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Re: LS1/t56 swap

Posted: Wed Jan 24, 2018 10:33 pm
by jjanke
I honestly primered after all the welding was done ....I had the benefit of building outside the car on a welding table then welding it on to the body rails as a unit ......I don't like the way weld through primer welds through....if that makes any sense...

Re: LS1/t56 swap

Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2018 12:49 pm
by woody90gtz
I'm not a fan of it either. I understand the idea behind it and why out would be a good idea to use, but I've tried two brands and they both sucked as far as trying to get a nice weld. Always lots of splatter. (Eastwood and Napa)

Re: LS1/t56 swap

Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2018 7:12 pm
by Alxsmt
One of my frienda also had bad results with the napa brand. A friend who has been a bodyman for 30+ years suggested upol. Ive used some of there products with good luck in the past so we will see. You can also buy a 3m wax product that protects bare metal for areas you cant reach, might have to try that too

Re: LS1/t56 swap

Posted: Sun Jan 28, 2018 12:55 am
by Alxsmt
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aluminum 300zx

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steel/iron, whatever it is lol. s14. looks like its not quite 7lbs difference like I thought. I think thats what I read anyways.


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just sitting on the lower mount, no rotors. looks like I will have plenty of spacing between the tire now.

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and thats the progress of the past few hours. once I get more gas for the welder ill build some quick upper mounts for the coilovers, drill the lower rubber mount to get the adapter in and mounted (holding off and getting the aluminum "bushing" pressed in for now), figure out a sleeve setup so I can use a smaller bolt in the adapter.. then recheck the rear roll center, and possibly lower the rear subframe a hair. Then double check the front roll center, build some sort of quick coilover mount, then its frame time!

Re: LS1/t56 swap

Posted: Sat Feb 03, 2018 4:11 am
by Alxsmt
I spent that last 10hrs going over my front and rear roll centers. The rear subframe is getting lowered 3" and the front subframe is getting lowered 1/4" lol. Used a laser this time.. Front Roll center will be 4 1/4" and the rear will be 5 7/8". I MIGHT only lower the rear 2.5" so I can adjust the roll center a bit if needed, but im undecided. It would put the rear around 7" then.

Planning to get the subframes taken care of tomorrow, possibly shock mounts and im thinking about changing the length of shock, going shorter.

Might even play with the bump steer gauge tomorrow too..

Re: LS1/t56 swap

Posted: Sat Feb 03, 2018 10:07 am
by jjanke
In English please !!!!

Re: LS1/t56 swap

Posted: Sat Feb 03, 2018 11:47 pm
by Alxsmt
Here is a good explanation of it.

http://thecartech.com/subjects/auto_eng ... Center.htm

I ended deciding to lower the rear subframe 2.5", which might be perfect, or it could need to be lowered with spacers to get it dialed in by feel once the car is going. I figure its easier to add spacers than cut the frame once its built. And adjustability is always good! Front subframe is lowered, back is almost done. I should have some pictures tonight if I get done at a decent hour

Re: LS1/t56 swap

Posted: Sun Feb 04, 2018 2:43 am
by Alxsmt
I didnt get it finished tonight. I have a bit of diegrinding to do.. made my mounts to lower the rear subframe and started hogging out the holes big enough for a socket to fit since I dont feel like buying 10" bolts for a temp setup..

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kinda ghetto, but it works for what I need.

Re: LS1/t56 swap

Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2018 12:39 am
by Alxsmt
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I cant wait to cut this out lol. its where I need it tho.

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ride height

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very rough sketch of my frame plan


next up is an alignment to double check everything is as square as I think it is. Then POSSIBLY shock mounts lol. or right to the frame! Its basically ready,,

Re: LS1/t56 swap

Posted: Sat Feb 24, 2018 3:46 am
by Alxsmt
Well I got steel for the frame a few weeks ago, getting the car prepped for it, I think I have the majority of it figured out tho! Its definitely coming together!

I think photobucket is going to kill all my photos, so im looking for a new host and not too eager to upload more. I might be able to use my site but havnt looked into it yet. I do have a few pics ill try to get posted this weekend.

Re: LS1/t56 swap

Posted: Sat Feb 24, 2018 12:38 pm
by woody90gtz
I started using imgur. Seems decent.

Re: LS1/t56 swap

Posted: Mon Feb 26, 2018 11:44 pm
by Alxsmt
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1/8" steel. Upol copper weld through primer on the left, 3m zink weld through primer on the right. friend thats a bodyman had some laying around he let me try out. Im going with the copper, Its in the mail. It doesnt weld perfect, but its a TON better than the zink.


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Alignment fun.. Caster was Not where I expected! I put about 5* in, and it moved the wheel back about an inch lol. so.. front end gets a 1" shift forward, which is always good! I decided im going to make the front subframe a bolt in, with slotted holes for adjustment to move the wheels back to the center after changing the caster. I have that about 95% designed on how im going to do it.

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40' of 2x4 .120 wall (1/8").

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It begins

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Terrible picture. Kinda sorta like that. thats a scrap piece I tossed up for the picture

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disassembly of the pinch weld..

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Rest in peace..

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black line is the top of where the frame is going

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cleaned up for the most part. Just need to order some rustmort to kill the rust, and prep the metal. Minor fitting to do still also.. and get a for sure plan for the left turn up front.


I have started on one frame rail, I have the design mostly figured out, few little details to dial in but hey nothing too crazy. just trying to REALLY plan it out to get it how I want the first time.

Re: LS1/t56 swap

Posted: Tue Feb 27, 2018 12:02 am
by Alxsmt
Almost forgot, I got contacted a few months ago by this writer out of the blue. He found my thread and wanted to do a few articles.

https://www.racingjunk.com/news/2018/02 ... et-slipss/

Re: LS1/t56 swap

Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2018 1:40 am
by Rettax3
Interesting read -I have always liked the work you do on your Beretta. :good: The writer does need to get some of the facts straight though (the presence of a four-cylinder V-6??), and I love the picture of your car with the new brakes and LS1 sitting in it with zero explanation... :roll: But hey, if it can get even one more person interested in Berettas, it could be worth it, and it does show a bit of a time-line on your car. Interesting, since Woody had someone make a write-up on his car too... :Search:

I like the frame-rail work you are doing -aside from pure performance, I think anyone interested in doing a streetable, FUNCTIONAL Beretta convertible could take a serious lesson from your work. All good man, all good! :beer:

Re: LS1/t56 swap

Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2018 10:02 pm
by bonecrrusher
Frame work looks great so far!

Keep up the good work - its always fun cutting up cars.

I suggest using Flickr - if you have a Yahoo Mail account - then you already have a free Flickr account.