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-   -   Vorshlag Build Thread - 69 Camaro Pro Touring/Track Car (https://www.lateral-g.net/forums/showthread.php?t=51973)

Graham08 01-06-2016 05:16 AM

Wow! Thank you for posting this build and sharing the rationale behind the decisions made during the build process. I'm definitely looking forward to more.

Neil B 01-06-2016 06:30 AM

This is quickly becoming one of my favorite builds. I think it would be interesting to compare the chassis and suspension construction and geometry to what was done on Big Red decades ago. I very curious about how modern race car construction has evolved.

GregWeld 01-06-2016 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fair (Post 626218)
We had planned on trying to get the 69 Camaro owner to enter it in Optima events in GTL ("Light") but with the 2016 rules changes to that class (where the lightest a GTL car can weigh is 95% of published curb weights - see below) that pretty much screwed the pooch. I'm not real happy about that, as it bones 4 different lightweight builds we had in process for GTL class, and I have mentioned as much to the USCA folks. But that series seems to be all about the TV show and the sponsors now... Which is fine, because they pay for a majority of this series. Just sucks for some of the more serious competitors.

This series has been going "race car" for some time now.... Not saying that is or isn't good - it's just "different" from where it started. Frankly - it pushes the envelope which is good for "us" because the stuff that gets built - trickles down to the masses without classes. LOL

Rules are like herding cats... it's absolutely impossible to contain the competitors. The more rules written - the more people find ways around them.

markaaron80 01-06-2016 09:43 AM

nice build

67pro-street 01-06-2016 10:38 AM

This is an awesome build, thanks for sharing and being so detailed in your explanations!

expensivehobby2 01-06-2016 12:13 PM

Man, that's some impressive work all around.

Also, as an automotive aero engineer, I especially love what you are doing with splitter and ducting.

Chad-1stGen 01-06-2016 12:56 PM

Awesome! Can't wait for the next update. Loving all the aero mods up front.

1transam 01-07-2016 08:35 AM

Man, this is awesome!

:grouphug: :gitrdun:

hifi875 01-07-2016 09:33 AM

Holy crap! man that is some extreme engineering.

GrabberGT 01-07-2016 01:27 PM

Soo glad you have a thread for this here. Much easier to follow than on FB.

CAM Challenge in Mineral Wells!!! I missed that announcement. I cant wait.

Flash68 01-07-2016 05:13 PM

Terry, is the driver super tall? The main hoop is pretty far rearward compared to many others in 1st Gen Camaros.

Curious to hear your thoughts.

rustomatic 01-08-2016 02:24 PM

Dave,

By no means am I capable of Mr. Fair's professional thoughts, but that main hoop position is most likely a result of the engine setback--everything must go back when the engine enters the cockpit. Otherwise, that main hoop becomes more of a set of headphones . . .

Flash68 01-08-2016 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rustomatic (Post 626843)
Dave,

By no means am I capable of Mr. Fair's professional thoughts, but that main hoop position is most likely a result of the engine setback--everything must go back when the engine enters the cockpit. Otherwise, that main hoop becomes more of a set of headphones . . .

Well, yes, that is already baked into the assumption. :)

But these pics do not show much of an extreme engine setback, and that's why I am wondering. I am sure there is reasoning, just curious.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fair (Post 626115)


https://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Custome...B61G1091-M.jpg

This lower framework will make up the front portion of the transmission tunnel. Access was left for header routing, but a slight change on a component down the road made for some small amount of rework to this frame (you would have to measure it before and after to see the difference).

https://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Custome...DSC_8301-M.jpg


fleet 01-08-2016 03:10 PM

1 Attachment(s)
Quote:

Originally Posted by Flash68 (Post 626854)

But these pics do not show much of an extreme engine setback, and that's why I am wondering. I am sure there is reasoning, just curious.


#UnsolvedMysteries

fleet 01-08-2016 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flash68 (Post 626740)
Terry, is the driver super tall?.

