COMP Cams 40th Anniversary Camaro at V8 Speed & Resto Shop

[V8TV]

Originally Posted by waynieZ

It looks good Kevin, nice work.

Originally Posted by gofastwclass

Excellent.

Thanks guys!

[V8TV]

The bottom of the car is easier to access with the body of the Camaro on the rotisserie, so final grinding and detail work was done in this position. The transmission tunnel and floor repairs were dressed from the bottom.









We took the opportunity to strengthen the frame rails where the Heidt’s rear 4-link bars connect to prevent the rails from being crushed by the mounting bolts. This was done by making a set of plates shaped to conform to the rails, then drilling mount holes and welding them in place with the HTP MIG 200 welder.

[V8TV]

The bright spots on the floor supports indicate where minor rust repairs were made.



In the paint shop, numerous parts were prepared and painted. The process can include media blasting or chemical cleaning, a hand sanding or Scotchbrite rub, then various wax & grease removers to clean the parts before they are masked and hung in the paint booth. FBS Distributors sprayers are helpful to rinse parts down, and tape labels an tags are often used to ID the parts. It’s a long process, but the results deliver great coverage and adhesion.











The Heidt’s subframe was meticulously sanded, cleaned, and hung in the booth for Axalta epoxy and satin black Imron paint.



The completed subframe looks pretty sharp!

[V8TV]

The next phase was to prep the bottom of the body shell for paint. Again, the entire tub was sanded and cleaned, then masked and cleaned with wax & grease remover before receiving Axalta epoxy primer. If this was to be a “show” car, the bottom side would have been media blasted, but COMP wanted a driver and did not put a high priority on underside detail.









The inside of the tub was cleaned and prepped as well.

[V8TV]

First epoxy prime coat applied:









After the prime coat was applied, the underside was scuffed and 3M seam sealer was applied to all the areas where metal seams could hold moisture and potentially rust or corrode.

[V8TV]

Inside the trunk, where the 3M Body Defender coating has been applied. This coating will allow the trunk to be used without worry of scratching.



The 3M coating was also applied to the entire bottom side of the body shell to prevent rock chips, reduce noise, and protect the tub.


The subframe is carefully rejoined with the body, and the freshly painted suspension parts are reinstalled.

[waynieZ]

It's coming along nice Kevin.

[V8TV]

The paint booth was again loaded with parts for “blackening”.



Currie Engineering aluminum 9+ center section



Stripped and cleaned Currie 9+ axle housing with Heidt’s brackets installed



Modified stock appearing EFI fuel tank



“Cocktail Shakers” - factory GM oil-filled chassis vibration dampers found in convertibles



After a long day in the paint booth!

[V8TV]

Tilt column





Heidt’s 4-link rear suspension final installation. Note the 3M coating on the bottom of the car.





Steering installation





Front sway bar installed



Emergency brake and axles installed

[V8TV]

Soon, the car is a roller again and it heads back to the body shop for final bodywork and priming.





The removable panels, hood, decklid, fenders, doors, valances, etc., are cleaned and hung in the booth for final priming.