Famous last words...

[DDY RCKT]

"It's a bet!"



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.

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





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!

[HRBS]

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.

[DDY RCKT]

Originally Posted by HRBS

That 472 BB will hurt in weight transfer.
I'd go with something like an alum. headed small block etc.
That extra 265lbs 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.

[XcYZ]

Awesome first post, welcome aboard.

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

[DDY RCKT]

Originally Posted by XcYZ

Awesome first post, welcome aboard.

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

Actually....technically....I think I can.....

[XcYZ]

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.

[moorepwr]

Originally Posted by DDY RCKT

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.)

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.

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

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.

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.

Man, I sound like a pretentious pr*ck according to that story, don't I? Of course his version sounds more dramatic. Yes, I'm that buddy with the E36 M3. I got tired of waiting to start the restification of My '69 Camaro, and I paid $11k for mine, not $12k. And I've been helping him plan the mods!

Thanks for calling me an above average driver :-D

I'd just like to point out a couple funny points: That pile of parts he traded for a T56? It was a 1995 TA he bought with a new long block for $1500. It just needed to be reassembled. And it counts on the tally. If anyone can do something on an impossibly small budget, it's him.



The free engine? 472 Caddy with bad bearings. Not concerned about it :-p.

So let me introduce myself, I'm 28, and I'm a Mechanical Engineer for the DoD as well. I work with DDY RCKT, and I've had my 1969 Camaro since 1984. (Gift from my grandfather) And it hasn't run since then either. Taking it off the trailer Wednesday, the front driver wheel wouldn't turn. But, I have a long ways to go.



My first real modification was a 1986 Monte Carlo SS with a B-spindle conversion 5 years ago. Del-a-lum bushings, Bilstein shocks, and it rode pretty well. It needed bodywork like nobody's business, but check out the stance:


I think this is a neat concept for a build, but it's not like I'll be surprised if he's successful.

[DDY RCKT]

Sup Rickfert! You're an engineer, you're automatically a pretentious bastige, and you know it!

You are an above average driver, but I've got more track time than you. Nyah Nyah!

I miss the Monte... But I can't wait to tear into that 69!

$11K! Curses! There goes my budget...

[deuce_454]

Enough with the small talk.. show us some pics LOL

hows the project going?? what did you end up with suspension wise?? truckarm ? hotchkiss? air? SC&C? alot of names has been tossed arround here

[Beach Cruiser]

Guys! Where have I been on this! I'm in Va Beach and totally missed this thread. I have a WS6 Trans AM that I auto-x (right at your back door at RIR) I'm building a 67 RS that hopefully will outrun the T/A. I consistantly beat porshes, BMW and Mercades Benzs so it can be done! My T/A is stock with the LS1 and a 6Sp, and no chassis mods. Check out this site for tons of F-Body Road Racing info http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/ Send me a PM and I'll be glad to help you with the planning for your build and I do work for Beer! The suggestion about Nascar or Circle track suspenstion parts is right on time... I'd start there, yeah, and loose the boat anchor engine, you won't like the push at 100+ MPH on a real road course. I'm running my T/A at VIR in Danville in March.