Doesn't seem to be from this pic(?).

https://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Custome...61G0226-X3.jpg

57hemicuda 01-09-2016 08:27 AM

Looking at it, it almost appears that they were trying to make the cage not visible from the outside of the car. Which is pretty cool, but I always thought the main hoop was supposed to be within 4 " of your helmet. The cage in my cars aren't really legal, they were built more for function as well as ease of entering the car, and accessibility due to its semi-street car nature.

The engine doesn't look pushed back so far that it would warrant moving the main hoop back that far. The build is awesome, love everyone's different approach to the same problems we all face. Packaging and function is hard to overcome on these old cars, but it appears to be working out pretty well on this one. Keep the pics coming, fun to watch.

MtotheIKEo 01-09-2016 08:44 AM

This looks like the motor is set back pretty far to me....
https://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Custome...S/B61G1051.jpg

57hemicuda 01-09-2016 09:15 AM

The engine is back for sure, about the same as mine, but not enough to warrant the hoop being put that far back. I think aesthetics had a lot to do with it, but don' t know for sure. I'm sure there was a good reason in the design process that put it where it is.

Again, I'm not ripping it, cage work is top notch, just admiring the different approach to the same problem.


https://57hemicuda.smugmug.com/Cars/...0%282%29-L.jpg

https://57hemicuda.smugmug.com/Cars/...0%282%29-L.jpg

rustomatic 01-09-2016 10:00 AM

Everything is relative here: The driver's shoulders (when seated) are at or behind the B-pillar line (vertical). The floor-mounted pedals are in line with the front edge of the door opening (way back from stock); they are also positioned to be behind the vertical line of the frame for the firewall (I'll be stealing some of these features for myself), which is just behind the heads/bellhousing flange. With the seat layback angle, there are still probably at least four to six inches between headrest top and cage main hoop, but all that space (and positioning) is needed . . .

This kind of planning and plotting definitely shows how it's worth paying this shop to do the job!

Che70velle 01-09-2016 01:27 PM

An earlier post stated that SEAT set back is 18", to mimic ENGINE set back.

This is one of the most detailed and profound builds that I've ever followed. Outstanding work guys! I'm thoroughly enjoying this one!

S.White 01-09-2016 04:30 PM

Chiming in here to try to clarify:
Driver is 6'3". On a good day. So, not super tall? (man, those pictures make me look fat)

I don't know official engine setback figures but accessories are behind the center-line of the wheels. So, fairly significant.

Main hoop was placed rearward due to both of those things. It probably didn't have to be set so far back if there was some packaging issue but there is an extra benefit of setting it further back and we were starting with a somewhat clean slate. Plus, if you have just a roll bar + harness bar in your car, what's the point of the back seat? So, IMO go ahead and push it back. No need on being cramped and sacrifice driver comfort/proper positioning to put the roll bar at the b pillar. Unless it's just there for aesthetics.

I assure you, looks had no part of the cage design.

-S.White

P.S. Forgive the username.... long story but it was related to the car's previous paint-job and thought it was fitting back when I was in high school. PM me know if you know how to change it.

JKnight 01-09-2016 04:55 PM

Just post what you want your new screen name to be and a moderator will change it for ya.

Great build! Obviously..

Flash68 01-09-2016 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweet69 (Post 627016)
Moderator(s),
Can you please change my screen name to S.White? If so, please delete this post. Thanks!

JKnight, if this works, you're a saint. Tried contacting the moderators via email but that was just yesterday. So, probably not giving them enough time.

I just tried to change it but I think only the big cheese (admin) can do that. I will send him a message.

Thanks

57hemicuda 01-10-2016 05:39 AM

Roominess is always a good reason, but I would disagree when you say looks had no part in the design. A cage doesn't come out looking that good without somebody watching out for the aesthetics of the whole project.

Great project, love watching professionals at work. Inspiring to the rest of us.

