Beach Cruiser Update

[Beach Cruiser]

Well it's summer and I don't usually get much done when it's warm, but I've made a lot of progress since my last post so I thought I'd share. Front subframe is finally finished and installed in the car along with the motor. The car finally rides on all four wheels for the first time in 4 years! I plan on getting the car back in drivable condition and then flog on it for a while to make sure it's like I want it. Then pull the subframe and motor back out to clean it all up and refresh it, then off to paint. I'll be doing a lot of Auto X and some track days at VIR with it before I determine its worthy of paint. Stay Tuned, I'll post more often now that I'm actually making progress.

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/P1020662.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/P1020663.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/P1020657.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/P1020665.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/P1020659.jpg

[Jr]

Nice progress.

What front sub frame is that? Looks like you are running c5 or c6 uca.

[Beach Cruiser]

It's a C5 frame with a Mustang rack. Built and designed by me in my massive shop (as seen in the background of the last pic)

Lots of Props go out to Matt at AME for some tips, and Rodger at Ironworks for some of my laser cut parts.

Other than the lasercut parts, I built the whole thing with a 4" cutoff wheel and a Home Depot welder! Including the Ebay Vette parts, I have less than a thousand tied up in it.

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

what was it like putting in that vette IRS?

what year did it come out of?

a bitsh?

[Swift]

looks great, do you have any pics of the IRS install?

[GMracer]

nice work, I'm part of the "I cut everything on my frame build with a cutoff wheel" club also :thumbsup:

[Beach Cruiser]

I have lots of Pics of the IRS install, no kit, I did it all myself. Any particular details you want to see? I'll post them in the morning.

[Beach Cruiser]

IRS is from '96 vette, 3:55 posi, and disk brakes. Not too hard to do with basic tools. I had some parts laser cut for me, but I have the templates in DXF format that any shop can cut. I'll try and post some more build Pics tomorrow.

[linkstar69]

Pics, hurdles and any info re the IRS install would be great.

[Beach Cruiser]

Here's some pics of the IRS Install, I made my own "dogbones" and used Vette products Camber and Toe adjustment rods, so every degree is adjustable. From the pics you can see that my front mounts for the trailing arms (dogbones) are also adjustable. I wanted to try and be able to dial out some of the anti squat that these rear ends have, I don't know if it will do any good or not, or if it will even work, but at least it looks cool! the mounts as you see in the pics are set on the stock angles. The other strugle was where to mount the sway bar, the pics are a little difficult to see, but I built a tunnel in the trunk pan and mounted the bar above the gas tank, It worked out real well, and the bar sits perfect on the frame, but changing the bar is going to require me to drop the tank. The car has the DSE mini tubs in it and that makes things fit real easily, especially the front dogbone mounts. If I had to do it all over again, I would probally mount it higher in the car, I can still get the dropped look with it, but it puts the axles on an upward angle.

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/P1010564.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/P1000011.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/P1000693.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/P1000679.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/P1000688.jpg

[XcYZ]

She's hot! :cheers:

[Fluid Power]

I was about ready to post that I couldn't believe nobody had made a comment on the bikini babe!

Darren

[Beach Cruiser]

She's also the same vintage as the Camaro! :cheers:

[Rhino]

Your subframe is exactly what I'm in the midst of planning. It looks as if you're using a fox body mustang rack. Did you have to modify the rack at all or are you running it stock width? Did you have to use any inline reducers to get the 3gpm GM pump to work with the 2gpm Ford rack?
Are you using the stock steering arms from the C5 spindles?
What have you figured your bump steer to be?

Sorry if this is too many questions. I'm happy to see someone else going about this on their own, rather than opening a crate.

[two68s]

I was about ready to post that I couldn't believe nobody had made a comment on the bikini babe!

Darren

Yeah I know, the first reply was "got any pics of the IRS install". Gotta get your priorities straight people. Girls>Cars

[Beach Cruiser]

The rack is from a 92 mustang. Two turns lock to lock on the steering wheel. I havn't plumbed the lines yet, but I suspect I'll have to get my local hose shop to make a custom line for me. I'm no where near that point in the build yet. The bump steer should be pretty minimal from my calcs, but I havn't put the car on the alignment rack yet. AME makes these cool bump steer spacers that effectly lower the Tie rod mount on the spindle, that seemed to fix the issue. The rack is stock I did not mofify it all. Contact Matt at AME for the spacers, they make a kit with the rod ends and all. I plan on taking the car to my local race shop and make sure it's all square and can be aligned properly before I go any farther, as soon as I can borrow a trailer it's on the way. I hung the front fenders on it last week and I'm able to get a 305 18" tire on the front with only a slight amount of rub on the frame at full lock. 315 18's on the back.

[MtotheIKEo]

looks like an awesome project

[Beach Cruiser]

More updates.... I swear this build is going to be longer than Marty's Truck! After a long cold wet winter, I've finally gotten back on my project. I trailered the car to my local shop to check sqaureness and Alignment shortly after the first post. It came in 1/16 of being perfectly square, so I'm happy with how the suspension is turning out. Alignment specs are right where I wanted them, from +1 to -5 camber and Minimal Bump Steer. I pulled the motor and trans back out and am now doing the brake plumbing and smoothing the firewall. All the rear brake lines are done as well as the master cylinder, prop valve and the new Hydraulic Clutch assembly. I cut the old beat up firewall out and I'm going to make a new smoother piece. I'm also going to relief the section behind the motor about 1.5" for additional clearance. (the motor is set back about an 1 from stock) I'm not happy at all with the motor mounts, so I'm going to cut them out and make a new set with 1 3/4 DOM tubing, extending up to the shock mounts for additional support on the suspension.

The last pic shows why I havn't been working on the car as much as I should, I've developed this nasty racing habit that I can't kick...

Sorry to disappoint you guys with the pictures but the Bikini babe is gone, My wife said I couldn't keep her when she moved back in the house this fall.

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/P1030022.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/P1030024.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/P1030026.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/P1030028.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/P1030015.jpg

[ElkyZO6]

Awesome job:thumbsup:

Love the 4th gen WS6 btw, would like to see more on it.:)

[Jim Nilsen]

I just noticed that it was stated that the rear end should have been up higher and I have to say that it is several inches of from the stock ride height angles.

The other thing I noticed is that the square mounts on the top outer mounting bolts are not being used. The way they are supposed to be supported is by the bolcks on the frame and the batwing bolts to the bushings are centered under a load otherwise you will compress the bushing all of the time eventually distorting it and making it loose. Paying close attention to the way the factory did things is very important and some parts are there for a very good reason even though it will work without them for awhile.

There are lots of details that will come up and the solutions are out there but you have to decide if you can afford them or not.

Custom offset wheels will make or break the way you build this and the way it looks or you are stuck with a lot of compromises. $3-$5k worth of wheels can remedy a lot clearance issues.

:cheers:

[Beach Cruiser]

Ok, it's been forever but I'm still building this car. Decided to go over to the LS1 camp and upgrade with new stuff. Here's some picks on the gas tank mods, More to follow

More updates, worked on the fuel tank today, major PIA gotta find 1/4" somewhere to take out the the assembly.

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/P1030557.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/P1030558.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/P1030559.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/P1030560.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/P1030566.jpg

[Beach Cruiser]

Update with Photos!

New clutch is in!
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/P1030520.jpg

All race cars have to have a white drive shaft
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/P1030515.jpg

Brakes are now fully plumbed
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/P1030546.jpg

Fuel pump before
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/P1030542.jpg

And after cutting it down to fit my tank
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/P1030543.jpg

The LS1 Fairy also stopped by yesterday too!
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/P1030551.jpg

That's a tight fit, but clears! 315's on all four corners!
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/P1030555.jpg

[johnnymac46]

It's looking good... if you ever need a hand I'm really good at holding a trouble light(Thanks to my Dad).

[coolwelder62]

Mill's looking good.Will have some this week to bend your sway bar arm's and ship them to you.This traveling has killed me for getting anything done.Scott

[Beach Cruiser]

Summer time is not very good for me to get anything done on this car, seems every time I'm in the driveway Bikini clad girls ride by on thier bikes on the way to the beach! Very distracting! Anyway, made some more progress this weekend dispite the heat.

Finished up the plumbing and installed the tank. For such a small part of the build, sure did take a lot of time and effort. Then again, I could just buy all this stuff and bolt it in, but where's the fun in that?

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/P1030571.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/P1030572.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/P1030574.jpg

Also swapped the LS1 Oil pan for the CTS-V unit, not sure if it will be to low or not till I drop the motor in the chassis, but the donor car needed the F-body pan back.

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/P1030570.jpg

[johnnymac46]

The tank looks good, I liked the subframe as well. I hope that oil pan works for ya.

[Beach Cruiser]

She's Alive again! No pictures, but since I got fuel to the carb I was able to start up the old small block! First time the motor has run in 9 years! I have a regulator problem to solve, but she runs! I'm going to be swapping in the LS motor sometime this fall for fitmit purposes. I've finally collected enough parts to make the motor complete with Accessories, coil packs, starter, flywheel ect.... It's all the little stuff that you need to complete out a longblock that kills ya! Stay tuned!

[Beach Cruiser]

Did a little motor swapping today and found some chassis issues between the SBC and the LS1, no problem, just more time time to fix. Here's the proof... It's a shame to pull a running motor for trial and error!....

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/P1030621.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/P1030625.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/P1030626.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/P1030630.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/P1030631.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/P1030632.jpg

[Beach Cruiser]

Spent all day doing sheet metal work to smooth out and close in the firewall before the motor goes back in. I forgot how tedius that kinda work is. Anyway, got the smoothed firewall "roughed" in. I'll really smooth it out over the winter when the subframe is out of the car. Tomorrow back in goes the LS1.

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/P1030644.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/P1030646.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/P1030647.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/P1030648.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/P1030649.jpg

[Beach Cruiser]

Fogot to post what I did yesterday, Here's the frame mods to move the rack.

I took me almost 5 hours today to move stuff 3/4"! But, I was able to move the rack forward and low enough that I think It will clear with no problems. Tomorrow I'll fill the firewall and hack off those ugly sway bay mounting plates.

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/P1030638.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/P1030637.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/P1030640.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/P1030643.jpg

[Beach Cruiser]

Dropped the LS1 back in the chasis! It fits much better now. Now the chassis can suport an LS1 or a SBC! No mods needed! Anyway, here's the pics. I think I'm done for a while...

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/media/Camaro%20Build/P1030651.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/media/Camaro%20Build/P1030653.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/media/Camaro%20Build/P1030655.jpg

[Beach Cruiser]

After reading through Badmotorfinger's thread, I thouht I'd share a clip from my 377 running right before I pulled it out. I built this motor in 1986 and it still purr's!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=MVFgb1UG4L0

[Beach Cruiser]

I'm on the cheap so I grabbed a set of OBX headers off of a wrecked 4th gen. Spent a little time moving a tube or two and corrected the angle issue on the drivers side and Viola! Custom headers that fit my 1st gen home made chassis. Here's what I did.

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/media/Camaro%20Build/P1030661.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/P1030659.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/P1030660.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/P1030666.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/P1030664.jpg

[Spiffav8]

You're making some good progress. Keep at it!

:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[daemon2]

Did you make the lower coilovers mounts on your IRS, or are they available online?

[Beach Cruiser]

No Kit on the rear, I made all of it.

[Beach Cruiser]

I've made everything on this car, most of it with a 4" cut off wheel. I had bracket parts laser cut for me from an autocad sketch that I did. If you read through this entire post you'll see where I commented about moving the IRS up in the chassis, that happened in the gap in the posts from '09-'10. I moved it up about an inch and a half. I like the way it sits much better now. I'm really getting the itch to drive this car in the spring so I'm trying to surge ahead on it this winter. Plan to pull the front sub and get it powdercoated over the winter while I finish the firewall. I still have lots of wiring to do, but the Brakes, Clutch and fuel are all plumbed. Still need to plumb the powersteering.

[Beach Cruiser]

Started to the wireing on the LS, not decided yet where to mount the PCM. May bolt it behind the inner fender or inside under the dash, not sure yet. Also spent way to much time fabricating these "flanges" that I'll weld into the firewall to suport the front subframe downbars. No machine shop here, just a bunch of hole saws and a drill press, but I think they turned out ok. Here's some pics...

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/P1030672.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/P1030680.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/P1030686.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/P1030688.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/P1030689.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/P1030684.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/P1030683.jpg

[Beach Cruiser]

Spent the last week tracing out and marking wires (just to be sure) and removing what I don't need from the engine harness. Wasn't too bad, just time consuming. Now I've moved on to the power distribution blocks that will supply power to all the components under the hood. Most people just buy relays and make some homemade bus, but I had all the panels and the wires so I thought I'd try and see if I can make it work for a cleaner install. I think I'm going to mount the PCM in the center of the dash where the old dask speaker would have been and bring the harness out through the trans tunnel above the bell housing, should hide almost all the wires. I'll mount the fuse boxes in the same location as the 4th gens, and tuck the wires up into the fender and through the firewall which should also be hidden. Here's some pics!

