Beach Cruiser Update [Archive] - Page 2

Beach Cruiser

08-05-2014, 07:05 AM

As Promised, here are my splitter build pics. I didn't want to spend a bunch of money so this was just a prototype to see if it works. I could feel a difference in the car even at Highway speeds, but I didn't get enough track time to really push it and learn to lean on in the corners. As you can see I made it out of plywood and a 2x4! total cost is under $20!

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/16AACDFE-1CB4-4C1E-9C9E-4832F7CAFB26_zpsuacows0r.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/16AACDFE-1CB4-4C1E-9C9E-4832F7CAFB26_zpsuacows0r.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/0C394E90-8E61-48C2-8590-5C53FD28B09B_zpswe8uzwbk.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/0C394E90-8E61-48C2-8590-5C53FD28B09B_zpswe8uzwbk.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/E5404608-87FE-496D-B981-D2AF1037C17A_zpsxtv1i4ku.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/E5404608-87FE-496D-B981-D2AF1037C17A_zpsxtv1i4ku.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/5930F61D-D5F7-4771-8EF2-A8B1A105F553_zpsowkzlgi2.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/5930F61D-D5F7-4771-8EF2-A8B1A105F553_zpsowkzlgi2.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/61AA9184-8E63-4C4E-A48C-090FAEE0F6B9_zps9ezro9uv.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/61AA9184-8E63-4C4E-A48C-090FAEE0F6B9_zps9ezro9uv.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/E344BF64-B576-44D3-B712-9A21CDA9E8AB_zpsqknfw5ev.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/E344BF64-B576-44D3-B712-9A21CDA9E8AB_zpsqknfw5ev.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/4098A0E3-8834-4705-93F4-C4A58B1FE239_zpsqcwpbqfp.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/4098A0E3-8834-4705-93F4-C4A58B1FE239_zpsqcwpbqfp.jpg.html)

Beach Cruiser

08-05-2014, 07:55 AM

Here are a few action shots I got from Finishline Productions

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/IMG_2063_zps8a16cc0a.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/IMG_2063_zps8a16cc0a.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/IMG_2993_zps9a16d82a.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/IMG_2993_zps9a16d82a.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/IMG_2989_zps4146d81e.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/IMG_2989_zps4146d81e.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/IMG_2186_zps094e9b55.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/IMG_2186_zps094e9b55.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/IMG_0418_zps8ab31133.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/IMG_0418_zps8ab31133.jpg.html)

efs69

08-05-2014, 11:00 AM

Thanks for the splitter build pics. Gives me a good direction for making mine for the 69.What did you make the final from.. 1/8 or 3/16 aluminum?

Beach Cruiser

08-05-2014, 11:04 AM

Most guys use Alumalite, Mine's still plywood :lol:

efs69

08-05-2014, 11:07 AM

Most guys use Alumalite, Mine's still plywood :lol:

Dude!! thats funny... it did not look like it from the action shots. :confused59:

Beach Cruiser

08-05-2014, 11:38 AM

Paint and Plastidip FTW!

efs69

08-05-2014, 01:32 PM

It works!!

Beach Cruiser

08-20-2014, 08:54 AM

It's here! My new Rankin Dog Box! well, almost new. This thing is heavy, way heavy. It better be as strong as it appears. Going in the car this weekend if I can find an assistant to help me bench press it in the car. Went by the shop to find the status of my blown up trans, well the found out that they left a shim out that keeps the front set of needle bearings in check, well without that shim they checked themselves right apart. they are gonna eat it and in a big way, but that cant fix the fact that I missed the whole rest of the weekend at the track. It's gonna cost them about $600 in parts plus the labor to put it back together. oh well, that's racin

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/A489A7CB-AC31-461E-BA5C-BA82FE19639B_zpsxsfrfgfo.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/A489A7CB-AC31-461E-BA5C-BA82FE19639B_zpsxsfrfgfo.jpg.html)

WSSix

08-20-2014, 04:47 PM

Glad the splitter seems to be working out for you.

Beach Cruiser

08-21-2014, 05:51 AM

I don't know if it works or not, it def took some top speed away, I didn't get enough laps with it to see if I could pic up speed in the corners. At least it didn't hit anything and it didn't fall off at speed!

Beach Cruiser

08-22-2014, 04:52 PM

So Grassroots Motorsports offered a wear your helment to work challenge today I took a few pics. Since I don't work on Fridays I took a short stroll on my Beach Cruiser down to the Beach.

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/30311FC5-27B2-4677-B7F6-512B70A14B51_zps1ygdxz1m.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/30311FC5-27B2-4677-B7F6-512B70A14B51_zps1ygdxz1m.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/5A056770-F15F-42FA-ABF9-39E2282AED5D_zpsvleovkfv.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/5A056770-F15F-42FA-ABF9-39E2282AED5D_zpsvleovkfv.jpg.html)

Beach Cruiser

08-30-2014, 04:26 AM

Well I decided to pull the motor before I go to Daytona in Nov to change out the lower end bearings for insurance. So I was talking to Improved Racing about Oil Control as they just released an new trap door insert for the CTSV Pan. Guess what? They want to come on board and sponsor me to promote that new product! My first "real" sponsor! so I'll be doing a write up along the way on how it works out for me, stay tuned...

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/D84F4402-43C1-4954-963D-ADE30E1A03EF_zpsd0png5dq.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/D84F4402-43C1-4954-963D-ADE30E1A03EF_zpsd0png5dq.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/8EDFC77F-4864-45D0-96EF-4206FBF8C61B_zpsko5c38sr.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/8EDFC77F-4864-45D0-96EF-4206FBF8C61B_zpsko5c38sr.jpg.html)

Beach Cruiser

09-08-2014, 06:37 AM

Got the motor out this weekend and set up in the garage for the tear down. Good thing I decided to do this because I found a lot of metalish stuff in the oil when I drained it. Got the new stuff in from http://www.improvedracing.com/ on Friday :ups: Here's a few updates:

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/C418B492-2CD2-4966-846A-3A81CE37C1CB_zpsq5kqgbil.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/C418B492-2CD2-4966-846A-3A81CE37C1CB_zpsq5kqgbil.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/626D7303-1FCB-468A-9C19-0398CE0D553C_zpsuh0gsfcy.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/626D7303-1FCB-468A-9C19-0398CE0D553C_zpsuh0gsfcy.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/46E08ACF-6124-4C06-A69E-40CB99430701_zps4quylmmy.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/46E08ACF-6124-4C06-A69E-40CB99430701_zps4quylmmy.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/86D6EA39-B712-4698-914B-CC8C68F480D6_zpshopavgya.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/86D6EA39-B712-4698-914B-CC8C68F480D6_zpshopavgya.jpg.html)

bonecrrusher

09-08-2014, 11:56 AM

How does the Improving Racing bit adhere to the V pan?

Are there bolt holes in the pan for it?

Beach Cruiser

09-11-2014, 08:30 AM

Well I got the most of the motor disassembled now, I'm not really happy with what I found inside. The rods have a lot of "slop" in them, I mean I can turn the crank a couple of degrees before the rods move and you can see the crank moving inside the rod caps. I'm pretty sure it's toast and needs a complete rebuild other than me just slapping some bearings in it putting it back together. I did find a very well priced LS6 shortblock close by that only has 40K miles on it, so if it checks out I'm going to use that. After I pulled the pan and saw what was swirling around in there It was an easy call! I can't believe this thing was still running and not making any knocking noise!

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/379DE895-AC64-4679-AE89-165D3DF30551_zps8qf5hrhe.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/379DE895-AC64-4679-AE89-165D3DF30551_zps8qf5hrhe.jpg.html)

I'm gonna take a little time and clean up some of this too while It easy to get to.

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/6616E339-C4AB-4960-B367-50593D1E9038_zps6b30xczl.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/6616E339-C4AB-4960-B367-50593D1E9038_zps6b30xczl.jpg.html)

As for the Baffle, here it is beside the Oilpan, you remove the factory tray and bolt the baffled insert back in it's place. the second shot is upside down with all the trap doors opened. Nice little piece! I also got a crank scraper to go with it. I'll post pics when I do the install.

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/89702249-B094-4BEE-B661-721EAAB800A7_zpsykg7dslw.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/89702249-B094-4BEE-B661-721EAAB800A7_zpsykg7dslw.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/9A81396B-2089-4B32-BDDA-B67F9D00081D_zpso57ly74g.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/9A81396B-2089-4B32-BDDA-B67F9D00081D_zpso57ly74g.jpg.html)

Track Junky

09-11-2014, 08:08 PM

Nice little set up. Congrats on the sponsorship. :thumbsup:

Payton King

09-12-2014, 05:56 AM

I had one in my yellow car. Worked like a champ

Beach Cruiser

09-21-2014, 06:39 AM

Got the frame rails and crossmember all painted up, cleaned up the harness some (it's hidden when the motor is in the car) need to get a little paint on the firewall and then I'm done under here. Should be picking up the LS6 early this week and the fun begins! Also my copy of Grassroots motorsports came in yesterday, Page 63! They even gave me the majority of the page!

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/8FC8AFF8-7224-418A-9204-694AE222E9F4_zps8mcce8sg.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/8FC8AFF8-7224-418A-9204-694AE222E9F4_zps8mcce8sg.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/F0BE056F-C963-42C4-A62A-C3281F6C8730_zpsjbzvc2jn.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/F0BE056F-C963-42C4-A62A-C3281F6C8730_zpsjbzvc2jn.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/29A0F0B1-1645-44EF-8318-54BC3E83D7C6_zpsygnsfrqk.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/29A0F0B1-1645-44EF-8318-54BC3E83D7C6_zpsygnsfrqk.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/E5577D7F-999D-4570-860A-859FDCF19345_zps913gwfgj.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/E5577D7F-999D-4570-860A-859FDCF19345_zps913gwfgj.jpg.html)

Beach Cruiser

09-25-2014, 12:01 PM

The good guys at Improved Racing just released a new oil pan baffle insert for the CTS-V oil pan. The CTS-V pan is a good choice for a lot of motor swaps as it clears the cross member better than the f body pan, but is just a tad deeper. I run one on my TTU/V-1 Track Camaro (Trackmaro). I'm in the process of swapping in a new LS6 Shortblock and wanted to make sure I had the best Oil control I could get in a wet sump application. I'll be taking the car to Daytona Nov 1-2 to run the Rolex circuit with NASA. So Improved Racing hooked me up with a new baffle, a crank scrapper and an oil thermostat for my oil cooler. For now here are the pics of the installation, It took only 15 mins at best (pan was already off the car).

Here's the stock pan:
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/E2FF240C-A1AD-4259-A273-D1AA1F9734F8_zps0ffsmt2n.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/E2FF240C-A1AD-4259-A273-D1AA1F9734F8_zps0ffsmt2n.jpg.html)

Baffle removed:
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/B31E2A20-0D34-4031-974E-7CC33068ACDF_zpsvetpdgdw.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/B31E2A20-0D34-4031-974E-7CC33068ACDF_zpsvetpdgdw.jpg.html)

Improved Racing Baffle inserted:
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/B6AED749-3BC2-48FA-8322-BEA24FA8A812_zps7p9obwnj.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/B6AED749-3BC2-48FA-8322-BEA24FA8A812_zps7p9obwnj.jpg.html)

All bolted in place:
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/F6DA2EBB-6575-4433-807C-493D39434530_zps3gbbpkfb.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/F6DA2EBB-6575-4433-807C-493D39434530_zps3gbbpkfb.jpg.html)

Factory windage tray and oil pickup inplace (just for reference):
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/3A63A3EF-5CC1-42F8-AEA6-400E2846B61C_zpsziajrnqz.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/3A63A3EF-5CC1-42F8-AEA6-400E2846B61C_zpsziajrnqz.jpg.html)

Something I did to my last pan, as the CTS-V pan hangs low and the drain plug is in the rear. I welded a 1/4 x1 piece of flatbar on the bottom to act as a "slider" in case I ever bottom out or hit something on high center again. It doesn't take much at all to knock the back of the pan out if you hit the drain plug on something. It's happened to me twice even at 3" of clearance. That's the reason I'm putting in a new shortblock! ARG!

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/868F7866-5FB0-4AED-B171-09E5A1F1D3D0_zpsclg9o2zr.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/868F7866-5FB0-4AED-B171-09E5A1F1D3D0_zpsclg9o2zr.jpg.html)

waynieZ

09-25-2014, 01:01 PM

Congrats on the ink! Sorry to hear about the motor.

Beach Cruiser

09-29-2014, 10:11 AM

The LS6 shortblock arrived Friday evening. I worked on it some over the weekend, but not as much as I wanted to. I've got some kind of nagging cold that is slowing me down.

I need to start putting some of this stuff together because I'm running out of room!
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/2D15A80A-9E55-4600-A5F1-DC166FBD9FCF_zpsdgpdszan.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/2D15A80A-9E55-4600-A5F1-DC166FBD9FCF_zpsdgpdszan.jpg.html)

The first thing I wanted to do was check the bellhousing alignment because I was pretty sure it was going to be off. The starter tab on the block had broken off and repaired, but that is where the dowel goes for the bellhousing alignment. I was really happy that the bellhousing actually fit on the factor dowels. But after some detailed checking with my dial indicator (a real pain in the tail) it proved to be off by over .024, not the end of the world, I ordered some .021 offset dowels to fix it. The factory tolerance is .005. I need this to be right, I don't want to F'up my new Nascar Dog Ring Trans!

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/233D8E08-D070-4D54-9015-CC124B603041_zpspl7rpkal.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/233D8E08-D070-4D54-9015-CC124B603041_zpspl7rpkal.jpg.html)

Next order of business was the cam and timing chain:
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/0469828E-5EA2-4BA0-9B2B-880548573105_zpsxt7ydrum.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/0469828E-5EA2-4BA0-9B2B-880548573105_zpsxt7ydrum.jpg.html)

Then the new crank scrapper from Improved Racing, that thing is close but it fits everywhere perfectly.

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/3A363B07-FB4B-4145-9A23-B0DD92F1236E_zps0lg9hvbq.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/3A363B07-FB4B-4145-9A23-B0DD92F1236E_zps0lg9hvbq.jpg.html)

I got the rest of the covers and oil pan all bolted on, and the engine rolled over and on a dolly. That's all I could manage for the weekend, I should have all the rest of it put back together by Friday so I can drop it in next weekend.

WSSix

09-29-2014, 06:41 PM

Those look like some nice upgrades. I hope they work well for you. Good luck!

Beach Cruiser

10-06-2014, 07:55 AM

Well this weekend went a little better than last week. Got the motor all assembled and running in the car. Sunday was a long day, but I had a couple guys come over and help me drink all my beer and turn a few wrenches. Still lots of little stuff to go over, but those I can do by myself. Deadline is Oct 17th, AutoX is on Oct 19 then it's getting loaded up to get hauled to Daytona for Nov 1-2 track weekend.

