Fletcher's Customs 70 Camaro "Shop Beater v3.0"

[fletcherscustoms]

WE are headed north in a few hours to pick up the new shop car. Kevin (70gotboost) on here put his almost complete 70 Camaro up for sale, and I just couldn't pass it up. Just screams sexy with that sexy orange paint, and very nice Vortech blown 388 SBC under the hood. And the fact it mini tubbed and painted makes it a easy turn around for us in between other paying jobs. WE are doing the full DSE treatment with the subframe, quadralink, double adj remote cannister coilovers, wiper motor, etc. Also outfitting with some Forgeline comp zx3r in 18" with Toyo R888 rubber. Plan is to get suspension underneath it and do some events and beat it like red headed step child. I'll post a bunch of pics this weekend once we get home from the 24 hour roadtrip to get it.

http://www.fletcherscustoms.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10001/normal_33333.jpg
http://www.fletcherscustoms.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10001/normal_22222.jpg
http://www.fletcherscustoms.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10001/normal_11111%7E0.jpg

[OLDFLM]

Wanna race?!?!?! :unibrow:

[cdushane]

Too bad you couldn't call it "shop beater v2.0" :rofl:

[BonzoHansen]

Nice ride

[fletcherscustoms]

Too bad you couldn't call it "shop beater v2.0" :rofl:

You shot that plan to hell!!

[tones2SS]

Very cool. Color is awesome, but I am biased!!! lolllll......
Should be killer with the DSE stuff! Keep us posted.:thumbsup:

[OLDFLM]

New Project Name attached! :yes:

[70gotboost]

Ha Ha - Believe it or not, that was painted on the side of the car back in the early '80's when it was a 671 blower car... "The Great Pumpkin".

-Déjà vu

[waynieZ]

Thats a great looking car, a nice project too.

[fletcherscustoms]

Well its 1:15am and were about 115 miles away from kevins place! Gonna get close and go to sleep for a couple hours then meet him about 5am and load it up and head back home

[Vegas69]

Why haven't you finished the Freedom Bird?

[fletcherscustoms]

Besides fluids,cranking and tuning the bird is done! All that has to wait till it gets off the show tour end of march

[OLDFLM]

In addition to filming for PowerBlock TV on March 3rd, the FREEDOMBIRD will "fly" to the Race and Performance Expo March 6-7 in St Charles , IL AND the Hot Rod and Restoration Show March 11-13 in Indianapolis.

[OLDFLM]

How did the pick up go in the "pumpkin patch" this morning Chad?

We're all excited for you my friend!!!!! :lateral:

[70gotboost]

The send off went off without a hitch, and yes there were tears in my eyes!!! Chad and Jerry are AWESOME people and I am SOOO glad I sold the car to him. They pulled out of the driveway around 7am headed for home.

Couldn't be happier with the :lateral: family!!!

Thanks,
Kevin

[BlackenedRR]

Hope you guys have a safe trip home!

[OLDFLM]

They just left here about 30 minutes ago... WOW!!! What a nice car!!!!!!!
Chad's going to make it even better but it's got some sexy racecar stuff on it already! :unibrow:

They should be home in just a couple more hours... Jerry took over driving duties so hopefully Chad will get some rest. Even at the end of a 16-hour turn-n-burn he was still crazy excited about the car! :woot:

[radrambler]

Chad

CAR LOOKS SHARP..:thumbsup: Hope you guys had a good trip.. I couldnt sleep if i had that car in a trailer coming home...NO WAY...
Remember "BUDGET" ...LOL

Tom

[OLDFLM]

Got a text that said they got home safe... Chad was exhausted and has an early morning tomorrow... I'm sure he'll be on here sometime tomorrow afternoon though...

[radrambler]

Got a text that said they got home safe... Chad was exhausted and has an early morning tomorrow... I'm sure he'll be on here sometime tomorrow afternoon though...

Ty.. thanks .. he didnt respond to my text ,so i figured hes passed out. I know he was amped up to get the car ..

Tom

[fletcherscustoms]

We got in about 5:30 last night. 22 hours on the road. I was wooped passed out around 8! Got the car out this afternoon to get the parts needed list together. Started looking at the 19/20 forgelines I got on the challenger and then it happened! There now sitting under the shop beater! 345 rear baby! I will get a couple pics up in the morning

[fletcherscustoms]

Here's a picture with the 19x10 and 20x13 Forgelines. Still undecided if there gonna stay. It would help the budget a lot if I didn't have to buy new wheels.
http://www.fletcherscustoms.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10001/normal_IMG00005-20100221-1532.jpg

[OLDFLM]

I think they look PERFECT on there brother!!! :thumbsup:

That thing is going to look KILLER when you get the Anvil pieces on there!!

[NOT A TA]

Nice looking project you've got there Chad! Good luck with it.

[radrambler]

YES...That works
:thumbsup:

now we need a pic from another angle because its gotta look nasty with the 345 width under there ..

Tom

[fletcherscustoms]

Its gonna be next week before any new pics and progress. As its now sitting back in the trailer. I'm flying out to Austin in a few hours for work , and I'll be there for a week. After that hopefully parts will start rolling in and we can get started

[radrambler]

Chad

Oh yeah ,forgot about the business trip. Well have a safe trip ..You got a really good start with the Fletchers Customs Camaro. :thumbsup:

Tom

[tgvettes]

absolutely no reason to change those forgelines I think
looks great and I'm sure they also perform.

Tonny

[colin204]

Its gonna be next week before any new pics and progress. As its now sitting back in the trailer. I'm flying out to Austin in a few hours for work , and I'll be there for a week. After that hopefully parts will start rolling in and we can get started

You might get a little snow tomorrow afternoon. Enjoy your week in Austin while you are here.

[fletcherscustoms]

Well I'm finally back from my 10 day business trip. We should have truck loads of parts rolling in this week and early next week. She'll finally get her spot in the shop tonight when we roll her out of the trailer and get to work. Stay tuned as there will be a ton of stuff going on over the next couple of weeks

[BigRatCamaro]

I really like the car you are building I'm always impressed with the work you do and the parts you use:thumbsup:

[fesler]

:thumbsup: :thumbsup: Looks like a fun build

[waynieZ]

Very nice project. I can't wait to see the parts you ordered.

[fletcherscustoms]

Got a nice gaggle of goodies from Anvil Auto this week.
-Power Bulge hood
-Deck lid
-Center Spoiler section
-dash panel
-filler panel
-core support closeout

Just ordered some other goodies from Fesler!!
-Hood Hinges
-strikers
-halogen head lights
-jamb vents
-core support braces

We have also partenered up with BMR suspension to do a full kit from them like we did on Ty's FreedomBird! There customer support and help are greatly appreciated on this project also. Plus it gives the a real world test car that they can get feedback from!!

[fletcherscustoms]

Well I spent a good bit of last night going over the car, it finally made it the shop for the first time since it came home. So we got to go over some things and get a parts list together, do some measureing for some thing to order, and get a good feel of how long of a project its gonna be. We also go to unbox these awesome Carbon Fiber pieces from Anvil Auto. I just "love" me some carbon!!! We did a quick bolt on for some pics, and to check fitment with the blower and hood. All is good!!!


This week we will doing what we can while waiting on parts. Still lots to come so stay tuned

http://www.fletcherscustoms.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10001/normal_IMG00024-20100309-2012.jpg
http://www.fletcherscustoms.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10001/normal_IMG00023-20100309-2012.jpg
http://www.fletcherscustoms.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10001/normal_IMG00022-20100309-2011.jpg
http://www.fletcherscustoms.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10001/normal_IMG00021-20100309-2011.jpg

[coolwelder62]

Love those Anvil parts.Parts an people top notch.Project look's great.:thumbsup:

[waynieZ]

They do some awesome work at Anvil. That is a sweet list of parts your geting.

