HHR LS Swap Rat Rod
09-25-2017, 02:43 PM
#21
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09-25-2017, 04:37 PM
#22
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Amazing work and incredible dedication. I'm not going for anywhere near that build quality, but I think my rat will be pretty nice. Luckily I have a few good bodymen around, it's just figuring out how many beers they charge per job 
09-25-2017, 04:54 PM
#23
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Less junk the better!!
09-25-2017, 05:53 PM
#25
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Exactly!!! Minus the powder coating and tubular a arms 
I found a complete front clip from a 73 Camaro this morning for $250. Already off the car, has brakes, steering, suspension, and crossmember all there. I'll probably go pick that up Saturday and start figuring out the safest way to join the two. I've got a few ideas running through my head about that. I could cut the factory frame rail level, and weld a piece of 1/4" steel plate to it, do the same for the frame I use and bolt them together. I could also cut and weld the frames together and then weld fish plates onto the frames. Or I could completely remove all of the hhr frame rails, and weld new frame rails from front to back, and weld the new front clip to that. Just really depends on the frame rail width of the front clip I use. Anyone have any suggestions?
I found a complete front clip from a 73 Camaro this morning for $250. Already off the car, has brakes, steering, suspension, and crossmember all there. I'll probably go pick that up Saturday and start figuring out the safest way to join the two. I've got a few ideas running through my head about that. I could cut the factory frame rail level, and weld a piece of 1/4" steel plate to it, do the same for the frame I use and bolt them together. I could also cut and weld the frames together and then weld fish plates onto the frames. Or I could completely remove all of the hhr frame rails, and weld new frame rails from front to back, and weld the new front clip to that. Just really depends on the frame rail width of the front clip I use. Anyone have any suggestions?
09-25-2017, 06:12 PM
#26
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Join Date: 10-13-2011
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Old hot rod way of getting modern brakes and steering and a V8 to boot, weld in a front frame clip.
I’ve gone so far as welding in an AMC Pacer front piece, it gave me motor mounts for a V8 ( the six cylinder mounts line up fairly nicely) it gave me coil springs, power disc brakes, and power rack and pinion steering, bonus. Put this into a 1946 Ford convertible, back in 1978. That car is still rolling out there I saw it at our Last Chance show last summer, 38 years later, so it has worked well , or somebody would have cut it out years ago!
I’ve gone so far as welding in an AMC Pacer front piece, it gave me motor mounts for a V8 ( the six cylinder mounts line up fairly nicely) it gave me coil springs, power disc brakes, and power rack and pinion steering, bonus. Put this into a 1946 Ford convertible, back in 1978. That car is still rolling out there I saw it at our Last Chance show last summer, 38 years later, so it has worked well , or somebody would have cut it out years ago!
09-25-2017, 06:38 PM
#27
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Join Date: 09-23-2017
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Old hot rod way of getting modern brakes and steering and a V8 to boot, weld in a front frame clip.
I’ve gone so far as welding in an AMC Pacer front piece, it gave me motor mounts for a V8 ( the six cylinder mounts line up fairly nicely) it gave me coil springs, power disc brakes, and power rack and pinion steering, bonus. Put this into a 1946 Ford convertible, back in 1978. That car is still rolling out there I saw it at our Last Chance show last summer, 38 years later, so it has worked well , or somebody would have cut it out years ago!
I’ve gone so far as welding in an AMC Pacer front piece, it gave me motor mounts for a V8 ( the six cylinder mounts line up fairly nicely) it gave me coil springs, power disc brakes, and power rack and pinion steering, bonus. Put this into a 1946 Ford convertible, back in 1978. That car is still rolling out there I saw it at our Last Chance show last summer, 38 years later, so it has worked well , or somebody would have cut it out years ago!
09-25-2017, 06:50 PM
#28
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It a great improvement
How to Install QA1 Race Series Control Arms on a 1973 Camaro
Speedway Motors has them
https://www.speedwaymotors.com/1970-...-Arm,2122.html
How to Install QA1 Race Series Control Arms on a 1973 Camaro
Speedway Motors has them
https://www.speedwaymotors.com/1970-...-Arm,2122.html
09-25-2017, 07:03 PM
#29
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Join Date: 09-23-2017
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It a great improvement
How to Install QA1 Race Series Control Arms on a 1973 Camaro
Speedway Motors has them
https://www.speedwaymotors.com/1970-...-Arm,2122.html
How to Install QA1 Race Series Control Arms on a 1973 Camaro
Speedway Motors has them
https://www.speedwaymotors.com/1970-...-Arm,2122.html
Those are perfect, and the price is right!! Might be able to swing an extended set to get the stance I'm looking for. Great find Old blue!!
09-25-2017, 07:08 PM
#30
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Looks like they have a lot of good stuff I can use!! I can save a ton of time by leaning on the engineering of others for the critical parts, and make sure everything I put together is strong.