One step closer...

[Skuzzy]

Building the IRS (independent rear suspension), for my Cobra, got one step closer to reality yesterday, with the completion of the two uprights/spindle assemblies.  These are the major parts of the design which took a while to get done.
The pics were taken just after the test fitting, and before completing the welds, grinding, polishing and powder coating.  The bearing was the test fit bearing because I knew I would destroy one in doing all the assembling and re-assembling.
Made from 16 pieces of steel, cut on the plasma table, hand formed, and MIG welded.  It has been a challenge.

Next step is to get the axles cut down, and then final assembly of it all.

[Kanth]

 You are just fabricating major car components from scratch?  did you get designs or did you make this up?
Is this due to wheel hop? welds look good. (I'm a novice welder)   

[Hajo]

Looks great!  Suspension critical specially on a Cobra.  Well done!

Now comes the fun when finished.  Will all be worth it when you are done Skuzzy.

[Skuzzy]

Ground up custom design.  The upper and lower control arms are complete.  Matter of fact the upper arms are already powder coated.

The original straight axle, while very strong, contributed to the cars tendency to kick its tail out due to binding of the rear suspension when in the turns or over uneven pavement.  It also contributed to the unsprung weight which exacerbated the binding issues.

As I am intending to road race this car, I want the handling to be better and safer than the original.

I am using Autodesk Fusion 360 to do the finite element analysis, which has helped quite bit.

[pipz]

You have had this car for some time rite? Did ya ever post a picture of it? Ive seen ya post about it for years but don't recall ever actually seeing it.

[Skuzzy]

You have had this car for some time rite? Did ya ever post a picture of it? Ive seen ya post about it for years but don't recall ever actually seeing it.

It is not a car yet, it is still in pieces.  I figure it will be another year or two before it can be driven.

I posted this pic in another thread.  It shows the rear frame, with the pumkpin for the IRS test mounted.  You can see the front temp tires as well.

[Skuzzy]

Here is a pic of the body.


You can see the frame in the background.  This was before starting work on the IRS.  I had the frame together enough to make it a roller, on temporary tires.  Made it easier to move around.

[WpnX]

One of my all time favorite cars. I helped a friend with his build (very little help). Is you body a one piece, have to cut the doors out yourself?

[Skuzzy]

The doors were separate.  Came with the interior panel already glassed in as well.  The hood also has a line glassed in.  It is a pretty nice body.  Pretty clean mold marks.  I am pretty happy with it.

The mods I will make to it will be in the body pan and firewall area, as well as the trunk.

[Kanth]

what a great project!   

[USCH]

It looks like it will be a great little car, Be safe safe safe. When doing projects like that safety, in construction could be life and death if some drunk runs your way.

Also as a pro, and well, you live in Texas, Black is a SOB m8 good luck with that. Sure it will look cool and done right its awesome, but one day down the line you will not want to take it out because you see the dirt too much. You can't go down the road without getting it dirty.

With that being said, stop with the fee time and make a new map 

[caldera]

How many cubic inches of carbon footprint will this little jalopy have?

[Lusche]

In Germany, we do have 'car dealers'. You are able to buy a fully assembled car there. You can enter it and simply drive away! 

[pipz]

That's neat stuff. When did you start the project? Is there a basic kit you start from and a kind of cottage industry of different customizable parts to select from?

[Skuzzy]

USCH, the black color of the body is just the gelcoat.  My intended paint scheme will include white, blue, and silver.

caldera, the engine will be around 412 cubic inches.  I am going for volumetric efficiency, rather that just brute force.  Although, it should be brutal when it is done.

Lusche, I have heard of such things, but they do not let you play with the engine stuff much on those models, at least over here.

Pipz, I have been thinking about it for over 45 years.   It was to start out as a kit, but then it went in a different direction.  The body is cast from an original CSX car.  The frame was from a kit, but then I got a new frame and got rid of the original frame.  Then I decided there were things I did not like about that frame so I am doing a finite element analysis of it to see what I can do about its weaknesses.

Most everything I want to do is going to have to be fabricated by me, as it pertains to the body/frame.  There are some aftermarket pieces I might use for the front suspension when I replace it.