Wayne ... that's good to hear! I have a lot of catching up to do after the back surgery, I did lose 24lbs since Labor Day, I haven't weighed 186 since ........last time, lol!

Let's see some car pixs soon, OK?

Michael

As always, great posts. Your entire thread inspired me to get me where my car is today. The incredible amount of detailed work you have done is mind blowing.

Thank you for the compliment .... I get a lot of inspiration from the other builds also, that's what makes this forum so GREAT! Can you imagine doing this 20 years ago w/o sharing pixs and insights?



Speaking of inspiration .... Stielow is #1 and I borrowed this off his cars, JACKING POINTS! This one needs a little finish work and three more to go ..... take a look!

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...912/Z5w5L1.jpg
Almost ready to go .... three more to weld up!


Thanks for looking ....get out in the garage, I had to use the heater today, OMG!

Yep that's a great idea. I have all the parts bought already just not welded in yet. Make sure to post plenty of photos and also how you mod your floor stands. Good stuff !

Kept warm
 

Thanks ... Mark has used it on quite a few Camaros, thought I'd borrow the idea!

with the heat of the welder! I told myself I was gonna stay out in the garage until I finished the jacking points .... I finished, and made a big mess along the way. The welder kept me warm thou!

That's the cap I used, the guy at the metal place said it was for schedule 40 pipe caps, seems to work for my purpose too!

Some pixs to look at:

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...905/GLz8Gt.jpg

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...633/yaQRze.jpg

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...905/FeKV8S.jpg

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...537/85OaBK.jpg


Thanks for looking ... I need to get this back under the car tomorrow and get the template for the connectors and start welding them into the car, wish me luck!

Looks Good !
 

Funny you are using your welder to stay warm and in my part of country it just got cool enough to enjoy the garage. I like how that looks, even simpler than I imagined and the same caps I bought as well. I was even thinking of putting one in the center of the subframe up front so I could jack up the whole front end at one time. That area on the stock frame is already dented from jacking over the years and needs to be beefed-up anyway. Keep going !

Frame connectors
 

are ready to weld in! I had the local Metal Dist. cut out some brackets outa 0.125" and got them mocked in tonight, still need to trim the inside cuz the tranny crossmember is right there. I am going into my old work place and borrow their welder to get these attached to the connectors, needed some heat for .125".

Anyway, not very artistic plates .... but practical. Then I'll weld tubes in the frame to stiffen up the bolt holes.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...904/XieCtP.jpg

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...913/NWTzsY.jpg

I need to adjust the floor opening to allow the connector to mate to the frame in the same plane .... they are off about a 1/8" to line up, then I can weld em in finally!

Oh, I have that brown truck coming hopefully Wednesday, bringing my ....... :rolleyes:

Thanks for looking ....

Looking good Sonar. I heard you need to have the full weight of the car on the suspension with motor, seats etc. before completely welding the subframe connectors in or trying to align the holes to bolt them up. You might want to look into that. I'd hate for you to do all that work and have to redo it.

This project keeps getting better. Nice adaptation of Mark's jacking idea. By the time you finish I think that we'll be looking at your cars for ideas to adapt to our own.

Keep warm.

Rod in HB

I just called and talked to DSE and they recommend to wait til I have the suspension and rear end in and measure the wheelbase before I weld them in .... didn't say anything about the build weight. Just said make sure its square :rolleyes: .


Thanks for the compliment ... I'm still plugging away, only want to do this once, the right way!!!

It would seem difficult to weld the top of the seat mounting plate back in after re-installing the seats...? I do not see that in the instructions linked below.

http://www.detroitspeed.com/images/i...Connectors.pdf

An important tidbit pasted from the instructions... "If you have any questions, please call Detroit Speed at (704) 662-3272."

The weight in general needs to be settled on the suspension before welding the plates from the subframe to the subframe connectors. I'm not sure which seat plate your referring to but only a small square of the seat mount needs to be removed to install the subframe connectors.

Good day
 

fer sure, got the brackets welded onto the connectors and figured since I had to wait until I get the C5 knuckles and the Ride Tech 4 bar on the 12 bolt I'd get the 'ol 12 bolt out and take a look at what I bought 3 years ago!

This 12 bolt has all the goodies already done, (c-clip eliminators, welded tubes, posi, 1/2 wheel studs, summit cover, and all brand new!) professionally rebuilt and never had gear oil in it ... I couldn't remember since I covered it with plastic and put it in the corner. I need to get the perches off and prep for the airbar install.

Some car porn for ya'll .....

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...673/OSWvD4.jpg

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...661/A1HAax.jpg

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...912/AWugvZ.jpg

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...746/NQfUQd.jpg

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...673/EZ6dOZ.jpg

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...538/48SMFx.jpg


I'm pretty stoked about this purchase, its almost ready to put under the car ... waiting on parts. I thought I had a lot of upgrades to do to get this ready to thrash on, guess not!

I'll get the perches off and start on something else, oh yeah I got motor parts coming from Jegs, that'll keep me busy too!

Thanks for lookin ....

Its nice when you go back to something you bought and its better than you remember!

