Updates to the LM7-67 Camaro

[LM7_67]

My car started off mostly stock and original, but it eventually got the 5.3L LM7/T56 combo (that thread can be found here: http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/conversions-hybrids/1140915-1967-camaro-carbd-5-3l-lm7-t56.html ), full Hotchkis suspension, and Lee Manufacturing steering box. For 3 years the car looked like this:
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs170.snc3/19767_858942630021_10031336_50617007_3183313_n.jpg

But with Super Chevy Phoenix and the Duel in the Desert event approaching, I decided to make some radical changes to improve performance on the autoX course. That is where this thread picks up: the modifications that led up to the Duel. Speedtech Tubular upper control arms, base-C6 front brakes from Kore3, L&H Kustoms billet hubs, and 275/40/17 NT05s all the way around. (Yes, it is possible to run a 275 on the front of a stock subframe Camaro with the right combination)

First step, get stuff out of the way!
http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/1250/97238682.jpg

I’d like to thank David Pozzi for this idea. I saw it in one of his posts years ago and decided to give it a try since I didn’t want to see what a pickle fork would do to my aluminum spindles. It worked like a charm!
http://img823.imageshack.us/img823/289/24561640.jpg

Old vs. New. This illustrates exactly why I switched to the tubular arms: tire clearance. Without that bend in the leading tube it would not be possible to fit the 275s.
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/9585/96269122.jpg

The new UCAs required very minor clearancing of the mounts with a grinder. So much for having a 100% stock subframe. Passenger’s side (driver’s is about the same):
http://img710.imageshack.us/img710/6208/86538184.jpg

Everything’s back together and ready to go. I also spaced the steering arm away from the spindle at this point with washers. After an alignment, it was ready to go on to the next phase!
http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/6867/95966391.jpg

I was originally going to use turned-down drums hubs for the Corvette brake swap, but after reading a couple failure stories, I decided to go with billet aluminum hubs. The L&H Kustoms hubs came with ARP hardware and billet grease caps.
http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/8960/18186417.jpg

These should definitely hold up better than the originals.
http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/9826/82263172.jpg

Old brake components removed:
http://img688.imageshack.us/img688/463/70230183.jpg

Conversion bracket from Kore3 in place. This piece required very minimal grinding on the back to clear the larger geometry of the L&H billet spindle.
http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/9928/28404158.jpg

New hubs and rotors in place. These are just a little bit more performance oriented than the stuff sitting on the ground there.
http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/5717/27171093.jpg

Calipers bolted up and the brakes complete aside from swapping the master cylinder to one with a smaller bore, replacing the proportioning valve with an original style one that could be “gutted,” installing the adjustable proportioning valve under the floor pan right behind the driver’s side rocker panel, and bleeding the system.
http://img801.imageshack.us/img801/9770/13957345.jpg

With appropriately sized adapters bolted up, I could set the car on the ground and bed the new pads/rotors.
http://img843.imageshack.us/img843/9013/97926148.jpg

There ya have it: 275s all around on a stock-subframe first gen.
http://img836.imageshack.us/img836/6015/69961683.jpg

First test drive was approximately 2 hours before we left for California to meet up at Spectre for the Duel in the Desert event. The brakes performed without issue throughout the drive/event. Aside from changing the fuel pump at 7am Saturday morning, the weekend went off without a hitch.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs950.snc4/74323_482962486778_502811778_6732671_5693664_n.jpg

Thanks for checking out my thread! That’s all for now. I may post up some old modifications if I feel the posting itch before new mods happen.

[Flash68]

Good stuff man. I dig your car. How you like those NT05s? I am planning on ordering a set very soon.

[tones2SS]

Very good man. Good job. The car now sits better and handles better!:thumbsup: :cheers:

[Jr]

Very cool.:thumbsup:

How did the car do at the desert event?

[mdprovee]

I have looking into the L&H spindles, how do you like them...I need to plan so I can get 275 up fron too.

[Blake Foster]

Nice work, that would be the first use of our Hiclearance UCA with a spindle other than the ATS. all you need now is the Chicane coil over kit and you can have true coil overs as well.

[lhkustoms]

Tom looking good. Glad you were able to get it all finished in time. :cheers:

[waynieZ]

Nice project. It must drive nice.

[LM7_67]

Good stuff man. I dig your car. How you like those NT05s? I am planning on ordering a set very soon.
They ride great, no noise, and stick like nobody's business. Only thing I have to compare them to are 225 all seasons though, and that is no comparison at all :D

Very cool.:thumbsup:

How did the car do at the desert event?

tied for 3rd :)

[LM7_67]

I have looking into the L&H spindles, how do you like them...I need to plan so I can get 275 up fron too.
they're great. from looking at autoX photos with and without them, you can see my outside tire stays much more parallel to the surface

Nice work, that would be the first use of our Hiclearance UCA with a spindle other than the ATS. all you need now is the Chicane coil over kit and you can have true coil overs as well.
don't tempt me ;) there was no issue with running the high-clearance arms with the L&H spindles.

