Bellett GT Project

[Glenn]

The GT will definitely not be that low unless I fit airbags???

We have a minimum height of 100mm for road rego in SA and that is based at the lowest point of the car including the exhaust.

So the Blue one is just for reference only to show how it looks with flares.

I have spoken to a mate of mine and I am going to still try the SR20 conversion, I am trying to get hold of a wreck to trial fit and make the necessary mods before I cut up the GT.

You'll never get it that low even with airbags..... There's simply not enuf travel under them on bump. I think that blue one is an optical illusion, especially with only that small amount of neg camber on the rear vs how low it is.
You will get 100mm off the road tho. It will ride hard, like mine does, again simply to reducing the travel, but mine is 100mm excluding exhaust, so lower than you can go.
Many have commented on how low mine is, so it must be lower than others go, but it still works.
Flares, done right, look good. Important part is: done right...... because they instantly lose the squared off rear guard line that is a huge Bellett feature IMHO, and I've seen radiused rears done well and also done bloody terribly.

Jeff has the advantage that he no quarters on the car as yet. When he fits them, he can, with some effort, pump them out to retain the same lines but still fit big wider wheels in back.

[Jeff]

Thanks to GT Orphanage for bumping up your yellow beast.

Great read and a great car to boot. I have one question through I like the later 68-69 tail lights is there anyone cutting a sedan up for the rear valance panel and a set of tail lights. I am still not sure of changing it yet as I have been offered a good rear valance for my model and GT lights may just change it to fix the rust issues.

I noticed on your rebuild that you changed that panel or reworked it to suit the later tail lights can you explain what you actually did.

Thanks

[Glenn]

Thanks to GT Orphanage for bumping up your yellow beast.

Great read and a great car to boot. I have one question through I like the later 68-69 tail lights is there anyone cutting a sedan up for the rear valance panel and a set of tail lights. I am still not sure of changing it yet as I have been offered a good rear valance for my model and GT lights may just change it to fix the rust issues.

I noticed on your rebuild that you changed that panel or reworked it to suit the later tail lights can you explain what you actually did.

Thanks

Late model GT tail lights are like hens teeth. Some people use the similar style sedan tail lights if the GT ones are damaged etc. I imagine people hang on to sedan strip lights also, just in case their GT ones get broken. There are not all that many late sedans about either.
Its easy enough to weld up the holes, a suggestion might be to fit something like the early Ford Escort tail lights. Similar shape and pretty flat. Probably easier to find if you don't turn up Bellett ones..

[gt orphanage]

My yellow gt has sedan tail lights in it they would be around Dick was selling new sets for a while. Gt not so easy that's why ol yella is running sedan. The panel was just filled in as it is only slightly rolled flat panel. New holes were cut.

[degruch]

I can make GT strip light lenses, no problem...get at least 10 of you together to justify an order, drop me a PM and I'll get a quote.

[Glenn]

I can make GT strip light lenses, no problem...get at least 10 of you together to justify an order, drop me a PM and I'll get a quote.

the metal housing is often rusted out also....

[Farmer]

Thanks to GT Orphanage for bumping up your yellow beast.

Great read and a great car to boot. I have one question through I like the later 68-69 tail lights is there anyone cutting a sedan up for the rear valance panel and a set of tail lights. I am still not sure of changing it yet as I have been offered a good rear valance for my model and GT lights may just change it to fix the rust issues.

I noticed on your rebuild that you changed that panel or reworked it to suit the later tail lights can you explain what you actually did.

Thanks

Late model GT tail lights are like hens teeth. Some people use the similar style sedan tail lights if the GT ones are damaged etc. I imagine people hang on to sedan strip lights also, just in case their GT ones get broken. There are not all that many late sedans about either.
Its easy enough to weld up the holes, a suggestion might be to fit something like the early Ford Escort tail lights. Similar shape and pretty flat. Probably easier to find if you don't turn up Bellett ones..

Really? Just get some trailer lights from supacheep, they look the same!
Sorry, not an escort fan! So.....plain.
I reckon the hex lights are trademark Bellett. And they are the easiest to find.
Or if you are going full-on mod, something unique.
Ultimately its your choice, have fun!
Cheers, Matt.

[degruch]

I can make GT strip light lenses, no problem...get at least 10 of you together to justify an order, drop me a PM and I'll get a quote.

the metal housing is often rusted out also....

Sedan strip light metal housings will do, more than double your chances, then fit some repro GT lenses.

With the amount of work this baby requires I wouldn't take shortcuts and put 'foreign' lights on it personally. I agree with Matt though (for what it's worth, it's Jeff's car), hex lights would be the original for the car, plus trademark Bellett (as much as I prefer the strip lights myself).

[Glenn]

I can make GT strip light lenses, no problem...get at least 10 of you together to justify an order, drop me a PM and I'll get a quote.

the metal housing is often rusted out also....

Sedan strip light metal housings will do, more than double your chances, then fit some repro GT lenses.

With the amount of work this baby requires I wouldn't take shortcuts and put 'foreign' lights on it personally. I agree with Matt though (for what it's worth, it's Jeff's car), hex lights would be the original for the car, plus trademark Bellett (as much as I prefer the strip lights myself).

I may be wrong but don't think you can fit GT lenses to the sedan housing. GT has 3 separate lenses.

[PR91]

Glenn is spot on.
The strip GT and sedan taillights may be interchangeable, but the housing itself is different too..... Not just a case of new lenses.
GT units are easily the rarest of the Bellett taillights.

[degruch]

I reckon Jeff could make life easy on himself by running with octagonal lenses then.

[Jeff]

Been working hard on the GT pulling her to pieces and going through everything. Bloody bolts, screws only broke a couple but got the doors off without damaging the screws.

I finally trial fitted the SR20DET today with no oil pan to see how she would fit, so far so good I need to trial fit the bonnet next to check clearance and fit the gearbox and see where the additional work is needed to modify the trans tunnel as the SR Box is a lot longer than a Bellett gearbox.

It needs to come forward about 20mm and it is sitting on the steering rack right now but will play with it a bit and get the engine mounts sorted and then try and make a new oil pan to suit and hopefully it clears the bonnet.

I think a top mount turbo and forward facing plenum/throttle body and hopefully not have to modify the shock towers to much if at all, but we will see how that goes.

I would like some advice on strengthening the rear end to handle the horse power without having to go for a shortened S13 rear end which will widen the track 50mm and try and go for a stock look or flares with dished rims, added a pick let me know what you think.

[flying]

Hi
The Isuzu Twin Cams look bigger in the head, I don't think you will have any problems with bonnet clearance.

The Isuzu sumps are thin at the front, have a scallop over the rack. and drop down over the back.

Looks god keep up the good work
Cheers
Flying