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Cool, thanks for the kind words. I'm actually starting to think about making parts for people. Would there be any interest? I have all the jigs and design files to duplicate my setup, I can even make a full front subframe if there is interest.
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Love your build, keep up the good work!
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Update on some Boring stuff, but this has to get done too. I spent the whole christmas break installing these new headlights and fixing the RS doors so they actually work. The lights are really bright and use the newer style bulbs. It was a pain to rebuild all the RS stuff and the headlights ended up interfering with the RS motors located behind them. But I made it work.
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/f...ps79883d17.jpg My wife gave me HANS device for Christmas too! Next project is upgrading all the safety stuff on the car, I was going to buy a new Sparco seat to the tune of $800 but I scored this one off one of my buddies who pulled it out of his dad's Panoz for free! Yeah free! I need to get a new cover for it, but thats' better than buying a new one. I also need to install a back support to the harness bar because the SFI rating is expired, the back support will make it legal again. Still better than dropping $800! http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/f...psc37d9acc.jpg |
Mills Build
Hey Mills,
This is such a great build and really informitive. Thank you for all the information that you are taking the time to share. Keep up the great work. Rich 68kmaro |
got all the new Christmas stuff in the mail, new seat cover fit's perfectly! Makes it look like a brand new seat! I need to order new pass through gaurds and cut the holes for the belts. HANS fits me perfectly too! gotta fit the tethers to my helment but that should be easy.
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/f...psbcf32ad3.jpg Went to the new car show here locally and picked up some cool flags to wave at the track! Also scoped out my wife's new car. http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/f...ps7356370a.jpg http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/f...ps0c3f2232.jpg |
Rear frame rails
I have been following this thread for a while now. I have to say the car kicks a$$! I am working on a 67 f body and I am going to be installing a C4 IRS as well. I am curious to know how the stock rear frame rails are holding up. I have thought about installing after market rails such as the ones that Competition Engineering sells.
Do you think that after the spirited driving and track days the factory rear rails are holding up? Any signs of fatigue, flexing, etc? Let me know what you think. I would really appreciate any feedback. Also, aside from installing the round tube with the brackets to mount the rear end housing did you do anything to reinforce or beef up the rear rails? |
Every where there is an attachment point there is 1/4 angle hugging the frame rails to distribute the load. The cross bar is actually bolted to the frame, if you look at the pictures where the shock broke you can see the attachment points. So far I haven't found any signs of fatigue at all. It's been through some pretty stressful ordeals too! It's seen 7 track days, and 10 autox days this past year, I really beat on it to find the weak spots and I did find a few that I've corrected. I spent a lot of time early on dialing in the car and the rear end settings, I think its pretty good now. I'm gonna track it a lot more than autox this year and see how she holds up. Maybe paint next winter, I don't know every one likes it ratty.
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DSE mini tub question
I forgot to ask, when you did the mini tub did you notch the rear frame rails as it shows in the DSE instructions?
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Yes, but the supports for the IRS are in front of the notched area.
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Time to be Cool! I scored this nice Setrab Oil cooler from one of my racer buddies for cheap and put in the Camaro this past week. It was kind of a pain as I had to remove most of the front end to be able to properly mount it. Bumper, lower valance, Spoiler ect. all had to come off, I also had to pull the drivers side header in order to have room to work to get the lines and adapter on. While at it, I decided to go ahead and install the 4th Gen Power steering cooler that I picked up for $50 online. With the big front tires, it's easy to overheat the PS fluid at an autoX, even with the TurnOne pump. Now It shouldn't be a problem. The season starts at VIR third weekend in March, I think I'm just about done with the winter projects. Seats and Belts are all done, I'll post pics of that when I can get the car outside and open the doors. Meanwhile, here's some crappy phone pics of the cooler installs.
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/f...ps48ba0a47.jpg http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/f...ps1d639011.jpg http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/f...psd4167253.jpg http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/f...ps5e93c940.jpg http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/f...ps5f756fcd.jpg http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/f...psfdf7ace9.jpg |
Looks good
Will see you at VIR. Goig to meet a guy there to pick up my wing, probably the same guy that you got the cooler from. He said that he knew you, small world.
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Yep, He said that you knew me. He's one of my NASA race buddies, he has sweet C5 Z06 track car, actually held the track record for a while. Nice car. I may be headed to Concord next weekend, I could bring the wing with me then if you want. I won't know until later in the week If I'm gonna make the trip though. Otherwise, see you at VIR!
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Looks good Mills, I'm definitely going to have to come check it out this spring when I get home. Haven't seen it since we threw the front end on last spring.
On a completely separate note, I may need some help getting mine back together in June. As usual great work, especially from a half car garage like mine. |
That would be great
if you come to Concord and bring my wing, I will treat you to luch or dinner. Whichever you have time for and fits in your schedule. I will even pay for your gas.
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John, let me know when you are ready, I owe you some wrench time! I'll also buy you a beer or too down at the Oceanfront as a welcome back gesture!
