69 Camaro Project - Dead Pool

[214Chevy]

Ron, I wanted the same billet spindles for my C5 setup, but at that price I didn't want to buy them just to cut the steering arm off of them for my application. Although, after seeing yours, I may have to reconsider that. They look sick on your subframe. I really like it.

[Ron in SoCal]

Originally Posted by cencalc6

What Brand undercoating did you use? came out very nice

Ron, What Headers are you plan on using? There's (3) Headers I have in mind.

1. Art Morisson Headers 1-3/4 with 3" Collectror
Mild Steel $625.00

2. Stainless Works 1-3/4 with 2"-1/2 Collector
Stainless Steel $890.00

3. Kooks 1-7/8 with 3" collector
Mild Steel $950.00

Hey Phillip - I used UPOL Raptor liner. Comes w a gun, lays out fairly smooth and doesn't weigh a ton. As far as headers, my AME frame has cut outs so the only ones above that technically fit is their own. But w your cubes I would run a 1 7/8". I bough an unwelded set of Kooks and will mod them to fit nice and tight..

Originally Posted by Gandalf

Ron - time for that visit we talked about... We have options and they are hot on/off the press. "Call me".

Have a great 4th holiday weekend bud!

Gregg.

Will do G! Can't wait...

Originally Posted by 509Chevelle

Ron, I wanted the same billet spindles for my C5 setup, but at that price I didn't want to buy them just to cut the steering arm off of them for my application. Although, after seeing yours, I may have to reconsider that. They look sick on your subframe. I really like it.

Hey Marcus! Thx for the props. I bought the spindles because I plan on flogging the car, plus it lowers my COG. You may have options w your custom sub that could avoid all that. I'll call you over the weekend...

[Rick D]

Looking good Ron, but when are we going to see some full pictures

[awr68]

Wow! That sub looks great! Trunk came out very nice as well as the rest of the car! You have to be totally stoked!!

[daytonayellaz]

Originally Posted by Ron in SoCal

Thanks Shannon!





What that is is an AME sub w their HD adjustable sway bar, LG Billet Spindles, Pfadt Poly bushings and Lower BJ. Travis modified the Spindles to work as AME does and designed/oversaw the custom billet steel steering arms for the modified geometry. Arms are powdercoated silver and the uprights are cleared. It really was a big a** project. BTW, thanks to Trav, Rupp, AME Matt and Fernando (Killer67)...

Thanks for the props Ron, You know I always work hard to take care of you bro!

If I would have gotten on here sooner I probably could have answered many of these questions for you in great detail. I will try.... The AME frame was shipped to me complete..but bare ( no powder coat on anything). The body shop used it to test fit all the front sheet metal and I setup up the DSE frame connectors prior to removing it from the car. I didnt want this frame being used for these steps as you see it now... didnt want the dust/dirt potential scratches etc. on the frame with the front end sheet metal being taken on and off the car multiple times. So after all this was done the frame came back to my shop, was completly disassembled and then the fun began

Obviously blasting and powder coating was done. But the real fun was when those high dolar billet spindles showed up and I started cutting on them Now I will admit....this was much easier to do since I didnt pay for them, but was still tough! Anyone that hasnt had there hands on these and are on the fence.... They are nice!! Anyway, I spent several hours cutting the steering arms off and multiple steps to get the cut areas highly polished as you see them. I also had to enlarge some mounting holes for the new steering arms I had fabed up.


Since the spindle is a 1" drop, the original steering arms obviously wouldnt work anymore. The steerings arms are billet steel that I had to have done at two facilities. I had them cad designed...then the profile cut on a waterjet. The other dimension was then cut on a mill. The waterjet was much cheaper in comparison and cut down on some of the costs the machine shop wanted to charge me to mill the whole thing. The machine shop also made a tapered reamer to do the hole for the tie rod end. Result.... The tie rods are in the EXACT same spot as AME had them and they look great! I can have more of these made if needed, probably cheaper as well. (now that all the hard work is done at Rons expense ) I can also have them made for the stock height C6 spindle if needed.

The pfadt bushings were a real treat to install... I had never installed bushings in C6 arms before. I have some tricks for that now if needed. I did use a press. I do like these bushings and they will eliminate a ton of flex!

The Howe lower ball joints are really sweet.... They are rebuildable and a sweet piece! They dont come with dust boots, we had to get some from energy suspension. Had to also install some washers to get the castle nut to engage the cotter key hole properly. The upper ball joints are REALLY sweet! No grease, no slope.... they are NICE!

I had to weld in new brackets for the new HD sway bar Ron ordered. The mounting location was not the same as the one that came with the frame. This sway bar is also a sweet addition to the chassis.... I like the adjustability!!

It took some time and thought but was well worth it! I really enjoyed doing this subframe! Thanks to Ron for trusting me to take charge on this

I know this is Rons build thread.... and I know its a big high for him reading all the replies!...as it should be. Its also a big high for me reading all your compliments on the subframe! Thanks guys

Like I said earlier... If Ron can drive, you guys are in trouble!!

[Jgpclone]

Have a safe and fun 4th of July. Ron your trunk looks very nice now I know what to use for mine . Bitchen Camaro lol

[Ron in SoCal]

Originally Posted by badrs69

Looking good Ron, but when are we going to see some full pictures

You know how it is Rick. Rubbing, buffing, installing, adjusting and so on. It'll be soon!