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/18F90FED-BF99-4AC7-9EB8-001174C6F4F4_zpsp1udxxdo.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/18F90FED-BF99-4AC7-9EB8-001174C6F4F4_zpsp1udxxdo.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/B5B1262F-D865-4D0C-B531-9C51A51F60A3_zps8szgjqya.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/B5B1262F-D865-4D0C-B531-9C51A51F60A3_zps8szgjqya.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/EB06F5EC-EEB1-4C81-99DA-5F8ED9DDEF71_zpsaeujdtb6.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/EB06F5EC-EEB1-4C81-99DA-5F8ED9DDEF71_zpsaeujdtb6.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/09432937-451E-47BE-8CAA-9FE43325A107_zpsov5ryomn.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/09432937-451E-47BE-8CAA-9FE43325A107_zpsov5ryomn.jpg.html)

Spiffav8

10-06-2014, 09:20 AM

Great way to spend a weekend!

efs69

10-06-2014, 02:17 PM

Way to get it back together. Good luck out there.

seancarole

10-06-2014, 08:12 PM

Grrrr8 progress! Was there any shiftier conflicts ?

Beach Cruiser

10-09-2014, 03:29 PM

I knew it was gonna be a problem, I could have put my other shifter and mount plate on the trans, as it would have fit. But I really like the straight forward approach this one has. I also wanted it closer and higher to me because I do a lot of shifting in Road Racing, and with the belts cinched tight it can be a stretch to getting into third. I'll clean it up and make it look a lot better. Sorry about the crap picture but it was dark and there's not much light that gets in the car from the garage.

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/152204C2-945C-47CF-9FE2-B45EE4D44A3B_zpsvzwmp9xo.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/152204C2-945C-47CF-9FE2-B45EE4D44A3B_zpsvzwmp9xo.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/0A4EC16E-AF39-4043-8D3D-EA37517CD2E3_zpsjmfvlzl3.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/0A4EC16E-AF39-4043-8D3D-EA37517CD2E3_zpsjmfvlzl3.jpg.html)

seancarole

10-09-2014, 07:47 PM

That's how the inline linkage hits to, I made a removable panel that starts at around the go pedal to the backside of the shifter and welded up the old location hole. :gitrdun:

GeoffP

10-10-2014, 04:48 AM

Oooo floor carnage on the Camaro! Get'er done Mills! :)

Looking good!

Beach Cruiser

10-10-2014, 11:27 AM

some extra sheet metal laying around, and $15 Spectra Bootie from Autozone and problem is solved! I really like the new position of the shift lever too, much easier. I drove the car around the block and hit all four gears plus reverse, everything seems in order. Hitting the highway tomorrow with it. It's Loud! Like really Loud! Straight cut gears for the win! I think I'll be ready if nothing happens in the next two weeks. I need to take the seat out to get the lower corner screwed down, couldn't drill it with the seat in the way. Maybe I'll paint the floors while it's out. Depends on if anything else breaks.

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/B3B0A3DE-14A0-4F71-A92F-0A5ED91A2621_zpscs8ujsv7.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/B3B0A3DE-14A0-4F71-A92F-0A5ED91A2621_zpscs8ujsv7.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/7DE2EA41-4A4C-4FA7-95B8-81CC9390C775_zpsakjpm6rg.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/7DE2EA41-4A4C-4FA7-95B8-81CC9390C775_zpsakjpm6rg.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/BA8DCA33-D839-4F4D-A345-6E370027BA7F_zps1jdc7hz6.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/BA8DCA33-D839-4F4D-A345-6E370027BA7F_zps1jdc7hz6.jpg.html)

Beach Cruiser

10-11-2014, 07:46 AM

hit the highway with the car today, no issues. Car ran perfect in traffic, easiest motor swap I've ever done. The Transmission shifts HARD! I mean a big clunk when it goes in gear, even using the clutch its a lot different than the ST10 with syncros in it. I can see myself over the winter looking for a Dana 44 center section, lets hope it doesn't come to that because I'm about out of money. :drowninga:

dale68z

10-11-2014, 07:59 AM

^^^^^^^^
:king:

Beach Cruiser

10-12-2014, 04:17 AM

Drove it around for a while yesterday, she runs strong, the trans is taking a little time to get used to, not really set up well for driving around town for sure.
Here's a few pictures as I was putting the decals from Improved Racing on the car. I need opinions on the front stickers, do they look better on the air dam or on the fender? I can't decide.

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/94211D55-C82C-41BA-908C-02C82D1F7D26_zpsvfvvtf75.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/94211D55-C82C-41BA-908C-02C82D1F7D26_zpsvfvvtf75.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/06B8D522-417B-44FD-BCF6-62591125A0DF_zpsomfdqt3h.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/06B8D522-417B-44FD-BCF6-62591125A0DF_zpsomfdqt3h.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/1E51DF88-EEB4-44DA-9F4B-D5378CE4F259_zpsqseee276.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/1E51DF88-EEB4-44DA-9F4B-D5378CE4F259_zpsqseee276.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/F10D5010-8259-4FCA-AF38-C87F846A7B8E_zpsjwshwijw.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/F10D5010-8259-4FCA-AF38-C87F846A7B8E_zpsjwshwijw.jpg.html)

bonecrrusher

10-16-2014, 09:39 PM

Lemans blue c6?

Sticker looks better on the fender.

Build-It-Break-it

10-16-2014, 10:12 PM

The fender and not the quarter panel. It looks good. Glad it's up and running for you.

Beach Cruiser

10-17-2014, 05:41 AM

Fender it is then. Yeah the C6 is my wife's car. It's a Lemans Blue Z51 6sp Vert. She drives it everyday in 4" heels! She's a keeper!

Beach Cruiser

10-24-2014, 11:45 AM

I took the car to the local autoX this weekend to do some test and tune, as well as a shake down on it. Car was fantastic! I finished 15th out of 120 cars! would have been top 10 if I wouldn't have clipped a cone on my last run. Also had the opportunity to take some pictures for my newest sponsor, Improved Racing. Let me know what you guys think.

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/IMG_5404_zpsbeff4fe9.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/IMG_5404_zpsbeff4fe9.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/IMG_5406_zps0b0f1a04.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/IMG_5406_zps0b0f1a04.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/IMG_5414_zps6fae74a3.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/IMG_5414_zps6fae74a3.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/1758_zps8dc7978f.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/1758_zps8dc7978f.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/1762_zps9fa4bb99.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/1762_zps9fa4bb99.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/1766_zpse38df8b1.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/1766_zpse38df8b1.jpg.html)

After all that beating, on the way home I went from first to second pretty hard on the highway and this happened!

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/B95C6A59-D63B-4955-98CF-3D4ACB898AE3_zpsnyno2fk3.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/B95C6A59-D63B-4955-98CF-3D4ACB898AE3_zpsnyno2fk3.jpg.html)

Good thing I have good insurance on this thing as I had to come home on a rollback! New driveshaft with a larger Ujoint is installed and ready to go, Next stop Daytona!

Stovebolter

10-24-2014, 05:55 PM

Awesome. Its great to see you enjoying your car!

David

Bryan O

10-28-2014, 09:00 AM

One Of The Best Camaro Builds Ever!

http://ls1tech.com/articles/one-best-camaro-builds-ive-ever-seen/

http://ls1tech.com/

Not sure if the links have been posted to Lat-g yet.

:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Beach Cruiser

10-28-2014, 02:13 PM

WOW! Totally out of the blue! I had no idea, so many thanks to everyone who has drank my beer and ate my pizza and helped me put this thing together! No Shop, No Time, No Money, No Problem...

FWIW, anyone want to sponsor me? I need Gas Money to get around Daytona next weekend! Pics and Go Pro Video to come next week!

Beach Cruiser

10-30-2014, 05:08 AM

Got the yoke in the Diff upgraded and the rear U-joint beefed up to a 3150 unit. It looks about 30% bigger than the one that came out.
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/CC483320-2567-4ED7-9066-2520EDD0895E_zpspzvoxpi1.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/CC483320-2567-4ED7-9066-2520EDD0895E_zpspzvoxpi1.jpg.html)

Drove the car around town a bit and it feels pretty good, looks like I'll make Daytona! Car is loaded up and leaving this morning!

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/38BBDC57-ABCB-4A01-9D85-34C00088D52B_zps3xgfcvhi.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/38BBDC57-ABCB-4A01-9D85-34C00088D52B_zps3xgfcvhi.jpg.html)

MayhemRobinson

10-30-2014, 06:17 AM

damn i want to got but I am stuck finishing up the roll cage in the 350z this weekend.

Beach Cruiser

11-01-2014, 09:12 PM

I made it down to Daytona Yesterday, flew in like a Rockstar!
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/BDA9BB98-E87C-4DF0-8727-9A11D536082E_zpsz4bi1ign.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/BDA9BB98-E87C-4DF0-8727-9A11D536082E_zpsz4bi1ign.jpg.html)
Spent Friday unloading the car and getting it through tech and all my paper work straight to run time trials.

This is where we were paddocked, right outside the garage in the grass at turn 4, not too bad actually, close to the grid.

and they didn't lock us out every night like the poor souls inside the gate!

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/F5CCC1F3-8179-4282-822D-4C425EFA93D0_zpsxxmcl7vc.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/F5CCC1F3-8179-4282-822D-4C425EFA93D0_zpsxxmcl7vc.jpg.html)

More to come, the car is FAST, Stupid FAST at the end of the day I was 5th in the time trials thanks to a couple of Ringers that showed up in a Nationwide Mustang and another in a Daytona Prototype, where's the fairness in that? I did spin the car going into the infield "road course" section, but other than that, the car just drives itself around the track!

5400 RPM in 4th with a 2.59 gear and 1:1 trans, with a 315 30 18 tire, anyone wanna figure the speed out for me? I'm way to tired to do math tonight.

I did break the ear off the starter somehow, so I need to find a push start crew to keep me going tomorrow.

MayhemRobinson

11-02-2014, 10:19 AM

about-158 mph at 5400

Track Junky

11-02-2014, 05:31 PM

Thought you'ld be in Vegas this week end?

Beach Cruiser

11-03-2014, 04:37 AM

Nobody invited me :confused59:

Beach Cruiser

11-04-2014, 07:24 AM

I'll be getting the car back today. Gotta go unload it from the hauler tonight. Other than the starter problems, this is the only other damage to the car.

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/2D355BC2-3066-4309-8549-66146D21C88A_zpscjsea7bm.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/2D355BC2-3066-4309-8549-66146D21C88A_zpscjsea7bm.jpg.html)

Seems some tire rubber took out a pretty big section of the grill. Oh well, it's racing.

Here are a couple of cars that were in the TTU group with me. Way out of my league for sure, but it was fun being on the track at the same time with these guys.

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/4A2B6844-58E7-44A2-A19A-32D5C20A07CA_zpsg7qmmyjd.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/4A2B6844-58E7-44A2-A19A-32D5C20A07CA_zpsg7qmmyjd.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/A4494305-45F4-48D9-83E1-5F3078D253CB_zpstuhkwc0p.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/A4494305-45F4-48D9-83E1-5F3078D253CB_zpstuhkwc0p.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/82925208-1530-4C01-BD76-331ADE4A2348_zpsxohf2tj3.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/82925208-1530-4C01-BD76-331ADE4A2348_zpsxohf2tj3.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/2614E066-2A20-4DB9-8269-D96CF3B5FBA9_zpsdfbayad9.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/2614E066-2A20-4DB9-8269-D96CF3B5FBA9_zpsdfbayad9.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/DA9999E0-81AA-4A1E-80E1-CBF6AD13BA02_zpshq98hsjw.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/DA9999E0-81AA-4A1E-80E1-CBF6AD13BA02_zpshq98hsjw.jpg.html)

Beach Cruiser

11-06-2014, 04:00 AM

Here's the "money shot" that my friends wife took. I should be getting all the hi res pictures from the track photographer sometime next week. It doesn't look like it, but running about 165 mph here!

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/DSC_1078_zpsb8c99b66.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/DSC_1078_zpsb8c99b66.jpg.html)

Beach Cruiser

11-16-2014, 08:55 AM

Here's a couple of laps of in car video, the sun was really bad I tried to clean it up the best I could. Enjoy! If you watch it HD it's a little better.

http://api.viglink.com/api/click?format=go&jsonp=vglnk_14161567550599&key=6d0b3ce19161e0ba3479747a05c133ed&libId=7599fa70-f5c6-4699-a002-298a4c559fcc&loc=http%3A%2F%2Fls1tech.com%2Fforums%2Froad-racing%2F1731994-nasa-daytona-nov-1-2-2014-rolex-course-2.html%23post18524321&v=1&out=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fvideo.php%3Fv %3D772266316143873%26l%3D6361961340542427090&ref=http%3A%2F%2Fls1tech.com%2Fforums%2F&title=NASA%20Daytona%20Nov%201-2%2C%202014.%20Rolex%20Course%20-%20Page%202%20-%20LS1TECH%23post18524321&txt=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fvideo.php%3Fv ...61340542427090

Spiffav8

11-16-2014, 09:13 AM

Looks like a lot of fun!

Beach Cruiser

11-16-2014, 09:25 AM

Curtis, I think that plane in your avatar is here in Va Beach!

Beach Cruiser

11-17-2014, 03:01 PM

Ok, so the Daytona picture package arrived today, I thought I would start out with the "not so good moments" Pics

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/074A3735_zpsfe33a0ab.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/074A3735_zpsfe33a0ab.jpg.html)

Spiffav8

11-17-2014, 09:42 PM

BBC71Nova

11-18-2014, 06:50 AM

Nice! So was it Cleatus or Roscoe P Coltrane that was chasing you in that photo? Any barn jumps we should know about? haha

Seriously I think you are having more fun per dollar than anyone on this site. We should all be so fortunate...

johnnymac46

11-19-2014, 02:37 PM

Looking good Mills, glad to see you are out enjoying the Camaro.

Lookin to get my build going again here soon. Let me know if you need a hand wrenching. Ill be local for a bit.

Beach Cruiser

11-19-2014, 03:56 PM

John, I owe you some wrench time, let me know what you need. glad you're home safe
Mills

johnnymac46

11-19-2014, 04:42 PM

John, I owe you some wrench time, let me know what you need. glad you're home safe
Mills

Not trying to steal your thread, but a buddy is gonna button up the body panels for me, may need help with suspension,engine and trans.

Beach Cruiser

11-20-2014, 08:13 AM

Here are some of the highlight pictures from Daytona
Right after I went into the grass coming back on track, I just like the profile and lighting of this picture.
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/074A3740_zps08a5dfa7.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/074A3740_zps08a5dfa7.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/074A5123_zpse3006fd9.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/074A5123_zpse3006fd9.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/074A6253_zpsb0e278ed.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/074A6253_zpsb0e278ed.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/074A3688_zpsa959112a.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/074A3688_zpsa959112a.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/074A3474_zpsec14c1aa.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/074A3474_zpsec14c1aa.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/074A1783_zpsda274212.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/074A1783_zpsda274212.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/074A1559_zps4c603a83.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/074A1559_zps4c603a83.jpg.html)

Spiffav8

11-20-2014, 03:40 PM

Dig the sticker on the rear window. LMAO

Great pictures!

Beach Cruiser

11-20-2014, 03:52 PM

the "Tony Stark" reference? I had that made when I went down to run with the "Are you Faster than a Redneck" crew at CMP. I thought it was funny when I rolled in on a UHaul trailer and most of the other guys had big money car trailer/haulers.

Spiffav8

11-20-2014, 07:42 PM

Beach Cruiser

12-26-2014, 07:28 AM

I've taken a couple of months off after coming home from Daytona. I'm focused on rebuilding my Bank Account this winter! My wife picked up some cool garage signs and an owners manual for me for Christmas! Also my Time Trial license is now official!