LXSS350 01-13-2016 10:45 AM

Thanks for putting this build on here. The quality of the work done at Vorshlag is obvious and your detailed explanation's on why/how the car is being built is most appreciated.

Can't wait for more of this build. :thankyou:

modernbeat 01-13-2016 01:11 PM

S.White covered the basics (it's his car), but yes, there is a LOT of engine setback and a similar amount of driver setback. The main hoop of the cage is set back enough that we had some freedom on the driver's position. Everything was setback to gain more rear weight bias, and to leave room up front for a laydown radiator with through-hood ducting both for aero and cooling efficiency.

And that photo, Terry, the owner and I are all 6'3". We understand "tall" problems with caged cars.

Jr 02-25-2016 07:45 PM

I hope everyone on Instagram follows Vorshlag. There was an update... The Camaro looks pretty tough in its raw cage form.

Flash68 02-25-2016 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by modernbeat (Post 627383)
S.White covered the basics (it's his car), but yes, there is a LOT of engine setback and a similar amount of driver setback. The main hoop of the cage is set back enough that we had some freedom on the driver's position. Everything was setback to gain more rear weight bias, and to leave room up front for a laydown radiator with through-hood ducting both for aero and cooling efficiency.

And that photo, Terry, the owner and I are all 6'3". We understand "tall" problems with caged cars.

Jason - thanks for posting. Hopefully you and Terry continue to post here. We are a little easier to deal with vs the C-C crowd. :peepwall:

Really looking forward to seeing what this car can do.

:cheers:

modernbeat 02-29-2016 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flash68 (Post 631080)
...We are a little easier to deal with vs the C-C crowd. :

Whadayoumean? I AM the crowd at CC.com! Well, at least one of the rational voices there.

And here's the car as it sat at our open house this last weekend. Doing some final welding and them have to coordinate with the painter on what order they want some things done before we go further.

https://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Vorshla...61G8884-XL.jpg

WSSix 02-29-2016 12:11 PM

Looks like some demented go cart sitting there without the body on it. I like it! Keep up the great work guys.

4*4 02-29-2016 05:16 PM

Awesome build and your writing skills are top drawer. Keep up the good work and mooooor updates please!

Fair 04-19-2016 02:03 PM

Project Update April 19th, 2016: I've been pretty buried with other work but I'm finally doing some catch-up posts on various build threads and will try to cover the work we completed on the tube framed 69 Camaro track car for November through early December 2015 in today's update.

https://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Vorshla...GOPR0577-M.jpg

The work shown this time includes finishing the steering shaft in the engine bay to the Woodward rack, mounting power steering and oil coolers, completing the front anti-roll bar "splined arm" and end link fabrication, fitting the front body panels better to finalize body mounts, a lengthy discussion of hood and duct choices (including flat hood vs using the existing aluminum cowl hood), making a new front steering arm that bolts to the C6 spindles, then making new tie rods to finish the steering, planning out the wiper motors, making room for the driveshaft at the rear of the frame, as well as some exploratory work on hood hinges and some more front splitter and valance work.

STEERING SHAFT FABRICATION

https://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Vorshla...B61G0714-M.jpg

The 2-piece steering shaft has been "mocked up" in the chassis for a while - necessary during the exhaust header fabrication. We had a temporary u-joint at the firewall (above) made for a 3/4" DD shaft, which came with a bunch of other parts when the Camaro made it to our shop last year.

https://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Vorshla...B61G0682-M.jpg

We had been waiting on the splined lower steering U-joint, which finally arrived long after the headers were built.

http://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Product-...48_pjMW4-M.jpg

We have been making multi-piece steering shafts for many years for the BMW crowd, for use in our LS1 swap kits as well as for racers looking to remove the slop in the factory "rag joint". The final "real" steering u-joints for the custom 2-piece collapsible shaft were ordered and the shaft was built. This unit uses both 1" DD (hollow) and 3/4" DD (solid) steel shaft material.

https://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Vorshla...DSC_9263-S.jpg https://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Vorshla...DSC_9264-S.jpg

Not too glamorous but its in there and the steering rack was steerable in November. It was so buried by the motor and header that you can't really see it once installed.

