RYAN Motorsports expansion

[EastCoast]

So, again alot of time has passed since I last posted... and I know that no one is out there on the edge of their seat waiting for my updates, but things are very busy in the shop!!!

Our race season is over and we are already preparing for next year in a BIG WAY!! I have a number of projects that need done and I thought maybe if I committed (to myself) to post updates in my thread, it would keep me off my *** and get things done!

So what's happened... after the season was done, I emptied the shop and added a partion to seperate the storage bay from the main shop (sorry, no pics). I then moved the wood stove into the main shop and put down 2 coats of a clear sealer on the floor. I wanted to do epoxy, but I just didn't think it would stand for my usage. Trimmed out windows, doors, etc.

Now for the upcoming projects:
1. Build a Pit Box - need to upgrade the box a made a few years ago.
2 . Build a zamboni - didn't expect that one huh?? We built a rink for the kids that is not near a water supply. So I'm planning to make a trailer/barrel based flooding machine...
3. Prepare Race Car - the car does not require a full rebuild, but will be need decals, engine refresh, etc. for next season.
4. Build Open Wheel Car - see pics below. Just bought a full size race car. Planning to run this in 2014 (son will be 13). This is an touring series in our area. We bought an older race car as the series has recently implemented a number of rules changes that will require us to completely redo both front & rear suspension. We'll also scratch build a new body that is more similar to Whelen Modifieds (we hope). Looking to test late next summer.

Hopefully progress on one or more of these will be coming soon. Oh ya, still adding some cabinets and such to the shop. It just never ends!!

Thanks
Robb

 

[EastCoast]

So I've been busy for the last couple of weeks.

Stripped the old body of the car. Picked up material to start building a metal brake. And started to build a 'rink flooding' gadget It doesn't look like much yet!! LOL

Race Car:

Zamboni:

Robb

 

[sreno]

That addition is the secret dream of just about everybody on this site!

More room and a lift to boot! It's not hard to see that you needed it with all the work you do in there!

Congrats!

Shawn

 

[EastCoast]

Still making progress... Put the first flood on the rink with this contraption I just drop the rubber scrapper and open the valve... seems to work great!!

I also finished my metal brake. I should be bending tin in the next couple days, so I'll see if any modifications are necessary.

Robb

 

[EastCoast]

Merry Christmas to everyone from us here at RYAN Motorsports!!

It's been a busy week. I'm extremely happy with my simple metal brake

I'm not saying that I could make a rocket ship... but it seems to work for my needs.

Next I need to design a nose & hood, then on to the roof and A/C pillars. Also need some interior panels made, but it's taking shape.

Robb

 

[Vernmotor]

Some more pics of your brake. please

 

[EastCoast]

Some more pics of your brake. please

I'll post some as soon as I can (might not be in the shop much over the next couple days)... I can't find the plans that I based it on, but it was pretty easy to build.

I used the heaviest piano hinge that I could find, I'm not convinced that it will hold up over time... but will easily last for my project needs.

Robb

 

[Vernmotor]

Ok I like to build one also . thanks

 

[e-tek]

Wow - tripped over another GREAT shop with some cool things going on!! Love everything you did - especially the lights up high. Is that your Camaro? Very nice.

 

[EastCoast]

e-tek

Thanks. The silver Camaro at the start of the thread is mine. The red one on the lift is Dad's.

Robb

 

[188slo50]

Got any plans/pics of the break you built? Looks great and Id like to build one for myself.

 

[akdiesel]

Got any plans/pics of the break you built? Looks great and Id like to build one for myself.

Yes please more details.
Great shop and nice completion of the addition.

 

[SiGmA_X]

I can't believe I missed this in the past! Great looking shop.

 

[neonnblack]

Love the brake, and the shop. Question on the brake: isnt it a pain in the *** to get to the handle and bend if you have a big piece?

 

[mdkingsley]

Very nice shop and cool cars.

 

[EastCoast]

Thanks for the comments guys! Been a little slow lately with the Holidays & all, plus we got slammed with a snow storm yesterday so much of today was spent digging out.

As for the Sheet Metal Brake... I based it on the following info:

http://www.eaa.org/experimenter/articles/2009-05_howto_brakes.asp

I built a stand rather than mount on a bench, but it gave me the basics...

Love the brake, and the shop. Question on the brake: isnt it a pain in the *** to get to the handle and bend if you have a big piece?

Yep. Dealing with bigger pieces is a pain in the *** no matter what you're doing!! I don't think that is a major flaw of my brake, as most any out there would pose the same challenges. I would/will modify the handle as you see below.


As you can see by the red lines I've added below, I would suggest 2 modifications:
1. Make the handle the full width of the brake. You will still need bars similar to my handle to support the center, but the wider handle may make it easier to reach under a larger piece and grab the handle.
2. Since a used some casters that I already had, they do not lock. Not a big deal as a usually grab the top support with one hand and pull up on the handle with the other... but a bar across the bottom would give you something to put your foot on if needed.

