Ironworks to build the Chassisworks 1967 Camaro for Muscle Car Power Magazine
 

I have been working on putting this project togther for quite a while. Travis (Red Rocker) from Muscle Car Power and I talked about doing a build series article on how "Fabricators" Like us might build a Pretty "Bolt togther" camaro. And what parts we would combine to make a very well balanced and capable street car and track car. Would we build it just to Autocross or actually haul ass on the track, would we just say it works or would we put it to the test. Would we just show the parts in the picture and say they work great because we got them for "FREE". Or would we work and show all the advantages for the parts choices we made.

So on to the parts selection for today. I decided to use the Chassisworks suspension parts system for the Camaro. For a few reasons, Nobody seems to have any solid numbers, but I think the Chassisworks might be lightest front clip on the market. (camaros have a lot of weight on the front). Plus I felt it would give me the most aggresive ride height. Liked some of the trick features in the front end. like on the fly camaber/caster adjustments, no shims. Plus I think I can fit a 295/17 or 18 on the front. I will work to show you guys the reasons I choose the parts I choose here and in the magazine.

So on to the the build, 1967 Camaro.
Chassisworks suspension
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...-9-2009016.jpg
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...-9-2009015.jpg
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...-9-2009017.jpg

Gm Performance Parts LS7, 600 hp and all aluminum..... need I say more

Lemons headers for the LS7, Great Quality premade header
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...10-2009006.jpg

FAST EFI system -Tuning ability and will plug directly into racepak.

Anvil Auto Carbon parts to get more weight off the nose, and make it cool.

BFG Tires 295/35/18 and 335/30/18's KDW's and R1's

Wheels will be a "ONE OFF" design between Ironworks and Shaun @ EVOD wheels.

Clayton Machineworks has some really bitchin Pedals come out and We are on the list for those. They will be start shipping in July.
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...ytonpedals.jpg

We will be running Wilwood 13" brakes front and rear. With a Wilwood master cylinder.

Marquez Design will be showing off alot of new products to add to their highly sought after product line.

Ring Brother Hinges and Hood pins should help finish out the front Billet accesories quite well.

Of course with out the helpful guidance of our own Carter Hickman. Who is Currently hammering out another Camaro rendering for this project.


I will keep you guys updated as the parts arrive and my credit cards help stimulate the Economy. Tommorrow she hits the scales to get a base line.

Enjoy

Glad to see this out in the open finally! I know there has been a ton of work behind the scenes going on for sometime on this endeavor. Look forward to seeing this come together. I think this will be a great build!

BTW - those pedals from Clayton :thumbsup: I know now what I'll be running!!

I agree.Those pedal assemblies are very cool:D

I look forward to watching this build:)

Man those pedals are sick. I very much look forward to the build up and please post as many pictures as you can get away with.

Here are some of the selling points that made me go with the Chassisworks Front Subframe.
I really like the fact I can change camber / caster adjustments with out a having a floor jack. And if you spent some time at your local alignment shop, you could count the revolutions between your street set up and your track set up.
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...10-2009009.jpg

I also like the fact I could clock the rack and pinion to optimise header clearance with the steering shaft and also improve U joint angles if needed to smooth out the steering.
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...10-2009010.jpg

For a track car I like the bumpsteer adjusters, The front suspension is all computer designed and laid out for the best bumpsteer but this would let you tune for your desired specs.
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...10-2009011.jpg

The front sway bar on the Chassisworks front subframe has 2 options, 1.25" or 1.285" We choose the 1.285" bar. I liked the fact the sway bar would not have issues with the oil pan.
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...10-2009012.jpg

Alot of these design advantages are due to the fact of a clean sheet design. Nothing is based around already existing parts. Everything is designed from a clean slate.

Here is a picture of the bed of my F-450 full to the brim with Chassisworks Products last Saturday.
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...-9-2009012.jpg

Thanks

Rodger

Well inbetween the shots I post here and the tech articles in Muscle Car Power, I'm hoping to tease you into buying Muscle Car Power by revealing the twist or untold info with more pictures.

It should be interesting that is for sure.

Cool, I just got my first issue of Muscle Car Power and loved it, so this will be sweet to watch unfold both here and there.

Those pedals are beyond bitchin. :wow:

Wow what a killer project, Rodger.

sweet!!!!!!!
is that the 67 you got when you "stole" 50/50;)

Yeap, sure.

Cool!
I feel the need for a road trip to Bakersfield coming on! :thumbsup:
David

Let me get alittle further then a pickup truck full of parts. So you can have something to drive and tune. But your definitlely welcome anytime. We eat well down here is my figure is not evidence of that already.

Rodger

The boys down there know how to eat!! I heard there is a good BBQ joint down there called Champs. Not that I would know anything about that!! :lol:

You should come for Breakfast. The Food they serve there is illegal in Hollywood where Novanutcase is from.

Rodger

Is that the street machine Subframe?

YES SIR,

Here is a link from the Chassisworks site.

http://www.cachassisworks.com/iwwidb...MARO1?COMP=CAC

x2 cm's webpage shows $575 for those shown--$425 for auto--very nice -- jim :unibrow:

another cool build - you guys have all the fun.

More pics please!:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Great looking project Rodger!

I'm planning a trip down in the next couple weeks, I can't wait to see what you have going.

Rich

I'm looking forward to see having you. It is nice to see you roaming around here again.

Rodger

Yea thanks, actually made it to work this morning. probably only staying till lunch but it feels good to be out of the house :yes:

I scheduled an aircraft for the afternoon of the 26th. If anyone wants to fly to Rodgers from Concord airport that morning, feel free to give me a shout.



