AC: What transmission are you running in this car?
BD: A Tremec six-speed. This is a very big tranny and it won't fit in a stock-framed C1 without cutting the tunnel out. Since I lowered the drivetrain, I don't have to cut the tunnel. I don't think any other frame manufacturer doing what I'm doing has lowered the engine like I have. I think the rest of them all have to cut the tunnel to get the six-speed Tremec in the car.
AC: Did you intentionally try to drop the drivetrain 2.5 inches?
BD: No, not really. I was just dropping it down to where the oil pan was still above the lower front crossmember, just so it would be as low as possible. Since I had built race cars for so long, I just wanted this car to sit as low as it could and still look like the ride height was correct.
AC: What about putting bigger engines in the car? Will the frame hold up?
BD: We built the frame to be very stout since I have customers who are putting big-blocks in these cars. We actually over-engineered the frame knowing this would happen. I also realize that these cars will be running down the road 20 years from now, so we have to build the frame to last.
AC: You know, the more I drive this car, the more I like it. It is solid. The LS1 engine and Tremec tranny seem to run well. It seems this powertrain is just right for this car.
BD: Yes, there are so many F-Body LS1 drivetrains in junkyards that are available for these projects. This engine and tranny is just the way we bought them from the wrecking yard, with no changes whatsoever.
With this drivetrain, the car really comes alive at 80-90 mph. It seems they just want to run at that speed to be happy. In Sixth gear, at 80-90 mph, the car is just barely idling down the road, yet will go like "stink" if called upon-almost instantly. They are so much fun. The car just wants to go fast. The old original cars wanted to go about 50-60 mph and that was about it.
Another great thing about these LS1s is the fact you don't have to bring the rpm up so high to get power to the rear wheels. You really can shift at half the rpm and still get the same rush as an old small-block.
AC: Does the car use a hydraulic clutch?
BD: Yes. I need to adjust the clutch in this car a little.
AC: It doesn't shift hard.
BD: It could use a little adjustment. I want it to be right on the money when I deliver it.
AC: The car really handles well. What type of wheel/tire combo is on this car?
BD: I used a 15-inch tire on this car which is what the customer wanted. I think I have outgrown the 15-inch rim. We have an 18-inch wheel on our rolling chassis and I think I will use at least an 18-inch on the next car I build. The car will handle better with that size wheel-and-tire combo.
AC: As I'm turning around, I notice the tranny is a little stiff going into Reverse.
BD: There's an electric solenoid on the transmission that can be set up to use a button on top of the shifter so you don't have to push the detent so hard, but most guys don't really care about it.
AC: I'm really surprised at how solid the car is. We've been over two sets of railroad tracks and the car acted like they weren't even there. There are no rattles at all in the car. What do you use for mounting the car to the frame?
BD: I use rubber blocks. The stock mounting parts are like cardboard shims and I just don't believe cardboard is smart to use down there. Eventually it will get wet and curl up. I use different thicknesses of rubber, from 11/48-inch all the way up to 31/48-inch, and I can use the different thicknesses to act as shims when the body is mounted.
AC: Have you sold any frames since you've been here at the show?
BD: Yes, I sold a rolling frame this morning.
AC: What are you getting for them?
BD: The rolling chassis sells for $11,390. We added a Dana 44 to this one which added about $1,400 to the chassis price.
AC: How many people do you have working for you?
BD: Just five of us. Both of my sons-in-law work with me and I want to be able to pass what I know on to them. I won't be able to do this another 20 years. I think one of the problems today in the U.S. is that the workforce is leaving. I think the country has become a place to consume and not build. I just want to pass on what I know to my family, just like my dad passed on his knowledge to me.