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/P1030693.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/P1030692.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/P1030691.jpg

For all you mechanical guys, the new custom bent sway bar arms came in yesterday, after the wires are done, I'll pull the front sheet metal and mount the sway bar (hopefully for the last time!)
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/P1030694.jpg

[coolwelder62]

There is no way I would try and figure out all that LS wiring on mine own.Man you are brave.:thumbsup:

[Beach Cruiser]

Some more updates, been working on the car a lot, but little things seem to take forever! I think I'm done with most of the wires, and I mounted the ecm under the dash like I mentioned previously. It turned out pretty clean, almost all of the wires are hidden exept the injector wires. Scored some nice fuel rails in exchange for some parts I didn't need, so I added some more bling to the top of the engine, I'm hoping to fire it up in a few weeks. Also sent my Power Steering pump off to Turn One to get reworked and the flow rates adjusted for the AGR (mustang) Rack that will be going in. My local hose shop made me some lines for the clutch and PS. Hopefully this weekend I'll pully the tranny out and install the new RAM slave cylinder that works with the T10 I'm running. Inch by Inch I'm getting there, but it takes Forever!

DISCLAIMER! All the front sheet metal is getting replaced after the mock up session is over, so no comments about the rust please! :)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/media/Camaro%20Build/P1030720.jpg

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/P1030701.jpg

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/P1030698.jpg

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/P1030719.jpg

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/P1030721.jpg

[boostin05blacks]

Looks great man. I love this kind of build, a man that makes the best of what he has and gets the job done. Thats skill. Keep it up man it will get there..cant wait to see it finished:thumbsup:

[BBC71Nova]

Did you buy or make those rollbar pieces at the firewall?

[Beach Cruiser]

Made them, see page 4

[daemon2]

Where did you have the custom bent swaybar ends done?

[coolwelder62]

Lookin good.:thumbsup:

[Beach Cruiser]

I got them from coolwelder62 in the post above. It's what he uses on his subframes, I made mine to be similar.

[johnnymac46]

Looking good, Its coming along nicely since the last time I saw it. Maybe it will be hitting the road when I get home again.

[Beach Cruiser]

John, Hit me up when you get back I'll buy you a couple of beers! I'm shooting for some shakedown runs sometime this spring. Not too much to go before I can tow it to the autox and thrash on it. Only big money left is a steering rack (and front end sheet metal) the rest is just little odds and ends. Still havn't fired the motor but I know it ran from the donor car, so I'm crossing my fingers that I didn't screw up any of the wires! I pulled a ton out of the factory harness. Gotta finish off the clutch hydraulics and mount the sway bar still.

[Beach Cruiser]

More updates from today! wow, I'm turning into a post whore! must mean I'm actually making progress. My friend let me "store" his plasma cutter in my garage because he hardly ever uses it. So I took the chance to cut out some brackets to mount my sway bar today. No new steel here, just some random part of a computer rack that I brought home from work.
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/P1030723.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/P1030724.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/P1030725.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/P1030726.jpg

[Beach Cruiser]

More progress last weekend, finished up the sway bar, and pulled the tranny out so I could get the new hydraulic slave in. Also mounted the clutch and new smaller brake master. Now I have clearance for my front down bar on the drivers side. Just about talked into throwing a cam in it while I have access to the front of the motor and the balancer is off. Any suggestions? Magic Stick 3? TR228r? EPS cam?

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/P1030731.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/P1030728.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/P1030729.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/P1030727.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/P1030732.jpg

[waynieZ]

I just went through your whole thread. Awesome job.

[Beach Cruiser]

Thanks for the compliment! I'm pushing hard to get this car on the track sometime this year. I'm not too far off, but its all the little things. I need front sheet metal still and that's $$$$ Anyone want to sponsor me? I'll plaster your name all over the car and post on every forum I can think of!

[Beach Cruiser]

Put her new shoes on today and put her back on the ground!
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/IMG_00721.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/IMG_00771.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/IMG_00742.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/IMG_00751.jpg

[waynieZ]

It looks good with those big sneakers back there.

[Beach Cruiser]

Not to much progress on the Camaro lately, been getting the WS6 ready for Racing and Auto X season, She's all done and I'll be back on the Camaro this weekend I hope, Here's a pic from last weekend at VIR to keep this thread alive for now. The second picture is both me and my son on the track together, he has a race prepped Honda Accord.
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/VIR12/IMG_0908.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/VIR12/IMG_2379.jpg

[Track Junky]

So whose and what rate and size front sway bar did you go with? Also need arm length. Thanks.

[Beach Cruiser]

It's a speedway engineering front splined bar, it's 1-1/4 Dia, and it's the thinest wall they make in that size. Arms are also Speedway Engineering, custom bent to CoolWelders Specs (he bent them for me)

[Track Junky]

Whats the rate and what size arms. Been thinking about a top mount sway bar for more travel and I'm getting rates all over the map from DSE(1529 lb/in), Global West(1259 lb/in), Hotchkis(750 lb/in), Hellwig(720 lb/in). How did you go about choosing what rate to go with? The Speedway 42"x1 1/4" solid bar with a 10" arm is rated at 498 lbs/in so with the rates given above I'm not sure where to start.

[Beach Cruiser]

I leaned on a lot of other people and thier opinions. I chose the softest bar in 1 1/4 to start with. Once it's all put together its pretty easy and not to expensive to swap out the bar if all the other componets are there. I havn't driven it yet, so it's and educated shot in the dark! But you gotta start somewhere. Here's a link to speedways Chart http://www.1speedway.com/swaybar42.htm
When I get home I'll measure the length, I don't remember it off the top of my head.

[Track Junky]

Thanks, been to their site and talked to their people several times. My guestimate was 450 lb sway bar rate with 700 lb springs but when I called the manufacterer of my existing sway bar rate that blew my theory to **** so I decided to recess my sway bar into the bottom of the frame.

Looking forward to seeing that thing on the road.

[Beach Cruiser]

OK, finally updates! Spent the last month working on the WS6 and Racing, but now I'm back on the 1st Gen. Ordered my cam, went back and forth a lot on what to order, but talked to a lot of people and got the biggest one that I thought would live under road racing conditions. Comp, 227/235 0.614/0.621 on 113, going with Patriot 0.650 double springs with a new chain and ported Ls6 oil pump.

Made some cool brackets to hold the coil paks, Pictures to follow as soon as I get Batteries for my camara. Mounted them on the lower frame, and I'll run the wires up the side of the block under the headers. Biggest pain was re-doing the wire harness for the coils, (there's a lot of wires going to each pak!)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/cam.jpg

Also got my MSD wires, I think they are a little longer than normal LS1 wires! Nice set though, comes with spark plug boots on both ends, and you cut the end you dont want to use and add the coil side. I'll be working on the routing. Also got the LS6 vally cover on and will be starting on the spring install soon, then in goes the cam.

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/wires.jpg

The new racing season is getting in the way of my build, should have never convinced my son to build a racecar! It means I have to do a lot of the work! Check out this cool cage we built for his Honda Accord Racecar. (yes, I put Honda Accord and Racecar in the same sentence! LOL, but it's fast!)

Funny, 20 years ago I was putting a car seat in the back of an accord to keep him safe, now this... Who Knew?

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/greencage.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/accord.jpg

[Mrfixit]

I love this mod. Like you, I've got more time than money so I'm willing to tackle something like this fuel take project. What did the fuel module come from? Any tips you can pass along?
:thumbsup:
Ok, it's been forever but I'm still building this car. Decided to go over to the LS1 camp and upgrade with new stuff. Here's some picks on the gas tank mods, More to follow

More updates, worked on the fuel tank today, major PIA gotta find 1/4" somewhere to take out the the assembly.

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/P1030557.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/P1030558.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/P1030559.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/P1030560.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/P1030566.jpg

[Beach Cruiser]

Fuel pump assembly is from a 99-2002 F-body. Tips? after I welded it all up, I etched the inside and coated it with some sort of resin, but I'm not sure what it is. There are companies that sell a fuel tank restore kit and that's what I used. Coating will seal any pit holes that you missed on the weld. Good Luck! it's tedious cutting down the pump, but it will fit you just have to be clever about it. Get the whole tank so you can cut out the locking ring. Tanks are plastic, so cut it out and then use a wire wheel or something to get down to the metal.

[Mrfixit]

That's awesome. I'm on the hunt for one now. I may be asking more questions about it soon. Thanks again.

[Beach Cruiser]

Updates from the weekend, some good, some bad...

Spent saturday woriking on the coilpaks and doing the wires, man that stuff takes a while to do! Here's the result.

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/wires2.jpg

Then on Sunday when I went to put the springs on the heads for the cam swap I ran into a snafu... After I did the # 1 cylinder and moved to #2, I applied air into the spark plug hole to hold up the valves and there was a mad gush of air out of the intake port. Gut feeling tells me there is a burnt valve or some other issue with the valve seals. So... I decided to pull the heads to be on the safe side. Not really what I wanted to do but was the safe way to go. I did go ahead and do the cam, oil pump and chain swap. But what to do with the heads? Do I port and redo the 241's or try to find some 243's on the cheap and go with those. Either way I need replace the springs for the new cam.

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/block.jpg

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/241heads.jpg

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/frontcover.jpg

[Beach Cruiser]

Pulled the offending valve out today and this is what I found.
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/valve.jpg
It wiped right off with a rag! Now I'm really torn on what to do. I have both heads off, do I have them redone and put them back on? Do I put them back together as is and go on the cheap? Do I port them? Do I look for some 243's? Decisions, decisions...

Stay tuned!

[Track Junky]

No shop, No money, No time.......no problem, :lol:

Just kidding bro. If it were me I would talk to some LS guru's and see what best combination will suit your needs. I wouldn't rush anything......you dont want to do this work twice.
In the mean time you still have a race car to play with so you wont have to worry about waiting for a car to be completed to treat your track jones. :thumbsup:

[Beach Cruiser]

Decided to port the 241's and be done with it. Most people on the LS forums say that good ported 241's will flow better than stock 243's so that's fine with me. Nothing but time on my side to lose. Should come out to about 410-420 Hp according to the Benchtop Dyno. Next track day for me is not till VIR in July anyway. I only have 3 more child support payments to make so perhaps the updates will get more frequent!

[Beach Cruiser]

Free at Last! Free at Last! Court ruled I'm done with mandated payments! Now I can give my kids what they need, not what thier Momma needs! Hurray! :cheers: :woot:

New updates! Decided to go ahead and port the 241's and get a good valve job and new seals, may deck them a bit if there's clearance after I check PTV clearance. Not sure on that yet. Here's the first round of the rough port job, haven't cleaned them all up yet, just grinding away at the moment. Cycle is, do one chamber, open a beer and drink it while the compressor catches up, then do another chamber, then another beer. Well, there's a point where I have to quit for the day...
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/241heads1.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/241exhaust.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/241intake.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/241chamber.jpg

[pw2006]

This build is great! :cheers:

[Beach Cruiser]

Heads are finnally back from the Head Shop! If I only had my gaskets that I special ordered I'd be set! This has got to be the longest cam swap on record! 8 weeks and counting... Heads look good, head shop did a nice job as always.

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/Heads.jpg

[Beach Cruiser]

Summers in full swing here, it's too hot in the garage to actually get anything done and most of my time and money are directed toward the boat and the local beach bars but I have made some progress and collected a few parts. Waiting on the LS7 lifters to show up next week then perhaps I can put the top end back together. Here's a few teaser pics of the parts.

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/IMG_04471.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/IMG_03851.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/Fluidamper2.jpg

Here's a pic of my Chevy powered "stable"
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/IMG_04371.jpg

It's also Racing season, here's a shot of my son's (Honda) and my WS6 at VIR in July. We both made it to HPDE3 now. One more level before we can get our comp licenses! :woot:

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/VIR_July10.jpg

[Beach Cruiser]

Things have been a little rocky around the Robinson house for the last month so progress has been stalled. I did get back into the garage some this week and made some progress.

LS7 Lifters soaking up some oil,
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/Lifters.jpg
Lifters and LS2 trays installed, and finally decided to upgrade to head studs after ordering the wrong head bolts.
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/Studs2.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/Studs.jpg
I put the rest of the motor back together last night, but I don't have any pictures yet. Tonight I'm going to check pushrod length and tidy up a few more loose ends. Should be ready to attempt to start soon. Hopefully I did my wiring right!

[johnnymac46]

It's lookin good I cant wait to stop by and see the progress.

[Beach Cruiser]

Finally got the rest of the engine back together. New pushrods and all! I ordered a complete updated body wiring harness From AAW that I will be installing and integrating the computer and relay box harnesses into. That will be my big fall project and then hopefully she'll be able to drive around the block at least. I still do have a rather large punch list of little stuff that needs to be done, but the body harness was the last "big ticket" item for a while. Jonnymac46 just got all new sheet metal for the front of his 68, so I'm gonna take his leftovers and put on my car for at least the shake down period. My sheetmetal is beyond any type of repair. Here's a pic of the motor together.

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/Engine.jpg

I'm gonna take a few weeks off on the Camaro to get the Firebird ready for VIR on Oct 13-14. Got a punch list on her too! On top of that is the new rod knock in the boat, will it ever end? At least boat season is just about over. :(

[Beach Cruiser]

Got some more stuff in the mail last week, guess you guys know what I'll be up to this weekend.

Wrong, watching Hokie football and Racing! LOL! I gotta get my priorities sorted out!

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/null-13.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/null-14.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/null-12.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/null-11.jpg

Also had some window stickers made, I have some if anyone wants one.

