1968 Camaro "Badmotorfinger" v2.2

[intocarss]

Originally Posted by Flash68

You guys are frickin hilarious.... thanks for helping make this thread the polar opposite of the tech-heavy and tuning-heavy thread of Todd's.

HEY we do what we can, from highjacking threads to talking smack or just completely going off topic... WE'RE HERE TO HELP!!

Maybe Buttonwillow will turn out to be an Oddo vs Pettis vs Blackstone vs Lambeck vs NYES
vs QMP (HELL we'll let the LXs guys play too) grudge fest. ,

Yes Ron that car did win Best Engineered when Big Bob had it

LOL Ron
How bad you want one of them light weight cranks? We got spares!!

[sixnina]

Originally Posted by Flash68

You guys are frickin hilarious.... thanks for helping make this thread the polar opposite of the tech-heavy and tuning-heavy thread of Todd's.

Dropped off some more parts today and solidified most of the build plan today. The builder/shop is Mike Blackstone @ Watson Racing & Engineering in Concord, CA. An awesome facility to say the least. 26,000 sq ft full of top shelf parts and machines, yet is a small mom and pop type shop with only 3 employees including Ben Watson the owner. Pete is the general machinist. Not sure how they crank out so much killer stuff but they do. 10, 12, 15, and 18 degree heads on the shelf, blocks of all kinds, and they do Pro Stock, Stock Eliminator, circle track, road race motors... not much they don't do.

Mike has already spent a few hours with me schooling me on 18 degree stuff and engine building in general. He's a super nice guy and already treats me like I've already spent $20k with him before.

Mike is a big fan of Keith Dorton (as am I) and is a big proponent of the 394 SBC, so that's what we are going with after telling him what parts I already have and what my intentions are. Here's my parts list, most of which has been acquired over past couple months:

-PBM iron race block, 350 mains, 4.155 bore, .903 bushed lifter bores, splayed caps on all 5 mains, bore cam tunnel to BBC cam size of 50mm
-3.625 stroke crank (looking for one)
-6" rods (have a set - may use, may not)
-Dished piston to achieve no more than 11:1 (Mike will spec and order)
-GM Bowtie 18 degree heads (being checked and flowed by Mike soon to verify 373cfm flow sheet provided by seller ) (ebay)
-GM Bowtie 18 degree intake (ebay)
-Jesel shaft rockers 1.6/1.6 ratio (ebay)
-Morel/Roush Yates .903 roller lifters w/ .180 offset intake (ebay)
-Stainless 18 degree 1-3/4" stepped to 1-7/8" headers w/ merge collectors (they're a tad rough, but scored these on Craigslist in Nascar country for $350!)
-Holley 830HP (I bought awhile ago off Yellowbullet but not sure if will be used)
-Solid Roller spec'd by Mike

I am leaning toward dry sump, but Mike suggested and also likes a wet sump with an external oil pump for what I have and on a budget, so I need to look into that.

When it's all said and done we are shooting for near 700 hp at no more than 7000 rpm on 91 octane. Mike says the 18 degree heads are so damn efficient that they don't need the cubes the 23 degree stuff does, but they can be a little more tuning sensitive, another reason it will be dialed in correctly. And they like a lot less timing than a 23 degree I guess - like 32 degrees. I plan on him dyno tuning it in his shop after assembly. You get the dyno room for the whole day whether it takes 3 hours or 8 hrs to get her dialed in.

I gotta thank our resident good samaritan and butt of many jokes, Greg Weld. He offered to sponsor me for some stuff after I blew up at RTTC and I am greatly appreciative. He supports this niche a lot thru his time and money and spreads it around to help many people. Ok enough about that guy. Thanks G-Dub. I'll put your decal on my car now (see below).

Ok here's the pics so far. Hope I did not disappoint.

That's awesome Dave,
Looks like you are definitely taking things to the next level. Can't wait to see this one dyno

[Track Junky]

Originally Posted by sixnina

That's awesome Dave,
Looks like you are definitely taking things to the next level. Can't wait to see this one dyno

X2

[Sieg]

X3 +1 I can't wait to hear on-board audio from the track!

[GregWeld]

Dave --

If you want better rods -- go for it! I'll be happy to spring for them.

If you don't use the 6" - just toss them on flea bay or here - and use the dough for something else.

We don't want any excuses for not beating anything and everyone!

[Sieg]

Dave - Whats the debate on the rods?

[intocarss]

Originally Posted by GregWeld

Dave --



We don't want any excuses for not beating anything and everyone!

Mr. Greg.....Are you throwing down the gauntlet?

[Ron in SoCal]

Those Crowers - assuming undamaged - should hold the power just fine...

[Flash68]

Originally Posted by Sieg

and you missed the deadline by 1:08.............NICKEL TITS

That motor is so you and your car!

