Air ride.

When I bought my Speedster in 2014 there were already speakers in the door. Last September I decided to move the front speakers to the footwell. I cut a hole in the footwell, put a Styrofoam baffle in there for sizing, fiberglassed the back of the speaker, sanded everything, and painted it. The improvement in the sound quality was tremendous.

https://www.speedsterowners.co...t-speaker-relocation

@Wright Conceptz

Very cool project! I would have liked to install airbags also. There is another SOCer ( mango smoothie ) who has bagged his Speedster with awesome results. Looking forward to seeing your Speedster with it's new bad-a$$ stance!

@Wright Conceptz posted:

So much more work to do. But I love this stuff

That's going to be really amazing when you get all the pieces together. Thanks for bringing us up to speed!

What’s the story on the tube chassis behind the speedster?

@Robert M posted:

When I bought my Speedster in 2014 there were already speakers in the door. Last September I decided to move the front speakers to the footwell. I cut a hole in the footwell, put a Styrofoam baffle in there for sizing, fiberglassed the back of the speaker, sanded everything, and painted it. The improvement in the sound quality was tremendous.

https://www.speedsterowners.co...t-speaker-relocation

Those baffles work pretty good and help with the elements,  especially glossing back over them. I got in trouble with the wife once when I used some Tupperware for molds on a set of pods I made once. Being that I'm in a convertible I'm not too worried about staging and time delays/effects as long as I can keep it clean, clear and have some differentiation of left and right.

Thanks ! I will check out the front link as well

@MusbJim posted:

@Wright Conceptz

Very cool project! I would have liked to install airbags also. There is another SOCer ( mango smoothie ) who has bagged his Speedster with awesome results. Looking forward to seeing your Speedster with it's new bad-a$$ stance!

I have seen his, love it. I dropped and bagged my Ghia back about 12 years ago....been itching to do my 356 every since I got it....

@Michael Pickett posted:

That's going to be really amazing when you get all the pieces together. Thanks for bringing us up to speed!

Thanks for allowing me a place to share as well.as input. Appreciate it !!!

@LI-Rick posted:

What’s the story on the tube chassis behind the speedster?

Ahhh. . . Another project I have started. Put it in 3D then started bending and welding it. A single seat buggy with a CVT based engine. It will use a Yamaha Warrior front end and rear. Could use the Warrior engine as well but I left it back in Tennessee...it didnt make the trip.

@Robert M posted:

When I bought my Speedster in 2014 there were already speakers in the door. Last September I decided to move the front speakers to the footwell. I cut a hole in the footwell, put a Styrofoam baffle in there for sizing, fiberglassed the back of the speaker, sanded everything, and painted it. The improvement in the sound quality was tremendous.

https://www.speedsterowners.co...t-speaker-relocation

No new replies allowed on you speaker install... good job. They look to fit good. The key is separation of front and rear if the cone...you achieved that !

@Wright Conceptz posted:

No new replies allowed on you speaker install... good job. They look to fit good. The key is separation of front and rear if the cone...you achieved that !

I also cut a hole in the rear wall area of the package shelf, added a custom subwoofer enclosure, and a 10" JL Audio sub. I posted that on one of your previous posts. Your skills are quite obvious so I know you'll get all looking and sounding quite right.

@Robert M posted:

I also cut a hole in the rear wall area of the package shelf, added a custom subwoofer enclosure, and a 10" JL Audio sub. I posted that on one of your previous posts. Your skills are quite obvious so I know you'll get all looking and sounding quite right.

I do recall seeing that. Once I get my roll bar sorted I will see what type/size box I can fit as well as amp rack and such. I have been pondering the idea of a solid rear cover I can lock down fron the roll bar to the back. Possibly build in a vent so I can cut the back out and vent some fresh cool air into the fan portion of the engine. It would cover the subs and amps. Nothing crazy expensive....actually going with some less expensive Blaupunkt amps so I can feel all German...even though they are still made in China. I have an old style radio with a card reader and a line driver. A couple component 6"/tweets up front and that will be enough. Oh well, carry on.... Haahhaahahhahhahaaaa....

Thanks for the comment.

......Update.....

So real quick I had about 2 hrs to get at it... thought I had longer but here comes the lightning and rain...pouring right now....

But I was able to adapt my original design rear air ride from the Ghia to the 356...only a couple modifications....I went from 356 left subframe to right subframe. Once that is done the uprights will be made to fit the arms for the engine/trans. The upper will then be done.
The lower is much the same as my original design for the Ghia as well...but I relocated the lower arm out more to the center of the trailing arm instead of the top. Only a little lower but it will allow for me to do some extra supporting of the arm out. Basically some gussets.
Biggest concern is to make sure the bags are as flat as possible when in no air position and as little distortion as possible when fully aired up.
Goals achieved. I might be able to finish the welding and all on the rear tomorrow...shocked, didnt think I would have the time. Even getting g this much done, I feel good about it.

Thanks.

Nice!

@Wright Conceptz

What wheels and tires are you planning on using? Whatever they are, the car will take bad-a$$ery to the next level.

@Michael Pickett posted:

Nice!

Thank you...

@MusbJim posted:

@Wright Conceptz

What wheels and tires are you planning on using? Whatever they are, the car will take bad-a$$ery to the next level.

Thanks !

I was planning on the old smoothies But I might go all black....