POWER STEERING & OIL COOLER MOUNTING

https://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Vorshla...B61G4999-M.jpg

To ensure the steering stays cool on track we have a power steering cooler spec'd, purchased, and mounted.

https://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Vorshla...B61G4970-M.jpg

A properly sized Mocal heat exchanger was mounted into the Left Front corner of the lower grill with brackets fabricated from small gauge tubing. One more small tube (not shown yet) will connect this structure to the removable front tubular section.

https://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Vorshla...B61G5002-M.jpg

These tubular structures later had sheet aluminum ducting attaching to the inlets. The coolers receive cooling air from above the splitter and the opening at the left side of the lower grill.

https://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Vorshla...B61G4997-M.jpg

On the other side of the lower grill, another Mocal heat exchanger was sized and purchased for engine oil cooling.

https://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Vorshla...B61G5057-M.jpg

This one is mounted in the Right Front corner of the car, also receiving cooling air from atop the splitter, with a similar custom bracket.

https://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Vorshla...B61G5061-M.jpg

Both oil coolers + the radiator will exhaust out of the hood ducting, which I cover below.

https://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Vorshla...B61G5103-M.jpg

HEADLIGHT MOUNT FABRICATION

https://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Vorshla...DSC_9253-M.jpg

I showed some of the detail work involved in mounting the headlight buckets in an earlier teaser post. Lots of little custom bits needed to make the buckets install with the tubular front end.

https://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Vorshla...DSC_9252-M.jpg

Ryan installed some temporary halogen bulbs in the Camaro while we awaited the LED headlight assemblies. We just wanted to see the front end together with lights to see if the aiming was in the right ballpark.

continued below

Fair 04-19-2016 02:41 PM

continued from above

INITIAL HOOD DUCTING TESTS

With the aluminum front bodywork panels fitting better it was time to choose the hood venting. The whole front end - splitter, various coolers, radiator angle - were all going to be built around a vented/ducted hood, from the very first conversations we had with the car owner. The actual design decision was a long process.

https://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Vorshla...DSC_9273-M.jpg

STEERING ARM REDESIGN

The old steering arms were made to bolt to a modified C5/C6 front upright (where you cut off the integral C6/C6 steering arm). The fabricated parts that came with the car were made for a different steering rack, a different ride height, different tie rods, and a different subframe. These old arms were made without any Akerman and the bumpsteer was pretty bad, plus the tie rods were connected in a single-sheer, bolt-thru mounting design.

https://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Vorshla...DSC_9346-M.jpg

To correct these suspension geometry issues, Ryan did the suspension software calculations as part of the entire front end redesign which required a new pair of steering arms with new lengths, angles, heights, and geometry to work with the C6 bits and new ride height.

https://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Vorshla...B61G5248-M.jpg

He built the new pair of steering arms using box sections, reducing weight by nearly 12 pounds for the pair. The end was made to mount the tie rod end in a double sheer mount.

https://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Vorshla...DSC_0286-M.jpg

The new steering arms were installed and the bump steer and Ackerman numbers were verified.

https://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Vorshla...DSC_9345-M.jpg

The spherical-end tie rods were also custom built during this time, finally wrapping up the steering system components - the car can now steer.

