Many thanks to Rick as well as everyone else who contributed to this GREAT thread!
I SECOND THAT. AND DJ, YOU NEED TO MOVE THAT EMBLEM ON YOUR GRILL TO THE OTHER SIDE!
GNX ,Prototypes,Parts,Build Info, EXC
- Thread starter X Ray
- Start date
Welcome!
By registering with us, you'll be able to discuss, share and private message with other members of our community.
I SECOND THAT. AND DJ, YOU NEED TO MOVE THAT EMBLEM ON YOUR GRILL TO THE OTHER SIDE!
DJ Red Barron
Door-To-Door Pipelayer
- Joined
- May 10, 2003
- Messages
- 1,978
Already done MENTL. In fact, the 86 grille is out altogether and a 87 grille is going in as soon as she comes out of the paint booth.I SECOND THAT. AND DJ, YOU NEED TO MOVE THAT EMBLEM ON YOUR GRILL TO THE OTHER SIDE!
- Joined
- Jan 21, 2007
- Messages
- 1,173
Prorotype Spacer
This is a spacer that was going to be used on the rear suspension cross bar, but was not needed for production. It was first thought that the tolerance of the frame would very more then they did. Also originally the bar was only going to be bolted in
but it was later changed to bolted and welded:biggrin: .
Pictured is an original pre prototype cross member used to help make our assembly fixtures for the rear suspension installation.:biggrin:
This is a spacer that was going to be used on the rear suspension cross bar, but was not needed for production. It was first thought that the tolerance of the frame would very more then they did. Also originally the bar was only going to be bolted in
but it was later changed to bolted and welded:biggrin: .Pictured is an original pre prototype cross member used to help make our assembly fixtures for the rear suspension installation.:biggrin:
Attachments
NCarolinaGN
New Member
- Joined
- Oct 26, 2008
- Messages
- 6
Anything new to add?
I have really enjoyed reading this thread. Came to find out, I knew very little about the GNX and the history behind the assembly. Thanks to X Ray and everyone else who posted with interesting tid-bits and repro info.
Anything new to add? *subscribed*
I have really enjoyed reading this thread. Came to find out, I knew very little about the GNX and the history behind the assembly. Thanks to X Ray and everyone else who posted with interesting tid-bits and repro info.
Anything new to add? *subscribed*
- Joined
- Jan 21, 2007
- Messages
- 1,173
Prototype Louvers
What you will see in the installment is the original prototype design for the Louver assembly that was also used in the start of production. This system for attaching the louvers was flawed for production …..it did not allow for vehicle variation between the front fender and inner panel. This was the reason production was halted and delayed for several weeks until we could come up with a new design. I will show what ended up in production in the near future.
What you will see in the installment is the original prototype design for the Louver assembly that was also used in the start of production. This system for attaching the louvers was flawed for production …..it did not allow for vehicle variation between the front fender and inner panel. This was the reason production was halted and delayed for several weeks until we could come up with a new design. I will show what ended up in production in the near future.
Attachments
Awesome facts on the louvers. Thanks X-Ray. I am in the midst of making my own inner ducts to connect between the outer louvers and the inner bezels made repro from kirban. I am going to mock them up out of cardboard and then make out of fiberglass or aluminum.
What were the final inner ducts constructed of?
What were the final inner ducts constructed of?
NCarolinaGN
New Member
- Joined
- Oct 26, 2008
- Messages
- 6
Looking forward to your next installment X Ray.
*pun intended*
*pun intended*
- Joined
- Jan 21, 2007
- Messages
- 1,173
Ron Nash
Actually I can not provide a lot on this subject as this part of the program was run through McLaren Engines….what I believe happened is that Nash Engineering was the lead engineering on the rear suspension working with McLaren……. I do know revisions were made to some of the components based on durability testing at McLaren… and it was also evaluated at ASC…..the changes we implemented included a length change in the Panhard rod as the tire was hitting the RH wheel flare during a jounce event(hitting a big bump) . Additional changes were made based on durability testing adding the cross car support rod to improve frame durability …..Ron Nash was also the supplier for most of the suspension components….
Actually I can not provide a lot on this subject as this part of the program was run through McLaren Engines….what I believe happened is that Nash Engineering was the lead engineering on the rear suspension working with McLaren……. I do know revisions were made to some of the components based on durability testing at McLaren… and it was also evaluated at ASC…..the changes we implemented included a length change in the Panhard rod as the tire was hitting the RH wheel flare during a jounce event(hitting a big bump) . Additional changes were made based on durability testing adding the cross car support rod to improve frame durability …..Ron Nash was also the supplier for most of the suspension components….
What was the final version they used for the fender vents?
- Joined
- Jan 21, 2007
- Messages
- 1,173
Production Louver Design
Pictured is the production design for the louver assemblies.( Note: I did not have parts to make up one full set:frown: so I had to show parts from the LH and RH side of the vehicle)
Mentioned previously the prototype system did not allow for variance in the vehicle, this new system breaks it into two separate component assemblies, an inner and outer. The outer assembly now has a retention bracket to pull the louver against the fender to insure proper alignment to the fender . The second illustration shows the inner assembly that now is completely isolated from the outer assembly thus allowing the outer assembly to fit properly.
