56 step/C5/C6 Z06 BBC
 

Got the hood and fenders on.

Re: 56 step/C5/C6 Z06 BBC
 

Oops. Got the hood and fenders on.

Re: 56 step/C5/C6 Z06 BBC
 

Looks good.
Kim

Re: 56 step/C5/C6 Z06 BBC
 

Looks really nice :D

Re: 56 step/C5/C6 Z06 BBC
 

lookin good

Re: 56 step/C5/C6 Z06 BBC
 

Looking really good man. More pics please.

Re: 56 step/C5/C6 Z06 BBC
 

Here are a couple more. I'm using a C6 Z06 front suspension, C5 rear and C6 Z06 rotors and calipers at all four corners. I installed a tilt/telescopic column and a wheel with paddle shifters. I didn't lengthen the torque tube so the engine sits in the cab a bit, but is manageable.

Re: 56 step/C5/C6 Z06 BBC
 

Any shots of the engine? Looking really nice man.

Re: 56 step/C5/C6 Z06 BBC
 

Thanks for the kind words. I only have the plastic BBC mockup engine in it right now. I have a 375hp/396 sitting on an engine stand and it will go in after I take the cab back off for new floors etc. I have an 18" bead/flange roller so I will make the floor pieces myself.

Re: 56 step/C5/C6 Z06 BBC
 

Plastic mockup engine you got to love it man. Makes life much easier.

When you start on those floor boards I can tell you to keep the noise down like you are always telling me.lol But please do post pics.

Re: 56 step/C5/C6 Z06 BBC
 

The mockup engine weighs 29.0 lbs. that includes the valve covers. I bought it on eBay and it has steel threaded inserts for every bolt-on (headers, intake, water pump etc.). The floor will be easy to build, because the torque tube requires that the floorboards be built in two pieces and I have a 36" brake that can handle up to 16 gauge, though I will only use 18 gauge. Then I can roll beads into it to strengthen it. I built a set for a friend and they turned out really nice.

Re: 56 step/C5/C6 Z06 BBC
 

My favorite new tool.

Re: 56 step/C5/C6 Z06 BBC
 

Mocked up my front/upper shock brackets.

Re: 56 step/C5/C6 Z06 BBC
 

Kabwe: Here is my engine. 29lbs, but I have to figure out how to install the camshaft. :lol:

Re: 56 step/C5/C6 Z06 BBC
 

I hear that with those plastic engine you don't need a camshaft you can just make the lope sound while you are in the driver seat and have your buddies push you around town.

Re: 56 step/C5/C6 Z06 BBC
 

It sure has been handy. I have a shop crane, but wrangling a cast iron big block around in that small garage is still a major pain. With this mockup engine, I just carried it over to the torque tube/bell housing and bolted it on. Just hope there is a market for it when I'm done. Seems everyone is using LS engines these days.

Re: 56 step/C5/C6 Z06 BBC
 

Now I'll be able to make more noise ......well maybe not more noise, but faster noise than you. I bought a cheapo plannishing hammer for $75.00. Now I'll be able to bash the hel......heck out of all kinds of stuff. Not even going to warn the neighbors.

Re: 56 step/C5/C6 Z06 BBC
 

Where did you get that for 75.00?

Re: 56 step/C5/C6 Z06 BBC
 

Canada's version of Harbor Freight. It's called Princess Auto. It was the only one they had. Regular price was $159.00 A friend called me and said there was one for $79.00 (display model)do you want me to pick it up? Ummm.............yes! I tried it out with a piece of 18 gauge and it worked very well. I'm happy.

Re: 56 step/C5/C6 Z06 BBC
 

Nope sorry I have one also so you can't make more noise than me.lol I hardly every use it but I do have one. I will always be the king of noise.lol

Re: 56 step/C5/C6 Z06 BBC
 

Hey Chevette, this is cool. I'm thinking about using a C5 transaxle and suspension for my '50 GMC project. I'm using a '64 Buick Nailhead. I'd love to see more photos and see or hear what your plan for the floors, firewall, etc are. From what I've seen from C5 roller photos it's a huge, fat torque tube and it sits up pretty high. Has that been your experience with it? Any other info I could glean from you would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
-sean

