Project "Payback"

[Stuart Adams]

Todd, I think you car is great. No one is ever happy with performance. As soon as one level is reached it's on to the next one and so forth. Pro street is way worse, all they have is times and no real enjoyement outside of the little white lines.

[Vegas69]

Thanks Stuart. Don't get me wrong, I don't have any intention of heading down this path and starting from scratch anytime soon. I like my car and have few regrets. I still think it's capable of running with anyone with more tuning and a better driver.

[tones2SS]

Originally Posted by Vegas69

I still think it's capable of running with anyone with more tuning and a better driver.

That is a great car Todd. Rips up the auto-x and can still grab the groceries as well.

[GregWeld]

Originally Posted by Vegas69

and a better driver.

Oh gawd that's funny! And -- it's the best most cost effective change a guy could make to his car!!!!!!

You want a great time? Just have MARY POZZI flog the beast!


This, of course, goes for almost all of us (except guys like The Stig and Stielow) -- so I'm not picking on my buddy Todd here.... just sayin' --- it does take a bunch of skill to put these cars up top... and the more power etc a guy has -- I personally think - the more skill it takes to really be on top of it. Mary has proven this time and time again.... she can take a "lesser" car and wax everyone else. I'm not sure how the hell she does it -- but she does!
I wish I had talent like that... but I have neither the cars nor the talent.

[War]

Looks like you have your car pretty well sorted out now, was just curious on what you would have done differently. I just bought my steering u-joints and got the vibration reducing one. Wasn't sure if I needed them till you made a comment on that so that's why I ask.

[Vegas69]

Greg, you get wood on the ball once and a while. Getting the most out of a car with 666 hp is no easy feat. These recent desert hail marys remind me of just how insanely fast this car accelerates. My lack of road racing skills doesn't keep the engine in it's optimum RPM range. At the Optima Challenge I was leaving it in 3rd gear going onto the front and back straight. It needed to be in 2nd. That would've made a considerable difference. That's why I've been working on rpm matching. My car is really hard to heel toe. In fact, I've been practicing timing with just the gas and clutch. I've got to work onthe primary squirter a little yet. Autocross is another animal. I rarely shift out of 2nd gear.

Jason, if I knew then what I know now... Pretty sure I should be charging a consulting fee of some sort around here.

Floating rear end or a floating rear caliper(Good bye knock back) I've swapped axle and bearings, shimmed bearings, and switched master cylinders to make it so I don't pump brakes on the track. I still have knockback, it's just managable in all situations now.

4-7 cam swap (Pretty sure my harmonic vibration between 2650-2950 is induced by the extra crank stroke/the firing order change is supposed to smooth out conventional small/big blocks) Definitely an educated guess. The only nuisance now is in 5th in that range. The rubber passenger mount and steering knuckle almost eliminated it completely in 1-4 BOTH engines have had it.

Found Jason Pettis at Pettis Performance the first go round. Jason builds one hell of an engine and really gives a damn.

Rubber mount the drivetrain completely. I know a factory interlocking mount won't cut it on the drivers side. Adapt say a ZR1 motor mount.

Use more GM parts. They are reasonable priced and more servicable.

DSE quadralink- I've spent way to much time making this g bar work. (Moving shock mounts, springs, end links, shock travel)

T56 magnum- I'd slice the tunnel and make it fit along with running extremely small working angles. 1-2 degrees. I'll end up with a modified 600 or RS 600 eventually. The stock tko 600 is a workhorse but it shifts like a school bus.

Lighter weight- Aluminum hood, no sub box, elinimate the back seat, etc

Install a console

Seats that allow a 5 point harness

Clear bra from day 1

Tinted the factory glass-Aftermarket fits like shiat

Spent less money I coud've cut some corners here and there. I've got way to much money in this car. It's really easy to get sucked into this hobby and think you must have all the newest most expensive stuff. (Tail lights, hinges, fender braces, aluminum block ) At the end of the day, you don't need all the newest highest priced stuff to compete in these events or drive from point a to b.

With all that being said, I have no regrets. This is my first real rodeo building a car from scratch. I thought I was one hell of a mechanic before this project started. When I worked on cars for a living, I liked drivability the best because it came down to trouble shooting and finding a solution. Working the bugs out of the car and using it has really been the funnest part of the build for me.

[DFRESH]

Todd, you have paved the way for a lot of guys on here with all the information you have shared, especially me. That last post you made about what you would do different is one of the most valuable posts made to someone like me----you are one of the guys actually out there doing road courses, auto Xing and driving the car. The comments you make, the products you use, your write up of how they've worked (good or bad) really means something to me--and obviously they do to others as well. It ultimately helps guys like me to buy right the first time, thus enjoying the car more. Not sure anyone has ever said this to you, but thank you for sharing those experiences with us here as they have helped me immensly! My build plan for the car over the next 2 years has and will continue to change based on details you've listed here and conversations we have had. Thanks for the honest assesment and sharing your feedback here---it's that kind of information that really makes this site a great place.

Based on how much money i've saved thus far, and the fact that I love your "Payback" more than most, i'm thinking of renaming mine "Refund".

Doug

[mfain]

Todd,

You sound a little down, but you shouldn't be. You have built a great car and you have the raw talent to wheel it. Your willingness to share your ups and downs has been a great asset to the community. If I could offer you any advice (having personally been humbled by some of the best), you might want to consider an advanced driving school to refine your talents -- one little technique from someone who has seen it all can do wonders -- and a professional evaluation of your final suspension set-up (spring rates, shock set-up, roll centers, etc) might be beneficial (Dick Guldstrand comes to mind). You are on the verge of putting an "old school" hot rod on top of the tech-y LS crowd, and I'm rooting for you!

Pappy

[Sieg]

Based on how much money i've saved thus far, and the fact that I love your "Payback" more than most, i'm thinking of renaming mine "Refund".

Doug

Beneficiary wouldn't be bad either.

As a newbie around here, and not to take anything from Todd, Doug's complimentary comments could apply to numerous members threads and posts. I've had my car 22 years now and in the last few weeks of diligently reading Camaro build and mod threads I've picked up some very valuable insights that will save trial and error expense and deliver a respectable performance level.

I sincerely appreciate the caliber of Lateral G's members and the quantity and quality of their information. Thank you all, hopefully I'll be able to contribute as well.

PS - The good natured ribbing and humor is another benefit.

[Vegas69]

Originally Posted by DFRESH

Todd, you have paved the way for a lot of guys on here with all the information you have shared, especially me. That last post you made about what you would do different is one of the most valuable posts made to someone like me----you are one of the guys actually out there doing road courses, auto Xing and driving the car. The comments you make, the products you use, your write up of how they've worked (good or bad) really means something to me--and obviously they do to others as well. It ultimately helps guys like me to buy right the first time, thus enjoying the car more. Not sure anyone has ever said this to you, but thank you for sharing those experiences with us here as they have helped me immensly! My build plan for the car over the next 2 years has and will continue to change based on details you've listed here and conversations we have had. Thanks for the honest assesment and sharing your feedback here---it's that kind of information that really makes this site a great place.

Based on how much money i've saved thus far, and the fact that I love your "Payback" more than most, i'm thinking of renaming mine "Refund".

Doug

You get the award for taking the least and making the most out of it. I've learned a thing or two from you as well. I'll call you soon....

Originally Posted by mfain

Todd,

You sound a little down, but you shouldn't be. You have built a great car and you have the raw talent to wheel it. Your willingness to share your ups and downs has been a great asset to the community. If I could offer you any advice (having personally been humbled by some of the best), you might want to consider an advanced driving school to refine your talents -- one little technique from someone who has seen it all can do wonders -- and a professional evaluation of your final suspension set-up (spring rates, shock set-up, roll centers, etc) might be beneficial (Dick Guldstrand comes to mind). You are on the verge of putting an "old school" hot rod on top of the tech-y LS crowd, and I'm rooting for you!

Pappy

I was about to pull the trigger on a private lesson at Spring Mountain on the 4th last week. I'm just tired of spending money. I'd like to retire before I need diapers. Appreciate all the kind words. Hurry up and get that car moving. We need to tear up the track together. Let me know when your vette is back in town, I've got to come over and check it out.

Originally Posted by Sieg

Beneficiary wouldn't be bad either.

As a newbie around here, and not to take anything from Todd, Doug's complimentary comments could apply to numerous members threads and posts. I've had my car 22 years now and in the last few weeks of diligently reading Camaro build and mod threads I've picked up some very valuable insights that will save trial and error expense and deliver a respectable performance level.

I sincerely appreciate the caliber of Lateral G's members and the quantity and quality of their information. Thank you all, hopefully I'll be able to contribute as well.

PS - The good natured ribbing and humor is aother benefit.

You're right, I haven't learned everything from trial and error. Many have paved the way before me and are always willing to help. Guys like Frank, Jody, Greg, are always willing to help with tech.