It has begun - G-Pete's 289FIA Scratch Build

[krausewich]

Hey Pete, I've been curious from the get-go as to how you look
to deal with the body edge returns. Will you be riveting to aluminum
flangework, then knocking it over the birdcage?? I've rarely seen
a flangeless body, and have never seen how any were mounted.

Encouraging solicitation can be frustrating.. see Fasterpatrick's
for example. Thanks for keeping it going! The build diary is the best part.

Mike.

[G-Pete]

After a long back and forth I finally went with the Trigo FIA wheels and Avon tires.
The thought around that subject was, to have the car looking sharp and appear as most original as possible.

That meant to shorten the original upper and lower A-Arms of the SVT IRS. I try to do the front by next weekend.

Here the lower old and new - 4 inches difference.



Lower and upper pair.



Shortened tie rod.

[G-Pete]

Driver side mounted without shock. You see also the altered basket bracket.



Setup for the shock bracket.




Top view of the driver side upper A-Arm without the spacers. Perfect camber and caster setup.



Lower A-Arm with shock bracket.



Yeah, these Trigo FIA wheels just looking great.



At 5 inches ride height the half shafts are perpendicular to the pumpkin and spindles -- squeeze in another horse or two

[G-Pete]

Mike, I'm going with the square look and straight line breaks for the sheeting of the cockpit.

As for the flange work, I jut don't know yet...

Thanks for the heads up about where a thread can lead - I think I can handle that.

[stengun]

Howdy G-Pete,

Just out of idle curiosity, how much time have you spent on your build so far and how many hours a day do you spent working on it?

If I get to spent 8 hours a week on my Spyder I feel lucky.

Didn't get to touch it yesterday because of yard work. Had to pick up and unload a cubic yard of mulch for our flower beds around the house.

Maybe I'll get to work on it today.

Thumbs up on your control arms. Looks similar to the original parts.

Neat blend of the SVT IRS and the original look.

The rims and tires look great too.

Paul

[G-Pete]

Paul, I do not have a log on hours - just a spreadsheet how much money I spent so far

Last year summer I made a break of 13 weeks because of the heat. I did not like the idea to fabricate after work in 110 degrees(welding too). May I have 120 to 140 hours now, something like that.

One of the reasons for not to have the full consistency is my job, pretty demanding - on top I had to fire in December my welding shop foreman and took over his job too.
The second on is the financial part, I pay as I go and nothing is put on credit.

So, the weather is fine and taxes are done...watch for big steps this spring.

[dallas_]

Originally Posted by G-Pete

Yeah, these Trigo FIA wheels just looking great.

Yes they do!

Is there an easy way to adjust the wheel arch to match the radius of the tire?

[G-Pete]

John, I think it would take away from the 289 charm...




...even this one has the wrong size tires and rims hehe

[G-Pete]

Closing the chapter on the IRS. The rear is done, the max I could get was 3.75 inches. The rear will be widened like the car below...

[G-Pete]

Moving on to the front. The front was narrowed by 4.25 inch both sides. That made it nessary to redo the complete setup. Including the shock tower, adjustment rails and brackets.

Tower plate and top spindle bracket in place.



On the bottom the location jig. The tabs for the lower A-Arms have to be removed. What a fun job --- grinding

[G-Pete]

Tower plate welded.



Lower A-Arms shortened and brackets welded on frame rails.



The new adjustment rails attached the tower plate. Bend resistance 14000 pounds.



First setup, ride height 5 inches like in the rear.



Lower shock bracket - horizontally flush with the foot box.

[G-Pete]

First try under weight with the wheels on.




The anti roll bar needs to be modified as well - grrrrrinding, cutting and welding.

[stengun]

Howdy G-Pete,

Rework always suck and takes up more time. Been there, done that.

Two thumbs up on wearing your PPE while grinding!

Paul

[G-Pete]

Now for this moment I waited a while and it is another milestone in the build

She is on her own legs...




Now some shots with her dress on.

[G-Pete]

Yep Paul safety first - I do metal work for almost 35 years now, drilling holes in dad's shed/garage not counted. I have all my digits and my pair of eyes - and try to keep them. I got good teachers and training, I know how detached fingers feel when you pick them up after the guy lost them in a machine.

Just a reminder to everyone, wear your safety gear - keep your shop clean and organized. If you are not sure - just don't do it.

Paul, just for you I added the time for modifying the rear and front. It took 36 hours. Two weekends, one day after work.

[dallas_]

Originally Posted by G-Pete

Now for this moment I waited a while and it is another milestone in the build

She is on her own legs...

Yea!!!

Be sure to post your go cart video!

[stengun]

Howdy Pete,

+1 on safety!

I'm a multi-craft industrial maintenance tech and at 47yo I've being turning wrenches and beating on things since I was 15yo and I have all my fingers, eyes and toes too!

Congrats on your milestone progress with your build!

She looks great!

I'm in Arkansas but my sister lives in McKinney and I would love to see your Cobra in person the next time I visit her.

Paul

[COBRANIP]

Will the anti-sway bar require (re)heat treating after welding?

I can't tell you how much your pictures and narrative are appreciated and how much they inspire.

Thank you for sharing!

[mickmate]

Pete that's huge getting it on its legs, congrats! Some nice welding there. I hate the little shards of metal from removing welds. I have a little pine tree shaped carbide burr that does a wonderful job getting into corners for weld removal but those stinkin shards!

[Fullchat289]

Love those Avons! Fantastic progress and craftsmanship as usual, Pete!

- Allen.