Midgetec

Got a little more done on the tranny tunnel. Slowly but surely I'm getting a little better at the sheetmetal. Like most new skills, it comes down to patience and practice.

Here you can see that I've got a good bit of the skin on. I didn't take pix as I went, but here's the narrative if you're interested:

I formed the front-most piece first. I cut a thin poster-board template that wrapped over the 1" strap frame, then transferred it to a piece of 24 gauge sheet and cut it out. I wrapped it around, and it was very easy to form against the rigid frame. Once it was all trimmed and fitting nicely, I clecoed it in. I then roughed in a small flange to turn in to the recess that is needed for seat clearance to allow something to overlap with the next piece. Then I cut that next piece that goes from that flange toward the tranny (parallel with the firewall) and put a little flange in it for welding. We'll call that piece number 2.

Before I cut and formed the next piece, which is the "S" shaped piece that is back parallel with the tranny, I decided to put the T-5 back in just to make sure I didn't have any interference. Good thing I did! I realized that that piece #2 was contacting some of the transmission bolts. Not acceptable. So, I put in on the english wheel and put some shape to it so that the outer edge stayed flat (where it meets the big front tunnel piece) but the other two edges moved back about 1/2" - enough to clear the bolts. Even though it looks flat in the photo, it's got some contour to it.

Next I formed the "S" shaped piece, laid it in, and transferred the profile of the 2nd piece to the front edge of the "S", then trimmed it for a flush fit. Then I scribed the front edge of the "S" piece onto the 2nd piece, and trimmed it, leaving an extra 1/4" which I bent to 90 degrees to provide an overlap with the "S" shaped piece. I put in 3 tacks from the front with everything lined up, and then spot welded the back side out of the car.

Below you'll see it with the seat slid forward. I test fit my 5' 2" daughter, and sized it to allow her to be able to release the clutch. Unfortunately that means she'll be able to put the gas pedal to the floor too!

I ran out of time, so I'll pick up the rest later.

One last shot from the passenger side: