Sandy's GT Forte build

[Sandy Cameron]

Hi
Here we go last project finished and ready to start a new build.
started with a wooden crate of parts and a level and square base to assemble the chassis on. Then sitting on trolley to provide a good working height and fitting the various parts lots of checking of dimensions but have to admit it fits together well and has remained square from tacking through to welding completion.

 

[Sandy Cameron]

My second post now brings my build up to date I started in April and that is six months gone already.
The chassis is almost completed just the front roll bar to sort out when the body work is here. Also still to fit brackets for anti roll bars and I am sure there will be a few more. I am expecting all the suspension parts tomorrow from Darren at GT Forte. I think i should have ordered poly bushes and rose joints but will see what comes and then see what I need.
I have been panelling the front end and just temporarily fitted these panels with self tapper screws. My plan is to complete the alloy panels with the exception of the engine and cockpit bulkhead as I will wait until the spider is in place just so I am not guessing edges or piecing in bits.

 

[NickD]

Welcome to the Forte club Sandy. Keep the posts up.

 

[Paulbav]

That looks very tidy, keep up the good work

 

[Morten]

Hi Sandy, quick tip: prefit your suspension, uprights, shocks, linkarms etc before you finish up your panels so you dont need to remove all the panels once you realise how the steering geometry is set up. The escort rack is too short, pivot points does not line up, rack mount too low, shock mount too low - result front&rear bump&camber steer.
I had to redo all on mine to get it to work... even lowering the enginemounts 40mm as the distributor collides with the bulkhead bar...and rebuilding the bulkhead.....well - good luck and have fun building.
I should probably have sent this as a PM instead of cluttering up your log. Sorry.
Kind regards

 

[Duncan]

Hi Sandy, looks good, and swift progress too. Hope you enjoying your build.

Regarding the engine mount position, a couple of people have trial fitted engines using the standard mounts with no issues. However the choice of distributor is important - the bigger hei/msd types wont fit without a clash according to Darrens build manual.

Keep up the good work.

 

[Morten]

My problem with the engine height was only that the valve covers touched the rear clam and left a 10cm gap between the spider trying to close it. Now the Canton oilpan is flush with the floor and the clam fits ok.... Hope you use a Lee Dawson bodywork Sandy. It will save you a monumental amount of work, I didnt on my Forte and paid the price having to build all internals and repair so much of the fiberglass. Good luck.

 

[Sandy Cameron]

Got a delivery on Monday the suspension parts arrived. So have been busy painting these and mocking up the parts to check the fit also the steering rack and the steering column are fitted also peddle box position has been determined. The front and rear uprights never came so will have to chase these up so i can confirm all is good with the moving parts. The Anti roll bar fixings I am not sure of the final positions for the drop links so will leave these until I get the uprights. I will continue with the panelling again now.

Sandy

 

[Andrew S]

Nice start Sandy...

Duncan is right.... the Distro is important.
Mine fits on the standard mounting position but had to use the small dia distro, i can look out the detials (part number) if you are interested.

Andrew

PS Only 3 hours down the road if you need help or want to visit.

 

[Andrew S]

Got a delivery on Monday the suspension parts arrived. So have been busy painting these and mocking up the parts to check the fit also the steering rack and the steering column are fitted also peddle box position has been determined. The front and rear uprights never came so will have to chase these up so i can confirm all is good with the moving parts. The Anti roll bar fixings I am not sure of the final positions for the drop links so will leave these until I get the uprights. I will continue with the panelling again now.

Sandy

Sandy, just having a look at your pictures....
Think the angle of your steering coloum through the top U joint looks too great, believe it sould be less than 30 degrees but more than 10 (IVA manual, Protective Steering Section 14), maybe the picture is mis-sleading but yours looks more like 45 degrees.
Andrew

 

[Tony Saunders]

Welcome to the Forte club Sandy, you're progressing well!

 

[David]

Welcome to the club.

Sandy, just having a look at your pictures....
Think the angle of your steering coloum through the top U joint looks too great, believe it sould be less than 30 degrees but more than 10 (IVA manual, Protective Steering Section 14), maybe the picture is mis-sleading but yours looks more like 45 degrees.
Andrew

Having looked at mine I think the issue here is the difference in length between the Corsa "B" and "C" type columns, the "C" being much longer whereas with the shorter "B" the UJ sits much further up and hence is a much lower angle.

 

[NickD]

Sandy,

Would you forward me a pic of your front suspension side on to the car, i.e so both upper and lower ball joint nearest the camera ?

Thanks.


Nick.

 

[Sandy Cameron]

Hi Nick
please see attached pic of front suspension sorry it's taken so long

 

[Sandy Cameron]

Hi thought I would post some updates time has flown past the last 3 months with little time in the garage but managed a few hours.
Collected the body work from Margate that was a 11&1/2 hour drive each way.

Made up the 2 rear uprights.

Mocked up the front and rear suspension with hubs and brake discs.

Been doing some more panelling.

folded up some aluminium sheet to make fuel tanks

 

[Sandy Cameron]

I have also been collecting the drive line I now have a 302 engine with the bottom end rebuilt I'm not sure if i want to go 8 stack yet but going for injection set up with no distributor so no need to worry about clearance for that. I have also manged to get an Audi 01E gearbox and have received a gearbox adaptor from Kennedy engineering. I have reworked the sump with a larger capacity and fitted trapdoors to keep the oil around the pick up.

 

[Ryan L]

Looking good Sandy. Very envious of your progress. How are you going for storage now. Those body sections certainly take up some room.

keep up the good work

Ryan

 

[Sandy Cameron]

HI
I had an enquiry from a member regarding my build table but I couldn't figure out how to attach pictures to the forum email so I have put some drawings I created of my build table here they may be of some use to others.
Sandy

 

[Daniel Lorenz]

Hey Sandy! I just wanted to ask you since i plan on using GT Forte as my supplier also.
Is everything working out ok? Is the quality good? Does the items get delivered on time? Any trouble with fitment of parts etc.?

I have heard some reported trouble with deliveries in the past(over two year old posts) but can't seem to find anything remotely negative about them in the more present time.

Sorry for the hijacking

 

[Dan Winkworth]

Hi Daniel,
Personally, I would think twice about the Forte. I know some would disagree but at the end of the day there isn't a single Forte on the road anywhere in the world. (to my knowledge)

I've also experienced the customer service first hand and have nothing positive to say there.

Having seen some of the parts supplied my personal opinion is that these cars will never be road worthy without considerable modification and or addition of parts from other suppliers. I’m not saying it’s not possible but it will require commitment and ingenuity to get the end goal.

This is just my opinion and obviously feel free to ask others, but do your homework to avoid wasting time and money.

Best of luck

Dan