FRONT ANTI ROLL BAR FABRICATION

I believe I showed the front swaybar being mounted in an earlier post. This is a straight, splined shaft with pillow ball mounts on the frame. Now was the time to make the splined arms and endlinks to complete this component.

https://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Vorshla...DSC_8934-M.jpg

Various aluminum swaybar "arms" are made for these straight splined swaybar shafts and they can be purchased in a number of lengths, thicknesses, and even some are pre-bent. We started with straight arms that were then bent to fit in the 20 ton hydraulic press.

https://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Vorshla...B61G5264-M.jpg

In these pictures above and below you can see the completed swaybar assembly. The arms are bent - both for tire clearance (inboard) and to line up with the C6 Corvette control arm's endlink mounting hole. The arms were drilled for multiple adjustment holes as well. Some of the items shown are only tack welded at this point as some final checks still needed to be done once the car was off the frame table, sitting on the wheels and tires at ride height, and rolled onto a 4 wheel alignment rack.

https://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Vorshla...1G5264_1-M.jpg

Ryan built a pair of adjustable length swaybar end links out of threaded rod ends, threaded weld bungs, straight tubing and some misalignment spacers for the bolted ends.

https://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Vorshla...B61G5268-M.jpg

The front tie rods that connect the Woodward steering rack to the steering arms that bolt to the C6 uprights are also visible here. Everything is fairly robustly made - it never hurts to over build things a bit when you aren't striving to save every ounce. This car is not built around any minimum weight or racing class, and the owner wanted a little extra reliability and durability.

BODY PANEL FITTING

The car owner had sourced some pretty slick aluminum bodywork for the forward section of this chassis. This Norwood kit was made by Auto Metal Direct for the 69 Camaro and included all aluminum sheetmetal forward of the doors and cowl. These pieces had been bolted in place (with several custom mounts) earlier but now it was time to fit the hood and try to get the panels to align better.

https://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Vorshla...B61G1108-M.jpg

The only problem with these aluminum bits is they bend easily and it looked like a number of the parts were bent somewhere along the way, possibly in transit, especially the 2" raised cowl hood.

https://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Vorshla...DSC_9268-M.jpg

One corner of the hood was bent down and the culprit was a popped set of spot welds in the corner of some under structure. Easily bent back and fixed.

https://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Vorshla...IMG_2117-M.jpg

After fitting, massaging, and reinstalling the ADM panels they were looking much better and ready for the painter - who would get the panel gaps and fit-up perfected just prior to paint.

https://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Vorshla...IMG_1234-M.jpg

Maybe in retrospect an entire composite front end would have been a better choice. Heck, a fiberglass unibody might have been better. Hind sight is 20/20, and we suggested a new body at the very start. It wasn't until we put in the hours of tweaking and rust fixes that the car owner saw that, too. Its cool that it still is a real tub with a real VIN, though.

https://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Vorshla...IMG_1235-M.jpg

continued below

Fair 04-19-2016 02:41 PM

continued from above

INITIAL HOOD DUCTING TESTS

With the aluminum front bodywork panels fitting better it was time to choose the hood venting. The whole front end - splitter, various coolers, radiator angle - were all going to be built around a vented/ducted hood, from the very first conversations we had with the car owner. The actual design decision was a long process.

https://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Custome...-GfXkbqt-S.jpg https://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Project...735869_o-S.jpg

The car owner had noticed some of the other vented and ducted hoods we had built in the past and understood aero enough to know how advantageous this setup would be for making front downforce, proper cooling, and a better layout. He also sent us 20+ pictures of other modern race car hoods and splitters, for styling and functional examples.


https://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Vorshla...DSC_9267-M.jpg

We struggled to lay out some appropriately sized and placed hood ducts on the existing aluminum 2" raised cowl hood, but just could not make something that fit within the geometric confines of the raised cowl. As good as this hood looked on this chassis, it just wasn't conducive to proper placement of the rather large vent holes we felt were needed to exhaust the airflow from the radiator, oil cooler and power steering cooler.

https://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Vorshla...B61G6371-M.jpg

The car owner was reluctant to lose this raised cowl hood, which was understandable, but we didn't want to start cutting on it without trying something else first. So we found a stock 69 Camaro flat steel hood and I piked it up for $150 locally. We fitted this hood to the car on our dime and then started mocking up hood duct vents to show the customer how they could look on a flat hood.