What brakes do you have there Chief?

Whats the gear ratio?

Nice piece for sure. I was debating having my tubes welded to the center while mine is out.

Its much like Christmas in October!!!



It came with Wilwood 12.19 4 pistons, should be good for what I need, I remember calling Wilwood with numbers and they told me which kit it was .... don't recall right now thou.

The gear ratio is 3.55 .... just perfect for a driver!

Awesome, I would be happy as heck with those brakes. That's the same ratio as the 12 I picked up this summer which I had wished was still 3.73 like when it was new... But I bought it anyway.

The previous owner changed it to 3.55 and had it all gone through and freshened up, but the brakes came off and went in the scrap box the other night.

It Wasn't
 

Are you gonna change out the gears? I figure I'll see how these go for a starter ... there is always something to change in the future, that's hot rodding!!!


the brown truck, it was the white one! Either way I got my C5 suspension parts, they look really good - piston bores are shiny, bushings look good, and they saved all the ball joints!!!

So .... other than a scotch brite and some wd40 what is the best way to get all this cleaned up? I know someone has done this before me .... suggestions? I'll start with the pad and see how far I get.

More car porn ....
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...909/8qE2DC.jpg

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...912/zd3TG1.jpg

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...908/Fk8OkE.jpg


Man this stuff is light, and those 12 7/8 rotors are cool .... well have to go out and start cleaning and source some bolts to get this on the sub.

Thanks for lookin .... I already sourced new GM hubs for this setup, just have to drive down to ColoSprngs next week and get them.

Sweet !

If my wishes were fishes and my net was full there would be 3.73, 33 spline axles & true trac, with upgraded bearing ends... In all reality your Rear brakes are my pinnacle. I have 6p up front.

But yeah, I will likely run the 3.55 posi and probably transfer my drums off the 10 bolt until I nab some rear disc brakes with a parking brake... Which may be sooner than later with any luck at all.

Sweet score on the c5 parts, consider brown scotchbrites for heavy deposits, maroon is the first I would try, grey is a waste of time in my opinion. I got some dark grey from the local weld supply but they are messy and coarse as heck.

Wear some gloves or you will have 80 grit finger tips by the time you are done.

The mechanic is IN HOUSE!
 

I started on the arms with maroon and WD40, seemed to get most of the grime off. The lowers are worst with grease and smuck all over them .....:disgusted:


What have I been doing? Cleaned up the upper and lower C5 arms, ordered all the Grade 8 hardware I need to bolt up the C5 on Mock's frame, replaced front disc pads on the GMC truck, replaced the clutch out on the XR650R ( friction discs were at the service limit), and started working on the SBC .... JEGS delivered yesterday. No sense wasting time, can't do anything til the Grade 8 hardware gets here .... work on the SBC!!!

Torqued the heads and PTV clearance (check), pushrod length (check), ...... where the heck is the rest of my ARP polylocks? Don't know, they just vanished, end of the night!!!

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640...674/nezw3d.jpg
New friction and discs for the ol bike!
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...674/pAGQlx.jpg
The SBC getting some work prior to installing!
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...903/8sRxKU.jpg
Comp Cams 1.52 rockers set on #1.
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...537/CgeixV.jpg
Pretty good markings for push rod length 7.80
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...538/oLLE8w.jpg
Piston to valve clearance .... plenty!
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...904/1KDDqs.jpg
Can't wait to fire up these AFR's .... sweet!


I'll get back on the engine tomorrow, as soon as I find the dang polylocks ... or buy a new set, GRRRRRR.

Thanks for looking .....

The motors looking good.

Thanks Wayne ... been some time since I worked on the engine ... felt good to wrench.



Tore up the garage looking for the dang ARP polylocks ... Hello Jegs?

Did get something done today .... welded up the cuts I made in the DSE wheel house. Time consuming welding, hammer and dolly, repeat!

Waiting on parts to finish the engine, Ride Tech airbar, and grade 8 bolts .... I'll finish dressing the wheel house tomorrow and then prep the 12 bolt for the 4 link and paint.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...661/KSIdBy.jpg


Thanks for looking ....

Update 10/19
 

Making progress on the inner, got the relief cuts welded and made the closeout piece for the driver's side inner, also smoothed out the sway bar ends and steering arms from where they were bent .... don't want stress fractures.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...905/SZ0xu1.jpg
Setting up the patch!

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...673/FO7Ue9.jpg
All smoothed out and ready for paint.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...538/qb041X.jpg
Inner tub all ready to weld in .... my plasma cutter got outa hand on the outer :RunninDog:

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...673/BHy13B.jpg
That is why I reformed the edge to fit my car .... nice tight gaps!!!

Well, tomorrow is another day, thanks for looking ....

C5 knuckle
 

mounted on drivers side! Got the used parts cleaned up so they are respectable to mount on the Camaro ... drivers side mounted and looking so good, I'm pleased!!!!

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...540/gVxrwD.jpg

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...674/Ej5RPe.jpg

I have replacement hubs already lined up, just have to road trip to get them. My Ride Tech air bar should be here Thursday ... yeah!

