cornfield customs streamliner build

[gofastwclass]

yea i would rather have a different drive train choice. you have to find an achievable record and shoot for that. for example the record to chase would be about 400 with 2 blown flat heads, if you wanted to run a small block the record to chase is about 370. a 3.9 liter diesel is 170, so a lot more attainable and cheaper to get a record

Without chasing down record information I figured that was the logic with your drivetrain choice. Either that or you're simply crazy and like to make things hard for yourself... oh wait, you build cool fossil fueled things for a living. Too bad you're so far away I think we would get along great.

 

[HOTFR8]

The Diesel choice is interesting.

 

[ilovevocs]

Do you have spec's dialed in for the motor?

 

[yaidunno]

the only thing i can think that racer is talking about is my diagonals not being in the exact corner of the uprights.

I believe this is what he is referring too. Instead of having a series of true triangles for bracing, you now have both triangles and trapezoids. Given how short the leg of the trapezoid is, it will likely not impede the structure in a significant amount. One could model it up in Solidworks and perform a FEA test to compare the different designs, but I think that's a bit beyond what is needed.

Neat project Mike, the styling is really great!

 

[Bears Fan]

Hopefully you will be able to see over that big diesel sitting in front of you from the drivers seat!!!

I just love looking at the background of the pictures you post of your shop! You have some cool **** sitting around and hanging up

 

[xtremek]

I'll follow along for the fun.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

What trans do you plan on running? Who do you have in mind for building the 4bt?

 

[hemislave]

Way cool build Mr. Cornfield! Your a talented fabricator! Is the little Cummins P-pumped or common rail injection?

 

[cornfield customs]

no major progress to report for the week. just a lot of planning and metal work. please check out the link in my above post about our kick starter and join up to help sponsor the car and team

 

[Nor'Easter]

Interested in what you plan to do to the motor. I am not aware of anybody currently able to tune those 3.9CRs. P7100 4BTs tap out around 400HP, what's the typical rating in this type of car?

 

[sweet victory]

not even sure i understand what your talking about. i will just keep on keeping on since it ignorance is bliss

I'll help him elaborate. If you draw an imaginary line from the forward most tube of your **** pit, it should meet at the same point as the end of that little X in the frame. That little X looks like it's low a few inches, so instead of spreading the load through the frame, it would actually create a shear load at that point. Your 2D cad model is what you want; all of your "X's" converging at the same point. Right now, they don't and would create shear loads instead of spreading loads.

 

[xtremek]

Put another way, see how the back 3 vertical (or near vertical) tubes line up with the ones below them and intersect with the horizontal one? The centerline of those tubes line up perfectly. That should happen at every intersection. If you look at the "X" just ahead of what you're using for a rear axle substitute, the centerline of the "X" doesn't with the intersection of the vert/horizontal intersection. I hope this helps. It's an awesome project, and I can't wait to see you finish this.

 

[4 FN 27]

as far as the transmission i am thinking of running a Jericho if i go manual or a 5 speed allison if i go automatic. just depends on clearances when i get engine placement decided

Mike let me know if you decide to run a Jerico. I have most of the dimensional information you need for their 5 Speed. I ran them in my Pro Stock Car. The former owner of Jerico was my Engine builder. Spent many days and nights the Transmission and Engine Shop. I have the Cad Files for the Transmission. I cannot pass on the files but I can get you dimensions.

I just have to search the archives and find the models.

 

[cornfield customs]

Sorry i have not updated in a long time. I have been crazy busy and not on here as much. If anyone uses instagram that would be the best place to follow along since I can easily post from my phone

Any way here is some minor progress, mainly i have been focusing on the front suspension and steering.











Cantilever coil over design for the front



being built



















i am sure there will be a lot of engineering remarks about how i am doing things, but its all good. i tend to do things my own way lol
trying to get more stuff done on the regular. I have just been covered up with work trying to get a few cars buttoned up

 

[wasfast]

Incredible work!

 

[willymakeit]

Makes me want to go trash my stuff. Fantastic work. If I was closer I would be a working nuisance.
Am curious about the jig/frame you have it on. Care to give a few measurements/sizes.

 

[ford33]

Excellent thread with interesting build. You do very nice work.