End view:

The C clamps are welded to both pieces of angle to lift/release the sheet when done.

Thanks
Robb

 

[EastCoast]

Still making progress on our Open Wheel Modified race car. Had to wait a week or some for 20 gauge aluminum to come in.

I just got a bead roller from Woodward Fab as I will need to stiffen some of the panels. I've played with it some and plan to make some mods before really using it. Pics will follow...

Robb

 

[Vernmotor]

Yea on the bead roller. Take the crank handle off toss it ! put a small steering wheel on it !

 

[PeteMoore]

LOVE the workspace and the projects

Hope to have something similar one day, I dare say our full size cars aren't much bigger than your legend cars.

 

[Vernmotor]

 

[Mavawreck]

Did you guys change the rear end in the open wheel? I assumed it was fox-body based and saw the four lug rear with drums in an early pic, later on with the chrome wheels it looked like 5 lug.

 

[EastCoast]

Mavawreck

The open wheel is based on an Impala/Caprice chassis. The tour is basically the same as an IMCA modified. About 18" is removed from the center to shorten the wheel base. The wheels are 5 lug (15x10).

We'll soon start to make chassis updates for recent rule changes. Tubular upper A-arms with adjustable mounts up front. The rear will be switched over to a 3 link setup.

We're using the class as a next step for my son. The cars are quick, as they have more tire than power using a 305 & auto. It will hopefully help him transition to the bigger cars.

Robb

 

[EastCoast]

Time for an update from the RYAN Motorsports shop:

We are working hard to completely rebuild our open wheel modified. The body is almost complete here. Still need to make a hood, but we were waiting on a shorter radiator. We since removed the body and begun the tedious task of stripping the chassis.

Robb

 

[EastCoast]

Well it's been a while and I thought I'd update my old thread... been busy all spring. Slower progress than I had hoped. Had the chassis on a rotisseree to be sand blasted & painted which was a big help (but still a job I don't care to repeat!!).

Now that we're into our season, it's a balancing act to get work done on both cars, but still hoping to test the new car by fall. Enjoy...







Robb

 

[EastCoast]

Well fall is here and we did not get to test our new car. It is back into a roller and we plan to spend this winter getting drive train and loose ends dealt with. Here's some updated pics:







Thanks
Robb

 

[SBogaCH]

It's awesome!!
ahrenet'...

 

[1949 caddyman]

What vehicle was used for the frame side rails & front crossmember on the new car?

 

[EastCoast]

Caddyman

They are essentially based on an IMCA modified. They use a Caprice/Impala chassis (80s-90s). The wheelbase is shortened and they run a 305 & auto trans. The front & rear suspension are modified to use a 3-link rear and adjustable uppers in the front, but some pickup points must reamin OE.

I'm hoping it provides a good transition into full size cars for my 13 year old. They are fast and essentially behave like a Late Model, but without crazy power that wants to buzz the tires off the turns!!

Thanks
Robb

 

[sunsation288]

Wow nice build sir ! , and cool toy too

 

[EastCoast]

I promised myself that I would update this thread until the shop expansion was done... then when the new project started, I figured I would keep it going to occasional updates. I haven't been very regular, but since our new race car build is now done, I thought it was the right time to provide an update.

This is the biggest fabrication project I've done so far. Although similar to Modified classes elsewhere, due specifics of this class, there is a great deal of custom work in the chassis & body!!

New motor going in:


Completed chassis:


Duct work/shroud for rad: (crappy cell pic)


Air dam:


Debut at car show:


We'll soon get on the track and start to sort out the car. Looking forward to the steep learning curve!!

Hard to believe, but I think I soon need to repaint the shop!! Getting grimy with all the grinding/welding over the last couple years!!

Robb

 

[EastCoast]

I have not posted here is a VERY LONG time!! But since I love to occasionally come check out what others are doing in their shops, I thought 'what the heck'

Things remain busy as our race team continues to be a going concern!! We ran our modified for one season in 2014. After winning a championship, we sold the car and moved up to a new division.







Our 2015 Late Model Sportsman


Although we had an extremely successful season winning a race and rookie of the year, we did have some serious 'shop time'... including a roll over mid season.




Year end Shop Party!!


Still putting in the late nights in 2016


Keep up the good work everyone!!
Robb

 

[Giddyup]

Great thread, enjoyed the shop expansion and now am enjoying your racing progress...

Keep us updated and all the best for the coming seasons...

 

[Big Dad]

Very nice

 

[BORING HOP YARD]

Nice work!
Question!
Are the boxes under the car to allow you to set all the alignment specs? Do they allow you to make adjustments while the car is on the lift, lower the car, roll it back and forth, and take new measurements and keep adjusting until you have the correct alignment specs?
Thank you!

 

[Bib Overalls]

Welcome back.

 

[Bears Fan]

Very cool stuff! Great thread