Tom looking good. Glad you were able to get it all finished in time. :cheers:
just barely! :thumbsup:

[LM7_67]

Time for updates! :D

After a few SCCA SoloII events, a couple GoodGuys AutoX's, a Super Chevy AutoX, and RTTC 2, I decided I needed more. After getting home from SuperChevy Vegas, I started taking the front end of my car apart. The goal is to clean up the sheet metal and make the whole engine bay look good. Also, I'll be finding another subframe to perform some serious modifications on. Thinking coil-overs and even more tire clearance. The goal was to have the car back together for the Camaro Performers Summer Jam in August. With that event possibly not happening, that's still approximately my goal. Can't stand going more than 3 or so months without driving my car :6gears: Currently, all the sheet metal in front of the fire wall is apart, some pieces already at the blasters. I hope to find another subframe next week so I can start the modifications to that. I'll keep this thread updated as I make progress. For right now, just time lapse steps of front end disassembly.

The easy stuff:
http://img859.imageshack.us/img859/8554/90802137.jpg

http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/3008/99594312.jpg

http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/9528/79452591.jpg

This is about where I started thinking, "oh ****, am I ever going to get it back together?!"
http://img714.imageshack.us/img714/6616/89751950.jpg

This is exactly 1 week after I began the tear down:
http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/633/14162966.jpg

Open wheel racing, anyone?
http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/3379/35997546.jpg

And when I was going through the pics on my camera, I found these gems from right after RTTC II.

After I covered my car with mud Saturday morning spinning out on the road coarse, I hosed it off and I thought I got most of the mud off. But I was wrong. This stayed with me all through the rest of Saturday, all of Sunday, and a 400 mile drive home.
http://img809.imageshack.us/img809/7610/calipermud.jpg

This is what happens when you don't have enough static camber.
http://img856.imageshack.us/img856/7092/cordedtire.jpg

Hopefully more updates in a few days :)

[itsals1]

Looks like your really having some serious fun. Keep us posted!

Travis

[Vegas69]

Nice to see you using the car to it's full potential. :thumbsup: I need to introduce myself at the next event.

[6D9]

Sweet ride man....If I ever pick up a second car I would love to do something very similar to your car....:yes:

[LM7_67]

Two weeks after starting this project. Only thing holding the engine and trans in are the motor mount bolts. Just need to convince one of my friends to lend me their hoist for a bit so I can get them yanked. Then on to find another subframe and break out the cut off wheel and welder ;)

http://img821.imageshack.us/img821/994/43855120.jpg

[DFRESH]

T, do you need another stock subframe?

Big Wanda

[LM7_67]

T, do you need another stock subframe?

Big Wanda

Yeah, I'm looking for another one. Pretty sure mine is bent a little, and I'd like to have one to modify while comparing to my stocker.

[LM7_67]

Well, after experiencing computer issues, camera issues, and starting a new job, I'm finally posting updates.

Yanked the engine/trans out a few weeks ago. Freakin' easy with nothing in the way :thumbsup:

http://img856.imageshack.us/img856/2354/93171612.jpg

Then I scrubbed down the firewall and cowl area to get it ready for paint.

http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/7127/69100120.jpg

After removing the heater box and blower motor, I was able to reach inside the cowl vent area. This is what I found. Car's going to be faster just from the weight savings!

http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/1028/86827952.jpg

And this is where I'm at now.

http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/1770/54163201.jpg

Inner fenders and brackets should come back from the powdercoaters tomorrow. Then it's time to order up some parts and get to work.

[70rs]

Nice work! And nice job in all the events you have been running too! Every time I open mag with any event coverage I see your car.
:thumbsup:

[Chevy Kid]

Nice address you have there!

[coolwelder62]

This is a very cool project.Can't wait to see it running agin.:thumbsup: Scott.

[LM7_67]

woo! finally more updates!

Got the inner fenders and the main brackets back from the powder coaters a couple weeks ago. They're just sitting waiting to be installed.
http://img832.imageshack.us/img832/7118/55331345.jpg

After 5 weeks of waiting, I finally got the subframe from the junkyard. They still hadn't gotten it pulled when I came down for the 3rd time and was like "wtf guys". To make up for it, they gave me all the suspension bits that were on the sub for free. "uhh, thanks, I'm not going to use any of that stuff anyway."
http://img851.imageshack.us/img851/7742/70511378.jpg

Subframe all cleaned up and ready to go. Also got some nifty LCAs, but I believe those will be modded as well.
http://img543.imageshack.us/img543/6568/59170305.jpg

Currently waiting on a package from Speedtech and for the weather to cool a bit so I can start cutting up the sub. Hopefully most of the waiting game is behind me at this point. Now hoping for a mid-Sept finish date.

[tgvettes]

Who did the sand blasting for you? I'm about to have my Chevelle frame blasted,welded and powdercoated.

Tonny

[LM7_67]

Who did the sand blasting for you? I'm about to have my Chevelle frame blasted,welded and powdercoated.

Tonny
Arizona Powdercoat on Washington. I've had a few things done by them and have always been really happy with quality, price, and turn-around time.

