Famous last words...
 

"It's a bet!"

:willy:

This is about how the conversation went down:

Buddy: "I love muscle cars, man, but they can't hang with my [97 E36] M3 on the track. Not for the money, at least."

Me: "That's total crap. I bet I could build up a sexy muscle car that could destroy that German turd of your for less than you paid for it!" (I like his M, but I gotta give him crap about it.)

Buddy: "You really think so? Well, what are you willing to bet?"

Me: "I bet I can build up good old American Iron to run a faster road course lap than you in your M. If I can't beat you, you can have the car. But if I win, you have to pay half the build total, and I keep the car."

Buddy: "Ok, but I've always wanted a 2nd Gen Camaro. Try to make that beat the M3 and it's a deal."

Me: "Ok! It's a Bet!"

Ok, so I paraphrased a little, but the context is there. Ok, 2nd Gen Camaro it is. Given that I am a big fan of the Transformers movie, and it happens to have a 2nd Gen Camaro in it, we're going with that car.

Enter Project BumbleBeast. It's lame, I know, but I needed a name. :unibrow:

The challenge is to replicate the look of the Transformers 1976 Camaro, as closely as possible to provide track ready performance, with a cap of $12K for the entire project.

So far, we're on track. I got the Camaro, a 1975 Model with a missing fender, no engine, and minor rust that I can fix. Total cost: $400

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y29...l/CAEVQN8F.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y29...l/CA0HMZW9.jpg

I traded some stockpiled parts for a complete T56 setup. I'll need to figure out the mounting and hydraulics, of course, but with your help, I think we can do it!

I also have a complete running 472 BBC that was donated to the cause.

So far I have the car and I have an engine and transmission that should easily be able to give me track worthy performance. I'll need to get a bigger compressor so I can do the paint, otherwise I doubt I'll come in under budget. So I'll be learning to paint cars, too. Not a bad skill to learn, I think.

And now I turn to you, my friends of the road course, for help in making a list of parts to complete the project. Keep in mind what I'm trying to accomplish. I need to beat a stock 1997 M3 around a road course. This car has 250 HP, legendary handling, and will be driven by an above average driver. I've got a 472 ci Big Block Chevy, 6 gears, and a much heavier car that was not designed to run a road course.

Me, I'm 28, I'm a Physicist for the DoD, I've been doing my own car work since I could lift a 1/2" wrench, I've designed aftermarket performance parts for a few car companies in my off time, I can weld (but not that well, need to work on that) and I hate losing bets.

And I love a challenge! :captain:

That 472 BB will hurt in weight transfer.
I'd go with something like an alum. headed small block etc.
That extra 200lbs on the front wont help in cornering one bit.
Good thing is, you've came to the right place and will find alot of answers here.

I thought about that. I may end up selling the BBC for something else. But it was free, so it helps the budget. If I go with an aftermarket front subframe, which is likely, many of them are lighter than the stock unit. Martz claims ~200 lbs lighter, which does offset the weight somewhat for the front, but enough? I do not know.

I found this forum by accident, and it seems to be the kind of place I need to hang out more.

Awesome first post, welcome aboard. :thumbsup:

Was there anything said in your agreement about tires? Can you run slicks? :unibrow:

Actually....technically....I think I can..... :evil:

I'd start with the best tires/slicks that you can run and build the car around that... Make it light and make it stick.

Anyone think I can mount the T56 in the rear like a 'Vette? :lol:

I need the car to be streetable. That was another detail I left out. I need ot be able to drive it to work, like he does his M.

Dude, I am TOTALLY down to help out on this project. Where are you in Richmond?

There ya go! There's the attitude I like to hear! I live out in Mechanicsville, man!

To be clear ... all you have to do is show up with that car and beat him? It doesn't have to look good (at least not at race time)? it only has to function... right? If so you shouldn't worry about paint, body work, interior – in fact you should strip the car as much as possible - even if he said it has to be close to stock weight .. you want to put the weight in the right places. I assume he gave you some cap on the build cost (what is your budget)?. I'd put the money in the drive-train, suspension and tires; skip the cosmetics. After you win and recoup half the build cost .. then finish up.

Also - I'll assume you'll take the time to go drive the course you'll be on (if you haven't already). If your just starting in track racing you may want to gets some instruction in some live situations.

... Also I do agree a good set of tires is a must/priority.