Welcome Nathan! Dude those parts are spot on!

You can never go wrong with $billions$ of G.M.'s engineeering and all you have to do is put a little T.L.C. in it and you have perfection!

Awesome job!


Mark

nate you fricken rock. :cheers:

Hey Nate, Great attention to detail! need a job?:thumbsup:

Thanks guys......


Here you go Kevin,

I just got my ARH exhuast, 2" prmiary with 3" exhaust. I'm not sure if there know in the muscle car community but they are TOP SHELF for the new stuff.

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...psf7a7d414.jpg

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...psc6f43d9b.jpg

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...psb3d70b7f.jpg

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...ps1296ee4d.jpg

The complete exhaust was sent to Jet-Hot for 1700 degree coating in a new premier color. It's has a Titanium look to it.

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...psdd9b14d0.jpg

A couple of close up. Normally they will mig weld the headers but I asked them to tig them.

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...ps7a3f9582.jpg

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...psd70dc74d.jpg

I'm also replacing the entire suspension with Pfadt Racing. They are to C6 Corvettes and Gen 5 Camaro what DSE is to 1st Gens. Aaron "owner" was also a GM engineer that decided to follow his passion for racing.

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/..._2652-Edit.jpg

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...ps95f53d6f.jpg

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...9/IMG_2663.jpg

I'm currently waiting for Coil overs, stabilizer bars, etc.....

It is a piece of art.

Was the cast iron color an Eastwood product by any chance?

Hair, your avatar is creepy :lol: Welcome to the site!


Nathan, what all did you use to do the sanding and grinding? I ask in case anyone else might want to follow in your foot steps later one. I know I'll follow to some extent with my LT1. I love the look of them stock so doing some clean up to the existing design appeals to me.

Also, did you send the powder coating out or do it yourself?

Sorry guys for the late response. I have been burning both side of the candle trying to get some progress.

Thanks tmadden!

Hair, I tried to find the can of paint but had no luck. I think I bought it at ACE Hardware.

I had my local powder coater do them. I sent the intake to "Mike the Powder Coater" in GA. He has refined the art of powder coating composite.

I used several dremels with different bits to help me speed up the process. This way I didn't have to waist time changing bits for different applications.

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...ps597b6de9.jpg

I buddy of mine showed me how to make most of my sanding bits. He called this one the flapper.

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...pse4a54323.jpg

I literally cleaned out all the casting both inside an out! Here is a pictures of the crank case in progress.

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...psed1ad07e.jpg

After

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...ps12d3f2f0.jpg

A before pic of the valley

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...ps2324fa1c.jpg

And an after pic

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...ps48c3a3cf.jpg


After I had polished the outside of the block and the valley blasted to get grip for paint.

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...ps799b5b15.jpg

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...ps57ca8d20.jpg


I had to search high and low to find a tank large enough to Ultrasonically clean the block. I know the owner of a local racing transmission shop that has one, but it wasn't large enough. Before they spent $20,000 on their tank, they'd just hot tank the parts after machining. Even after cleaning the parts, when they'd dyno the trans, they'd check the filter and still find metal shavings! Which is the reason they bought the Ultrasonic Cleaner. In my case, I also felt a bit uneasy due to the fact that I could feel media from the blasting which could have potentially gotten into the valleys.

We also bored the cylinders 15 over which throw metal shaving everywhere. I wanted to make sure the block was surgically clean.

I called airports to see if they had one big enough and no luck. Finally, I found a race engine shop who had one and did it for me.

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...ps687bf0bb.jpg

Here are a few more idea pictures.

I replaced the ugly factory radiator hose with something more aesthetically pleasing.

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...7319/010-7.jpg

I got this idea from Rogers 68 Camaro build. I recreated the water vapor line with XRP AN braided lines and fittings. The hose end that comes off the T fitting would go to the radiator but I'm redoing it. I'm welding a -3 90 degree fitting to the aluminum radiator tube to connect it there.

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...7319/034-3.jpg

I dremel down the injector connectors and got rid of all the fat that wasn't necessary for good clamping.

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...AL7319/134.jpg

I covered them with a 90 degree heat shrink boot to get a cleaner look.

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...7319/014-5.jpg

At one point, I was going to run individual hard lines to each injector. You can see the AN injector hat on top of the rear left injector.

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...psbc48faec.jpg

But I looking to replace this intake. So I'm not looking to do any more R&D on it.