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/null-7.jpg

[Beach Cruiser]

Just got this in today! It should really light up my new wiring harness!
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/null-19.jpg
Here's the new fuse panel installed in the car
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/null-20.jpg

[Beach Cruiser]

Ok, I'm finishing up the swap in my 67 Camaro and I'm having some trouble keeping it running. Then engine fires right up and the idle attempts to adjust then it dies after 5-7 seconds. Almost like I turned off the key. It will do this over and over again but won't stay running. Could it be the VATS? I pulled all that wiring out of the harness and grounded the yellow/black wire thinking that would bypass it, is that the right approach? Should I have the VATS programmed out of the ECU? Not sure where to start with this one, this is my first LS swap. I'm just glad it fired up on the first attempt! Drinking my beer now waiting for help from you guys! :hail:

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/null-34.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/null-31.jpg

[seancarole]

Looking good man. Ya need to delete the vats not sure off hand on those wires. WWW.LT1SWAP.COM
You'll be drifting the neighborhood soon.

[Beach Cruiser]

She's Alive! Here's a few teaser video's I'm going to try and get some more stuff done tomorrow in the light.

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/th_77E74C59-D04C-4CAD-BB5C-FB6E9114F42C-7856-000008737B7277D3.jpg (http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/77E74C59-D04C-4CAD-BB5C-FB6E9114F42C-7856-000008737B7277D3.mp4)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/th_C39360D7-4D77-48B7-9B15-FEBA48B86FE2-7856-000008734EF30451.jpg (http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/C39360D7-4D77-48B7-9B15-FEBA48B86FE2-7856-000008734EF30451.mp4)

[samckitt]

Nice. What did you figure out was the reason it kept dieing after starting?

[Beach Cruiser]

I had it bench tuned and the VATS disabled.

[Track Junky]

Glad to hear you got it figured out. Looking forward to seeing it on the road course. :thumbsup:

[Beach Cruiser]

Hopefully next season I'll get it out. I'm headed to Road Atlanta this weekend, only doing a Hyperdrive because I'll be in a "Hertz" special and I've never driven RA before. NASA southeast has a class that I want to run in called Outlaw Vintage, I'm hoping to meet a few of the guys while I'm down there and possibly start something like that in the Mid Atlantic region. The rules are simple, 4 classes for power to weight ratio, car must be 30 years or older, and the drivetrain must be the same manufacturer as the car, ie. no LS1 powered Datsan 240's. LS9 powered 1st camaros are welcome though!

[Beach Cruiser]

Went for a Sunday Drive! well, sorta... Drove it out of the the garage under its own power for the first time in 9 years! Need to adjust the front end alignment (I guess suspension hanging on jackstand eyeball alignment isnt' that accurate) But the brakes worked! the Clutch worked! and the engine worked! Still don't have a gas pedal and linkage hooked up, so I had to move her under idle, but still better than pushing! Here's a video of it outside in the daylight!

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/th_907F22F9-B8C5-426D-B2B5-24960756DDDE-1254-00000193DD33EF24.jpg (http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/907F22F9-B8C5-426D-B2B5-24960756DDDE-1254-00000193DD33EF24.mp4)

[windycitychev]

Well it's summer and I don't usually get much done when it's warm, but I've made a lot of progress since my last post so I thought I'd share. Front subframe is finally finished and installed in the car along with the motor. The car finally rides on all four wheels for the first time in 4 years! I plan on getting the car back in drivable condition and then flog on it for a while to make sure it's like I want it. Then pull the subframe and motor back out to clean it all up and refresh it, then off to paint. I'll be doing a lot of Auto X and some track days at VIR with it before I determine its worthy of paint. Stay Tuned, I'll post more often now that I'm actually making progress.

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/P1020662.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/P1020663.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/P1020657.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/P1020665.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/P1020659.jpg

What are the dimensions of the rear exhaust openings on the rear looks sweet

[Beach Cruiser]

They are the pockets for the Rally sport back up lights, not exhaust ports. Would be cool if it exited there, but the gas tank is in the way,

[Beach Cruiser]

hooked up some gauges today so I can monitor the car from inside. Tach, oil press, and voltage is working great! need to get an adaptor to get a good water temp reading, but for now I can read it from the diablo sport. Making progress, one day at a time!

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/591D44F1-472A-4B69-9381-6AFC33086639-2728-0000040A575E01D8.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/88BA167A-D34D-4D7A-AF87-ED562336E8C8-2728-0000040A527DD142.jpg
Disclaimer... Car is not running in this photo!

[Beach Cruiser]

got some new sheetmetal yesterday to try and get the radiator support figured out. More parts on the way from the brown truck Santa, but heres the start of the Christmas break rush.

Who knew? buying a part for an American car, that was built in Asia would take some American engineering to make American made parts to fit it into an American car?
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/11472DF2-5D24-4FFB-8213-24E1B46515F7-5215-00000777B2E7145A.jpg

Installed and ready to mock up the intake ducting,
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/437958E2-AA82-4B35-98DC-CD7D7525FCA7-4403-000006255E1D9037.jpg

picked up a radiator support from the junkyard that I think might work, it's from a 6 cyl Camaro.

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/95D2EC1B-7506-4EEF-B339-D15F765CAF86-5215-00000777BFB191CB.jpg

Raditor support with my SLP lid installed, getting closer. I need to drop the Radiator about an Inch to make it perfect but I'm getting closer!

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/DCFF7E9E-244A-4C5E-9F68-3DD693C63201-5215-00000777C70FA6ED.jpg

[Track Junky]

Lookin' good dude. Glad to see some more forward progress. :thumbsup:

[Beach Cruiser]

My wife got me a billet gas pedal and cable assembly! Maybe I'll be driving around the block tomorrow! http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/A4D146B9-2616-4941-A09A-B25BB584DFD3-1065-000001D707314044.jpg

[WSSix]

Cool! That would be a merry Christmas present

[DETON8R]

got some new sheetmetal yesterday to try and get the radiator support figured out. More parts on the way from the brown truck Santa, but heres the start of the Christmas break rush.

Who knew? buying a part for an American car, that was built in Asia would take some American engineering to make American made parts to fit it into an American car?
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/11472DF2-5D24-4FFB-8213-24E1B46515F7-5215-00000777B2E7145A.jpg

Installed and ready to mock up the intake ducting,
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/437958E2-AA82-4B35-98DC-CD7D7525FCA7-4403-000006255E1D9037.jpg

picked up a radiator support from the junkyard that I think might work, it's from a 6 cyl Camaro.

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/95D2EC1B-7506-4EEF-B339-D15F765CAF86-5215-00000777BFB191CB.jpg

Raditor support with my SLP lid installed, getting closer. I need to drop the Radiator about an Inch to make it perfect but I'm getting closer!

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/DCFF7E9E-244A-4C5E-9F68-3DD693C63201-5215-00000777C70FA6ED.jpg

I'm wrestling with the same set up for my intake set up for my 69. I had resigned myself to mounting the 4th Gen F-body LS1 radiator without using the SLP air box, however if you have an elegant solution, I'd consider using it.

When I was planning to somehow make the 1st gen/4th gen work, I was going to cut the lower radiator cradle sheet metal out of the 4th gen, and attach it to the 1st gen, then rework the sheet metal on the upper core support to mount the lower air box and make it work with the radiator canted. Hope that makes sense, after thinking about it, I just figured it was a ton of work and unnecessary extra weight, so I decided to take another route.

Current plan is to mount the radiator with no angle, and mount it flush against the 1st gen core support. I have aluminum brackets and will hold the radiator at the 4 points where the core/tank seams meet. Unfortunately that means I have to ditch the SLP air box set up, and buy something else.

[Beach Cruiser]

Finally finished up my Radiator support and Ram Air mod for the car. Looks really good in my opinion, but I have to build some block off plates on the sides to fill in the gap to force all the air into the radiator.
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/140F2C31-632F-4FFE-B17F-D03EE4D01A18-1828-0000048CBAFF2D2F.jpg

I drove the car around my nieghborhood for the first time in 9 years, so I figured I should make it legal to do so again!
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/8D4BE7FE-5292-4B45-9335-A6FDF1C78143-1828-0000046E74D80058.jpg

Ordered new front end sheetmetal over the holidays so the next post or so should show make the car look a little better! I've also been distracted by rebuilding the motor in my boat that spun a bearing in Sept, but that's done and hopefully back in the boat and out of my massive racecar manufacturing facility this weekend!
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/043D790C-044A-4AE1-9824-79078F605D13-1718-0000031D0638B93C.jpg

But the biggest news of all is that My oldest Son just left for college to UNC Charlotte and this is his new garage! I'm so proud of him!:woot:
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/FBFAC1F4-C572-4028-8029-4566A14CC50B-1718-0000031CFB7D9E9B.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/69376F2F-8EBD-4094-9763-7CB9DD631B59-1928-00000365284376C3.jpg

[Track Junky]

Congrats for your son. :thumbsup:

Looks like the Camaro is coming along. I would probably lose that upper radiator mount and just fab up a new set up kind of like the Penske/Donahue '69. They had the radiator raked just like yours is.

[Beach Cruiser]

I went with that setup so I wouldn't have to build anything, I'm getting tired of building stuff! do you have any links to the car you're refering to?

[Track Junky]

This is a great link and has lots of detailed photos. I've spent alot of time checking these out.

http://www.canepa.com/inventory/racecar_1/Penske%20Camaro/index.html

[B Schein]

I spent a lot of time in that motor sports lab building formula cars. Is luke still running the shop

[Beach Cruiser]

Ok, the boat is now done and out of my driveway and garage so I made some more progress on the car. I started working on the exhaust system. With the Open headers the O2's are reading funky and its dumping fuel. My tuner told me to put exhaust on it before we put it on the dyno. It looks a little ghetto, but it fits really nice. I need to weld it all up and make it look a little better, perhaps with some 2000 deg paint after it's welded. I don't think it turned out too bad considering it's a mix of old cut up stuff that I did laying on my back on the concrete floor.

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/7E6BFC29-04B5-4B39-9F26-1C42C8CD5ABA-1300-00000281594448E1.jpg

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/426047A3-2C65-4440-8E70-AD6D04DFF868-1300-00000280FA49FF92.jpg

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/0537C24E-02AE-4479-B8D5-4805D4A8A108-1300-00000280FFCBA1FF.jpg

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/D2018FD8-52C8-4421-B00E-4FDD7EC71E04-1300-0000028104A57A1A.jpg

[Beach Cruiser]

ok since it's nice outside, I decided to switch gears and work on some sheet metal to get ready for the new front sheet metal to arrive, also have the day off tomorrow to finish up some of this stuff. I also spent the weekend fixing stuff that was already broken on a car I have yet to drive other than around the block! Water pump replaced, check. Rear seal on the transmission replaced, check. Removed Driver side head to get the flange milled to get rid of massive header leak, Check. Exhaust all mocked up and built, check.

Here's some pics of the sheetmetal work today. I had to enlarge the inner fender openings to clear the corvette a arms with the new frame design. Tomorrow, I'll do the other side.

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/1605BE30-08F5-4B0B-98CE-7EE2744B1D36-1419-000001967F10034D.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/1D263555-843E-4514-9FF5-8AE7B8523C67-1419-000001968B82D293.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/02B7E8BF-9AAE-45C1-AEC8-90B2B8BDF4F2-1419-00000196904E3383.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/01C1DDF5-C92A-4913-AF04-37574015861A-1419-0000019694AA4A6D.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/BA8E4D5C-30B7-45C4-B53B-32A5D6C489E6-1419-0000019699415A08.jpg

[Beach Cruiser]

Optima Ulimate Street car challange qualifiers announced today! Please Please somebody sponsor me and help me get to the event at CMP with DSE! My car is so close to being ready to flog! As you guys all know it's completly home built in my massive racecar manufacturing facility (10x20) attached to my house. I just need some incentives to get it over the line (or convince my wife to let me work on it more) and a few parts. Here's the list off the top of my head that's on the car, it's not big because I made most of what I needed myself!

DSE, Yes there's DSE parts on my car
AAW, great stuff!
QA1, also great stuff
Chevrolet, gotta hope for the big money!
Ricks 1st Gen Camaro parts
MSD
Comp Cams
Hawk Brake Pads
Inline Tube
Lokar products
Speedway Motors
Summit Racing
Tires (TBD) can't run Hoosier A6's at OUSCC
Wheels, Did I mention GM AKA Chevrolet?

What I need still?
Gauges, Tires, Lubricants, Brake pads, Roll cage, Safety Equipment (Harness, Fire equip ect..)

My qualifications?
I'm the VA State Auto X champ in ESP (in my WS6) Multiple champ in ESP in my local club, I'm running HPDE3 with NASA in my WS6. I've run VIR and RA, but not CMP yet. I'm a Mechanical Engineer and I built the car entirely by myself with no shop, time or money? Does that help?

Ok, Enough of the grovoling (sp?) Here's what I did on monday my day off.

Since I had the fender off, I decided to finish up the mocked up front downbars and get it ready for the new front sheet metal.
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/43FA968C-6545-4F4A-A35C-CD316079F6C4-1419-0000019685642CE0.jpg
after some welding time and more grinding time this is where I ended up.
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/AD89816A-9E24-4603-8ED7-8BA31F3D7EB1-2788-000003A31A1AC594.jpg

I'm expecting a few parts I need while the car is up on the stands this week, then I'll put it on the ground and turn it around so I can do the other side to prepare for the new front sheet metal.

