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Project Nighthawk 1969 Camaro - Building the GMR 9" rearend
http://www.c4ppy.net/camaro/concept.png
http://www.c4ppy.net/camaro/0.concept/rear.jpg I have loved muscle cars since I was a kid. As an adult, watching the masters like Chip foose and his counterparts on countless car shows on sky tv strengthened that love even more. I knew some day, I would build the car of my dreams, and that day is finally here. I am going to build a car that embodies everything I love about motoring. Retro style, Lots of usable power, and as much 21st century auto tech. as I can get in. I want a retro bruiser with all the mod cons. The current plan is, 600hp LS3 motor, Ridetech full air Suspension upgrades and sway bars managed by Accuair ride management Rotiform modern design red leather interior modern lighting digital computer controlled dash and electronics lots of custom gizmos and gadgets Paint wise I am thing of a dark but heavily metalic grey. Almost like shadow chrome you get on some wheels. Bespoke body mods including front valance, rear diffuser, side skirts and rear gill. Lots of carbon trim The majority of the build work will be taken care off by the excellent Retro Power This build thread will serve as summary of the build. For full blow by blow updates and pictures, follow the build on the project facebook page http://www.facebook.com/ProjectNighthawk and on Twitter here https://twitter.com/#!/ProjNighthawk |
Phase one was to come up with some designs. Mike Gillett did an excellent job of turning my ramblings into renders.
http://www.c4ppy.net/camaro/0.concept/skirts.png http://www.c4ppy.net/camaro/0.concept/valance.png http://www.c4ppy.net/camaro/0.concept/rear.jpg more designs Design concepts and rendering Next, I needed a car to base the build on. I found a beautiful 69 camaro SS clone in hugger orange that had already had some resto work in the past, but you guys convinced me it was too good/original to base the build on, so that was promptly sold and replaced with this rotter off a shell. Unfortunately I had to buy the shell blind, but the seller assured me it was a perfect base car due to my extensive plans and that structurally it was sound http://www.c4ppy.net/camaro/1.basecar/basecar(01).jpg http://www.c4ppy.net/camaro/1.basecar/basecar(02).jpg http://www.c4ppy.net/camaro/1.basecar/basecar(04).jpg http://www.c4ppy.net/camaro/1.basecar/basecar(06).jpg see the full gallery of base car pics |
The car was delivered straight to Retro Power from the seller.
I had heard lots about the abilities of Callum and Nat at retro power, and had read countless forum posts and mag articles about their previous builds. Seeing their metal work skills on some of their previous projects, and their very reasonable costs and working practices made them a winner. The boys got straight to work tearing the car apart ready for blasting, which is when we found out, things werent as rosey as the first seemed. http://www.c4ppy.net/camaro/2.blasti...rblast(01).jpg http://www.c4ppy.net/camaro/2.blasti...rblast(02).jpg http://www.c4ppy.net/camaro/2.blasti...rblast(13).jpg http://www.c4ppy.net/camaro/2.blasti...rblast(26).jpg Full gallery of the car pre blasting After that, there wasnt much car left for blasting! but we had come too far now to turn back so on it went for media blasting and zinc priming http://www.c4ppy.net/camaro/2.blasti...tblast(01).jpg http://www.c4ppy.net/camaro/2.blasti...tblast(08).jpg http://www.c4ppy.net/camaro/2.blasti...tblast(24).jpg http://www.c4ppy.net/camaro/2.blasti...tblast(07).jpg Full gallery of blasted car |
Welcome
A whole new meaning to "perfect bas car":thumbsup: You are braver than I. |
Nice project! Can't wait to see more :thumbsup:
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Ah yes mine was rust free to!
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Looks like some cool ideas in the works ....and a lot of metal work in the future, Welcome aboard
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MMMMMMMM BLQ's
Should be an awesome project! Good luck! Matt |
Nice renderings. Don't worry about whats left you were going to change all that anyway. lol Sounds like it will be a great car when your done.
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Thanks guys.