[fletcherscustoms]

Dropped some more in the parts bucket this morning for the fuel system

-Ricks Stainless Sumped tank, thanks to Hector for all his help
-Aeromotive A1000 with 10 and 100 micron filters
-tons of braided hose and fittings

[fletcherscustoms]

We are slowly progressing on the project. Under hood is wrapped up and and complete American Autowire harness has been installed. going to start the fuel plumbing this week along with the interior install. Still waiting on the rest of the BMR suspension to get here as well as a few other odds and ends. Kid of slow go as we are finishing up "freedombird" and getting it ready to send home to Ty!!

[fletcherscustoms]

Shop Beater V3.0 is now registered and will be attending the following events

-Motor State Challenge June 18th-20th
-Speed bySpectre 341 Challenge June 25-26
-Peach State MuscleCar Challenger- July 2nd-4th
__________________

[fletcherscustoms]

Well I finally had a few our to work on my car last night so I installed the BMR controls and sway bar, a set of Tie rod adjusters, and the AFCO coilovers. Shes coming together slowly but not to much longer now. BMR is shipping the torque arm and my new strange housing tomorrow. So we will start the rear install later in the week


http://www.fletcherscustoms.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10001/normal_IMG00027-20100405-1948.jpg

[COYBILT]

dont tell me your keeping those seats! The Car looks good otherwise.

[waynieZ]

Have you checked how much total weight difference between the steel and the carbon fiber parts?

[fletcherscustoms]

I would say at least 30 off the nose, and 15 of fthe back

[732ndgen]

dont tell me your keeping those seats! The Car looks good otherwise.

just curios,whats wrong with the seats?

[fletcherscustoms]

Well the "Goodie" truck just arrived with all the BMR torque arm components and my new Strange 9" housing with all the BMR bracket welded on !!! now the fun begins tonight!

http://www.fletcherscustoms.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10001/normal_rear%7E0.jpg

[98ssnova]

Quit posting pictures Chad and get to work...:cheers:

[fletcherscustoms]

I'm wanting to!!! but I got to sit behind this desk and do my normal job till 5!!!! :faint:

[fletcherscustoms]

Been a busy couple of weeks on the car. Complete BMR suspension is installed, 3" Stainless exhaust has been fabricated and installed, Ricks tank installed, and fuel plumbing has began. Made the decision to run the 19/20 combo from Forgeline that I had for the Challenger project. The 17's were causing way to many issues in the rear, back spacing was setup for the inboard leaf spring setup that previous owner had fabricated. So they were interfering with the BMR lower arms. I'll have to send the fronts off to be rehooped! Even though with the 285 I can almost turn lock to lock in the front. Might just change out the rear hoop and go to a 255 front as back spacing is perfect right now

http://www.fletcherscustoms.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10001/normal_IMG00041-20100502-1758.jpg

[fletcherscustoms]

Rolled her off the lift last night, underside is done. Moved her into the other bay, and put Freedombird back on the lift to chase some fluid leaks.

She sure does look mean on those Forgelines and looks sweet sitting there with Freedombird!! Shes real close, I hope to have her on the road within the next few weeks

http://www.fletcherscustoms.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10001/normal_IMG00048-20100505-1904.jpg
http://www.fletcherscustoms.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10001/normal_IMG00047-20100505-1850.jpg
http://www.fletcherscustoms.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10001/normal_IMG00046-20100505-1844.jpg
http://www.fletcherscustoms.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10001/normal_IMG00045-20100505-1844.jpg

[waynieZ]

The wheels look great on there. Nice progress.

[fletcherscustoms]

WE are getting close to having both done!!

Left to do
interior install
little interior wiring (MSD, retard, etc)
ext trim install

[syborg tt]

the cars look great !!!!!!

[98ssnova]

Chad what are you gonna do about the strips on the nose?