If the Braille Battery disqualifies me, I'll add an Optima!

[Beach Cruiser]

It Ain't perfect, but it's good enough for now till I pull the front clip next winter. Cleaned up the frame too, gonna shoot some rattle can paint on it and call it a day. Also added some brake ducts in the frame that will use the frame rails for the ducting from the front end. Way more work than what it looks like in the pictures!

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/0DBFA3C1-44B8-4FCF-B98F-E7BAE5BE6927-4269-000006A3DCA28E1D.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/41AE150B-2CEF-4D76-A56E-4FA90ABFD090-4655-000006C820296D82.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/6AB1E147-0518-4A18-BBE2-CF647349DF83-4655-000006C823EEB323.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/FB6015C4-B4FB-4753-AEFD-7E7F748A69C7-4269-000006A3D5FF055D.jpg

[Track Junky]

Hey, does Braille sell that mount or did you make it?

[WSSix]

Coming along nicely! Good luck getting it ready for spring.

[Beach Cruiser]

Braille sells it, they have a mount to fit each size of thier Batterys. So far this little batt has been good, lots of cold cranking on it and it's never waivered.

[Track Junky]

Cool, thanks......hope it lasts trying to crank 14:1.

[Beach Cruiser]

Todays progress, a little rattle can paint goes a long way!

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/119124DF-9723-4841-8DC9-AEF1AE385988-6116-00000A14BADFC994.jpg

[Beach Cruiser]

finished up the other inner fender over the weekend
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/F759D26B-DCDE-474B-9A6D-BA8ADF4BF2CE-8918-00000CE2DC25BA7A_zps48c0d8f1.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/3F98110C-5BEA-424A-AA4E-135235A2E73B-8918-00000CE2D412FFB0_zpsbba803ed.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/B4C0DEE4-9C70-488E-B368-CEF941D377E7-8918-00000CE10698A4B1_zps84cccdcb.jpg

Picked up the new sheet metal today! SO nice to be able to bolt on something that I don't need to sand/fix/make/alter ect...

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/181EF227-5F66-4D83-A8DA-DC9F81F02D78-8918-00000CE0FACF38A4_zps0f3361ad.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/86DD88D8-35DC-43A9-A619-F4872DDA2323-8918-00000CE0F6A1F3EE_zps874bf564.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/B03842BA-87B0-4BD9-876A-7BA61E53AFD5-8918-00000CE0F0CD1581_zpsb466f88e.jpg

[waynieZ]

Nice job on the wheel wells.

[Beach Cruiser]

Picked up some of the stuff I had Painted and Powdercoated today! Ready for a big assembly weekend and the Dyno day on Wed!
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/266F8FBD-8DEC-4DA9-9733-9F2BF5C3730A-4608-000006556ECC5BF3_zpsd7184cf3.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/0C1A6B11-52FB-47CC-8AE4-7D3FF8D37486-4608-0000065ACE26170C_zps39d489d6.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/F91DFEFC-783A-432B-8ABC-A447AA0BFF93-4608-0000065AC64E5824_zps74541eb0.jpg
painted the under side of the wheel wells with Undercoating
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/40AE3A21-24BB-430F-BF92-0A4C5BDC3364-4608-0000065ABC3C7E0A_zps3bd3305f.jpg
Got the sway bar mounts drilled and painted ready to go back on the carhttp://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/3E1AA806-5B4F-4F6A-9DA9-2FE5A6593D33-4608-0000065AB2D3E5BB_zps57ba8c48.jpg

[Track Junky]

Looking good!! Cant wait to see those dyno numbers. Any idea on what your weighing in at?

[Beach Cruiser]

I'm going to try and corner wieght it Monday before it goes to the shop. It needs a full four wheel alignment before hitting the dyno. I want it at ride height when they align it. I'm guessing about 3000-3100? It's gutted, and the whole drivetrain is Aluminum except the driveshaft. The wishful thinking benchtop dyno says 415 HP. We'll see...
I'm having a weekend long racecar build party through monday if anyone wants to fly in and lend a hand! I'll even put you up in an oceanfront hotel room! LOL
Maybe we should start a thread for garage built cars built alone! I'm going to get a banner to hang in my garage that says "Tony Stark built one in a cave!" seems to be my motto.

[johnnymac46]

went over and helped hang the front sheet metal today, took a little walk around video

http://youtu.be/Y28XnzSB3Xs

I dont know how to embed the video so only a link for now

[Track Junky]

Sweet. Get that puppy aligned and dynoed. Cant weight to hear how that independent rear feels on the track. :thumbsup:

[Beach Cruiser]

Man it was nice to finally have some help! Several of my local F-body friends came over today to help with the assembley. Without them, there is no way I would have gotten this much work done!
Pulled all the extra body parts out of my shed and discovered a family of squirels have been living inside my doors!
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/19720FD2-4FE4-4E10-B768-DB8EF8D9DFE9-9253-00000972CEF7F796_zps48795b67.jpg
parts layed out and ready
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/DBE28DDD-7FA6-4FAC-BC20-7AFF23F2FA9F-9253-00000972D5B69916_zps7e657cb1.jpg
hanging the door
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/37F9858A-3380-4774-B2C1-65C3144D69FF-9253-00000972DC9B75B5_zpsdb4f921a.jpg
Inner fender on!
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/33A511F4-A6F5-4B6F-86D8-701DF5A0A136-9253-00000972F2417289_zps565c26ae.jpg
Mostly done
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/3034F6A4-80BF-4701-B1F8-46A6C349F94E-9253-000009730D29282A_zps8f709d09.jpg
looks like a car again!
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/F24EBA57-761D-4118-9901-675316397EDB-9253-000009731239721A_zps50f9188b.jpg
After some pulling and tweaking, and the customery cussing, It all came together rather nicely.
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/2FF22F22-8FCB-40E6-848F-54BF738DC0FB-9253-00000973EC7131C1_zps3100625b.jpg

[Beach Cruiser]

Found this picture in the camera and it really shows how much tire I have under this thing.
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/24675CC2-8288-4F48-90CE-B20ACF4C787D-9253-00000972E33447AC_zps373e4e0f.jpg

[Spiffav8]

Found this picture in the camera and it really shows how much tire I have under this thing.
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/24675CC2-8288-4F48-90CE-B20ACF4C787D-9253-00000972E33447AC_zps373e4e0f.jpg

You need to get better help. That guy in the background is Lazy! :lol:

[WSSix]

That's a lot of tire! Congrats on it looking like a car again.

[johnnymac46]

You need to get better help. That guy in the background is Lazy! :lol:

Rude......real rude

[Spiffav8]

Rude......real rude

Awww....what's the matter. Need a hug?

[johnnymac46]

Awww....what's the matter. Need a hug?

Only if I can redeem it in Vegas

[Track Junky]

Only if I can redeem it in Vegas

You know what they say..."What happens in Vegas..........." :lol:

[johnnymac46]

You know what they say..."What happens in Vegas..........." :lol:

What happens in Vegas.....is instantly uploaded to Facebook?

[Spiffav8]

Only if I can redeem it in Vegas

Sure. Head on out.

[Beach Cruiser]

Ok boys, Pay attention to ME!

ok, here's some pics and vids from the "spa" day at All Aspects. She lined up perfectly straight, set the front camber at -2.5 and the rear at -2, put some shims in the upper A-arms so I can go more positive if I need too. The frame is built so that I can get -5 in the front if I want, and +2 on the other end.

On the Dyno, She put down 407 HP and 385Lbs of really flat TQ across the RPM range. Was hoping for a few more HP, but I'll take it on a 125K bottom end! Click on the last pic for a video on the dyno.

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/309B7AF0-50A3-4092-A4FB-A64895F956A3-10565-00000B0B116126CD_zpsf69d1d54.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/1AD1F4AD-AD3B-42E8-8744-D651E6151BB2-10565-00000B0B18EF8042_zps466f696a.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/ECCAC422-5430-4A48-9703-2768D7296A7C-10565-00000B0B1D035166_zpsd8689dde.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/2E49D100-0CB1-49C7-831A-13D7381569E3-10565-00000B0B275E27DB_zps61e1d9d4.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/60468C9C-DA88-4C2B-9914-E5C78346FF7D-10565-00000B0B2B81236E_zpscd075598.jpg


http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/th_96D2BD34-23B5-4E71-B77C-6035F6F39599-10565-00000B0C0652680B_zpsdcf4fad3.jpg (http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/96D2BD34-23B5-4E71-B77C-6035F6F39599-10565-00000B0C0652680B_zpsdcf4fad3.mp4)

[Track Junky]

OH HELL YEAH!! TELL ME IT'S TRACK TIME!! :guns:

BTW.....WHAT ARE YOU DOING FOR SHOCKS?

[Beach Cruiser]

Did the Video work for you? Some are saying it doesnt' work. For shocks, right now it has QA1 single adjustables on it, but since the front is C5, any thing for a C5 will work if the QA1's don't work out.
For the track, I'm going to AutoX it in three weeks and see if anything breaks, then hopefully take it to Summit Point for Hyperfest in June and definatly to VIR in July for the Ultimate Track car challange and the remainder of the weekend.

[camcojb]

video works for me.

[samckitt]

How did the alignment shims work out?

[Beach Cruiser]

Perfectly! Used the 1/4" shims to push the upper arms out so I could use the lower eccentrics for Caster adjustment. They were Spot on, dropped right in, just like we planned for! Very clean looking, I think we are on to something!

[samckitt]

Out of all of them you only used the 1/4" ones?

Forgive me if it's listed somewhere, but what's the spec on the motor?

[Beach Cruiser]

Yeah, My frame has lower adjustments, so that's all I needed. But for a frame like Petes, that's the only place he has to make adjustments.

Motor is just a High Milage LS1 with Bolt on's. 241 heads that I ported, plus this cam, Comp, 227/235 0.614/0.621 on 113 That's it!

[samckitt]

Got any pics of the lower mounts using stock style adjustments? Nevermind found some.

I gotta find my cam card, mine isn't much different than yours. Motor is an LS2 with LS3 heads/intake/TB.

[Beach Cruiser]

Better than Pics I have the .dxf files for them... :relax:

[Track Junky]

Did the Video work for you? Some are saying it doesnt' work. For shocks, right now it has QA1 single adjustables on it, but since the front is C5, any thing for a C5 will work if the QA1's don't work out.
For the track, I'm going to AutoX it in three weeks and see if anything breaks, then hopefully take it to Summit Point for Hyperfest in June and definatly to VIR in July for the Ultimate Track car challange and the remainder of the weekend.

Video was cool. Car sounds great. I've used the QA-1 single adjustable's for years. My experience with them........I could feel every adjustment I made which was good. The bad........for one, they didn't seem to be able to take alot of abuse and I went through a few sets. In addition, when clicked up to the stiffer settings they tend to bounce. Since it looks like you'll be using gummies I would go to a double adjustable.
If you can swing it look into the Penske 7500 DA's. A little pricey but probably the best bang for the buck.
Looking forward to hearing how she does on the track.:thumbsup:

[Beach Cruiser]

You asked for weight numbers so here you go! The first one is with me in the car, the second is me out. There is no hood on it and no grill/headlights and no cage yet, but I wanted to know what I was starting with. Lighter than I expected! and almost perfect ratios! I can dial all that in rather easily I'm thinking. It has a half tank of gas in it.

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/395BA292-2AE8-43F9-A739-C1DB1A5185A6-551-0000005EF7DECF22_zps1be7b8a0.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/D650867A-2EB2-4D2B-B764-8678D970C53B-551-0000005EFCBBC224_zpsd6eda786.jpg

[Track Junky]

Wow, thats pretty impressive. My car is at 3030 lbs right now. I still haven't installed my rear aluminum deck lid and I have a pair of fiberglass doors from VFN that I had on the car years ago that I'm thinking of throwing back on. I'd like to get it to 2800 without me in it. We'll see.

[Beach Cruiser]

Thanks! I'm surprised it came out that good because I didn't calculate anything, just one of those, I'll move this over here and that over there ect.... seat of the pants kinda thing. Do you know what the BITE measurement means? That I'm not sure of.

[Track Junky]

Read this link. Scroll down and click line item G

https://www.longacreracing.com/articles/art.asp?ARTID=14

[Beach Cruiser]

Drove this beast around today, and let me tell you that it's a really loud rattle trap that will F'n haul the freight! This thing is scary fast! Put it back in the garage and called it a good day!

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/1B6D38B1-E6F5-4AD0-AA0D-DDF94C4E4BBD-529-0000013C54D1DB02_zps454359d4.jpg

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/Camaro%20Build/FE990B5D-9508-4FED-B50F-FFBA78DE0736-529-0000013C59FD5DDE_zps53d1eeb9.jpg

[Beach Cruiser]

A few pics from yesterday

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/C3F039EE-C059-4EFE-A262-18CA0D9393D1-8086-00000A23513BC562_zps6742539a.jpg

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/22C9DC1D-752D-45F6-A987-C6A6CA3DEBD5-8086-00000A234C46362A_zps8db51389.jpg

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/CCCABC3F-DEED-4496-8D4A-A1A85604DBB4-8086-00000A23467679AF_zps2ebc4f0b.jpg

[clill]

Great job. Not only do you have the talent, you have the drive to get it done. I hope we get to see it at Optima.:cheers:

[XLexusTech]

this has to go down as a top Garage built adventure... Well done.