Doom, WOW.. but having said that, I am sure mine will look like that too once we break out the can opener and get chopping. be sure to like the face book page here http://www.facebook.com/ProjectNighthawk or follow the project on @projNighthawk for the full blow by blow updates |
small project Update.
thanks to auto metal direct I have almost an entire camaro in a box on its way by boat to me. Should be here by late july then the fun can begin If you ever wondered what a camaro kit looks like in a box.. here it is :D https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net...91423563_n.jpg Amit |
Subscribed - looking forward to watching this one
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After what feels like for ever, the parts have finally arrived at retro power HQ
Again big thanks to Auto Metals Direct for helping us out with the panels. Not easy to come by in the UK Big truck full of camaro http://www.c4ppy.net/camaro/3.thereb.../parts(01).jpg Flat pack camaro http://www.c4ppy.net/camaro/3.thereb.../parts(02).jpg Next step are to formulate a plan and start gluing all this together. Dont forget to like the facebook page below or follow us on Twitter for blow by blow updates. Summaries will be posted up in this thread |
^ very cool pic!
Twittter? Really? Does your builder move that fast? :wow: I thought this is where you post project updates! :lateral: |
Cool ...... Just get ready for alot of foul language..:D I get the chills just looking at that stuff!!!
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lol the twitter account is mine.
Its not all project related.. other cool projects or pics I have found.. parts I am considering for the build etc.. The build thread, I will update with regular summaries of where we are at. Twitter and facebook are for the blow by blow updates. Amit |
That last pic is awesome, reminds me of opening a plastic model kit for a 69 Camaro :lol:
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That's going to be an awesome ride. I like how your going with gold colored wheels, look forward to seeing more. :thumbsup:
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Wow it ought to really handle being that low to the ground!
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Maybe I should scrap the build plan and turn it into a sculpture. Get my fab shop to knock up a sprue frame out of tube |
Can't wait to see more of this build.
ps - great Facebook page |
Thanks
We are very close to all out kick off Have decided to have a custom chassis built, so retro power are trying to source a chassis table. Jason at GMR will also be building the rear end soon so updates will start flowing thick and fast. Also checkout the mood board here for a idea of what's to come http://m.pinterest.com/amitdesai1978...k-inspiration/ |
So the car is on twitter, facebook, and lat-g. You need to get it on foursquare and google plus and then it will be the most socially networked car out there.
That being said, the wheel choice is awesome. Looking forward to the build and the newsfeed updates. |
It's every where. The original idea was to get a lot more social feedback on the direction of the build and get the community to help shape the project.
I want to runs design comps for areas of the car but need more people on board to make sure I get decent designs lol Still early days yet. |
Its update time.
I decided the ultimate camro wouldnt really be the ultimate camaro on the stock subframe and stock rear end. So after discussions with RetroPower, we have decided to build a complete chassis from box steel. Retropower have tracked down a chassis bed, and work starts 24th Sept :) In the mean time, I have asked Jason at theGMR to start work on the rear end. I chose GMR because after talking to him for 5mins, I realised he knows his rear ends! He was a font of knowledge and information So this is what we decided to build a 9" full floater made up of
I decided to go with strange engineering for the complete third member after doing a lot of research on how they have been performing on road and track. With the top quality components I have gone with, this rear end will be capable of taking as much power as I can throw at it, and leave me headroom for future upgrades. This rear end should be much lighter than stock, and MUCH stronger. I would of loved to have gone for the titanium housing, but I have to draw the line somewhere and the what I have speced above far exceeds the needs of this project. Onto the build Jason starts with a chromolly housing built in the USA from US sourced steel. Note the large hole. This is not a bird feeder, but actually an oversized oil filler/teeth inspection window http://www.c4ppy.net/camaro/3.thereb...earend(01).jpg Axel tubes welded on http://www.c4ppy.net/camaro/3.thereb...earend(02).jpg Fully seemed welded. Even the parts that will be hidden http://www.c4ppy.net/camaro/3.thereb...earend(03).jpg Trusses tacked in place. No axel flex here! http://www.c4ppy.net/camaro/3.thereb...earend(04).jpg Going to town on the welding http://www.c4ppy.net/camaro/3.thereb...earend(06).jpg Thats all for now, more to follow. Keep an eye on the pic album here Rear end build Album, if you cant wait for updates |
awesome progress.
