Rubbel's '09 Challenger SRT8 *INSANE* Project by BMC ... It Begins!

Way to go Ron!!! Now your mind is made up for you. Can't beat the price!!

 

Well we now have an issue that driveshaft is too big a diameter for the Corsa to fit. So still will be awhile before I am driving.

I suggested a new driveshaft based on this email from BMC:

Hey Jim,
We just put the exhaust in for the final assembly and with the driveshaft in place, the Corsa will not fit as-is. We are still about 2" at least from the rear hangers being in the proper place and the mufflers are hitting the driveshaft. We need a lot more clearance than even the 2" so what are your thoughts? We could lengthen the hangers, but then the pipes farther back won't line up right and the tips will be out of place (too low). Or we could have an exhaust shop make some custom pipes to run instead of the mufflers that are in the way. Or we could remove the exhaust and just run the headers and catted mid-pipe and that is it. What do you prefer? The last option is the quickest as far as you being able to pick up the car on time, but it's the loudest as well. Ideally, we could have a custom system made but time is a factor.
Here are some pics ...





Based on this I knew running to midpipes puts exhaust inside the car so that was a not a safe way to go without adding some sort of sidepipes. The option of modified hangers was out too as then the rear exhaust does not line up per the email. No mufflers is too loud in my opinion. I did not realize Lisa was talking about the resonators and not the mufflers in the email. I did not want to pay for a new exhaust after paying to coat the brand new Type 303 Stainless Corsa that fit perfectly when we started. The Corsa does not fit because we changed the driveshaft without allowing any clearance for the exhaust. So I came up with fixing the driveshaft rather than cut up the exhaust that was expensive to start with plus the coating cost. I still think a smaller diameter driveshaft is the correct answer. And while we get that made we have time to finish what was still not done like a way to drain the accumulator or adding an in-line quick change fuel filter that I wanted. Without a drain there is no easy way to get the 3 quarts of oil out of the accumulator. Makes doing a complete oil change impractical. Until I asked Moroso how to change oil in the accumulator this had not been considered yet. As long as we need to fix these issues I said lets upgrade to a race prepped oil pump, a water pump that works with the 8 rib setup, 8 rib pullies, new crank pulley (and pin it with pinning kit I have), a SFI bellhousing from Mr. Norms ( if available yet), a window net, install new instrument cluster, and do the whipple modifications ( send to Australia) for better cooling at this time as well. I like the idea of doing what needs to be done instead of leaving some things unfinished so I could get my car now. So new driveshaft looks like the direction. We still need to talk to a few companies and see what they suggest for a driveshaft for this application capable of withstanding the power. A few I suggested to BMC were:

http://www.pstds.com/order_customcarbonfiber.htm for carbon fiber driveshaft
http://www.dynotechengineering.com/ ships customs in 72 hours or less.
http://www.carolinadriveline.com/uploads/racing.asp?Category=97 a third possible source

Any forum member input is welcomed !

Here is the neat shutoff type inline fuel filter I located and like
http://www.aeromotiveinc.com/products.php?cat=5&catsub=7&prod=257
:dumb:

 

I agree Jim, go ahead and add/correct the misc. items now since the DS needs to be remade.

Bummer this has come up though. Sorry bud. Guess I will go buy some more popcorn?

Hang in there, Jim.

 

Interesting........

 

Why not Use the stock shaft for now??

 

Wow. Ya know, Zoomers would bolt right in there with no change to the driveshaft. Good luck Jim.

 

the stock diameter driveshaft will rub as well......been there done that!The Corsa are a tough fit to begin with on the stock differential,and with BB's diff in there it makes the fit difficult at best with all but a few exhaust systems.Anything with a single center muffler(Magnaflow,Bassani) or the two center mufflers tight together like the Corsa will rub.
IMO you're best course of action is to leave the driveshaft alone as it will save you drivetrain headaches in the future and fine a catback that will fit......possible Zoomers as Cam mentioned,maybe a BillyBoat or even a Borla.....they have the mufflers mounter further forward and the tailpipes further apart.

 

I would have a custom exhaust shop do the exhaust and keep the driveshaft the same. A custom exhaust would take any good shop a day to do and send it out to be coated at a later time as you actually drive the car. An exhaust shop will be able to relocate the mufflers, hangers and tips so it looks right, doesnt hang too low and provides you clearance. Fortuantely your Corsa would not go to waste considering someone on the forums would buy it. Like I said, I would have a custom exhaust shop redo your whole exhaust and if you like the corsa mufflers and tips they can even integrate them into a custom set-up. I had this done on my custom slammed S-10 years ago. If you were local, I could direct you to a great shop outside of Philadelphia. Good luck Jimbo!

 

If you deciede to go the driveshaft route I got my custom one from a place there In Florida, I will find the info for you.

I had to redo mine with my Dana 44 rear end.

 

I agree with your approach, forget timeline, and get it done and BE DONE.
Ultimately your decision, change exhaust is my vote. Sell coated Corsa, or integrate. Seems quicker and less costly, maybe i'm wrong, never priced a custom DS. I also think you could always sell the coated Corsa, but not the current custom DS so easily.
I like the inline filter shut off. Pining your pulley necessary? I would think keyed is sufficient, no?

 

Pinning the crank pulley is not necessary but when I bought the 8 rib Mr. Norms set-up they included pinning tools and recommended it was not a bad move to do it.

We are looking into a different driveshaft ( or BMC is) as I post. Based on all this input perhaps we will end up going the modified exhaust route. Thank you for your inputs - trust me, I need all the help I can get some days but still am having FUN here!!

 

a 10+ month build?.....

what have all the hold ups been?

you're chasing Jected's record! lol

 

I have gone through explaining all the reasons for this taking so long several times already and just don't want to go over that again today. Google rubbel's build and you will find this info posted somewhere recently.

Not wanting to be rude but it takes a long post to explain everything.

And actually Jected has been helpful providing encouragement and answers to questions I've asked him as well. I'm not out to beat anyone - this project was done for fun. But I sure hope winning some races will be part of the future!!

 

speaking of winning some races Jim .. what are your 1/4 mile projections?? also has the car been started to see or solve any additional problems??

 

a race car is never done

 

Indeed

 

Paul,My suggestion is grab a beer and start from post number 1.:grin:

 

X2

As for predictions since engine has not run yet and we are making a some good changes now I really would be guessing. But under 10 (with slicks and race tune at 100 octane or perhaps 107 octane ) would be sweet!:grin:

We will be seeking a balance between boost and heat where we can make best power. With a small nitrous shot and for radiator cooling I would hope we can see 800+ rwhp on high boost and high octane gas tune.

Trust me I will post whatever dyno and track info I can once we are running.

 

i'd suggest at least a 6 pack

 

If you do not have a key way and key already built into your crankshaft I strongly urge you to Pin the crank and pulley.It does not take much effort at all to spin the crank pulley on the hub with boost.....I have seen this many times and it will destroy the crank snout.