[DETON8R]

Awesome, you've got it rolling under its own power!!

I did the same thing with my 67 YEARS ago. I had to shake out a few things and I didn't want to get the car all together and then find out that I needed to tear the thing apart again, only to fix things I could have diagnosed and tested with a rolling and self propelled car.

I drove it with a radiator core support and inner fender wells and LOTS of bailing wire holding together just about everything in front of the firewall.

Must feel great to get that going. Feels like progress is paying off don't it!!!

[Beach Cruiser]

Set up a Ghetto Paint booth today, and spray'd a little paint. She's only gotta look good from 20' right? didn't turn out too bad. I signed up to run this in April at the Detroit Speed Southern Slam, Hope I make it! First AutoX is next weekend, will be a busy week I hope it doesn't rain.

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/2CC7C05F-6A43-4DF6-B498-133B09A63E8B-8557-00000A4E662E8DEE_zps36ff859f.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/B167D903-3E37-4FD6-95D2-89CC8017D058-8557-00000A4E5F9F0075_zpsd2221f96.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/FD866DB3-5B95-413B-8C7E-088F2C8F666A-8557-00000A4E6AC7CE83_zpsdb264fa7.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/88CBB1CB-EC06-4B29-A73A-F89D893168ED-8557-00000A4E6FEED064_zps3d7ee341.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/83A68E5E-53D5-4A9D-BA29-33A1B894C688-8557-00000A4E758AF8B2_zps7514483e.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/3A5292BD-CA8B-42A5-82B5-CC84B37142B7-8557-00000A4E7A7C1A03_zpsd5df89d6.jpg

[66SuperSport]

Don't know how I haven't seen this before. Awesome work! Keep it up.

[Track Junky]

Dude you are killing it!! :thumbsup:

[waynieZ]

Nice ! I hope it all goes good for you and you make Southern Slam.

[Beach Cruiser]

todays progress,
Hood on, cage in, Ghetto Paintbooth gone!
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/84C27FE9-6235-4A79-A5AD-6F038B49C926-9265-00000BAA2B3F3B98_zps935230ac.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/0BBF96F9-28FE-4A3E-A606-2928A6DD3025-9265-00000BAA26D3E6F3_zpsf8ee9152.jpg

[Beach Cruiser]

First AutoX today, and a test and tune yesterday. Nothing on the car broke which is the best news I could have! Was one of the fastest cars yesterday, and finished 16 out of 75 today on old Hoosier in spitting rain at 42 deg's! (no match for the AWD subies) Car is a beast to drive, it's a lot of work at AutoX speeds. Hopefully it will "open up" at speed. Made a list of stuff to do before Southern Slam, but it's not too daunting, and I think my bank account may survive. (Insert sponsor opportunity here).
Here's a pic of the rear cage as it was on Friday night, good enough for now.
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/086C815F-4520-4DBA-B361-B37A3D367EC3-12154-000010DC3A7BA574_zpsd899b914.jpg

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/1E4B4D0C-0B79-4EA2-B048-3093A8F8192E-12154-000010DC3605D127_zpsd543d7b3.jpg

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/FC11F137-DBF8-4AE3-B5B3-6251F8ABC28E-138-000000182CD39868_zps62d66dba.jpg

[Track Junky]

Congrats!! How 'bout a little more detail on how she felt in the corners.....

[Beach Cruiser]

She Felt pretty good! Did well in the sweepers, it was the back and forth transitions (slalom) that were a little tough. I think there is an issue with the steering I need to adress, It seems the power steering pump can't keep up with the rapid transitions. I'm going to call TurnOne tomorrow and talk to them. I was on old tires, and it was really cold so I had a hard time getting it put down the power. Oh, and Power she's got! I finished 11th out of 75 cars and nothing broke! Here's a few pics

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/IMG_1402_zps1c846a47.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/IMG_1290_zps5493783b.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/IMG_1294_zps9a998690.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/IMG_1295_zpsbc821d54.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/IMG_1297_zps8bb74e6e.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/IMG_1359_zps993074c5.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/IMG_1291_zpsfea7dfb5.jpg

[Track Junky]

Those are great pic's. Love the color combo on that car. Sounds like it felt like you had manual steering? Looks like the rear was rotating pretty well. Was the front pushing at all?

[Beach Cruiser]

it was a very short technical course with lots of transitions. From the pics it looks like I could use more front swaybar? I was wierd, it would push, then the second lap it would hook, It had to be the cold tires. Yeah, I can rotate the rear with the throttle at will! Gotta be something with the ps pump, the first few turns felt good, then it would kinda "hang up"? and I had to muscle through it. I can't wait for the Southern Slam to see how it does on the track! I also kinda hate to take it there un tested. I look at it as a fairly cheap test and tune weekend! (other than the 7 hour trailer tow)

[Track Junky]

Sounds like the front pushed only when the tires were cold and if you can rotate the rear at will the front bar is probably good. Get youself a fresh set of tires and a good set of shocks and I think you'll be pretty fast. Cant wait to hear how your track day goes.

How did the gearing in the trans and differential feel? Did you find yourself up and down shifting often?

[Beach Cruiser]

The gearing felt pretty good, I was in first the whole time, no need to shift. In the powerband for the whole course. At 65 on the highway, it runs about 1800 Rpm in 4th. I think I'm right in the ball park. She's no drag car for sure though. I'm running the shoftest 1 1/4 speedway engineering bar up front, so I have some room to tweek. The shocks felt pretty good how I had them set, I didn't touch them all weekend.

[Beach Cruiser]

Raced the car two weekends ago, nothing broke! Car was fast right off the jack stands. Been doing the small things since, which is a real pain in the A$$, but making progress. Would have finished the cage plates today, but ran out of Welding Gas. Here's a few pics.

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/IMG_1358_zps7b814449.jpg

Plasma cutters, making paper dolls into racecar parts on a daily basis!
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/DAD4FBDA-E886-4DE0-A409-154CEE833AD3-1667-0000011793FACE9B_zps6d9e6d56.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/52D56198-6E5F-47F2-90E8-C0427428A0B8-1667-00000117862687D3_zpscbfb7435.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/9E3F0D73-9096-4817-95D1-FB8104E61C3C-1667-000001178EC5E34C_zpsc3e5c02f.jpg

Refurbished the tailights today too!
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/CFC68754-35A8-4C3B-9E76-A8249EF15BD4-1667-000001179D5D0B89_zps041130d1.jpg

[Track Junky]

It's the little things that count, LOL

[seancarole]

Got any video? Looks like your having a blast!

[Beach Cruiser]

ok, I think the car is playing hard to get! I moved it around the block a week ago, out of the garage to turn it around, construction in my nieghborhood didn't pave the street and left a 3 inch manhole cover sticking up! Guess what hit it? My front left lower control arm mount. Tweaked the subframe quite a bit. No shop in the area wants to touch it to try an pull it back. I got it close witha a longacre camber/caster meter but it's not were it was before. I autoX'd it Sunday and it was terrible! I redid the alinment, drove it around moved the body over the to make up for the difference and raised the ride height today and was going to redo the alignment but my jack decided to be a jackass and blow a seal! so no lifting the car in the garage tonight. So here's the newest decal in the car.

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/93E1151F-1EBD-4324-94AC-D3D1271FA74D-198-0000001D1B98F0B1_zps8cb3e5ac.jpg

on a good note, I did get to change the brakes and get the ducts installed, maybe next time I'll be able to stop before I take out a manhole! I'm not happy.....

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/C7184E85-75F7-48CB-AA9F-87F7F715EDA9-198-0000001AD553FA00_zpsaac03114.jpg

A few more random pics from this week.

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/26218F4D-CDA5-4BC6-9CE3-FB6DECEF1D12-5247-000005786A2E39C4_zps8b88582e.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/D42E87F5-7AB2-4934-BC22-81F22367CB43-198-0000001ADBD7F744_zpsaf4e776f.jpg

and the deal killer
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/27610223-9029-4358-A5C0-EA474F8A1AC2-198-0000001ACEAFA97D_zps042733bc.jpg

[Zanie]

How awful! I feel for you I did the same with my 1 year old lowered S10 when I was a younger man. My fillings nearly popped out of my teeth when I clanked that thing.....those manhole covers don't move! Lucky for me, I had a buddy that owned a body shop. That repair was nothing compared to trying to get your custom subframe straightened. Really cool homebuilt hotrod you have there. Good luck with the fix.

[Beach Cruiser]

As you can see from the pics, it took a direct hit on that front corner. From what I can see so far it did twist the k-member. The rear mount on that arm is about 3/4 higher than the other side and there is a buckle in where the cross member ties into the main frame. I think it would pull out, I just don't have any way to do it. None of the shops I talked to want to touch it. My Buddy at Maaco Hampton said he would do it, but I got to get it over there to him, he's about an hour from here. I'm going to try and do that tomorrow. As if it couldn't get any worse, it slipped off the jack yesterday and broke the steering rack! Autozone is cool about it though and is swapping one out for me under warrenty, just waiting on it to get here.
At least it's sunny and my garage got a lot bigger!
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/88D10970-A8CC-4F74-83AB-48C633CE1714-1045-0000015541C81420_zps076090aa.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/4586CF11-40D4-491F-9B3B-43CAB44A871E-1045-0000015533B23EA1_zps250bbf3e.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/BDF5A455-214A-458F-BCA6-F353248CC9F3-1045-000001553C0BD70E_zps45fbf8dc.jpg
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/1B528112-75E2-4CC3-8590-B732AD48B9A5-1045-0000015546B8260A_zpsa3b3c677.jpg

[Payton King]

Should be able to put it on a frame machine and pull it back straight. Suprised no collison shop would help you out locally.

[Beach Cruiser]

Ok, new rack is in and alignment redone with my driveway tools. gonna take it to the shop tomorrew to pull on it and see if they can make it better. Leaving it there till next week. I'll have all weekend to get the Backup car (WS6 is faster) ready for The Detroit Speed Slam at CMP. I'm going even if I have to drive my 4Runner ont the track!

[Beach Cruiser]

My buddy came over yesteday and we spent most of the day shimming, moving, reshimming ect... to try and get the alignment spot on for the Southern Slam. At the end of the day we were able to get both sides set equal, and the fender clearence just about the same on both sides. Drove it around quite a bit and it drives better now than it ever did from the alignment shop. I think the guy at the shop just didn't want to spend as much time on it as we did. Final specs (track setup mind you) were -2.8 camber both sides on the front and 6.5 Caster on both sides. 0 Toe. On the back it's set to -1.8 Camber and slight toe in. All specs from Pfadt's web site for a track prepared C5/C6 Vette.

After today, I'm not touching it till I load it on the trailer Thursday night for the 7 hour ride down to South Carolina.

[seancarole]

Good to here you gona make !!! Get some video.

[Beach Cruiser]

Hey Guys I just got home and uploaded some pics from the weekend. Sorry I didn't update from my phone, but there was no service there for ATT. Had a great weekend, towed the car there and back with no issues and besides a leaky Header gasket nothing on the car let me down! Adjusted and tweaked a few things and chased a few Gremlins (not the AMC type) and ended up running pretty well all weekend. Since I wasn't on the Spec 200 TW tire I can't post any times and that's ok with me. I was just going for fun anyway. From looking at the times of the guys I know I could run with, I was somewhere in the top twenty and they put me in the second fastest run group out of 6 for the weekend! The car was fast! but not without it's issues. I had a really hard time putting the power down (and she's got some for a 125K LS1!) We made some adjustments to the rear end geometry and had Kyle Tucker (Detroit speed owner if you don't know) come over and give us some tips on how to adjust what we have and It was better today in the AutoX portion than yesterday on the Road Course. I'm very happy with the car and I'll get it were it needs to be this year. The best part of the weekend was when my good racing friend for as long as I've been doing this won the Invite to the Optima Street car Challange! (and the fact I didn't break anything on my car is a close second) Here's some Pics!

Unloading from the Trailer Friday night
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/DSCF0073_zpsc5cfb11e.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/DSCF0073_zpsc5cfb11e.jpg.html)
Oh Crap! JB's Atomic Camaro from the show is here!
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/DSCF0076_zpsd89937c1.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/DSCF0076_zpsd89937c1.jpg.html)
Waiting to go with Stacy Tucker from DSE
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/DSCF0085_zps24d50d72.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/DSCF0085_zps24d50d72.jpg.html)
And Ron's Mustang (LS7 powered now)
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/DSCF0087_zpsdda3714c.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/DSCF0087_zpsdda3714c.jpg.html)
Putting the power down!
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/DSCF0101_zps4039f0a8.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/DSCF0101_zps4039f0a8.jpg.html)
I need more front swaybar and less rear
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/DSCF0103_zps1df06d5f.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/DSCF0103_zps1df06d5f.jpg.html)
Cooling off for a bit before I go again
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/C08B7384-CB5E-4254-AFDD-83D4977CC00F-1121-000000B4B422555E_zps5af0c7e7.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/C08B7384-CB5E-4254-AFDD-83D4977CC00F-1121-000000B4B422555E_zps5af0c7e7.jpg.html)

[Spiffav8]

Looks like a good time man. Glad to see you out having so fun after all the hard work.