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...pse0000032.jpg

This is a cool idea which I haven't seen anybody do. Perhaps somebody here can take advantage and implement it on their own project.

You, my friend, are an artist to the core. Very nicely done. :hail: :hail:

great eye for detail. If I may ask, what do you do for a living?

I'm interested in the long skinny bands that you are using. Where do you get them at? I've never seen the bigger "flap" discs either?

What are these radiator hose clamps and where are you getting them?

thanks

I make all my own sanding bits. I get that question asked a lot. I going to see about making a How To video of the process.

Those are constant tension clamps used in NASCAR. I got them from

http://www.topperformanceparts.com/index.html?Vl=6&Tp=2

Thanks!

I'm going to college full time for a computer science degree and I also work with my Dad. He owns a life insurance brokerage. I'm licensed in 32 states, and work over the phone.

My first GNRS was at age 6.

*******************************

I figured while I was at it I'd give some love to the trans.

The factory casings are really bad!!! They literally look like they have a disease!

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...psa8738bdb.jpg

The circle is highlighting the seam that I made disappear by the time I was done.

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...ps5c5fdd88.jpg

No more seam

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...ps54358a9a.jpg

After lots of labor, she is coming along

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...ps1b6b7928.jpg

Close up

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...psb64a5832.jpg

Primered.

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...psfe0a408c.jpg

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...ps6a1e8876.jpg

And done.

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...ps3656945c.jpg

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...ps5c5fdd88.jpg

Part of my goal is to drop as much weight as possible. I'm using a Mantic twin disc on the project. Part of the reason for my choice was weight saving. It's about 17 lbs lighter than stock.

I love the aluminum casing. Looks like something from a James Bond movie.


http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...psc24aec54.jpg


http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...psa5225533.jpg

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...psa73df8cd.jpg

The weight drop continues with a DSS carbon fiber drive shaft.

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...psbf6a1961.jpg

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...pse599acf0.jpg


I also upgraded the axles. They are rated for 1400HP. I think I have room to grow.

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...pse88a1428.jpg

For the shifter, I'm using an MGW short throw.

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...ps628e27d0.jpg

WOW Nathan, just WOW!!! You are indeed an inspiration to even someone as anal retentive and detail minded as myself!!!

I clicked the link on the constant tension clamps and saw the price, I almost spit coffee on my laptop keyboard, but then looked again and realized that the price was for a bag of 10 :_paranoid . Thanks for the link!!

Where I really lost it was the packaging on the Mantic clutch, that's over the top!!

Now, after seeing your bar-setting detail work and after working on my car for 6 years, I want to tear it apart and start all over!!!

From one anal retentive to another, I appreciate that, LOL.

HEEP, this is the tank I'm Using. It's from Lee's Power Steering. The cooling fins have shown 40 degree temp drop in on the race track conditions.

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...psd6abe139.jpg


Here's an update as to what I'm up to right now.

I had mentioned in an earlier post I will be using a complete Pfadt Racing suspension on the Camaro. I received my coilovers last week.

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...pscbe06e41.jpg

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...ps106ce580.jpg

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...ps8bf58525.jpg

These things are so pretty that I felt I'd give some homage to the beautiful Pfadt colors,. I will be detailing the rack in the same colors.

Here is the game plan:

The orange circle represents the aluminum piece that will get anodized orange. It will need to get polished to clean up the casting.

The beige circle represents the steel housing that i will get painted to color match the anodizing on the coil overs housing color.

The red circles represents the seal plug and shaft which we will polish to a chrome finish.

The steel hard lines will be replaced with brushed stainless and black anodized AN fittings.

We sent out the four bolts and Clamp to get cad plated which will give them a soft goldish look.

The tie rods will get painted in a similar color as the gun metal color on the coil springs.

This will introduce a little interest in the engine bay. I also planning on powder coating the frame in the same gun metal gray on the coils. Should tie in really nice.

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...pse69562d4.jpg

I took it to Lee's for dis-assembly.

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...ps70230472.jpg


This isn't my rack but it gives an idea of how I'm looking to redo the hard lines in stainless.

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...ps1532d765.jpg


http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...ps107375f8.jpg

This is the same piece as in the picture above with all the lines connect in OEM raw

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...ps296e5510.jpg

I did this all by hand because it's hard to get a flat finish using the dremel and I wanted it to look like a piece of billet. It just took me 5 hours...


http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...psdfb27837.jpg

Polished:

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...ps762321d6.jpg

The steering shaft looks like chrome now!