 

[Mike.ASC]

Ditto to all the previous comments.

 

[xtremek]

Looks pretty good to me. Glad to see an update.

 

[Aerospace Eng]

Nice build.

I will note, however, that while the design you have drawn LOOKS nice, a plainer design will be faster. (e.g. Summers Brothers' Goldenrod)

 

[48RON54]

Awesome work!

I've been avoiding getting instagram. I guess I should finally sign up *sigh*

 

[cornfield customs]

Nice build.

I will note, however, that while the design you have drawn LOOKS nice, a plainer design will be faster. (e.g. Summers Brothers' Goldenrod)

i feel ya, but i am not looking for crazy speed, the record i am chasing is 170 mph. also the car i am building is styled after the red head which to me is the best looking car to ever run on the salt. so it is what it is. also this car is going to be a rolling billboard for me and my work so it will be a win win either way

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

Is there any articulation in the front axle with those machined bushings on the radius rods? I know nothing about salt flat cars, so maybe this is by design?

Looks bitchin', can't wait to see how it runs!

 

[cornfield customs]

Is there any articulation in the front axle with those machined bushings on the radius rods? I know nothing about salt flat cars, so maybe this is by design?

Looks bitchin', can't wait to see how it runs!

there will not be much needed articulation since ideally the salt will be some what smooth and flat. i am limiting axle travel to 1 inch up, and 1 inch down. if there needs to be some articulation the spherical rod ends on the connection rod should be able to handle it.

the reason i went with bearings vs a bushing is the bearing will allow rotation better under the weight, and a bushing isnt designed to perform how it is needed in this application

 

[Mr onetwo]

You should talk to Cummins about using a R2.8 Turbo Diesel.Maybe they could be persuaded to sponsor the team as they have done quite a few projects during the development of this engine. https://www.cummins.com/engines/repower

 

[Aerospace Eng]

Is there any articulation in the front axle with those machined bushings on the radius rods? I know nothing about salt flat cars, so maybe this is by design?

Looks bitchin', can't wait to see how it runs!

I haven't been involved in running there since the mid '90s, but FWIW.....

The salt is globally very flat. Every year it floods, and as the water evaporates you wind up with a surface as globally flat as gravity can make it. They will typically then drag the course with weighted beams to knock the top crust down and make it harder.

Side to side isn't a problem, particularly with fairly narrow track vehicles. You still need some suspension, because any deviations from perfect flatness get magnified as you go faster, but at only 170 mph or so it won't be too much of an issue.

The problem when I was there was that the salt was disappearing, due to the Potash mine just to the south (it pumped the brine to extract potash, and had been doing so since WWII). This meant that the salt crust was getting thinner and cars would rut it or break through the salt into the mud underneath, ruining the course. In some years the long course (nominally 11 miles long - 5 miles for acceleration, 1 flying mile, and 5 for stopping) had to be shortened. The short course for the under 200 mph cars (5 miles) was typically OK. There was a plan to start pumping the salt back onto the flats to try and restore the course, but I don't know if it happened or was successful.

 

[cornfield customs]

I haven't been involved in running there since the mid '90s, but FWIW.....

The salt is globally very flat. Every year it floods, and as the water evaporates you wind up with a surface as globally flat as gravity can make it. They will typically then drag the course with weighted beams to knock the top crust down and make it harder.

Side to side isn't a problem, particularly with fairly narrow track vehicles. You still need some suspension, because any deviations from perfect flatness get magnified as you go faster, but at only 170 mph or so it won't be too much of an issue.

The problem when I was there was that the salt was disappearing, due to the Potash mine just to the south (it pumped the brine to extract potash, and had been doing so since WWII). This meant that the salt crust was getting thinner and cars would rut it or break through the salt into the mud underneath, ruining the course. In some years the long course (nominally 11 miles long - 5 miles for acceleration, 1 flying mile, and 5 for stopping) had to be shortened. The short course for the under 200 mph cars (5 miles) was typically OK. There was a plan to start pumping the salt back onto the flats to try and restore the course, but I don't know if it happened or was successful.

the save the salt foundation has been working to restore the salt. i have been going every year since 2010 and the salt has been getting better and better each year. Utah just passed a bill with a 10 year plan to pump more water from the salt lake to flood the flats as well as bigger plan for intrepid potash to pump and dump salt back near the course. so heres to hoping it keeps getting better

 

[cornfield customs]

Is there any articulation in the front axle with those machined bushings on the radius rods? I know nothing about salt flat cars, so maybe this is by design?

