1981 Camaro - C-Prepared Build

Update time!

Got up there on Saturday, and with the help of Apexcarver, got the watts linkage tacked into place on the frame, and got the frame rails above the rear axle tubes, and where the coilovers are going to go, removed. The rule allow for the removal of the frame only for suspension clearance or clearance of the rear end through the full range of motion. I'll have about 4" of bump, which would put the top of the axle (once dressed) even with the top of the frame, so away it goes.

The watts is in, and right now with those rod ends, has about 7 1/2 - 8 inches of total travel on the rear end. This is right on the edge, and I'd rather use the bump stops in the shocks to limited movement (as compared to rod bind), so I'm going to do some shopping for some thinner rod ends.

I also had to try out my cleco set and stick one of the flairs on for fun!

Next time I get up there I'll work on the coilover mounts and start to drop my mockup drivetrain in there.

needs more flare

patgizz wrote: needs more flare

get out of my head

Fixed the images from my last post.

how do those cleco things work?

Gearheadotaku wrote: how do those cleco things work?

They are pretty simple. You just drill the hole through both panels, and use a special cleco tool to compress the cleco so that it can slide into the hole. Once you release it, the bottom of the cleco pulls tight and expands to hold things in place.

http://s64.photobucket.com/user/Brian_B_1956/media/misc/cleco_6.jpg.html

It's basically a temporary / removable rivet.

Made another trip today, and the wife and I did as much as we could in the 10 degree garage - well, once the heaters took the edge off of things.

Main plan was to get the tubing diagonals in place to support the upper coilover mounts. Got them cut and fit (which took forever) and tacked in place. They need a little refinement, but this was good enough for now. Next time I'll get the coilover mount tacked on, then work on welding up stuff for good.

Any more updates on this build?

The previous post was this past weekend. Not much yet, but hopefully a big milestone gets completed this weekend. Stay tuned.

Gimp wrote: The previous post was this past weekend. Not much yet, but hopefully a big milestone gets completed this weekend. Stay tuned.

Sorries, I guess I got lost in the timeline. I got one going for my Mustang, but nothing as radical as you got going. Simply building a CAM-C car.

Stang_guy03 wrote:

Gimp wrote: The previous post was this past weekend. Not much yet, but hopefully a big milestone gets completed this weekend. Stay tuned.

Sorries, I guess I got lost in the timeline. I got one going for my Mustang, but nothing as radical as you got going. Simply building a CAM-C car.

No worries at all! Nothing simple about a CAM car. Had I started this project much later, I'd probably have done the same. Hell, with a little extra work (and slower tires) I could be CAM legal.

Major milestone achieved! We officially are a roller.

My wife and I went up there yesterday, and with the help of my buddy Mikey we got the rear suspension fully put together for the first time. It's mostly tacked together (and I do need to add the trick blade sway bar I bought), but for the first time in far too many years, the car is sitting on it's own suspension, free and clear of any blocks.

We had to start by cleaning up some of the work I did last time:

Kate shortened bolts

I worked on cleaning up and clearancing the area where the tubes for the shock mounts would land

And removing a little more of the floor

The we cleaned up the booger of the welds I had put in temporarily last time

And then we got the tacked in the tubes for the mounts, put the rear end in, and tacked in the upper shock mounts

Now I can order up the shocks and some correct length bolts and lock everything in place and do my final clearancing for travel.

It might not look like much, but man this day was a long time coming.

Congrats on getting it sitting on suspension! I like the underslung Watts creating a low roll center.

Awesome work. I have enjoyed watching your build come together.

Thanks guys! It's pretty damn exciting.

Man that thing is gonna be low! Don't drive over speedbumps!

Love the work! This thing is gonna be awesome when its done!

wvumtnbkr wrote: Man that thing is gonna be low! Don't drive over speedbumps! Love the work! This thing is gonna be awesome when its done!

You aren't kidding! 2.5" of clearance under the front crossmember, about 4" at the back. It will be fun finding a low and wide trailer.

I can't wait to turn a wheel in anger.

can you have kate teach carli that it's ok to come out to the garage and get dirty/learn how to weld and grind one of these days?

a build thread canoe? really?

I hope this means I have a sponsor.

The under-slung watts link is a new one on me. I'll re-read the thread if it has already been taught, but what was the thought process? Is it just the ultra-low roll center that I think you would get with that arrangement?

NOHOME wrote: The under-slung watts link is a new one on me. I'll re-read the thread if it has already been taught, but what was the thought process? Is it just the ultra-low roll center that I think you would get with that arrangement?

Basically, yes, for the ultra low roll center. My friend Larry would have preferred a more traditional arrangement, but I was worried that the fabrication required to have a low, adjustable, traditional setup would have been very heavy.

So yes, my roll center is fixed, but hopefully I have enough adjustment with the rest of the suspension that I can get it to work how I want.

patgizz wrote: can you have kate teach carli that it's ok to come out to the garage and get dirty/learn how to weld and grind one of these days?

Get Carli out there racing. It's amazing what that can do to a girl.