jimlab

The weight savings won't be significant (~2 lbs., possibly) but if people want to pay for it, I'll make it available.

I can measure tonight.

No. But it wouldn't be terribly difficult to make a polyurethane or Nylon replacement that provided that option. I wouldn't recommend it, though.

If the top of the engine is in the same spot, so is the bottom.

The LS7 pan is fully protected by the front crossmember, but the other pans are deeper at the sump, with the GTO being the deepest, as you can see below. You could add a skid plate to the bottom of the cradle to protect the pan, but we're not planning to do it because it's A) unnecessary from a structural standpoint, and B) would add significantly to the cost of fabrication, since it would have to be a convex shape with several angles involved to mate with the sloping side rails of the cradle.

93silverbullet

iTrader: (7)

Jim,

I can prepay anytime your ready to start taking orders. Let me know.

Thanks.

Narfle

iTrader: (16)

Blue *****, green eyes. Top notch.

jimlab

The "biscuit" or "doughnut" part of the mount, including the metal support cup it sits in, is 1.29" tall. The rubber portion is about 1.20" thick.

You could drop the engine a bit by replacing the rubber sections, assuming you had enough pan clearance at the steering rack and didn't mind the loss of ground clearance.

dbragg

iTrader: (7)

man i hope your stuff is still available when i graduate college and start my LSX FD project

cool_as_crap

One question:
Do you have any plans to develop a cradle for the FC?

jimlab

Nope. There are already a few out there that do the job, and I have no incentive. At least I can use this cradle myself. Eventually.

Skeltah

I think the best thing about this cradle apart from engine placement and oil pan compatibility is the extremely simple design. Sometimes less is more no?

Jager

iTrader: (10)

Jim,

That's pretty slick ****, I've come to expect nothing but good work from you. Sometime I'de love to do a LS1FD, and I think I'de use you happily for inspiration.

Now I'm done with that BS.

When will you have pictures of your motor in?

roachdiddy

iTrader: (1)

jim, very nice project! my hat is off to you.
what rear end do you plan to run? and why?
what kind of hp numbers are you looking for?

OC_

I would like to see the actual bump steer numbers after everything is finalized. "no-bump steer" simply inst true! Mazda used a computer to help find the optimal position of the rack and tierod lengths to minimize bump steer. Now the rack is no longer in that happy place.

Just yesterday i ran an autoX on some really rough pavement. I was thinking that if I had any more bumps steer out there it would have made my car, which was already difficult to control, completely out of hand.

jimlab

Especially when people want less expensive (but quality) parts.

When I get more motivated to work on my own car. I still haven't decided what engine I'm using or if I'm going to have another built, but meanwhile, someone is supposedly working on a billet intake for me that will work with L92/LS3 heads.

I'm running a '03-'04 Mustang Cobra 8.8" IRS and 300M axles, using a kit I developed.







To retain the handling characteristics of the stock car while improving strength and being able to use a wide range of gear ratios.

The tie rod linkage is extended and the ends are adjusted to compensate for the change in position.

roachdiddy

iTrader: (1)

if you dont mind me asking?? what did that whole rear end setup cost you?? you could pm me if you would like?? im very interested! that is the last thing i have to buy, and my $$$$$$ headach is gone! lol
and here is a HUGE reach... could i get the part numbers on everything you used, so i myself can build this great looking while functional rear end setup!
thanks

jimlab

About $7,000.

There are several threads in the group buy section on this forum with the details, and there is a group buy for another very similar kit going on (although apparently full) here: http://www.v8rx7forum.com. Look for ls1240z.

carx7

iTrader: (31)

LOL. Be carefull how you ask questions. I think it can be replicated for a bit less than that, but Jim has pioneered many of these innovations. As such he "eats" many of the costs associted with what is essentially a one off design. He makes the information available to the rest of us who can borrow from his efforts and replicate our own.... for less than it cost him to figure it out. I believe he also has all brand new parts that will add to what it cost him.

I apprecaite the efforts... while I have the ability, I do not have the funds at this point for that sort of experimentation.... so I like being able to take advantage of the research of others.

jimlab

Yep. Make that about $7,700.

You can duplicate it for about $1,400-1,900 depending on what kind of bargains you find and what choices you make on components. I've posted complete price breakdowns here...

http://www.v8rx7forum.com/v8-rx7-tec...tml#post403388

Stonewall7

iTrader: (4)

Jim,

Do you have a transmission crossmember designed as well?

- Neil

jimlab

Talk to Blaine. My engine cradle is going to be sold through Dynotested.com as part of his new conversion kit.

Blaine@dynotested.com
760-583-5925
www.dynotested.com

Stonewall7

iTrader: (4)

Way ahead of you. I do have a new question for you. What standard sump oil pan would you recommend for use with your cradle design?

Thanks - Neil

jimlab

The LS2 and LS3 Corvette pans are your best options. The LS1 F-body pan has oil control issues under hard cornering and would benefit from some internal baffling.

lowboost

bump.....

qax

iTrader: (1)

dynotested is producing the kit

WaLieN

Not exactly, but they will be selling the kit, though.

roachdiddy

iTrader: (1)

any new progress jim?

Troux

iTrader: (6)

Rereading this gave me a good laugh, given the recent business concerns with them.

(I know what you ACTUALLY meant by this, though)