[57hemicuda]

I really like this car, the home built ones have a special place in my heart. Until you really lean on an old car at a road course, you can't appreciate what it takes to make an old car handle and work well. This car seemed to work pretty well and it left in one piece, that is a good weekend.

[Beach Cruiser]

Thanks Ron! Means a lot coming from you. I feel your pain with the trailer woes, One trip I had 3 flat tires! I was very pleased with the car, ran times in the upper middle of the pack and there's plenty more to gain when I figure out how to get the rear end to bite a little harder. I had to pedal it through every turn and couldn't accelerate hard without breaking the rear end loose. I was also braking way early for the corners because I don't have confidence in the brakes yet, but she didn't let me down!

[Beach Cruiser]

I got Media coverage! I made the front page of DSE's website and three shots on the southern slam recap page! I'm the goofy dude in the grey tee shirt looking the wrong way!

http://www.detroitspeed.com/speednews/DSE-southern-slam/dse-southern-slam-recap-pg1.html

[57hemicuda]

That was the first time I had run the full course, that is one track that I don't even try to pedal, lots of drifting and slipping and sliding. I think that is my favorite track so far.

I was spinning so much in 3rd gear down the back straight, that when the clutch started to go away in high gear, I thought I was spinning. Unfortunately NOT!!

[Beach Cruiser]

Here's some update from the last couple of months. I've done 3 more AutoX days since I came back from CMP. I've been slowly dialing the car in and it's getting faster and I'm learning how to drive a 2900# car with 407HP! I swapped out the front springs to a little beefier 550 pounders and the car was better. So I decided to soften up the rear some by changing out the sway bar. Most people told me to just take it off, but I wanted to see if making it softer made the changes in the right way first. Problem I'm having is that the car is very loose in the corner and corner exit is really hard to put down any power. I'm taking the car to VIR in July for its HPDE3 debut.

I'm softening up the rear sway bar with a smaller one. 26mm down to 21mm. Since I had to pull the gas tank to change the bar, I'm fixing a small pinhole leak by resealing the tank from the inside. Dropped it yesterday and pulled all the pump assembly out and poured in some Eastwood tank sealer. Just pour it in and rotate the tank around and it leaves a nice liner when it drys out. then I painted it before I reinstalled it. after all the paint drys I'll put it all back together.

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/DE4AB87E-D81A-49EC-9F85-CB15E4D8036E-1305-000002A219DA9A35_zps9f40a1c2.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/DE4AB87E-D81A-49EC-9F85-CB15E4D8036E-1305-000002A219DA9A35_zps9f40a1c2.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/77B7A5F7-9A70-4294-9711-2DB4A8D3DBDD-1305-000002A2131EB7D6_zps53074848.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/77B7A5F7-9A70-4294-9711-2DB4A8D3DBDD-1305-000002A2131EB7D6_zps53074848.jpg.html)

Sway bar is in
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/01434A0D-54DE-434E-ABDA-737F3C7ACDEF-1305-000002DBBBF257E3_zps818642a2.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/01434A0D-54DE-434E-ABDA-737F3C7ACDEF-1305-000002DBBBF257E3_zps818642a2.jpg.html)

Tank is back together and in
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/7656D5D7-45FD-4933-9FDE-A38ADB94EEB3-1305-000002DBB161DB24_zps740720fb.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/7656D5D7-45FD-4933-9FDE-A38ADB94EEB3-1305-000002DBB161DB24_zps740720fb.jpg.html)

[Beach Cruiser]

Getting the car ready for VIR in July, I went back to the big rear sway bar and went down on the rear springs to 250#s The street trial seems to be much better. Now when I get on it the weight transfer to the rear is much more pronounced. I'm also upping the front bar to control some body roll. I also spent some time today to cross weight the car and realign it with the new ride heights. Cross weight is now an even 50%, perfect. all I need now is a 130 lb passenger and the car will be perfect! In race trim the car weighs in at 3150 with 12 gallons of fuel and me in the seat. I also finished up the brake ducts to tie in the frame rails to just under the bumper. It's pretty stealthy, you can't even see them from the front of the car.

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/EE12A82C-9CE2-4913-A65E-D26C3A6A3D32-4907-00000613D20F1951_zpsd410bdfb.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/EE12A82C-9CE2-4913-A65E-D26C3A6A3D32-4907-00000613D20F1951_zpsd410bdfb.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/A8EBAC26-1EC7-4409-AE83-AFC1EBAC3F50-4907-00000613D88D63A1_zps8fe0804c.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/A8EBAC26-1EC7-4409-AE83-AFC1EBAC3F50-4907-00000613D88D63A1_zps8fe0804c.jpg.html)

Also added some new grand sport stripes on the fenders just for effect.

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/A0B98970-7B3A-4EE5-B484-544CEC2340A0-5429-00000724E3A5EA3A_zps50eb30df.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/A0B98970-7B3A-4EE5-B484-544CEC2340A0-5429-00000724E3A5EA3A_zps50eb30df.jpg.html)

[Track Junky]

Looking good Mills. How much longer till you start running time trials?

[Beach Cruiser]

If all goes well with the car at VIR in July, I'll be ready to go to then next level. If I was still in the WS6 I would have already made the jump. But since I'm in a completly new car to me, I want some seat time in it first. As you know, track weekends don't come cheap, but I'm hoping to get it done by the end of the year as long as the car holds together. I pretty much spent all I had and more getting the car ready for the Southern Slam at Carolina Motorsports park and I'm in financial recovery mode at the moment!:G-Dub:

[Beach Cruiser]

Well I'm back from a pretty bad weekend. On the first session the car was flying! It seems that I've finally got the suspension dialed it almost perfect. It keep getting faster and faster and I was passing people left and right. It really flys on the back strech too! So the gearing is just about right for VIR. (sucks for autoX though).
However... at the end of the first session I went into turn 10 about 120mph behind a Miata. He Breaked and so did I but the pedal went to the floor! Oh ****! I went to the left off the track to avoid hitting him, I tried to stay off track to the left because turn 10 is a left hand turn. Well turning in the grass at that speed with slicks doesn't work so well so I went back across the track in front of the Miata! (yeah, pass in the grass style) but I clipped his left front with the right rear of my car. No body damage to me though. I went off track on the other side and all the way down the hill to the Oak tree turn (Its a long ways) I finally stopped and still had no brakes. Smoke everywhere! started to hear the motor making valvetrain noises and I looked and had no oil pressure! Oh ****! So I get the motor turned off and gather my senses cause I was shaken pretty good. I'm not allowed to get out of the car until the track is cleared and the wrecker shows up. when I get out I look back and see about 200 yards of tire tracks with a nice oil slick in between all the way down to me! Oh **** number three!

After I got my Haul of Shame back the paddock on the wrecker and went through all the checks because there was contact I was able to figure out what happened to the car. I sheared a bolt on the upper swaybar link on the rear. The link fell forward and when the suspension compressed it Sheared the left rear brake line. Going across the track in front of the miata apparently got the Oil pan. My weekend was done at 10:30 on Sat AM. Oh well...

Heres the pan
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/79D8E2B0-487E-4107-9E8D-DDBFC2E0A642-524-00000068301031B0_zps49b44942.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/79D8E2B0-487E-4107-9E8D-DDBFC2E0A642-524-00000068301031B0_zps49b44942.jpg.html)

Here's the car that I just blew by that I could have hit.
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/DF6974E6-D5A7-4584-B373-B4E763FF2FA0-524-000000684814D48E_zpsff7ca28f.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/DF6974E6-D5A7-4584-B373-B4E763FF2FA0-524-000000684814D48E_zpsff7ca28f.jpg.html)

[WSSix]

Glad you and everyone else is ok. Sorry to hear about the damage though.

[Track Junky]

Glad to hear no one was hurt.

Think its time you step it up a level.....your passing way too many cars :poke: :thumbsup:

[Ron in SoCal]

Glad you and everyone else is ok. Sorry to hear about the damage though.

x2 - that had to have a 4x pucker factor! Hopefully an easy fix to the car.

[Beach Cruiser]

Yes that was a Pucker moment for sure! Anyone that goes off left at VIR on turn 10 ends up in the tirewall, somehow I avoided it and no one got hurt. No warning at all, hard brake pedal at the last checkup spot, then nada! I was bouncing off the gators for the first time that session going up the up hill esses, that may have been what sheared the bolt because there is no braking from the 1st gator to turn 10. The fix is easy and cheap if the motor didn't get hurt while I was trying to gather my senses not realizing that there was no oil pressure or any oil in the motor and it was still running at the end when I finally came to a stop. I'm sure a picture or some video will surface within a week or two, if it's not to shaming, I'll post back up. no body or suspension damage to the car that I've seen so far so hopefully it's an easy fix. And the miata guy was cool, his car already had right front damage and he barely tagged me, not even hard enough to leave a scratch on mine, only some red miata "residue"

[WSSix]

I'm wondering if there's a way to safety wire/harness the sway bar so that it can't drop down should you shear another bolt? I'm guessing no since the end needs to pivot and I bet it didn't have to move far at all to cut the brake line but I'm just thinking out loud.

[Beach Cruiser]

Yeah, I'll look at that, but safty wire would not fix a sheared bolt. And no it didn't have to fall far things to go wrong. I'll take a picture of it when I put it back together. Parts are on order.

Gae, The sucky part is that I was in line for a TT checkoff ride on Sunday to move to the next level, but no car means no checkoff ride... :bang:

[Track Junky]

Thats alright Mills, I'm sure you'll have another opportunity to get into TT. Hope the motor is OK.

[Beach Cruiser]

Some Really good Pics before it went away!

Running down some Nissans!
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/IMG_1097_zps0153b141.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/IMG_1097_zps0153b141.jpg.html)
Beat up by some Porshes!
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/IMG_1570_zps9326bdbe.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/IMG_1570_zps9326bdbe.jpg.html)
Finaly some clear track!
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/IMG_1212_zps724e1313.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/IMG_1212_zps724e1313.jpg.html)
Boogety Boogety!
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/IMG_1327_zps9debae5f.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/IMG_1327_zps9debae5f.jpg.html)

[Track Junky]

Finaly some clear track!
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/IMG_1212_zps724e1313.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/IMG_1212_zps724e1313.jpg.html)
Boogety Boogety!


I like that shot. That outside wheel looks flat and planted :thumbsup:

[johnnymac46]

It looks good on the track.

What was the verdict on the engine?

[Beach Cruiser]

New pan will be here tomorrow, been working on the rest of the broken vehicles that somehow piled up in my yard while getting the camaro ready.

[Beach Cruiser]

It's Alive and well! Swapped out the new pan and filled it with oil and no bad engine noises! Yeah! It did do more suspension damage than I thought. The front alignment was all out of whack and I may have further bent the front lower control arm mount, but I was able to get it pretty close with garage tools. The rear took a pretty bad hit too, it managed to pull the rear toe control rods out of the differential housing and when I drove it to Cars and Coffee, I had a bit of a rear steer problem. Re tapped the holes deeper and put in some longer better bolts and problem solved! Also Ripped off the front spoiler, not a big deal there, I think I'm gonna build a metal spoiler with the ability to attach a splitter for track days.
I was able to make the VA autoX championships this past weekend with it. This is a big event with 150 cars from all over the east coast. This is the tune up event for the Nationals and is on some pretty nice concrete on the US Navy Amphib base at Little creek, in Va Beach. It's the best autoX site east of the Mississippi! take a look at the pics and they add another reason my screen name is Beach Cruiser!

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/993682_383198798469002_1751051338_n_zps6721c1c4.jp g (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/993682_383198798469002_1751051338_n_zps6721c1c4.jp g.html)
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/564660_383198818469000_1733151192_n_zps7bec809d.jp g (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/564660_383198818469000_1733151192_n_zps7bec809d.jp g.html)
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/533227_383202141802001_1832441924_n_zps090adef4.jp g (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/533227_383202141802001_1832441924_n_zps090adef4.jp g.html)
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/1186073_383198775135671_451909025_n_zps4e599dbd.jp g (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/1186073_383198775135671_451909025_n_zps4e599dbd.jp g.html)
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/998081_383202131802002_609827261_n_zps66e49afc.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/998081_383202131802002_609827261_n_zps66e49afc.jpg .html)
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/1150961_383202165135332_1049080205_n_zps9bbbc6b2.j pg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/1150961_383202165135332_1049080205_n_zps9bbbc6b2.j pg.html)

[Beach Cruiser]

About done for the Winter, time to fix some stuff and make a few mods while there's no racing. I'm going to concentrate on better safety equipment, I'd like a true racing seat for me and move the Sparco Adjustable seat over to the passenger side for ride alongs. Right now the pass side has some cheap pep boys seat and lap belts only. I'd like to upgrade the drivers side with new belts and move all that stuff stage right. I'm definately going to need to make the steering wheel removeable too. If there's still any money left perhaps I'll upgrade the gauge package to something a little more professional. Currently it has about 4 different kinds of gauges in it from what I had laying around the garage! All but the tach are located between the dash and the console area, hard to get a quick read while on track.