[fletcherscustoms]

We are going to be painting the nose cone orange to get rid of the stripes

[OLDFLM]

You know what one gets my vote! :yes:

[cdushane]

Looking really good Chad! :thumbsup:

[fletcherscustoms]

Well its been a little while since a update. Car is progressing rather smoothly!! Exhaust is done, fuel system is done. Spent this weekend wiring the dash and laying Dynamat. My hands are look like I've been playing with barbed wire. tons of tiny little cuts from under the dash and the foil backing on the dynamat, and then theres the place I tried to take my thumb off with the razor blade!!! I'm ordering a few parts today to get the running portion finished. My interior guy is coming tomorrow for headliner and door panel install. Should be a couple weeks to go

[tones2SS]

You know what one gets my vote! :yes:

I like pic #1.:cheers:

[Vince@Meanstreets]

number 2 is nice

[joshatfletchers]

i say we leave the carbon unpainted and just paint the nose to cover the stripes. or wrap the nose in carbon.

[fletcherscustoms]

Thats my plan!!!

[Ravenous70]

I say ditch that style CF hood, make a 2piece CF Cowl hood with the cowl being like a shaker hood attached to the motor, leave the cowl section in CF and paint the rest of the hood.

[OLDFLM]

I say ditch that style CF hood, make a 2piece CF Cowl hood with the cowl being like a shaker hood attached to the motor, leave the cowl section in CF and paint the rest of the hood.

That's one hell of an idea!! Something new and different anyway!

I'd always thought of doing a Trans Am hood with a double long (two grafted together) shaker assembly covering dual fours or a tripower...

[fletcherscustoms]

Well yesterday it finally happened. The moons aligned and the stars shined bright as we finally got to add fluids to Shop Beater and fire her up. Everything went great fired on the first turn of the key, and purred like a kitten. Still got a little tuning to do, timing needs some playing with, and she a little rich on idle currently. She should be on the road later this week. Have to install driveshaft, install rear calipers,and bleed brakes. Interior guy is coming over today to do headliner and door panels and get the the measurements to do some custom rear tub covers for the mini tubs. Getting really exciting now

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhO-VFkgcSU

[waynieZ]

Oh yeah sweet music to my ears. It sounds great.

[Ravenous70]

That's one hell of an idea!! Something new and different anyway!

I'd always thought of doing a Trans Am hood with a double long (two grafted together) shaker assembly covering dual fours or a tripower...

or a 70-73 Formula hood with the twin scoops seperate from the rest of the hood.

[fletcherscustoms]

Well doesn't look like I'll be able to make it up north this weekend. Still to many things to work out on the car. So looks like debut will be Peach State

[fletcherscustoms]

Well she is finally road worthy. Drover her 3 miles last night and I'm still grinning from ear to ear. Nothing like a blower!! Totally insane the amount of power this thing makes. Few little things to do, and then we are headed off to Peach State tomorrow night.

Got her in the booth yesterday and got rid of the white stripes on the nose. Also a pic of the rear setup

http://www.fletcherscustoms.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10001/normal_IMG00011-20100629-1912.jpg
http://www.fletcherscustoms.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10001/normal_IMG00001-20100616-1904.jpg

[cdushane]

Looks good Chad! I won't be making it to PSMC :( But the good reason for that is where pulling out the 396 and droping in a heavily modified LS2 :D
Have fun this weekend and let me know how it was.

[fletcherscustoms]

yeah I saw on your build thread you were pulling the motor. I knew you wouldn't be happy with the 396. It sounds mean but lacks some serious balls!!

[OLDFLM]

Well she is finally road worthy. Drover her 3 miles last night and I'm still grinning from ear to ear. Nothing like a blower!! Totally insane the amount of power this thing makes. Few little things to do, and then we are headed off to Peach State tomorrow night.