Thanks for looking ...

Lookin' good! Those cleaned up nicely!

Yeah, a little elbow grease and some WD40 they came out pretty good, the new hubs will make nice too, figure I'll dress them a little nicer when time comes to paint them for final install.

Got the sway bar ends on today and finished buttoning up the heads on the motor .... work on the intake tomorrow and do some sandblasting of the front leaf perches.

Always somethin' to do ... thanks for lookin'

That is just a great looking setup. The tubular arms are great too but I am partial to the factory cast items for some reason.

They look sweet on there.

Finally off the
 

cart, no more training wheels!!!! Got the car off the cart today ... good feeling of progress, however slow its progress.

I am pleased with the components, I think a simple clear coat and she'll be looking good.

Thanks, I think so too!!!

Also got out the original valve covers and cleaned them up, made mounts for the original shocks, unpacked the Ride Tech box ... just like Christmas!!! I'll finish the engine tomorrow and lift the car back onto stands and drop the engine into the frame. I had to order longer u bolts for the multi leaf setup on the 12 bolt, they'll be here on Monday.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...537/ImCqIh.jpg

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...901/3WhW1i.jpg

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...911/QXGrzB.jpg

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...674/LBpFSp.jpg

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...540/bj234A.jpg

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...661/bLXAEu.jpg



So I'll work on the air bar fitment and get that all lined up w the 12 bolt, spray some epoxy, and keep plugging on .....

Thanks for looking ...

Sounds like a plan!

Air Bar
 

frame in ... PITA by yourself! Especially when my car was one of the variants that didn't line up with the holes just right.... I wrestled it into place. Epoxied the leaf mounts, bolted the shock mounts and got the bars ready for test fitting, and spent another 3 hours cleaning up the trunk pan (my arms are tired now) and rails for some epoxy tomorrow ... supposed to be 80 degrees.


http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...540/PzhwmX.jpg

Wanted to get the holes drilled out on the frame but I didn't have a driver for the drill to get the bolts in ... I'll get that in the morning and then prep for painting.

Not much progress ... it's clean thou!!!

Thanks for looking ...

Chief in the top left of the picture where the slotted hole is does the flat piece sit flat against the frame rail ? Mine has a space between the rail and the bracket where the bolt goes through the slotted hole. that's a lot of sanding for above you head.

Yeah there is a space there btwn the frame, that is the side that the index bolt didn't line up w the frame and kinda went in sideways? I will look at the frame again tomorrow and maybe put some pressure w a jack in see if she'll close the gap, or slot the frame a little ... then I can drill the 18 holes and get the bolts in, that's the plan anyway!

There is a gap on my car too, I'm trying to think of a way to close it up without a ton of cutting on the R.T. frame.

Seems like you may need to trim the bracket a little in this area. Others on the site must have run into this ?

http://i.imgur.com/E9TnMHAl.png

Engine stand is MT!!!
 

The bracket isn't touching quite there.... I think its cuz the index bolt had to go into the frame at an angle, wasn't drilled in the middle of the frame :confused59:



Good day when the engine stand is empty! Got the underside of the trunk in epoxy and finished buttoning up the engine, still need to set valve lash and finish painting. I wanted to get the engine in and determine the driveline angle for the 4 link onto the 12 bolt.

Figured I'd try the headers I have ... NO GO! Anyone need some coated headers for a SBC?
Anyway, that's it so far, will work on the air bar tomorrow and try to get the holes drilled and cinched up tight to the frame as per the instructions.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...907/otZvxa.jpg

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...661/nfhIl7.jpg

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...911/0knmwZ.jpg
Finally installed .... I know the orange doesn't match, I'll have to respray the whole engine ....GRRRRR!
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...745/C92zFM.jpg
Yeah ... they don't fit, need to call AME!


I called POR15 people about the colors not matching and they said they changed the recipe some years ago .... now I have to respray!!! Figure I'll get her running and then just spray the complete engine like GM did ...


Thanks for looking ....

Air bar
 

frame is in, nice fit too! Called Ride Tech and he said don't be skeered ... the bolts will snug that gap up, it did. There is only a 1/16 that I may put a washer under when the time comes to put her in for good!!!

Will need to trim off a little the frame where the mini tub is a little deeper ... no biggy! Quality products from Ride Tech .... thanks!!!


http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...537/yqohPL.jpg

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...673/vAeNQA.jpg

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...537/5xEODn.jpg


I still have 6 more holes and bolts to install, and mount the sway bar braces, and the floor brackets, but this will hold her for getting the rear end pinion set and such ..... waiting on my u bolts from Speedway, grrrrrr!

So, if its good enough for the 48 Camaro its good enough for my Camaro ... quality product!!

Thanks for looking ...

Mine is an older version it doesn't have the extra tabs to go against the trunk and the ledge in the front. I wonder if I could get the brackets from Ride tech? The lower control arms were shortened on my car to center the wheel in the wheel well so my upper shock mounts need to be adjusted. I guess its coming out !

You can get the rear sway mount/support brackets tabs from Ridetech if you have an older air/bar setup.