[LM7_67]

Made some good progress this week considering it was over 110* every day...

Laying out the game plan. If you ever want to see some truly terrible welding, sand blast an original 60's frame.
http://img534.imageshack.us/img534/1091/76387321.jpg

All chopped up. Only need to do a bit of clearancing on one of the notches and to cut out the upper spring pockets.
http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/5835/63522469.jpg

Bolted up the new LCAs and the rest of the old suspension bits to determine just how much clearance I made.
http://img850.imageshack.us/img850/669/33144658.jpg

There is nothing linking the steering arms at this point so the tires are at maximum possible deflection.
http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/683/31803020.jpg

http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/6720/96249065.jpg

At this point, I'm waiting on a delivery from Summit that should arrive Monday. Then I can place an order with Speedway Engineering, and from that point, the only parts left to source are the springs/shocks. And then to weld it up and put it all back together...

[Bustin Dailey]

subscribed.

Can't wait to see what's next!

[Chad-1stGen]

Pics make it look like you gained a lot of clearance.

Two questions.

1) Did you articulate the suspension up and down through it's travel? Does that bring the tire closer at any point?

2) Have you found the need to clearance the rear inner fender area?

[Jr]

How wide is that tire?

[LM7_67]

Pics make it look like you gained a lot of clearance.

Two questions.

1) Did you articulate the suspension up and down through it's travel? Does that bring the tire closer at any point?

2) Have you found the need to clearance the rear inner fender area?

The tire does get a little closer as the suspension cycles, but definitely not enough to worry about. The steering angle is already greater than what's possible stock with normal sized tires so I'll just use the adjuster on the LCAs to limit rub.

When I install this subframe, I'm going to bring it forward as much as possible to help out with clearance in that area. If that's not enough, I'm not opposed to a little hammer persuasion.

How wide is that tire?
275/40/17

[dwfastcam]

Awesome project! I dig that your notching the frame. What is the width and offset of that front zr1 rim? What spacer did you use? Can't wait to see more updates.

[dwfastcam]

Oh yeah, what are you going to do for front sway bar? Splined?

[LM7_67]

Awesome project! I dig that your notching the frame. What is the width and offset of that front zr1 rim? What spacer did you use? Can't wait to see more updates.
it's 9.5" wide. offset is stock 4th gen Camaro. currently using a 1.5" spacer.

Oh yeah, what are you going to do for front sway bar? Splined?
yep.

[Chad-1stGen]

Tom have you done a track day with that yet or just auto cross?

[LM7_67]

Tom have you done a track day with that yet or just auto cross?

Closest thing I've done to a track day is the RTTC2 course. I'm trying like hell to make it in Sept. but I'm starting to have my doubts whether it'll be together by then.

[Tuske427]

Time for updates! :D

After I covered my car with mud Saturday morning spinning out on the road coarse, I hosed it off and I thought I got most of the mud off. But I was wrong. This stayed with me all through the rest of Saturday, all of Sunday, and a 400 mile drive home.
http://img809.imageshack.us/img809/7610/calipermud.jpg



I was there that Saturday. At least you can say the track was cold and wet from the crisp morning condensation. The folks who spun out later that day didn't have that option...

[LM7_67]

Chicane brackets showed up last Friday. Working on the ideal position that gives maximum room for the coil-over while still clearing the UCA.
http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/1380/97423474.jpg

Using a super high-tech wooden dowel to mock up the sway bar. Bending the arms is going to be a blast...
http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/9990/92719307.jpg

http://img638.imageshack.us/img638/3130/14721780.jpg

Mid-September finish date is looking pretty shakey at this point. We'll see how things go.

[dwfastcam]

Kickin a@@! So your getting the speedway kit and bending the arms up for the high clearance radius?

[coolwelder62]

Look's Awesome,Keep up to great work.:thumbsup: Scott M.

[LM7_67]

Updates!

Got all the parts for the sway bar last friday. The arms will be bent to follow the contour of the frame and then shortened to the correct length.
http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/7175/42617704.jpg

Also got the springs last week. Plenty of clearance to run the sway bar arm around the spring.
http://img835.imageshack.us/img835/1001/74013534.jpg

I did run into one issue however. Compare the next 2 pictures....
http://img546.imageshack.us/img546/5771/54695908.jpg

http://img717.imageshack.us/img717/8513/65889017.jpg

Now, looking at some pictures, and from what I remember, the balancer might still just clear the tubular sway bar. If it doesn't fit, even with shimming it lower a bit, the old Hotchkis bar will bolt right in place. I'll lose some turning radius, but at least it will work until I can figure out another solution.

Also, talked to the guy who I'm going to have weld everything back together. He did not seem optimistic about my time line lol.