The last event I did was with TrackDaze at VIR on the Grand Course. That was a lot of fun! Until is started snowing... Put her on the trailer and took her home in one piece. I managed to pull down a 3:13 lap, which is pretty good from what people tell me, the Grand is 4.2 miles around. I found later that leaving was a good thing because the last session I apparently broke a shock. Snapped the rod right under the upper spring cup! I may redo my coil over design over the winter, I'm working on something really cool!

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/null_zps72146065.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/null_zps72146065.jpg.html)
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/null_zpsebda52b0.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/null_zpsebda52b0.jpg.html)

all my conquests this year!
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/null_zps6ef06564.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/null_zps6ef06564.jpg.html)

Hope to be doing a lot more of this next year!
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/IMG_1098_zps9b9ff846.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/IMG_1098_zps9b9ff846.jpg.html)

[Track Junky]

Thanks for the update......keep 'em comin' :thumbsup:

[samckitt]

I may redo my coil over design over the winter, I'm working on something really cool!

Tell me what it is, tell me, tell me...... LOL

[DETON8R]

Was the shock failure from the sway-bar mount/brake failure and resulting off road driving incident? Looking at the photo, it looks like there was an impact mark on the frame rail adjacent to the shock. Normally that only happens with the extreme force of an impact.

Keep the pics of the redesign coming, every design can be improved.

[Beach Cruiser]

That impact may have contributed, but the shock actually broke about 4 months later. I think it was a result of the top cup being in a bind with that allen head bolt you see up top. I had it "Clocked" so the slot was in the interference area but it must have moved. I've now changed up the bolt and there's no way it can iterfere. Yeah that impact tore up a bunch of stuff! I keep finding them everyday! Car is in the garage for the winter, I'll comb through the whole thing before race season starts up.

[GeoffP]

I just finished going through your entire thread thanks to Brian Peacoe telling me about your car and build thread. I really, really like your car and your fab skills are impressive! I hate that we didn't meet at CMP this year...I'll be looking for you if you make it back down to CMP next year for sure. I'm looking forward to seeing your car up close!

[Beach Cruiser]

Thanks Geoff, I can't believe we didn't meet up at CMP, after all we had the world's biggest beer cooler in our trailer! LOL Thanks for the kind words on the car, she's ugly but everyone seems to like it that way. I'll be at CMP for sure next year as well as a couple other AMSCS events. Only problem is BFG doesn't make tires big enough for my 17" street wheels and my 18" wheels are holding my Hoosier race rubber. So I'll be "cheating" again at CMP, thats why you don't see any times for me on the road course. Brian and I have become friends since we met at CMP and I'm "coaching" him through an LS1 build and instal into his beautiful silver car. Stay tuned for the winter updates, I have some cool stuff in the works!

[skinsandjrfan]

Yes Mills and I appreciate all of the coaching. Geoff has been helping me as well. I have been trying to fill my brain with as much LS information as I can. There just isnt enough room in my tiny noggin. ha ha.

But I am sure between the 3 of us, we will have m up and running before long.

[rchaskin]

After all of you guys switch to LS, I may be able to win the "carburated" class......

So lonely.....

[elwaupo]

That had to be the best build thread I have read to date. I like the fact that you did this yourself and didn't pay a shop to do all of the fabrication work. I like how you mounted the IRS, I want to do the same for my 69 Camaro and this gave me good information on how and which year to use. Thanks for this great adventure:thankyou:

[Beach Cruiser]

Cool, thanks for the kind words. I'm actually starting to think about making parts for people. Would there be any interest? I have all the jigs and design files to duplicate my setup, I can even make a full front subframe if there is interest.

[Operations]

Love your build, keep up the good work!

[Beach Cruiser]

Update on some Boring stuff, but this has to get done too. I spent the whole christmas break installing these new headlights and fixing the RS doors so they actually work. The lights are really bright and use the newer style bulbs. It was a pain to rebuild all the RS stuff and the headlights ended up interfering with the RS motors located behind them. But I made it work.
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/null_zps79883d17.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/null_zps79883d17.jpg.html)

My wife gave me HANS device for Christmas too!

Next project is upgrading all the safety stuff on the car, I was going to buy a new Sparco seat to the tune of $800 but I scored this one off one of my buddies who pulled it out of his dad's Panoz for free! Yeah free! I need to get a new cover for it, but thats' better than buying a new one. I also need to install a back support to the harness bar because the SFI rating is expired, the back support will make it legal again. Still better than dropping $800!
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/null_zpsc37d9acc.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/null_zpsc37d9acc.jpg.html)

[68KMARO]

Hey Mills,

This is such a great build and really informitive. Thank you for all the information that you are taking the time to share. Keep up the great work.



Rich
68kmaro

[Beach Cruiser]

got all the new Christmas stuff in the mail, new seat cover fit's perfectly! Makes it look like a brand new seat! I need to order new pass through gaurds and cut the holes for the belts. HANS fits me perfectly too! gotta fit the tethers to my helment but that should be easy.
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/null_zpsbcf32ad3.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/null_zpsbcf32ad3.jpg.html)

Went to the new car show here locally and picked up some cool flags to wave at the track! Also scoped out my wife's new car.
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/null_zps7356370a.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/null_zps7356370a.jpg.html)
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/null_zps0c3f2232.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/null_zps0c3f2232.jpg.html)

[maro67]

I have been following this thread for a while now. I have to say the car kicks a$$! I am working on a 67 f body and I am going to be installing a C4 IRS as well. I am curious to know how the stock rear frame rails are holding up. I have thought about installing after market rails such as the ones that Competition Engineering sells.

Do you think that after the spirited driving and track days the factory rear rails are holding up? Any signs of fatigue, flexing, etc? Let me know what you think. I would really appreciate any feedback. Also, aside from installing the round tube with the brackets to mount the rear end housing did you do anything to reinforce or beef up the rear rails?

[Beach Cruiser]

Every where there is an attachment point there is 1/4 angle hugging the frame rails to distribute the load. The cross bar is actually bolted to the frame, if you look at the pictures where the shock broke you can see the attachment points. So far I haven't found any signs of fatigue at all. It's been through some pretty stressful ordeals too! It's seen 7 track days, and 10 autox days this past year, I really beat on it to find the weak spots and I did find a few that I've corrected. I spent a lot of time early on dialing in the car and the rear end settings, I think its pretty good now. I'm gonna track it a lot more than autox this year and see how she holds up. Maybe paint next winter, I don't know every one likes it ratty.

[maro67]

I forgot to ask, when you did the mini tub did you notch the rear frame rails as it shows in the DSE instructions?

[Beach Cruiser]

Yes, but the supports for the IRS are in front of the notched area.

[Beach Cruiser]

Time to be Cool! I scored this nice Setrab Oil cooler from one of my racer buddies for cheap and put in the Camaro this past week. It was kind of a pain as I had to remove most of the front end to be able to properly mount it. Bumper, lower valance, Spoiler ect. all had to come off, I also had to pull the drivers side header in order to have room to work to get the lines and adapter on. While at it, I decided to go ahead and install the 4th Gen Power steering cooler that I picked up for $50 online. With the big front tires, it's easy to overheat the PS fluid at an autoX, even with the TurnOne pump. Now It shouldn't be a problem. The season starts at VIR third weekend in March, I think I'm just about done with the winter projects. Seats and Belts are all done, I'll post pics of that when I can get the car outside and open the doors. Meanwhile, here's some crappy phone pics of the cooler installs.
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/null_zps48ba0a47.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/null_zps48ba0a47.jpg.html)
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/null_zps1d639011.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/null_zps1d639011.jpg.html)
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/null_zpsd4167253.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/null_zpsd4167253.jpg.html)
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/null_zps5e93c940.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/null_zps5e93c940.jpg.html)
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/null_zps5f756fcd.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/null_zps5f756fcd.jpg.html)
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/null_zpsfdf7ace9.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/null_zpsfdf7ace9.jpg.html)

[Payton King]

Will see you at VIR. Goig to meet a guy there to pick up my wing, probably the same guy that you got the cooler from. He said that he knew you, small world.

[Beach Cruiser]

Yep, He said that you knew me. He's one of my NASA race buddies, he has sweet C5 Z06 track car, actually held the track record for a while. Nice car. I may be headed to Concord next weekend, I could bring the wing with me then if you want. I won't know until later in the week If I'm gonna make the trip though. Otherwise, see you at VIR!

[johnnymac46]

Looks good Mills, I'm definitely going to have to come check it out this spring when I get home. Haven't seen it since we threw the front end on last spring.

On a completely separate note, I may need some help getting mine back together in June.

As usual great work, especially from a half car garage like mine.

[Payton King]

if you come to Concord and bring my wing, I will treat you to luch or dinner. Whichever you have time for and fits in your schedule. I will even pay for your gas.

[Beach Cruiser]

John, let me know when you are ready, I owe you some wrench time! I'll also buy you a beer or too down at the Oceanfront as a welcome back gesture!

Payton, still on the fence if I'm headed that whay but will def let you know. My son lives in Concord and offered to help put an LS7 clutch in my WS6, only catch is I have to help him take it out of his car and install a Spec Stage 4. That's a lot of wrenching in one weekend.

[Beach Cruiser]

I put the rest of the front end of the car back together yesterday, I decided to put some screens in my brake ducts this time since I had them out. I started up the car and checked all the fluids and no leaks from the PS, Rad or Oil system so far. I was going to push the car outside so I could finish the install of my driver's seat, but we had another snowstorm yesterday! I can't get the door all the way open in my garage to really work on the seat like I should. Sorry about the crappy Cell phone pics, doesn't work too well when there is little light.
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/null_zps384f27a0.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/null_zps384f27a0.jpg.html)
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/null_zps2b5cfd20.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/null_zps2b5cfd20.jpg.html)
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/null_zpsafcba066.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/null_zpsafcba066.jpg.html)

[Track Junky]

Mills, didn't see you plumb an oil thermostat in. Probably a good idea unless you intend on taping your oil cooler off in the morning runs.

[Beach Cruiser]

Yeah, you're right. I thougt about plumbing one in and talked to a bunch of guys that run a cooler and none of them use them. I have a oil temp gauge and I'll pay attention to it to see what's going on, like you said I can always tape it off, it is a pretty good sized one. First event is VIR March 22-23, I think I'm just about ready. I got both seats in and my new belts all hooked up. Feels good to sit in the car again! Even it is just in the garage. Passengers side is on sliders and adjustable, My seat is fixed.

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/null_zps2d0f3f37.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/null_zps2d0f3f37.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/null_zps8e5aa42a.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/null_zps8e5aa42a.jpg.html)

[Beach Cruiser]

I had the car outside for a couple of days to finish up all the punchlist for VIR (much easier to work on outside). So I thought I would do a couple of things that have been on the bottom of the list for a long time. Decided to Beef up the rear Coilover mounts, and while I was at it, added some "supports" that also double as trailer tie downs. It's always been an issue finding a spot to tie down the rear, now the problem is solved!
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/null_zpsd3c3f1a3.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/null_zpsd3c3f1a3.jpg.html)
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/null_zpse6ecf2ba.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/null_zpse6ecf2ba.jpg.html)
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/null_zpse9abaa7a.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/null_zpse9abaa7a.jpg.html)
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/null_zps5445886a.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/null_zps5445886a.jpg.html)
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/null_zps681b5a50.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/null_zps681b5a50.jpg.html)

[Beach Cruiser]

Hauled the Beach Cruiser Camaro up to VIR last weekend. I went through instructors school on Friday, and ran in the top HPDE group Sat. The end of the third session I upshifted into 3rd from 2nd and something let go in the trans. I'm felling like I stripped a gear from the way it sounded, I still had 4th to get me back to the pits, but that was the end of my weekend. Still the best showing so far, I ran 7 20 minute sessions just driving the crap out of the car. The car is very fast and really surprised a bunch a people. I keep hearing rumbles around the paddock all weekend, everytime I met somebody I got the response "You're the Camaro Guy? what the hell is in that thing?" It felt really good to walk right on by a SRT10 R Viper on the back stretch! It was being driven by a fellow instructor, so I know it wasn't being babied around the track.

Anyone have a built Super T10 laying around taking up space?

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/null_zps2c444bf3.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/null_zps2c444bf3.jpg.html)
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/null_zps5daf84d8.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/null_zps5daf84d8.jpg.html)
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/null_zpsae12b01d.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/null_zpsae12b01d.jpg.html)

There was an E46 track car next to me all weekend, I keep looking at his canards on the front of the car thinking that the radius was almost perfect for the Camaro, I asked if he had a spare I could test fit and he did. I think I can duplicate the samething and fill in so it fits the factory spoiler just perfect, then add a splitter under it all, I think it would look pretty cool.

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/null_zpsa3ee1949.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/null_zpsa3ee1949.jpg.html)

Unfortunally this is how I had to get it off the trailer to get it back in the garage.

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/null_zps16790bc7.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/null_zps16790bc7.jpg.html)

[Stovebolter]

Nice machine! I love seeing these cars duke it out at the track, rubbing elbows so to speak (not fenders). Your actions shots in a crowd look great!

David

[efs69]

Congrats on the certification and the build. It is really cool what you have done. Now that you have some time in the car how does the IR feel compared to a 4 or 3 link car?

[Beach Cruiser]

The only car I can compare to is my WS6 Trans Am, the Camaro feels much better in the corners, and a lot less likely to step out on me. He are some pictures from the weekend, you can see in these and in some of the previous shots how much the outside rear is firmly planted and square to the ground.

