Million Dollar Skunksworks Kirkham

[lineslinger]

Originally Posted by David Kirkham

My customer has really been one of the nicest men I have ever dealt with--maybe even the nicest. He has never nit-picked anything I have done. On the contrary, he has been quite complimentary...the funny thing is, the more complimentary he is, the more I want to make the car even better just so there is no possibility I could let him down. I am just nervous, that's all; I really don't even know why, I just am.

David

Keep the slide show active, I enjoy the visuals............

[David Kirkham]

Originally Posted by lineslinger

Keep the slide show active, I enjoy the visuals............

My fingers are hurting from all the posting and emailing I have done today. I will definitely post more tomorrow. Maybe after I play a few Chopin Nocturnes my fingers will limber up and then I will post a few more pics. But thanks for the interest! I am glad you like it. I hope others like it too and I don't think I am being a big mouth by monopolizing the CC band width.

David

[David Kirkham]

What the hey, I'll post another one.

This is a pic of the belly pan. This is the real secret why the chassis is 300% (at least that is what the FEA says) than an original chassis. The belly pan ties the entire chassis together on the under side. Also, it is the area that is the furthest from the neutral axis of the chassis. As many of you know, the farther you can move the mass from the neutral axis, the stiffer the part will be.

The belly pan was cut out on our water jet from 1/8 inch aluminum plate. It also has the added benefit of cleaning up the under carriage air so the car is more aerodynamic--although I don't think that is a major concern with this car.

[saltytri]

Originally Posted by David Kirkham

I hope others like it too and I don't think I am being a big mouth by monopolizing the CC band width.

You've got to be joking, pal! Since you launched this extravaganza of a thread, it's the first thing I go to when I sit down at the computer. Just keep it coming, please.

[lineslinger]

Originally Posted by David Kirkham

My fingers are hurting from all the posting and emailing I have done today. I will definitely post more tomorrow. Maybe after I play a few Chopin Nocturnes my fingers will limber up and then I will post a few more pics. But thanks for the interest! I am glad you like it. I hope others like it too and I don't think I am being a big mouth by monopolizing the CC band width.

David

I think Mr. Chopin would appreciate your work.

[lineslinger]

Good thing you have a good piano. I use my guitar.

[Johnson]

Why don't you run more button head or countersunk solid aircraft rivets instead of bolts? Also are you running anything like mastinox between the bolts and aluminum to reduce the dissimilar metal corrosion?

[Ronbo]

David, Any plans of a CV retrofit for the existing U-joint half shafts??

I'd be interested.

Now I did it, here comes the originality posse...

[sshurts]

Tom Barnard of Tom's Motorsports did the CV-Joint modification to a couple of Kmp's that I know of (mine included).

He is also well known for his mastery of chassis setup.

He is located in Las Vegas, NV.

Best of Luck,

Scott

[David Kirkham]

Originally Posted by sshurts

Tom Barnard of Tom's Motorsports did the CV-Joint modification to a couple of Kmp's that I know of (mine included).

He is also well known for his mastery of chassis setup.

He is located in Las Vegas, NV.

Best of Luck,

Scott

Scott,

Tom is a great guy. We have gotten lots of killer ideas from him.

David

[David Kirkham]

Originally Posted by Ronbo

David, Any plans of a CV retrofit for the existing U-joint half shafts??

I'd be interested.

Now I did it, here comes the originality posse...

We are seriously looking into that. Now that it is completely engineered it shouldn't be that big of a deal to implement it. There is the problem of time, however. We are very focused on this car right now and so we will not be upgrading our cars for a bit still.

David

[sshurts]

Hi David,

I have little doubt that Kmp can, and someday will, produce this outstanding upgrade/improvement for CV-Joints. As you mentioned, time is always a challenge and I know that we talked about the doing it to mine two years ago. I went with Tom's because my schedule was already set when you kindly worked with me on upgrading my suspension to the latest billet (at the time...).

I'm always amazed and impressed, when I visit Kmp, at all you accomplish and with such a small and talented team.

Best of luck and keep up the great work.
Scott
p.s. did you get my email about a skunksworks project...

[David Kirkham]

Originally Posted by Johnson

Why don't you run more button head or countersunk solid aircraft rivets instead of bolts? Also are you running anything like mastinox between the bolts and aluminum to reduce the dissimilar metal corrosion?

We bolted everything together on purpose...we didn't know if we were going to have to take it back apart again!

This is the only billet chassis on earth and even though I am really happy with it, there is still a pile of "shame" parts that didn't fit, blew up, ran out the door with gremlins, etc. Even the Space Shuttle Columbia had a few issues, so we decided to be overly cautious.

As for corrosion, you are very right. Frankly, Loctite does a wonderful job of sealing the joints. We sealed EVERY bolt with Loctite. Also, I doubt this car will see much rain, or any elements for that matter.

I did look up the mastinox stuff...looks REALLY cool. I think I am going to get some. Thanks for the tip!

David

[RedCSX1]

WOW, Primaries are a thing of Beauty! True Masters

[Lew Ledyard]

I thought that you'd forgotten that I had the optional ejector seat .

[David Kirkham]

Originally Posted by Lew Ledyard

I thought that you'd forgotten that I had the optional ejector seat .

Lew, I wasn't naming names...

Some experiences in life (kinda like elevators) you can just never forget.

David

[David Kirkham]

Originally Posted by RedCSX1

WOW, Primaries are a thing of Beauty! True Masters

Thanks RedCSX1! They are really, really hard to do. Right now we are trying to figure out how to get the number 5 head tube (the one closest to the front of the car on the driver's side) around the steering tube. It is so tight, my guy suggested we just drill a hole through the tube to support the steering shaft We will get it around the steering...somehow.

David

[CSX 4039]

Last week I had my washing machine worked on. When the repair guy was done, he had a handful of "extra" parts that were never put back on the washer, and "weren't necessary anyway". I sure hope he never goes into billet chassis repair.

[David Kirkham]

Hopefully we won't end up with any "extra" washers.

David

[Hoofa]

If I'm not mistaken, it's Thursday????