[482supersnake]

Hi. Was the sway bar a custom ordered piece? If so what type of material is it (chrome moly, or mild steel). I am working on something like that for my Mustang and any info would be a great help. Thanks Scott

[LM7_67]

Hi. Was the sway bar a custom ordered piece? If so what type of material is it (chrome moly, or mild steel). I am working on something like that for my Mustang and any info would be a great help. Thanks Scott
http://www.1speedway.com/standard_swaybars.htm

[LM7_67]

Good news!! Got my frame back from being welded up this week, and my coilovers arrived yesterday :D :D

The frame. Just going to clean up a couple spots on it and off to the powder coaters it goes.
http://img716.imageshack.us/img716/5368/68467731.jpg

http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/7373/50383719.jpg

http://img827.imageshack.us/img827/2615/95141591.jpg

mmmmm, coilovery goodness.
http://img713.imageshack.us/img713/9392/57817765.jpg

http://img845.imageshack.us/img845/2108/69108506.jpg

Now hopefully the powder coaters can do a pretty quick turn around for me. And I need to get the coilovers valved, but then it's just reassembly! (it sounds so easy in writing) New goal is Oct 16th.

[tooblue]

Loookin good:woot:

[waynieZ]

It looks good nice progress.

[dwfastcam]

Looking good, keep up the progress.

[XLexusTech]

So i get the notch but why that cut into the spring pocket? Is the for Break Caliper clearance?

[LM7_67]

So i get the notch but why that cut into the spring pocket? Is the for Break Caliper clearance?

Sway bar arm clearance.


And one more pic during final mock up this weekend.

http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/7554/30096286.jpg

[Chad-1stGen]

Looks fantastic Tom!

[itsals1]

Just wondering why you did not use Speed-Tech lower control arms to match the uppers, instead of the Ride-Tech lowers.

Travis

[LM7_67]

Just wondering why you did not use Speed-Tech lower control arms to match the uppers, instead of the Ride-Tech lowers.

Travis
The standard Speedtech lowers are set up for a regular coil spring, not a coilover. I could've welded brackets to convert, but figured this way was easier. And the Speedtech lowers they use on their subframe have a goofy sway bar end link mount.

[itsals1]

Then why is the Speed-Tech uppers,vs. RideTech? I've been looking at both and was thinking of using Speed-Tech uppers(like you have)lowers and the Chicane kit,with the RideTech front sway bar, not sure now. Now I'm watching your progress to determine if I will do this or something differnt.

Travis

[LM7_67]

Then why is the Speed-Tech uppers,vs. RideTech? I've been looking at both and was thinking of using Speed-Tech uppers(like you have)lowers and the Chicane kit,with the RideTech front sway bar, not sure now. Now I'm watching your progress to determine if I will do this or something differnt.

Travis
Those are the high-clearance Speedtech uppers. They offer more tire clearance than the other UCAs out there.

[LM7_67]

Well, everything fell into place to start the assembly process this weekend. Just waiting on getting my coil overs back from Bilstein, which should be middle of next week.

This is where we started Saturday morning.
http://img717.imageshack.us/img717/3636/90324231.jpg

New subframe going in...
http://img543.imageshack.us/img543/9782/50954975.jpg

Shortly before I called it quits for the evening.
http://img683.imageshack.us/img683/7788/82192383.jpg

Will be back at it tomorrow. I figure mechanicals this weekend, sheetmetal the next, and I'll be in good shape to make my goal.

[LM7_67]

Making progress....

Sunday afternoon:
http://img839.imageshack.us/img839/8199/23076340.jpg

Before going to work on Monday:
http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/8057/99855406.jpg

[Tuske427]

looking good! Making good progress

[LM7_67]

Another productive weekend...

Assembled most of the suspension Saturday, and this is where we started Sunday morning.
http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/1747/88649114.jpg

Shortly before calling it quits Sunday evening. I can't believe it looks like a car again. I am so ready to drive it.
http://img845.imageshack.us/img845/6885/12407526.jpg

Just an interesting perspective. Finally figured out how much air cleaner to hood clearance there actually is. Way more than I thought.
http://img713.imageshack.us/img713/4885/33164915.jpg

http://img850.imageshack.us/img850/9021/30195453.jpg

The plan is finish putting it together, alignment, emissions, drive it to Jerome on Saturday, and a SCCA event on Sunday.

[Chad-1stGen]

Looks great! I'm excited for you.

What happened to the splined sway bar? Is that a phase 2 item or did the crank pulley interfere?

Also, did you paint or powdercoat the frame?

[LM7_67]

Looks great! I'm excited for you.

What happened to the splined sway bar? Is that a phase 2 item or did the crank pulley interfere?

Also, did you paint or powdercoat the frame?

Wanna talk about excitement? I started it this morning!! :D :D I sure have missed that sound...

Uhh.. both.

It's powdercoated.

[LM7_67]

So I fired her up yesterday morning and got to drive her around today!! 5 months and 12 days since I last drove it; it's good to be back.

Drove around today with the front end looking like this. And expired tags. Surprised I didn't get any attention from the police.
http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/1571/55820054.jpg

And what's hiding in here....
http://img844.imageshack.us/img844/1491/57480234.jpg

Complete with a Hot Rod Magazine-style to-do list.
http://img849.imageshack.us/img849/4828/33157370.jpg

This whole process has shown me what career I want to pursue: restoration parts. You can make parts that aren't even close to accurate, and everyone just accepts it. Not one single reproduction part I had to buy for this project has fit without modification.