A couple of shots I pulled off the web from Finishline productions. Almost pulling a wheel coming around Oak Tree turn, the car has lots of roll in it despite a monster sway bar and heavy shocks up front, but it drives fantastic, just looks rolly polly.

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/IMG_2327_zpsdfef13ed.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/IMG_2327_zpsdfef13ed.jpg.html)
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/IMG_2328_zpsf2402005.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/IMG_2328_zpsf2402005.jpg.html)


And a couple between turns 3 and 4

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/IMG_4811_zps9bb9c0ed.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/IMG_4811_zps9bb9c0ed.jpg.html)
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/IMG_4812_zpsfd87c12d.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/IMG_4812_zpsfd87c12d.jpg.html)
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/IMG_4813_zps366fc2bb.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/IMG_4813_zps366fc2bb.jpg.html)

[Payton King]

Shots look great Mills! What spring rates are you running front and rear?

[Beach Cruiser]

I want to say 550 or 600 on the front and 200 rear. I also have the stiffest hollow speedway motors bar up front.

[Payton King]

Looking at those photos it appears you need more spring in the rear for sure...it would help get the inside front down and helping with the corner grip.

Based on the Autocross and Road Race section of the Corvette Forum most are running spring rates in the rear very close to what is in the front on a 50/50 weight bias. Would thing at a minimum you would be at about 350 in the rear. With slicks, 700 f and 500 rear would not be out of the question.

What is the length, diameter and arm lengths of your front bar?

[Beach Cruiser]

I had stiffer springs in the rear and the car just wouldn't hook up, I don't have that problem anymore. the last three pictures are under hard acceleration (reference the rear tow hook) and the car never spins a tire. The first two pictures should have most of the weight planted on the front tires, just after braking and making the turn. I may be on the gas at corner exit at that point though, not sure.

Swaybar is 32" long .250 wall hollow and uses 12" arms For a rate of 482lbs

on a side note, I ran across the scales at VIR and the car weighs in at 3130 with a 1/2 tank of gas and me in the seat.

[Flash68]

Killer pics. Car looks great out there.

[Beach Cruiser]

Got the trans out, lots of little pieces of the main drive gear in the case, this is what Ka Blewey looks like!
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/null_zpsc99351ed.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/null_zpsc99351ed.jpg.html)
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/null_zpsd820dee7.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/null_zpsd820dee7.jpg.html)
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/null_zpsbd304a8a.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/null_zpsbd304a8a.jpg.html)

[Beach Cruiser]

Grabbed this today off of Craig's List, it has an even steeper 1st gear than what I had before (Good for standing start autoX stuff), spent the day cleaning it up and replacing a few seals while it's out of the car. It appears to have been rebuilt before, everything in it checks out and looks good! Going back in the car tomorrow night. should be rolling to C&C for the weekend! Grand total, $150! sometimes you just get lucky...

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/null_zps6de4bea6.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/null_zps6de4bea6.jpg.html)

[samckitt]

Nice. Maybe I will have a kitchen pass & come down. Not with the Monte though.

[Track Junky]

Car looks great Mills. Sorry to hear about the trans but hey, that's racin'. I'll be running at T-Hill in May on a fresh rebuilt trans myself.
I'm with Payton......try a little more spring in the rear and see how she feels.

[Beach Cruiser]

Trans is all swapped out and runs and shifts great! Best $150 ever! Also scored my last pair of Z06 rear wheels this week, and they showed up today! These are the best ones I think I've ever gotten, and they were the cheapest too! So now I have a complete set of 18's for the Hoosier Track tires and a complete set of 18's for some BFG Rivals so I can play in the Goodguys and new Classic American Muscle autoX class sand box. Both require a 200 TW rating, and my Kuhmos only were 180 and riding on 17's. No tires big enough for me in the 200 TW range that would fit 17's. May be selling the set of 4 Z06 (real ones) 17's sometime this summer if anyone is interested.

Please, Tire Rack, BFG, big corporate take offs, anyone! sponsor me? I need tires!

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/3009624F-173B-40E5-8E54-BE8060641B32_zpsx4agrgoy.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/3009624F-173B-40E5-8E54-BE8060641B32_zpsx4agrgoy.jpg.html)
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/0B4428F1-4160-4AE8-AC10-E69314B98C58_zpsskktu8lm.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/0B4428F1-4160-4AE8-AC10-E69314B98C58_zpsskktu8lm.jpg.html)
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/BE33E395-6A0A-4728-B725-73BEEBCCB027_zpsa6nm0fxc.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/BE33E395-6A0A-4728-B725-73BEEBCCB027_zpsa6nm0fxc.jpg.html)

[Black93GT]

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/null_zpsc99351ed.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/null_zpsc99351ed.jpg.html)
Looks just like the transmission I got in trade for building an LS1 harness. I got the short end of that stick... just need to snip a few wires to make it even. ha!!

[elwaupo]

Was the width of the 96 Corvette rear end much of a problem compared to the stock Camaro width? Would love to install that same rear end in my 69 Camaro

[bonecrrusher]

Packaged with Duct Tape?

Damn....

[Beach Cruiser]

I used the later C4 rear end which I think is just a bit wider, as you can see I'm using Corvette wheels which have a lot of offset, but I have 315's back there on 10.5" wheels and there is no rubbing anywhere. I'm also Mini-tubbed.

[Beach Cruiser]

Another weekend at VIR in the books, this time nothing really bad broke except my ego. 1st session out Sat Morning I got a little greedy passing cars lap after lap, when I finally caught up to a Porshe GT3 I got an oportunity to pass him on the front stretch, while my car was faster it took me a while to get by him and I ended up going into turn One a little too hot and on tires that were starting to go away. I ended up off track and spun the car several times trying to scrub off speed, I almost made it, but ended up just kissing the tire wall about 20mph, That was enough to break the grill and put some charactor dimples in the front fenders. Oh well, Because Racecar. It'll probally pop out but I got to take it off to get behind it. Car ran all weekend with the only issue being that I threw a belt once. I need to upgrade to a Katech tensionor which is on the way. The Craigslist trans is also coming out of second gear, so I think I"m gonna just throw an input shaft in the other trans and see how it does. Next race weekend is at Summit Point June 6-7 up in West Virginia.
I also got my time trial license taken care of and sent in my application for the Ulitamate Track Car Challenge in July. This past weekend I ran a 2:09 lap with a top speed of 143.7mph. I think the car has a 2:02 or 2:03 in it once I fix the trans and get better tires. I was driving half the track with one hand on the wheel and one hand holding the trans in 2nd. Hard to be fast doing that!

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/A84BA47D-D5A2-4F71-832A-12AA1A224574_zpsecm9vnjy.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/A84BA47D-D5A2-4F71-832A-12AA1A224574_zpsecm9vnjy.jpg.html)

[Beach Cruiser]

Well Summit Point is now in the books, but not a good chapter. The car was all done and preped and ready. Got to the track and unloaded and decided to go meet my friends over at the Go Kart track. Bad Move! I drove the Camaro... Since it was HyperFest the main road to the track was diverted around a gravel path behind the maintence shop, no problem. On the way back to the padock the sun was right at the horizon and in my eyes when I turned onto the the gravel path, Who Knew there was a Rock in the way? Well, one in a Billion, I hit it with the drain plug of my oil pan and guess what happened?

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/1C583085-2D99-4B18-B8CC-2373E73B1F51_zps1qh1bo6q.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/1C583085-2D99-4B18-B8CC-2373E73B1F51_zps1qh1bo6q.jpg.html)
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/BFDC00D7-84AB-4806-B68C-E54C92CC308A_zpsa1lgpwra.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/BFDC00D7-84AB-4806-B68C-E54C92CC308A_zpsa1lgpwra.jpg.html)
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/E6D790A3-1614-48E3-BD0E-2AC3F0EF7060_zpsctudjefa.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/E6D790A3-1614-48E3-BD0E-2AC3F0EF7060_zpsctudjefa.jpg.html)

[Beach Cruiser]

Taken the next day at about the same time, can you see a rock?
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/29799B79-60E8-4A6D-8082-951DE11824BB_zpshmsklrpb.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/29799B79-60E8-4A6D-8082-951DE11824BB_zpshmsklrpb.jpg.html)

[WSSix]

Barely, but only cause you're pointing to it in the above picture. Tough break for sure. You got the engine shut off in time though, right?

[Track Junky]

That sucks but the good news is that car is kickin' some butt. Way to go. :thumbsup:

[Vince@Meanstreets]

that does suck. Rock or no rock....aluminum pans suck!!

[Beach Cruiser]

Update, I replaced the pan with another CTSV pan, but this time I tigged a 1/4x1 piece of aluminum to the bottom to act as a "slider" skid plate if I ever hit anything again, it won't catch on the drain plug. I also fitted up my new splitter with attached belly pan on the car, It sits just a bit lower than the oil pan, so the pan is no longer the lowest point on the car. I was a little disturbed to find what looked like metal in the bottom of the pan when I got it off but put it back together anyway. So far so good, I ran the piss out of it at the local autox yesterday and all seems normal. The car kicked some butt too! I was the 8th fastest car out of 130 entries, I'll take that. Next the trans is getting rebuilt to get ready for the Ultimate Track Car Challange coming up in July at VIR!

[Beach Cruiser]

Home now from the Ulitmate Track Car Challage, I didn't get chance to take very many pictures. I ended up finishing 27th overall, not bad considering all the "hardware" that was in the field. But the highlight was winning the fastest Vintage award! There were 5 cars running in the vintage group and I ended up the fastest! I only ran a 2.12 lap, about 4 seconds slower than my best. I'm guessing the areo I added slowed me down, and I didn't get enough runs to really learn how to drive it in the corners with it on the car. Transmission is still a problem, I Just pulled it out last night and opened up the cover to take a peek, and luckely none of the gears are missing teeth, it does look like some mauled up 3rd gear, but it's not too bad. The case did have a lot of metal in it. It's going back to the shop that built it today.

Here's some pics to enjoy, I'm gonna try and find some of the other cars and I'll post them as well.

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/29147CF0-F127-433B-9E77-ACDE6C7F319C_zpsmackitvf.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/29147CF0-F127-433B-9E77-ACDE6C7F319C_zpsmackitvf.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/37F6B1CF-AAF1-4B02-92B3-AFFD4820057B_zpszin79yzn.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/37F6B1CF-AAF1-4B02-92B3-AFFD4820057B_zpszin79yzn.jpg.html)

Winners Circle
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/79AF495E-B812-4275-A284-1DF904BEAEC2_zpsznigibyj.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/79AF495E-B812-4275-A284-1DF904BEAEC2_zpsznigibyj.jpg.html)

Back home in the cave
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/08201A5C-3AAC-4B7C-8F8D-6ED146DFEB1C_zpsey8ipfjo.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/08201A5C-3AAC-4B7C-8F8D-6ED146DFEB1C_zpsey8ipfjo.jpg.html)

The best part of the weekend was my Dad came down and my son came up, so here are the three Mills's

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/27973DD5-0D12-4F10-8378-E51D8F983FB1_zpsy7lqhdbv.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/27973DD5-0D12-4F10-8378-E51D8F983FB1_zpsy7lqhdbv.jpg.html)

[Beach Cruiser]

Here are some pictures of the other cars. I can only find one on track pic of my car and ended up winning the damn thing! No Love....

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/UTCC4_zps2644f5a3.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/UTCC4_zps2644f5a3.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/UTCC1_zps8f1734f9.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/UTCC1_zps8f1734f9.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/UTCC3_zpsa3c2615e.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/UTCC3_zpsa3c2615e.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/UTCC2_zps0b653ac7.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/UTCC2_zps0b653ac7.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/UTCC5_zps2db7c153.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/UTCC5_zps2db7c153.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/UTCC6_zpsc6bf337d.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/UTCC6_zpsc6bf337d.jpg.html)

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/UTCC7_zps9dc67913.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/UTCC7_zps9dc67913.jpg.html)

[efs69]

Congrats man!! Did you make your splitter? how far under the car does it go?

[Beach Cruiser]

Yes, all the way to the oil pan, I'll post some build pics up if there interest

[Payton King]

I did not realize you ran against some Vintage Outlaw cars. Maybe you need to do a little wheel to wheel in that class.

[Beach Cruiser]

Payton, I'm going to be time trialing next year. My wife doesn't want me to be doing wheel to wheel stuff. Besides, I already beat them! And yes they are all Outlaw Vintage cars, the firebird and the white mustang are from the southern region, SC and GA I think. I still have a ways to go to get my car to pass racing specs too. I need to put the front of the cage in it, batt cutoff switch, window net, fire system and I'm not sure if the rules require a fuel cell but I don't think so.

Ok, so the trans is at the shop that built it. We pulled the cover yesterday and all the teeth are still good, but it has a spot where it binds up if it's in gear. It spins freely not in gear. They are going to break it down and try and figure it out. As I suspected some metal went through the third gear clusters, so this is what my magnet picked up out of the oil I drained:

http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff356/n2sking/metalslivers_zpsf1066fab.jpg (http://s539.photobucket.com/user/n2sking/media/metalslivers_zpsf1066fab.jpg.html)

No sign inside the tranny where it may have come from, very strange. The poor transmission only had 40 mins of run time on it.