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/93AEDD0D-0C99-47C0-A69E-196D9BF393BA_zpsicl6lawa.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/93AEDD0D-0C99-47C0-A69E-196D9BF393BA_zpsicl6lawa.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/3ACF3D66-BAA6-45ED-A7F8-C4E20E3BF39C_zpsolusexri.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/3ACF3D66-BAA6-45ED-A7F8-C4E20E3BF39C_zpsolusexri.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/4DA499EC-AE9D-41F2-9A30-FC310796AEDB_zpsx285sbbk.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/4DA499EC-AE9D-41F2-9A30-FC310796AEDB_zpsx285sbbk.jpg.html)

glassman

12-26-2014, 07:45 AM

Very nice.

So what does that licesnse allow you to do? forgive me if its a dumb question, but curious as i'm new to the tracking portion of our machines.....Mike

Beach Cruiser

12-26-2014, 07:55 AM

NASA is the sanctioning body that puts on events at road courses all around the country. SCCA is the other big one. Time Trials are timed laps around the track. It's one level below a full race license. To get your TT license you have to progress trough all the three levels of HPDE (High Performance Driving Experience) then go through a day of TT school. then you still have to run two events without incident to get your official license.

with NASA, Time Trials can win you contingency prizes, like tires for example. There's also a National event where the champion is crowned.

You can find all the info here https://www.nasaproracing.com/

WSSix

12-26-2014, 08:28 AM

Congrats on obtaining the license. Daytona looks like a lot of fun. Thanks for sharing the pictures.

waynieZ

12-26-2014, 03:36 PM

Congratulation's on the license. They must have liked the pass you made on the high bank at Daytona.

Beach Cruiser

12-29-2014, 03:44 PM

Changed out springs on the front today, tomorrow the rear gets some stiffer springs, hoping to get rid of the body roll I see in all the pictures. Also had some time to put on some more decals, They make you faster right? Improved Racing sent me some bigger decals for the 1/4 panel, apparently you can't read them at 165 mph! Improved makes some really cool goodies for oil control on the twisties, I have their crank scrapper, Oil pan baffle insert and Oil cooler thermostat on my car.

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/2CC55B69-0E89-4918-9756-8D30D3D265FC_zpsiz2jfldm.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/2CC55B69-0E89-4918-9756-8D30D3D265FC_zpsiz2jfldm.jpg.html)

My Buddy sent me this Capt. Ron sticker as a gag gift for Christmas, but since I still have hair and a boat at my age, I'm honored to add him as an co driver! LOL!

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/7393AEA9-A2A0-4E91-979E-42819C72EE26_zpsgk4o5teg.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/7393AEA9-A2A0-4E91-979E-42819C72EE26_zpsgk4o5teg.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/1705976E-7CE4-41F0-8AD2-04982475991C_zpsb8gqj97q.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/1705976E-7CE4-41F0-8AD2-04982475991C_zpsb8gqj97q.jpg.html)

Chad-1stGen

12-29-2014, 05:13 PM

Man the Daytona outing sure looks like fun!!

I also agree that the Tony Stark line is awesome.

Is there a NASA class you can be competitive in with a 68 Camaro?

Also, like the Improved Racing oil cooler adapter with thermostat on my car. I've read a lot about oil thermostats with a bypass still never letting the oil get warm on the street but mine works fantastic.

Beach Cruiser

01-15-2015, 09:23 AM

Sorry Chad-1st gen for now answering your question about NASA. In the Mid Atlantic and Southeast we have a class called Outlaw Vintage, they run in the same group as the American Iron boys. I'm not really keen on going wheel to wheel yet (more like my wife said no) So I just run the car in Time Trials, I'm running in TTU which is unlimited and I'm not competitive there. The car may barely squeeze into TT2 if I add weight or reduce HP. but still, There's more areo vettes in that class and they would kill me from just the aero benefits.

Next winter project on the car is to add more gear to it. It currently has a 2:59 center section in it. At Daytona, I would get pulled at every corner exit, and even though I was gaining position at the end of the fast sections it wasn't enough to make up what I was loosing in the corners. Plus at 5500 RPM I was rolling about 165 mph! I think I can give up some gear and be just fine! I grabbed a center section with a 3:07 ratio in it. I'm going to go through it and clean it up and install new bearings and seals and through that in the car for this year to see how it does.

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/27DF3ECA-F698-4B0B-B7AE-D638D59406BD_zps6zxrb4xu.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/27DF3ECA-F698-4B0B-B7AE-D638D59406BD_zps6zxrb4xu.jpg.html)

Beach Cruiser

01-28-2015, 02:23 PM

Finally got the Vette I've been working on sold and off my plate for a while. So now time to get back on the Camaro for all the Winter Projects! First order of business is the Oil Cooler Bypass thermostat from Improved Racing. Since several of my track events are in the colder months, I thought it would be a good idea to regulate the oil temp. Improved sent me an inline thermostat that recirculates the oil until it comes up to temp. It mounts in my #10 lines from the motor to the oil cooler in front of the car. Here's some pics of the install.

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/4628DBBF-C09B-4227-B2A6-74ABBBBD0129_zpszry3eoui.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/4628DBBF-C09B-4227-B2A6-74ABBBBD0129_zpszry3eoui.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/B79EB3DD-76FD-4DF6-9752-A919C1B3BFDD_zpsasa5t6iy.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/B79EB3DD-76FD-4DF6-9752-A919C1B3BFDD_zpsasa5t6iy.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/FB448A8D-8559-4A98-A5E0-19CCBE75A634_zpsmni2n9vc.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/FB448A8D-8559-4A98-A5E0-19CCBE75A634_zpsmni2n9vc.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/5942417F-BCD0-45C1-BD07-5D35C3FCECDE_zpsnzkgoe7p.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/5942417F-BCD0-45C1-BD07-5D35C3FCECDE_zpsnzkgoe7p.jpg.html)

Next up is the newly rebuilt 3.07 differential to replace the 2.59 that's in the car now. Also on tap is to add some of the interior back in the car and get the weight up to 3200lbs for the American Street Car Series this year. I think I have difference to make up to add 4 12" subwoofers, 3 amps, a flat screen TV and all the door panels and dash! I'd really like to make the Charlotte event with them, but it's at a really bad time for me to commit at this point.

waynieZ

01-28-2015, 07:28 PM

I'm thinking of getting on of the Improved Racing in thermostats. What temp setting did you get on the thermostat? I'm not sure what oil temperature is recommended. My motor is running a super charger, and I have an in radiator oil cooler.

Beach Cruiser

01-28-2015, 07:40 PM

What Improved spec'd for me was 185 hi flow thermostat, call them and talk to them about you're application. They also have a really cool bypass/thermostat all built into one if you have room from your headers. They are the experts, call and ask.

waynieZ

01-28-2015, 08:44 PM

Beach Cruiser

02-09-2015, 03:43 PM

Ok, so I worked on the car most of the weekend only keep running into roadblocks on each project. Now waiting for parts.
I wanted to put the original console back in the car but the new shifter was in the way, so I had to make an offset shifter handle bracket to move it over. Took a while, but it should work just fine, Still need to cut the top of the actual shifter back, but I think I'm gonna need to be drinking a lot to cut into this high dollar shifter.

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/0AE37EF4-0EC9-49E0-93A8-8A5B06702C1B_zpsxklzg9qk.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/0AE37EF4-0EC9-49E0-93A8-8A5B06702C1B_zpsxklzg9qk.jpg.html)

New Ididit column came in and all the top end stuff I had for the steering wheel and quick release fits just fine, but the steering shaft u-joint is different from the stock unit, so I had to put that on hold until the new U-joint comes in.

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/B9D78425-DDB0-4B94-82D8-E62AF928FFBE_zpsfdil9a9j.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/B9D78425-DDB0-4B94-82D8-E62AF928FFBE_zpsfdil9a9j.jpg.html)

Pulled the old Rear end out and pulled the Diff off of the Batwing, now just waiting for the other diff with the 3:08 gears in it to get done at the shop to bolt it all back together.

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/A0DACDE8-BA21-4BE9-A941-4CD0AD66C9A8_zpsxvl8ikkz.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/A0DACDE8-BA21-4BE9-A941-4CD0AD66C9A8_zpsxvl8ikkz.jpg.html)
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/E9B795FA-EB62-4373-8457-6EF12CDEBBFB_zpsbc3fdub0.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/E9B795FA-EB62-4373-8457-6EF12CDEBBFB_zpsbc3fdub0.jpg.html)

New Gauges are all ready to go into the car though! After all the interior gets painted it's just plug and play on the gauge pack!

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/3E3A4404-9A82-4D27-8533-C04D5A804A7B_zpsqy2w2sop.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/3E3A4404-9A82-4D27-8533-C04D5A804A7B_zpsqy2w2sop.jpg.html)

Build-It-Break-it

02-09-2015, 11:09 PM

Looking good Mills. You'll enjoy getting in and out of your car more now with that tilt column.

Chad-1stGen

02-10-2015, 03:21 PM

I'm using an Auto Kraft oil pan and I don't have the motor yet so I don't think I'll have room because the design moves the oil filter out towards the header. I'll have to see once I get it in my garage.

My Improved racing adapter itself cleared the headers but getting hoses routed that weren't a safety hazard is the challenge. The Camaro headers tuck so close to the block to avoid the steering box that it makes routing the lines tough.

Beach Cruiser

02-15-2015, 05:11 PM

It's Cold! Like really Cold! But I've been trying to move ahead to get the interior back in shape. Put the new NRG wheel assembly together with the quick release, and I added a subtle touch with the "rs" emblem on the horn button, Just like the factory cars! and the horn will work with the quick release! (not that hitting the horn on the racetrack has any influence)
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/3138AE40-5520-4668-AAAD-EB597AD464FA_zpsx4h5sdm5.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/3138AE40-5520-4668-AAAD-EB597AD464FA_zpsx4h5sdm5.jpg.html)
also, trying to clean up the dash and interior trim, tomorrow the dash gets all the attention, but at least now it's ready to be stripped.
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/0275FCE9-CC39-457F-800A-3DC8479F2212_zpseuprdns6.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/0275FCE9-CC39-457F-800A-3DC8479F2212_zpseuprdns6.jpg.html)
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/2F8DBD22-A0CD-4E0F-8AE9-EAAB2C105C3F_zpsxovzw6cq.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/2F8DBD22-A0CD-4E0F-8AE9-EAAB2C105C3F_zpsxovzw6cq.jpg.html)

Justin@EntropyRad

02-16-2015, 09:31 AM

Kudos for the DIY IRS setup!

Beach Cruiser

02-22-2015, 04:20 PM

According to my Equestrian Wife the "Hind End" is back in the Trackmaro, may be driving around next weekend for pre VIR shakedown runs. Hitting the Dyno on March 16 for NASA time trials certification for this year. I'm pretty sure I'm going to have to add weight to the car to make TT2 specs.
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/161C3938-BDD3-484B-A1E2-643597C6E676_zpsgsjyijeq.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/161C3938-BDD3-484B-A1E2-643597C6E676_zpsgsjyijeq.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/245C91C4-EAA6-4AEB-BC0C-127E7C6B76F9_zpstxoomlan.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/245C91C4-EAA6-4AEB-BC0C-127E7C6B76F9_zpstxoomlan.jpg.html)

dale68z

02-22-2015, 05:57 PM

I honk at the flaggers after the checker to show my appreciation. They work in the sun all day long. I give a more aggressive honk at the end of the last session.

I love your car and what you do with it.

Track Junky

02-22-2015, 10:01 PM

Keep the weight off and go TT1. Fast lap times FTW :thumbsup:

Beach Cruiser

02-23-2015, 05:41 AM

I ran TTU last year, I was way outclassed there! I just can't keep up with a Daytona Prototype

Track Junky

02-23-2015, 06:11 PM

TTU is a joke. May as well call it TTDP(Deep Pockets). I run TT1. I should be in TTU but lets get real. No way anybody can run with the proto types. Either way we all run at the same time anyways so it doesn't really matter unless your in it for the contingencies. If that's the case then you have to run with a group that has like 7 or more cars in it? Cant remember but I don't pay attention to it anyways. I'm just in it for the lap times.

Beach Cruiser

03-01-2015, 06:08 AM

I'm hitting the Dyno on March 16th, I'll know where I am power to weight at that point. I'm not going to be competitive in TT1 or TT2, the other cars have too much aero advantages over my brick, I'm just out there as field filler.
Anyway, I'm restoring the dash to go along with the new steering set up and gauges going in, So I decided to cut it up a bit to make room for a double Din Radio. I've seen some pretty cool ones that you can sync to your IPhone and run some of the apps from your phone. I'm hoping I can get my lap timer to display on the bigger screen, and at least be able to stream some 80's music from Pandora! This is what I got done yesterday, today final sanding and the black gets applied.

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/41249C12-95AA-4525-85E2-0018F1D844F0_zpsuunarkgb.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/41249C12-95AA-4525-85E2-0018F1D844F0_zpsuunarkgb.jpg.html)
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/36C75054-AF79-4E36-92CF-AD98F4C1F461_zpssasiafgi.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/36C75054-AF79-4E36-92CF-AD98F4C1F461_zpssasiafgi.jpg.html)
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/5EA1DCDD-ED59-4179-9AAD-A02F43E0443C_zpsvf7jvnik.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/5EA1DCDD-ED59-4179-9AAD-A02F43E0443C_zpsvf7jvnik.jpg.html)
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/DD90378A-7E88-411F-83B7-307CE04DA9BF_zpsclzgtfwl.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/DD90378A-7E88-411F-83B7-307CE04DA9BF_zpsclzgtfwl.jpg.html)
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/23627AAC-F13F-4ED2-AA11-2CCD2F91EBB8_zpshjwc3fmt.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/23627AAC-F13F-4ED2-AA11-2CCD2F91EBB8_zpshjwc3fmt.jpg.html)
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/71FAD66F-28A6-4AB4-B709-3385F98C7F81_zpsjdqwmukr.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/71FAD66F-28A6-4AB4-B709-3385F98C7F81_zpsjdqwmukr.jpg.html)

Beach Cruiser

03-02-2015, 12:08 PM

Everthing is restored and ready to go back into the car. And the Dash is a nice shade of Satin Black.
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/58E641D9-B2D9-4D35-9543-684153948CA1_zpsr3d6i0ot.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/58E641D9-B2D9-4D35-9543-684153948CA1_zpsr3d6i0ot.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/FBE0E852-E039-452B-9734-03FAFD617F6B_zpskxen6dvj.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/FBE0E852-E039-452B-9734-03FAFD617F6B_zpskxen6dvj.jpg.html)

Beach Cruiser

03-15-2015, 04:55 PM

All back together and running strong! The new gear really makes this thing Quick! I went over to my buddies house to help him corner weight his Corvette Track car and I went on the scales to do mine. It was almost perfect from the beginning with a 51% cross weight, but we moved it down to 48% because most of our tracks are right handers. The car comes in at #3160 with me and 1/2 tank of gas and crossed out at 48% with adjustments. It's 54/46 front to rear! Hitting the Dyno tomorrow for TT2 classifications, I'm going to have to add weight or cut power I'm sure.

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/scales_zpsxhaymwjm.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/scales_zpsxhaymwjm.jpg.html)

Chad-1stGen

03-20-2015, 01:52 PM

Good stuff man. I love the use and attention you give this car!

