Street/Strip V8 Vega buildup

One of the ways to go faster is to reduce weight. Another factor is emissions testing where we live. So we took the drivetrain out of an 81 camaro (3500 lbs with driver) and are swapping it into a 77 Vega (2150 lbs. stock). Since it is a 77, it only has to pass "visual" inspection.. ;)

update 08/02/05

After some long delays, we are back to work on it. Finished up the rollbar, and started bolting stuff back on..

Here are some "before" shots:

Pretty clean little car, don't you think? Pretty much free of rust, and complete except for the back seat. The dash is near perfect (no cracks), and the door panels are complete and in excellent shape. Of course, the a/c will have to go... Now, if you know us, it will have a stroked SBC with a little naaawwwzz, and some ET Streets on the back. Since the tires are a little too big for the stock wheel wells, we'll just have to tub it and add some ladder bars and coil overs.. stay tuned!

Finally got started on this one, have all the chassis parts in hand. We'll be tubbing it to clear some 31 x 13.5 ET Streets and a 9". Here are some early "in progress" pics.

Everything is stripped out, ready to go.

Still "virgin" underneath

Started the initial cuts, to clear the tubs, and a test fit on the left frame rail.

So far, so good! Center to center on the rails will be 25" (can you say narrowed?)

More progress on the back...

Everything is tying together nicely. Got most of the suspension and exhaust put together, here are some of the latest pics. This is all 3" mandrel bent pipe, pieced together...

Here is the finished 3" exhaust..

It was snug, but it all fit.. minimum 3/4" clearance all the way around, and doesn't hang below the subframe connectors...Also had to stretch the rear wheelwells 5" to fit the new tires. The ones on the car now are just for test.. the actual ones will be 2" taller and 2" wider.
Also added brackets for the battery and nitrous bottle. He wanted it low.. sooo!