo.

I see nothing but win goingn on here, carry on sir.

A fully built Procharged TBSS is coming West. Save your pennies. 😉