See pics

Once I get all to a point of comfort....I might try to repop a hood and deck lid. Do them our of carbonfiber.....I found a white and black carbon fiber that has me drooling..... I was going to repaint like my Ghia.... but man... I dont know. Maybe I will still paint like the Ghia but still do a hood and deck lid and use the orange carbonfiber......

Ummmmm decisions......but I am a long way from that point.

@Wright Conceptz

I think those matte black wheels would add a cool detail to the outlaw look you're going for.

I was toying with the idea of changing the paint scheme of my Fuchs to black background, to enhance the outlaw look on my car.

EL Guapo...Boo Koo Dinky Dau beautiful on what ur running

We have good news and bad news. . .
The 356 will not lay flat. In it's current that is.
I will be redoing everything I have done. I will be doing Exactly what I did before on my Ghia and not stray far. I know the Ghia lays completely out and I can put it on the ground... the 356 will when I am done. The subframe from the factory gets in the way. The snubber mount gets in the way, the shock tower needs to be notched and then establish the bags location. Sound difficult, not really. I already made a "C" notch for the drivers side. I tacked it in place and checked everything...I know where to notch what to notch. I will also be narrowing the rear trailing arms 1" per side. This and some low profile 195/50s should get me on the ground. Currently I have a high side wall tires and they are rubbing, not allowing the full drop. If I left it like it is, I'm looking about 4" from setting the pan on the ground. Drop another 1" due to tires and then notch a few things.....I should be on the ground. I will have to address the exhaust at some point soon as well. It is the lowest part of the car. Oh... by the way passenger side is not the same as the drivers side. So I cant duplicate the "C"notch. Really !!!!!!!! Thats ok I got this and I will fix the fuel line and electrical I see floating all over the place... and I will fix the decklid and the and and.... I'm finding a lot of little things that bother me.... oh well. Will take longer than I thought but she will get done.
She will be right and she will be mine.

@Wright Conceptz

Dude, you got some mad skilz!! I'm enjoying watching you apply your fabricating skills to this project.

@MusbJim posted:

@Wright Conceptz

Dude, you got some mad skilz!! I'm enjoying watching you apply your fabricating skills to this project.

Thanks !! This is the stuff I enjoy...hate not having a garage anymore....but we done with what we have.

Thanks!!!

@barncobob posted:

EL Guapo...Boo Koo Dinky Dau beautiful on what ur running

You know I'm beaucoup dinky dau anyway. Probably that f'ing Agent Orange.

Stay well, my brutha!

@MusbJim posted:

You know I'm beaucoup dinky dau anyway. Probably that f'ing Agent Orange.

Stay well, my brutha!

Probably better than being beaucoup stinky poo.

@MusbJim posted:

@Wright Conceptz

I think those matte black wheels would add a cool detail to the outlaw look you're going for.

I was toying with the idea of changing the paint scheme of my Fuchs to black background, to enhance the outlaw look on my car.

Looks like ditching the white walls for red lines...

YES !

Much better.

Well. . . . When I narrowed the beam on the Ghia it took a day to remove, disassemble, narrow and reinstall...
This 356 was quite a bit more than that. 2 supports on each side holding the nose and front bumper with 16 nuts and bolts add in that the original assembly has all the wires running through the beam so I had to relocate them. Also found scotch locks... these are the worst things you can use on an electrical system. I will be redoing all the wires, lines, cleaning the bare metal for paint....anything I can find wrong or in need.
Now back to the 356. Beam fits great once I trimmed back some of the fiberglass inside fender areas. I hope to be able to remove the old bearing races from the narrowed beam, clean the rest of it and get it painted. I'm going to have to press out the old ball joints from the old arms and get some new ball joints, this will keep me from being able to complete the beam but I will be sooooooo close.
Here is hoping for a productive day tomorrow.
My anticipation is the the bearing races will be causing the most issues. I might actually have to go purchase a bearing puller set. We shall see how productive tomorrow is.

Needle bearings pull out easy with a long bolt or piece of all-thread, a big washer with a d slice in it, a bit or pipe and a lid with a nut on it...

Just saying.

@Wright Conceptz

Looks like you're making great progress!

@edsnova posted:

Needle bearings pull out easy with a long bolt or piece of all-thread, a big washer with a d slice in it, a bit or pipe and a lid with a nut on it...

Just saying.

Fantastic advice.

Thanks !

@MusbJim posted:

@Wright Conceptz

Looks like you're making great progress!

Thanks. I dont as much time to work on her as I would like and it's all back to working outside again. But we do...

The front has soooo much room available...

The rear, not so much... just need to finish and make it all work.

Wont have any time this weekend but did manage to shove a few 15x8s from another vehicle up in the there...

Every weekend has been rain. Soon I will be back on this. I might have a few new ideas and stuff as well......

loving this thread and the look of a dumped speedster.  Keep up the customizing!

Rear: I am concerned about your lower bag mount. The entire weight of the rear is on those:

• The welds look quite weak (from the pics, i can't see much penetration).  Are you MIG welding it (240V?)
• I would strongly recommend adding a vertical gusset (or two) to each of mounts.

Front: sooo low! For mine, it was a balance of short shock (to go low) and a longer shock (more travel).  Did you extend the shock towers?  I didn't see that in the pic of the beam, but maybe?