The Fluid MotorUnion 500SL Build Thread (56k, no bloody way)

[Vegas13]

Lol, we've done tons of customer Mercs, but never one that we've basically had carte blanche to do whatever the hell we wanted. So yeah, I guess this is our first Merc project car, at least since I've started working here.

Good luck getting here today. The southwest suburbs are pretty snowy, just like the rest of Chicago at this moment.

You've got about 2 days before lake effect takes what hit us and hits you ten times as hard. See you soon

awwww way to shoot that down! we got a shit ton coming down right now, but once its gone, ill be knockin

[dare23]

No doubt will be sick! Wow awesome welding and fabrication!!!

[projektzwo]

impressive, this thread will be full of win, i'm sure!

[x10hz]

subbed!

[Oxer]

So I seriously need to start tigging.....


You guys are such badasses. I wish I could be as badass.

[P78]

following

[DCJodon]

Updatesssssnao.

[wagonist]

spread the merc love, subscribed

[mold230]

that wheel gap



subscribed!

[wagonist]

I take it the engine is pulled

[FluidMotorUnion]

I take it the engine is pulled

For the initial two shots, yes.

Don't worry, today the thread gets an update

[Oxer]

Can not wait.

[FluidMotorUnion]

So...shit...where were we? Oh yeah, fitment!

Having just finished the modification of the control arms in both the front and rear, we were ready to lower the vehicle back onto its haunches and see what happens.

Will Tom's glorious welds fail on the spot, causing the vehicle to comically land on its frame, kicking up a pile of dust amongst a sea of sad faces?

Or will the control arms end up being TOO strong, causing them to begin an endless rampage that will stop at nothing short of world domination?

The answer to both of those questions...is no. Instead, they worked as intended. Which, in retrospect, is the best thing we could've asked for. Except for, you know, a million bucks or whatever.

But onto pictures! Before we cut the arms, we kept the old ones on the SL, and measured the wheel gap to see what we were starting with. Here's what our original numbers are:




So the fender rests 27.5" off the ground. Not bad, but we knew we could get lower. Besides, that's not a very pretty amount of wheel gap. So once we cut the arms, we decided to measure again, and see how it worked out.

In the front control arms, we cut through about an inch or so of material, and in the back we added about an inch and a half. Let's see how we did:




Right about 25.5". That puts us at a roughly 2 inch drop. After measuring the other corners, we were pretty much spot on that number for all sides. Not too bad for a car that, in order to lower it, requires either work of this caliber or spring cutting. And like I said two days ago, we're not big fans of the latter.

Here's some stanced shots for you guys. Don't worry about the wheel and tire setup that's currently on the SL -- we've got something big in store for that department





Next up on the SL Build Thread: The exhaust! All you aficionados of welding porn, get your Kleenex boxes ready.

[Oxer]

Great work.

Like you could even consider doubting those welds. Hell Im on the other side of the world and I could tell the strength they held.

Is that it for suspension modifications? Or should I wait for the wheel and tire set up before I say "needs more lows" ?

[Vegas13]

what you guys doin with them wheel when youre done lololol

love the height!