https://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Vorshla...B61G6433-M.jpg

After a few tape mock-ups Ryan started cutting the expendable steel hood so he could show real, 3D duct layouts. The locations of the coolers, the placement of the engine, and the low pressure zones on this hood (in our imaginary wind tunnel) dictated where the vent holes and duct routing should end up. Our engineer Jason wanted these large vent sizes and Ryan made this first cut and then the cardboard ducting mockup, above. I then photoshopped this mirror image to show what the final hood would look like with these vents. Not quite what the customer wanted, but we were getting closer.


The gap in the middle of the hood between the two vents was there to clear the engine's intake tube, of course. The angles of the ducting underneath were constrained by several things - the placement of the coolers, the upper chassis braces (including two forward pieces not installed yet), the best low pressure location on the hood, and the tires themselves.

https://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Vorshla...B61G6450-S.jpg https://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Vorshla...d_Main_1-S.jpg

There were also some placement constraints from some styling lines in even the flat hood. The ducts really needed to be outside of the lines (see above) that the flat hood had, so we went on a search for a truly flat 69 Camaro hood.


https://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Vorshla...t%20hood-S.jpg https://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Vorshla...B61G6460-S.jpg

We took a lot of pictures trying to show the owner the constraints that dictated the placement of the vents. This is just a sample of the mockup designs we did. The 315mm tires at full bump travel were a constraint. So were the frame rails and upper tubing placement. And the location of the radiators. Plus we had to make it look "right".

https://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Vorshla...B61G6464-S.jpg https://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Vorshla...eRender1-S.jpg

Not only are the vent placements critical for function but these will be the single most critical cosmetic item on the car. The hood vents and ducting could make or break the look of this car, and getting rid of some useless styling lines in the stock flat hood opens up even more possibilities for the vent hole shapes and placements (see below).

https://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Vorshla...480_edit-M.jpg

Long story short: so we ordered a custom composite flat hood without the two styling lines normally found on an OEM 69 Camaro flat hood. We will address this design feature further in a future post, after this hood arrives...

HOOD HINGES AND WIPER MOTORS

Another constraint on the hood design was the customer's wish to keep functional windshield wiper arms as well as a traditional hinged hood (not just a pin-on). It does rain in Texas, so the wipers make sense. Pin-on hoods are a pain to extract quickly, especially with one person. You also have to worry about a hood that is removed getting stepped on, driven over, or flying away in the paddock. All sensible requests. We began our research by shooting images of the cowl section of the car with both hoods, then hitting the interwebs looking for options.

https://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Vorshla...IMG_1236-M.jpg

Our first question we had was do we use an aftermarket strut-equipped hood hinge kit or just refinish the factory spring-style hinges (shown above). Turns out: neither.

There are many aftermarket options for these cars with varying degrees of detail, finishes and price. After some research and from recommendations from our friends at Dusold Designs, there were only two billet hood hinge kits we felt appropriate for this 69 Camaro build: The Ring Brothers billet hinge kit or the Billet Specialties version. Both are well-respected companies and have various finishes and CNC work to choose from as well as varying weights of gas-struts to accommodate an aluminum or composite hood.

https://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Vorshla...DSC_9334-S.jpg https://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Vorshla...IMG_2239-S.jpg

I was hoping we could use a single pivot, simpler hood hinge for the Camaro. As you can see, with the cowl hood design (still in play at this point) the hinge needed to be a multi-pivot design - to come up and tilt back at the same time, or the rear section of the raised cowl hood will crash into the fixed portion of the cowl panel, ahead of the windshield. The wiper arms are mounted under this cowl panel, so that panel needed to stay in place. Some of the composite hoods we found incorporated this cowl panel section into the hood itself, which don't work with wiper arms.

