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Well, I felt a little better this afternoon and I got a ton of work done. I had to split my time between the Camaro and a huge powdercoating job for a friend's machine shop, so I wasn't as productive as I could have been, but gotta keep the side business going!
Anyway, I got the firewall modified to fit the LS1 booster and MC. First I took the booster and cut out a template for the hole. Then I traced it off on the firewall and went to town with the cutting tool. Fits like a glove! I still need to weld in the section where the old hole used to be and modify the booster shaft to fit the existing brake pedal, but so far so good! http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...o/IMG_6150.jpg http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...o/IMG_6149.jpg http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...o/IMG_6151.jpg http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...o/IMG_6152.jpg |
OK, finally was able to get some real work done on the car! I got the pedals all fitted for the Modo Innovations covers, then I took everything down to HRT Performance to be tanked and blasted. Tonight I powdercoated it all semi-gloss black and reinstalled the Modo covers. Came out amazing. I also cleaned and painted the parking brake assembly. I ordered all new pedal bushings and pins and all from Firewheel, so those should be in tomorrow or the next day, then I can get the pedals all ready to go back in the car once I finish up the LS1 booster and T56 Master cylinder modifications to the firewall and get the seat supports welded in this weekend.
Before: http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...amaro/18-1.jpg During: http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...amaro/01-3.jpg After: http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...amaro/11-1.jpg http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...0Camaro/10.jpg http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...amaro/05-3.jpg |
Parts look great!! Progress is a good thing!!
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Got the LS1 booster conversion all finished up. I measured and cut the stock brake rod and welded it on to the LS1 booster shaft. The I welded in some metal and cut it to match the hole in the firewall.
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...o/IMG_6285.jpg http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...o/IMG_6286.jpg |
Big thanks to bulldog19 for hooking us up with these very nice inner fenders and some RS headlight hardware!
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...o/IMG_6318.jpg http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...o/IMG_6319.jpg |
Got a lot of goodies in the last few days! Autometer sent us some SWEET new Ultra-Lite II gauges, along with some schwag.
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...0Camaro/31.jpg http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...0Camaro/33.jpg http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...0Camaro/34.jpg And Second Skin donated a TON of stuff. Damplifier, blankets, sprayer, knife, Spectrum, adhesive, etc. Basically, everything to keep this car quiet inside! http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...Camaro/1-2.jpg http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...Camaro/2-1.jpg |
We also got the subframe out outside on the rotisserie before we realized our compressor was acting up and we'll have to call a mobile blaster. We also didn't get much work done on the floors and chassis because our BRAND NEW Hobart 140 welder decided that it didn't feel like feeding wire anymore. Gotta go exchange it tomorrow, but it really ruined my progress on Saturday.
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...Camaro/4-2.jpg But, besides all the problems, I did manage to get the a-arms powdercoated in a semi-gloss black. I'll run them down to have the Prothane bushings pressed in this week. http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...Camaro/5-2.jpg http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...20Camaro/6.jpg |
The Gear Box sent us this T56 rebuild kit and steel 3-4 shift fork for the T56 we're putting in the car. Jerminator off of the camaroz28.com board donated a T56 and the rebuild, so major thanks to him! We still need an LS1 4th gear/input shaft, 6th gear, and an LS1 front plate, so if anyone has anything lying around they might be able to help us out with, please let me know!
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...o/IMG_6412.jpg |
Got some good stuff in this week! I got in the Hotchkis 2" front drop springs I bought off of brownz on the pro-touring board, and the VBP 2" drop leafs I bought off of 68sixspeed on the pro-touring board. Many thanks to them for hooking me up!
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...o/IMG_6446.jpg Also got in the Covan's dash panel that Queen City Speed donated to the project. Major thanks to them for taking care of us there! http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...o/IMG_6450.jpg And finally, we got everything we need to get the rear frame and suspension fabricated! But, our brand new Hobart welder crapped out after about 30 minutes of use. Yeah, it is covered under warranty, but I won't have it back till the end of next week. So I'll be able to fab everything up next weekend, but this week all I'll be able to do is mock it all up. At least we can do something, though. http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...o/IMG_6439.jpg |
Been doing a bunch of work over the weekend. Got the front subframe all sandblasted, Marine Clean'd, and Metal Ready'd. Tomorrow night I hope to get the POR-15 on it.
