914 GT 3.6 Ferrari Build, - Mechanicals coming along, electronics soon! Options

[tygaboy]

I could have made a much prettier cradle if I had them fancy part cutters. Mine weighs 41 lbs, how about yours?

Keep up the good work!

@Mike Bellis Mike, Once my cradle is complete, I'll weigh it and post the results. I've been curious about this, too.

[tygaboy]

And that's the motor mount components set to go. With that done, all needed pieces are ready (minus the metal routing) and I just had to do a quick mock up of one side and get a look at the overall vibe of the cradle.
Yep, that'll do!

[tygaboy]

But that anti-rack brace wasn't doing it for me so I took a swing at a couple alternate designs. Note that I made these taller so they now reach from the upper tube to the cross bar.

Style-wise, I'm leaning toward the "circle in the middle" design as it echos the motor mount's big hole.

And before anyone gets too worked up about any of this, remember: once everything is installed, the entire cradle is essentially blocked from view.

But yes, we'll all know it's there... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[SirAndy]

But the real question is, am I really done changing things? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)

Not even close ... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

Called it!
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[tygaboy]

But the real question is, am I really done changing things? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)

Not even close ... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

Called it!
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

And today, it's @SirAndy with the double, double win! Yep, more changes.
In looking at things mocked in place, it was obvious I was creating a craptrap under that anti-rack brace. Not wanting that, I created an exit route for any debris that may find it's way into that space.
It'll be trimmed to length, once everything else is tacked in.

[tygaboy]

Do you suddenly wake up in the middle of the night realizing you've missed something on your build? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)
Last night, around 2AM, I wake up thinking: "Wait a second, if the firewall tabs wrap under the floor, I need a spreader plate under there! Bad idea to simply weld 7ga plate to a single layer of 18 ga!"

A quick measure and cut (and a bit of plug welding yet to go) and that's problem solved. Critical thinkers will also note this changed the dimensions of the center and inner fire wall tabs. Nothing a bit of band saw and sanding couldn't quickly address.

[tygaboy]

And speaking of band saws, here's one for the tool whores:

Swag Offroad's portable band saw stand. This. Thing. ROCKS! Highly recommended! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif)

It stores under a bench, is easily carried to wherever it's needed and it cuts like butta'!

If you're considering a band saw, take a look at these. They make models for virtually any portable band saw, from HF on up, cordless and wired. Did I say highly recommended?

[tygaboy]

So, after all that, here's a Ferrari 360 engine cradle kit. Some welding still to go, but everything is essentially ready, including all edges routered and final hardware.

With any sort of luck, this will get done and the drive train will be mounted in the car in the next couple of days.

[tygaboy]

And here's one for @horizontally-opposed Pete. When I was working out the hood vents for the LS car, Pete noted in the background of one of the pics was a stack of different vents that represented my "rejected designs". It was yet another example of how I need to make something and look at it before I can determine if I like it, that it'll work, etc.

Well, I'm nothing if not consistent! Rather than make Pete have to look for them, I went ahead and got a pic of the "well, that's not gonna work!"/ rejected design parts from this engine cradle effort.

Prolly I need to keep my plasma table, eh? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

[Krieger]

Prolly I need to keep my plasma table, eh? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol-2.gif) yup!

[cassmcentee]

Looks so good Chris!
From that scrap pile I can see an Alexander Calder mobile in the making. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Craigers17]

You should make this a "Kit" for all of those folks who do a "Ferrari 360" engine swap in the future. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/poke.gif)

In all seriousness....again...just amazing work!

So, after all that, here's a Ferrari 360 engine cradle kit. Some welding still to go, but everything is essentially ready, including all edges routered and final hardware.

With any sort of luck, this will get done and the drive train will be mounted in the car in the next couple of days.

[tygaboy]

Console bracket design in progress with this as the initial piece.

[Superhawk996]

You should make this a "Kit" for all of those folks who do a "Ferrari 360" engine swap in the future. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/poke.gif)

I’m just going to wait for this one to show up on BAT. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/av-943.gif)

[tygaboy]

You should make this a "Kit" for all of those folks who do a "Ferrari 360" engine swap in the future. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/poke.gif)

I’m just going to wait for this one to show up on BAT. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/av-943.gif)

In all likelihood, that's where it's headed. Do I dare go with no reserve? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif)

[tygaboy]

Final design (only took four tries! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/piratenanner.gif) ) for what I've taken to calling the "console lower plate". Well, final less the update I made to the shape of the weep hole clearance. It fits nicely.

[tygaboy]

Then it was on to versioning the side plates. (can I make a verb out of "version"? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) )
I'm using thin gauge material to work out the final shape in CAD, then it'll get made in 10 ga, with the exception of the actual mounting plate for the fastener - that'll be 7 ga, like the cradle's mounts.

You can see the idea is to get a plate that runs from the top of the long and is gradually getting more proud of the console as it descends. This plate will be plug and stitch welded to the console.

There will be a matching-ish plate of the console's front side and I'll add a plate between the two side plates, boxing everything over the console. Boxes being super strong.

Once completed, it should look nice, not protrude into the space I need for the header/collector and be nicely over-built.

[strawman]

I bought one of those SWAG mini-bandsaw setups last year. I love it, too! But I still drool over your plasma cutting setup...

[cooler]

nice work!
I hope your exhaust manifolds clear!

[tygaboy]

Today was getting the cradle's rear mount components all fit and tacked in. It's far enough along as an assembly that it can now be used to position the fire wall tabs. That's on the docket for tomorrow.
Getting closer!!