Kirkham Motorsports University The Making of a Flip Top

[David Kirkham]

Front upper control arm update:

This is the first, prototype, front upper control arm out of the mill--(lots of chatter; we'll fix that with the feeds and speeds on the production parts). Notice we now mill "L" (and "R") with an arrow pointing forward in our front upper control arms.

[David Kirkham]

On the billet chassis car

427 Billet Chassis Book

we made some really cool sleeve nuts for the control arms (page 135).

We decided it was time to upgrade all Kirkhams to the billet chassis sleeve nuts. We got the idea from a Riley and Scott Lemans chassis. The nuts are brilliant because you don't have to unbolt the control arm to adjust camber, caster, or king pin angle (if you are so inclined). The sleeve nut is right hand thread on the outside and left hand thread on the inside. Just loosen the jam nuts, twist the sleeve nut, and tighten the jam nuts. They save a TON of time aligning the car--and are more precise.

[David Kirkham]

Another shot of those twin Paxton blowers.

[David Kirkham]

Sorry for the delay in posting pictures on Darren's awesome ride. Here is the reason for my delay. Our Utah politicians decided to pass a shameful law in Utah, hence the crossed out 116, referring to "House Bill 116." I decided to let Governor Herbert (and everyone else who shamefully voted for it) know how I felt about their actions. As many of you know, I have been involved heavily in the Utah political scene lately (Go Utah Tea Party!)

HB116 is an immigration bill that was passed here in Utah that grants amnesty to illegal aliens residing in the state so they can work "legally." The politicians figured they could pull one over on everyone by putting a "positive" fiscal note on the bill.

How???

By requiring employers to forward all federal withholdings from the illegal workers they hire under HB116 to the STATE...NOT to the federal government

NO, that is not a typo.

I can not imagine any employer in their right mind who will not send the federal government the federally required witholding taxes on their employees--unless they want a visit from some unfriendly IRS agents. This is voodoo accounting at its worst. Even worse, this holds out an unrealistic hope to a desperate community. It is wrong. Eric Holder has already promised to sue Utah over the bill

Sorry for the political detour...no political comments please, just filling you in...back to cars

[FatBoy]

Darren's car is looking stunning. Congratulations to Darren for having the balls and the imagination to initiate and fund the project and to the Kirkham team for their wizardry to put it all together.

Have I missed something, or is this the first we have heard mention of any blowers?

When my numbers come up, I want one just like it.

Paul

[N2VENOM]

Hey Paul, It looks like the flip-top will be coming home very soon for completion.

The blowers are for another customer’s project. It's easier to fabricate parts on the front tilt. Darren

[N2VENOM]

Hey Paul, It looks like the flip-top will be coming home very soon for completion.

The blowers are for another customer’s project. It's easier to fabricate parts on the front tilt. Darren

Note to Admin.: For some reason this post submitted twice. I only submitted once??

[FatBoy]

Originally Posted by N2VENOM

The blowers are for another customer’s project. It's easier to fabricate parts on the front tilt. Darren

That makes sense. My imagination was running overtime trying to work out how you were going to connect the blowers to the intake trumpets.

All Kirkhams are special, but this is special amongst the special.

Paul

[dallas_]

Originally Posted by FatBoy

That makes sense. My imagination was running overtime trying to work out how you were going to connect the blowers to the intake trumpets.

x2! Very nice!

Love the adjustments on the LCA's. That's genius.

[David Kirkham]

Originally Posted by N2VENOM

Hey Paul, It looks like the flip-top will be coming home very soon for completion.

The blowers are for another customer’s project. It's easier to fabricate parts on the front tilt. Darren

Note to Admin.: For some reason this post submitted twice. I only submitted once??

Yes, I had double posting issues last night as well.

David

[dallas_]

David,
On those sleeve nuts, did you fabricate those or find them aftermarket?

[David Kirkham]

Originally Posted by dallas_

David,
On those sleeve nuts, did you fabricate those or find them aftermarket?

We make them from 17-4 PH (same material as our hubs, sway bars, ball pins, and anything else we don't want to break) and heat treat them (H900) in house.

David

[N2VENOM]

The Cammer is now running! I'll film a video after the alignment. Darren

[rodneym]

Holy .... ! ! !

When's the official unveiling?
I gotta see it in action!

[N2VENOM]

The list is short. Alignment, Chassis Dyno, Interior and registration.

[dallas_]

That is a fantastic car!

Awesome is an overused word, but certainly applies in this case.

Thanks for keeping us posted.

More pictures!

[Avmaviator]

[Stentor]

Very nice--looking good!

[dcdoug]

Your still bringing that baby out East, aren't you? All I can say is Wow!

[CoolCarl]

Originally Posted by madmaxx

You guys need to contact one of the cable channles and let them do a reality show demonstrating your talents. It would be a huge hit!!!

I would watch it for sure. On the other hand, reality shows tend to have people with high tempers, like to yell a lot, lots of drama, you get the idea. I don't know the Kirkhams or any of their employees but if I had to guess there isn't much drama at the shop.