I imagine you've thoroughly enjoyed the quest researching and acquiring parts and getting to know the builder.

Looking forward to this one.

I started that post before midnight but I get distracted looking for my next Nascar part on various sites.

Thanks... and you're dead on -- I love the part of researching and educating myself on what's out there and looking for good deals. Others spend their hours in the garage - I spend mine online learning and finding cheap stuff.

Originally Posted by Vegas69

So this is nascar. Sounds like a solid plan for your Winston Cup car. I'm surprised you couldn't find a wealthier sponsor with your crew chief and driving skill.

That baby should be all you need to have some fun.

No, if I went Nascar on your ass I'd be 850 hp like Mikey Maier. This is my "street" version. Pump gas and a milder cam so it actually makes good power below 6k rpm.

And I think I did find the right sponsor at the right time... you have seen his whopper of a Toter Home thread haven't you? That wasn't a coincidence!

Originally Posted by sik68

Congrats Dave this is awesome, such a hardcore build. Let me know the next time you stop in at Watson, I drive through Concord M-F.

Thanks dude. It really is meant to be a budget 18 degree build, and I am getting most of these parts for incredible prices. Dimes on the dollar.

I'll let you know next time I go and see Mike... probably a few weeks or when some new parts come in.

Originally Posted by intocarss

All this suspence and you're going with Mike @ Watson racing? I for sure was waiting to see a Summit crate eng pic HA HA


In all seriousness you are in great hands, Mike builds some great stuff (as you have seen).. My boss "Lambeck" raced against Mark for years.

At one time Mark and Bob teamed up and Bob drove Marks' white SS/BM National Record Holder 1998 OLDSMOBILE ACHIEVA and set some records with it too. (we have pics with Blackstone/Lambeck on the door) Then Bob bought the car as a roller from Mark. The racing world sure is small one.. Congrats Dave. And if you've never been... make sure you're there for "Dyno day" it's a blast!! I still get excited everytime we dyno one

BTW If you're still looking for used SBC parts let me know what you need.... we got shelves of new and used stuff and maybe we can help. Rons seen it lol

Thanks Jerry. Good to know Mike and Watson are well known in the racing community. I know Todd talks about how professional and well run the Pettis shop is, and I don't doubt it, but I think any of you would get that same feeling walking into this shop and seeing the parts, machines, and motors laying around. Best of the best parts in there. I am the el cheapo guy in there now. Surprised my application was accepted.

And yeah I can't wait for the dyno day. The Day of Reckoning.

Cool. I'll send you a list of parts we are still looking for. Thanks

Originally Posted by Nessumsar

Geeze Dave, thats going to be a killer engine! I'm all kinds of jealous now...

I'm gunna need to upgrade to keep up with you guys now! Maybe its time to ditch these iron heads on my 388?? haha

Keep us posted!

Thanks Jon. I have been and am still all kinds of jealous of your 315 squared deal.... I want to get there someday. It's on the list.

Originally Posted by intocarss

HEY we do what we can, from highjacking threads to talking smack or just completely going off topic... WE'RE HERE TO HELP!!

Maybe Buttonwillow will turn out to be an Oddo vs Pettis vs Blackstone vs Lambeck vs NYES
vs QMP (HELL we'll let the LXs guys play too) grudge fest. ,

Yes Ron that car did win Best Engineered when Big Bob had it

LOL Ron
How bad you want one of them light weight cranks? We got spares!!

I like the sound of that. That is shaping up to be a helluva weekend.

Depends on how lightweight and cost.... Mike has a 3.625 light crank in stock but it's $1500. That's too rich for my blood and overkill for my app. Looking for something cheaper and doesn't have to be feather weight. Might go with a Callies Compstar. Mike likes those for the price.

He likes all the obvious good brands of stuff -- Bryant, Carrillo, Oliver, and Callies -- hates Eagle stuff... he will not install it.

Originally Posted by GregWeld

Dave --

If you want better rods -- go for it! I'll be happy to spring for them.

If you don't use the 6" - just toss them on flea bay or here - and use the dough for something else.

We don't want any excuses for not beating anything and everyone!

They should be fine but I am just thinking is it worth it on this motor to save just a few hundred bucks. I need to call Mike back and discuss it with him.

Thanks for the offer Greg. I need to cut you off before you own 51% share of this motor.

No excuses... and no mercy. Kobra Kai Dojo.

Originally Posted by Sieg

Dave - Whats the debate on the rods?

They are CAT rods. My early research shows not a lot of love for them. I need to have Mike weigh them too. Again, I don't need feather weight here, but I don't want a boat anchor like Todd's car and motor either.

To be continued.....

[Flash68]

Originally Posted by Ron in SoCal

Those Crowers - assuming undamaged - should hold the power just fine...

They are I-beams (prefer H-beams) and they are only 5.7 inch.