Got her in the booth yesterday and got rid of the white stripes on the nose. Also a pic of the rear setup

http://www.fletcherscustoms.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10001/normal_IMG00011-20100629-1912.jpg
http://www.fletcherscustoms.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10001/normal_IMG00001-20100616-1904.jpg


Lookin' Good Brother!!! Have fun and kick some @$$ this weekend!!! :cheers:

[fletcherscustoms]

Some pics from the Peach State Muscle Car event July 2-4th.

http://www.fletcherscustoms.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10001/normal_DSC_8375_.jpg
http://www.fletcherscustoms.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10001/normal_DPP_1258.jpg
http://www.fletcherscustoms.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10001/normal_DPP_1168.jpg
http://www.fletcherscustoms.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10001/normal_img2733z.jpg
http://www.fletcherscustoms.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10001/normal_img2732f.jpg
http://www.fletcherscustoms.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10001/normal_IMG_0439_sized.jpg

[fletcherscustoms]

Well just as soon as shes on the road, Its back i the shop to tear it down! WE are making some huge changes up front. We will now be running a Jake's Rod Shop C6 subframe with his DOM control arms, splined sway bar, and his customs Try-y headers. Also changing brake setup to C6 355mm 6 pistons, and changing the wheels to some 18" Forgeline WC3R with BFG rubber. If you want to play with the big dogs you got to spend the dough!!

[frojoe]

I'm really loving the 2nd gen's these days, especially that orange, just makes it look so damn aggressive and in your face... sick car!!

It may be just me, but in all those pics you just posted it looks like it's constantly tilted to the passenger side...??

[fletcherscustoms]

IT does look tilted!! Dumb luck I guess! Cause shes perfectly square sitting still

[awr68]

Chris, how come you did't paint the hood, deck lid, and rear spoiler when you were painting the header panel to get rid of the white stripes? Just a personal thought....but I think it would have looked more consistant and 'finished'...and you already had the paint in the gun........

[brans72]

I am gonna say he wants to show the Carbon Fiber off in my book.

[awr68]

I am gonna say he wants to show the Carbon Fiber off in my book.

I thought he was going to do stripes to show it off?

[fletcherscustoms]

I'll eventually paint the carbon pieces! We did the nose cone blend in about 2 hours in between getting the car running. Didn't have time to do everything else. This winter the whole car is getting painted , that is if it stays around that long

[fletcherscustoms]

WE are back in business on the car. Deals are being made to get it back running. Need a motor, trans and some wheels and we are back in business. My baby has been in storage for a long time since I had the motor failure. Time to get her back going

[ma73z]

:thumbsup: :thumbsup: Looking forward to seeing updates on it.

[GeoffP]

I was just wondering the other day what had happened to you Chad! Knew I hadn't seen you post on the forums in awhile... It's good to see some "locals"

[fletcherscustoms]

I've been around. FAmily life has put a hindrance on building cars for quite some time. ACtually had to move all the customer projects to other shops. So happy to say I'm just back to doing what I love to do and thats working with no deadlines and when I want to. And working and building what I want , when I want

[fletcherscustoms]

Well the wallet is getting lighter. Chris over at JCG cut me heck of deal on the 406 SBC and T56 he had laying around so he's crating it up to head to GA. Nicely built motor for a great deal. So drivetrain is done. PLaced a order for a set of Formula 43 RAD S5 in Autobahn black. Great company to deal with and very fast.
406 SBC- original Chevy block
9.1 compression ratio
Lunati Rotating assembly -internal balance
Professional Products Harmonic balancer
Splayed main bearing caps
AFR cylinder heads- 195
Crower Cam- Lift int 540 exh 565 Duration @.050 int 236 exh 244 LSA 114 deg Hyd/Roller
Cower Hyd/Roller Lifers & rockers
MSD Distributor
Aluminum water pump
Power Master High torque starter
Edelbrock Air gap intake with 750 HP Carburetor or DFI complete system
Racing engine Analysis - 526 HP & 526 TQ

LT1 /T56 Transmission Rebuilt by Rockland Gear- 20k miles on rebuild
Mcleod billet flywheel with clutch & pressure plate
ATS transmission support
Driveshaft
http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/jcgrestoration/IMG_1469.jpg
http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/dd375/tjohnson151/RADS18ClearAno_01.jpg

[OLDFLM]

That oughtta make the "Great Pumpkin" move out nicely! :thumbsup:

Did you grab the EFI too or going carby?