continued below

Fair 04-19-2016 02:48 PM

continued from above

https://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Vorshla...DSC_9338-S.jpg https://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Vorshla...DSC_9339-S.jpg

After the Billet Specialties hood hinges came in we realized they are MASSIVE. This video shows the action of these things - very smooth. We mocked them up on the car and they were going to run into the front tires at full bump. That 315mm tire stuffed under stock outer fender contours takes up a LOT of room under the hood, unfortunately. At this point we had figured out that the flat hood was the way to go for venting, so we could go with a simpler, lighter, and easier to mount single-pivot hood hinge... so the Billet Specialties hinges went back. Oh well, they sure were slick to see in person.

https://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Vorshla...er-motor-M.jpg

Our second question here related to the windshield wiper system. Because the factory firewall has been moved significantly, it would be an extreme amount of work to use any of the OEM wiper system components. After researching various options, we felt that a synchronized, direct mount wiper motor system is the best option. This eliminates any linkages that would need to be designed, and instead mounts the wiper arm directly onto a degreed sweep style wiper motor. The industries these style of motors are used in are either motorsports or marine applications. We contacted Bosch to receive more information on their programmable Motorsport WDA and found there are currently only 3 available in the U.S. with an asking price of $890 each, and the car would need two.

https://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Vorshla...DSC_0674-M.jpg

The second option we found was a very reasonable wiper motor sold by Marinco. These models have sweeps ranging from 45° to 110° and come in a very compact size. Our plan was to use a three-position switch, giving the driver control of "park", low, and high wiper speed options. With an average price per unit of $150, we could get two of these for less than a third of the price of a single Bosch WDA. Mounting would be straightforward with only one bracket being fabricated for each motor and no linkages needed. Will show more of this after we get a chance to install these parts - we need a windshield and a cowl panel back in the car to design around.

COILOVER SHOCK DISCUSSIONS

After doing some research into the coilover shocks that had previously been purchased we determined that they wouldn't work for a variety of reasons. The springs were sized with giant coilover springs that wouldn't clear the front control arms, the shock brand and model were not something ever seen on road race cars, and the hose lengths for the remote reservoirs were too short. Now that the steering system components were fabricated and the geometry was checked and rechecked, and we would be taking the Camaro off the fab table in the coming weeks, it was time to look at dampers that would be more appropriate for this build.

https://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Vorshla...B61G5256-M.jpg

During this coilover discussion Ryan sorted out the eye-to-eye style shock mounts at both ends.

https://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Vorshla...DSC_9347-S.jpg https://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Vorshla...DSC_9348-S.jpg

Ryan fabricated double-sheer mounts for both the front and rear shocks (the final shock brand was yet to be determined). The solid "mock-up shocks" were then able to support the suspension at both ends and the car. We were all eager to set this Camaro back on its wheels for the first time in 10 months.

There were some lengthy discussions about shock brands, number of adjustments, remote reservoirs, dyno plots, spring sizes and the like. We are known to be shock snobs here at Vorshlag but we have gotten that way after working with 1000+ shock sales and installs over the past dozen years. I will discuss more about the final shocks when they are installed.

REAR SEAT AREA CROSSMEMBER WORK

The original rectangular rear crossmember behind the driver needed clearance for the driveshaft and exhaust. Now that the driveshaft had arrived it was time to make the U-shaped clearance section and add some tubing to the top to tie into the 3rd link mount cross bar.

https://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Vorshla...IMG_2207-M.jpg

Ryan laid out the shape he wanted, marked center points for some holes, then hole-sawed two massive holes shown above for the corner radii...

https://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Vorshla...DSC_9335-M.jpg

He then cut out the parts in between....

https://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Vorshla...DSC_9336-M.jpg

Used some flat stock to make the curved section...

https://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Vorshla...B61G6323-M.jpg

Ground everything smooth and flat....

https://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Vorshla...B61G6326-M.jpg

Then clamped his pre-bent curved section in place and spot welded it along the edges.