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...o/IMG_6451.jpg Also worked on fitting up the rear suspension. Here's a shot with the center and rear frame sections sitting on the leaf spring. I hope to have this all installed this weekend when I get my welder back from the shop. http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...o/IMG_6453.jpg And we also got these sweet seatbelts donated by Morris Classic Concepts. They are a 3-pt replacement for the factory lap belts. Now Shawn will be safe when he's crusing around town. http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...o/IMG_6461.jpg |
its coming along and keep workin at it. Youll get it there someday and really be happy with the reward.
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Got a lot done tonight! My wife and I painted the first coat of POR-15 on the front subframe! Tomorrow night we'll do the second coat and then it'll be ready to install the suspension this weekend, and then back on it's wheels when I get the spindles back from being modified for the LS1 brakes by Ed Miller!
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...o/IMG_6466.jpg I also fabbed up a bracket and mounted the Wilwood adjustable prop. valve. I was going to bend the brake lines tonight, but they sold me the wrong fittings at the store, so I gotta go back tomorrow and get the right ones. http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...o/IMG_6462.jpg http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...o/IMG_6463.jpg |
Big day today! I had the day off of work, so my brothers came over and we knocked out a lot on the car. I finally got my welder back from the shop and got the seat support all welded in. We also got the final coat of POR-15 on and a topcoat of Rustoleum semigloss black and then installed it on the car with the new Prothane bushings. Also had to run around town trying to find the right fittings for the LS1 brake booster before I realized I had a spare ABS module in the attic and could get the fittings off of it. I also started working on the subframe connectors and rear frame, I hope to have it all tacked in and mocked up this weekend. I told myself I'd have it rolling by the first of the year, and that could be a real possibility!
We also got a set of Bilstein shocks for the car donated by G-Machine! http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...amaro/02-2.jpg http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...amaro/12-2.jpg http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...amaro/13-1.jpg http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...amaro/11-2.jpg http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...amaro/10-1.jpg |
Bilsteins donated by G-Machine!
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...o/IMG_0215.jpg I also got some of the rear chassis worked out. I used the Competition Engineering SFCs with the built-in spring pockets. I measured it all out and notched the drop crossmember 1/2" to recess them in there to make them fit tight. Should be really strong with them set into the crossmember and welded to the floorboard. Don't mind my ugly tack welds. http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...o/IMG_0402.jpg http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...o/IMG_0403.jpg I also fit the LS1 brake lines to the 1st gen brackets. I just painted them for now, but I'll powdercoat them later. It was pouring rain out and I didn't feel like having a powder cloud floating in the shop while I worked. I also used some stainless bolts on it. http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...o/IMG_0404.jpg |
Progress is good! Looks like you could slow the wre speed down a little and possibly turn the heat up a setting, just try to keep most of the heat on the steel not the sheet metal...I know this is a bitch! But play with it as this is structural stuff you are doing here! :thumbsup:
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I'll try that, thanks! I plan on just tacking most of the structural stuff and then having a local welder I know come over and put a couple passes on it to make sure it is on there strong. I don't trust my welding enough for structural things!
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How about a list of some of the things you still need. Some of us might have parts around we're not using
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I bought some metal and played for a day or so with each setting on my welder and made notes of what each speed / heat did and how it affected the weld :) Have fun with it, i love learning new things on mine (it is my 1st build also) |
Thanks guys! I did strip the paint on it with the wire wheel just along the seam where I am welding. I learned my lesson the first day with all the popping and spitting! :lol:
Right now I have a few things I need: Oil pan for LS1 swap (I have an LS1 pan, but it isn't clearanced yet) LS1 F-body T56 bellhousing T56 master cylinder and reservoir T56 shifter Dash pad Door panels All interior panels Headliner Bumpers Windshield wiper motor, plus arms and everything else. Exhaust system Headers Plugs/wires/coil packs Stereo system And tons of other nickel and dime parts that I am forgetting about that will bite me in the ass later! And I found out today that he is coming home a month early, and possibly even two months early in May! Great news, but now I am in a REAL crunch! |
Ran into a major snag tonight. With the suspension and chassis setup the way we were installing it, there is no way we're gonna fit a stock gas tank in there. If anyone has any advice or can hook me up with anything, please let me know! For right now, we're just going to install it as far apart to get as big of an aftermarket tank in there as we can. He'll still be able to fit some big meats under there if Shawn ever wants to.
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...o/IMG_0425.jpg We did get in some goodies, though! Goodmark donated some inner wheelhouses, a radiator support, and a driver's door shell! http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...o/IMG_0408.jpg http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...o/IMG_0407.jpg http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...o/IMG_0428.jpg |
I also bent up a brake line for the front subframe. I need to get a junction block for the driver's side, but I got the crossover done. I used insulated line clamps and stainless bolts to fasten it down.