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...psaadb1c26.jpg

]

Wow!

Have to say it again.

Wow!

I Want you to build an LS9 for my project :)

Nathan All I can say is WOW !!!!

I am a die hard 5th Gen lover and I can't wait to see what your going to do to the car to make it match what your doing with the Engine and Drive train.

You work is truly inspiring and Son you have Mad Skills.

and Yes I am sending these pics to Moose at Rad Rides because it looks like he finally has some serious competition.

Can we see some of the car that this beauty is going in.

Hmmmmm, now we are talking!

Marty, I really appreciate the props and I'm glad to hear we have one more 5th Gen enthusiast :cheers: The car is currently in pieces but I will post pics as I go. I'm currently welding all the holes in the engine bay. About 70 so far.

Here are a couple of pics of a little something I was working on today.

Because I'm using a remote tank, I didn't like the gap that was exposed between the back of the pump and cylinder head when I removed the factory tank that covers that section.

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...psee92be7a.jpg

So I had the filler piece machine to fill the gap. It was hollowed out, so it barely weighs anything.

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...pse465ffbe.jpg

Much better now. It also ties in well with the brushed aluminum pulley.

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...psc8f61aee.jpg

Sneak peek of the custom cradle I'm having build. It's a one of one. Will drop close to 40 lbs of the front.


http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...s946c0d73.jpeg


http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...sa81ee05e.jpeg


http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...s4ff37b71.jpeg


http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...s946c0d73.jpeg


http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...psf1d5d96b.jpg

Looks pretty awesome

What is the link to your thread on Camaro5

This is one of the best builds for a long time! I really like the insane level of detailing on oem parts wich look after your work like straight from million bucks custom shop. And letting us see how to do it s awsome!!

That is some awesome work and attention to detail. That motor is like a piece of artwork.:drool:

Here you go: http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=188393

Thanks guys

It all looks beautiful, awesome job.

Link didn't work for me :headscratch:

I'm not a member but it works for me.

Hey guys!

Here is a quick update. I've been working on putting together my new sub frame. Since I had to take the factory sub apart to reuses the factory spindles and lower control arms, I figured I'd detail everything!

The picture below is a in progress comparison. So far, I've grinded most of the casting on the one on the right and hit it with my sand blaster. The red circle on the upright on the left highlights two more humps that I will also be grinding off. The one that has a bolt hole is to mount the back plate for the stock brakes, but since the stock brakes are going, there's no need for the extra ounces of aluminum, LOL... So I'm grinding it off.

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...psdcd400b9.jpg


Again, still a work in progress. You can see where I have to still remove a little bit of the seams that's left.

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...ps03a12d4c.jpg

Here you can see a side by side comparison of all the factory casting bumps I removed.

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...ps2ccb3ef6.jpg

Once I was completely happy with removing all the factory casting, I polished them to a mirror finish. (reference the one on the left)

Next, I taped off the areas where bolts are going through. I didn't want to paint to those areas and deal with the paint getting jacked up when I'd tighten the bolts.

I sanded blasted them one more time to create paint adherence. (reference the one on the right)


http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...psf5769f02.jpg

Next came a light coat of etching primer

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...ps9d8e6996.jpg

And finally, I spray them with some Seymour Alumi Blast paint from a rattle can.

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...ps9ed1c1fa.jpg

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...ps33d1807a.jpg

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...psb68567ff.jpg

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...psb6f0ac76.jpg

I received my BBS wheels I will be using for the street last week and had them mounted on Nittos 315 rear 295 fronts. I will post pictures later .

I don't know how I missed this thread so long, but wow, this is a great thread. I am finding myself becoming more and more of a 5th gen Camaro fan everyday. Great job here Nathan.
Keep up the great work!:thumbsup:

Wow they look amazing! Nice work, and mucho patients!

Thanks guys!

I figured I'd post an update update before heading out to the garage this morning.

We had our street wheels setup mounted (on the tires, not the car, LOL, as it will be a while since my cars in a millions pieces right now!) I think the titanium color will play off the white nicely.

10.5" BBS Ch-r all the way around on Nitto Invos 315 rear and 295 fronts.

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...ps4632f153.jpg

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...psb45ecf74.jpg

Also received a few carbon pieces.

