New 3rd Gen Project - '89 Players Challenge Z28 - 1LE R7U
 

So after running the One Lap of America last month it was apparent that the weakest link in our program was my driving - I definately need more work if we're going to defend our class win in 2011. So with that the search was on for a street legal track car that I could flog without regret but still have fun on the road and eventually restore and - ultimately - put through it's paces in the OLoA. I looked at a couple of first gens (including the '67 RS I have sitting in the garage) as well as a couple of very cool second gens but couldn't figure out what I was going to build on a real budget that wasn't going to end up getting out of control. A couple of weeks ago I came across a cool third gen that was a little out of the ordinary, had some history, and was ready to hit the track as it was.

http://www.onelapcamaro.com/1989/89%201.jpg

It's a Canadian 1989 Camaro Z28 with the 1LE option package as well as the R7U option. The 1LE package is fairly well known at this point and is generally considered to be a stripped down performance package - heater delete, radio delete, armstrong windows, etc. - and is most ofter associated with police packages. The R7U option is slightly less common and not as well known - especially south of the border.

http://www.onelapcamaro.com/1989/89%202.jpg

In 1986 GM Motorsports created with Players Challege Series which featured factory modified Camaro's and Firebirds which were raced on road courses and ovals in Canada. The series lasted through 1992 with between 35 and 91 cars built per year - Ron Fellows is probably the most well known race driver to have competed in the series. Unlike the typical 1LE cars, the R7U's featured slightly more aggressive suspensions and were full load cars - power everything with heaters (but ac delete) and other options - because the cars were required to be licensed, insured, and driven to the track.

http://www.onelapcamaro.com/1989/89%204.jpg

The car I found was an '89 - one of 111 1LE cars built and one of 74 R7U optioned cars - with only 25,000 miles and currently legal for vintage racing. It's got a couple of class championships under it's belt and is more or less street legal with a couple of adjustments here and there. It's got a carbed 305 with a close ratio Tremec 5-speed and a Currie 9" with an Edelbrock torque arm.

http://www.onelapcamaro.com/1989/89%203.jpg

It's got a factory GM Motorsports cage that has been upgraded to meet modern rules and all of the neccessary tweaks for regular track use. Hood is a factory fiberglass peice and the rear hatch is lexan and 'glass (but still heavy as all get out).

http://www.onelapcamaro.com/1989/89%205.jpg

Once I have a chance to go over it we'll look at an LS swap and maybe a 6-speed upgrade as well as some (a lot) of clean up. New brakes and wheels and tires are on the list and we'll bring the interior back to something marginally more streetable as time permits.

It should be a lot of fun and best of all it's ready to go right away... heck, If I can remember how to change jets I'll try it out at an autocross next weekend and should have it on the road course at Race City within a month...

http://www.onelapcamaro.com/1989/89%206.jpg

I'll post some progress pics as I go but for the most part I'm going to try to keep this one under control...

Great find! I'd love to see it in person. Does it have a Dana 44 under the rear?

great project James, love it.

There's nothing like tearin up the pavement with a floggin 3rd gen.

Can't wait to see the progress. Please keep the old parts.


Vince

Nice find! I'd like to own one of these one day as well.

If you don't mind me asking how is the rear hatch both lexan and glass?

It's got a complete Currie built Ford 9" under it now - factory width and dimension but built to last a bit longer than the factory piece. 4.10 gears with true trac should do the job.

I was of the understanding that the rear panel was 'glass but it's actually a factory part. I would like to replace it with a 'glass part but would have to keep the steel support bracket underneath. There are a couple of places where I think some weight could be saved... the hood is a factory '82 fiberglass piece but it's heavy...

This is going to be a cool deal...

Very cool. Glad to see this type of project James, look forward to seeing what all you do to the ride.

There ya go James! Just what the doctor ordered...

Hey! What are jets?


:rofl: :rofl:

Oh yeah -- something else in there - called a power valve... I saw one recently at an antique store. :D

Awesome find. That thing must be a blast to beat the snot out of on the track!! Very cool.
I had a '91 Camaro RS back in the day. Keep us posted.:thumbsup:

Great find James! Any projected date on starting on the '67? I know the wife has been very patient! :cheers:

Here is a video from '87 of the Players Series running on the F1 course prior to the GP... http://www.streetfire.net/video/1987...eal_192790.htm

One of the reasons that I wanted one of these cars is because I spent some time with them at Race City Speedway in the late '80's when they were running before the ASA races. They would run on the road course and the oval; when they were on the little half mile oval in Calgary they would run up the track to the point of knocking their passenger side mirrors off...

One of the great things about GM cars sold in Canada (if any vintage) is that GM can document them in much the same way that Pontiac Historical Services does. This car was done a couple of years ago:

http://www.onelapcamaro.com/1989/IROC-GM-Document1.jpg

http://www.onelapcamaro.com/1989/IROC-GM-Doc%202.jpg

http://www.onelapcamaro.com/1989/IROC-GM-Doc%203.jpg

I'm hoping that I can get the body work going on it this year and it should be a pretty quick build once that's out of the way. If the stars align it might be on the road next summer.

I really like the hockey stick/hood prop! Canada eh? Shawn

glad to see a third gen project. Cool car :cool:

The car has some really neat features but I'm amazed at how spoiled I have become running LS engines...

Because it was built to be Vintage legal it's got a solid lifter small block - 305 cid - with 10.5:1 compression running a 600 double pumper; it makes just over 350HP. I bought the car from Ontario where it typically ran in American Sedan or Vintage classes at Mosport (altitude ~1000 feet)... well... here at ~4000 feet it's a wee bit (whole lot) fat... Damn I miss computers.

After digging in to it over the weekend there is definately some good, bad, and strange. The engine has lots of good bits - internally and externally - but I'm puzzled by the electric fuel pump feeding the mechanical fuel pump and I'm frustrated by the lack of an oil dipstick tube.

First up after cleaning the car up inside and out will be replumbing the fuel system (the old braided line in getting a bit fragrent) and making the car street legal. Should have some pics soon...

Very cool project. Are you going to keep the original Player's race livery on it? Do you plan to put side windows back in?

For now the Players Challenge livery will be staying - abeit with the possibility of a change or two as the project moves forward. I'm looking at options for windows now... some of the stuff that I want to do with the car will require side windows of some kind - I'm just not sure if glass or lexan is the way to go at this point.

Headlights are in now, horn is in, need to get signals and hazzard lights wired in tonight. I'm going to do as ISIS installation in the car as soon as I can get one and the fuel system needs a revamp ASAP - as soon as I decide on what the plan is for the engine.

Very cool, I love the third gens

It's too bad to hear the Dana isn't still in the car. Factory Dana 44's are like gold to 3rd gen guys (like me). I've only seen one actually in a car in all my years of owning them. I would love to find a good one (one day).