I bought a luggage rack from VS for my CMC 356 before I read that they dont really work on the intakes. So I took my intake off and put it on the drill press. Currently sits higher than what I want but it works.
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If you look at the pic, the one looking dead on the back you can see the drivers side is a bit lower than the passenger side, while the support legs go straight vertical...... going to have to figure this one out. Hmmm
I wonder how much weight racks such as this can take? Is there any danger of damaging the intake grille?
That actually looks pretty close to perfect.
@Bob: IM S6 posted:I wonder how much weight racks such as this can take? Is there any danger of damaging the intake grille?
CMC uses a single piece cast aluminum "hibachi" grill. So unlike the OEM grill (used on other replicas) - its not made up of 40 (?) bits. That, of course, makes the slats closer together and the VS rack legs won't go thru it to the fiberglass rain shield. That same rain shield provides a strong support for the 1 piece grill.
I had always thought you could weld aluminum mounting nubs between the slats to secure a VS grill. I ended up getting a patina AMCO luggage rack on mine. You can see difference in photo of OEM grill.
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@Bob: IM S6 posted:I wonder how much weight racks such as this can take? Is there any danger of damaging the intake grille?
I am not sure... but I also have not welded any aluminum to the underside.....YET. I will be doing that now that I have proof of concept.
My son is in welding school, he can run it in one day for me.
As much as I hate to say it, this is mostly for looks...I would love to put an old suitcase on it and be able to store my outside cover in it. It might be close to 20 pounds once all is done.... good question, I could weigh it once I get it all together.
Thanks !!!!
@edsnova posted:That actually looks pretty close to perfect.
Thank you, would like it a little lower but this is good...
@WOLFGANG posted:CMC uses a single piece cast aluminum "hibachi" grill. So unlike the OEM grill (used on other replicas) - its not made up of 40 (?) bits. That, of course, makes the slats closer together and the VS rack legs won't go thru it to the fiberglass rain shield. That same rain shield provides a strong support for the 1 piece grill.
I had always thought you could weld aluminum mounting nubs between the slats to secure a VS grill. I ended up getting a patina AMCO luggage rack on mine. You can see difference in photo of OEM grill.
Agree.... my hibachi grill, so far is working. Haahaha.
I do want the aluminum plates welded....at a minimum some bent aluminum strips attached so I can attach it. I can always add supports to the inside of my intake on the trunk. I do fiberglass work as well.
Weight to the last and final question....hmmmm
Thanks for the info....
Pondering wondering thinking
I tried to make one work using a CMC cast grill, I had the use of a machine shop so I figured what the heck. I lightly milled to outer most top and bottom slats and a bit of the surround for the rack legs to pass through, when I got done it looked like I tried to put a round peg into a square holes which... is what it is. Plan B' opened up the fiberglass grill opening (CMC FF deck lid) but by doing so lost the support of the 1/2" vertical edge. I glued in the underside of the lighter VS aluminum grill with 3M " Panel Bond" aka Corvette Glue" that was the replacement support, the VS luggage rack of course the fit...... You're mileage may vary ~
@Alan Merklin posted:I tried to make one work using a CMC cast grill, I had the use of a machine shop so I figured what the heck. I lightly milled to outer most top and bottom slats and a bit of the surround for the rack legs to pass through, when I got done it looked like I tried to put a round peg into a square holes which... is what it is. Plan B' opened up the fiberglass grill opening (CMC FF deck lid) but by doing so lost the support of the 1/2" vertical edge. I glued in the underside of the lighter VS aluminum grill with 3M " Panel Bond" aka Corvette Glue" that was the replacement support, the VS luggage rack of course the fit...... You're mileage may vary ~
Haahahahaaa.. nice.
Thank you. Good information here.
Appreciate it...
I had a similar problem on my VS kit with a similar rack. The rain shield fiberglass was not perfect in the locations where the rack legs went through the grill. Not a big deal, I just added spacers on the legs with fender washers to level it up. It was a cheap Chinese rack that I needed for the Carlisle trip last year. Not top shelf but it works and holds quite a bit of weight.
@Al Gallo posted:I had a similar problem on my VS kit with a similar rack. The rain shield fiberglass was not perfect in the locations where the rack legs went through the grill. Not a big deal, I just added spacers on the legs with fender washers to level it up. It was a cheap Chinese rack that I needed for the Carlisle trip last year. Not top shelf but it works and holds quite a bit of weight.
Nice....thank you.
Will have similar mods to do.
IM puts a metal cast I believe at the bottom of the grill and held to the inside of the lid.
Yyou then have bolts and spacers To keep the rack above the grill