Thread: FNG in Tennessee

Tweet

Hello everybody. I'm Charlie. I'm a 26 yr old father of two and I'm a helicopter mechanic. I'm just starting to take on my first complete build. My plan is a fiberglass 27-32 roadster with C4 corvette front and rear suspension, and a turbo'ed SBC. I already have the shortblock/700R4 and a complete donor C4 corvette. Right now I'm exploring my options for a frame. I'm looking for a deuce frame that accepts c4 vette suspension. I'm not confident enough in my welding skills just yet (or my wimpy little 110 wire feed) to build my own frame. I heard of a local guy who builds rod frames in his garage, but I'd rather get one from somebody that has some R&D in this combination. Thank y'all for any responses.

I dont know of anyone selling a 32 frame already set up for the C4 suspension. But, I put a vette ind rear out of a 64 Vette into a 34 ford 2dr sedan and it was one of the easiest swaps I ever did! Just get yourself a better welder and install it your self on an aftermarket frame!

Do you have any suggestions for an aftermarket frame? I want it to be a highboy. I found this but it's for ford f-100's. The only thing I can see that would prevent me from using it on a deuce frame would be the crossmember, which I could narrow if need be. The rest of the kit looks bolt on.p162590_image_large.jpg

There's a lot of frame builders around, but few may have what you want. Try Cornhusker Rod and Custom, they seem to have a lot of variety in their frame bulds for 32' -34's. Or you can get the frame rails and have a local rod shop set it up for the suspension system that you want. In any case, it will cost some moola if you aren't inclined to diy.

Nitrofish:
You might check out www.hotrodjimtexas.com. He is building a lot of different chassis for the vette change overs. I talked with him before starting my car,he shows at the different car shows around Tx.They are located in Luling Tx. Good to hear a fellow Tennessean I left there in 68,can't get back often enough.I have a brother in Crossville Tn.

Cool man. I really appreciate the info on the shop. I sent them a quote request and I'm awaiting a response. Looks like they do awesome work too. Thanks again-Charlie

One Hillbillie to another,glad I could help.

They E-mailed me back and said they don't do the roadster frame anymore. Said people didn't like it because it didn't look like the traditional duece frame. They said the completed ones were a blast to drive and would run circles around these new vettes. That's saying something in my book. A friend of mine says he knows of a shop around here that builds race car cages and back-half cars. As soon as I get the name of it I'm gonna see what they can do for me.

I like this one
-Russell
Hot Rod Jim's

&

Man I'm way stoked about doing this. I haven't felt this kind of interest in anything for a long time. This thing is gonna be meaner than a two headed rattlesnake! Any guesses on how much a fiberglass roadster with all aluminum suspension and an aluminum headed smallblock could weigh?

Check with these folks too, they're not too far from you; http://www.progressiveautomotive.com/Chassis.htm
They've done some Vette conversion stuff too.

Just one comment, you'll not only be narrowing the cross member but also the rest of the axle assy.

I measured from inside edge of tire to inside edge of tire on the back and the body I'm looking at will sit right between them with a couple inches to spare on each side. It will sit just how hotrod Jim's does as you can see above. I'm hoping to use the Vette front subframe also it looks like this. I'd have to look again, but I think I measured it 28 inches across from upper a-arm mount to upper a-arm mount. Using a 2x3 frame rail the body should sit right down over the rails with 1/2" to spare on each side. I'm still researching alot too.