Payton, still on the fence if I'm headed that whay but will def let you know. My son lives in Concord and offered to help put an LS7 clutch in my WS6, only catch is I have to help him take it out of his car and install a Spec Stage 4. That's a lot of wrenching in one weekend. |
I put the rest of the front end of the car back together yesterday, I decided to put some screens in my brake ducts this time since I had them out. I started up the car and checked all the fluids and no leaks from the PS, Rad or Oil system so far. I was going to push the car outside so I could finish the install of my driver's seat, but we had another snowstorm yesterday! I can't get the door all the way open in my garage to really work on the seat like I should. Sorry about the crappy Cell phone pics, doesn't work too well when there is little light.
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/f...ps384f27a0.jpg http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/f...ps2b5cfd20.jpg http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/f...psafcba066.jpg |
Mills, didn't see you plumb an oil thermostat in. Probably a good idea unless you intend on taping your oil cooler off in the morning runs.
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Yeah, you're right. I thougt about plumbing one in and talked to a bunch of guys that run a cooler and none of them use them. I have a oil temp gauge and I'll pay attention to it to see what's going on, like you said I can always tape it off, it is a pretty good sized one. First event is VIR March 22-23, I think I'm just about ready. I got both seats in and my new belts all hooked up. Feels good to sit in the car again! Even it is just in the garage. Passengers side is on sliders and adjustable, My seat is fixed.
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/f...ps2d0f3f37.jpg http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/f...ps8e5aa42a.jpg |
I had the car outside for a couple of days to finish up all the punchlist for VIR (much easier to work on outside). So I thought I would do a couple of things that have been on the bottom of the list for a long time. Decided to Beef up the rear Coilover mounts, and while I was at it, added some "supports" that also double as trailer tie downs. It's always been an issue finding a spot to tie down the rear, now the problem is solved!
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/f...psd3c3f1a3.jpg http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/f...pse6ecf2ba.jpg http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/f...pse9abaa7a.jpg http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/f...ps5445886a.jpg http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/f...ps681b5a50.jpg |
Hauled the Beach Cruiser Camaro up to VIR last weekend. I went through instructors school on Friday, and ran in the top HPDE group Sat. The end of the third session I upshifted into 3rd from 2nd and something let go in the trans. I'm felling like I stripped a gear from the way it sounded, I still had 4th to get me back to the pits, but that was the end of my weekend. Still the best showing so far, I ran 7 20 minute sessions just driving the crap out of the car. The car is very fast and really surprised a bunch a people. I keep hearing rumbles around the paddock all weekend, everytime I met somebody I got the response "You're the Camaro Guy? what the hell is in that thing?" It felt really good to walk right on by a SRT10 R Viper on the back stretch! It was being driven by a fellow instructor, so I know it wasn't being babied around the track.
Anyone have a built Super T10 laying around taking up space? http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/f...ps2c444bf3.jpg http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/f...ps5daf84d8.jpg http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/f...psae12b01d.jpg There was an E46 track car next to me all weekend, I keep looking at his canards on the front of the car thinking that the radius was almost perfect for the Camaro, I asked if he had a spare I could test fit and he did. I think I can duplicate the samething and fill in so it fits the factory spoiler just perfect, then add a splitter under it all, I think it would look pretty cool. http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/f...psa3ee1949.jpg Unfortunally this is how I had to get it off the trailer to get it back in the garage. http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/f...ps16790bc7.jpg |
Nice machine! I love seeing these cars duke it out at the track, rubbing elbows so to speak (not fenders). Your actions shots in a crowd look great!
David |
Congrats on the certification and the build. It is really cool what you have done. Now that you have some time in the car how does the IR feel compared to a 4 or 3 link car?
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The only car I can compare to is my WS6 Trans Am, the Camaro feels much better in the corners, and a lot less likely to step out on me. He are some pictures from the weekend, you can see in these and in some of the previous shots how much the outside rear is firmly planted and square to the ground.
A couple of shots I pulled off the web from Finishline productions. Almost pulling a wheel coming around Oak Tree turn, the car has lots of roll in it despite a monster sway bar and heavy shocks up front, but it drives fantastic, just looks rolly polly. http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/f...psdfef13ed.jpg http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/f...psf2402005.jpg And a couple between turns 3 and 4 http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/f...ps9bb9c0ed.jpg http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/f...psfd87c12d.jpg http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/f...ps366fc2bb.jpg |
Shots look great Mills! What spring rates are you running front and rear?
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I want to say 550 or 600 on the front and 200 rear. I also have the stiffest hollow speedway motors bar up front.
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Looking at those photos it appears you need more spring in the rear for sure...it would help get the inside front down and helping with the corner grip.
