subtlez28

I got a little more work in today. I finished off the top of the trans tunnel. All the clamps, lumber, and square stock are to create the slight bend in the panel as it transitions to flat: http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g156/subtlez28/M-spec/11D260ED-1A36-4D74-AFBC-D7B0397E0B82-4088-00000529C86259A4_zps3294c954.jpg I cut in the rough shape of the scuttle onto the fire-wall shelf, and fit the fiberglass dash to the scuttle's rear side: http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g156/subtlez28/M-spec/42DB3576-49CE-4CE9-A1A9-EE619B11FEDD-4088-00000529D837CA3E_zpsc85c9dac.jpg http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g156/subtlez28/M-spec/E87B583A-126D-437B-8CEF-17C5631A1DEF-4088-00000529D02A9B40_zps84385b50.jpg We made up templates out of cardboard yesterday. That really helped making the cuts to the shelf and dash. I completely wrapped the fiberglass dash in painters tape to avoid scratching it. I only have a couple more pieces of aluminum to fit (the other side panel, 2 trim pieces that go under the hood, and a simple foot well panel). Now for the fun part! Test fitting the engine and bolting up the suspension and brakes!

My powder coater dropped off some more of his work. Engine mounts, rear control arms, and the fabricated piece to mount the master cylinder (reversed): http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g156/subtlez28/M-spec/740F4D2C-0E5F-46F0-8DBA-243DADCF5BBF-2909-0000042769397869_zpsc5c9799e.jpg I sent him off with the pushrods and tie rods. They are gold anodized, but I have decided to black out most parts, leaving the fasteners as is for contrast. A friend of mine who has been a huge help dropped over today. We made some progress. It is starting to look like a car! http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g156/subtlez28/M-spec/04FB0081-DAD8-4D10-B4B9-33CC489183BD-2909-000004276F837D6F_zps35cb41b8.jpg I also got some GM parts in. My LS9 cam, timing chain and pushrod... I was surprised to see the timing chain was made in France of all places. http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g156/subtlez28/M-spec/44569753-8909-441D-9FA8-E0F0E1F50DC8-3448-00000470C3624BD0_zpsee64e2c9.jpg I was more surprised that ordering "PUSH RODS" at the discounted price of $15.29 netted me exactly one push rod! I thought it was too cheap to be a set of 16, but also to much to just be one. Especially considering the description label of "push rodS". Not a big deal though since I found out my L92 push rods are the same part number as the LS9s. Hope to slap in the LS9 cam soon, and button up the engine! http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g156/subtlez28/M-spec/0D9D8CCC-F689-4F70-BD19-8DF52914372E-3448-00000470CBEC802E_zpsc14057b4.jpg To that end. Can someone advise what the substance is called that GM puts in the corner of the gaskets? It is an off white and stays tacky, sort of like plumbers' putty. Though I realize thats not what it is.

Thanks guys! Xcarguy, I will be hitting you up w questions I am sure. I already have some about your seat mounting as I intend to go a similar route. But I'll gross that bridge a little later.

We were able to swap out the valve springs. http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g156/subtlez28/M-spec/AC830A4D-C434-42E4-9D9D-26A629845973-11784-00000D6AB045F509_zps982760cf.jpg And we swapped out the stock rod bolts for Katech ones. This is a supposed weak point of LS engines, so I figure $200 on extreme quality rod bolts is reasonable insurance. I also installed the Corvette style oil pan (loosely) and pick up. The engine will get a Corvette harmonic balancer and water pump also to clear the chassis.