https://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Vorshla...B61G6484-M.jpg

Then the custom aluminum driveshaft was installed. After that the curved tubes closed the box around the U-shaped section and tied into the rear upper 3rd link mount cross bar. Then the 3-rd link mount on the chassis end was modified.

https://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Vorshla...DSC_9354-S.jpg https://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Vorshla...DSC_9356-S.jpg

The upper bracketry was changed to add multiple pick-up points for the upper control arm, just like you can see on the lower arms at the chassis side, for additional rear suspension geometry adjustability. The 3 rear control arms are all adjustable for length as well.

continued below

Fair 04-19-2016 02:50 PM

continued from above



ADDITIONAL SPLITTER & SUPPORT WORK

https://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Vorshla...GOPR0574-M.jpg

This is a big section of this build that started back in September, went through November, and was mostly wrapped up in December. Another major visual and functional piece that will be a signature part of this build.

https://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Vorshla...DSC_9405-S.jpg https://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Vorshla...DSC_9407-S.jpg

There were several aspects of the splitter, lower valance and front wheel flare sections that were finalized, modified, smoothed and welded in November.

https://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Vorshla...DSC_9428-S.jpg https://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Vorshla...B61G6621-S.jpg

Above you can see the lower section of the valance/splitter structure, which we're calling the "air dam" here. It was more upright on the first go around (see images above), but the customer wanted something sleeker. Here is version 2.0, where so Ryan re-made this lower section and parts of the splitter stricture to have a more flowing, receding line that matches the factory lower valance shape. Making this somewhat simple change involved considerable rework of existing structures and panels, but it does look better this way.

https://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Vorshla...B61G6592-S.jpg https://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Vorshla...DSC_9406-S.jpg

The wheel spats or forward flare sections were also finalized in this round of work and they are looking pretty nice at this point.

https://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Vorshla...DSC_9420-S.jpg https://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Vorshla...B61G6626-S.jpg

As the final shape was taking form Ryan could go ahead and make the splitter strut mounts, most of which will be hidden behind the aluminum front OEM style bumper.

https://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Vorshla...B61G6665-M.jpg

Once the look was pleasing to the customer and still had the airflow shapes and openings we needed to cool and duct airflow, Ryan started finalizing some ducting. Here are the 4" front brake duct inlets, which fit inside the dual plane splitter structure.

https://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Vorshla...B61G6692-S.jpg https://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Vorshla...B61G6680-S.jpg

Lots of trimming, shaping, TIG welding, sanding, and blending went into the final splitter design late in November.

https://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Vorshla...B61G6674-M.jpg

Some of this is creeping into December work so I will stop there...

https://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Vorshla...B61G6675-M.jpg

WHAT'S NEXT?

I will show the final stages of the dual plane splitter in the December work update, including the canards and the modified lower valance work. The custom ordered ATL fuel cell finally arrived in January and I will show that work as well.

https://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Vorshla...DSC_0657-M.jpg

As I'm writing this on April 19th, 2016, the Camaro chassis just arrived here after our painter sprayed the upper portion of the cage and the lower frame rails - which are about to be hidden under parts of the body - which arrived last week after the inside of the unibody was painted. I'll get to the "chassis comes off the frame table" steps and more caught up with real time on this forum build thread soon.

Until next time, thanks for reading.

98ssnova 04-19-2016 07:44 PM

Man awesome build

Flash68 04-19-2016 11:04 PM

Now that's an update. Thanks Terry.

Nine Ball 04-20-2016 04:25 AM

This is one of the best build threads I've seen. Excellent photos, and detailed explanation. Thanks for sharing.

Tony

fleet 04-20-2016 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nine Ball (Post 635804)
This is one of the best build threads I've seen. Excellent photos, and detailed explanation. Thanks for sharing.

Tony

X2.

Kept scrollng and scrollng thru it thinking...'There's more?' :wow:


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