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I promised updates would start coming thick and fast ;)
I will let the pics do the talking http://www.c4ppy.net/camaro/3.thereb...earend(07).jpg http://www.c4ppy.net/camaro/3.thereb...earend(08).jpg http://www.c4ppy.net/camaro/3.thereb...earend(09).jpg http://www.c4ppy.net/camaro/3.thereb...earend(10).jpg Thats the central housing complete, next steps, axel snouts and hubs Amit |
wow look at that tap
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jason |
I like butter :)
Can wait to see this thing in the flesh. There is nothing better than precision engineering and there is definitely a lot of that in the next batch of pictures! |
More updates from Jason at theGMR
Jason uses high tech custom designed tooling to ensure he can draw a straight line around the tube. No wonky cuts here! http://www.c4ppy.net/camaro/3.thereb...rearend_11.jpg Holes drilled to allow the snout to be plug welded to the axel tubes for final fit http://www.c4ppy.net/camaro/3.thereb...rearend_12.jpg More custom designed tooling from GMR to make sure centre section bolt holes are in exactly the right place http://www.c4ppy.net/camaro/3.thereb...rearend_13.jpg http://www.c4ppy.net/camaro/3.thereb...rearend_14.jpg Another jig used to ensure perfect alignment for the axel snouts. A precision ground alignment bar that spans the entire length of the housing both snouts are set at the same time, making them very straight to each other. Dont want to be driving in circles! http://www.c4ppy.net/camaro/3.thereb...rearend_15.jpg Tacked in place for now http://www.c4ppy.net/camaro/3.thereb...rearend_16.jpg http://www.c4ppy.net/camaro/3.thereb...rearend_17.jpg Jason is cleary actually a women as he is able to tap a thread, bolt in the drain plug and take a picture at the same time http://www.c4ppy.net/camaro/3.thereb...rearend_18.jpg The completed GM9 Chromoloy bare housing, ready for suspension and brake mounts of your choice http://www.c4ppy.net/camaro/3.thereb...rearend_19.jpg http://www.c4ppy.net/camaro/3.thereb...rearend_20.jpg http://www.c4ppy.net/camaro/3.thereb...rearend_21.jpg As you can see, light as a feather. With the Motto “Lighter – Stronger – Faster” the gmr products are designed accordingly and this GMR9-325 housing is no exception. The GMR9-325 housing with 3.25" housing tubes, 3/8" faceplate, large filler cap, and rear truss section is only 1 pound more then a Currie F9 with 3" tubes and NO TRUSS installed! Now, that is a serious weight – strength ratio! http://www.c4ppy.net/camaro/3.thereb...rearend_22.jpg |
Will be going to vist retropower tomorrow to discuss the custom chassis build.
Lots of exciting updates to come Amit |
Looking good Amit, did you ever lock down the engine plans?? I know you said you were going to run a ls9?
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Nothing for certain just yet.
Still favouring the ls9! Was hoping chris@fesler would drop me a mail with a few options, but still waiting to hear from him. Still considering a supercharged ls7 as an alternative. Maybe a Maast black series. Problem is I am not up on my muscle cars so don't really know what's out there.. Pros/cons etc This is my first muscle car build. Previously been a retro Vw guy |
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Lol tell me about it!
I have spent more on the rear end of this car than I did on the entire build of my mk1 rabbit show car |
I've seen and heard this motor in person and it sounds unreal, it's Raj's motor (canrc) it's from Wegner and I think is 825hp if I am correct. I don't know the specs but may be an alternative to an LS9 as far as blown LS motors.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/show...0&postcount=19 |
Thanks man.
Will go take a look |
Wow that is a nice looking motor. One to add to the list for sure!
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Thanks Ryan -- I know I should post this in the feedback section but not only did Wegner deliver more than expected on my motor there customer service is top notch! I have been dealing with Casey Wegner the last few days and I am glad I went with them, great group of guys and you will not regret going with them and they are working on some new stuff that is insane! |
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