Looks bitchin', can't wait to see how it runs!

i just re read your post and i realized you were talking about on 4 link not the bell cranks.

the machined bushings on the 4 link are for mock up only. this way i can weld near them with out the fear of melting the actual bushing. Once finished out the actual bushing will be installed

 

[sqznby]

Build looks great cornfield, you are quite the craftsman

Awesome work!

I've been avoiding getting instagram. I guess I should finally sign up *sigh*

Its crazy, almost like if you don't have an Instagram account, you don't exist in this world.
My 12 yr old daughter convinced me to open one recently.

 

[TrendSetter]

i like the bellcranks. do you anticipate ever selling them?

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

i just re read your post and i realized you were talking about on 4 link not the bell cranks.

the machined bushings on the 4 link are for mock up only. this way i can weld near them with out the fear of melting the actual bushing. Once finished out the actual bushing will be installed

I figured those were for mock up, but since you had numerous bushings I thought they might've been a final product. That thing should go nice and straight with that kind of detail during construction.

 

[kbs2244]

I would suggest more research on the suspension travel.
As I understand it, the salt is not Interstate smooth.
2 inches total travel may not be enough.

 

[cornfield customs]

I would suggest more research on the suspension travel.
As I understand it, the salt is not Interstate smooth.
2 inches total travel may not be enough.

2 inches is plenty for the salt. talked with the SCTA to touch base where i was and any concerns they might have and there were none at this point. a lot of cars are completely rigid chassis with no suspension at all.

you are correct that the salt is not always completely smooth

 

[cornfield customs]

i like the bellcranks. do you anticipate ever selling them?

i could make another set no problem, but i have no plans on mass producing them

 

[Aerospace Eng]

I would suggest more research on the suspension travel.
As I understand it, the salt is not Interstate smooth.
2 inches total travel may not be enough.

The salt is way flatter than the interstate. That’s why people go there for land speed records.

Suspension is beneficial at higher speeds. For example, if you have an inch high sine wave with a 176 ft length, that is moving you up and down an inch every second at 120 mph. Many racing type suspensions wouldn’t react significantly to that. A rigid suspension and solid tire would give you about 1/20th of a g at the seat.

At 360 mph, the same surface gives a 3hz motion, and about 1/2 g of shaking. That is not only uncomfortable, it can make you break traction.

In my experience, 2” was more than enough, even with a solid wheel.

One thing people don’t appreciate is that it really is a drag race on a traction limited surface. If you enter the flying mile at 230 and exit at 250, you average 240. It took you 15 seconds to travel that distance, and you have to accelerate more than 1 mph per second while already traveling 240. The harder you can hit it off the line (or your push truck can) the better

 

[cornfield customs]

i havent posted an update in while. between being busy at the shop and my laptop being broken. but here are some updated pics.
adjustable bump stops on the front



rear suspension













on the steering damper i needed a clevis over a bushing end so i had to make one that would work for my needs





took it out to the pumpkin run nationals and had the chassis in my booth







i dont have the spare money for wheels and tires so i found the dimensions online for what i am running and made some steel bucks to simulate the wheels and tire





since i am tight on spare money on this project i figured i could work some on the rear of the body to get the cockpit figured out so i started on some of the inner structure of the body

 

[Firstram]

Awesome!

 

[xtremek]

Looking really good. Suggestion, get the Carroll Smith books and study them well. He's considered one of the experts for putting together race cars. THis ought to be sweet when you're done.

 

[cornfield customs]

been busy working on inner structure design and lay out. I am making the inner structure like old air craft inner structure. I am taking 1 x 1 inch .063 aluminum angle that we bent up, and forming it the profiles we want, then riveting it together to make a T shaped structure. The skins will then be shaped over this inner structure and riveted to the structure in some areas and Dzus fastened in others. Attachment will be dependent on how accessible the chassis needs to be under those panels

 

[xtremek]

Coolness