Wow, according to the date stamp on my photo, this 6.2L L92 has been waiting patiently on a stand for almost 5 years now!! For anyone unfamiliar w the L92 it is essentially the truck version of the LS3. It has the same aluminum block and cylinder heads (though w solid rather than sodium filled valves). The L92 uses VVT (variable valve timing) via a cam phaser. It makes 403 hp in stock form w truck accessories. http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g156/subtlez28/Parts/DSCN3388.jpg Due to the cramped nature of a Se7en chassis, the VVT had to go. That extra 1/2 inch that the cam phaser took up behind the water pump was just to much. The good news is that opens up pandora's box because a cam swap is necessary. I decided to go with a stock LS9 (the ZR1 Corvette's supercharged engine) cam. It is shockingly low priced ($120) and is similar in specs to an LS7 cam. Two friends of mine are running LS7 cams in their L92 swapped muscle cars and got 420 RWHP (that should be more than 500 HP at the crank). I also picked up some Texas Speed valve springs. Yet another friend, came up to offer his experience w internal engine work. http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g156/subtlez28/M-spec/1AB79DE4-C088-4FEF-9B46-A4E983B58863-11784-00000D6AC6380B7A_zps05fb46f4.jpg Here you can see the cam phaser with the timing cover removed: http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g156/subtlez28/M-spec/ACDF8C42-9129-4A4E-A811-69837DC9B013-11784-00000D6ABF44F34E_zps5276c752.jpg Sadly, we were not able to put a cam back in. I had purchased a stock LS7 cam. But when I opened the box, it was not a GM cam, and it was damaged. So, I'm waiting on the new LS9 cam to arrive. http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g156/subtlez28/M-spec/4514C410-1A5D-467B-8E3F-3B3409256A81-11784-00000D6AB896B2AA_zps15567c34.jpg

I bounced around a little and mocked up the front suspension: http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g156/subtlez28/M-spec/25D517C6-4CFF-4145-8301-11E8A6A7E7C5-2681-000004FFBA1F54FE.jpg http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g156/subtlez28/M-spec/A0313099-BADE-492F-AF32-4E1A6DE05983-8762-00000BF8C1A3E529_zps8806ab13.jpg http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g156/subtlez28/M-spec/8EB6A959-9888-4073-BE51-091BD0F7D2C8-8762-00000BF8D10BF3CB_zps4a2f37a4.jpg The canti-levers are so well fabricated, I cannot bring myself to paint them! But I took the rest apart and another friend (networking is key) powder-coated the control arms and spindles. http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g156/subtlez28/M-spec/5E894DD1-AAB3-46BF-98A0-939CF3357284-8002-00000B1198FF8872_zps27419583.jpg

I spent what felt like forever organizing the garage and hanging the body work up on the walls, safe and out of the way. Eventually, I was able to start fabricating some aluminum panels. Step one, flip it over, and build the floor: http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g156/subtlez28/M-spec/D8607231-AD2C-4B12-A70B-C2EC9897FC10-1563-000002619C38C0FB.jpg http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g156/subtlez28/M-spec/9E9C7460-48BF-49CA-8F29-D51C6EB753A6-1563-000002619090BAA3.jpg Working with the aluminum was well within the grasp of your basic, do-it-your-selfer. The pretty bare aluminum and Clecos really made me feel like some pro race car builder. LOL As a testament to just how light the Brunton chassis is, after building the floors, I was able to just roll the chassis over, and pick it up (one end at a time) and set it on saw horses! http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g156/subtlez28/M-spec/C970CD6A-822E-45FF-8338-0A221078DCC1-172-0000001E6127E799.jpg Building the panels just takes patience and basic tools like a jig saw, drill, and clamps. Brunton has videos available to walk a new builder through the process, and are there to answer emails and even phone calls to help you though. I've had a couple of friends helping me out from time to time, which really helps keep the motivation up. Just focusing on one task or panel at a time keeps you from getting overwhelmed. http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g156/subtlez28/M-spec/B7479C71-C80B-4909-8ACD-62666DB55835-5086-0000075EA0240958_zps5263cfb8.jpg