[LM7_67]

Whew, this weekend was certainly an adventure. So Friday night I just had a couple things left to button up/check over before cruising to Jerome (small mining town in Northern AZ) on Saturday. Car is running well, and I foresee no issues for the weekend. So we do a little of this:
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/301203_2236408542580_1018977183_32025587_109170954 7_n.jpg

Have some lunch in Jerome, and on the way back down, I see the car's running a little lean. Didn't think much of it until we got stuck in traffic on I-17, basically a stand-still, and the car barely wants to idle. Wide band is showing 20+ AFR. Oh ****. 3 miles and 45 minutes later, we get cruising again and I make it home. I tinker with the carb some... no help. Thinking it might be an ignition problem, I head to Autozone for new plugs. As soon as I get out of the car, I hear hisssssssssssssss. Something went through my tire and created a large enough hole to hear it without listening for it. Double ****. Immediately head home so I don't get stranded there with a flat. Just about ready to say **** it considering I have to be up at 4:30 Sunday morning. But, I headed back to Autozone to get a tire plug kit and the spark plugs. Get home and pull the offending object out of my tire:
http://img840.imageshack.us/img840/6229/53104912.jpg

Can someone please tell me how you get a 5" long drill bit to go through your tire blunt end first? After fighting with the plug kit and down to my second to last plug, I finally get the tire to hold air. Change the spark plugs and see if it makes a difference. Nope, still super lean. Triple ****. I adjust the idle screws on the car waayyy out to get the thing close to a good afr. Still sounds weird, but better. Take it for a test drive around the block, and the stupid thing is now really rich! Put the idle screws back about where they were before and now it idles well and has a good afr. I guess the idle circuit got semi-clogged from sitting for 5 months and just needed to be cleared out. So I finally make it to bed about midnight, and sure enough, can't fall asleep.

4:30am comes way to quickly. Check the air in the plugged tire, see that it's still good, and hit the road for Tucson. The car runs great all the way there, and I get to do this all day:
http://img822.imageshack.us/img822/705/dsc0172sk.jpg

http://img543.imageshack.us/img543/7392/dsc0171ix.jpg

Drive it back home Sunday afternoon with no issues at all. Roughly 500 miles on it in a weekend, 2 weeks after starting to put it back together. Success.

[LM7_67]

So I guess it's time to post the driving impressions. First, I'm definitely happy with the changes I made to the shock valving. By lessening the damping under high-speed shock travel, bumps and jolts no longer upset the car, and as a pleasant addition, it's smoother for street-driving as well. I used the same rate springs and low-speed shock valving as before so the car feels the same in those regards. However, as has been discussed, the splined sway bar does not clear the balancer. I have a couple ideas to get that to work but that'll be a project for another day. Running the Hotchkis bar for now. Also, due to the larger sump on the Autokraft oil pan, the inner tie rod ends have limited clearance. So between the sway bar and oil pan, I have basically the same turning radius as I had before :doh: . Oh well, things to be sorted out. Too many upcoming events to worry about those now.

Oh yeah, picked up a straggler from the Super Chevy Show AutoX...

http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/6963/75542870.jpg

http://img705.imageshack.us/img705/6931/76336395.jpg

Didn't find it til days after the event...

[LM7_67]

Just an update with what has been going on with the car lately.

Recently did a sound test out at Arizona Motorsports Park. They have a 94.0 dB limit due to ****ty neighbors so they put on these tests where you can make 2-3 laps for free to see if your car is under. Mine is not. 97.0....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvCqA19nqfk

Then a SCCA autoX at Firebird International Raceway last weekend.
Fastest lap during competition runs:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mM4HfwcC5pg

Fastest lap in Time Only's:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZW5yWmpWEc

This past week, I was messing around with the car and decided to add a fill port through my shifter so I can change/add tranny fluid without having to pop the shifter off. Not real exciting, but I thought it was a good mod for a car that gets raced a lot.
http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/9412/1shifter.jpg

Hmmmm, wonder what these could be for.... Those of you at RTTC will find out ;)
http://img839.imageshack.us/img839/2649/2rodends.jpg

Also have another project going on. These aren't for the car, but something related. Will be posting updates on this one as well.
http://img853.imageshack.us/img853/8540/steeli.jpg

February is going to be a busy month. :D

[Flash68]

97 db?! Wow. What exhaust system are you running?

And this is why I don't wanna ruin my day trying to pass Laguna Seca sound.

[Track Junky]

First time I've seen this thread. Nice job!!

Hope to see you at Buttonwillow this year. :thumbsup:

[coolwelder62]

Very Cool thread.I am liking this build.:thumbsup:

[LM7_67]

97 db?! Wow. What exhaust system are you running?

And this is why I don't wanna ruin my day trying to pass Laguna Seca sound.

1 7/8" primaries, 3" collectors reduced to 2.5" pipes that merge into a single 3" through a Magnaflow muffler (fairly small case, like only 14" long), and then a single 3" over the axle.

