Thread: just another t-bucket

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hi everyone, i've been a member here for a little while but have not posted yet and figured i'd take a few minutes to explain a project i have in mind that i'm planning on collecting parts for pretty soon. the idea is a fiberglass t-bucket body from classglassperformance.com, a hand made (by me) 2x3 frame, ladder bar rear suspension, ford 8.8" rear end with a spool, t5 manual transmission, 2.2l ecotec 4 cyl with lots of performance goodies, and a mustang II front suspension. i know i still have a lot of decisions to make on this project and i was hoping to get some input from people on here, both on the what i have already said that i would like as well as other things that i haven't figured out yet. one thing i did decide is what i'm doing for my seat and that is to use the rear seat that i removed from my audi tt. i have built a few muscle cars for guys and have always wanted to do a street rod for myself. i do body work as a profession at a chevy, acura, honda, toyota, scion, lexus dealership so i have a good place to work on it on the weekends and after hours with top of the line equipment, frame racks, lifts, alignment racks, welders, plasma cutters, down draft prep decks and paint booths, ect. and i also get discounts on new and used parts.

thank you in advance for any input.

Welcome to the club! Only issue I see with your project is the spool. Only place that is useful is a dragstrip. Find a posi or detroit locker if you need it / want it.

that thought did cross my mind. i will most likely be putting the axle in stock and adding to it in the future. i've found that the best way to build something is to add as you go until it's completely the way you had in mind. it's nice to be able to drive something while the funds come in to really finish it.

the engine will most likely be the same way. put it in so i can drive it and add the supercharger, cams, ect. later.

Welcome to CHR! IMO you're being smart to detail your plan, asking questions before you commit $$$ to parts & pieces. Other than the spool one thing that jumped out at me is a Mustang II front end on an open T-bucket. Not that it won't work, but that IFS is going to be right out there in plain view for all to see and that will probably affect your selection. A more traditional look would be a transverse leaf & dropped axle with hairpins & panhard bar, but heck it's your baby and if IFS is what you want then more power to you. We'll be looking forward to seeing your progress once you have your plans finalized.

I thought quite a bit about the suspension and I know it'll be right out there. I know its not traditional but neither is an ecotec. I'm all about something different. I've seen some other open street rods with the same suspension and they don't look too shabby.

Originally Posted by tblazin2k5

I thought quite a bit about the suspension and I know it'll be right out there. I know its not traditional but neither is an ecotec. I'm all about something different. I've seen some other open street rods with the same suspension and they don't look too shabby.

Depends a lot on whose IFS you use. There're some nice looking units out there, and there are some that are butt ugly, meant only to be hidden out of view. BTW, I think the idea of the ecotec4 is great!!

I will be doing a lot of shopping around for the right one. I thought a light weight all aluminum engine with the possibility of respectable power in a light weight car would be great. The fuel economy was a big deciding factor as well as low price and availability.

That 4cyl engine is a good choice. A friend of mine has one in a 27 roadster and has a turbo on it, and that thing really runs. The only thing I would research a little on is the Manuel transmission, these t buckets are really cramped for space, unless you are using one that is widened. Francis

For me the mustang II IFS is a complete no no and as for the spool in a short wheelbase car on the road you seriously need to rethink both items.

Originally Posted by tblazin2k5

I thought quite a bit about the suspension and I know it'll be right out there. I know its not traditional but neither is an ecotec. I'm all about something different. I've seen some other open street rods with the same suspension and they don't look too shabby.

I think the Ecotec is a great choice. We run a 2.0L in our roadster. We drove it to Bonneville from Pomona, over 700 miles and went over 200MPH.
Salt flats dyno - YouTube

Ecotec dyno video.Salt flats dyno - YouTube

I've tried to drive a locked rear on the street. You will not like it!

I would agree with the other guys about the front suspension. If you want to look different, there are a hundred other ways to do it.

Welcome! I'll be watching for your build thread......hint hint. With pictures?

David

Welcome, sounds like a neat project.