Preparing for the Midwest Muscle Challenge

[69MyWay]

Okay - I'm doing some little things to get my 69 Camaro ready for the www.midwestmusclecarchallenge.com

Started out with installing a set of Morris Classic 3 point retractable seat belts up front. It previously had only a lap belt system. I appreciate all the input about four point cage sytems vs. this for what is otherwise a street car that uses the back seat.

I also put a steam T in my upper radiator hose to catch the steam line out of my LS engine. I had previously only capped that and had no issues for 11K miles, but this will really heat things up and I want to make sure the air bubbles get out of the engine. I don't have a port in my radiator, so this was the next best.

I am flushing the system and running Wilwood 570 and bringing and extra bottle to drain it out after the road course to make sure I get any bubbled fluid out. It is due for a flush anyway.

I ordered 10' of Jegs 3" brake duct. I don't know how, but I will be working on porting it from the nose to the hubs to help cool it down - this car is heavy with A/C and all - so these C5 front brakes will be working very hard.

On April 23 I'm taking it to www.speedinc.com to dyno tune the engine. Up until this time it has been running on a mail order tune.

Of courese, we'll wrap it up with a full fluid change, and bolt check.

What am I missing????????

[Payton King]

but i would change brake pads to a more aggressive set or at least bring another set with you.

Good luck, you will have the time of your life running a big track.

[Bow Tie 67]

Add 1 extra qt of " good " engine oil

Good power steering fluid. GM fluid is very good.

Brake fluids are not all alike, look for a hight boiling point.

Try and get an instructor to ride with you early on.

[69MyWay]

The Wilwood is a 570 degree dry boiling point.

Do you run an extra quart of oil in the crankcase - or is that to replinsh after running?

Pads???? I have GM delco Corvette pads in the C5 calipers and it is using slotted/drilled rotors.

On the subject of pads....what type would be better than the stock C5 pads that are good for street and track?????

Power Steering.....yes, I need to drain and fill that. The fluid in there now has been there for 5 years and 11K miles.

Okay...any examples of air ducts on 1st gen Camaros????

[Bow Tie 67]

Originally Posted by 69MyWay

The Wilwood is a 570 degree dry boiling point.

Do you run an extra quart of oil in the crankcase - or is that to replinsh after running?

Pads???? I have GM delco Corvette pads in the C5 calipers and it is using slotted/drilled rotors.

On the subject of pads....what type would be better than the stock C5 pads that are good for street and track?????

Power Steering.....yes, I need to drain and fill that. The fluid in there now has been there for 5 years and 11K miles.

Okay...any examples of air ducts on 1st gen Camaros????

Run an extra quart in the crankcase, and bring another incase you need to replenish.

Pads should be ok, but stock C5 Z06 pads would be better. I dont think you need ducts.

[69MyWay]

Originally Posted by Bow Tie 67

Run an extra quart in the crankcase, and bring another incase you need to replenish.

Pads should be ok, but stock C5 Z06 pads would be better. I dont think you need ducts.

Very cool info.

Yep... I know I dont' need them, but if I can get them hooked up without turning it into a massive project it would be cool. I have to put a support brace on my spoiler anyway. I don't have the ugly OEM rods on there and I suspect it folds back at high speed. I'd hate to tear it off from plastic fatigue. So, while I'm whiping up some aluminum brackets for that I'll eye ball what it would take to put the hoses under there.

[Jimi-FM3]

Originally Posted by 69MyWay

Very cool info.

Yep... I know I dont' need them, but if I can get them hooked up without turning it into a massive project it would be cool. I have to put a support brace on my spoiler anyway. I don't have the ugly OEM rods on there and I suspect it folds back at high speed. I'd hate to tear it off from plastic fatigue. So, while I'm whiping up some aluminum brackets for that I'll eye ball what it would take to put the hoses under there.

In scouting the track at Putnam Park, I can safely say that you won't be achieving any speeds that will tear things off, even the front spoiler - unless its just mounted with double sided tape or something!

Top speed will be achieved at the end of the front straight before a sweeping left hand turn. My guess is that if you go fast enough to tear something off from the aero stress, you'll never make the first turn! I admire your attention to preparation, I wish more guys would spend just a little more time before the events.

[69MyWay]

Originally Posted by Jimi-FM3

In scouting the track at Putnam Park, I can safely say that you won't be achieving any speeds that will tear things off, even the front spoiler - unless its just mounted with double sided tape or something!

Doh! You figured me out! Since it is only 100 mph tape...I figured I better prep it a bit better - plus it gives me something fun to do.

Top speed will be achieved at the end of the front straight before a sweeping left hand turn. My guess is that if you go fast enough to tear something off from the aero stress, you'll never make the first turn! I admire your attention to preparation, I wish more guys would spend just a little more time before the events.

You've never seen me drive...have you? I didn't earn the honor of worst driver in my high school year book from 1988 for nothing!

[69MyWay]

Suggestions....

I know I don't NEED vent tubes on my front brakes. I know...I know.

Anyway, I want to try to hang them on anyway.

I bought some 3" tube from Jegs.

Here is my idea. It looks like I can oval it a bit and then use the bump stop on the A frame to make a pinch bracket to hold the tube to the front of the lower A-frame. From there it would go up to the frame and route to a pair of port holes in the front spoiler. I think this would work.

Any other ideas or pictures of tubes on basically stock suspensions?????

[Vegas69]

Originally Posted by Bow Tie 67

Add 1 extra qt of " good " engine oil

Good power steering fluid. GM fluid is very good.

Brake fluids are not all alike, look for a hight boiling point.

Try and get an instructor to ride with you early on.

Matt, I'm not sure I agree with you. Of course I'm not an LSX guy. Windage is worse than being a little low on oil. It robs power and aerates the oil making it hard for the pump to do it's job. A thicker oil may be a good decision due to the increase in oil temps. I don't think you need the brake ducts for the length we run the cars. This isn't Lemans 24hrs. haha