Twist Machine Streetfighter Camaro Update

[Steve Chryssos]

It's been a good long while since I posted a project update for the Twist Machine Camaro as we built a fresh 406 with Dart Aluminum Heads, Holley HP EFI, and a Crane Hydraulic Roller camshaft. The combination works extremely well with the upgraded engine parts adding a bit more peak power but much more power down low. Throttle response is awesome. All I've really wanted to do after the engine install is drive, so I haven't tackled many other projects.
One thing has always bugged me about the 68 Camaro and that's the gi-normous factory padded dash. On my car, I have sunk the seat down to gain helmet to roll cage clearance, so the big dash pad has always seemed goofy. I needed to see over it rather than straight ahead and I'm not small at 5'11".
I set about building a new low profile dash cap with a streetfighter look to match the rest of the car. He's how it went...


I showed up at II Much Fabrication with a crude paper template and a thin sheetmetal mock-up to show John what I had in mind. John Parsons is great at problem solving because he's smart.


Rather than try to tackle the dash cap as one complex piece, John started with a thin strip for the lower edge. This area is more challenging as the piece needs to clear the speedo/tach carrier and center stack. We also worked in multiple pieces left to right.


After trimming clearance for the gauge sections, the lower edge was tidied up on this bad ass little belt sander that looks like the belt drive from a supercharger. It works great too. I want.


As the dash is anything but straight, John uses a shrinker/stretcher to add curvature in both directions.


That lower edge fits like a glove and clears the speedo/tach carrier and center stack. Now work can begin on the top piece.


The template in an earlier photo served as the basis for cutting out the op piece. It was easily trimmed from sheet metal, then shaped to match the curvature of the dash much like the bottom with the shrinker/stretcher. We're fast forwarding to welding here, but you get the idea.


We worked in multiple pieces as we were utilizing available scrap metal. We also had to contend with the roll cage A-Pillar bars, so end pieces were planned separately. If we had made the dash cap too wide, the windshield would need to be removed to get it in place.


Now we're getting somewhere. Welds will be ground down and seams filled with bondo.


Here's the dash cap held in place with a coupla screws.


And here's the plan for hardware on top of the dash. These OE style screws and raised washers will really pop against a black dash. We drilled a lot of holes for mounting hardware.


It's more messy this way, but we wanted to do as much work with the dash cap in place to help maintain it's shape and accuracy. At far left you can see that we're making separate end pieces. Take note of the gauges, as they'll get a makeover as well.


Putty N paint make it what it ain't. Here we're working to erase welding seams and get a smooth continuous look from left to right. The dash cap will be painted semi gloss black.

[Steve Chryssos]

Here are the rest of the pictures.

With bondo and primer done, you can really see all the mounting holes. More is better so that it gets that antique aircraft mojo.


Every morning when I walk out into the garage, this is what I see -- and what I wanted to see. Hardware against semi gloss black paint, peeking through a windshield. ...because stock sucks. At least for this car.


The mod also greatly improved visibility. I no longer need to look over the dash pad. I also mounted the Compushift II trans controller from a bracket that pokes out from just under the new dash cap. Gear display while in paddle shift mode is now line of sight. This pic was shot before tidying things up as you can see from the dangling wires.


We're back driving. Over the winter, it'll all come back apart so that the dash can be refurbished with AC added. I'm researching low weight, low center of gravity AC components. I've also decided that the new dash cap will be painted with a black crinkle finish.


..And here's the beauty shot. I added our billet gauge bezel covers which really brighten up dingy old gauges with real hand finished metal. The finishing touch is our new D-9 paddles peeking out from behind the steering wheel. I love that MOMO steering wheel and the new paddles are a perfect fit aesthetically and ergonomically.

[fleetus macmullitz]

Really like the creative solutions you've implemented Steve.

Hope to see/hear that new motor in action soon as well.

[WSSix]

Looks great and really flows with the car, Steve. Good job!

[monza]

Works great with the theme of the car, looking good!

[coolwelder62]

Very nice.Look's good.

[89 RS]

Good stuff, thanks for sharing.

[WSSix]

Steve, years ago you were working on a quad/projector beam headlight setup for these cars. I remember seeing it at Year One in 2009 I think. What ever became of that project? Did you finally finish it?

[Steve Chryssos]

No I never did finish that project. I put everything into making the best pro touring torque converters and never doubled back. There are some great hand built projector headlights out there now. I still have all the bits. I remember some packaging issues that would make selling a "bolt on" kit challenging. We;like everything to jump out of the box and install itself. I'll probably finish the prototype for my own car some day soon. I still like the idea.

Thanks everyone

[WSSix]

Cool. Thanks for the update!