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

[Cairo94507]

Chicks love scars..... Dude, really, you got to wear gloves. You need both of your hands for at least another 50 years.

[Andyrew]

Ouch!!!! Glad it wasnt worse!

[BuddyV]

For the record, Chris is ALWAYS wearing gloves. I once saw him eat a burrito with gloves.

..... ok, maybe not..... but he is always wearing gloves.

Me on the other had?? Not so much.

[Dion]

Damn Chris! Ouch! What’s that 5 there? Heal quickly. Congrats on the skin ca. I go yearly myself. All in the scalp. Can’t add much to the air intakes but yeah fed in from the forward edge of the rear flares is cool. I’m partial to some roof type scoop like the Porsche GT1.Bimmer mirror looks brilliant.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[tygaboy]

The PMU is here! It's tiny and it's light. It's amazing that this little thing replaces all the fuses and all but a couple of the relays. And the programmability is really cool. I mentioned that with a few settings, it replaces the Arduino and all those relays.

From the wireless steering wheel panel I'll be able to control:
- running lights, high beam and low beams with a single button
- wiper low, high (plus I'm pretty sure I can program it to run intermittently, using the stock motor!) with a single button
- fresh air blower low, medium, high with a single button.

And remember, I can add switches to the Holley digital dash that can talk to the PMU...

The possibilities are nearly endless so if you need me, I'll be in the Red Barn!

[Andyrew]

That's a trick unit!!! The details your working on are really awesome!!

[jd74914]

Chris-seeing the PDM makes me feel so much better-that Arduino just wasn’t doing it with this level of build! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Never seen one of ECUMaster units in person, it’s interesting seeing the scale. I didn’t realize they were so compact.

[tygaboy]

The past month or so I've been focused on the RacerBenz build - and it's coming right along! If you're interested:
https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/bui...d/182195/page1/

But that's on pause while I wait for some parts and noodle on a couple design issues.
So... I'm back on the 914.

@Krieger Andy stopped by a couple weeks back and as we were looking at my 914, he says, essentially, "Why don't you make a custom rear transmission mount set up? What's in there now is sorta wonky and doesn't look cohesive. You should put a cross bar about here..."
Anyway, a brief design conversation followed and after Andy left, I couldn't un-see just how wonky my trans mount is/was.

As pictured below: I have the complete Renegade LS/6-speed mounting kit, albeit with the 1.5" spacers added. And to be fair, their stuff was designed to work in a totally stock 914 chassis - and it all works very well. But given all the stuff I've done to my chassis, I can't believe it took someone else pointing out this obvious opportunity to cut up a perfectly good part and change things up! So thanks a lot Andy. It's people like you that make me a serial fabricator. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy11.gif)
Let's get this mod modded, shall we?

[tygaboy]

The overall design is:
- run a 1.75", .095 wall tube just behind the suspension towers to serve as the main cross bar
- add four mounting bungs to the cross bar that replace the 914 chassis' transmission mounting points
- add plating to the main section of the Renegade mount that appropriately locates each side's large trans mount bolt
- weld it all together so everything fits (!)
- add bracing from the top of the shock towers to the cross bar

Start by updating the Renegade mount design. Those who've see these know they have two lower pieces that bolt on to the main mount, once it's bolted to the trans. I figured I could get the main mount on/off even if I welded on one of the lower mounts. That's what you see on the right, lower side.

You can also see the added plate (on the right side) that will serves as the location for the large trans mounting bolt. The trans mounts will sit on top of that.

The Sharpie lines show where the planned trimming has yet to be done, and of course, the always desirable style points gusset panel has been added! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif)

[tygaboy]

One for the tool whores: A hand-held metal router! This thing is too cool.
The Renegade mount has a bunch of holes in it. I went to town with the router and couldn't be happier with how it echoes the look of a dimple die.

Style point, baby. Style points... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif)

[tygaboy]

Here you can see the plans for eliminating more of the Renegade mount. First, the weld-in threaded bung was removed from part of the mount that had already been eliminated. It was then moved in-board in preparation for the now unneeded material to be cut off.

In all, I think I'm eliminating around 15 pounds from the rear of the car.

[Krieger]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/sawzall-smiley.gif) Cool!

[djway]

Thanks for the Fix Man

[Cairo94507]

Wow- 15 pounds is not insignificant at the rear of these cars. I am sure that new transaxle mount is going to look very cool. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[jd74914]

One for the tool whores: A hand-held metal router! This thing is too cool.

That is so cool!! I like to think I'm pretty aware of available tools, and then you pull something like this out. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) Where do you find these things Chris?!

[tazz9924]

Idk why it took me so long to read sll the way through racer benz but i finally did and you are doing something i always wanted to do! make something mid engine that wasnt. I just want to do it on a hatch back of the 80s. Now i see where you have been all this time.

[mikey63]

Really like the look of that crossbar with the holes!!

[tygaboy]

Here's a big surprise: Change of plans! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

The initial design for the main mount was looking too bulky. So, instead of the large plate mounting area, it's gonna be like this. And yes, I'm addicted to my little metal router. It does a really nice job of stylin' up plain holes and shapes.

A bit more to go on the mount then it's on to the cross-bar.

[Krieger]

Wow, that is looking really good Chris!

[djway]

Benz Be Bangin