03-12-2010

The caster camber plates installed on both sides.

Above shows the support and mounting bracket for caster camber. (water jet piece)

03-06-2010

Above and below two water jet pieces being drilled. Pieces go on the underside of the shock tower, and bolt through to the caster camber plate.

Suspension mocked up. More bad news: Qa1 struts won't work, not enough compression or travel. QA1 struts can't be modified. I contacted Koni and gave them specs that I needed, and I should have them in 10 weeks.

03-05-2010

Above and below just getting measurements. I'm not going to flare the wheel wells that much. Looks like 8" wide rims.

1/22/2010

I have been ordering suspension parts. I had a water jet fabrication shop make a inner shock tower piece to adapt to the caster camber plate. Front spindles are at powder coat, should be done on 1-28-2010. Still have to box lower control arms. Below are some pieces I picked up.

Above Global West adjustable strut rod.

Above UPR Caster Camber plate (all steel).

QA1 adjustable strut, Hypercoil springs, and the caster camber plate.

Maier Racing Frank Stagnaro's Car

YouTube - Maier Racing Frank Stagnaro's Car

Check out this video.

11/09/09

Bad news: the distributor for RRS (front strut system) no longer sells them. Now that I put all the time and money into the notch kit I have to figure out what to do. Any ideas would be appreciated. I have to stay with a strut system because of the notched shock towers. Not sure if RRS is in financial trouble or what?

11/06/09

My opinion it turned out nice.

Should have lots of room now for the engine.

Put a little filler around the edge to get a really nice finished look.

10/30/09

Just about ready for primer.

All welded now grinding. Should turn out nice.

10/16/09

After doing a reverse template to get the best fit to cut down on grind time they are finally welded in.

Minor grinding to do.

This is a good photo to show the extra tower support that was welded in prior to the new engine .

9/4/09

Getting the fit right so the weld is good.

I am extremely slow at this stuff. The extra support on the bottom was difficult to deal with for fit.

8/14/09

It's been a while since I have been able to post more pictures. Did some traveling with the family.

Finally got the notch kit fitted. Not as simple as RRS suggests.

Should be able to weld next time.

7/24/09

Finally have the towers cut out. The extra bracing was a real issue with the plasma cutter I used. I have a lot of grinding to do to fit the new notched kit steel. What should have taken 1 hour took 6.

The tower support braces are going to be a pain to cut through.

Start of the day, trace template that was provided.

7/3/09

I was able to get the brake and clutch assembly apart. I media blasted them along with the gas pedal and bracket. I also ordered the shock tower notching kit from RRS. Looks like more welding in my future. Camera had dead battery.

6/26/09

Along with the good comes the bad. The engine is now too big for the shock towers. The money I spent on the tower braces was wasted. Now I have to get a RRS notch kit, which will change the front suspension to a strut system. (Great! More time and money.)

Opportunity knocks. Below is picture of the Losito heads on the RDI aluminum block.

Ron was able to get me a great deal on a Kinsler fuel injection system, Lunati crankshaft, carrillo rods, comp cam, cam trigger, titanium valves, stacks for the injection (set of carbon fiber and aluminum).

6/19/09

Above are my Don Losito billet cylinder heads.

Above my son came to the shop to help out media blasting.

My dad was able to come and help with some priming.

Both vents are blasted and primed.

My son Zack blasting pieces for me. (Thanks Zack)