1958 SWB C4 Fleetside - NZ Build

[QBRacing]

So its been a month but stuff has been happening slowly in the background and is about to get hectic as I start the next push towards making it all one again...

Steering column is complete and has been test fitted. (still needs a sand and paint in black but will do that when I do the glovebox and doors in the paint from the cab I have spare.

I've also played around with the accelerator pedal, why caue it didnt have one and it was probably filled when I had the firewall de-holed. 2nd pic shows my factory 2000 VT Commodore pedal (from the donor engine car i dismantled) all test fitted up. I ended up using a 1"x2" piece of RHS to space it from the firewall. One of the bolts is the factory steering column brace and I drilled a hole for the other one.

[QBRacing]

I have also made another modification to the C4 Corvette steering rack which was kind of a necessity. WHY? Because I tried to bend my dented 35 year old tubes which were bashed and dented and ugly and I cant get new ones over here or the fittings it seems.

So I ended up sanding the main housing where the bump type fitting with washers go to remove the factory lip. I used 200, 400 then 800 wet and dry (you can see the RHS block I used to sand it in place) to get a nice smooth finish which will allow the use of a banjo fitting....

I did make a Video of the C4 Steering Rack modifications...

then I got some more banjos and had a company weld them to the old nuts for the middle of the rack.

Then i got some high pressure black tub and some -4an fittings and connected it all up like so...

[QBRacing]

I made this short video just to show the following things
* the firewall painting
* the Vintage Air install
* the engine re-install
* the Corvette steering modifications
* and some other small bits ... (speakers and kick panels etc)

enjoy

[Jason 56]

Looking good... it’s coming together quickly. Great engineering ideas on the steering rack.

[QBRacing]

Inner guards are complete after applying a thin layer of bog, primer and texture guard. Now they are waiting the final paint.

The vintage air is complete and installed. I have tested and everything works a treat. If anyone is doing it themselves (and reads this) I would recommend fitting the flexi pipe to he demist vents before installing the main box as it is near impossible to fit following install.

I made a short video outlining this and other bits I have done with also include installing the slam panel and radiator/condenser.

[Nut Case]

QB

Your build is grand!!!! and the video's are full of useful stuff.

Many thanks

Nutz

[QBRacing]

slow day today putting the engine bay back together... but I'm getting there.

Finished mounting both inner guards before mounting the American Autowire main fuse links and the VT Commodore 30amp fan fuses.

Cut the starter, alternator and fan fuse wires, found my connectors went to the sparky to crimp and he went home early... grrr

started on the heater system and realised the Vintage Air kit heat controller doesnt have a bypass. No issue for a SBC/BBC but unfortunately LS1s need a bypass when closed for circulation..... VA sell a 5/16 bypass H pipe so I guess I'm not finishing that off either. Considering trying to make something out of AN fittings but that looks mega costly and a lot larger than the VA bypass. sigh

At least I ran the trans lines to the VT radiator and finished off the Steamport to radiator line.

Take them small wins I suppose

[nos487]

Looks Great!!!

[QBRacing]

Here is another video showing off all the small stuff that pics don't show.

Basically I've ordered some more vintage air parts to finish the heater and bypass to suit the recirculating system an LS engine uses. I've also ordered some new bushes for the front and rear control arms of the C4 Corvette suspension and a remote brake master kit for the underfloor system.

Ive installed my inner guards, wiring, fuses, master breakers, Newport wiper system (55-57) and slotted my 58-59 bonnet hinges to fit what I am now sure is a 57 cab...

[QBRacing]

My custom 1 piece drive shaft got finished today.

bit heavier than I expected but good for 6500rpm and 700hp or so he tells me....

fitted like a glove, first pop.

1 more piece completed. better put some oil in the diff and trans I guess

[QBRacing]

One more piece of the puzzle fitted yesterday.

#NoMoreGlare or as my kids are telling me #EyebrowsOnFleek (what ever the hell that means).

Also did a few smaller tasks like mounting some relays, conduiting some wires, looking at the park brake setup...

[QBRacing]

if I keep chipping away at it the task doesnt seem as daunting.....

Before mounting the column so I can weld on the lower support plate I finally decided on where I am mounting these two switches.

Power still controls the trans power/eco mode at the PCM in the normal fashion and I think I can make Hptuners say that when the traction is activated take out 2 or 4 degrees of timing. I will also piggy back the NOS relay off the earth it supplies.....

[Kevin_C]

Looking good. A couple of you guys are just enough ahead of me that you end up answering my questions before I ask. I got my motor mounts tacked in and just waiting for the welder. I'm shipping my power rack to Flat-out tomorrow to get rebuilt and modified. While I have my engine out I figured I would clean up my firewall. I had a question on the vintage air setup. How much flexibility do you have on the firewall hole location? I was thinking of running one of those billet quad ports on the firewall but I didn't know what the back of the vintage air setup looks like.

[QBRacing]

Kevin.

I did think about doing that but with the uneven firewall I think it mounts to high... unless you flat wall it but then the mountings for the VA setup will need modifying too.

