As we keep moving forward with the project we find 'issues' that need to be dealt with. One of those 'issues' is is the clearance on the front end because of the rake stance of the car. The way the car is situtaed leaves minmal clearance between the front tires and the stock body rail of the front fenderes. There were a few ideas floated to solve this issue, one being a one piece front end. The down side of that solution was that I couldn't open the hood to see the V8 sitting in the engine bay. If the car was a designated 'track only' car then this wouldn't matter but that is not the case.

The other issue with a one piece front end is the cost. While working on the front of the car would be much easier, I had to weigh the other components of the project that still need to be addressed. The decision was to cut away the parts of body rail but leave all of the fender mounting points and then reinforce the reaining stricture with metal plate.

After dealing with this issue I started doing some research on the LS series blocks, in particular the LQ4 (which I own) and the LSX454. During this research I found several reasons to upgrade the block from the LQ4 to the LSX454. The best reason is that the LSX is a much stronger block with reinforecment in several key areas. While the LQ4 would enable us to reach our 4 digit power goal, it would be running at it's near maximum potential. For that reason it has been decided to upgrade to the LSX454. By doing that, there is room for future growth should I so choose to do so. Going this route follows my inclination to over build so that I am not running on the edge.

Rod