It sucks, but I'm not going to re-do the whole system to try to get under the limit.

[Bucketlist2012]

OK...

I am 52, and a Track Virgin...But seriously......DB Limits ???

Oh, and I am a California Native, so I know the State of the State... The Rules they impose on us..

But I put on coil overs, and Giant 4 wheel discs, and all this performance stuff, and i want to be responsible and go to the track...for DB limits ?

Again, I am the Newbie, but Man...Next Silencers at the gun Range ???

[LM7_67]

Making progress...

The start of some brackets:
http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/3079/90488718.jpg

Certain pieces are starting to come together:
http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/1203/64173777.jpg

Picking up a whole bunch of goodies tomorrow :D

[LM7_67]

ooo what could this be...
http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/2172/74167285.jpg

No fancy welding table needed.
http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/8501/59681202.jpg

Not the prettiest welds ever...
http://img845.imageshack.us/img845/4917/58166978.jpg

... but I got good penetration.
http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/3551/63914894.jpg

And most importantly, I did it myself :)

Thank god this is a long weekend. Have a ton to do before RTTC, but I'll make it or die trying.

[tones2SS]

Also have another project going on. These aren't for the car, but something related. Will be posting updates on this one as well.
http://img853.imageshack.us/img853/8540/steeli.jpg

February is going to be a busy month. :D

I'm guessing a rotisserie for the car?:_paranoid
Keep up the good work.

[Tuske427]

Lookin' good! I can appreciate the "I did it myself" approach....

[John510]

LOL the stuck cone is cracking me up..

Nice work on the build.

[LM7_67]

Some other goodies that will be making it on to the car during this upgrade:
http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/2813/70299993.jpg

Spent most of Sunday making this front crossmember:
http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/2656/24676371.jpg

Springs pockets modified to accept LCAs:
http://img850.imageshack.us/img850/2998/41610014.jpg

Mocking up the watts frame. The mounting points for the coilovers will be built off of this:
http://img585.imageshack.us/img585/4895/80822698.jpg

Front crossmember finished!
http://img843.imageshack.us/img843/8677/11904916.jpg

All and all, about where I wanted to be at the end of this weekend.

[tango68ss]

:lol: So I guess it's time to post the driving impressions. First, I'm definitely happy with the changes I made to the shock valving. By lessening the damping under high-speed shock travel, bumps and jolts no longer upset the car, and as a pleasant addition, it's smoother for street-driving as well. I used the same rate springs and low-speed shock valving as before so the car feels the same in those regards. However, as has been discussed, the splined sway bar does not clear the balancer. I have a couple ideas to get that to work but that'll be a project for another day. Running the Hotchkis bar for now. Also, due to the larger sump on the Autokraft oil pan, the inner tie rod ends have limited clearance. So between the sway bar and oil pan, I have basically the same turning radius as I had before :doh: . Oh well, things to be sorted out. Too many upcoming events to worry about those now.

Oh yeah, picked up a straggler from the Super Chevy Show AutoX...

http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/6963/75542870.jpg

http://img705.imageshack.us/img705/6931/76336395.jpg

Didn't find it til days after the event...

Oh...I thought that was some new fangled brake ducting kit that you had there..:lol:

[LM7_67]

Mid-week update. Not much has happened in the past 8 days as I spent the weekend skiing in Utah.

This is a great sight. Still a bunch more to do, but I can see the end now. Hopefully most everything will be wrapped up after this weekend.
http://img825.imageshack.us/img825/6470/61313447.jpg

Spent a lot of time creating this before I cut the first piece of metal. I can't take credit for the housing/carrier though; found those online.
http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/5304/sw4l.jpg

[arue333]

what are the lengths of your LCA's? and what did you use for spacers in the Spring pocket? I think we're both building the same rear suspension setup but I'm a few months behind you. lol Great work BTW :thumbsup:

[LM7_67]

what are the lengths of your LCA's? and what did you use for spacers in the Spring pocket? I think we're both building the same rear suspension setup but I'm a few months behind you. lol Great work BTW :thumbsup:
Front pivot to axle center line is 25". Spacers are just steel tube welded in.

Picked up the last of the real hardware today.

These should be a good starting point.
http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/1332/78536629.jpg

I thought this was heavy. Would not want to pick up an iron one.
http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/4352/55230663.jpg

[tgvettes]

what are the rear brakes?

Tonny

[LM7_67]

what are the rear brakes?

Tonny
base C6 from Kore3 with the parking brake

[67zo6Camaro]

Go Tom... Go Tom.... you can do it! Tick Tock, Tick Tock... get it done I want to see ya at the RTTC event.


Good luck, looks good

[Beach Cruiser]

Nice! I gotta say, I love the color bands on the jackstands! My next Garage mod!

[LM7_67]

Nice! I gotta say, I love the color bands on the jackstands! My next Garage mod!
thanks lol, I saw that in some magazine article 5+ years ago and just had to do it myself

Last weekend before RTTC....