Beach Cruiser

03-22-2015, 06:36 AM

At the track flogging on the car this weekend, I'll post some action shots later on. I can't exactly take pictures of the car on the track while I'm driving it! Good news, I picked up a Beer Brewery as a sponsor! Best part of the deal they promised to give me a keg every time I go to the track! Beach Cruiser, Back Bay after party every Sat night I'm at the Track. I even figured out an easy way to transport the Keg!

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/BA72B63A-DA3E-4F12-BB46-CD8CC79E170C_zpsjwprieul.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/BA72B63A-DA3E-4F12-BB46-CD8CC79E170C_zpsjwprieul.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/2E2E809F-3A33-443D-9F05-E195079F9DC9_zps7r75q92z.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/2E2E809F-3A33-443D-9F05-E195079F9DC9_zps7r75q92z.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/34E0F1C9-5595-4A54-8473-E08BE82CFA44_zpsa0tm7nig.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/34E0F1C9-5595-4A54-8473-E08BE82CFA44_zpsa0tm7nig.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/0B0DC00F-2D34-42CD-AB99-AF788338A913_zpscfwz9jm8.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/0B0DC00F-2D34-42CD-AB99-AF788338A913_zpscfwz9jm8.jpg.html)

efs69

03-22-2015, 03:21 PM

The keg riding shotgun is classic. Congrats on the new sponsor.

Flash68

03-22-2015, 04:39 PM

Good news, I picked up a Beer Brewery as a sponsor! Best part of the deal they promised to give me a keg every time I go to the track! Beach Cruiser, Back Bay after party every Sat night I'm at the Track. I even figured out an easy way to transport the Keg!

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/BA72B63A-DA3E-4F12-BB46-CD8CC79E170C_zpsjwprieul.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/BA72B63A-DA3E-4F12-BB46-CD8CC79E170C_zpsjwprieul.jpg.html)

That is about as good as it gets. What a win. :thumbsup:

Beach Cruiser

03-23-2015, 06:36 AM

I went through tech with it strapped in and told the officials that I needed the ballast to make weight! They didn't buy it....

WSSix

03-23-2015, 07:42 AM

hahaha that's pretty awesome. Hey, a sponsors a sponsor. Congrats!

waynieZ

03-23-2015, 07:57 AM

[QUOTE=Beach Cruiser;599585] Beach Cruiser, Back Bay after party every Sat night I'm at the Track. I even figured out an easy way to transport the Keg!

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/BA72B63A-DA3E-4F12-BB46-CD8CC79E170C_zpsjwprieul.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/BA72B63A-DA3E-4F12-BB46-CD8CC79E170C_zpsjwprieul.jpg.html)

American ingenuity at its finest!

Justin@EntropyRad

03-23-2015, 08:59 AM

Can you retro one of these to the helmet, and still clear a Hans device?

http://media.tumblr.com/7ed2ce890152e1019380df754fab212d/tumblr_inline_nfixe5ldiM1rklcmf.jpg

Beach Cruiser

03-24-2015, 05:53 AM

Here's the Dyno Vid from last week.
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/th_B477493B-F79C-42EC-815C-10E3ADC33D23_zpsotdayo09.mp4 (http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/B477493B-F79C-42EC-815C-10E3ADC33D23_zpsotdayo09.mp4)

Beach Cruiser

03-24-2015, 05:57 AM

Here is the Dyno sheet. first pull was with the old LS1 shortblock, where the higher pull was two years later with the LS6 shortblock. That's a big jump! Same heads, cam, head gaskets, Intake, Everything. Only the shortblock is different. I added the Improved Racing Crank scrapper and baffle, and the trans now has straight cut gears, that's the only difference. Improved says the scrapper is good for 8 HP on average, but in this case I picked up 33 hp! the weather was warmer too!

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/FDF31EB2-4837-4828-9102-6B4300BF65B1_zpswfcdi7rg.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/FDF31EB2-4837-4828-9102-6B4300BF65B1_zpswfcdi7rg.jpg.html)

Beach Cruiser

03-24-2015, 06:49 AM

For the record, this is not the proper line to take going down the roller coaster. This ended as best it could, did spin out, but stayed mostly on track and didn't get hit by the three cars I had just passed. Kudos to those guys for being alert and avoiding me.

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Roller%20Coaster%202_zpsatgr2iyk.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/Roller%20Coaster%202_zpsatgr2iyk.jpg.html)

Beach Cruiser

04-06-2015, 02:50 PM

Improved Racing just sent me some Easter goodies! I told them I had Ugly nuts and this is what they came up with!

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/20EE89CA-C258-4397-AF5D-CB0A1E0FFF47_zpsj9ts193n.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/20EE89CA-C258-4397-AF5D-CB0A1E0FFF47_zpsj9ts193n.jpg.html)

Since I had them off the car today, I weighed them for comparison. I was off by a little with 5 = 1 but it's not that far off. Here are the scale readings (in Ounces for us old school guys)
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/3C93F27B-9B6D-433C-8C75-BA0D2DC67583_zpsiuee8ah1.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/3C93F27B-9B6D-433C-8C75-BA0D2DC67583_zpsiuee8ah1.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/116FC860-9954-416D-AABD-8DD1E8427C17_zps4vi5tic2.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/116FC860-9954-416D-AABD-8DD1E8427C17_zps4vi5tic2.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/C3B0AF1B-22C1-45A9-BB48-A4ED2F2FE581_zpszyuawrae.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/C3B0AF1B-22C1-45A9-BB48-A4ED2F2FE581_zpszyuawrae.jpg.html)

DavidBoren

04-07-2015, 08:45 AM

You keep saying that the guys with aero will have a distinct advantage over you, so...

Why don't you invest in some real aero? A new chin splitter, full belly pan, rear lower diffuser, rear window vortex generators, better spoiler or a wing...

You were saying you will probably have to add weight, anyways. Just a thought.

Amazing work, by the way. I love the garage built nature of this car. You have done very well taking this build to a new level with the ingenuity and track results all the way to sponsorship baller status... you get beer for showing up, that's pretty awesome. Anyways, great job, keep it up.

Justin@EntropyRad

04-07-2015, 01:03 PM

Have you taken it back to see if it will pass tech with the aluminum lugs? I failed tech at an autocross for having them..luckily i had some cheap oem steelies to use

Beach Cruiser

04-07-2015, 04:03 PM

I'm working on some more aero stuff now, I already have the rear diffuser mocked up in cardboard, all I have to do is make it, which may happen next weekend. I need to reset both my front and rear windshields up higher so they sit flush with the body, I'm also working on closing off the front grill area more. I'm also going to add more rear spoiler area similar to what Mark Stielow did on his last car, only in clear lexan and make it adjustable. All those things are secondary to keeping the car running! ie, they are on the nice to do list, not the must do list.

I'll ask at tech next time about the lugs, I've seen lots of other cars running them, I've never seen anything in the rules saying no. I also have NASA annual tech which is good for the year, but I'll run it by them to be sure. I also learned a long time ago to take a ziplock bag full of extra nuts and studs in my tool box.

GrabberGT

04-08-2015, 06:44 AM

My concern over using aluminum lug nuts was having full thread engagement. If you're not using studs long enough for all the threads of the lug nut, you are not getting the full binding strength designed by having the extra threads. The length of the aluminum lug nut is not just to look cool or add extra strength but a requirement to have the same strength of a shorter steel nut.... Just my thoughts. Did the lugs come with a minimum thread engagement note?

From their website:

Features and Benefits

Lightweight at just 0.88 oz (25 grams)
M12 x 1.50 threads
19mm hex wrench flats
50mm (1.97") overall length
Machined from 7075-T6 billet aluminum
True Type III hard anodized in gunmetal gray for excellent scratch resistance
Open end design accommodates extended wheel studs and permits stud engagement inspection
Sold in sets of 20
Lifetime warranty

I wonder what minimum stud engagement is.

On a side note. These are really nice. Unfortunately they do not come in 1/2x20.

Beach Cruiser

04-08-2015, 06:59 AM

I'm all good in the nut department, I'm using ARP extended length wheel studs, the stud is actually threaded past the threads on the nut so it's 100% engaged.
Just got some pics back from VIR from two weeks ago. Headed back to VIR May 1-2 for Hyperfest!

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/IMG_7461_zpsvu37z4cp.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/IMG_7461_zpsvu37z4cp.jpg.html)
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/IMG_2877_zpsusbrtery.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/IMG_2877_zpsusbrtery.jpg.html)
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/IMG_7322_zpseoplhnr0.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/IMG_7322_zpseoplhnr0.jpg.html)
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/IMG_0177_zpslkvatv5l.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/IMG_0177_zpslkvatv5l.jpg.html)
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/IMG_2873_zps1bpox6m5.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/IMG_2873_zps1bpox6m5.jpg.html)
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/IMG_0113_zpsavhqpy9n.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/IMG_0113_zpsavhqpy9n.jpg.html)

Flash68

04-08-2015, 04:23 PM

Just a bad ass car and build and story. Thanks for keeping us all up to date on everything.

Payton King

04-14-2015, 06:25 AM

Thinking of you Mills at Holden Beach last week!

http://i1138.photobucket.com/albums/n539/paytonking/Mobile%20Uploads/02EA5C17-5814-4C98-8BFB-00FDF8DE4200_zpszpt41ywg.jpg (http://s1138.photobucket.com/user/paytonking/media/Mobile%20Uploads/02EA5C17-5814-4C98-8BFB-00FDF8DE4200_zpszpt41ywg.jpg.html)

Beach Cruiser

04-14-2015, 08:28 AM

Way to represent Payton! Bring that to VIR for Hyperfest and I'll give you a red solo cup and free beer from Back Bay Brewing to fill it up with! Your boys would enjoy Hyperfest, there is so much going on to keep them busy!

Justin@EntropyRad

04-14-2015, 08:34 AM

Where does one get such a koozie

Beach Cruiser

04-14-2015, 08:42 AM

I have a whole box of them, Car pool on up to VIR with Payton and you'll get the same deal! My son is coming up from CLT to bring a drift car that he built. LS powered 240, should be a fun weekend!

http://hyper-fest.com/

Justin@EntropyRad

04-14-2015, 12:14 PM

Beach Cruiser

04-14-2015, 12:16 PM

Checkout https://www.facebook.com/mayhemgargae?fref=ts&ref=br_tf
He lives in Concord behind the speedway.

Justin@EntropyRad

04-14-2015, 12:31 PM

Checkout https://www.facebook.com/mayhemgargae?fref=ts&ref=br_tf
He lives in Concord behind the speedway.

Will do..now I need to bribe Payton with gas money:stirthepot:

Payton King

04-15-2015, 06:00 AM

Would love to go but have a soccer tourney in Concord with my 15 year old and I have a friend coming in to pick up his freshly painted 69 Camaro convertible from Louisvillel, KY.

Life keeps getting in the way of all of my car fun

Beach Cruiser

05-11-2015, 08:06 AM

another track weekend in the books. Return trip to VIR. The car was strong all weekend! I had two students though, makes for a busy weekend. Good thing the car didn't need any attention. It did develop a vibration which got worse all weekend and the trans started coming out of 4th gear, so I parked it mid day on Sunday. I'd had enough anyway, I was out on track 19 times throughout the weekend! I had two great students, one with a nice 5th gen camaro loaded up with DSE goodies, and the other had a 70 Trans Am! It was fun riding around all weekend with those two, but I was sore for 3 days! riding shotgun is hard on the the old ribs, legs and neck!

I pulled the transmission so I could replace the slider dog, and the drive plate for 4th. I knew they were worn when I got it, but it worked fine. I'm just glad I was able to track down the parts! I called everyone in Charlotte that I could think of until I finally found some one that said "I know a guy" Parts should be here this week, trans is getting freshened up and the drive shaft is getting a new hardened yoke and upgraded front u-joints (1350)

Now it's time to get the car ready for USCA event in Charlotte in July, That means I have to turn it back into a street car, sorta....

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/D58219E1-013D-46D0-B1AD-15DDB1E665F4_zpsgotqadtp.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/D58219E1-013D-46D0-B1AD-15DDB1E665F4_zpsgotqadtp.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/12A8F8D4-A174-4F1B-975E-37AE6330909C_zpsrhiq6x29.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/12A8F8D4-A174-4F1B-975E-37AE6330909C_zpsrhiq6x29.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/5508BCB0-6218-4EAF-8B71-33A188416FA9_zpstaqr2qrp.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/5508BCB0-6218-4EAF-8B71-33A188416FA9_zpstaqr2qrp.jpg.html)

also got to spend some time with both my sons! the only time we are all in the same place just happens to be a race track! who knew?
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/2D1F6FC8-1A4A-43B6-BEAA-33BC6059C1EA_zps2rrn6kjp.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/2D1F6FC8-1A4A-43B6-BEAA-33BC6059C1EA_zps2rrn6kjp.jpg.html)

"Street" tires finally came in
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/4A835C01-15C5-40D7-9AE5-A4AA20C1F435_zpsjsz2cp9z.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/4A835C01-15C5-40D7-9AE5-A4AA20C1F435_zpsjsz2cp9z.jpg.html)

Ron in SoCal

05-11-2015, 12:30 PM

What, no keg?? :D

Congrats Mils. Interested in your feedback on the Rival S after Charlotte.

:cheers:

Justin@EntropyRad

05-11-2015, 01:44 PM

I'll definitely be at the event here in town...free crew work if needed. I'm going by your son's shop this week

Beach Cruiser

05-12-2015, 06:50 AM

There was definitely keg involved! On Sunday after I was loaded up, I pulled the car over to the infield course with the USDrift guys and served the rest of the keg out of the window of the car as the keg was strapped in the Pass seat!

DavidBoren

05-12-2015, 07:14 AM

A keg seat belted into the passenger seat is just good clean fun. Glad to hear you're getting your transmission issues worked out.

Chad-1stGen

05-12-2015, 12:55 PM

Man it looks like you have been having more fun again. Awesome!

Beach Cruiser

07-19-2015, 07:37 AM

Just a little new hardware I picked up this weekend.
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/FD5D820C-A6BD-4BBE-AFDA-55800059B48E_zpsdzj556si.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/FD5D820C-A6BD-4BBE-AFDA-55800059B48E_zpsdzj556si.jpg.html)
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/C6C8FB6D-A077-4917-8B9E-3F79210391A7_zpsp6gse8rn.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/C6C8FB6D-A077-4917-8B9E-3F79210391A7_zpsp6gse8rn.jpg.html)
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/63257A21-195C-4943-B7AB-349933093B31_zpshfeydipz.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/63257A21-195C-4943-B7AB-349933093B31_zpshfeydipz.jpg.html)
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/407CEB3A-05B4-40DA-AF62-F494C1C69404_zps8yo8gw7n.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/407CEB3A-05B4-40DA-AF62-F494C1C69404_zps8yo8gw7n.jpg.html)
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/546973E3-A854-4FC2-9AEA-77DF5C37881A_zpsm7hgyiwr.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/546973E3-A854-4FC2-9AEA-77DF5C37881A_zpsm7hgyiwr.jpg.html)

Flash68

07-19-2015, 11:38 AM

You da man! Congrats... so what was the vintage competition like there?

Love the car and everything you do with it.... new diffuser there I see?

I believe you are going into the phone booth next to get ready for the USCA event next?

Chad-1stGen

07-19-2015, 12:26 PM

Congratz!!!

I get excited whenever I see an update in this thread because it is almost always you kicking ass at some event.

