Re: 1973 Laguna, Project: Brutus

by switchbiker Tue Jul 22, 2014 11:05 pm

Sorry buddy, just lots of cleaning and trial fitting. I'll be posting a detailed update soon (next few weeks) with lots of pics. Hoping to get this done in time to drive at a few of the remaining rounds of Solo w/RenoSCCA

by driveit Wed Jul 23, 2014 9:34 am

Can't wait.

by switchbiker Sat Oct 04, 2014 2:04 am

Here is an update on this project. You'll have to visit my blog to see the update as I don't care to re-post everything again. Plus there are lots of pictures there. See my latest post here: http://lagunatour73.blogspot.com/2014/10/all-little-details.html comments in this topic are preferable since I don't check comments often on the blogger site.

by dynchel Sat Oct 04, 2014 6:56 am

1973 Laguna, Project: Brutus - Page 3 Photobucket-88026-1362748990235_zps8838b0ce

I have used the old school hole saw trick myself, it does make parts look unique. (And shaves a little weight
1973 Laguna, Project: Brutus - Page 3 Photobucket-87093-1362748943550_zpseada8c74

1973 Laguna, Project: Brutus - Page 3 Photobucket-87093-1362748943550_zpseada8c74

by switchbiker Sat Oct 04, 2014 12:55 pm

ah yes, drag racer budget diet plan there. Once I have the radiator core support finished I'll be removing the urethane skin off the bumper. I want to restore and rustproof the inner structure and see where I can safely trim weight off of that heavy frontend. I'm no engineer but I think the original designers overbuilt the structure so there should be some areas that can be safely cut away and trimmed up.

by dynchel Sat Oct 04, 2014 12:58 pm

I cut The whole boxed center of mine out, and hole sawed around the turn signals. There is more that could be cut out, but I didn't want the bumper to be completely useless.... Cuz then I would just get a fiberglass one.

by switchbiker Sun Oct 05, 2014 12:49 am

Today, I layed down some high build primer on the radiator core support, I wont' be able to get back to it for a few days. I'm going to an autocross event tomorrow (just to watch and meet people) I'll have to do some sanding on Monday, more primer, more sanding until its all smooth. Then I'll get some color on it. I expect I won't have any color on it until Tuesday.
1973 Laguna, Project: Brutus - Page 3 Output

1973 Laguna, Project: Brutus - Page 3 Output

1973 Laguna, Project: Brutus - Page 3 Output_1

Here's some pics of some of the parts I have received for this project that are waiting to be installed. It will be a while though since I still want to get the body off the frame to clean, paint and modify a few things.
Energy Suspension polyurethane engine and transmission mount kit.
1973 Laguna, Project: Brutus - Page 3 Output_5

1973 Laguna, Project: Brutus - Page 3 Output_5

AGR 12.7:1 billet quick ratio power steering gear.
1973 Laguna, Project: Brutus - Page 3 Output_4

ProForged idler arm, inner tie rod ends, billet aluminum adjusters, drag link. Not in picture: moog outer tie rod ends
1973 Laguna, Project: Brutus - Page 3 Output_3

1973 Laguna, Project: Brutus - Page 3 Output_3

Detroit Speed rear Speed Kit. Rear control arms w/ swivel link, springs shocks and sway bar.
1973 Laguna, Project: Brutus - Page 3 Output_2

by driveit Mon Oct 06, 2014 12:20 pm

Get all of those parts on yet?

by switchbiker Mon Oct 06, 2014 6:27 pm

Haha, not yet. Still contemplating getting the body off the chassis. Not sure if I want to take it that far yet since we are about to come into winter, I won't have much time to get the chassis complete and painted before it gets too cold to paint.

by switchbiker Mon Oct 06, 2014 8:06 pm

Ok, well today I got some color on that radiator support. I know it doesn't look like anything special, hell it's not even something that ever really stands out on a finished project. But to me it represents many weekends of sandblasting, repairing dents & dings, straightening, modifying, smoothing, and sanding. This radiator core support was in pretty bad shape when I started and sandblasting the entire thing revealed even more problems that I had to fix. You might not think much of it, but to me it is kind of a big deal.
1973 Laguna, Project: Brutus - Page 3 20141006_165505

1973 Laguna, Project: Brutus - Page 3 20141006_165505

1973 Laguna, Project: Brutus - Page 3 20141006_165419

1973 Laguna, Project: Brutus - Page 3 20141006_165325

by 77mali Mon Oct 06, 2014 8:21 pm

I remember restoring mine- it got the royal treatment too. What a job it is to prep those core supports "the right way". Nice work.

