Awesome.
Bostonian 71 demon
- Thread starter B.R.E.Demon
- Start date
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B.R.E.Demon
Well-Known Member
Last night, it was just 12 degrees in the shop, so working out there was a hard pass. Instead, I took some time to talk with Joe Pappas to clear up a few technical questions about the car and figure out the right tire size. We also went over my rear rail ideas, and I’m confident that what I settled on will work out great.
My plan is to cut the existing rails in half, keeping the inner rail on each side, which will be 33" from side to side. Then, I’ll install the new spring boxes flush with the remaining rail edge. This setup will allow me to bend a piece of 1-5/8" tubing to follow the existing contour and mount off the top of that perch, aligning with the frame rail shape. From there, I’ll redo the support bar coming down from the cage and tie it into the new rail, further strengthening the cage.
Once that’s done, I’ll integrate the existing rail into the new tubular version. The original outer rail will then become the new inner rail on the opposite sides, blending into the new tubular rail and welding to the floor pan just like the factory setup. It’s going to be a lot of work, but when finished, it will be the ideal relocation without compromising the structural integrity of the car.
My plan is to cut the existing rails in half, keeping the inner rail on each side, which will be 33" from side to side. Then, I’ll install the new spring boxes flush with the remaining rail edge. This setup will allow me to bend a piece of 1-5/8" tubing to follow the existing contour and mount off the top of that perch, aligning with the frame rail shape. From there, I’ll redo the support bar coming down from the cage and tie it into the new rail, further strengthening the cage.
Once that’s done, I’ll integrate the existing rail into the new tubular version. The original outer rail will then become the new inner rail on the opposite sides, blending into the new tubular rail and welding to the floor pan just like the factory setup. It’s going to be a lot of work, but when finished, it will be the ideal relocation without compromising the structural integrity of the car.
abdywgn
dismantler
so, inside of the new frame rail will be a round tubing shaped like the frame rail...but hidden from view?
B.R.E.Demon
Well-Known Member
yes exactly essentially the bottom of the round rail will be exposed and the old rails blended in to the round. As the nostalgia pro class requires following the rules of the era so 71-71 required factory rails. This is a gray area to circumnavigate that
B.R.E.Demon
Well-Known Member
A bit off topic but a I was planning to keep quiet about this until it arrived, but I can’t contain my excitement! The other day, I came across an original Sox & Martin souvenir shirt, and it immediately brought back a memory. My dad took a photo at New England Dragway years ago of their Duster in the pits, and I remember seeing these exact shirts for sale off the hauler in that photo. As soon as I saw it, I knew I had to have it. I’ll have to scan the picture to share, but those photos and stories are what sparked my own Pro Stock journey.
That shirt is 100% on topic!
B.R.E.Demon
Well-Known Member
Last night, I had one of those "just walk away" nights. I went out to tack in the dash bar, but after measuring three times, the cut was still too short. Sometimes that happens, but it sucked having to wait for a new piece of tubing to arrive. So, I spent some time working on the battery tray covers and rear panel while waiting for FedEx to finally deliver my parts from AMD. (cool add I found that show how my hemi will look)
B.R.E.Demon
Well-Known Member
Finally my parts from AMD showed up to start putting the rear end back together
I'm with mopowers, I want to know what the final weight will be.
B.R.E.Demon
Well-Known Member
We are hoping for 2300 lbs with no driver
My car is 2500 lbs with driver, race suit, helmet and 5 gallons of fuel. It has a 50/50 weight bias and 625 lbs per corner. I have no idea how we accomplished this, other than "pure luck".
B.R.E.Demon
Well-Known Member
I like that that's impressive I am currently working on my own weight loss being 5.6 I want to get back to 165-170ish from 190 to take some weight out of the car I've had the wife drive at 110 lbs but I don't think she will be able to handle it this time as its significantly more powerful.
I know the feeling, I tip the scale between 172-178 depending on the time of year.
You lightweights!!
abdywgn
dismantler
I like the catalog rack! New or vintage catalogs?
B.R.E.Demon
Well-Known Member
its a mix
Last time I weighed myself I was 193 in January.
Last July I weighed 176. Now I definitely have to get the hole saw out & drill some holes like you.
I'll be happy if my car is under 3000 with all steel.
B.R.E.Demon
Well-Known Member
yeah the old version of the car weighed in at 2738 with out me at the track so I get it the only glass was the hood and the fender extensions otherwise all steel too
B.R.E.Demon
Well-Known Member
Last night I took a kinda break on the car to get a bit of repair on the truck done it developed a vibration at 55+ in forth so I had the drive shaft rebalanced an new joints put in local. It threw a driveshaft weight is what they said so that solved that. But I ended up starting to fit the new AMD panels which are 99% good but the stampings on some are a bit soft compared to original so there is a bit of reworking needed.
rmchrgr
Skate And Destroy
Sorry if I missed it but are you planning on stretching the rear wheel openings at all?
Did you consider altering the wheelbase? Imagine that'd be pretty involved operation.
I'm sure you are aware that Herb's Demon was "channeled" 2". That just boggles my mind. They also widened the front frame rails and lengthened the front fenders so if you look at raising the floor from that perspective it was just another part of the whole process.
That car is just wild. It does look weird though and it's hard to wrap your head around the fact it's a pancaked Demon. I've crawled all over the restored piece at Carlisle there's so much going on that you don't see at first.
Did you consider altering the wheelbase? Imagine that'd be pretty involved operation.
I'm sure you are aware that Herb's Demon was "channeled" 2". That just boggles my mind. They also widened the front frame rails and lengthened the front fenders so if you look at raising the floor from that perspective it was just another part of the whole process.
That car is just wild. It does look weird though and it's hard to wrap your head around the fact it's a pancaked Demon. I've crawled all over the restored piece at Carlisle there's so much going on that you don't see at first.
B.R.E.Demon
Well-Known Member
Yes I'm planing to stretch the wheel wells to accommodate the tires im adding 4.5" to the opening plus re-arching the bottom edge.
I have altered the wheel base 1.5 inches on the car also not to the extreme that they went but will be noticeable next to a stocker.
Yes im aware herbs was channeled I heavily debated that but ended up not as if I went that route I would've been starting with another car that had a good firewall and roof nothing else and built it off a jig with fresh pans and b body rails. Its just one of those go no go moments. Herbs been super helpful with tech advice along with Joe Pappas and there guidance has made the car what it is.
It was awesome to hang with Herb and discuss all that was done to that car. Another was the Tignanelli brothers hemi SS Barracuda. Crazy changes there.
B.R.E.Demon
Well-Known Member
Y
Yes both are killer cars I've yet to see herbs in person but know both cars are extremely well done.
Spending the day with Herb was over the top. Just he, I and my girlfriend. Until lunch, then we went out with several of his friends.
The Shadow Woods car is over the top. Single ply fiberglass, narrowed, shortened, channeled, titanium everywhere - even the valve covers! Stamped right in the factory. The floor was removeable even. Crazy stuff
rmchrgr
Skate And Destroy
You are DEEP in the weeds on this project. Hopefully it runs the number when you finally get it down the track.
BTW - if there is any chance you can make it out to Carlisle this year do it. Herb usually has several of his cars on display and there's often several vintage race cars on the grounds. Buddy Martin was there last year. My friend and I talked to him for a bit about Brooklyn Heavy which was literally the best thing ever. I've talked to Herb a couple times over the years, he is awesome. Also Hemi Denny from here and Butch Leal were there with the M/P Duster, Paul Rossi had his Challenger re-creation... etc.
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