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...o/IMG_0423.jpg http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...o/IMG_0424.jpg And last but not least, I got the rear leafs painted and installed the Prothane bushings! http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...o/IMG_0426.jpg |
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those look dam good! jason |
Hell yeah, they do! Thanks again for hooking us up! :bow:
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I wish I had more progress to post, but a lot of the things I've been doing have been things not worthy of pictures! I powdercoated up the rearend parts, worked on the axle I'm using for mockup cutting off the spring perches to shorted the spring width on them, and just some other small stuff.
I had it all set up so I could install the rear frame, suspension, and axle and have the back rolling this weekend. Of course, my brand new Hobart welder broke AGAIN and I am not sure if I'll have a welder for this weekend. Needless to say, I am PISSED! Anyway, if I get lucky I'll have a welder for this weekend and then all my front suspension and steering parts will be here by next week and then I'll be rolling by next weekend. Powdercoated spring hangers, spring plates, and a-arm washers: http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...o/IMG_0432.jpg http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...o/IMG_0434.jpg http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...o/IMG_0435.jpg I finished up the other taillight, too. http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...o/IMG_0436.jpg And I even had some help from Shawn's wife on Sunday. I taught her how to powdercoat and let her try it out on the dash bezel that was looking rough. She did a great job. http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...o/IMG_0451.jpg |
I spent a large majority of today on sandblasting and powdercoating. The door hinges on the car were in ROUGH shape. They were incredibly rusted and the rollers were bent and broken, not to mention the pins were bad off, too.
After much sawzalling, hammering, sandblasting, straightening, swearing, and PCing, here are the finished products. The red is the color we will be painting the car. My powder supplier has a line of automotive paints that matches their powders, so we picked a red we liked and bought a bunch of powder. http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...o/IMG_0455.jpg http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...o/IMG_0456.jpg http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...o/IMG_0459.jpg http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...o/IMG_0460.jpg And I also powdercoated the rear calipers that RPM donated to the project. I went with a silver PC on the brackets and a Anodized Blueberry over a silver basecoat on the calipers. Tomorrow I'm going to do the front ones I have here. http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...o/IMG_0461.jpg |
Got the steering stuff all put together. We blasted and painted the center link in semi gloss black and then I painted the tie rods with gunmetal. The Prothane boots really set off the part, too. I'm also replacing pretty much every bolt and nut with either stainless of grade 8 stuff. I'm also eliminating all the speed nuts that I can.
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...o/IMG_0462.jpg http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...o/IMG_0464.jpg http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...o/IMG_0465.jpg And I powdercoated the front calipers. The slider pins were crap, so I didn't bother assembling them yet. http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...o/IMG_0466.jpg http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...o/IMG_0467.jpg And in other news, we're gonna be on TV! A NC show based out of the Charlotte area called Cruise Control TV is going to be doing monthly segments on the car, out first interview is this coming Monday! I'll keep you guys posted on the air dates. |
Got the calipers assembled tonight. I bought new sliders, but found some old ones in the shop and used them just for mockup. I'll install the new sliders when we put them on the car. I am EXTREMELY pleased with the color scheme I picked for the brakes. The silver and blue just really pop.
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...9/IMG_0468.jpg http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...9/IMG_0469.jpg http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...9/IMG_0470.jpg I also got my welder back and they finally figured out the problem. This weekend the rear frame and suspension goes in! |
Not any new pictures since it has been friggin cold and my son has been feeling bad, but I did get the mock axle ready to go on so I can fab up the rear frame and suspension. This week I'll get that all squared away so this puppy can be rolling again!
We also have some Patriot Dream stickers for sale to help with the project. They are $8 shipped and come in red, white, or blue. We only have a few right now, but I'll get more if they sell quickly. Here are some photos of them on my wife and my cars. http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...o/IMG_0499.jpg http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...o/IMG_0501.jpg If you want one, send an $8 paypal to [email protected] or send me an email at that addy and I'll give you our mailing address if you want to send a check or money order. |
No real updates on the car as far as work goes. My little boy has an ear infection and we've been up taking care of him all weekend and all. Poor little guy.
