BUILD-OFF CHALLENGE: Tygaboy's '75 LS3, It seemed a good idea at the time... Options

[tygaboy]

I have most of the rear trunk modification pieces figured out and cut or at least roughed out. Now it's time to permanently install everything. It's turning out that the first piece that has to be welded in is the Tangerine Racing raised rear shock tower kit. So here I go...

First, I have to give a shout out to Chris Foley at Tangerine - great products and even better support. Every time I've called, he's answered the phone and been more than willing to spend as much time as I needed to answer my questions.
VENDOR OF THIS BUILD, for sure!

Anyway, I copied Stephen's (914forme) approach and welded in a disc with a pre-drilled hole just to help. Then it's hole saw away, trying not to have my arms ripped from my body when it grabs.

The only thing I could think once the first one was done was "Well, I'm committed now..."

[tygaboy]

I'm bouncing around between the shock towers and rear trans mount.
The final design for the mount used a different top piece. Better all around.

[Andyrew]

Rear trans mount when you have those beefy side mounts seems redundant but hey thats half the fun, right? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Curbandgutter]

Hey Chris I too wonder if that support is required. Regardless though it does look trick. I'm thinking that if your tranny came off a 911 then you probably don't need it. However I'd leave it just cause it looks so good and you can never go wrong in over engineering. Sometimes belts and suspenders are good.

[Krieger]

Hey Chris! You fab skills are awesome! I was wondering if you had considered putting one new support "tube" across the width of the trunk about 12" in front of the existing factory structure that the stock trans bolts to? It would be directly above the black bar that is already mounted to your Boxster trans. The tube could be welded to part of the shock towers as well. It would simplify you mounting and maybe save some weight. You could even elminate...dare I say all of the beautiful creations you have between the shock towers. Thats the minimalist me. I know you have a serious amount of time in the mounts/ bracketry . It just seems like that black trans "adapter" bracket is a working too hard for such an amazing custom build. XO brother.

[tygaboy]

Rear trans mount when you have those beefy side mounts seems redundant but hey thats half the fun, right? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Hey Chris I too wonder if that support is required. Regardless though it does look trick. I'm thinking that if your tranny came off a 911 then you probably don't need it. However I'd leave it just cause it looks so good and you can never go wrong in over engineering. Sometimes belts and suspenders are good.

The existing mounts extend back from the cradle to connect to the stock transmission hanger mount location. I added those 1.5" spacers, which creates added leverage on the cradle mount. While it's probably not absolutely needed, I'm adding the rear mount as insurance.

[tygaboy]

Hey Chris! You fab skills are awesome! I was wondering if you had considered putting one new support "tube" across the width of the trunk about 12" in front of the existing factory structure that the stock trans bolts to? It would be directly above the black bar that is already mounted to your Boxster trans. The tube could be welded to part of the shock towers as well. It would simplify you mounting and maybe save some weight. You could even elminate...dare I say all of the beautiful creations you have between the shock towers. Thats the minimalist me. I know you have a serious amount of time in the mounts/ bracketry . It just seems like that black trans "adapter" bracket is a working too hard for such an amazing custom build. XO brother.

Thanks, Andy. I want some sort of panel in there so that'll be staying. But your idea about the additional cross bar has me thinking of ways to get the "insurance" of additional support without having to extend past the stock trans mount. That'd give me a cleaner overall design and more trunk space. I've been thinking of how I may be able to carry a space saver spare somewhere (other than strapped to the roof!) and I wonder if your suggestion may open a door for that.

And to all, y'all: I'm a fan of brainstorming and throwing around ideas so please, keep the comments coming! I need all the help I can get.

[Krieger]

So use the one you made at the rear of the trans and the new cross beam directly over the black bracket. How much support does the stock Boxster or 911 use to hold that trans up?

[Krieger]

You might look at a Boxster spare tire. They are tall and very skinny. They are much newer than the collapsible old cracked space saver and are always inflated. I have one in my car if you'd like to try it on for size or have some measurements.

[tygaboy]

Before I can close up the firewall, I need to add some beading to the panel to prevent it from oil canning and to add some visual appeal. I'm just starting to play with designs.
The left side is, again, maybe to 'hot roddy' so I started thinking about maybe trying to make it look more factory-ish. The lines on the right side are just to give me an idea of how that width would look.

Out comes the trusty laser level (note the professional stabilizing mount! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) ). I figured I'd start by projecting the shapes on the upper firewall onto the lower area. It's kinda neat that, if I do this, I'll have a nice "V" on the panel - a nod to the LS3!

And, in typical "I didn't really think this through" fashion, since I already bent the flanges, I can't fit this already done-and-fit lower firewall into the bead roller. I'll be making another...

Remember: Pants first, THEN shoes.

[Cracker]

I like the left personally...

T

[Dion]

I'd go with the left side version as well. Otherwise project looks great as usual.

[tomeric914]

I like the left personally...

T

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

The right tools make all the difference. Great job!

[tygaboy]

A good buddy of mine brought his new drone (DJI Mavic) over to see how it would behave inside a metal building.
I'll post the "Shop Tour" video in a bit but for now, here's my new favorite pic of my car! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif)

[matthepcat]

^^ Super cool shot!^^

[tygaboy]

It's a rare event that I get into the shop during the week but I'm feeling like I'll never make the 9/14 date with a "weekends only" approach.
It feels good to FINALLY be putting things back on this area of the car!

Tonight, it was the Tangerine Racing shock tower kit positioned and tacked in. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welder.gif)

As well as setting the angles, I took the time to use a straight edge to align the bolt holes symmetrically from side to side. Again, something no one will likely notice but it's the sort of detail that I think adds up.

[jd74914]

Nice! It's looking great! Symmetrical alignment is definitely one of those things that people notice when they're looking at the final product. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Just a question...do Boxster transmissions typically have a rear chassis mount? Putting a rear mount on more or less makes it a totally constrained stressed member in the car which will impart some forces into it as the chassis twists. If they weren't designed for that I just worry about some internal binding. Not sure if this is actually a real concern or not. I know stressed engines can be concerning because of slightly changing bearing and piston/cylinder clearances.

[Cracker]

Yes. He is using the factory mount locations on the rear of the case...

Tony

Just a question...do Boxster transmissions typically have a rear chassis mount?

[jd74914]

Yes. He is using the factory mount locations on the rear of the case...

Just a question...do Boxster transmissions typically have a rear chassis mount?

Oh OK. I knew the mufflers mounted there but didn't know it was also a chassis pickup.

[tygaboy]

Yes. He is using the factory mount locations on the rear of the case...

Just a question...do Boxster transmissions typically have a rear chassis mount?

Oh OK. I knew the mufflers mounted there but didn't know it was also a chassis pickup.

Why do I love this forum? Because people ask questions and I get to learn stuff!

jd74914 asked a question and I figured I'd better check. Turns out that, near as I can tell, that rear set of pick ups is only a muffler mount. That doesn't preclude it from being leveraged as something else but I think I'll ask around a bit before finalizing on how/if to do this rear mount.
Good thing I'm about the journey, not the destination!