markrolston@mac.com Posted March 8, 2012 Author Share Posted March 8, 2012 Why did you choose to use a corvette front suspension (as far as i can tell) but have a custom rear suspension made in lieu of corvette all around? the corvette front suspension is a very clean double wishbone setup with very few packaging compromises. Compare it to the 350Z front arms and you'll know what I mean. So it was ideal to use and it also meant easy access to Corvette hub, brakes, and shocks. The Corvette rear suspension is almost the opposite- it's design seems very compromised for packaging issues (in order to minimize vertical space needed to leave room in the cabin. It's also very dependent on a large, relatively heavy subframe. It's not easy to modify or mount into a steel tube frame. In short, very few reasons to use it without distinct advantages to inherit. So when I went to look for an alternate plan, I found a basic design in a company called Team321. A large part of the appeal was the cool factor in a cantilever setup. Needless to say, my rear suspension is not packaging limited in most ways. It's wasteful in the space it occupies, but then again, so what- it's cool and technically does the job an adjustable double wishbone suspension should do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markrolston@mac.com Posted March 15, 2012 Author Share Posted March 15, 2012 another small update. We're putting the car back together, fitting the body panels to the frame. We also used a chemical polish to shine up the front suspension parts. mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nelsonian Posted March 16, 2012 Share Posted March 16, 2012 Mark, As always with every new post your car absolutely floors me with the attention to detail you have put into it. I would love to know the name of that chemical polish and if it is accessable to a mere mortal, amature, hobbiest such as myself in reasonably sized bottles or industrial grande containers for large businesses? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markrolston@mac.com Posted March 17, 2012 Author Share Posted March 17, 2012 Mark, As always with every new post your car absolutely floors me with the attention to detail you have put into it. I would love to know the name of that chemical polish and if it is accessable to a mere mortal, amature, hobbiest such as myself in reasonably sized bottles or industrial grande containers for large businesses? It's sold by several companies. It's just called "aluminum brightener" and is an acid solution that etches the surface. I just scrub it on with some scotchbrite and rinse with water. It's sold at truck and RV places for cleaning aluminum trim, wheels, etc. It will destroy paint though. A few Auto Zone stores have it, but it's behind the counter. Some other auto parts stores may carry it too. This stuff is made by "Purple Power". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markrolston@mac.com Posted March 29, 2012 Author Share Posted March 29, 2012 it's coming together. forgive the loose fitting panels. just taped on for the moment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thehelix112 Posted March 30, 2012 Share Posted March 30, 2012 If anything it's going to be wierd how much like a 'normal' zed it's going to look. Fantastic stuff, cannot wait for more pics/vids. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markrolston@mac.com Posted March 30, 2012 Author Share Posted March 30, 2012 If anything it's going to be wierd how much like a 'normal' zed it's going to look. Fantastic stuff, cannot wait for more pics/vids. Dave oh yes! that's the point. On the outside I want it to look as normal as possible, only subtly updated details such as the wheels, stance, and flares. But look closer and you'll find something bespoke. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nelsonian Posted March 30, 2012 Share Posted March 30, 2012 That is sooooo fn nice, my jaw has dropped! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garvice Posted March 30, 2012 Share Posted March 30, 2012 Still shaking my head at how impressive cool this is. Very jealous and proud at the same time. Well done mate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markrolston@mac.com Posted April 4, 2012 Author Share Posted April 4, 2012 working this week to get the car assembled. Right now we're trying to resolve the ugly pinched line that is created by the transition from the wide fenders to the stock-width airdam. We are using automotive clay to resolve the shape and then we'll do a thin layer of CF and bond it to the original part. As you can see, we are still working to resolve the shape. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pharaohabq Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 Perhaps don't blend so high up the fender flare? I don't know, this certainly isn't my area of expertise. What you have is looking good, though the wheel arch radius is no longer smooth. I'm sure that's easy to fix in your CF overlay, but in my experience, Less is more. Less fill = smoother lines. You've already done so much more than I'd know how to so I'll just leave this as, Keep it up mark! it's looking awesome! I can't wait to see how you do your wiring. Phar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RebekahsZ Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 So can you just cast your part right over the clay? I need a composite materials class. That is so cool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markrolston@mac.com Posted April 4, 2012 Author Share Posted April 4, 2012 So can you just cast your part right over the clay? I need a composite materials class. That is so cool. kinda. it's a hack. not the best way but it's a small part so it'll work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markrolston@mac.com Posted April 4, 2012 Author Share Posted April 4, 2012 Perhaps don't blend so high up the fender flare? I don't know, this certainly isn't my area of expertise. What you have is looking good, though the wheel arch radius is no longer smooth. I'm sure that's easy to fix in your CF overlay, but in my experience, Less is more. Less fill = smoother lines. You've already done so much more than I'd know how to so I'll just leave this as, Keep it up mark! it's looking awesome! I can't wait to see how you do your wiring. Phar right. it's not yet smooth. The curve is kinked in a few areas. We are still working on it. We have to go so far up the arch because the original arch flares outward along the X axis (x being side-side dimension of the car) and not just an arch on the Y/Z axis. So the cut is high up to create a smooth transition not just Y/Z, but also X. The photo is somewhat misleading since you can only really perceive Y/Z. And the clay is just for modelling. It won't be there in the final part. mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rp975 Posted April 9, 2012 Share Posted April 9, 2012 Wow....Very very cool work this is just amazing. Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markrolston@mac.com Posted April 10, 2012 Author Share Posted April 10, 2012 fender transition is done. Looks good to me. now to cover it with CF and remove the clay foundation. also, moved my entire personal website this week since Apple is shutting down their MobileMe website hosting. PITA. The new location is www.rolston.me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nelsonian Posted April 10, 2012 Share Posted April 10, 2012 That is looking very nice. I just can't wait to see what this car weigh's in at when it's all finished. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thehelix112 Posted April 10, 2012 Share Posted April 10, 2012 Errr.. someone stole the rear side of your guards! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pharaohabq Posted April 10, 2012 Share Posted April 10, 2012 Nice, yeah that transition is really much nicer. Are yougoing to recast it then, recreating the airdam, or how if it going to fit together? I know you're planning on repainting everything so blending to the CF shouldn't be a a big deal, but integrating with the airdam, I'm thinking may be problematic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markrolston@mac.com Posted April 11, 2012 Author Share Posted April 11, 2012 Nice, yeah that transition is really much nicer. Are yougoing to recast it then, recreating the airdam, or how if it going to fit together? I know you're planning on repainting everything so blending to the CF shouldn't be a a big deal, but integrating with the airdam, I'm thinking may be problematic. It goes something like this (pics)... cover the clay with CF. remove the clay underneath, fill in behind, create a part line. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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