Project Superman: '90 Talon - building my first drag race car

[tank2220]

that roll cage is great... nice work..

 

[Superman]

VERY nice!

Thanks

 

[Superman]

that roll cage is great... nice work..

The cage came out really well. Nate is the man.

 

[Superman]

Hey Guys, quick question. Regarding the Hoosier QTP DOT tires, do these tires require an inner tube? Also do you have to use a bead lock and metal valve stems.

 

[twicks69]

Hey Guys, quick question. Regarding the Hoosier QTP DOT tires, do these tires require an inner tube? Also do you have to use a bead lock and metal valve stems.

No tubes, no beadlocks, just short metal valve stems. Tar Goo the wheels so the tires don't leak.

 

[Superman]

No tubes, no beadlocks, just short metal valve stems. Tar Goo the wheels so the tires don't leak.

Thanks for the info. Can you tell me what brand valve stem or where I can get them.

 

[talondave]

I haven't heard any news with the car! Hows it coming along?

 

[Superman]

The car is still at the fab shop. The project got delayed earlier in the year, but is now back on track. I am hoping to have some pics and updates shortly.

 

[96awd]

Sell me your CF hatch!

I have never seen this thread until just now. I'm surprised it's still going! You've done great so far! Fab work is amazing! Very clean car!

 

[Superman]

Called the fab shop today. Car should be done soon. Should have some pics soon.

Hey man, I need that hatch. It was hard to come by when I got it. Thanks for the kind words.

 

[Superman]

The build lives on. Let me get you guys up to speed. Ok, the cage was completed some time ago. The seat had to be modified to give me more head room. This required the floor to be modified and the E-brake moved to the other side of the Shifter. Nate tells me that I should have all the room I need. Then the issue of the rear end came up. Like most guys the only option I had was to buy those DSS rear axles for 2,000 and rebuild the rear. But guys still break those and I didn't feel like stock piling 4 bolt rears. I was walking around Nate's shop and was checking out a camaro that he was adding a ford 9 inch in. I think it was a four link setup. Just for fun, I asked Nate if he had ever installed a ford 9 inch in a DSM. He said no. I didn't press the issue because I didn't have the extra money in my budget to afford a custom rear anyway. Then Nate calls me and says he would like to try and install the solid rear. I told him I didn't have a lot of money so he would have to reuse the Megan coilovers I had already purchased and keep the factor rear brakes. Well this is what he sent me. By the way, this guy is not an amateur. His previous job was building Top Fuel dragster chassis from scratch. So the guy knows his stuff. So he sends me some pics. At first the car looks normal on the ground. Then you see it in the air and surprise no more IRS.

He is still working on some things. He is replacing some bars, but everything looks good so far. The Drive Shaft Shop will be making a custom rear drive shaft to mate to the ford 9. Things are coming together. I will have some more pics shortly. Let me know what you think.

 

[turboboy4]

Thats a sick setup and should be virtually bullet proof

 

[Bricktop]

WOW! That last pic could not have come at a better time. I hear that Ladder bars bind up bad on the street. It looks like the bars are triangulated a lil. any bind? Or does it act as though the axle is a giant anti roll bar?

 

[Superman]

I have to drive it and see what it does. The axles are 35 spline. Heavy duty center section. Nate wants to see how it performs. He has installed this on other cars that made a lot more power than I will make. So hopefully it will work well.

 

[camfast]

Amazing build!! All you need is an auto in that thing.

Are you retaining stock fuel tank or going with a fuel cell.

thanks

 

[Superman]

I may have to use a cell, but everything else is retained. He even left in the factory mounting points for the OEM rear. So if I want to switch back, I can. I am no suspension expert, but I think a ladder bar system should work fine. I think it may be Similar to sheps first solid axle rear setup, not sure. The great thing is I can change things around if the car does not perform well. We'll see what happens.

 

[Pirrofab]

I want that set up in my car. That looks awesome and I am a huge fan of being able to switch it back to IRS if things dont go as planned. I definatley dont think a rear like that will be stressed in a dsm. If I ever planned on doing something similar with my car I feel a well built chevy 10 bolt rear or decent 12 bolt would be fine. As far as your rear selection are u going with a spool or a posi?

 

[Superman]

Yes it is a spool. with 35 spline axles. It is a strange pro center section.

 

[Nate Crisman]

Any idea of total weight change going from the stock rear subframe/diff/axles/trailing arms to the ladder bar? It looks like the solid rear should be significantly lighter.

 

[Superman]

No not yet. The center section is aluminum so it should be lighter.

 

[1990AWD]

Damn that guys good! Just look at that fab work!

 

[kanusky1990]

I just read this whole thread. kudos to you sir. very nice build.

 

[DSM_PWR]

cant see the pics...

 

[okcpopeman]

Pretty wild how common live axle swaps are becoming in fast DMS's these days! I really like the fact he made it work with most of your existing parts!

 

[Codders]

one day i will be doing this...one day