Beach Cruiser

07-19-2015, 02:43 PM

Yep, into the phone booth I go! gotta gain 250lbs from nowhere to make weight! But I can put it anywhere I want which is a big plus! I met a couple of guys from DSE that were at VIR watching the Drift event (which the car my son built won!) and I told them to tell Kyle I was Coming for him! Running Ultimate track car and Ultimate street car back to back with 4 days in between is a tall order for a one man show when it's 110 degrees outside!

Bonus from this weekend, Grassroots Motorsports Magazine is doing a feature on me and my car! look for it sometime this fall. Win!

Beach Cruiser

07-19-2015, 02:47 PM

Yeah, Diffuser worked so well it kept pulling the screws loose on the trailing edge. I cut 4 seconds off my time from last year and I had to pass four cars on that lap! She's getting faster. I ran a 2:09 at VIR in traffic, which isn't any kind of record, but pretty damn fast for homemade car!

Build-It-Break-it

07-19-2015, 03:46 PM

Very cool Mills, congrats! Are your oil Temps staying down with the improved racing thermostat/oil cooler set up?

You should add some ac now to add some weight, 110 degrees ouch.

WSSix

07-19-2015, 07:16 PM

Good job! Congratulations on the win. Always cool to see a member kicking ass.

waynieZ

07-19-2015, 08:47 PM

Congratulation's ! Glad to see you doing well. I guess that's a little Back Bay your enjoying at the end of the day!! Great job.

Beach Cruiser

07-20-2015, 08:25 AM

Yes it is! It's good beer! My deal with them is they give me a keg every race weekend and make sure everyone that drinks it posts something on social media about it. Works really well for both parties involved! I'm becoming a real popular guy at the track!

The Improved Racing stuff works GREAT! I can see the thermostat open on my gauge, and it's right on the money. I've run the car in stop and go traffic in 90 heat cruising up and down the Va Beach Resort strip with no issues at all. At the track it keeps the oil temps under control perfectly, but having 150mph air pushing through the cooler helps quite a bit. Hit me up for a discount code for anything Improved makes if you need anything from them.

Chad-1stGen

07-20-2015, 10:12 AM

What size oil cooler are you running and what oil temps are you seeing on the track?

Flash68

07-20-2015, 10:46 AM

My deal with them is they give me a keg every race weekend

You sir are my hero and idol and everything I aspire to be!!!!

91S10ProStreet

07-20-2015, 11:25 AM

Congrats on the win!!! Good looking car!!!

Justin@EntropyRad

07-21-2015, 10:08 AM

Tripp told me you took your class at VIR..nice!

My car is in his shop now, so you should see it Thursday..there were rumors of a gathering on Friday as well

Beach Cruiser

07-21-2015, 12:53 PM

Link #1 shows Mike Skeen in a Factory VW Golf GT7 R, but the main footage is my car! Link #2 is from inside my car the same lap! pretty cool. He was going all out, I was just coming out of the pits warming up.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=PVqWHF9A1xE&app=desktop

https://www.facebook.com/mills.robinson/videos/vb.100000815365279/894942827209554/?type=2&theater&notif_t=like

Chad-1stGen

07-21-2015, 03:36 PM

Beach Cruiser

07-22-2015, 08:03 AM

yeah, that's probally the reason. I'll get it up on you tube soon, I'm crazy busy getting the car ready to go to Charlotte.

waynieZ

07-22-2015, 08:18 AM

Its like the car chase from Bullitt always coming up in the mirror then it changes to Vanishing Point. Out of sight ! Nice!!

Beach Cruiser

07-22-2015, 09:09 AM

I'll work on getting my in car up on youtube so you can see it. Its actually funny, Skeen is up there fighting for every bit out of that car, I'm hanging behind him, scratching my nose, adjusting the mirror, leisurely shifting just riding along.

Oil cooler, its 11x7 mounted in front of the radiator. most of the front of the car is blocked off so the air can only go through the cooler and radiator or the brake ducts. even as hot as it was this weekend, I didn't see anything over 220-230.

Justin@EntropyRad

07-23-2015, 09:17 AM

Mike is fast in anything you put him in! Except his buddy Sam's boat, as he isn't behind the wheel...LOL

Beach Cruiser

07-27-2015, 05:54 PM

Ok, so the results for Optima Challenge are in, I finished 10th overall in the GTV group. Now I know where my weak points are and I'll try and fix them for next year. Here is where I finished in each category in the GTV class which had 29 entries.

Speed Stop: 9th
Autocross: 15th
Hot Laps: 6th
Design: next to last
Road Rally: 1st (like everyone else)

I had a hard time with the autoX because it was just too tight for my car, plus I ran it in the afternoon when it was really hot! I was in the "odd" group along with Kyle Tucker, Chris Porter and Dan Howe. We were the only ones in the afternoon group to score in the top 25 in the autoX, meanwhile the afternoon group in the speed stop, had plenty of rubber that we left them to help stop. Zmax had stripped the track and the morning group had virgin track to accelerate on and stop.

I'm pretty stoked that I ran with the best of the best on the Road Course on tires I have no experience on, and came away with 6th place! I could run with all of them in the infield, but just didn't have the HP to keep up on the oval part.

Big thanks to Improved Racing for all the parts to keep my oil in check and my Temps in order on a really hot weekend! I'll be spoon feeding all you guys with pics and video as I get them put together.

My big takeaway, Is that a car that you design, engineer and build all by yourself doesn't have any merit in the corporate world we live in...

No more excuses, watch out next year!

SSLance

07-27-2015, 06:05 PM

But did you have fun? That's the really important part...

Chad-1stGen

07-27-2015, 06:41 PM

But did you have fun? That's the really important part...

Great question Lance and I agree!

Beach Cruiser

07-28-2015, 04:29 AM

oh yeah, I had fun! the car took a beating though. I'll post up some of the carnage pics when I get back home. I went and ran right with the best in the hobby, and sometimes better. All I need is a bigger motor and better interior for next year!

SSLance

07-28-2015, 04:49 AM

Always fun to see how you stack up, isn't it? :D

I'm in the same boat just on a different scale. I do okay on the autocross against them, but on the big track my lack of horsepower really shows up. Now my interior is nice but I run a G-body, not a Camaro so that dings me as well apparently. ;)

I even finished out my trunk with paint and carpet but even that didn't help me any in the D&E portion.

Still way fun though and everyone involved in those events, the organizers and the participants...are top notch people.

rchaskin

07-28-2015, 04:54 AM

.....I was in the "odd" group along with Kyle Tucker, Chris Porter and Dan Howe. We were the only ones in the afternoon group to score in the top 25 in the autoX.......

Now hold on.....I took my Granny's Nova to 13th in the Autocross.....LOL!!

The speed stop may has well been out in the wet grass somewhere. We had zero traction.

It was a fun event.

The Beach Cruiser Camaro Looks awesome on the open track!!
The front spoiler really looks good on it.

See you soon!!

Beach Cruiser

08-01-2015, 10:19 AM

Randy, you are indeed right, I missed you when I was looking at the results. Nice job! I just couldn't get everything put together in the autox to make a good run. I'm starting to put some of my pictures and video together from the last two weeks, here's a teaser of the guys I was running with on the road course.

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/th_DA69241F-CED1-4367-962F-DB1324516CB2_zpsktvay4vu.mp4 (http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/DA69241F-CED1-4367-962F-DB1324516CB2_zpsktvay4vu.mp4)

Beach Cruiser

08-01-2015, 10:23 AM

some more pics from the weekend.

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/77A47BC6-B09D-4CD7-ABF9-A69BA4CF6BEA_zpswtek9thd.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/77A47BC6-B09D-4CD7-ABF9-A69BA4CF6BEA_zpswtek9thd.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/11806486_1123297381032469_10199467_o_zpsg7hea3qm.j pg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/11806486_1123297381032469_10199467_o_zpsg7hea3qm.j pg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/11806989_1123297614365779_334136975_o_zpssulnwoj4. jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/11806989_1123297614365779_334136975_o_zpssulnwoj4. jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/11800735_1123297594365781_1031270526_o_zps8eh0zonq .jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/11800735_1123297594365781_1031270526_o_zps8eh0zonq .jpg.html)

Beach Cruiser

08-11-2015, 05:33 AM

Here is some crappy video my son took with his phone of the speed stop on ZMax lane 3. If you guys can't see it let me know and I'll try and post it up some other way. I'm also working on edits to the in car videos.

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/th_speed%20stop_zpsfbhedpoc.mp4 (http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/speed%20stop_zpsfbhedpoc.mp4)

Beach Cruiser

08-11-2015, 07:04 AM

Footage from the Ultimate Track Car Challenge, the weekend before Optima Charlotte. Here is the edited video of my fastest official lap, I ran a 2:08 but was disqualified because I put two wheels off the track on an earlier lap in that session. I hope you can view it, let me know if you have any trouble.

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/th_UTCC15_zpsxqyxqsnk.mp4 (http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/UTCC15_zpsxqyxqsnk.mp4)

rchaskin

08-12-2015, 03:17 PM

Beach Cruiser

10-02-2015, 09:17 AM

Chad-1stGen

10-02-2015, 09:36 AM

I've been taking a break and fixing some broken parts all while re engineering some, but I've been working on Video from the events this summer. First up is the same video from UTCC as I posted before only this time with Speed and G force overlays. When you watch the video, look at the g-meter and my keychain, they are in sync! LOL, enjoy!

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/th_2015-10-02%2000.00.00%20UTCC15_zps8u7zljgo.mp4 (http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/2015-10-02%2000.00.00%20UTCC15_zps8u7zljgo.mp4)

We're Sorry.
This video has been renamed or deleted by its owner.

That is the message I get when I click the link.

Beach Cruiser

10-02-2015, 09:41 AM

Yeah I got that too, I'm trying to fix it, not sure what happened

waynieZ

10-02-2015, 10:58 AM

I'll be watching for it.

Beach Cruiser

10-02-2015, 12:59 PM

ok, so here's a video from the Optima Challenge Autocross portion in Charlotte. Literally the worst autocross course I've ever driven! My steering could not keep up with all the 180 deg switch backs, I ended up 15th so apparently the other cars managed it ok. Still working on the UTCC telemetry video, I think it may be to big for photobucket, working on getting it on YouTube.

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/th_Optima%20Autocross_zpsdtcjww8s.mp4 (http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Optima%20Autocross_zpsdtcjww8s.mp4)

Beach Cruiser

10-02-2015, 01:23 PM

Fixed!

Spiffav8

10-02-2015, 01:24 PM

Looks like fun

Beach Cruiser

11-28-2015, 07:56 AM

Updates! I'm coming back out of hiding for all the winter project updates. After Optima in Charlotte I needed to take a break on car stuff (according to my wife). Now I'm back on all the winter projects. After Charlotte I found I had broken both rear shocks off at the tip on the last session of the hot laps. Other than that, nothing else was broken! Now I have some time to work on my "nice to do" list instead of "I gotta make the next race" list. Since both shocks were broken in the same place I decided it was time to re-engineer the whole coilover setup in the rear. I never really liked it to begin with and I've been wanting to go inboard for a long time, so I finally took the time to start actually doing it. Here's some shots of what I have so far.

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/3BA5F4B8-890E-4A87-A767-514842051EB7_zpsop7ulbht.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/3BA5F4B8-890E-4A87-A767-514842051EB7_zpsop7ulbht.jpg.html)

back to the drawing board...

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/742286F6-C669-4E3C-A6DF-B735A4F2CB98_zpsftbpn592.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/742286F6-C669-4E3C-A6DF-B735A4F2CB98_zpsftbpn592.jpg.html)

some new parts cut out and welded together for the rockers

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/D8F67A23-E18D-42F2-A97D-6E2335CBA730_zps6ejjchit.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/D8F67A23-E18D-42F2-A97D-6E2335CBA730_zps6ejjchit.jpg.html)

All mocked up and ready to slide into the trunk area under the package tray.

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/49272026-0DD1-4F8A-8331-A601FB818794_zpso1mz0ijx.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/49272026-0DD1-4F8A-8331-A601FB818794_zpso1mz0ijx.jpg.html)

Push rods installed and clearences made to clear the frame and get into the trunk.

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/67478785-FD95-4420-B9E6-A22B2A0F0BB3_zpsgyjoenpe.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/67478785-FD95-4420-B9E6-A22B2A0F0BB3_zpsgyjoenpe.jpg.html)

It all looks good and the tire has plenty of clearance on the inside inner fender. Next up is to pull it all back out and finish welding and paint the assembly. while it's out I'll finish out the notched frame rails and clean that area up, and also add some support to it since I cut it out. Other plans for the winter are to add an L88 style hood with the front section vented for the radiator and a few other odds and ends. I have to buy a new helmet and shoes this year too, that cuts into the car parts monetary fund. I also picked up an LS2 6.0 block that I want to build a stroker motor with. I found out real quick that if I want to really run with the big dogs I'm gonna need a bigger motor! Stay tuned!

GregWeld

11-28-2015, 08:10 AM

Nice project!

It bothers me, however, that both shock tops broke off like that.... and I wouldn't sleep well until I discovered what was putting that kind of bind (or whatever) on them to make that happen. My radar would be up that something else in the car was moving around and trying to make the shocks act as some kind of rear end locator....

Beach Cruiser

11-28-2015, 08:16 AM

yeah it bothers me too. I did spin off the track and came back on it sideways with both rear wheels and it took a pretty good hit, I'm about 90% sure that's when the broke. I came in after that and didn't run again. I noticed they where broke when I loaded it on the trailer. I was hard to tell because they still looked intact because the weight was holding everything together still. I've taken the new setup through full ranges of motion and every scenario I can think of and it looks solid.

GregWeld

11-28-2015, 05:24 PM

Ah ha!! Yeah -- that could certainly explain the issue!! I cut a Hoosier doing that once.... a spin with only the back two going off a little and coming back on. There's a LOT of sideways pressure going on there that the car doesn't like!! LOL

MX145

11-28-2015, 06:56 PM

Very cool inboard setup :cheers:

Beach Cruiser

12-21-2015, 02:08 PM

Almost got the Inboard setup done, the disaster struck. Some low life decided to steal my welder! mostly my fault for leaving it outside by my workbench, still hidden from street view but someone must have been staking it out. Lock your stuff up fellas, I made a mistake and now my welder is gone. Anyway, while I'm dealing with the police, here is the progress pics that I have up until now.

Relief pockets in the frame all done.
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/E7658648-9050-4314-B989-A91C15793190_zpslubthucr.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/E7658648-9050-4314-B989-A91C15793190_zpslubthucr.jpg.html)

Not a bad weld not having any practice in a while...
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/9DC3E997-CB0D-4794-878D-33E4E88BDC1D_zpspcjdhvz2.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/9DC3E997-CB0D-4794-878D-33E4E88BDC1D_zpspcjdhvz2.jpg.html)

While I was at it, I decided to add a little bling to the trunk...
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/61A6A5F5-B179-4B5F-B5D7-458B989C36ED_zpsvb1zoio5.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/61A6A5F5-B179-4B5F-B5D7-458B989C36ED_zpsvb1zoio5.jpg.html)

Bigger things are coming for next year!
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/108B6E7B-D678-46C0-B5D4-F8E18BF9C000_zpsgfrl2sit.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/108B6E7B-D678-46C0-B5D4-F8E18BF9C000_zpsgfrl2sit.jpg.html)

Couldn't find a 6.2 block on the cheap but...
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/7D4B3981-24BF-4758-B12D-1A090F49B75E_zpsxruvcuqi.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/7D4B3981-24BF-4758-B12D-1A090F49B75E_zpsxruvcuqi.jpg.html)

Beach Cruiser

01-11-2016, 08:35 AM

All finished up! well almost. I still need to make some covers for inside the wheel well to try and keep most stuff out of the trunk from the pushrod reliefs. Got it back on the ground after Christmas and was able to drive to our local Cars and Coffee Jan 2nd. Everything worked perfectly, its actually smoother and quieter than the previous setup! Its really hard to keep my focus on the road instead of watching it all work through the trunk in my rear view mirror! I haven't beat on it hard yet, but I did take it through its paces on a really rough road.