[fletcherscustoms]

I got the EFI also

[fletcherscustoms]

I got a truck bed load of parts in today from Summit. New Dynatech headers, MArch serpentine kit, and tons of other parts. Also got the DSE firewall fill panel and the Baer Tracker tie rod kit in. Wheels are in production and the motor should be shipping from JCG this week. We are blowing the car apart tonight to paint under flat black, going to Matte clear all the carbon pieces, and black out the bumpers and window trim and all the other stainless on the car

[OLDFLM]

We are blowing the car apart tonight to paint under flat black, going to Matte clear all the carbon pieces, and black out the bumpers and window trim and all the other stainless on the car

Without pictures... it just didn't happen! LOL

:ttiwop:

[fletcherscustoms]

Pictures tomorrow of parts laying everywhere!!! Paint has been ordered and will be here Wednesday. Time to get rocking!!!

[GeoffP]

Very cool to see your car going back together! Hoping to see you at some events next year!

[fletcherscustoms]

Ok Ty, here are the pics!!!!Spent a few hours Sunday on the rear of the car. When I threw the car together last time , the deck lid fit like crap. FActory hinges would not allow it go down far enough, and the light weight of the carbon would not press down the seal.So I ended up with horrible gaps and a deck lid that sat a 1/4" above the quarters. SO I blew the car apart made some cuts and mode on the hinges, a little welding, some mods and we are back in business with nice gaps, and bests of all a deck lid that fits flush with the quarters with the seal installed. Now to get the spoiler back installed and sitting pretty.

As far as the front of the car Josh and I spent a few hours last night blowing it apart for the respray. Got it all apart and laying all over the shop. Paint will be here tomorrow and we will start spraying everything Matte Black. Tonight I will get the DSE firewall panel installed, and ready to spray. Along with starting the daunting task of prepping everything to be painted.

http://www.fletcherscustoms.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10001/normal_%2B49.JPG
http://www.fletcherscustoms.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10001/normal_54.JPG

Start of the night
http://www.fletcherscustoms.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10001/normal_684513.JPG
http://www.fletcherscustoms.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10001/normal_654.JPG

End of the night, time for bed
http://www.fletcherscustoms.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10001/normal_11.JPG

[fletcherscustoms]

Heres a picture of the trunk back in 2010 so you can see the difference
http://www.fletcherscustoms.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10001/normal_img2723%7E1.jpg

[fletcherscustoms]

Slowly making progress. But starting to see a glimpse of light at the end of this journey. Been sitting over two years in storage so finally happy to see it coming back together. FEw things left to do, order driveshaft, decide which accessory setup for motor, and then touch up some issues on what was perfect paint from sitting in the garage the last two years. VEry happy with the outcome. The idea of painting everything under hood Satin black, installing DSE filler panel, and a set of Anvil Carbon inner fenders really changed the look under the hood. Happy with my decision even though it took a good bit of work to get it done.

Want to send a special thanks out to Scott Main at Formula 43 for all is help on the wheels for the car. Great folks and a great product. Honestly one of the lightest wheels I have ever held. Wrapped em in a set of 255/35/18 and 335/30/18 Toyo R888

http://www.fletcherscustoms.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10001/normal_luihdsf.JPG
http://www.fletcherscustoms.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10001/normal_lusdav.JPG
http://www.fletcherscustoms.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10001/normal_jhbdahvc.JPG
http://www.fletcherscustoms.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10001/normal_iohdaf.JPG
http://www.fletcherscustoms.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10001/normal_uhdvj.JPG
http://www.fletcherscustoms.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10001/normal_phlun.JPG
http://www.fletcherscustoms.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10001/normal_pdhfo.JPG

[Formula43 Wheel]

Chad,
Thanks for the updates and posting the pictures of the Formula 43 RAD S5's!
Please let me know if I can assist with anything coming up.

[fletcherscustoms]

Getting closer!!! Everything is just about wrapped up and ready to go back on the road. Still need to order a driveshaft and do some a little odds and ends. But finally after 2 years, I should get to hear it run again!!

[Cole]

Nice. Keep it up!

[no go nova]

Is this finished?

[BossaNova]

Is this finished?

Click on the fletcher's customs link..........