21 replies to this topic

[Bigfella237]

First thing you need to know is the angle difference between the crankshaft / trans main shaft centreline and the car's centreline (when viewed from the side).

 

That will tell you whether the engine is sitting too high/low or whether you can just lower the trans x-member or whether you need to start cutting sheet metal?

 

EDIT: DOH, too slow, again

Edited by Bigfella237, 11 August 2016 - 08:39 PM.

[dattoman]

Someone better drag out the engine mount pics again

HQ mounts are higher or lower than Torana... I don't remember

[derrin71]

Build your own x member. I don't know why people spend ridiculous money buying ones which don't fit.

[myss427]

Thats correct, the box is way longer than a depress, and to get 3 degrees with engine and diff, the back of the box almost touches the floor. Normally you cut the floor brace out and the box actually protrudes through the floor and a bit of new tunnel is fabricated in. All the conversions I have seen with T56's hanging low, vibrate. HQ mounts sit the engine 10mm lower, best ones to use.

[Ricky Bobby]

I am doing the same convertion at the moment, I am using the CRS cross member and the gear box output shaft is in the same position as yours.

I have cut away the bracing under the tunnel and will replace it a saddle brace inside the car. (Mine is a UC). I have just removed the engine and gearbox to weld the tunnel extention in place or I would have taken a pic.

[ozyozyozy]

I changed my gearbox out at start of the year, not a t56 tho.
To get even 3 degrees angle i had to raise the entire tailshaft tunnel to give sufficient clearance.

An option is to fit spacers between x member and chasis to lower back of gearbox then adjust pinion angle to suit.

[myss427]

I changed my gearbox out at start of the year, not a t56 tho.
To get even 3 degrees angle i had to raise the entire tailshaft tunnel to give sufficient clearance.

An option is to fit spacers between x member and chasis to lower back of gearbox then adjust pinion angle to suit.

 

Agree, I had 20 mm alloy engine cross member spacers made to achieve the required angle.

[adrianh08]

Does anyone have any pictures of how they re did the floor brace when raising the entire tunnel?

 

I am in the process of working out how to do this.

 

I have a sedan tunnel and brace and  can use this to raise it up and I also have the tunnel out of a VE commodore but I am at a bit of a loss as to the best way to go about raising the tunnel.

 

I am trying to put a TR6060 box in. Cannot afford to change over to a magnum box and even the rear end conversion is the best part of $2000.

 

I am hoping to be able to get the tunnel up high enough to clear the original triangular flange on the gear box and then have a tailshaft made to suit this.

 

Was also considering have a tailshaft made with a CV joint on the front which apparently helps with vibration/angle issues but I really want to get the mnotor and box at the correct angle to avoid these issues hence having to raise the tunnel. And a fair whack too. Initial measurements show it has to go up about 50 mm from where the bottom of the floor brace is in the tunnel currently.

 

Any help or advice here would be greatly appreciated.

[ozyozyozy]

A commodore vy/ve trans tunnel would actually be quite strong, could prob just cut out the brace and graft in the tunnel.
Could use rectangular rhs modified to fit as a brace.
No real easy way of going about it, it is alot of work.

A car i am building HK has had a complete by commo tunnel transplanted.
You also may find you may need to raise part of the tailshaft tunnel.
Depending how much of the tunnel you cut out in one hit, if cutting entire tunnel out, you will also want to brace the bodyshell as it can twist without a tunnel.

I cut the brace and tunnel out, fabbed a new tunnel and used slighty thicker steal, my car is also caged which gives it some structural strength and my seat is also not mou ted in the same place.

Edited by ozyozyozy, 15 March 2017 - 11:32 PM.

[76lxhatch]

Raising the tunnel would definitely be the best solution to solve the issue, even if you did buy the Magnum version that would only help with the shifter and wouldn't change the driveshaft clearance. The seat mounting bolts might be useful for mounting a temporary brace if you're cutting a large chunk out, as long as you can work around it.

 

A front CV joint on the driveshaft would just add bulk where you don't want it, but if you wanted to go two piece then a Commodore style setup with centre CV allows you to correct weird angles on the cardan joints at front and rear.

[adrianh08]

Thanks fellas. I am looking at raising the whole tunnel including floor brace back to the rear seat to provide ample clearance for the box and tailshaft so I can get the pinion angle correct. The tunnel itself is pretty straight forward, it is the floor brace I am trying to decide what the best way to go is. The car is going to be engineered because of the motor so I want to make sure I do it well enough so I don't have any problems with that down the track. Any pictures from someone who has already done the same or similar thing would be great. I have found the odd picture here and there of people who have made changes, especially to the front of the tunnel and a portion of the floor brace but none so far where the entire brace has been lifted higher.

[myss427]

You don't need to remove the floor brace only trim it back a couple of inches for clearance. Just shape some 3mm plate up and weld back in, see some guys plat on top inside the car for better clearance. Commodore floor pan is the way to go, it made my job much easier. As Ozy said remove the floor bracing off the Commodore tunnel and weld in over the top of the Torana chassis rails, will be almost invisible from underneath.

[adrianh08]

Thanks Brett I appreciate the advice. I have a feeling the box is sitting up a little high as the top of the tri angular flange on the rear of the box at its highest point is not that far from the top of the floor brace. I definitely like the sound of your idea. If there is any chance you could come and have a look and tell me what you think id really appreciate it. Be more than happy to pay you for your time as I know you've been there and done that in regards to getting the floor right.

[myss427]

No worries, would have to work out a time, have been painting two club members cars and have not had a spare weekend in months.

[adrianh08]

Perfect mate Id really appreciate it. Just a few tips and advice for how I should attack it. Happy to work around your schedule.

My number is 0431260286 if you can shoot me a text we can work out a time that suits you.