Based on the Autocross and Road Race section of the Corvette Forum most are running spring rates in the rear very close to what is in the front on a 50/50 weight bias. Would thing at a minimum you would be at about 350 in the rear. With slicks, 700 f and 500 rear would not be out of the question. What is the length, diameter and arm lengths of your front bar? |
I had stiffer springs in the rear and the car just wouldn't hook up, I don't have that problem anymore. the last three pictures are under hard acceleration (reference the rear tow hook) and the car never spins a tire. The first two pictures should have most of the weight planted on the front tires, just after braking and making the turn. I may be on the gas at corner exit at that point though, not sure.
Swaybar is 32" long .250 wall hollow and uses 12" arms For a rate of 482lbs on a side note, I ran across the scales at VIR and the car weighs in at 3130 with a 1/2 tank of gas and me in the seat. |
Killer pics. Car looks great out there.
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Got the trans out, lots of little pieces of the main drive gear in the case, this is what Ka Blewey looks like!
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/f...psc99351ed.jpg http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/f...psd820dee7.jpg http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/f...psbd304a8a.jpg |
Grabbed this today off of Craig's List, it has an even steeper 1st gear than what I had before (Good for standing start autoX stuff), spent the day cleaning it up and replacing a few seals while it's out of the car. It appears to have been rebuilt before, everything in it checks out and looks good! Going back in the car tomorrow night. should be rolling to C&C for the weekend! Grand total, $150! sometimes you just get lucky...
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/f...ps6de4bea6.jpg |
Nice. Maybe I will have a kitchen pass & come down. Not with the Monte though.
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Car looks great Mills. Sorry to hear about the trans but hey, that's racin'. I'll be running at T-Hill in May on a fresh rebuilt trans myself.
I'm with Payton......try a little more spring in the rear and see how she feels. |
Trans is all swapped out and runs and shifts great! Best $150 ever! Also scored my last pair of Z06 rear wheels this week, and they showed up today! These are the best ones I think I've ever gotten, and they were the cheapest too! So now I have a complete set of 18's for the Hoosier Track tires and a complete set of 18's for some BFG Rivals so I can play in the Goodguys and new Classic American Muscle autoX class sand box. Both require a 200 TW rating, and my Kuhmos only were 180 and riding on 17's. No tires big enough for me in the 200 TW range that would fit 17's. May be selling the set of 4 Z06 (real ones) 17's sometime this summer if anyone is interested.
Please, Tire Rack, BFG, big corporate take offs, anyone! sponsor me? I need tires! http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/f...psx4agrgoy.jpg http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/f...psskktu8lm.jpg http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/f...psa6nm0fxc.jpg |
Quote:
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Rear End
Was the width of the 96 Corvette rear end much of a problem compared to the stock Camaro width? Would love to install that same rear end in my 69 Camaro
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Packaged with Duct Tape?
Damn.... |
I used the later C4 rear end which I think is just a bit wider, as you can see I'm using Corvette wheels which have a lot of offset, but I have 315's back there on 10.5" wheels and there is no rubbing anywhere. I'm also Mini-tubbed.
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Another weekend at VIR in the books, this time nothing really bad broke except my ego. 1st session out Sat Morning I got a little greedy passing cars lap after lap, when I finally caught up to a Porshe GT3 I got an oportunity to pass him on the front stretch, while my car was faster it took me a while to get by him and I ended up going into turn One a little too hot and on tires that were starting to go away. I ended up off track and spun the car several times trying to scrub off speed, I almost made it, but ended up just kissing the tire wall about 20mph, That was enough to break the grill and put some charactor dimples in the front fenders. Oh well, Because Racecar. It'll probally pop out but I got to take it off to get behind it. Car ran all weekend with the only issue being that I threw a belt once. I need to upgrade to a Katech tensionor which is on the way. The Craigslist trans is also coming out of second gear, so I think I"m gonna just throw an input shaft in the other trans and see how it does. Next race weekend is at Summit Point June 6-7 up in West Virginia.
I also got my time trial license taken care of and sent in my application for the Ulitamate Track Car Challenge in July. This past weekend I ran a 2:09 lap with a top speed of 143.7mph. I think the car has a 2:02 or 2:03 in it once I fix the trans and get better tires. I was driving half the track with one hand on the wheel and one hand holding the trans in 2nd. Hard to be fast doing that! http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/f...psecm9vnjy.jpg |
Well Summit Point is now in the books, but not a good chapter. The car was all done and preped and ready. Got to the track and unloaded and decided to go meet my friends over at the Go Kart track. Bad Move! I drove the Camaro... Since it was HyperFest the main road to the track was diverted around a gravel path behind the maintence shop, no problem. On the way back to the padock the sun was right at the horizon and in my eyes when I turned onto the the gravel path, Who Knew there was a Rock in the way? Well, one in a Billion, I hit it with the drain plug of my oil pan and guess what happened?
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/f...ps1qh1bo6q.jpg http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/f...psa1lgpwra.jpg http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/f...psctudjefa.jpg |
Taken the next day at about the same time, can you see a rock?
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/f...pshmsklrpb.jpg |
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