But I did get a Flaming River steering column in that NPD donated to the project! http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...o/IMG_0503.jpg |
Been a rough few weeks here. We found out what caused the ear infection in my son. If anyone has heard of RSV my son had a bad case of it. He had a high fever, and a horrible respiratory infection. Basically every moment I had where I wasn't at work was spent with him lying beside me so I could see if he stopped breathing or turned blue. Yesterday he was pretty much through with it, but guess who has a cold now....yep, me! This weekend will be a work weekend, though. TV crew from Cruise Control is coming to film us, so we'll get a lot done.
We also got our first donation from Iraq! A guy in one of the local clubs heard we needed a fuel cell so he sent us a new Summit 16gal cell with fuel sender and mounting kit! http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...o/IMG_0523.jpg |
Your unwavering determination and dedication to the project is admirable.
Keep up the good work. Best Regards, Ty O'neal |
More goodies! Ron Davis Racing Products hooked us up with an LS1 swap radiator with fans and shroud and all the goodies!
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...o/IMG_0525.jpg http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...o/IMG_0528.jpg |
Comming along great, i only wish i was closer to help, just keep thinking the end is now closer than before..
Barry:thumbsup: |
Bryan, looks like your making super progress. The car has come a long way since I saw it in the fall! All the little stuff takes so much time, glad to see your knocking it out while it's cold outside. Can't wait to see the final product.
Mills |
I hear ya, Barry! You started me out in the right direction with the car. :thumbsup:
I really hope to get a ton done this weekend, too. Things have been going together nicely so far. :D |
Sorry for the long delay in posting! After my son finally started feeling better I got sick for a few days, but then I got a serious case of Sinusitis that had me all messed up for a long time. I couldn't even walk for a few days my equilibrium was so messed up and then for a couple of weeks after that I was still a little bit wobbly, so I wasn't supposed to be working in the shop. And then, of course, my computer died. Got a new computer now, though! Now I am back and running, literally! Just got word that Shawn's group got fast-tracked and he is coming home on April 20th! AWESOME news for all of us, but I am in a total rush now, especially after losing a month to being sick! I am going to try my hardest to get this thing done, but I am not sure if I can do it. Worst case Shawn and I finish the car together, which would be something very cool as well. With our budget and all, it is going to be a squeeze. If anyone wants to come help out on any weekend, or if anyone has any parts or anything they can help us out with, please let me know! If you offered parts and I haven't gotten back to you, I will get with you soon. I need all the help I can get in any way you can help us!
So here are some photos of my day in the shop! Mocked up the Wilwood clutch master cylinder. I'm going to relocate the fuse panel down and out a little bit and modify the clutch linkage to work with this MC, but this should work out perfectly. http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...Camaro/052.jpg Upper a-arms powdercoated semigloss black with Prothane bushings installed. Thanks to HRT Performance for fighting the old bushings out and sticking the new ones in! Didn't even scratch the powdercoat! That's why they are the only machine shop I trust! http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...Camaro/053.jpg IROC steering box donated by a guy in Carolina F-body Club. All painted up and clearcoated in gunmetal. http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...Camaro/054.jpg Got the hinges mounted on the doors: http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...Camaro/055.jpg Worked on setting up the rear frame and suspension. Gotta basically start from scratch. I need help with this if anyone local wants to come and do it for me! http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...Camaro/056.jpg |
And finally, the sweet remote trunk release that Modo Innovations donated to the project!
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...Camaro/073.jpg Tomorrow night I'm going to do some more work and try and get some more photos. |
OK, got some updates! Got the gauges mocked up in there. The white circle in the middle I was going to use for another gauge, but I decided to use that spot for a few LEDs for turn signals and the like. I'm gonna mount the nitrous pressure gauge right into the dash somewhere. I have an idea, but not set yet. I have since painted the bezel semigloss black, so we'll see what I decide once I get the gauges in and in the car.
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...Camaro/074.jpg http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...Camaro/075.jpg Also had some rust and some spots that I wanted to remove to smooth out the firewall. We cut out a small section of the firewall and I'm going to weld in a piece of metal there and smooth it over. I'm going to relocate the wiring bulkhead to under the fender to keep the clutter to a minimum in the engine bay. http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...Camaro/092.jpg Temporary tacked thin metal. http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...Camaro/095.jpg And I had good help, too. My good friend Russ dropped by and had some fun with the angle grinder. http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...Camaro/093.jpg |
My best friend also dropped by and sandblasted some parts for me, so last night I powdercoated them in semigloss black. These parts were ROUGH, so they came out pretty good for what I had to start with!
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...o/IMG_0851.jpg |
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