Most of Saturday was spent finalizing the upper coilover crossmember. I wish this ended up being lighter, oh well.
http://img692.imageshack.us/img692/6326/67494869.jpg

Mocking up the torque arm
http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/8217/59455084.jpg

Coilovers in place
http://img812.imageshack.us/img812/2864/32134331.jpg

Torque arm finished up
http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/8339/98137250.jpg

Where I left off tonight
http://img833.imageshack.us/img833/9832/21910862.jpg

Will be back at again tomorrow night. Luckily all the fab work is done, just have to assemble everything now.

[Matt@BOS]

You made this look too easy...

Looking forward to seeing the car soon!

Matt

[Tuske427]

You made this look too easy...


Matt

X2!

This makes my roll cage project look like child's play...

[DFRESH]

Tom--you've got to make this event---hope to see you in less than a week--very cool mods on the car---love the cone bro---you seem to take a little something home with you from every event you attend--El Toro mud for instance---:lol:

D

[Chad-1stGen]

Sooo are you done yet? :D

[LM7_67]

Ok, finally taking the time to update this. Last update was the Sunday night before RTTC. As most of you know, I did make RTTC, but it was not an easy journey. I had it mostly together Tuesday night, but found out the links for the watts were too long. So Wednesday during my lunch, I ran out to a offroad shop and picked up some weld-in threaded adapters so I could make new links Wednesday night. Get them together and finish up the last couple things on the car. I know something's not quite right since there's an interference between the rear rotors and the backing plates from Kore3, but I press on (more of this later). First drive was about 1am Thursday morning over to my buddy's house to pick up my hood. Gave me enough time to bed in the new pads. Drove the car to work that day and left for California about 5pm. Made it to the La Quinta in time to catch the last of the parking lot partiers.

Here's a couple pictures from that week. Wasn't taking many due to rush to get the car done.

http://img713.imageshack.us/img713/2525/20120424105012.jpg

http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/4199/20120312090415.jpg

So Friday morning of RTTC. Luckily I was on the autoX first so I could test out my new suspension that I finished up just over 24 hours prior. It was running fine throughout the day until late afternoon on the autoX course. Heard one pop, didn't think too much of it, heard another, and then the sound of metal dragging on the ground. Oh ****. Car is still rolling ok, but I coast off to the side. Get out to look underneath, and my &)($&#% torque arm is hanging on the ground. Push it back to the pit area and get it up on jack stands to see wtf happened. The upper bar cracked and sheared which placed the entire load on the lower turnbuckle which then failed.

Red lines show where it broke
http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/3108/12964151.jpg

After running around asking everyone if they had a welder on site. Brett from Fab53 offered to take it home and weld it back together for me that night. HUGE thanks to Brett for this. He saved my ass big time. He brought the arm back Saturday morning, complete with lots of extra bracing and a ubiquitous Fab53 sticker. Threw it in and went racing. Raced all day Saturday without issue, and then drove it home on Sunday.

Whew.

Drove it to work one day the week after RTTC and realized something was still wrong. Took me a few weeks to dig into it, but I found out that the offset of my rear axles (flange to bearing) was wrong. Rear rotors dug into the backing plates and pad abutment brackets. Got that fixed just last weekend and cleaned up all the collateral damage. Finally driveable again last Sunday. No issues. 'tis a good feeling.

So how do I celebrate?

Drive on a bunch of dirt roads today
http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/8369/20120506185109.jpg

It's filthy beyond belief, but it's good to be back. :D

[Rick D]

That's hot ridding for you. Looks great how much better does it feel and handle with the new rear setup from the old?

[Chad-1stGen]

Tom is still alive!

So was that dukes of hazard style driving on dirt roads lol?

[LM7_67]

This is bad:

http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/3639/20120528160119.jpg

[frojoe]

That does look bad, I think one of those studs has a bit of grease on it..!! :P

[Vegas69]

I'm assuming a few to many of these....
aHKwmwDQNjA

[LM7_67]

This is really bad:

http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/9465/20120530210624.jpg

http://img542.imageshack.us/img542/7016/20120530210639.jpg

[makoshark]

Ouch! Have you spoken with L&H?

[LM7_67]

Wow, I've been slacking on keeping this up to date. I'll try to pick up where I left off.

So last May I found that the wheel bearing exploded, gouging my spindle. Due to some difficulty getting a hold of Luke at L&H, I started to look at other options, and sure enough, a smokin' deal on a set of these popped up in the classifieds.
http://imageshack.us/a/img692/8881/63927173.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img832/2227/76397570.jpg

Of course they installed with no problem, but the real issue lies in that the AFX spindles have ¾” drop built in while the old L&H spindles had none. This takes the wheel and moves it up into the outer tie rod end. Where I had barely marginal clearance before, I now had a major issue. Luckily, one of my buddies had a set of “short” first gen arms laying around which moved the outer tie rod end in approx. ½”.
http://imageshack.us/a/img51/3285/21605447.jpg