I saw an NOS one on fleabay for 1976 or 77 cars once for about $300, considering all that time spent I wish they were more common.

by thatfnthing Tue Oct 07, 2014 8:57 am

I think the support looks great, and I can appreciate the work involved. I myself have one in a box waiting to replace the one in the car, but I have to bust up the bodywork to do it, so it's not exactly at the top of my list...

by driveit Tue Oct 07, 2014 12:58 pm

Looks awesome. How much did all of those plugs you took out weight?

by alowerlevel Sat Oct 18, 2014 1:18 am

Im loving this build. What size wheels and tires were on it when you bought it?

by switchbiker Thu Dec 25, 2014 11:10 am

alowerlevel wrote:Im loving this build. What size wheels and tires were on it when you bought it?

Rear was 265-60-15 fronts 245-60-15 on Cragar soft 8's 15X10 w. 4" backspace, they didn't fit well and rubbed heavilly on the rear, even with the fender lips rolled.

by dynchel Thu Dec 25, 2014 11:37 am

driveit wrote:Looks awesome. How much did all of those plugs you took out weight?

Those don't add up very fast. Been there, done that. Lol

by switchbiker Thu Dec 25, 2014 1:15 pm

driveit wrote:Looks awesome. How much did all of those plugs you took out weight?

Well, I didn't have plugs to weigh (drilled holes w/drill bits), but the radiator support weighed 39.8 lbs (with latch and mid support) before and now its 36.1 lbs so thats a 3.7 lb difference.

Update on the car:
My front brakes came in, I contacted CPP and ordered their C-5 spindles and Baer 14" brake kit.
Here is a photo of the left side next to the factory disc brake.
1973 Laguna, Project: Brutus - Page 3 20141220_190741

1973 Laguna, Project: Brutus - Page 3 20141220_190741

Here are some photos of the spindles, before and after painting.
1973 Laguna, Project: Brutus - Page 3 FB_IMG_1419142803710

1973 Laguna, Project: Brutus - Page 3 FB_IMG_1419210416847

I also have disc brakes for the rear, its a kit the previous owner had but had not installed. It's nothing great but it will do until I get the coins together to buy matching Baer discs for the rear.
I have lots of work to do but it's effing freezing out and my heater for the garage is broken and needs to be replaced. yesterday it was a chilly 22*F out there, spilled my cofee on the floor and it froze into a nice slippery spot next to my tool box.

I've been working a lot lately at my job, really hoping to get it ready to take to the track by late spring. I almost feel like I may not make my own deadline, I still have hope. It's a fine balance between working enough to afford it and having enough time left to build it. GRR frustrations, but I am thankfull to have a job that pays well enough I can finally build a car I'll take great pride in owning.

by switchbiker Thu Dec 25, 2014 2:55 pm

Heres a few more pics I haven't put here yet. Camber looks sketchy because it has not been adjusted, this was a mockup, to make sure everything fit properly.
1973 Laguna, Project: Brutus - Page 3 20141112_164117

1973 Laguna, Project: Brutus - Page 3 20141112_164117

1973 Laguna, Project: Brutus - Page 3 20141123_194547

1973 Laguna, Project: Brutus - Page 3 20141123_194617

1973 Laguna, Project: Brutus - Page 3 20140829_202154

by thatfnthing Fri Dec 26, 2014 9:48 am

Haven't seen an update on Brutus in a while -- good to see progress!

by switchbiker Sat Dec 27, 2014 1:26 am

thatfnthing wrote:Haven't seen an update on Brutus in a while -- good to see progress!

thanks man, glad you are enjoying it. Hopefully things start falling in place quicker if I can get time to get it together. I have a vacation coming up, I'm looking forward to spending a week getting things done.

by driveit Sat Dec 27, 2014 1:41 am

Wheels look good. What size are the new meats?

by switchbiker Sat Dec 27, 2014 2:05 am

Wheels look good. What size are the new meats?

in an attempt to get a lititle more sidewall compliance, I went with 295-45-18 Nitto NT05 for all 4. The wheels are Weld RTS 18X10.5 w/5.6" backspacing on all 4.

by 77mali Sat Dec 27, 2014 10:49 am

Lookin' good man!

by driveit Sat Dec 27, 2014 1:21 pm

How is the clearance in the back and have you tested it with the front fenders on yet?

by switchbiker Sat Dec 27, 2014 2:14 pm

Clearance in the back is good, only one spot, a little hump on the inner wheel well will need to be massaged a little to keep it from rubbing at full suspension compression. The front clearance is good, but the fender flares will need to be widened by about 1/2 inch, the trailing edge of the tires catch the outer edge of the fender at full compression and steer angle. Once I mod the front fender flare I will mod the rear to match.

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