1984 Mercedes 380SL RestoMod

[Flipper1938]

Upper and forward cross members in place, still a good bit of welding and bracing left to do but it is where it lives. There are two more braces that attach to the lower arms forward to a point under the car. This is an issue with no easy solution. Cant wait to figure out sheet metal.......................

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It looks like you are mounting it the way people mount jag irs in streetrods. The forward mount needs to terminate in line with the lower a-rm pivots. Low powered cars get away without having that one.

 

[NCFJ]

The last links connecting lower arm to the frame have been fitted and cut down. These arms are roughly 1/3 of the original length.
I mounted them set into the cross member to gain length. The are mounted at the angle prescribed in the instructions.
Operation is smooooooth.

 

[NCFJ]

The bulkhead the mount it attached to is two walled. I recessed the mount between them and rosette welded it to the inner wall, boxed in the Mount itself prior to install.
Plates on both faces rosette welded and around edges. Still a bit of cleanup left.

 

[NCFJ]

Capping off the arches above the upper arms and cutting and capping the scallops for the coil overs.

 

[NCFJ]

I managed to tie the rear section in at 3 more points. The front section will get similar and also tie into the roll bar. At least two more cross members behind the suspension. There is more to do under the suspension mount, that will wait until on the rotisserie when it will be far more comfortable to deal with. I have done more sheet metal welding on this build than in the last year and a half in the shop. Patience Grasshopper.........

 

[NCFJ]

Tying in the front frame rails similar to the rear C channels with multiple points of contact and support. Triangles everywhere.

 

[NCFJ]

Now it starts getting interesting

 

[NCFJ]

Turns out I was right, it is Xmas!!!
This is an LS3 crate motor from GM rated at 525 hp, cammed up. I can't wait to hear a bit lumpier idle than the stock 430 hp LS3 crate motors.

 

[NCFJ]

Trying this pan to get the motor as low as possible. Sump is 2" shorter than stock. Has bump outs on the sides. Holds 7 quarts. Uses -10AN for remote oil filter. I'll probably run it through a cooler as well.

 

[NCFJ]

The engine and trans are sitting in their final spot. Had to remove the rack and that will be lowered a bit. The tunnel will only need attention on top ad the trans and bell housing fit well. I'll have to do a little creative work on the fire wall for better access on the bell housing top center bolt. Two inches between front top of intake and the hood. Plenty of room for shorty headers. Steering shaft might be tight, will not know for sure until new location for the rack is determined. Hoist is now removed as is leveler, sitting there on it's own.
Engine and trans in place has me smiling ear to ear.

 

[NCFJ]

 

[D21FJ60]

It now looks like my fav build currently on mud is not even a Toyota product.

This is fantastic.

 

[NCFJ]

Thank you sir.

 

[NCFJ]

Cross member is built and installed. Drive line is now sitting on the motor mounts and cross member only, no support from the table. I used the same mounting location as the OEM cross member. 12 bolts total holding it to the car. I plan to put a cover over the length of the angle iron.

 

[NCFJ]

The R&P was originally mounted above the top of the cross member, unacceptable. I lowered it and scooped the cross member a bit to accommodate the steering shaft input. With luck the universal will fit without any further modification.

 

[NCFJ]

So much for the steering shaft being a straight shot. Center of large hole in the fire wall to little blue cap.

 

[Flipper1938]

I'm not having much fun with my swap either right now. I know it can be done...I've seen pictures of LS swapped cars.

 

[fourtrax]

electric steeering?

 

[NCFJ]

I'll figure something out, may just require a carrier bearing and another universal..

I do not feel comfortable with full electric, drive by wire, steering. I find comfort in a mechanical connection between myself and the front tires. Can not see my mind ever changing about that one.

 

[NCFJ]

Started looking at the front seat placement and the steering column location/size. I am going with a column from Ididit and most likely a Nardi wood rim wheel. What you see in the first photo is the stock column and wheel in stock location.

Using a tilt wheel column. Probably going to stick with a 16" wheel for gauge reading reasons. Wheel will end up in the same position as stock.

These are not the seats I'll use, just seats I have laying around. Lowered into the pit. I am 6'3" and my legs are not bent up in the least and no where near the wheel like they are in OEM configuration. If you look at the last two photos, I plan to lower and strengthen the cross member ahead of the seat. I also plan to lower, reconfigure and strengthen the bulkhead top behind the seat. The roll bar will be what stops the recline of the seats. Where this one is now positioned is already comfortable for me. Justin sat in it and he is 5'8". Site lines are good for both of us and he'll be able to get more recline if wanted that I will with the seat all the way back.

Door bar location is approx.