New Heart, New Bones

Here is a much needed update on my drift Hot Rod project, it has been a few weeks since the last update and a lot has happened since then.

For Starters I paid for my new engine this week.  It came from a local wrecking yard and is out of a 2005 Chevy Tahoe.  It is the 5.3 Liter, and has 310 hp and 325 lb ft of torque at the crank.  This one has 83,000 miles on it, and was the lowest mileage engine I could find locally within my budget.  Future plans include a nice clean up, new valve springs, a mild cam, and a tune.  I plan on buying the HP Tuning professional software package so I can tune this, and any other Chevy, Ford, or Mopar for that matter.  

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Here is the wiring harness that came wit the truck.  its a big ugly mess of a thing.  I am going to go for a harness custom made by Street and Sand Performance.  It will be tailored to what I need, and they will test it with the computer, throttle body, TAC module, and gas pedal.

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Bought some new engine mounts as well.  The oil pan is a bit close to the cross member, so rather than spend $300 on a new on, I am going to go the free route and cut in to the cross member and re plate it.  The stock exhaust manifolds wont fit either, so some headers will be ordered.  

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I ordered a Kirkey Racing seat as well, but because the cab is shrinking due to the roll cage, it may not fit.  It has a 15 degree lay back and i will either need a 10 like this one, or a low back 10.

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Did I mention that I also ordered a quick disconnect steering wheel collar.  I am really excited about this one.

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I have done quite a bit of work on the cage.  Next part of the cage will be door bars.

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I am finally getting the hang of bending tube, but there were a few casualties along the way.  Notching is equally difficult if you ask me.

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The rear seat belt harness bar and rear hoop diagonal were completed today.  my only worry is room for appropriate seats.  you can also see the firewall hoop I bent last week, with temporary support for the body.

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More of the cage.  I think it will look equally as sexy without the body on.  

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Here is the rear hoop support off of the frame.  3/16 plate,  will be boxed on the outside once the final welding is done.

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I made these body supports from threaded rod and one nut welded to some square stock.  that way the body can be raised and lowered, and fine tuned all before making the official body mounts.

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Here is a shot from the ground up, notice how the rear hoop diagonal doesn't go from corner to corner?  Thats because I need room to fit my fat head with a helmet on.  Because of the lack of space I will be shoved against the back of the cab.

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