First car to build

[chevy370lsx]

This is my first car to completely build the cage one. I've always been one to do things my self and try not to have to rely on anyone to do things for me. Since I needed a new car, why not build it myself. Bought a JD2 32 tubing bender. This has taken me 3 weeks so far, working on it a few days out of the week. I haven't taken any measurements off any cars, just kinda wingin and see how it goes. Yes there are things that I do not like that will be different in the next car I build. Everyone has their own opinions and I'm sure I'll get some negative comments on it. So far I'm pretty happy with it. Yes it does look tall, but I'm pretty tall myself and there's only an 1.5" of space between my helmet and the top bar. I'm still far from done and still got all the time consuming small bracing to do.

[chevy370lsx]

[marp]

How far is your engine sat back from "stock"? I'm guessing those are the schoenfeld stock clip type headers? I'm just trying to learn from your pics and determine if I could use those.
Looks good to me so far. You should be proud.

[chevy370lsx]

Spark plug is supposed to be 1 inch behind the lower balljoint. Thanks I'm very proud of it, at first I was wondering what am I gettin myself into.

[3dinter]

This is my first car to completely build the cage one. I've always been one to do things my self and try not to have to rely on anyone to do things for me. Since I needed a new car, why not build it myself. Bought a JD2 32 tubing bender. This has taken me 3 weeks so far, working on it a few days out of the week. I haven't taken any measurements off any cars, just kinda wingin and see how it goes. Yes there are things that I do not like that will be different in the next car I build. Everyone has their own opinions and I'm sure I'll get some negative comments on it. So far I'm pretty happy with it. Yes it does look tall, but I'm pretty tall myself and there's only an 1.5" of space between my helmet and the top bar. I'm still far from done and still got all the time consuming small bracing to do.

Looks good....i drove 4 hours to buy a used JD2 tube bender at a excellant price..to me...they are worth every penny when you own a race car. be aware everyone will be calling to bend this and that...but we dont mind to make a few $$ on the side and spare bumpers, etc, etc for people. The JD2 tube notcher is quite good to, if you didnt get one...JMO

[chevy370lsx]

Thanks! Yes the JD2 bender is very nice, I bought the manual version and its a piece of cake to bending 1.5". I didn't buy the notcher, I just use my chop saw and bench grinder, I've spent enough money just to get to this point.

[racing_kid]

is there anymore pictures of this car being built?

[26-62 racing]

Good job, keep working on the car. Be proud of yourself.

Mike Bulpitt
26B
Owner Driver Car Builder

[buterbaughb1]

http://www.lowbucktools.com/notcher.html

Thats the notcher I use the most. I have a mill notcher now also but still use the above one for most straight notches. its fast and Ive built about 80 cars with it on the same die or blade whatever you call it.

Thank You for the link! Always looking for simple, useful equipment

[chevy370lsx]

is there anymore pictures of this car being built?

Haven't had the time and money to mess with it much this summer.. Front end is all set up, floor pan is in. Just needing the time to get the rear end brackets all on, seat and pedals mounted then off to get a body and start on the thousands of little things..

[merc123]

Good job on the halo bracing.

[buterbaughb1]

Be very proud. It looks 100 times better than my first car. It's different, but the vitals are all there, and nothing wrong with having something a little different than the guy beside you.

[racer69]

Done my first at age 16. I'm 35 now and while rolling through the pits at FunFest a guy stopped me and showed me that first car! He is still racing it this year! Hopefully someday some one will do the same for you! But just to help make sure ya get there....Maybe think about triangulate some on your main hoop(loop behind seat thats vertical and halo works with). Thats all in the center and wont hurt %s. Might save ya someday. And please add a couple bars on the right. Could be just the pics but it appears to be very sparse. If you ever get dumped on the backstretch and they turn you towards the outside wall someone will drive thru that side!

I have hit someone that way and seen a buddy hit a street stock this year that way that destroyed the car he hit. He broke the front bumper and the brake pedal! The other car had an X for right side door bars. Bent in the middle!

Other than that great job! Each one gets better and easier!

[chevy370lsx]

I'm far from done with the cage. Yea more bars will be put in on the right side. When I get the rear end put in with the 3rd link brackets and I have more bars that'll go in place.. Just trying to make sure everything goes into place and not have to do much cutting when something else goes in..

[DaveBauerSS6]

Nice job. What class will this car run??

[chevy370lsx]

Called street stock here. Rule book has pretty much been thrown out the window.. 3000 lb 3 link, pretty much run what a brung motors.. Hard to compete in this class and cars a generally all strung out.. Still don't know why I'm building this car, ill have half the money in it than other cars out there..

[DaveBauerSS6]

When you are done and you can say the car is easy to work on, its all worth it. I help on other cars and its twice the job because the guy built it not thinking about having to work on it. The area I think double on is around the pedal/ electrical. Most cars, they are crammed together. I'm the one having to correct a problem, and it takes more time to do. Looks good.

[chevy370lsx]

Absolutley. I like simplicity when working on stuff when it will always be in a hurry. Anything that's mounted to the chassis will have a nut welded to the back side, just make it quicker and easier to work on. Pedals will be floor mounted with remote reservoirs that are easy to get to. Wiring ill keep simple and in wire looms..

[vaoutlaw]

very impressed,........still would not recommend this to others,lol,..you have done a wonderful job so far.most could not pull this off like you have.