Most carbon hoods for the Gen 5 Camaros are made just for the "BLING" factor. They are only carbon on the outside and glass on the underside for economic reasons. They end up weighing more than our factory aluminum hood. This hood is dry carbon designed for racing and carbon on both sides. This one is less than half the weight! This is one step closer to the goal of ridding 400 lbs.


http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...ps77383843.jpg



http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...ps8246a84e.jpg

The weave is close to perfect as can be!


http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...psda2aed9b.jpg

We are also having other pieces recreated in carbon, ZL1 rear spoiler, rockers, front splitter, shark fin, rear diffuser.

The Leno Camaro is somewhat of an inspiration to the build, hence the reason for the BBS. I am also working on a wheel package for the track that will be about 40 lbs lighter!

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...ps40a34658.jpg


Hope you guys are enjoying our not so common lateral-G build. As we are building it with a hot rod flair as compared to most of the BLING stuff you see done on these cars.

Enjoying is kind of an understatement Nathan!!


It's more like OMG koolest new Camaro in the universe!:lol:

Wow very very nice. Just the amount of time put into each part is amazing.

Hey Greg, I see you and my dad have the BEST TIME IN THE UNIVERSE with the phrase, LOL

Oh, and thanks for the props! That's the goal :D

Thanks John, here are a few more.

I am replacing the SS rear lower control arms with the updated ZL1s. This will allow me to run Pfadt Racing new ZL1 bars. While I'm waiting for the bars, I felt the GM arms just weren't up to par.

You can see in this picture where the lines are all jagged. I used the blue pin striping tape to outline the amount being removed.

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...ps48ee614d.jpg


You can see it was also covered with splatter.

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...psf813a933.jpg

And had these machine markings on the sides.

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...ps088001b3.jpg

Well, after some sanding and some more sanding, we got them smooth.

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...ps4ff614b1.jpg

Here's a quick comparison of before and after. You can see it's now more symmetrical.

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...ps1cc78a6a.jpg

Perhaps the fabricators on here can help me with this one.

This is the rear trailing arms package I will be using from Pfadt Racing.

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...ps204df694.jpg

I was toying with the idea of making some cut outs on the control arms to replicate the Pfadt pieces. I did this quick deal to get an idea.

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...ps17ea71c0.jpg

My concern is I don't want to weaken them to where they will flex. One idea is to box them or perhaps create filler pieces for the cut out. Any suggestion would be greatly appreciated!

ditto
 

Can u send me alist of how he did that. I'm building a lsx 427 for my 69vert and that look would kill it!!!!!! Very impressed:thumbsup:

Thanks for the props. I am willing to help you anyway I can. By a "list" how do you mean? Let me know and I will get it to you.

************************************************** ***

I contacted Pfadt Racing regarding modifying the lower control arms to get their take before I started cutting up anything. They ran a computer analysis for me and thought you guys would find it interesting.

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...ps609a6de2.png

Hey guys I am really backed up on the posting! I will be posting some more later this week.

In the meantime, here is a quick update: In the quest to reaching the goal of ridding 400 lbs off Project G5R, we are leaving no stone unturned. One of these being the oem battery which weighs in at 45 lbs. We chose a lithium battery from the Lithium Pros. This mod alone will shave 30 lbs off the car.

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...ps4b43906e.jpg

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...ps7056a3ac.jpg


This battery is used mostly for racing applications. it comes with an internal computer to manage and preserve the life of the battery.

Here is an exert from Jegs web site:


Lithium Products L3400 lithium Powerpack batteries are lightweight racing batteries designed for road course, asphalt Circle Track, drag racing, and dirt track use with alternators. A unique feature of these specific batteries is the use of the batteries' full battery management system. The main function of the BMS is to protect the batteries' battery pack.





.

Hey guys wanted to post a quick update:

I picked up the PS rack today along with the pump. It has definitely come along way from it's humble beginnings.

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...ps1e1d7921.jpg

Still need a few details to call it done but she is getting there.

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...psadd873e5.jpg

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...pse17856f6.jpg


http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...psd5b2f3a5.jpg

You can see where the nuts have been polished. Now I just need to finish painting the tie rods.

I had the Turn One pump rebuilt in order to install AN fittings for a remote reservoir tank.

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...psf4b6d4d2.jpg

I swear Nathan I can't take it anymore, your thread has ruined me. I want to tear my 6 year build completely apart and start from scratch. :bang: