Cutting the stock Dash....

[VTEngines]

What are you guys using to cut a stock dash that won't tear it all up. I want a nice, clean cut for the windshield post bars from the roll cage.

[blake_yount]

I don't know what kind of cuts you are wanting to do but in my outlaw car I used one of those little airpowered hacksaws. Didn't do too bad of job. Just have to pay attention because it can get away from you!! LOL!!

[96GTS]

Just watching this topic...I'll be starting on mine on Sunday...

[Brandon Alsept]

I used a hole saw at the point I needed the bar to go threw, then cut straight back to each hole. Then you can put the piece back in with some glue if you wish.

[asemaster]

I have had good luck with a holesaw in reverse

[KJ Jones]

Just watching this topic...I'll be starting on mine on Sunday...

Darren...

I see you race at Palmdale (all I need is a glimpse of a track and I can tell which one it is! LOL). Anyway, here's the quick and dirty on getting your dash cleared for the front/windshield bars of your cage:

MAKE A TEMPLATE FIRST! Cardboard is fine, and outline it as close to "perfect fit" as possible...

http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL907/4028906/12081954/181625771.jpg

Use your template to measure the depth, then cut the initial hole (that technically will be the "pocket" that the roll cage tube runs up against) with a hole saw (use a hole-saw bit that's as close to the tube size of your cage as possible)...

http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL907/4028906/12081954/181625795.jpg


Clean up the hole with an air saw, and then place your template over the dash cover and outline the pocketr-to-windshield extension lines onto the dash itself. After that, use the air saw to cut on through the dash cover...

http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL907/4028906/12081954/181625783.jpg

When you're done, it should look like this!:D

http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL907/4028906/12081954/181625816.jpg

Piece'a cake, dude! Take your time and it'll take you about an hour to get it done. Just remember to keep going back and forth to the car and trial fitting and trimming the dash cover until you get the cleanest fit you can. Good luck!

[96GTS]

LOL, yup thats beatiful LACR. Thats Sal or his bro in the orange shirt at the last MDD. Thanks for the pics. Excellent idea!!

[KJ Jones]

LOL. Yup, that's beatiful LACR. That's Sal or his bro in the orange shirt at the last MDD. Thanks for the pics. Excellent idea!!

No problem, man. Glad to help. I forgot to mention, if you can, get a friend to help you out with this. Positioning the template and holding the dash cover still while you're cutting it can be a bit challenging. The hole saw and the air saw tends to make things skitter around if you don't have a good clampdown on them.

Anyway, have at it! I'll be looking forward to seeing the finished project at the September 10th Mustang Drag Day. That's a Mustang Madness Weekend here in the Southland...Saleen's open house and 'Stang show on Saturday the 9th, and Sal's Mustang Drag Day on the 10th. See 'ya there!

[toxic281]

I used an small air powered sawzall and a little rechargeable dremel for the fine detail.
PS-What's the status on the 10" terror?

[VTEngines]

I used an small air powered sawzall and a little rechargeable dremel for the fine detail.
PS-What's the status on the 10" terror?

I haven't done much with it lately. We spent alot of time getting Scott's Modular H/S car up and running so we could claim the N/A Mod Motor title. Mother nature hasn't worked with us much as it has been crappy here the last 4 weekends. We've only got his car down the track for 1 full pass. On an easy shortshifting pass it went 9.205 @ 146.3 mph. Now that his car is actually running, I'll try to get more done with mine. Just soaks up so much time and money building one that it burns you out sometimes. Hopefully I can get it finished up and running. Maybe we will be the first all modular final in SSO!! :eek:

[toxic281]

I'm dreaming of an all-modular final, but will settle for just 1 that will make the field. About a month ago I was out in front of the house, on the break checking boost. Getting ready to FINALLY go to the track the following week.
Launched (at a WHOPPING 1.5lb boost) got off it in 'bout 100 feet and a loud noise. L/S outside cam gear keyway snapped off, bent all 8 exh. valves. Got rid of the ModMax springs. Heads are ready to be picked up. Almost done with the shortblock. Need some track time this & next month!

[VTEngines]

I'm dreaming of an all-modular final, but will settle for just 1 that will make the field. About a month ago I was out in front of the house, on the break checking boost. Getting ready to FINALLY go to the track the following week.
Launched (at a WHOPPING 1.5lb boost) got off it in 'bout 100 feet and a loud noise. L/S outside cam gear keyway snapped off, bent all 8 exh. valves. Got rid of the ModMax springs. Heads are ready to be picked up. Almost done with the shortblock. Need some track time this & next month!

Ouch! I hate it when little crap like that causes all kinds of big crap. :mad: