Yet another 2nd Gen Camaro - Project/update

[gerno]

Thanks for all the positive responses

Originally Posted by WSSix

I'm in the same boat as you budget wise so buying all the high dollar stuff just won't be possible. We are lucky that our factory subframes and front suspensions are pretty good to begin with.

The car current does work pretty well and I know it already exceeds my driving. All the new parts were far from "cheap" but hopefully I'm building a reliable foundation to help improve my driving skills.

Originally Posted by coolwelder62

Sound's like a great project.Will be tuning in to see more.

Thanks it's been a very fun car so far. I've learned a lot from it and the advice on the board. Hoping I can start to give back a little.

Originally Posted by Flash68

Steve! Glad to see you post your project... about time!

I see you took some shots at Rob in your intro. Nice work on that.

Well some of us are...

My goal is to have the new updates to the car complete well before you get your engine installed.... If I take a day off work I think I could even get it done before dyno day....

Originally Posted by Track Junky

Awesome Steve!! Love to see the low budget builds making it to the track!! Keep up the good work !!

Thanks. I'm still bummed I didn't get to meet up with you to get a little driving advice and see your car before I left town for Texas.


Here are some pics of the parts.

TA kit


Ridetech Coilovers



Speedway housing




Brakes - I'll work on a better pic tonight

[gerno]

Started a little bit of work this weekend. Pulled out the fuel tank as well as the old suspension.









I started to work on the installation of the rear crossmember for the panhard bar and coil overs. There were some random shock mounts I had welded to the frame when I was working to relocate the old shocks to clear the LS brakes and keep staggered setup. These were cut off and cleaned up the frame a bit.

Due to the grinding and cleanup there are some thinner parts on the frame. I'm pretty sure I'll be adding some 1/8" plate to the bottom and inner portion of the rail to assure there is plenty of strength. Speedtech makes the x-member with 1/4" clearance already to allow for factory tolerances so this should be no issue.

During the fitment I became very confused and frustrated. I used the Speedtech measurements based off the leaf shackles but the crossmember was clearly not straight. There was ~1 3/4 difference in the measurement from the x-member to the floor pan. The mounts were also not straight with the frame.Unfortunately the picture in the instructions is impossible to see so I could not figure out the issue. Rather than cause an issue with the install I decided to quit halfway through the day. It was also 102 here so it was probably best for my health too. I called Speedtech today and spoke to Blake. He clarified I was measuring to the wrong part of the x-member. He also admitted the picture was horrible and needed to be corrected. Later this week I'll adjust the mock up to see how the revised measurement looks.

[ATTACH][ATTACH][ATTACH][ATTACH][ATTACH][/ATTACH][/ATTACH][/ATTACH][/ATTACH][/ATTACH]

[gerno]

Got a little more work done this weekend but overall I'm slacking a bit. First, I talked to Blake and he confirmed I was measuring from the wrong location on the x-member. Checked it again from the correct spot and it was dead on. I also talked to him about adding metal to the frame just in case. I want to add 1/8 plate to the bottom and inside of the frame rail. The rails have been welded and ground on prior so I'd feel more comfortable with a little reinforcement added. Blake confirmed it's not a bad idea.

I cleaned up most of the rails and have the general pieces aligned to box the rails. I just need to spend a little more time prepping for welding and it should be done.


Mocked up the housing ends




Cleaned Frame rails




High tech tools to bend plate





Don't look too close at the welds. They need a little cleanup but a least have good penetration...

[Flash68]

Steve, lookin good man..... what's that black bike in the garage there?

[coolwelder62]

Lookin good.I've thinking of using a SpeedTech Torque arm in our next Project.I like their stuff.

[gerno]

Originally Posted by Flash68

Steve, lookin good man..... what's that black bike in the garage there?

The bike is my neighbors Harley. They are big into custom bikes. There was another really nice Harley but unfortunately one of the guys totaled it and ended up shattering his leg and in the hospital over a week. Thats the reason I like my huge truck and my car with a roll bar and such.

Originally Posted by coolwelder62

Lookin good.I've thinking of using a SpeedTech Torque arm in our next Project.I like their stuff.

The quality of the product is very nice and both Blake and Roger have been great to work with so far. Even with my request to use a custom floater from Speedway they didn't flinch and helped me all the way through the process. Hopefully soon I get off my butt and get it all done so I have some seat time.

[gerno]

Cleaned up the plates I'm using to box in the frame and started welding them on. Work's been a bit nuts so I'm way behind schedule. Despite being behind I'm still trying to take it slow and easy to get it all right the first time.

Even while trying to do it right I screwed up a little. I wanted to drill holes in the 1/8 plate so I could also plug weld (think that's what it's called) it to the existing frame so its not just held by the outer welds. I remembered on the lower plate but not the upper. I'm going to carefully drill some holes mostly thru the plate then weld it up. I assume with the correct setting the weld should still penetrate and bond even if I don't drill all the way through the plate.

I think I've also decided to swap out the front brakes to a 13: 6 piston Wilwood setup including a 7/8 master cylinder. Mike @ Wilwood is working with me to get the parts together. It's beyond my original budget but I figure it's best to just get it all done right the first time.

[ks71z28]

Love to hear your opinion of the Speedtech TA rear suspension. We I am a Speedtech dealer, and was under the impression that the set up was a bit more "tested" and developed. Aparently there are only about a dozen units sold over the last 7 years. We (Custom Works Performance) installed one in my 71, and are overall happy with the installation, but the performance gain hasn't been fully achieved yet. We are making some alterations to the set up to try and improve a few things. I did a floated 9", and the noise tranmitted up the torque arm is a bit excessive. If you get a chance shoot me a message or email, I would like to hear your feedback

Keith
CustomWorksPerfomance.net

Originally Posted by gerno

Thanks for all the positive responses




The car current does work pretty well and I know it already exceeds my driving. All the new parts were far from "cheap" but hopefully I'm building a reliable foundation to help improve my driving skills.



Thanks it's been a very fun car so far. I've learned a lot from it and the advice on the board. Hoping I can start to give back a little.



My goal is to have the new updates to the car complete well before you get your engine installed.... If I take a day off work I think I could even get it done before dyno day....




Thanks. I'm still bummed I didn't get to meet up with you to get a little driving advice and see your car before I left town for Texas.


Here are some pics of the parts.

TA kit
Attachment 41571

Ridetech Coilovers

Attachment 41572

Speedway housing

Attachment 41573Attachment 41574Attachment 41576


Brakes - I'll work on a better pic tonight

Attachment 41577

[CURVES]

I'd like to hear feedback on the torque arm as well.

I just began mocking mine up (I must have bought lucky 13. Lol)

So far I'm concerned with the fit of the rear x member, I will add plates to the frame to correct. Also it doesn't look like the trans can be dropped without un bolting the subframe.

The noise is something I hadn't considered. Keith, I'd be interested in hearing about any mods and results.

[ks71z28]

Originally Posted by CURVES

I'd like to hear feedback on the torque arm as well.

I just began mocking mine up (I must have bought lucky 13. Lol)

So far I'm concerned with the fit of the rear x member, I will add plates to the frame to correct. Also it doesn't look like the trans can be dropped without un bolting the subframe.

The noise is something I hadn't considered. Keith, I'd be interested in hearing about any mods and results.

The rear X member is about 3/4" or so too wide. I welded 1/4" strips in, then welded x member to it. Trans should be able to be removed without issues. I would like to see the front x member made in two pieces, it was a PITA to install, and if you have sf connectors, good luck!