Originally Posted by awr68

Wow! That sub looks great! Trunk came out very nice as well as the rest of the car! You have to be totally stoked!!

Thx Anthony! So excited to have her home. Tell me how good that feels...

Originally Posted by daytonayellaz

Thanks for the props Ron, You know I always work hard to take care of you bro!

If I would have gotten on here sooner I probably could have answered many of these questions for you in great detail. I will try.... The AME frame was shipped to me complete..but bare ( no powder coat on anything). The body shop used it to test fit all the front sheet metal and I setup up the DSE frame connectors prior to removing it from the car. I didnt want this frame being used for these steps as you see it now... didnt want the dust/dirt potential scratches etc. on the frame with the front end sheet metal being taken on and off the car multiple times. So after all this was done the frame came back to my shop, was completly disassembled and then the fun began

Obviously blasting and powder coating was done. But the real fun was when those high dolar billet spindles showed up and I started cutting on them Now I will admit....this was much easier to do since I didnt pay for them, but was still tough! Anyone that hasnt had there hands on these and are on the fence.... They are nice!! Anyway, I spent several hours cutting the steering arms off and multiple steps to get the cut areas highly polished as you see them. I also had to enlarge some mounting holes for the new steering arms I had fabed up.


Since the spindle is a 1" drop, the original steering arms obviously wouldnt work anymore. The steerings arms are billet steel that I had to have done at two facilities. I had them cad designed...then the profile cut on a waterjet. The other dimension was then cut on a mill. The waterjet was much cheaper in comparison and cut down on some of the costs the machine shop wanted to charge me to mill the whole thing. The machine shop also made a tapered reamer to do the hole for the tie rod end. Result.... The tie rods are in the EXACT same spot as AME had them and they look great! I can have more of these made if needed, probably cheaper as well. (now that all the hard work is done at Rons expense ) I can also have them made for the stock height C6 spindle if needed.

The pfadt bushings were a real treat to install... I had never installed bushings in C6 arms before. I have some tricks for that now if needed. I did use a press. I do like these bushings and they will eliminate a ton of flex!

The Howe lower ball joints are really sweet.... They are rebuildable and a sweet piece! They dont come with dust boots, we had to get some from energy suspension. Had to also install some washers to get the castle nut to engage the cotter key hole properly. The upper ball joints are REALLY sweet! No grease, no slope.... they are NICE!

I had to weld in new brackets for the new HD sway bar Ron ordered. The mounting location was not the same as the one that came with the frame. This sway bar is also a sweet addition to the chassis.... I like the adjustability!!

It took some time and thought but was well worth it! I really enjoyed doing this subframe! Thanks to Ron for trusting me to take charge on this

I know this is Rons build thread.... and I know its a big high for him reading all the replies!...as it should be. Its also a big high for me reading all your compliments on the subframe! Thanks guys

Like I said earlier... If Ron can drive, you guys are in trouble!!

And that, fellas, is how it's done. Did I trust Trav to cut on those pretty spindles? You bet. Did it scare the crap outta me? Absolutely! And don't think I wasn't a pain in the ** about it. Thank you Trav for putting up w my 'engineering chage orders' and project management skills...

There is one thing though. Trav said he did all the work and they sure came out pretty --



...but I have evidence that he did NOT do the work, at least not by himself --



Cheers Bro...

[Ron in SoCal]

Originally Posted by Jgpclone

Have a safe and fun 4th of July. Ron your trunk looks very nice now I know what to use for mine . Bitchen Camaro lol

Jgp - put your name in your sig so I can address you properly? Thx for the props! We need to meet up soon...

[Jgpclone]

Originally Posted by Ron in SoCal

Jgp - put your name in your sig so I can address you properly? Thx for the props! We need to meet up soon...

Sounds cool to meet up soon man the names danny btw
I stay In sfv.i usualy go to bobs big boy I'n burbank at least one a month with a couple of my buddies from Silverado Ss forum.lmoa I'll be using ur project info as my blue print as well

[daytonayellaz]

Originally Posted by Ron in SoCal

And that, fellas, is how it's done. Did I trust Trav to cut on those pretty spindles? You bet. Did it scare the crap outta me? Absolutely! And don't think I wasn't a pain in the ** about it. Thank you Trav for putting up w my 'engineering chage orders' and project management skills...

There is one thing though. Trav said he did all the work and they sure came out pretty --



...but I have evidence that he did NOT do the work, at least not by himself --



Cheers Bro...

Yea.... I forgot! Levi (my 3 Y.O.) was by my side all evening until bedtime on the first spindle! He has been laying under my 2500HD this week with me while the whole front suspension and steering was being rebuilt. My boy is a trooper.... and as bad a gear head as I am... I think he is going to have me beat.

Ron... You have been great to work for bro! With the amount of money invested and the distance between us you have every right...and its to be expected that you are going to be very involved. I know at times it was tough to understand things I was explaining and why they needed to be done, but you have always been a trooper and let me run with it and trusted my decisions. You being happy about the end result is all that matters to me.

You are certainly welcome... and Thank You!