Re: 56 step/C5/C6 Z06 BBC
 

Hi Seanery: Good plan indeed. I'm not sure of the AD dimensions, but I had always thought they were narrower than the TF trucks. If this is the case, you will have some extra work to do. The stock track is very wide on the C5/C6 Corvette. I have had to do serious mods to the rear fenders and I built my own front suspension carrier because the C6 cross member is more than 2" too wide. As for the toque tube height, it's not a problem. It only sits up in the cab a few inches which is easily covered with a console (I'll take some measurements and post them for you). The real trouble with the torque tube is it's length, or lack there of. It's about 10 inches too short, so I was faced with getting it lengthened or sitting the engine back in the cab. I chose the latter. Anyway, I will take a few pics and some dimensions and post them for you. I like your idea for using the nailhead. That will look cool. What are your thoughts for the frame? BTW, get ready to spend some money.:lol:

Re: 56 step/C5/C6 Z06 BBC
 

I'm thinking about losing 6-10" of the wheelbase, the GMCs were a tad bit longer than the Chevy's I hear, so maybe that will help a bit with the lack of length. I want to box the whole thing. I'm not using C5 up front, I'm gonna go with C4 from Flat Out Engineering. When you get a chance I'd love to see fender to fender of the rear of your truck from about 10' back or so.


Thanks for the help!

Re: 56 step/C5/C6 Z06 BBC
 

Seanery: I hope this is what you wanted. I pie cut the vertical and the bottom horizontal so I could tuck the fender in at the bottom and not loose any width at the top (tire clearance). Then I cut an inch and a half out of the width of the step. Now I'm at the stage of working the fender out at the tire for clearance. I still have many hours of work to do on the fenders, then I have to widen the box by close to 3". The reason I did it this way is because I didn't want to widen the fender then angle the step from a wide fender to the narrower cab. Hope that makes sense.

Re: 56 step/C5/C6 Z06 BBC
 

I'm in for this one. Awesome start.
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Re: 56 step/C5/C6 Z06 BBC
 

that looks great!

Re: 56 step/C5/C6 Z06 BBC
 

Looks real good.
Kim

Re: 56 step/C5/C6 Z06 BBC
 

What a great build, that is called a cam blank, right? Cool 29lb engine, could have used it quite a few times as I usually build a B block for everything. Cool project, will be watching the progress.:c2:

Re: 56 step/C5/C6 Z06 BBC
 

Chevette:

I cant believe that I have not seen you build until now. Great stuff!!!!You have a lot of imagination.

:mm:

Re: 56 step/C5/C6 Z06 BBC
 

Thanks hotrod1. It's been fun so far. Just wish it was progressing a bit faster. I haven't had much time to spend on it.

Re: 56 step/C5/C6 Z06 BBC
 

Thanks Kim.

Thanks Seanery.

Thank You Mud.man.rj

Hope to get back in the garage this weekend. Too many distractions lately. Kim: you know how that works. :lol:

Re: 56 step/C5/C6 Z06 BBC
 

Chevette:
Is there any chance of getting some mockup pics of the rearend , when the bed was not on? How much do you think it weighed? What is the distance from the center of axle to the slender part of the torque tube?

Re: 56 step/C5/C6 Z06 BBC
 

Shadow: These are the only pictures I have without the box sides on. I with be removing the box next week and can take some more for you. The distance from the center of the rear axle to the beginning of the slender part of the torque tube is 31.5".

Re: 56 step/C5/C6 Z06 BBC
 

Thanks!!!!!!

Re: 56 step/C5/C6 Z06 BBC
 

Chevette:

How do you make a frame table like you have and get it perfectly straight and "level?"

I can build anything on my garage floor as it is not close to level or straight.

Re: 56 step/C5/C6 Z06 BBC
 

Hotrod1: In those pictures the frame table was not yet complete. I added more cross members and six screw jacks to level it out. I will take a few pictures and post them for you. It works real well and the table is 100% plumb and level.

Re: 56 step/C5/C6 Z06 BBC
 

I am just not too sure how to build it so it comes out flat.

Re: 56 step/C5/C6 Z06 BBC
 

Laid it out on the floor and shimmed the pieces until all was true (used a 5 axis laser and a 6 ft. level). Clamped it, tacked it, rechecked it, then welded it. A friend, whose a journeyman fabricator was in charge. After the screw jacks were added and all was level, I welded in more cross members and verticals. Then welded the truck frame pieces to the frame table. When all is finished welded I will cut the truck frame away from the frame table, then I will try to find a place to store it until my next project. I'm very short on space, maybe I should just sell it.:lol:

Re: 56 step/C5/C6 Z06 BBC
 

thanks.

Re: 56 step/C5/C6 Z06 BBC
 

Chevette, That is going to be a bad a$$ truck. Great job. What size is the tubing on your frame table?

Shannon