Intro: 313Speedster

@313Speedster (Steve)

Nice project! Looking forward to following your progress (hopefully with pics) and seeing the end result!

I am a little bit envious of the MetalCraft chassis.  I visited them when I started building my CMC but went with an already shortened pan I got from a guy in Brighton.  I think I paid $500 for it.

Metalcraft chassis !   Well 30 years I believe you have but one competitor years wise but Greg is way ahead in the build process.  Welcome to the Madness !

Whale Tail! Which is why the turbo is necessary! I like the cut of your jib, Steve. Good luck with the build.

Yeah, but Greg bought his way back in 1988 and has been working diligently on it, every day, ever since.    🙄

Greg will also be thrilled to see another Whale Tail Californian - Probably the second one we’ve ever seen on here.  🤩  (Truth be told, I considered one for a while, but gave up on it when I couldn’t get a reasonable “deal” on it from my overly pushy CMC sales guy.)

Windshields are easy and both Alan Merklin and I can help when you get there.  You’ll have lots of challenges on other things way before you get to the windshield, believe me.  Just take it in little steps, one step at a time.

BTW, I started mine while I was still working full time, but finally had the time to really “Git R Dun” once I retired, and then I had it done in a couple of months.

313speedster, Always fun to watch a build. Of course you know lots of pictures of the progress is mandatory!, as well, there's all kinds of knowledge with this group.

Welcome to the Madness!  Looking forward to watching.  The build is one of the fun parts!  I have built a CMC/Fiberfab and will be happy to answer any questions.

Yup, Nov 1988 CMC classic delivered to No VA.  Already had '71 bug pan shortened and rebuilt.  Got divorced, remarried, son born, job promotion -- Fast forward to 2003 retired from DoD, took beltway bandit consulting job, retired, sold house (long list of procrastinated TO DO's) and moved to NW FL 2013.  Now car sits in new barn 45 miles inland - no electric (ok generator) or water yet.  So life gets in the way!  I thought son would help so he could drive it to high school.  No interest - tried teaching him MT - ran my Yota pickup into bushes.

Recently just sold (Jan) planned retirement property on Chesapeake bay (not planning to return to VA).  Currently selling beach front condo in FL (bad renters and increasing costs related to hurricanes).  The . . .

Long project list - the Speedster (sat so long i may have to re-rebuild engine) and get new tires again!  To Do - wiring, interior (chg from red to tan), install top/tonneau.  So honestly just 40 more hours! Have Dolphin Mod-T dune buggy to get on road.  Itch scratched with new Masda Miata/MX-5 - Zoom-Zoom! Want to build hurricane get away log cabin or container home on Baker 12 acre farm property.

Mike and I had a competition - I motivated him to finish his.  Now he is modifying his.  It is a challenge to finish especially with years rapidly going by.  Might be looking for a dozen strong SOCer to bury me in it!

Great great story! Looks like you havea great platform to start. If you plan to use that 1776 longblock with a turbo make sure the bottom end is bulletproof and it is low compression, amongst other things. The great Danny P here can give you useful and illuminating pointers. Wishing you great success on your project and looking forward to witnessing your adventure. Keep us posted on its progress.

Or, use the 1,776 as-is and limit the boost to 12 pounds with an adjustable waste-gate.  

@Impala posted:

Great great story! Looks like you havea great platform to start. If you plan to use that 1776 longblock with a turbo make sure the bottom end is bulletproof and it is low compression, amongst other things. The great Danny P here can give you useful and illuminating pointers. Wishing you great success on your project and looking forward to witnessing your adventure. Keep us posted on its progress.

I've never done a turbo, so I'm not really the one to ask. I'd DEFINITELY use a counterweighted and forged crank. Forged rods. Balance everything! And use a turbo-specific cam/heads/rockers.

That's all I've got.