My first exposure to a Se7en replica was at a track event, several years ago. The particular car I saw was a Brunton Stalker with an LS3 (midgetracr's). The car set fast time of day. It was light, simplistic, and it was powered my my favorite breed of engine. I was racing an LS1 powered 02 Z-28 at the time (the reason for my screen name). I loved the broad power band of the LS1, but wished I didn't have to carry all the Camaro's weight around corners and into braking zones. The Stalker was a car that was less than 1/2 the weight of my Camaro (3,600 pounds w driver), easier to work on, and undeniably faster. I was smitten. After a couple years of messing with other projects, and even dabbling in off-road Jeeps and UTVs, it was time to get back to the road course. I looked into Cobra replicas, but after digging deeper into the Stalker idea, and speaking directly with Glen, it was clear that the Stalker better fit my wants. And after speaking with Glen, I knew their new M-spec chassis was the way to go. GM LS powertrain, independent suspension at all corners, and a real roll bar that looked like it belonged there. The canti-lever suspension was a huge deal to me. Plus, it is made right here in the good old USA!:flag: We worked out a deal and I flew down to Florida, rented a Penske truck, and met the Mineharts in person. It was great dealing directly with the owners of the company. Glen and Scott are enthusiasts, who know their stuff, and seem to enjoy sharing their product w like minded car nuts. They really made the whole purchase and pick up easy and personalized. I got to tour the shop, and more importantly got a ride in an M-spec! A quick ride shotgun w Scott made it clear that I had made the right choice. I've had some fast cars, and have had friends w even faster cars. In fact I had just got to drive a friend's new ZL1 Camaro. This Brunton thing blew everything else out of the water! At the time their test car was running a stock, truck 5.3 liter LS engine, right down to the truck cam (though w LS1 intake and headers). My mind was struggling to comprehend what a 6.2 liter LS with say, 500 hp could do! I couldn't wait to turn my new bare chassis into a running car to find out!! http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g156/subtlez28/M-spec/image_zps913103d1.jpg We strapped it into the cube van, and my brother and I road tripped back to the frozen tundra of Wisconsin. http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g156/subtlez28/M-spec/9FE01E12-6F11-4174-BD48-CF88D456242B-1563-00000261A603823F.jpg Picking it up in December meant family commitments kept me from getting started right away. Having it set idle in the clutter of the garage was difficult. http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g156/subtlez28/M-spec/8312AC54-1137-455A-99A5-AFB729EEDFF9-1563-00000261A113AB63.jpg

I like it, assuming it is RWD. I was a bit disappointed when he backed up so far from the driveway, but no hard launch. That would have answered my RWD vs FWD question.

Are those 4x100s? PM me a price. I may be interested in ordering.

Tire days are happy days! Willing to share the size and manufacturer? I need to educate myself on what tires work for these cars. I hope to see a lot of track time this summer!

I like those!

Forgive the potentially noob question, but are there many people running leather hood straps on their sevens? I like how they look on old 30's hot rods, and they seem to be an old school sports car staple. They seem like they would be a good match for the simplistic seven. My searching has come up empty so far. Thoughts?

Yes, I have seen this color combo before... http://www.jimbrooks.org/web/cars/car_PontiacTransAm1977_blackGold.php As much as I tend to stay away from gold flake, I do like the look of all 3 examples.

Are you dead set on Caterham? There are plenty of other manufacturers making Lotus 7 type "component cars" that are left hand drive. I went w/ Brunton Auto. http://www.bruntonauto.com/ The GM V-8 was the selling point that got me!

BTW, X, that track T is awesome!! I went searching online for M-specs in action again tonight. Scott has a video of his car at Sebring, and in some autocross events. Only bummer is they are in car cameras except one short autocross video. Has anyone seen some autocross, track or even aggressive street driving video of an M-spec?

Got a little more garage time in today. Removed the floorpans and fabbed up the seat-back panel. I flipped the chassis back over and set it up on saw horses. I am just amazed that I could roll it over and pick up an end onto a saw horse solo. I love this light little chassis! I promise a regular build thread is coming, maybe once I get all the aluminum work done. But in the mean time here are some pics of my progress today. Fair warning, it doesn't look nearly as cool with the white plastic backing on the aluminum. Bare aluminum just screams race car to me! http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g156/subtlez28/M-spec/030A1AF5-403D-4C50-8C64-3E6B8AAF1F68-172-0000001E58D39B5E.jpg http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g156/subtlez28/M-spec/C970CD6A-822E-45FF-8338-0A221078DCC1-172-0000001E6127E799.jpg

Thanks! Not much done yet, but I am excited that I have at least started. That is an excellent question. My initial plan was to brush (to limit the mess) paint it in the garage. However, the guys from Brunton warned that it may take a long time for the paint to cure that way, and strongly recommended powder coat. I have to check into pricing on the powder coat. I'm hoping to find someone who can media blast it and coat it for a reasonable price. I intend to mach up the whole whole car, maybe minus electrical, then pull it apart and get paint/coating done.

