I made a little more progress this weekend. Made the caliper mounts and tacked them in.

Also got the LCA's set where I wanted them. 0 degrees.

And the torque tube started. Looks like Im going with a 60" torque tube to simplify packaging. This will allow me to mount the pivot end directly to back of transmission mount.

Ooops. Out of order. Here's another of the LCA with Johnny Joints from Spohn performance. I intentionally off set them. Oh....and that's actually not rust above them. Lol. Although I am changing the floor pan this summer. Lol.

Got the trunk pan cut out. I decided I couldn't get the upper Airwaves mounted where I wanted it without cutting it.

And the upper Airwave mount bar mocked up.

Coming along nicely!

Thank you. Slow and steady. I swear sometimes I meet myself coming in from the shop. Lol.

I should mention that I may keep the big block and add a T56 Magnum. And also add a 509 cu in stroker rotating assembly. But I'm still fretting over the stack injection. :G-Dub: I may go with an AMD Al front end to offset some of the weight. Its a constant battle with myself over what should be done. Lol.

David

Been a while. Here's a few updates. I'm experimenting with a side exit exhaust system. Just a mock up for now. Already wanting to change some things.

And another....

And another one....

Mock up of the lightened torque arm.

And yet another....

All I lack is the spot calipers which Jason with The GMR has just shipped out.

Amazing how scarce the real estate is under here. Finally found space for the rear sway bar.

Looking forward to getting this thing off its stands for a test drive.

Looking good!

Thank you sir!

Yea, that is looking pretty damn sporty right there. You are still killing me with the gold rims. I have been talking about running a set for 2 years and ended up getting silver, I may need to paint them.

I love the gold centers. I think the gold would look good on your car. Nothing a rattle can of gold paint won't cure Payton. Lol. :yes:

Looks nice... Where did you get the parts to build this?

Thanks Chris. I can't take much credit though. I somewhat mirrored another design of a Watts link I had bought and visually used the pictures from Payton Kings Dead Cat Camaro to design the frame for the link. I decided I didn't want the bolt on link frame that I bought. I like these things welded in permanently. Lol.

As far as the rotating link....it uses a pair of simple bearings 1/2" wide with a 3/4" hole in the inner race. I bored a hole in a chunk of 1" plate in a boring mill. Then cut two pieces of 1/4" plate for the outside pieces longer for the links themselves. As you can see I then used 6 machine bolts to fit the outer plates to the inner....to keep the bearings in. I'll add a better picture of it if I can find one.

As far as the links.....I used tube adapters from an offroad company called Ballistic Fabrication.

Let me know if you have more questions.

David

Here's another.

I really feel like I have over engineered this stuff. Heavy wall tubing, very large heim ends, and extra gussets to combat side loading the brackets. A guy could do this with lighter stuff I'm sure. For me.....the fabricating is the fun stuff. Everyone will get to hear me moan and groan when it comes to doing body work and making it pretty. Lol. Although I am excited to get to put some red through my Iwata. The last 5 vehicles Ive painted have all been black. Lol.

I'm really digging the Trans Am wing like this one. Hmmmmmm.....

It's been awhile since my last update. Very slow going for a home built project. Hope to have it back on the road in a couple weeks. Then wait till next spring to do the drive train. And the year after paint and body. I got the rear painted, put back together, and safety wired. Decided I like the color that was meant for the underside of the car so much that I may paint the whole car bronze. This color really pops in the sun.

And some more.....

And another.......

For some reason with an Ipad I can't attatch more than one picture at a time. Bummer.

And again.....

One more.....

On a different note, we got the El Camino back in shape. I'm still trying to convince him to pro tour it.

The proud owner....after four years of labor. Lol.

And another

Nice job, I like the color!! Who's rear suspension are you using? Also what rear caliper brackets are those? They look like they are welded to the axel tubes?

Thanks Rick. The rear is of my own design so to speak. I had a lot of help from many members. Used Air Ride TQs. Made my own air over hydraulic tubing bender and started bending. Caliper brackets are my design. Laid out on poster board and cut out of 3/8" plate. Yeah....I'm an off road guy. Lol. Yes. Welded. The trick was getting the calipers centered back on the rotor after welding. A couple whacks with a 5 lb sledge. Centered perfect. Checked toe and camber. Everything checked good.

I like the progress. Make sure you run axle seals in that thing...and they will still leak a little.

Thanks Payton. I believe I read somewhere that Moser has improved the design of the seals. Man those buggers are a pita to get in without damaging the first o-ring. But I got them. I opted for normal high temp disc brake wheel bearing grease. I read to stay away from the tacky synthetic grease because it wouldn't stay in the bearing. Oh....and thanks for your help Payton.

Very nice work,rear end looks really good:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Thank you sir! You have a very slick car yourself. Wish I was that far along. Lol. :D