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/_MG_5915_zpsm1dy5qyg.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/_MG_5915_zpsm1dy5qyg.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/_MG_5897_zpslzfewkvv.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/_MG_5897_zpslzfewkvv.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/_MG_5924%201_zps6nw4zoil.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/_MG_5924%201_zps6nw4zoil.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/_MG_5921_zpsl2czo0bm.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/_MG_5921_zpsl2czo0bm.jpg.html)

Spiffav8

01-11-2016, 08:54 AM

Nice! Next time I'm out your way I need to see this in person. Maybe a hot lap around the block to.

:D

Beach Cruiser

01-11-2016, 09:04 AM

Sure! I have a passenger seat with a 6point harness and a favorite on ramp!

Chad-1stGen

01-11-2016, 10:29 AM

I can't remember. What was the reason for the inboard pushrod setup? Are you able to fit longer shocks now?

romayo

01-11-2016, 10:35 AM

I can't remember. What was the reason for the inboard pushrod setup? Are you able to fit longer shocks now?

you can lower the car where the tunnel is the limiting factor. you'll have more shock travel

very popular modification when students compete in FSAE

Beach Cruiser

01-11-2016, 11:06 AM

Partially true, I never liked the way they had to be mounted under the car to clear all the IRS stuff, over time and racing (and wrecking) I snapped the top off them 3 times. Plus it looks cool!

Chad-1stGen

01-11-2016, 12:21 PM

It does look cool! I was blown away but this style of setup when I saw it in Mike Maier's Mustang years ago.

19,69camaro

01-11-2016, 12:34 PM

Cool! What did you use for the bushing or bearing?

Beach Cruiser

01-13-2016, 03:15 PM

I used oil impregnated Bronze bushings on each side pressed into the rocker. There is a tube in between the plates where I have a grease fitting so I can fill it full of grease. The bolt through the middle is called an axle bolt and it only has threads on the end so the shank and the bore of the bushing is the same. Perfect fit actually, It took me a while to figure out how to do it cheaply, but it works great, and if it wears I can replace the bushing for about 85 cents each!

19,69camaro

01-14-2016, 08:26 AM

Thats killer. I am looking at doing something similar and was looking at either needle roller bearings with a thrust washer and or taper roller bearings but man like you said they sure are expensive. Let us know how they hold up and if there is any sticktion to the assembly.

rustomatic

01-14-2016, 06:46 PM

Yo, BeachCruiser, I'm sorry if I missed it in your earlier posts, but what initially turned you off on the original Corvette monoleaf setup, particularly in the rear, where it's so easy to change ride height? I kind of like the idea (and function) behind it, in that it's so ridiculously light . . .

I look forward to using my car like you use yours sometime this year . . .:whenitsdone:

Beach Cruiser

01-15-2016, 08:35 AM

Even with the monoleaf spring you still have to make provisions for the shocks, so I decided to go coilover instead. Makes it pretty easy to change the ride height, and corner weight the car. Also I wanted the flexibility to change spring rates. I'm on my third set of springs now. I think I finally have the car balanced. The stock corvette spring rate is set for a corvette, I weigh more in the rear than a Vette.

romayo

01-16-2016, 10:47 AM

Partially true, I never liked the way they had to be mounted under the car to clear all the IRS stuff, over time and racing (and wrecking) I snapped the top off them 3 times. Plus it looks cool!

there's a whole course in engineering called strength and materials - it's for a good reason.

It shouldn't snap/crack/fracture/break. If it is snapping, it's not because of the style setup

Beach Cruiser

01-22-2016, 08:07 AM

Yeah, I took that course years ago, the were breaking because they where getting bound up under certain circumstances and there was to much side loading (bending) on the shafts. that can't happen anymore. Like it sits they can only move linearly.

Beach Cruiser

04-03-2016, 04:23 PM

First AutoX today with the new setup, everything worked perfectly! I need to adjust the ride height and re align everything. The camber and toe was pretty far off, I just didn't have time to deal with it before the AutoX. Next stop, New Jersey Motorsports Park to get a little seat time around the Thunderbolt course to prep for the Optima event there in May. JonnyMac even came out for a ride today.

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/13ADF651-242D-4DB9-8908-C3E2BC75BE86_zpsbbjnrxvm.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/13ADF651-242D-4DB9-8908-C3E2BC75BE86_zpsbbjnrxvm.jpg.html)

No more low hanging Coilovers!

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/73B165BE-110B-4461-AC7A-D66E54136D81_zpsgsrmixha.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/73B165BE-110B-4461-AC7A-D66E54136D81_zpsgsrmixha.jpg.html)

rixtrix1

04-03-2016, 09:47 PM

Looks great. Good luck this year!

Beach Cruiser

04-22-2016, 06:33 AM

After the AutoX, I went to work to dial in the car for a trip to New Jersey Motorsports Park for some track test and tune time to prep for Optima. First off I scaled the car and set the cross weights. She's got some ballast in her to make the min 3200lb Optima challenge rule, but the cross came out pretty good! next up was getting her all aligned and pointed straight. There's a new shop here called Rent a Lift, you pay for shop time by the hour and have full use of the shop. I rented the alignment rack for $65 and was able to dial everything in like I wanted! Pretty cool to be able to do it yourself. At Jersey, we unloaded the car and had a little garage party with all the German import guys that were there, everyone loved the car! believe me it stuck out in the garage! The next day was open track day and you could run as much as you wanted! We hit the track at 9am and ran 45 mins, then came in to cool down. When we went back out the second time my guys noticed a small spot on the garage floor while I was running. It turned out to be Diff oil. The car ran great all morning, and really surprised a bunch of Porsche and BMW guys. After I came back in we discovered a leaking casing, it turned out that I had a broken mount on the camber control rod and the casing was not sealed tight. After finding the broken mount I decided to pack up for the day and bring her home (un wrecked) Here's a few pics.

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/DCEACBF5-3A57-4488-A322-D62BC4D9ABFA_zpsf83xvqpq.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/DCEACBF5-3A57-4488-A322-D62BC4D9ABFA_zpsf83xvqpq.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/A9D1AB64-1544-4A0B-B30C-2A67BF4A3DDE_zps7kd8qonl.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/A9D1AB64-1544-4A0B-B30C-2A67BF4A3DDE_zps7kd8qonl.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/B9508222-5DA3-45AE-9A98-50044DD6627C_zpsdfwvvlv1.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/B9508222-5DA3-45AE-9A98-50044DD6627C_zpsdfwvvlv1.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/F77D4688-30C1-4DD4-A1CE-EE6F08C7AEB7_zpsxf3niip8.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/F77D4688-30C1-4DD4-A1CE-EE6F08C7AEB7_zpsxf3niip8.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/E6FD9D32-EBB4-4E80-B20D-07F2662A2E48_zps7dqrmcqq.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/E6FD9D32-EBB4-4E80-B20D-07F2662A2E48_zps7dqrmcqq.jpg.html)

Beach Cruiser

04-22-2016, 06:40 AM

Done for the day and packing up, hey at least we got to drink beer early!

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/13007263_10206377833465582_1044792795457828399_n_z ps5mwtth29.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/13007263_10206377833465582_1044792795457828399_n_z ps5mwtth29.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/12985356_1155613041115661_6672699173285726228_n_zp sd5n5v6gd.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/12985356_1155613041115661_6672699173285726228_n_zp sd5n5v6gd.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/12993401_10206377833665587_2805329988113323707_n_z psb55ps8f2.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/12993401_10206377833665587_2805329988113323707_n_z psb55ps8f2.jpg.html)

glassman

04-22-2016, 09:13 AM

What tires you running for the Optima event?

Also, you changing tires or do you have another set of rims with a close setup?

Good Luck this weekend.....

Beach Cruiser

04-22-2016, 09:21 AM

I have matching pair of wheels on my '00 WS6 with the "street" tires on them. I just swap between the two cars from Hoosiers to Rivals. No changing tires on the rim, just swap from one car to the other! I'm cheap like that! (mostly just broke) Just got two new Rivals to match the other pair of Rival S that I used last year at the Charlotte Optima event. I'm glad I ordered them early, most places are already out of stock!

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/78BE0013-0728-4CC2-AFB8-1AD74F6775B8_zpsu1lfqhei.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/78BE0013-0728-4CC2-AFB8-1AD74F6775B8_zpsu1lfqhei.jpg.html)

Beach Cruiser

04-25-2016, 06:53 AM

All fixed up and back in the car this weekend! The local race fab shop did some Tig work and then added some extra material to give it a little more strength. The car should be ready for AutoX next sunday.

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/8543A52E-8DF2-4078-9A53-E7C884CF6103_zpsuolrigvc.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/8543A52E-8DF2-4078-9A53-E7C884CF6103_zpsuolrigvc.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/0DE1CB13-2E3C-4707-8646-A2708CDFF120_zpslbwjmdz2.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/0DE1CB13-2E3C-4707-8646-A2708CDFF120_zpslbwjmdz2.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/CF6750F6-E9CF-4B88-A948-73345972E9B4_zpstww5ftzw.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/CF6750F6-E9CF-4B88-A948-73345972E9B4_zpstww5ftzw.jpg.html)

Beach Cruiser

05-04-2016, 09:20 AM

Took the car to the local AutoX this weekend to shake it down and break in the new Rivals. The car was better than the driver for sure! Here's a couple of videos of my fastest run, one from the in car camera and the other pointed at the rear inboard shocks. I ended up finishing 8th overall out of 42 cars. Not bad for the guys I was up against.

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/th_pungo5_zpsigj67wcf.mp4 (http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/pungo5_zpsigj67wcf.mp4)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/th_pungo%20springs_zpstmbcm8na.mp4 (http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/pungo%20springs_zpstmbcm8na.mp4)

waynieZ

05-04-2016, 11:18 AM

glad to see it was an easy fix for you.

SSLance

05-04-2016, 01:19 PM

I like the shock angle shot... Nice work.

Beach Cruiser

05-12-2016, 06:00 AM

Putting some interior back in the car getting ready for Optima NJ, you know, because street car! Decided to add a little flair instead of some plain old vinyl. Also Polished it up a bit, it actually has a little shine to it now.

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/B3DF8657-4984-463C-8036-F396A14BFF73_zpsznwcnreb.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/B3DF8657-4984-463C-8036-F396A14BFF73_zpsznwcnreb.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/7DE85AF8-C236-418B-B7FA-9DB9CC90A8E6_zpswrhenilo.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/7DE85AF8-C236-418B-B7FA-9DB9CC90A8E6_zpswrhenilo.jpg.html)

bonecrrusher

05-20-2016, 06:13 AM

Looking good man!

Sucks about the rear diff leak!

Air-bender

05-20-2016, 02:59 PM

That's a decent overall weight you have there. I am just over 3,500 on my 67 with an all metal body and my 180lbs inside. I would like to be around 3,300.

I am originally from the Charlottesville area and have had some great times at VA Beach, especially during my high school years. I have enjoyed your post!

Beach Cruiser

05-30-2016, 07:12 AM

Update time! It's been a wild ride the last couple of weeks. Optima NJMP is now over and the car is tucked away back in the Beach Cave. I couldn't have been happier about how well the car ran, It ran away from the GTV field on the Road Course by a margin of 4 secs per lap to the Challanger that Leap Frogged me for a second place overall. I barely missed a first place finish in the Speed Stop and AutoX portions to take 2nd in both of those segments. The car ran flawlessly on the Rally to the Shore and back in a very dreary nasty rain. I even set up my on board tablet to Navigate me on the way. Pretty cool, every time I needed to turn, it would mute out my Pandora Radio feed and pipe out the directions through the Speakers! Where I failed miserably was the "being a street car" portion. I only took away 63 points in the Design and Engineering judging compared to the Challanger's 98 points. That's a lot to make up on the track, but I got within 2 points but it wasn't enough. I ended up 6 points short of taking the overall win for the event. I boils down to a failed Reverse light Circuit (it was pouring rain all weekend and something shorted) and the fact that the car has no carpet in it. If not for those two, I would have won the event pretty easily. Oh well, It is what it is, that's the rules. What I did take away from the event was a lot of Respect, and that is more important to me than the trophy.

Also, on the way to NJ I was fortunate enough to have the car on display in the QA1 booth at Cruisn' Ocean City. My car rides on all QA1 suspension and it was fun talking with customers about suspensions when they came through the booth. I even met several people that recognized the car and said they have read the whole build thread! wow, that's a lot! Thanks to Eric and the QA1 team for hosting me Thursday and Friday! Look for me in the QA1 booth in the fall at LSFest!

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/BFCF79F6-6532-49D7-8F79-609012DD4A70_zpspubzltxf.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/BFCF79F6-6532-49D7-8F79-609012DD4A70_zpspubzltxf.jpg.html)

My Dad and I having a post race chat, I'm so glad he was able to come down and be my crew chief for the weekend!
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Optima-New-Jersery-Motorsports-Park-Ultimate-Street-Car-Challenge-2016-17_zpsbzflv9xv.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/Optima-New-Jersery-Motorsports-Park-Ultimate-Street-Car-Challenge-2016-17_zpsbzflv9xv.jpg.html)

AutoX
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Optima-New-Jersery-Motorsports-Park-Ultimate-Street-Car-Challenge-2016-30_zpsykqtobj4.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/Optima-New-Jersery-Motorsports-Park-Ultimate-Street-Car-Challenge-2016-30_zpsykqtobj4.jpg.html)

Speed Stop
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/025-drive-optima-new-jersey-1967-camaro_zpsnerpep56.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/025-drive-optima-new-jersey-1967-camaro_zpsnerpep56.jpg.html)

Rally Cruise
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/A19AF8E8-A1F6-482D-9437-3AF8ED6CE1E0_zps1cwamohf.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/A19AF8E8-A1F6-482D-9437-3AF8ED6CE1E0_zps1cwamohf.jpg.html)

Road Course Action
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Optima-New-Jersery-Motorsports-Park-Ultimate-Street-Car-Challenge-2016-74_zpse4oxrshg.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/Optima-New-Jersery-Motorsports-Park-Ultimate-Street-Car-Challenge-2016-74_zpse4oxrshg.jpg.html)

I love these shots!
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/A80269C1-433C-4108-83EA-8F4B48B48BD2_zpsecnfqhd5.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/A80269C1-433C-4108-83EA-8F4B48B48BD2_zpsecnfqhd5.jpg.html)
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/3258699F-9A45-47CF-8FEF-1A4962DB9A9B_zpsaeuzmvwk.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/3258699F-9A45-47CF-8FEF-1A4962DB9A9B_zpsaeuzmvwk.jpg.html)
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Optima-New-Jersery-Motorsports-Park-Ultimate-Street-Car-Challenge-2016-18_zpskwokahzb.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/Optima-New-Jersery-Motorsports-Park-Ultimate-Street-Car-Challenge-2016-18_zpskwokahzb.jpg.html)
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Optima-New-Jersery-Motorsports-Park-Ultimate-Street-Car-Challenge-2016-28_zpskecoxhpy.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/Optima-New-Jersery-Motorsports-Park-Ultimate-Street-Car-Challenge-2016-28_zpskecoxhpy.jpg.html)

SSLance

05-30-2016, 07:19 AM

Sounds like a successful weekend, that's what it is all about. Sucks about the D&E portion, tough when subjective scoring hurts you in a competitive environment. Been there, done that.