I have been keeping up with the new LT1. Although I think it was to soon to reuse the LT1 name, I like the engine. I'm not sure why GM took so long to bring direct injection to the V-8s. I was pretty happy to score the L92 I have (a few years ago now). I was a believer right away in the VVT that the LT1 carried over. Though I guess other than the starter bolts, and spring retainers, this LT1 shares nothing with my all aluminum 6.2... In a Car and Driver interview an engineer on the C7 Corvette admitted this new LT1 6.2 is actually heavier than the LS3 (and L92) it replaces (not by a lot). Due to the heft of the high pressure mechanical fuel pump and related high pressure rails. So I guess I can at least know my now outdated engine is lighter, lol. Thats what 7's are all about, right? Adding lightness!

Thanks X. I am a member of the Stalker V6 group, but to be honest I am much more comfortable with this style forum. My entry into forums was in prior projects like my LS1 Camaro (reason for the screen name), Dodge and GM trucks, Corvette, Jeeps, and ATV (come to think of it I have been on a LOT of forums). They all had forum communities similar to this in style. I read the new posts on the yahoo group, but am not as competent in locating info there. I'm back from vacation and eager to get back to work. Here are the pics as promised: http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g156/subtlez28/M-spec/D8607231-AD2C-4B12-A70B-C2EC9897FC10-1563-000002619C38C0FB.jpg http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g156/subtlez28/M-spec/20CF7615-4D30-42C9-8000-EA127AA3E95A-1563-000002619833575D.jpg http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g156/subtlez28/M-spec/9E9C7460-48BF-49CA-8F29-D51C6EB753A6-1563-000002619090BAA3.jpg

My car is a bit of a hybrid. Classic style scoop less hood and 7" round headlights, but M-spec chassis, louvered front fenders and more aerodynamic rear end. My goals here are function over form, and the M-spec rear treatment is supposed to help at speed. I just prefer the olds style headlights. I did not do the XL, but that would not be a bad idea. I fit ok (6' 180 pounds) in the standard chassis, but an XL would open up more potential riders and maybe buyers down the road. It is pretty tight, but I was shooting for maximum performance (less size/weight).

I do have the chassis. With the busy holiday season I had very limited time to work on it. I have the garage organized and have the body work hung on the walls and out of the way. I was able to fab up the floor pans just before 2013 started and heading out of town again. I hope to get a build thread going soon.

Yes I am. Thanks for noticing. My concept w the Vette was to be lighter and faster than the 02 Z28 I was racing. I ended up losing interest in the project because it was not going to be quite as light and simple to work on as I had hoped. What I really wanted from the start is a light, simple, LS powered chassis that would be shockingly fast. This project fits the bill!

BEAUTIFUL! I would love to see any other photos you have. I am flying down to pick up my Brunton M-spec Monday (kit - long road ahead of me). Which LS engine is that? What trans did you go with?

I am eagerly awaiting the first week of December, when I will fly down and return to WI with my newest project (in the back of a Penske truck). In the mean time I have been reading all I can, and looking at other "7" based cars on this and other forums. If anyone else is building an M-Spec or has info on one, please post up or pass a link along. I have done about all I can w google searching. My M-Spec will get an L92 and T-56 six speed (manual). For those unfamiliar with the L92, it is an all aluminum (block and heads) GM V-8. 6.2 liter with a factory rating of 403 hp. It has "VVT" or variable valve timing via a cam phaser. These are typically found in trucks and SUVs like Escalades. I'm betting it will move the "7" type chassis alright. It is nearly the same engine as the Camaro, and Corvette's LS3, but with a different cam and solid valves. I will be running the LS3 (car) intake. I chose to go with the more traditional hood. I like the classic round head lights better. I will certainly post more info as the build progresses.