1957 Chevy Truck - Tech - Truckin' Magazine

We have been following the buildup of this '57 Chevy pickup since its inception, more than a year ago. Rodger Lee and his crew at Ironworks Speed & Kustoms in Bakersfield, California, have been creating one of the most incredible custom trucks to be documented and laid out in Truckin' pages.

The '57 C6 Black-Gold project has reached its final stages. In this issue, we will be following along as Rodger and Jason Breed perform the final assembly of the suspension, brakes, transmission, engine, and exhaust. Be sure to check out next month's issue, when we show you just how amazing the frame and undercarriage are once complete.

The rear '06 Corvette C6 suspension features factory aluminum upper and lower control arms and hub assemblies. Stopping power comes from a pair of Wilwood 14-inch slotted and cross-drilled vented rotors that are squeezed by four-piston calipers. Rodger Lee designed a unique cantilevered rear suspension that uses a pair of Air Ride Technologies Shockwave 9000 taper sleeved 'bags laid horizontal.

The rear '06 Corvette C6 suspension features factory aluminum upper and lower control arms

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Stay tuned, next issue of Truckin', Vol. 34, No. 6, will showcase a studio-shot chassis feature for an incredible look at the craftsmanship up close.

This '06 Corvette C6 Tremec T56 six-speed manual transaxle delivers the LS2 404ci engine's 600 hp to the rear wheels.
This '06 Corvette C6 Tremec T56 six-speed manual transaxle delivers the LS2 404ci engine's
The Tremec T56 six-speed manual (IRS) transaxle is located in the rear of the Ironworks Speed & Kustom tube chassis.
The Tremec T56 six-speed manual (IRS) transaxle is located in the rear of the Ironworks Sp
Here is a closer look at the custom rear cantilevered Air Ride Technologies double adjustable Shockwave 9000.
Here is a closer look at the custom rear cantilevered Air Ride Technologies double adjusta

Moving to the front suspension, Jason Breed installed the Woodward power steering rack.
The factory '06 Corvette C6 aluminum front lower and upper control arms, ball joints, and hub/spindles were assembled to the front suspension pickup points.
The factory '06 Corvette C6 aluminum front lower and upper control arms, ball joints, and

Wilwood six-piston calipers provide ample clamping power, decelerating the massive Wilwood 14-inch slotted and cross-drilled, vented, long-grain carbon iron rotors.
Wilwood six-piston calipers provide ample clamping power, decelerating the massive Wilwood

A pair of Air Ride Technologies Shockwave double adjustable 'bags allow the wheels and tires to tuck deepinside the front fenders.
A pair of Air Ride Technologies Shockwave double adjustable 'bags allow the wheels and tir
A pair of left and right Woodward aluminum tie-rods link the Woodward power steering rack to the factory Corvette C6 front spindles.
A pair of left and right Woodward aluminum tie-rods link the Woodward power steering rack
An Air Ride Technologies Level Pro air pressure sensor was installed. The Level Pro system repeats pre-programmed suspension drive-away ride heights at all four corners.
An Air Ride Technologies Level Pro air pressure sensor was installed. The Level Pro system

This is a front view of the tubular Ironworks chassis with '06 Corvette C6 factory suspension, Wilwood disc brakes, and a Woodward steering rack.
This is a front view of the tubular Ironworks chassis with '06 Corvette C6 factory suspens
A rear view showcases the 18-gallon aluminum fuel cell, rear '06 Corvette C6 factory suspension, and Wilwood big disc brakes. Tremec six-speed manual transaxle transmission and Air Ride Technologies Shockwave dual-action 'bags activating the cantilevered rear independent rear suspension (IRS).
A rear view showcases the 18-gallon aluminum fuel cell, rear '06 Corvette C6 factory suspe
Jason and Rodger installed the Corvette C6 torque tube that will link the LS2 power to the Tremec six-speed manual transaxle.
Jason and Rodger installed the Corvette C6 torque tube that will link the LS2 power to the

Jason connected the Corvette C6 Tremec six-speed manual shift linkage rod to the Hurst quick shifter.
Jason connected the Corvette C6 Tremec six-speed manual shift linkage rod to the Hurst qui
The clutch slave cylinder was installed to the torque tube assembly.
The Corvette C6 factory 168-tooth flywheel was torqued to correct specs.

A clutch disc pilot tool was used to align the Center Force clutch disc with the flywheel.
Rodger torqued the Center Force clutch assembly to the flywheel.
The factory bell housing was mated to the engine block.

A cherry picker was used to assist in aligning, or stabbing, the engine and torque tube.
The Ironworks Speed & Kustom 2-inch OD SPD Inc. headers with 3/8-inch thick flanges were installed.
The Ironworks Speed & Kustom 2-inch OD SPD Inc. headers with 3/8-inch thick flanges were i

Rodger and Jason connected the Ironworks Speed & Kustom X-pipe that will equalize the burnt gas velocity and pressure.
Rodger and Jason connected the Ironworks Speed & Kustom X-pipe that will equalize the burn
The 3-inch-diameter exhaust flows into a pair of Direct Natural Airflow (DNA) mufflers.
Rodger installed the Kinsler EFI fuel delivery system directly to the RHS aluminum cylinder head intake ports.
Rodger installed the Kinsler EFI fuel delivery system directly to the RHS aluminum cylinde

Kinsler 6-inch velocity stacks will deliver more low-end torque. The velocity stacks were polished, then given a Specialized Coatings ceramic clearcoat. MSD-5111 coils and cables were installed at the time, also.
Kinsler 6-inch velocity stacks will deliver more low-end torque. The velocity stacks were
Rodger mounted the Budnik Murock II polished billet aluminum 20x8-inch front wheels wrapped in BFGoodrich g-Force T/A 245/35ZR20 rubber. The horsepower was hooked up to a pair of 22x11-inch Murock II wheels, which are consumed in a pair of beefy 265/35ZR22 rubber.
Rodger mounted the Budnik Murock II polished billet aluminum 20x8-inch front wheels wrappe