We use sketchup a lot at school - very easy to learn. We use it in all the junior years, then step them up to creo parametric\Pro - Engineer. It is brilliant - I used to do a lot of stuff in ACAD but am a convert to the creo stuff now. Amazing what you can get free\cheap with a ".EDU" email. Anyone need an address? :)

3d cad
 

Well 3d cad can be a bit expensive and can also take some effort and time to learn. 17 years ago when I first bought a 3d cad program, we went with VX, now ZW3D, because of the cost, the usability, and the fact that there were lots of tutorials for it, and you didn't have to go to a school to learn it. They were based originally in Florida, but sold to the Chinese, which may be a problem for some, however, the development was kept here in the states. Here is a link for a reseller with some pricing. I think that you can still download a trial version that will work for a month, if I am not mistaken, The Case for Inexpensive CAD/CAM

And another link for a lite version ZW3D Lite|Easy 3D CAD software|ZW3D Lite price-

Have not used this one so cannot speak for it.

Anyway, the full blown version is very powerful, works well, has an integrated cam package if you want, and will model about anything you would want to do. I have done very large assemblies with many layers of sub assemblies, and have had few problems. And modeled a number of parts that I have made for guys on this form

Just my $.02 about an affordable package.

Howdy Folks, been awhile so here is an update from me.
Got my wheels and tyres and the chassis is pretty well finished except for pipes, so off the dolly and onto the ground for the first time in 4 years.
http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/...ps6m5rcrkd.jpg
http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/...psxxe3hr6v.jpg

On with the body,
http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/...ps9qjmvzux.jpg

Lights, Quick Jacks, Fuel Filler, High Mount Stop Lamp.
http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/...psnfehpyit.jpg
http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/...pszw462crf.jpg

Made up a little jig for the Quick Jack body holes, drilled through from the inside then hole saw through from the outside using the jig as a guide for both directions.
http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/...psx5ysm2za.jpg
http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/...pshrvrn3cy.jpg
http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/...ps8zzrwcfw.jpg
http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/...psoibd26mj.jpg

High Mount Stop Lamp
http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/...psbcada4sp.jpg

Roll Bar In-Progress
http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/...psghlt7cku.jpg

Windscreen in-Progress
http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/...psegig019k.jpg

Body Vent Holes cleaned up and cut the side pipe holes.
http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/...psiqdocrtj.jpg

Been making up my own "Turkey Pan" to suit the dual quads and close up the gap to the bonnet inlet.
Designed up a tray similar to a pic i have of a racing cobra, drew it up and then cut some MDF to make a mould for a fibreglassed part.
used a radiused spatula and spread plaster around the edges to create a rounded base, then sealed with filler and lots of sanding.

http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/...psz7kjop62.jpg
http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/...psj0enpung.jpg

Here is the part from the finished mould.
I was toying with the idea of a flange and seal, but decided i would mount the seal on the underside of the bonnet, so cut the flange off.
http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/...pskfasxlk2.jpg

Turned this Alloy chunk into these 2 quad mounting rings for the tray
http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/...psxvylqkxy.jpg
http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/...pszacvpfjq.jpg
http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/...psuux5cuew.jpg
http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/...pseqxvwcuq.jpg

Fitted it up, not 100% sure i like it yet, but getting there.
I coated the inside with some stone gaurd and painted it satin black, which improved the look a bit.
http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/...psalt0exfu.jpg
http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/...ps259ryimp.jpg

Still a few body holes to cut, seat belts, steering column, etc, then i'll take off the body and paint the underside before bolting it all back on.

Heres some pics from underneath while i had it on the hoist.
http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/...ps7aqkaciq.jpg
http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/...psliznmvou.jpg
http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/...psr9td69h3.jpg
http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/...psqm60vabu.jpg

Cheers to all
Dave

Awesome Dave - watch out Gav doesn't steal your Dual Quad Turkey Pan when you're not looking :-)

I can see him giving it to Gav and upgrading to a carbon fibre one that he'll make on a lazy weekend.

Super work Dave!
Really excited for you seeing the progress. It's turning out great.

Dimis, funny you should mention carbon Fibre, Aussie Mike was telling me about Resin infused vacuum forming CF process a few weeks ago.
Id like to give this ago at some stage, but I'm getting impatient now to get it on the road, and do next years Nats.


Dave

I don't want one anyway....
Magnificent work Dave!!!

awesome job as usual .i had been thinking about painting my sump and trans black as well as the diff centre and you have convinced me to do it after seeing yours .
any update on the dbw set up with the twin throttle bodies as yet ?
cheers dean

Very nice work Dave.

I do like the look of the CR chassis.

Great pics Dave. I love the chassis shots up on the hoist. Looks excellent.

very very nice....love the workshop , love the detail.

Looking great Dave. I agree the underbody shots look awesome. It's going to be a shame to get it dirty!

Its great to see an update and .... just wow.... great work.

Cars being build now are not a patch on the early builds with makeshift everything.

The quickjack holes in the front (even at an angle) show how thick the body is.....nice.

Deano,
Havent progressed on the custom DBW yet, its still down on the to do list.

Slowy,
Love your build, been following it from the start, great work as usual.

Guye,
Its going to get dirty, and probably lots of sticky rubber every where as well :)
Did i mention my driveway is 300m of pot holes and dirt.

Leroy,
I think the options (vehicle and parts) of what you can build/source and the accessibility to information (web & forums) has made building a lot easier over recent times.
Also, the cost of tools and even some large scale equipment like lathes, welders, mills are cheap in comparison and allow much more individuality.
10 years ago I probably would have got a business to make the custom bits and you got what they made, not necessarily how you wanted it.
I've really enjoyed having a go at it myself, sometimes more than once, learnt some stuff along the way as well.

regards
Dave

What sump are you running Dave?

Wow, just wow.

Truly a thing of beauty Dave.

Gav,
Its an LS1 / GTO / VY pan but with an Improved Racing Baffle setup in it.

The chassis was supposed to have a cross beam located to suit LS7 sump, but was put in the wrong location at birth... and as i didn't discover it until i was lying under Ben's car one day thinking, gee, that looks different, then checked Gregg's car and thought, that looks like mine, so followed in Gregg's direction.

The baffle has little gates in it to keep oil around the pickup.

LS1, LS2 GTO / VY-VZ Commodore Racing Oil Pan Baffle EGM-204


Dave

You might need to fit an accusump if you want to fit sticky tyres.
I found out the hard way that the ls1 sump and baffles aren't quite enough. ��

Great build!

I used the Improved racing baffle and had no oil pressure problems on the track. Worked well.

Ben

You should have fitted dodgem car bumpers to yours too Ben.