Pictured is the production design for the louver assemblies.( Note: I did not have parts to make up one full set:frown: so I had to show parts from the LH and RH side of the vehicle)
Mentioned previously the prototype system did not allow for variance in the vehicle, this new system breaks it into two separate component assemblies, an inner and outer. The outer assembly now has a retention bracket to pull the louver against the fender to insure proper alignment to the fender . The second illustration shows the inner assembly that now is completely isolated from the outer assembly thus allowing the outer assembly to fit properly.
Attachments
BILL HAINES
R.C ENTOURAGE
- Joined
- Feb 10, 2007
- Messages
- 858
Nice
Very nice info rick!!!!!! It took me about 6 hrs per side to make up my inner vent. I welded the vent to the inner structure,a little tricky around the power antenna.. After vent was complete,i used a small bead of seamsealer and black epoxy primer. Vents are fully functional.. I saved my carboard and paper model panels so if i ever need to replace one,i'll know what will fit and work. (i hope i never have to). My friend(you know him) john canut(gnocide) has the same idea in mind. He is making his gn into a gnx,he has the rear suspension and misc other parts..this time around we'll take photos to show the progress...anyways ,rick....as always... Thanks for the info!!!!!
Very nice info rick!!!!!! It took me about 6 hrs per side to make up my inner vent. I welded the vent to the inner structure,a little tricky around the power antenna.. After vent was complete,i used a small bead of seamsealer and black epoxy primer. Vents are fully functional.. I saved my carboard and paper model panels so if i ever need to replace one,i'll know what will fit and work. (i hope i never have to). My friend(you know him) john canut(gnocide) has the same idea in mind. He is making his gn into a gnx,he has the rear suspension and misc other parts..this time around we'll take photos to show the progress...anyways ,rick....as always... Thanks for the info!!!!!
Vents I had made up over the summer
Here is a set that I had made up over the summer. I did the CAD work and had somebody make them up for me. Like your idea for connecting the louver to the vent. I didn't think of anything about connecting the two. I look at it as the louver sticks into the hole enough and goes into the vent anyways to get all the benefits. I was just thinking of making a piece to cover part of the front part of the vent to close that gap up and push more air into the louvers. The way the louvers are designed it should suck some of the air from that front gap also. I don't think the louvers are enough to suck out enough hot air from Kirbans kit. I believe you have to have that vent inside the fender to keep the hot air in the area. I'm just starting to try to sell a few sets.
Here is a set that I had made up over the summer. I did the CAD work and had somebody make them up for me. Like your idea for connecting the louver to the vent. I didn't think of anything about connecting the two. I look at it as the louver sticks into the hole enough and goes into the vent anyways to get all the benefits. I was just thinking of making a piece to cover part of the front part of the vent to close that gap up and push more air into the louvers. The way the louvers are designed it should suck some of the air from that front gap also. I don't think the louvers are enough to suck out enough hot air from Kirbans kit. I believe you have to have that vent inside the fender to keep the hot air in the area. I'm just starting to try to sell a few sets.
BILL HAINES
R.C ENTOURAGE
- Joined
- Feb 10, 2007
- Messages
- 858
very nice!!!
you did a great job on these!!!shoot me an e mail on how much you want for a set.(you'll save me alot of work on my buddy's car) thanks......
you did a great job on these!!!shoot me an e mail on how much you want for a set.(you'll save me alot of work on my buddy's car) thanks......
1987gnwanted
New Member
- Joined
- Apr 8, 2008
- Messages
- 9
write a book x-ray ill take 2 please!! this stuff is awesome..
sorry I didn't see your post until now. E-mail me back here at my personal address and I'll give members that mention they got my e-mail address from TurboBuick.com
and I'll give a 20% discount from what I was selling them on eBay vikzimm@comcast.net
e-mail me at my address vikzimm@comcast.net and I'll give members here that mention turbobuick.com a 20% discount from what I was selling them on eBay for.Or post a price here for the rest of us.
- Joined
- Jan 21, 2007
- Messages
- 1,173
The Binder
This is the actual three ring binder I used for taking notes during the prototype build…I used it for documenting the dimension for cutting out the fenders and several other prototype notes. It was also used during the first production builds. I wrote the turbo and intercooler numbers that were installed on the vehicles. And yes that is a real GNX center cap sticker I put on the binder back in 87…and yes I still have the actual notes inside....
This is the actual three ring binder I used for taking notes during the prototype build…I used it for documenting the dimension for cutting out the fenders and several other prototype notes. It was also used during the first production builds. I wrote the turbo and intercooler numbers that were installed on the vehicles. And yes that is a real GNX center cap sticker I put on the binder back in 87…and yes I still have the actual notes inside....
