Ovidiu's Split Bumper Camaro Project at GAP Racing

[waynieZ]

That's a beautiful car to start with, and a great list of parts. Should be great when you guys work your magic.

[GAP Industries]

Originally Posted by waynieZ

That's a beautiful car to start with, and a great list of parts. Should be great when you guys work your magic.

Thank you. We have been looking forward to this project

[Ovidiu]

A bit of a backstory on the car: I bought the car in July of 2011, after a long search for a solid, running and driving split bumper (RS) Camaro. I wanted a running and driving car because I wanted something I could still occasionaly enjoy, rather than starting from scratch and not having anything for years and years.

I found the car in Dallas, bought it from two brothers that had spent a few years doing a period correct restoration. They showed me some of the pictures of the car when they bought it, some of the work, plus the car looked pretty decent as far as I could tell. Tim may correct me if I am wrong in the future, but it looked like a good solid car.
Bringing it home:


After that, I did a few odds and ends to pass a proper Texas state inspection, fixed the parking brake, installed seatbelts, fixed the horn.

Photo pretty soon after getting it:


Next, I noticed the car had a bit of a lean to the right, on the back side. I decided that since the front end suspension had been rebuilt, the springs in the back must be the culprit, so I changed those out. Turns out I was wrong. The culprits ended up being the collapsed front subframe bushings, which I replaced with some solid aluminum ones.

That's pretty much the story for the car, I spent a couple of years afetr that driving it occasionally and researching options for the project going forward.

[GAP Industries]

Here is more progress of the tear down

[Ovidiu]

Originally Posted by GAP Racing

Here is more progress of the tear down

I certainly had no idea dynamat was in the car.

Anyway, onto the plans for the car. I've decided at some point in time that the thing that makes sense for me is to do the car in stages, and get the best I can afford for each stage. The guys at GAP are just going to have to take it apart and put it back together a few times I guess

Phase 1: chassis/suspension, brakes and wheels

Like Tim said, this has been in the preparation for a while. After quite a bit of research and back and forth, I decided I wanted to go with the RoadsterShop chassis, and I am very pleased with what I have seen so far.
Wheels, I am pretty much decided on Forgeline RB3Cs, 18/19 staggered with a 275/345 tire width, from what I understand those should fit.
At this stage, other than a few minor things, I will keep the recently rebuilt (per the previous owner) SBC350 and TH350 trans and have the car on the road again so I can enjoy the chassis for a while while I plan (and save up for) the next phase.

Phase 2: engine, transmission, fuel system, electrical system.

For now, I am thinking for the engine some sort of LS, or maybe LT engine now that they are out. I also haven't decided if I should stick with NA with a good sized cam or a supercharged setup. Transmission with definitely be a T56, I am a huge fan of manual transmissions

Phase 3: body, paint and interior

I haven't thought about this one too much yet, except it NEEDS to be worthy of the RS chassis, and I would really like a pearl white color with charcoal stripes, I think that would look really good.

Comments and suggestions are appreciated

[MHORTON79]

Sounds like a very well thought out plan. It should turn out great. Looking forward to it & good luck.

[waynieZ]

That's a lot better than laying it up if you can't do it all at once.

[tones2SS]

Originally Posted by waynieZ

That's a beautiful car to start with, and a great list of parts. Should be great when you guys work your magic.

^ I agree with Wayne here.
That chassis is a work of art. Can't wait to see the final product!

[RSBryan]

Originally Posted by Ovidiu

I certainly had no idea dynamat was in the car.

Anyway, onto the plans for the car. I've decided at some point in time that the thing that makes sense for me is to do the car in stages, and get the best I can afford for each stage. The guys at GAP are just going to have to take it apart and put it back together a few times I guess

Phase 1: chassis/suspension, brakes and wheels

Like Tim said, this has been in the preparation for a while. After quite a bit of research and back and forth, I decided I wanted to go with the RoadsterShop chassis, and I am very pleased with what I have seen so far.
Wheels, I am pretty much decided on Forgeline RB3Cs, 18/19 staggered with a 275/345 tire width, from what I understand those should fit.
At this stage, other than a few minor things, I will keep the recently rebuilt (per the previous owner) SBC350 and TH350 trans and have the car on the road again so I can enjoy the chassis for a while while I plan (and save up for) the next phase.

Phase 2: engine, transmission, fuel system, electrical system.

For now, I am thinking for the engine some sort of LS, or maybe LT engine now that they are out. I also haven't decided if I should stick with NA with a good sized cam or a supercharged setup. Transmission with definitely be a T56, I am a huge fan of manual transmissions

Phase 3: body, paint and interior

I haven't thought about this one too much yet, except it NEEDS to be worthy of the RS chassis, and I would really like a pearl white color with charcoal stripes, I think that would look really good.

Comments and suggestions are appreciated

I’ll definitely be watching out for this one…I’m looking forward to seeing this car come together. This project has a great build team and the right ingredients for success. Thanks again for working with me and choosing the Roadster Shop Fast Track Chassis.

[Ovidiu]

Originally Posted by RSBryan

I’ll definitely be watching out for this one…I’m looking forward to seeing this car come together. This project has a great build team and the right ingredients for success. Thanks again for working with me and choosing the Roadster Shop Fast Track Chassis.

Thanks Bryan!
Thanks for answering all the million questions I had, you guys are a pleasure to work with. I am looking forward to seeing what this chassis can do.