Here is a shot from the inside.

The 4th tube (for the heater system) runs in behind the heater pipe u can see.

hope this helps you

[Kevin_C]

Actually that picture helps a lot thanks. I have two vertical holes as well on the left side that looks like I can fill.

[QBRacing]

My Latest Video is now up covering off all the bits Ive been attacking.

Basically I have strated to bolt the front end back together now. I have a small alignment issue on the front panel to the door location on the RHS which I am sure I will sort before too long.

I mounted my early xmas present to myself, a massive 14"x5" K&N air filter .... Now thats what I call an engine bay ... time for the napkins fellas.

Today I decided to re-route the LS steam vent piping today from the engine to the radiator as I wasn't happy with placement before. Well worth the cost of some new -4 and -6 fittings. (see pics below)

[QBRacing]

So I have been busy over the last few days and buttoned up the front end hopefully for the last time.

I made this QUICK VIDEO showing my plans for the front bumper mod and for the 2nd engine start up of my modified LS1 engine (and I dont even have a mafless tune yet).

Enjoy

Q

[QBRacing]

well I've been at it again over the last couple of days. no video updates but I do have a couple of pics.

basically I redid my kick panels without the speakers and covered them in a black vinyl. I used some black screws to the inside panel and even made some brackets for the courtesy lamps to mount up out of sight. I also mounted the a/c vents for the final time.... super happy with the end result.

I finished the steering column and bolted it all in place. for the last video it was just sitting there. with that done I was able to finally join the column to the steering rack with my 2 piece intermediate shaft. I still need to figure out how/where to mount the rose joint for the lower support but my certifiers not back for another week. still looks awesome as well

[Kevin_C]

I had a question about your steering joints. I'm to the point of ordering couplers for mine. Was planning on going with Flamming river stainless 17mm DD on the rack and 1"ddx3/4 DD for my Ididit column. I noticed you went with a splined middle joint. Did you go splined for adjustability? Also what manufacture did you go with. I only saw flaming river list DD or splined on both ends. I wish I could use the original vette setup as it still looks brand new but I'm running out of time and can't mock it up until I get the rack back(two weeks), firewall finished, engine sorted and re-installed

[QBRacing]

Kevin
I went splines centers to ensure we could get accurate clocking top to bottom (plus that's what they had anyways). Unfortunately I dont know the manufacturer. Being we are in New Zealand they probably come from China or Tailand. They are stainless and good for 38 degree angles. I couldn't tell you more than that though.

good luck with your install.

p.s I've just got my 2x custom p/steer tubes back and installed and have designed the L bracket to hold the rosejoint to the chassis on the lower section. almost complete now


quintin

[Kevin_C]

ok, good to know. I may have to wait till I have my rack in. Currently looking at around $600 in joints and shafts.$550 for my power rack, $560 for my column and drop and looking like another $4-500 on my wheel. Who knew steering would cost so much but its all useless unless you have all the pieces.

[QBRacing]

Just a couple of pics to show the steering intermediate finally fitted.

Didn't take much really, just a piece of 3mm galv plate, extend the 90 degree bend (with use f a hammer and vice) , then I drilled a couple of holes in the plate and the bracket for the C4 Corvette Suspension chassis boxing and presto ..... the steering column is complete

The top bearing is a bit graunchy so I might pull it apart and replace it (are all late model chevy car/truck columns the same (bearings held in a piece of plastic)

Pic 1 - looking down
Pic 2 - looking up

[6DoF]

Originally Posted by QBRacing

Pic 2 - looking up

is that a heim join in that little rubber boot? where did you get the boot from!?!? how did i not know those were a thing!?!?

[57FleetsideC4]

Just went through your build thread. Our builds are similar but different. Excellent project going and can't wait to see it done. I am interested in all aspects of the build and will have questions if you don't mind. Keep up the good work and look forward to the progress. Steve

[QBRacing]

@6dog
Got the boot from the company that sold me the heim joint for the steering rack

@57fleetsideC4
No problems. Some will probably be answered in my build videos but if they aren't then ask away

AS FOR PROGRESS, its been slow and steady. Doing lots of little bits.

Mounted and wired the Dakota Digital GSS3000
Re ran the main fuse feed and a few other wires I wasn't happy with
Mounted the air delete cowel panel
Used eurothane on the inside of the cab where the wiper pivot protrudes
Made a paper gasket for the new chrome wiper bezels
Ran the washer pipes to the wheel arch
Started modifying my 2001 vt commodore washer bottle to fit in the lf guard
Mounted the new sun visor and rear view
Mounted the 10 double plates for the seatbelt mounts
Ran into an issue with the pcm. It wont fit under the seat due to the rod that runs the slider rails.... more to come ....
Re-worked the fuel pressure reg and finally mounted it
Reinstalled the swb fleetside tray I have
Ordered some new lower door skins (outer) and lower inner cuts too.
Ordered a new rightside fleetside skin

Think that's about it...