55 210 Remodel.

[BAM55]

Here a pic of the car as it sits. I have had it for about 10 years and I am ready for change.

I promised myself after I build my truck I will freshen up my car. The plan is a C4 IFS, LS 6.0, and change of color scheme.
Very few body mods on this one.
I found a 1988 C4 suspension and got started.

I purchased a Flatout Engineering Cross member, which I will modify to fit what I am trying to do.


Now that is all together I can see what needs to be done.
I made frame rails that will slide inside the 55 210 frame rails.


I than tapered the front of the frame rails to give it a clean streamline look.

[BAM55]

Well I decided to make a change. With install as it exists, my choice of wheels will be limited. So I decide
to re-engineer it by narrowing the clip 2 inches and ditching the corvette rack and pinion and installing a
1988 T-bird rack which will solved the pivot point issues because its pivot points will match the clip when it’s narrowed.



The Clip is complete now the track width is close to the stock 55 track width.

[BAM55]

I found a 6.0 out of a 2003 Cadillac Escalade. The engine was filthy, but when I took the
oil pan off to check it out, the bearings and cylinder walls were in good shape. I decided to
get the block hot tanked and cleaned. So I could just rebuild it. I also had the crank cleaned and polished.




The engine has a stock bottom end with with new pistons, sloppy stage 2 cam, 243 heads,
harden push rods, PAC-1219 springs, and stock rocker arms with a Trunion kit

On the top I'm using an LS6 intake manifold, Slightly Modified Stock Truck Alternator
and Power Steering Bracket, 2002 Camaro Water pump with 3/4 spacers, Idler pulley
relocation bracket, and 2002 Camaro Belt Tensioner, and a Billet Fuel Rail kit. Steering Bracket
, 2002 Camaro Water pump with 3/4 spacers, Idler pulley relocation bracket, and 2002 Camaro
Belt Tensioner, and a Billet Fuel Rail kit.

[Jason 56]

I like it Bam! I'll be following

[Jesse49chevy]

Good engine.. and great start, cant wait to see ypur weekly updates .

[BAM55]

Originally Posted by Jason 56

I like it Bam! I'll be following

Originally Posted by Jesse49chevy

Good engine.. and great start, cant wait to see ypur weekly updates .

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

Bam,
I'm VERY happy to see you start this project and its build thread. My dad's purchased-new black '55 two door hardtop was sold for pennies in 1974 when I didn't want it (I was a jackass kid) because I wanted a van instead - UGH.

I bought my '55 truck because I couldn't find a complete non rust bucket '55 hardtop for under $10,000 at the time. Now I'd gladly pay that!

Anyway, I can't wait to see what you do with your '55

Thanks guys, its just the beginning of another fun and expensive journey.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Bam,
I'm VERY happy to see you start this project and its build thread. My dad's purchased-new black '55 two door hardtop was sold for pennies in 1974 when I didn't want it (I was a jackass kid) because I wanted a van instead - UGH.

I bought my '55 truck because I couldn't find a complete non rust bucket '55 hardtop for under $10,000 at the time. Now I'd gladly pay that!

Anyway, I can't wait to see what you do with your '55

[mongocanfly]

beautiful car and nice work on the updating..!!!

[regan wilson]

I like the car now. I love 55's anyhow but this will be a build worth watching.

[oldman3]

Bam, I'm on board for another great build, very nice work already...Jim

[dsraven]

gonna be fun to tag along. just curious, what home reno job is gonna interupt this time, lol. I have done 2 at home plus 2 at my kids. always something, deemed important to interupt.
anyway, great work so far, good thinking on the narrowed front frame rails and ensuring the steering geometry will work.

[BAM55]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

beautiful car and nice work on the updating..!!!

Thanks man

Originally Posted by regan wilson

I like the car now. I love 55's anyhow but this will be a build worth watching.

Yeah 55 and 56 Chevys are my favorites.

Originally Posted by oldman3

Bam, I'm on board for another great build, very nice work already...Jim

I hope it turns out as nice as it is in my head.

Originally Posted by dsraven

gonna be fun to tag along. just curious, what home reno job is gonna interupt this time, lol. I have done 2 at home plus 2 at my kids. always something, deemed important to interupt.
anyway, great work so far, good thinking on the narrowed front frame rails and ensuring the steering geometry will work.

Well you know home and family comes first and if the wife has a honeydo list for me I will answer the call thats for sure.

