Reinventing the OneLapCamaro...

[James OLC]

Originally Posted by compos mentis

James,

Looking forward to watching it unfold.

Obviously a lot of subframe choices. What made you decide on the AME piece?

You're right - lots of great choices and I weighed lots of options. The decision to try the AME subframe came from a couple of places:

1. The LS7 has a lot of packaging issues - both in its stock form and as you look at enhancements on the oil side. IF I were to do it again, and knowing what I know now, I would not use an LS7 for those reasons alone - there are better ways to go. BUT - thats what I have and that's what I have to work around and that itself culls the options.

2. Flexibility - AME was willing to make changes to their subframe for us and gave us "free reign" to modify it. The changes we made were "minor" and only time will tell if they will pan out but AME was cool with helping us out. This applies to both the subframe and the components we wanted to use with it.

3. Compatibility - which also probably includes "comfort". The AME subframe will work with a lot of the parts and manufacturers that we have been using with great satisfaction over the last few years so (a) I don't have to change from what I like, (b) I don't have to completely reinvent the wheel and (c) I can continue to support people and companies that have supported me.

All of that aside, the AME piece is really nice and Craig Morrison reached out to me while I was in his neck of the woods and we got to talking. I really appreciate great customer service and enjoy working with people who are interested in what we are doing. Timing and availability also played a part, as did some common projects that are going on more-or-less in parallel.

In fairness - there are four subframes that I seriously considered and wouldn't hesitate to recommend - SpeedTech, Scott Mock, DSE, and AME - all with their own pros and cons.

[fleet]

James,

Thanks for taking the time to provide some very useful info.

Good stuff.

[sik68]

[Jr]

James,

Very cool update.

What was the final backspacing on the front wheels? Also, do you have any pics of under the hood with the new intake? I looked through the thread, but didn't see any...

[James OLC]

So we kicked things off about a month ago…



I came across an outstanding deal at Katech on a Street Attack LS7 that had a pretty short fuse so the first order of business was to sell the old engine. It was in great shape but starting to hint at its age under hard use so I posted it up on the forums at what I felt was a pretty fair price for what it was. It sold in about three days to a board member who was looking for something complete. It was sold complete including ECM and dry sump system so we were going to be starting fresh on a number of bases.

First things first – time to get the old one out…





The first hiccup came before we even had the old engine out… the shipping company had decided not to deliver the new engine on Friday as promised but were more than comfortable trying again on Monday for a small fee… not great when we’re under a bit of a time crunch. Mary was kind enough to hop in the truck and drive to the terminal for a “customer pickup”…



and came back with a really big box…



I’ve always liked redheads.

[James OLC]

So with the new engine “in hand” it was all systems go for pulling the old engine out…



which left a pretty big hole

[James OLC]

Part two of the weekend was the start of the diet. We pulled the fiberglass headliner, the air conditioning unit, the quarter window regulators, some miscellaneous panels and the passenger seat. Every piece that came out was weighed and documented to track our progress. By the end of the first day we were down about 135 pounds. With the easy stuff done we moved on to the hard stuff…



All of the dynamat that we can reach is coming out… started with the roof… headed to the trunk… and then the rest of the cockpit.



This is about 25 pounds of dynamat… probably half of what we have coming out (give or take):



Before moving on we got some of the ‘bad news’… the slave cylinder had some really weird wear and the pilot bearing was equally bad.



It all lined up to a more serious transmission problem than we anticipated.

[XLexusTech]

James if you get a chance i would be keen to know you thoughts on road noise without the Dynamat.. its a great product but i am concerned about weight..

[Track Junky]

Glad to see you guys stepping it up another level Jim.

[fleet]

James,

Great thread.

Outsider looking in sees the a/c paying for the weight penalty by keeping you guys much less fatigued from the heat and therefore sharper behind the wheel.

Your thoughts?