Roadster Shop SPEC Camaro

[camcojb]

FANTASTIC work!!!!

[CamaroAJ]

Originally Posted by Roadster Shop

A little bit more about the chassis process before getting back into the car build. The biggest difference in the SPEC chassis vs our previous offerings is the frame rail designs. Our Fast Track and REVO chassis both utilize a frame rail constructed from 4 sides of 10 gauge steel that is fixtured, fully welded on all 4 sides, then ground smooth. This is an incredibly labor intensive process. The SPEC chassis is designed with our RS Laser rails which crafted from various sizes of square tubing. These are painstakingly programmed, and then CNC tube laser cut to produce a high quality frame rail design that eliminates a majority of the labor. This design and manufacturing process has allowed us to lower prices with our sacrificing quality.


On this particular section, the CNC tube laser cuts a pie sections of the frame rail out.


It can then be easily bent by hand to meet the otehr side. We have added locators in every bend to easily align the pieces as they com together.


Once together, the the seam can be welded. This produces a contoured frame rail that can not be accomplished with mandrel bending. We are able to make much tighter and more intricate bends than a mandrel bender is capable of. This process also eliminates a lot of the down falls like buckled and weak areas from bending.


When completed, the seam can then be fully welded. (This is done in chassis fixtures to guarantee fitment and prevent movement while welding. The pics above were shown on a bench for demonstrations purposes.)


Our process also allows us to create compound, multi-point overlapping joints and transitions that will disperse load and add significant strength over a traditional miter cut and welded section

[Avgasman]

I'm really interested in upgrading the ride more than the handling of my Camaro. Something akin to a newish BMW would be my preference.

I missed the opportunity to install sub-frame connectors during my build and other than totally regretting it - I was considering adding them now but the option of installing a full continuous frame is much more appealing.

If all I was looking for was a modern day ride, flex-resistant chassis, and suspension compliance with your average roads, would the SPEC or Fast Track be my best option? I don't necessarily need the FT but I would consider it if it provided the best ride.

Is RS going to release any camber gain or bumpsteer data for either the SPEC or the FT?

What's the widest front tire you can run on a 1969 Camaro with both subframes?

[Graham08]

I really like the mitering technique for making the frame rails. Having the laser cut in such a way that the outside of the joint ends up radiused is really clever, and really adds something when compared to pie cutting and welding it back up.

I look forward to the next installment!

[WSSix]

Thanks for sharing the process with us. This is fantastic work.

[Centerforce]

Wow amazing work! That is some extremely cutting-edge technology you are using.

Your shop is located in Illinois?

[FLYNAVY53]

Very cool...in for the updates!!

[Roadster Shop]

Originally Posted by Avgasman

I'm really interested in upgrading the ride more than the handling of my Camaro. Something akin to a newish BMW would be my preference.

I missed the opportunity to install sub-frame connectors during my build and other than totally regretting it - I was considering adding them now but the option of installing a full continuous frame is much more appealing.

If all I was looking for was a modern day ride, flex-resistant chassis, and suspension compliance with your average roads, would the SPEC or Fast Track be my best option? I don't necessarily need the FT but I would consider it if it provided the best ride.

Is RS going to release any camber gain or bumpsteer data for either the SPEC or the FT?

What's the widest front tire you can run on a 1969 Camaro with both subframes?

The SPEC and Fast Track are going to be pretty similiar in the ride quality department. I would definitely give the performance edge to the Fast Track chassis, but the SPEC is still now slouch. This car ran the Cars and Cones event a few weeks back and had several top 10 finishes in a field of 70+ cars. this was also its maiden voyage with absolutely zero autocross testing/tuning before hand.

The camber gain and bumpsteer numbers have been published on our Fast Track IFS for several years on our web site. I will have our engineers put together some numbers and graphs tomorrow and post them for those interested.

The simple, bolt-on full chassis strength and great ride quality are the focus of the SPEC Series chassis. If these are your main goals, I would definitely steer you in this direction. It is aimed at the guy that wants to jump in their car, enjoy the cruising aspects and the excitement of sports car handling while hitting an off ramp or a banked turn on a highway at 60 MPH. It will definitely hold its own in any autocross event where you are looking to have fun and be competitive. In most cases, the suspension will be more capable than the driver!

We have 2 68's with the SPEC chassis under them in the shop. Both will be running a 9" wheel with a 255 and 265 tire that allows for full lock to lock turning. I am thinking a 275 should fit, but have not tested one yet to be sure. We normally run 265 or 275 tires on the front of the Fast Track Camaros.

[Roadster Shop]

Originally Posted by camcojb

FANTASTIC work!!!!

Originally Posted by Graham08

I really like the mitering technique for making the frame rails. Having the laser cut in such a way that the outside of the joint ends up radiused is really clever, and really adds something when compared to pie cutting and welding it back up.

I look forward to the next installment!

Originally Posted by WSSix

Thanks for sharing the process with us. This is fantastic work.

Originally Posted by FLYNAVY53

Very cool...in for the updates!!

Thanks for all the support and following along! Just trying to give a glimpse under the hood of the how's and why's of this new chassis line up as well as show the build process.

Originally Posted by Centerforce

Wow amazing work! That is some extremely cutting-edge technology you are using.

Your shop is located in Illinois?

Thanks, and yes, we are located just north of Chicago

[FLYNAVY53]

One more quick question....given similar car set ups, how does the SPEC chasis compare to a car running the more traditional front clip (Detroit Speed, Heidts, etc. ) and rear 4 link? Im assuming it results in an overall stiffer car (in a good way) and theoretically, performs better?

Thanks