Unfortunately, this was still not enough. I decided to go with a stud and rod end arrangement to move the outer rod end up as much as possible. Also unfortunately, no one makes a stud adapter in the correct taper/size for the first gen steering arm that’s fully threaded.
http://static.speedwaymotors.com/RS/SR/Product/91636055_R.jpg

After having a machine shop ream out the steering arm to match a Ford 7* tapered stud and trimming down the stud as short as possible, I found that it would just barely fit behind a set of 18” C5 wheels I had laying around. Of course, by this time, Return to the Coast is practically around the corner (beginning of October). Luckily, there was no crazed rush to finish the suspension this time; just an alignment on the day I had to leave and then off to California where the car performed great. I didn’t have any problems all weekend…
http://imageshack.us/a/img560/640/camaro2z.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img29/1803/camaro1n.jpg

…until the drive home. After the awards ceremony, I left El Toro about 6pm. Now, I know I have to get up at 5am for work the next day and it’s roughly a 6 hour drive back home. So I load up on Red Bull and snacks and hit I-10. My goal is to just stake awake. Just East of the Riverside/San Bernardino area, the car starts to act up. It’ll intermittently lose power and break up while cruising along the highway, but I decide to just press on. Where I-10 cuts through the hills, it has gotten to the point where it’ll lose all power and I have to coast off to the shoulder a couple times, but it’ll keep idling. At this point, I’m thinking I got a bad batch of gas in LA, and my one goal is to make Chiriaco Summit so I can fill up and put in some gas treatment. After nearly getting run off the road by semis as I was coasting, I finally made Chriaco where I filled up and pressed on. Still not running right. By this time, I’ve found that I can get up to cruising speed for a few minutes and when it starts to break up, I can put in the clutch and coast from 70 down to 50 and then back in gear to get up to 70 again and cruise for a few more minutes. Now I’m thinking it’s the fuel pump that’s getting weak and not keeping the carb’s bowls full. Regardless, I press on and continue this cruise and coast method all the way back to Tempe, AZ. It kept me awake no problem, but it’s now 2:30am, and I have to get up in 2 and a half hours. Blargh. At least I made it.

A couple days later, when I decide to look at the car, I jack up the rear end and find the root of my troubles.
http://imageshack.us/a/img89/904/74266865i.jpg

Then I remember bottoming out hard while getting lost trying to leave El Toro (the brake line bracket sits directly below that clamp). At least it’s an easy fix.

Of course at this point, my registration is also expired (drove to Cali and did RTTC on a temp-tag). I can pass emissions without much issue, but I had cut off my tail pipe and was running just a turn-down in front of the axle. AZ law states that the exhaust must exit at the edge of the vehicle. I wasn’t going to let such a silly rule stop me so I rigged up an exhaust to use for emissions testing which provided no shortage of amusement to everyone who saw it.
http://imageshack.us/a/img820/2520/96969036.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img687/7861/35386080.jpg

Through emissions and registered – Whew!

[Flash68]

:lol: Tom, that exhaust is something else.... looks like something straight outta Fast n Furious.

You ever get a hold of Luke? I know he still dealing parts....

[LM7_67]

:lol: Tom, that exhaust is something else.... looks like something straight outta Fast n Furious.

You ever get a hold of Luke? I know he still dealing parts....
Nope, a couple emails and the deal on the AFXs later, and I'm done with that situation.

[67zo6Camaro]

http://imageshack.us/a/img687/7861/35386080.jpg

– Whew!

That's so cool. Do you mind If I copy that idea :poke:

Welcome back Tom

[frojoe]

I like what you did with the exhaust, but it's incomplete. Should look like this...

http://www.bosozokustyle.com/sites/default/files/bosozoku-exhaust-of-the-week-double-u.jpg

[67zo6Camaro]

OMG! joe. I'm still laughing as I type.

[LM7_67]

Next time I need to get through emissions, I'll be sure to do something like that Joe.

And yes Brett, you can copy that idea all you want.

[LM7_67]

Alright, so at this point, it’s the beginning of November. Car’s running well – all is good. Scottsdale GoodGuys was a blast, and the following weekend was a track day on Firebird Main.
http://imageshack.us/a/img685/1151/20121125114852.jpg

In the middle of December, I decide to give the car a look over, and sure enough, I find another issue.
http://imageshack.us/a/img845/2610/20121224133711.jpg

I only had maybe 0.050” clearance previously, and I thought even with a little wheel flex, that’d be fine. I could live with a little self-clearancing. Little did I know the outer rim would move almost 3/8”!!
http://imageshack.us/a/img10/383/20121224134833.jpg

So it was time to tear the front end apart again.
http://imageshack.us/a/img541/508/20121224142523.jpg

With some help from my good buddy Dale, we took a torch to the steering arms and bent them in roughly 3/8”. Ackerman is just a suggestion, right?
http://imageshack.us/a/img210/8291/20130121200926.jpg

With everything back together, there was a ton more clearance. Best part is that I can fit my 17’s again!
http://imageshack.us/a/img703/7735/20130129195404.jpg

This brings us up to the present day. I would say everything will be ready for RTTC at the end of the month, but that will just be jinxing myself. :)