Rich

If I was closer I'd jump at the chance to fly down with you. I am planning a road trip for next summer and there are A LOT of shops I am trying to see. Not my wifes first chioce for a vacation, but it sounds perfect to me!

I am going to have to get a set of those pedals for sure. Very nice.
Then again, is there anything that comes out of Ironworks that is not top notch? Just about everytime someone starts a new build here it costs me money!:lol:
Rodger, I saw the write up on the Nova in Muscle Car, nice work and congrats on the ink! The whole shop looks great. Are those your legs behind the Nova in the opening shot? Also a good write up on Chassisworks. Nice stuff.

yeah those are my legs and my big ass feet......I work out..:D

You would have thought they could have waited till the lift was all the way up and I got out of the way before the took the pic.


Anybody is welcome anytime as long as the shop lights are on and the alarm to the shop has not been set we can give shop tours.

Hey Rich I might take you up on that. I'm in Concord also.

Today we removed the old sub and installed the new Chassisworks Street machine front clip. We got some weights of the old and the new. The old subframe we pulled out is manual steering and the sway bar is so small it looks like a coat hanger.
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...o/DSC_0326.jpg

It weighs 261 lbs.

The Chassisworks front clip comes with power steering, a big 1 5/16" sway bar and much bigger spindles with Chassisworks bigger bearing front hubs, weighs 230 lbs. I'm trying to get the weight of a stock clip with a bigger sway bar and power steering box, I bet it is another 10-15lbs.

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...o/DSC_0320.jpg


So the stock 1967 camaro you see pictured weighs 1728lbs, in it's semi stripped down state, no windshield, but all other glass intact, most mechanical parts (Brake master, fuel and brake lines, Ebrake cables, etc)

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...o/DSC_0309.jpg

By just removing the front fenders, core support and hood we lost 117 lbs. CRAZY :wow: I would have never guessed that stuff weighed so much.

HELLO CAN I SPEAK TO TYLER AT ANVIL.... PLEASE

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...o/DSC_0312.jpg

And finally with the Chassiworks front clip installed and the front sheetmetal back on just like it was in the beginning, we have a total weight of 1646 lbs. So we lost 82 with this just the install of the front subframe. and it lowered the car proababley 2". The ride sticks that come with the Chassisworks clip set the car at exact ride height. You can see the stance is coming togther on the front quite well. Now we need to do something about the rear.

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...o/DSC_0331.jpg

And with the front sheetmetal back in place
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...o/DSC_0332.jpg


Enjoy

The weight savings looks to be sway bar and the lack of second crossmember. Do you plan to reinforce the car with another crossmember? Looks like a fun project.:thumbsup:

What do you mean the sway bar being the difference? They sway bar on the front end is at least 75% bigger. And it is installed. We lost 86lbs and have a bigger sway bar and the stock sub has a tiny sway bar and a manual steering box. I believe the weight savings is in the shear mass of the stock clip and mass of the stock control arms. Plus the fact we lost a steering box and linkage, plus it is tied into one unit with the rack and pinion.

For the Price of an after market clip now days, people used to buy the whole car. Kinda crazy how times ahave changed, but so has the quality of the products we are all replacing on our cars. I actually thought we might have lost a bit more weight then just 86, my guess was 100.

Here is pic with the sway bar installed.
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...10-2009012.jpg

Whoops....the alston sway bar is clearly way heavier. The lack of second crossmember has to be the biggest difference though. Have to ask, if the frames only had 31lbs of difference on the scales how did the car lose 82 lbs?

Well I guess we will have to answer that question a little early with the info for Day 3. The stock sub with Drum brakes and these roller wheels and tires weighs 372lbs.
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...o/DSC_0313.jpg


http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...o/DSC_0314.jpg

Since the brake are not here yet, Once we put front brakes on the car, what will it bring the weight in the front back up to?

Which is lighter stock drum brakes or Big 13 brakes from Wilwood?


So you are Correct the Chassisworks subframe contributed to 31 lbs loss, but how much weight will we put back on when the 13" Wilwood 6 piston brakes arrive?

I was shocked by this number also.

Gotcha..LOL I can tell you to the lb since I have my front's apart to change over to 13" rotors but I won't spoil the fun.:D

Subscribed.:cheers:

That's going to be a sweet ride. Look forward to seeing more.

That's why I sneak up to Bako....to check out the Nova and get some illegal food in my stomach!:unibrow:

John

Just let me know. nobody else has said for sure they were going so the seat is still availible. Flight time is 1:05 from Concord. Beats the hell out of 5 hours of driving.

Just let me know which air port to pick you at. Meadows Field is about a 1/4 mile away.

Rodger

You can't beat door to door pick-up service. Truly a full service shop! Keep up the good work:thumbsup:

Rodger is extremely cool :thumbsup:

Can't wait to see my baby!

I can't wait for you to see it, With the LSX cog belt system installed and hopefully the intercooler plumbing.....:D

Well the Monday update.

We removed alot of the interior junk and other questionable pieces. The Dog was not found in the car, He just follows me constantly hoping to get in the picture.

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...15-2009001.jpg

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...15-2009003.jpg

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...15-2009004.jpg

I'm debating how to do the windows, I want to do lexan, but the Optima Rules say the windows have to be "Operational". If we ran the roll up glass, I wonder what weighs more, the 67 vent window or the 68 full side glass.

I also think we will resheet the firewall to go to one panel of steel. We will also sink the Dry sump tank into the firewall to put more weigh behind the axle center line. We cut out the cowl vents duct work t loose some weigh. We also cut out the stock dash to build an aluminum unit.

We are down to 1535 lbs.

I'm waiting in the BFG tires to start fitting the 295/35/18 tires on the front. It looks like it will be tight but possible with full steering.

Rodger