What Challenger were you up against?

GregWeld

05-30-2016, 09:32 AM

Wow! Very impressive finish! These events are TOUGH... and they hard on a car... Home built and home engineered.. good for you!

Beach Cruiser

05-31-2016, 05:09 AM

Thanks Greg, yeah these events are really tough on the tires! especially the speed stop! Here are a couple of links about the weekend:

http://www.superchevy.com/events/1605-check-out-the-drive-optima-event-from-new-jersey-motorsports-park/

http://lateral-g.net/optima-ultimate-street-car-challenge-new-jersey-2016/

Here's a link to the shop that built the Challanger, it was the second fastest GTV car on the road course but it otherwise didn't hit the podium except for the D&E portion. It was very nicely done and very clean.

http://bergmanautocraft.com/about.php

bonecrrusher

08-01-2016, 06:07 AM

Saw this on a friends Facebook feed.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7695/28590998872_72dcb0d15a_h.jpg

Wacker

08-02-2016, 09:47 PM

Mills, I never knew the whole process. I have to say I'm even more impressed now.

Beach Cruiser

08-03-2016, 09:28 AM

That looks like the parade lap, no firesuit or HANS. I'm collecting all the pictures and links for a write up about Charlotte and the Corvette Museum events. More to come soon!

Beach Cruiser

08-04-2016, 07:26 AM

Time for some updates! I completely dropped the ball on the updates from the Bowling Green Event at the National Corvette Museum. It wasn't a good weekend so maybe that's why. I decided to haul the car all the way to Bowling Green (14 hours) to get in a second event this year. I should have known that when I had a flat trailer tire before I even got out of town it was going to be a rough weekend. The speed stop was up first, It was setup on the road course with a blind downhill entry into the stop box. Pretty tricky. My car is setup for the road course more than the autox/speedstop events so It was good for me that it was on the Road Course. well, not so much. On my 4th Run I was right on point and stopped in the box, then Pop! a rear SS brake line burst! This caused me to ever so slowly roll into the exit cone and push it out of the way! DQ! Sucks, would have been a podium stop and of course I couldn't continue. Luckily I brought a spare because that's only one of a very few parts I can't buy at the local parts store. Fixed it over lunch. Now time for the AutoX
On my first run the marshal for NCM came to me and said my car was too loud and exceeded the noise limits for NCM (I prefer to say I broke the sound barrier!) Oh, but we have baffles you can buy in the pro shop he said. So for the next two and a half hours I ripped the exhaust off, inserted the baffles and went back out for a few more runs. Didn't do very well with only a couple of runs to work with.
Next up was the cruise. We did an Advance Auto Parts drive through then ran around in circles in the middle of nowhere. Made it though, but my Wide band said I was running way beyond lean. Determined it was the baffles too close to the O2, so sunday morning they came out hoping that on the track the car wouldn't be as loud.
Sunday, Road Course Day! the part where I'm the best! Well this time, not so much. The car just didn't feel right and wasn't planted like it usually is. I tried to figure it out but I didn't have much time during the day to inspect it like I wanted. It turned out to be a broken sway bar end link, didn't find it until I loaded up on the trailer. Optima asked me if I could instruct some of the Novices since I'm a certified instructor with NASA. So I was in and out of cars all day, I never had a chance to take my driving suit off in 100 deg heat! I did get awarded the prestigious cookie award! I was beat!
In Summery, It was a bad weekend. The only highlight of the weekend was that my car beat Mark Stielow's JackAss in the Design and Engineering points! But it was my worst D&E score ever, Not that it's my strong event. There were some very impressive cars there and I guess I should be happy limping away with an 11th place finish in GTV. That's just how racing goes...

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/D982DF0D-DED5-49A7-A4BC-3E9AF1ADF391_zpsdd2kinuy.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/D982DF0D-DED5-49A7-A4BC-3E9AF1ADF391_zpsdd2kinuy.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/4F30B450-2298-48EB-81F9-4B9C00BEA292_zpsyifdcznz.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/4F30B450-2298-48EB-81F9-4B9C00BEA292_zpsyifdcznz.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/13403904_10157077027060078_715011492116827495_o_zp snfdaw71a.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/13403904_10157077027060078_715011492116827495_o_zp snfdaw71a.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/13391608_565399080313385_7107848474555824293_o_zps bu0xqxsw.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/13391608_565399080313385_7107848474555824293_o_zps bu0xqxsw.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/13412184_566654950187798_3388615821956119637_o_zps fsllatqv.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/13412184_566654950187798_3388615821956119637_o_zps fsllatqv.jpg.html)

Build-It-Break-it

08-04-2016, 09:25 AM

I can't imagine losing a brake line while on the course.I'm glad you and your car are safe. What caused the failure? Brand?

Ahmad

Beach Cruiser

08-04-2016, 10:53 AM

It had rubbed the inside of the wheel at one point before I zip tied it back. It didn't look damaged but apparently it was. I was almost at a complete stop when it popped so no harm. I did lose the brakes at VIR one time at 120MPH! the seat is still brown!

Beach Cruiser

10-03-2016, 07:59 AM

Here is a nice article that DrivingLine wrote about the car. More updates coming next!

http://www.drivingline.com/articles/all-grown-up-garage-built-67-camaro-becomes-a-pro-touring-champ/

Beach Cruiser

10-03-2016, 08:20 AM

Next up on the whirlwind Optima Tour for me was Charlotte in July. Even though Charlotte is 6 hours from Virginia Beach where I live, it's almost like my home track because my oldest son lives near the track. Charlotte ended up better than Bowling Green for me, there were still a full house of high level cars, and no the D&E portion was not kind to me again. I'm getting pretty used to that by now. I ended up with 359 points and did well in each event, and even ran third in the Hot Laps behind Kyle Tucker's 1st place. I was honored to say the least when they announced I had won the Participants Choice award! That means a tremendous amount to me because my fellow racers voted for my car! (I need them to talk to the D&E folks!) This was my third event and catapulted me into 2nd place in the points chase for a trip to Vegas. I knew it wouldn't last long, but at least I could brag for a couple of weeks to my buddies!

It was also a huge highlight to have both of my sons compete with me, my oldest in his LS383 Camaro, and my youngest with his Special Edition Honda Civic Si, Mugan edition (only 1000 made) Even better was that my Dad, Sister and Niece all flew in for the weekend, so the gang was all there.

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/87276520-9B25-4780-91C0-F46CAEC14BCB_zps0igmr1pj.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/87276520-9B25-4780-91C0-F46CAEC14BCB_zps0igmr1pj.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/13653446_10157270513680078_8335426057401863988_o_z psaizce95e.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/13653446_10157270513680078_8335426057401863988_o_z psaizce95e.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/13667854_653825741436709_6474519050952102808_o_zps yk4etarp.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/13667854_653825741436709_6474519050952102808_o_zps yk4etarp.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/13908805_653818764770740_8388588273153939076_o_zps vkoa0esb.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/13908805_653818764770740_8388588273153939076_o_zps vkoa0esb.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/optima-search-for-the-ultimate-street-car-charlotte-001_zps4iojmka8.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/optima-search-for-the-ultimate-street-car-charlotte-001_zps4iojmka8.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/86AAE671-AC6C-4A13-9538-5DB5755AD886_zpsehs5ojiy.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/86AAE671-AC6C-4A13-9538-5DB5755AD886_zpsehs5ojiy.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/13907067_10210396732334963_3870629960321511411_n_z psm08p0syy.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/13907067_10210396732334963_3870629960321511411_n_z psm08p0syy.jpg.html)

samckitt

10-05-2016, 05:21 AM

You going to be on TV? Which episode?

Beach Cruiser

10-05-2016, 05:39 AM

Yeah, they did a whole interview and highlight on the car for the NJ episode! The Bowling Green episode had my car in it a few times, and my name flashed up with the top five in GTV, Not sure about the Charlotte or Nola event, they haven't aired yet. I stood on the podium in both of those.

samckitt

10-05-2016, 05:50 AM

Cool. Can I have your autograph? LOL

waynieZ

10-05-2016, 06:41 PM

Congrats on the nice finish and the family weekend.
I forgot you were in Va. I was there all last week . It would have been nice if you had time so I could check out the car.

Beach Cruiser

10-06-2016, 03:15 AM

I'm in Virginia Beach, I saw your post about sitting the kids, where were you?

waynieZ

10-06-2016, 07:21 PM

Just a short distance away, in Suffolk Va.

rixtrix1

10-08-2016, 05:23 PM

Congrats on the good finish and time with your boys. Hoping you are safe this weekend from the storm!

Beach Cruiser

11-10-2016, 07:28 AM

Sorry I've been slacking! After Charlotte, I was done and out of money. After I posted that on my FB feed a local shop stepped up and said they would help me get to NOLA! So me and two buddies (and a Dog) all loaded up in a borrowed RV attached the trailer and headed 19 hours south to run the NOLA Optima event. It really wasn't as bad as I thought, we swapped out drivers every 6 hours and drove straight through. It was a wet weekend for sure! AutoX was first, and all the cars ran in the morning because of the coming rain. I was able to hang in there with the GTV class, but I was no match for Jake Rozelle or Mike Maire. Hey I'm 350hp down to those guys, who knew it would make a difference on the autox course. With the IRS in my car, I'm losing time at the launch and with short courses, there's just not enough time to reel them in. I managed a third place finish behind Mike and Jake, and standing on the podium with those two guys is a pretty cool deal.

The afternoon brought rain and the speed stop, which was on the track. Again this was a very short (11.8 secs) run and in the rain. The GTV class was very close, I managed a 5th place spot. I was only .500 tenths out of a podium, that's how close it was.

D&E, throw that out the door, they hate my car for some reason. Maybe because it doesn't portray the aftermarket, maybe because it's just raw and has a little rust and a lot of dings? Who knows, the paint is 30 years old, but it still looks good in pictures and on TV! I even tried to add some bling to the engine bay to no avail, I finished last in GTV and 3rd from last overall with only 57 points. That's 34 points down from the 3rd place GTV car in D&E. That's mighty hard to make up on the track.

Sunday was my day! Road Course day! But we didn't get a lot of track time. The first session everyone was going off because the track was green from all the rain and still damp in some spots. The first session got red flagged when Mike DuSold went for a wild ride. It was finally drying out when our group went out right before lunch, but on the forth lap it started raining pretty hard at one end of the track, we had warning and we all slowed down to about 35 mph. Well if you saw the show on tv last Friday, you'll see me go for a wild ride! into the gravel trap I went. good thing it was lunch and no one lost any track time because of it, because it took 30 minutes to get me out! and another 30 to clean all the rocks off the track that were falling out of my car like a sand spreader in a snow storm. During the break we cleaned the rocks out and inspected the car and made sure nothing was damaged, then the rains came again! We were sitting in 3rd behind Mike and Jake. It didn't look promising, so we started to pack up stuff and load the car, no way were they going to get the track dry and no one was going to get faster in the wet. We loaded up and went over to the gift shop to get a NOLA shirt and some stickers ect... As we were grabbing lunch we heard them on the track running again, so I pulled up my laps on my phone and saw James Shipka just ran .1 faster than my time! Oh **** we gotta go back! We unloaded and got the car ready just in time for our last session of the day and the track was pretty dry. James and I had a battle for third place back and forth and as I beat his lap, he would beat mine. In the end James came out on top with the third place spot.

At this point I had enough points for the Vegas Invite, but there was one more event left to run in California and it would all come down to who did what and who won in and who didn't.

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/8C21C7EF-EEC2-4A44-BFB5-21E9DB235248_zpsnyil2xgz.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/8C21C7EF-EEC2-4A44-BFB5-21E9DB235248_zpsnyil2xgz.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/14379828_1286120071401289_5033346976626736707_o_zp scy1ko2gn.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/14379828_1286120071401289_5033346976626736707_o_zp scy1ko2gn.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/14409567_1286121471401149_3141878389520090790_o_zp smbbsbble.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/14409567_1286121471401149_3141878389520090790_o_zp smbbsbble.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/14379624_1287188004627829_4907529118096538976_o_zp skvjgudxk.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/14379624_1287188004627829_4907529118096538976_o_zp skvjgudxk.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/14409421_1287188237961139_6077132938823699459_o_zp s0gjxmeli.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/14409421_1287188237961139_6077132938823699459_o_zp s0gjxmeli.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/NOLA-Motorsports-Park-Optima-USCA-11_zpsytickgpp.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/NOLA-Motorsports-Park-Optima-USCA-11_zpsytickgpp.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/C46FC81B-5044-4244-A524-77E7430A805D_zpsyvjxtokt.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/C46FC81B-5044-4244-A524-77E7430A805D_zpsyvjxtokt.jpg.html)

and let's not forget about Racetrack Ralph, getting ready to load up for the Big Easy!
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/A077C96E-6E7A-45BB-9740-CB0B07A740AB_zpsh5gwa81s.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/A077C96E-6E7A-45BB-9740-CB0B07A740AB_zpsh5gwa81s.jpg.html)

Track Junky

01-15-2017, 10:51 AM

I see your still killing it Mills :thumbsup:

Beach Cruiser

01-16-2017, 01:59 PM

Update time! I didn't make Vegas. Oh well, maybe this year. I did run the car one more time in Nov and put it away for the winter and ready to go for this year. In the meantime I picked up a TrailBlazer SS for next to nothing that had a locked up motor. I hit the jackpot with this one! The guy didn't know much about it other than he wanted it out of his yard! I drove up to Jersey and bought it and drug it home. Pot of gold! this thing had a Manley 4" Forged bottom end in it with CNC ported heads and Comp cam! Plus headers and full exhaust, a stall and an RPM Stage VI trans in it! The motor is now rebuilt with a milder "tow" cam, some oiling goodies from Improved Racing, and I stole the CNC heads for the Camaro. Now it's time to focus on the new Camaro motor for this year. Anyone wanna buy a 4Runner?

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/6ADB9B49-09F8-4781-8551-070754BCCF6D_zpssaa1t3ob.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/6ADB9B49-09F8-4781-8551-070754BCCF6D_zpssaa1t3ob.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/C01D70DF-F173-4336-8C08-5E123800BD47_zpswqflrvlo.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/C01D70DF-F173-4336-8C08-5E123800BD47_zpswqflrvlo.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/AE0A26F3-730E-489E-BAE4-72BA93A7367C_zps1oqzueks.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/AE0A26F3-730E-489E-BAE4-72BA93A7367C_zps1oqzueks.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/223E158E-6295-4C7E-8256-0CE2E10D15A1_zpskhzukxmb.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/223E158E-6295-4C7E-8256-0CE2E10D15A1_zpskhzukxmb.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/860FCEA3-E872-4E3C-A642-BC2F1CEDCD1A_zpsluoftyjq.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/860FCEA3-E872-4E3C-A642-BC2F1CEDCD1A_zpsluoftyjq.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/C8E0A72B-6D12-47E3-A5A0-288A531BF1C7_zpshaw4wlaz.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/C8E0A72B-6D12-47E3-A5A0-288A531BF1C7_zpshaw4wlaz.jpg.html)

rixtrix1

01-16-2017, 09:54 PM

Awesome find! Things like this are always something I hear about second hand. but never seem to find myself. Congrats!

johnnymac46

01-17-2017, 06:01 AM

Nice find Mills! whats the new Camaro motor?

Beach Cruiser

01-17-2017, 03:23 PM

Bigger, Better, Stronger... :-) not leaking any details until it's in the car and Kicking some butt! When you get back Stateside I'll fill you in. Let's just say there are people out there that want to see me in Vegas next year!

67XR7

01-18-2017, 04:28 PM

johnnymac46

01-19-2017, 12:26 PM

Mills, Your inbox is full

Beach Cruiser

02-06-2017, 04:58 PM

Winter Update! First off, I took most of the winter off to save money and work on other "Domestic" projects and I took a little R&R to drive down to Dayton for the Rolex 24. But now the Camaro is back in the cross hairs. I picked up the rotating assembly for the new motor today from Va Speed and was talking brakes when they said I have this brand new take off set of C7 Calipers for an insane deal! I asked could I take them back to the house to see if they bolted to my Spindle. Well yes they do! Brake upgrade on the Horizon! I also scored a Dana 44 rear end this week! wow, Karma is being good to me for a change! More to come... Stay tuned!
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/4D9F19E0-4CEB-4F3F-A9E1-622FF84119B4_zpsamxvdogp.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/4D9F19E0-4CEB-4F3F-A9E1-622FF84119B4_zpsamxvdogp.jpg.html)
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/F504C51A-9AAE-465C-8C0B-067C828700B7_zpszfidoe72.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/F504C51A-9AAE-465C-8C0B-067C828700B7_zpszfidoe72.jpg.html)
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/FD6B61DF-BF3A-44D1-B57A-066C69F0649B_zps1hat3nu7.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/FD6B61DF-BF3A-44D1-B57A-066C69F0649B_zps1hat3nu7.jpg.html)
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/34789A64-C7B8-414A-BBB2-9977E177F645_zpsi2zfqjnt.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/34789A64-C7B8-414A-BBB2-9977E177F645_zpsi2zfqjnt.jpg.html)
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/C3E4997C-B37A-4844-B33C-F017FFB70C22_zpsavx17xnm.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/C3E4997C-B37A-4844-B33C-F017FFB70C22_zpsavx17xnm.jpg.html)

samckitt

02-07-2017, 08:20 AM

Just an opinion, but it looks like the caliper is too far outward....?

Beach Cruiser

02-07-2017, 08:51 AM

that's a c5 rotor and yes it's too small. the caliper does clear the wheel, not sure if I can make it work all the interwebs say that it's spaced out too far, still digging through all the info.

Efi69Cam

02-07-2017, 05:33 PM

that's a c5 rotor and yes it's too small. the caliper does clear the wheel, not sure if I can make it work all the interwebs say that it's spaced out too far, still digging through all the info.

C6 Z51 rotors are 13.4" vs 12.8" for the C5/ base C6 if that helps.

sebtarta

02-08-2017, 04:49 AM

Yup, you need the C6 Z51 rotors. I have a set brand new ACDelco if you want them. PM if interested.

Car will stop WAAAAY different with the new brakes. But pads is where it is at though.

Beach Cruiser

02-08-2017, 04:55 AM

These are C7 Calipers bolted on to a C5 spindle, have you actually done the swap?

sebtarta

02-08-2017, 05:05 AM

So sorry, not enough coffee in the system yet. For some reason I read C6 Sport calipers! NO idea how. I have not done that swap on C7 caliper to C5 spindle, but I found this (http://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/c7-general-discussion/3314261-c7-brakes-on-c5-c6-2.html)

Beach Cruiser

02-08-2017, 05:07 AM

yeah, I read that too, not very encouraging

Beach Cruiser

02-08-2017, 03:07 PM

C6 Grandsport Rotor seems to be legit. Caliper fits, wheel fits, looks like pads will work. hmmm... I may be on to a retrofit kit for all the C5/C6 guys!
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/BA4019AB-03CC-4B51-AE65-CB671D7BEC85_zpsk3ocabje.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/BA4019AB-03CC-4B51-AE65-CB671D7BEC85_zpsk3ocabje.jpg.html)

Beach Cruiser

04-14-2017, 05:07 AM

Sorry I haven't posted in a while, I've been really busy on the car since race season started. I took the car to the track the first weekend in March and had a little issue with the Hub. This is before I did any brake swapping, the car was in it's old form with the C5 Brakes. First let me say the car was an absolute beast on the track! Fastest its ever been. According to my GPS and backed up with an RPM calculator I was topping out around 168 mph on the front and back stretches of VIR! That's rolling! The new gear is just a tad steep for VIR as I'm on the rev limiter just before the brake zones on both straights. A 3:33 or similar may be in the works later this summer.

Later in the day I went out for a ridealong and on the 1st lap going into a hard left hander, boom! then I lost steering and brakes and was headed off the track! Thank god it was only about a 45 mph corner! I'll let the pictures tell the story! I'll post up the fix in another update. Spoiler the car is all back together bigger better stronger and I'll be headed to NOLA next weekend for an Optima event.

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/089EB43E-A512-466F-9BC8-BA002B694C37_zpsqvlkehnf.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/089EB43E-A512-466F-9BC8-BA002B694C37_zpsqvlkehnf.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/CF84086A-E76F-4D8E-9CD4-BF128B55799F_zpsl7u1b1kg.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/CF84086A-E76F-4D8E-9CD4-BF128B55799F_zpsl7u1b1kg.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/D623DA34-C8ED-4533-9449-9A8F1A30DDB8_zpsmlsfli5h.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/D623DA34-C8ED-4533-9449-9A8F1A30DDB8_zpsmlsfli5h.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/69CE3FE9-CEBA-4AAF-BA19-A8518825EA80_zpsobyf7btk.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/69CE3FE9-CEBA-4AAF-BA19-A8518825EA80_zpsobyf7btk.jpg.html)

sebtarta

04-14-2017, 06:32 AM

:goggles:

WOW! Glad you and the passenger were ok though. I bet a bit of poo came out as well, lol.

Amazing how things break in the most weird locations, yet I bet a lot of stress has been applied on that section of the hub. Cannot wait for the updates!

Build-It-Break-it

04-14-2017, 03:08 PM

Wow that's scary. Glad your ok Mills. Do you inspect your car front to rear after runs or on your down time at home?

Dave Pratt

04-15-2017, 12:24 AM

Wow is right...glad you're ok! I've really enjoyed your thread on that car.That's a great top end speed to say the least

rickpaw

04-15-2017, 06:34 AM

Wow, glad you're ok.

Really enjoyed your thread. Can't wait to see more updates, and pictures from NOLA.

Beach Cruiser

04-17-2017, 05:11 AM

Thanks for keeping up with me. I post a lot of stuff on my instagram account, you can follow me there for more frequent updates. #beachcruiserracing

WSSix

04-17-2017, 10:12 AM

Add me to the group glad to know you're ok. Glad it hasn't deterred you from going back out there.

bonecrrusher

04-27-2017, 08:35 PM

Thanks for keeping up with me. I post a lot of stuff on my instagram account, you can follow me there for more frequent updates. #beachcruiserracing

Adding you. I'm @ bonecrrusherss on IG.

Beach Cruiser

05-17-2017, 04:08 AM

Updates! Well I pulled the car all the way to NOLA for the second Optima event of the season. That's 20 hours each way! Not fun. I'll write up a recap of that weekend later, here's the fix on the brakes.
Since the both the hub and spindle were broken and I planned to buy 2 hubs and a spindle I looked into upgrading to a C7 spindle and hub assembly. They are almost the same but just a little different. The C7 pieces are much beefier. Plus of this swap was that if I could make it work, then my calipers would bolt right on. So that's what I did! now the whole front is C7 less the control arms. I made up some brackets to hold the calipers on the rear and bolted everything together. I'd like to thank Powerstop Brakes for helping out with the rotors and pads for the swap!

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/8541FA30-F04C-4567-B7DA-E73A82209F72_zpsdokh8iwf.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/8541FA30-F04C-4567-B7DA-E73A82209F72_zpsdokh8iwf.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/6E7BCA1F-0C56-47CB-8FE2-11D9B49F22B5_zpsdpbwwuw9.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/6E7BCA1F-0C56-47CB-8FE2-11D9B49F22B5_zpsdpbwwuw9.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/2C643A81-CAAD-4275-BE4F-9F59A248ECEB_zpsxedznc6g.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/2C643A81-CAAD-4275-BE4F-9F59A248ECEB_zpsxedznc6g.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/6A540D87-4A1B-4DC3-A895-CDA76059C3E4_zpsgk8dqgeg.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/6A540D87-4A1B-4DC3-A895-CDA76059C3E4_zpsgk8dqgeg.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/FA530FFE-3EF4-442D-8190-9AF3D9608FE7_zps2szmxrbg.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/FA530FFE-3EF4-442D-8190-9AF3D9608FE7_zps2szmxrbg.jpg.html)

crestronwizard

05-18-2017, 04:20 AM

Car is awesome. VIR is a short ride for me. Let me know next time you're headed that way, I would like to check it out.

bonecrrusher

05-21-2017, 03:24 AM

I see you ran GS/C6Z rotors on your C5/C6 setup.

Was that the only thing needed to get the C7 brakes on your C6 setup?

Do you think Brembo C7 stuff is better then the C6Z PBR's?

Beach Cruiser

05-23-2017, 04:26 AM

I never actually ran the Z06 rotor with the brembos, but I did mock it up to see if it would work. The only issue I could see without actually using the setup is that the C7 pad hangs just a slight bit over the outside edge of the rotor. This is because the radius it was designed for is different than the radius of the C6 Z06 rotor. but it all fits and bolts together! That's about all I can tell you. I do have some more pictures if you're interested.

Beach Cruiser

06-01-2017, 07:47 AM

Nola update! finally sat down at my desk long enough to type this up. Like I said before I Hauled the car all the way to NOLA so I could get in three Optima Events this year for the points chase. The drive wasn't fun, and the weekend was exhausting. For the first time in D&E all of my lights and streetcar required stuff worked! Horn, dome light, HVAC, wipers and of course all the lights. Score! The new stereo in the car helped with D&E too, and I recorded my highest D&E score to date. Stereo? yep, I put in a thumping mostor stereo thanks to Soundwave Customs here in Va Beach.

Back to NOLA, the veryfirst autocross run my entire exhausts dropped off the headers halfway through! yikes! I'm just glad my wideband O2 wires kept it from coming all the way off and I was able to salvage it. It took about an hour to get the car up on stands and replace the exhaust, so I lost quite a few autox runs. Once back, something didn't sound right and there was a lot of clunking going on in the rear end, I ran a total of 4 runs and during the lunch break I put it back up in the air to check things out. Well, the crossmember that holds the Pinion mount (IRS remember) was broken in two! Its a 3" piece of heavy pipe! broken. No more autox for me that day. Patched it up best we could for the road rally, and I was extra extra gentle on it for the rally portion. Once back to the track we tore into it to remove the crossmember and re weld it back together for Sundays action. Good thing we had a keg because that attracted a lot help! We managed to get it out and one of the other teams stepped up to help us weld it with their portable set. Got it back into the car and finished the keg about 1am sunday!
On Sunday I made sure I got at least one speed stop run in before I hit the open track laps just incase I had any issues in either. Turns out the parking lot welding and extra bracing held up just fine all day on Sunday!
I gave it all she had on the road course and even sprayed a whole bottle of NOS through it, but I just couldn't make up enough ground to take the GTV win home. I was close, and only a few points out, but it's not a win. Still 2nd in GTV is my highest finish yet! and I got to grab some of Falken tire's contingency money! win win!

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/IMG_3922_zpsrjno1vdg.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/IMG_3922_zpsrjno1vdg.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/18076848_1535144683165492_7940981645349958714_o_zp s4mwbdqsj.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/18076848_1535144683165492_7940981645349958714_o_zp s4mwbdqsj.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/2017-optima-event-nola-motorsports-park-009_zpsok1jehgp.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/2017-optima-event-nola-motorsports-park-009_zpsok1jehgp.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/2017-optima-event-nola-motorsports-park-018_zpsg572vtlg.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/2017-optima-event-nola-motorsports-park-018_zpsg572vtlg.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/IMG_3934_zpsyrojdb4r.png (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/IMG_3934_zpsyrojdb4r.png.html)

Spiffav8

06-01-2017, 10:38 AM

After every event it's important to debrief and go over the lessons learned. In this case....Always have beer on hand. Preferably cold.

:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

waynieZ

06-01-2017, 07:17 PM

After every event it's important to debrief and go over the lessons learned. In this case....Always have beer on hand. Preferably cold.

:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

HereHere!! BEER!

Beach Cruiser

06-08-2017, 04:24 AM

Curtis, I just got the invite this weekend for SEMA! how many kegs do I need to stuff in the car for transport? can you keep them cold for me until I get there?

Gscherer78ta

06-08-2017, 05:56 AM

Curtis, I just got the invite this weekend for SEMA! how many kegs do I need to stuff in the car for transport? can you keep them cold for me until I get there?

Congrats on the invite! Great meeting you at NCM and thanks for the beer!!!!

mike343sharpstk

07-17-2017, 12:32 PM

Mills,
Contrats on the invite to SEMA!
I met you last year at NCM, my wife and were parked next to you in the paddock, I had the green AMC Javelin. This is a long-delayed response, but I was just thinking about how much better my car is now, as compared to when I did the Optima event last year.
At NCM I was able to see the work you had done on your car, and what you had designed and built was inspiring. Watching how well it worked got me moving on some ideas I had for my own car. :idea:

In my case there is very little aftermarket support available, I had done some improvements but I learned at the NCM event just how much better I wanted the car to be.
I recently completed a new front suspension on my car, with adjustable coil-overs and tubular control arms.

Thanks and GOOD LUCK!
Mike

waynieZ

07-17-2017, 07:57 PM

Curtis, I just got the invite this weekend for SEMA! how many kegs do I need to stuff in the car for transport? can you keep them cold for me until I get there?

SWEET!! Congratulations. Are you going to tow the car or ship it?

Beach Cruiser

07-18-2017, 05:19 AM

Thanks Mike, Greg, nice meeting you guys too! so many cool people in the hobby! The cool thing about Optima is you get to meet people from all over the country just not your local region.

I haven't been updating this thread like I used to because I can't share pictures anymore from photbucket which kinda makes me mad.

Anyway, At NCM I won the Spirit of the Event award for overcoming some pretty major tow/transportation issues and still making
it to the track to run all weekend. We didn't score that many points but enough to put me in the lead of the points chase for the year end title. I've since lost that lead after the PPIR event, but I expect to get it back in NJ. I doubt it will hold up till the end of the year, but its nice to brag for a little while.

We are making plans now to tow the car to SEMA, I have a local Charity sponsor I'm going to put on the car to raise awareness and money for them, the only question looming is....

Should I paint/wrap the car? or leave it Ratty and beat on like it is? My wife says if I paint it I'm selling out. Opinions?