[svr]

I'm in for the show, great work

[BAM55]

Originally Posted by svr

I'm in for the show, great work

Thanks man

[youngrodder]

Awesome....what a great idea to freshen up a ride you've had for a bit to reinvent it for many more years of enjoyment. Looking forward to tagging along on this project.

Marc

[BAM55]

Originally Posted by youngrodder

Awesome....what a great idea to freshen up a ride you've had for a bit to reinvent it for many more years of enjoyment. Looking forward to tagging along on this project.

Marc

Thanks and and please do keep checking this thread out.

[BAM55]

Well its time to install the C4 suspension.
Everything is measured and ready for the removal of the old suspension
Out with the old


No turning back now

Its ready to be tack welded in. I measured a hundred times and its sqaure.

Well its welded in, so I made the radiator support and removed the little jig and the front brace.

Installed the C4 components for mockup

Put a fender on to see how well I mocked up the axle center line. I likey

[Rickysnickers]

Your work is impressive, to say the least!!!

[oldman3]

Bam, very nice work on the mock-up, etc. Wheel is spot on, nice job...Jim

[BAM55]

Originally Posted by Rickysnickers

Your work is impressive, to say the least!!!

Originally Posted by oldman3

Bam, very nice work on the mock-up, etc. Wheel is stop on, nice job...Jim

Thanks guys, I really appreciate the comments

[Dan in Pasadena]

Bam,
Some questions. I hope you don't mind and I am NOT being critical at all, just gathering info:

- Wouldn't a Flat-out crossmember welded to a stock '55 210 frame give you the same track width as long as you could fit a non-Corvette R&P? The stock frame rails would obviously be the same width as they were. Are the size of Vette A arms the things that "prevent" you using a selection of wheels? Would more narrow A arms have accomplished the same thing?

The photo of the stock cut off does look clunky compared to your homemade clip so I totally get it if that's why you did it.

What was the purpose of the "little jig"?

Why not use the water pump and other parts that came from the Escalade instead of swiping out to '02 Camaro? Was it for cosmetics or for fit?

Can't wait to see how this comes together. Best, Dan

[BAM55]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

Bam,
Some questions. I hope you don't mind and I am NOT being critical at all, just gathering info:

- Wouldn't a Flat-out crossmember welded to a stock '55 210 frame give you the same track width as long as you could fit a non-Corvette R&P? The stock frame rails would obviously be the same width as they were. Are the size of Vette A arms the things that "prevent" you using a selection of wheels? Would more narrow A arms have accomplished the same thing?

The photo of the stock cut off does look clunky compared to your homemade clip so I totally get it if that's why you did it.

What was the purpose of the "little jig"?

Why not use the water pump and other parts that came from the Escalade instead of swiping out to '02 Camaro? Was it for cosmetics or for fit?
Can't wait to see how this comes together. Best, Dan

You're not critical, it seems to be questions and thats how I'm going to respond like you had questions.

By the way, I don't trip if people are being critical or not, because you can't please every one and every body seems to have an opinion that they think they need to share.lol But as far as me, I gonna always do me and keep it pushing.

First you can not weld the flat out cross member to the 55 210 frame because you need straight frame rails like a truck to weld the Flatout kit to it because of the clunkiness that you alluded to. All IFS for the Trifive cars come in a clip form where you cut off the clunky section and weld in a clip. I simply made my flat out kit a clip.

As far as width of the front clip. Yes the a arms are long on the vette suspension. In my opinion it was much easier to take out the 2 inches and get a 2 inch shorter rack with the pivot points that match the lower a arms than to buy a new rack and upper and lower arms that would get expensive.. The reason I bought the vette parts was because of it came with everything needed. It would defeat the purpose expense wise.

The little jig was for knowing where to locate the radiator support

I used the camaro water pump because I'm using the LS6 intake manifold. The truck water pump takes up too much space to use the LS6 intake. The camaro water pump you have to use 3/4 spacers to line everything up with the pully. Also to use the truck alternator and power steering bracket with the LS6 intake you have to shave a little bit off the inside corner of the bracket because it will hit the throttle body, but its really simple to do. I wanted a car intake in my car its as simple as that.

[LT7A]

Wow, I'm glad that I found this. Had a great time reading through your entire truck thread and now I get to watch this! Thanks for taking the time to show us what you're doing.

[BAM55]

Originally Posted by LT7A

Wow, I'm glad that I found this. Had a great time reading through your entire truck thread and now I get to watch this! Thanks for taking the time to show us what you're doing.

Thanks man,

I like posting stuff, it motivates me to get things done.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Thanks for the info, Bam!