Gen 1 Camaro/ASA Stock Car Build

In reply to jh36 :

Isn't it funny how the first 90% takes more than 90% of your time and the last 10% takes the other 90% of your time? 

Great job that looks fantastic. 

Thanks for the positive comments!  It's been a great project. 
The biggest issue before the next test will be additionally supporting the hood and front clip. I also think I will re-route the radiator cooling as the splitter will be about 2" above the pavement as it is. I will either make an opening under the bumper, or keep it under the air dam, but widen it and narrow it to bring the splitter up an inch or so but keep the surface area the same. 

frenchyd said:

Isn't it funny how the first 90% takes more than 90% of your time and the last 10% takes the other 90% of your time? 

Very true. It was consuming but a fun design/build exercise. There's a lot of hours left to get it completely tight, but it seems much closer now that the wheels have turned on track...if only for a few laps. 

slowbird said:

That is awesome. It really looks good and it sounds like a hoot to drive as well.

It is a hoot. It feels like a big go kart. I know it will morph as I pick up the pace but it felt very nimble and controllable. Glad you like it!

In reply to jh36 :

That's one beautiful Camaro, great choice on the wrap color!

So happy to see you got it out on track!!!

Pete Gossett (Forum Supporter) said:

In reply to jh36 :

That's one beautiful Camaro, great choice on the wrap color!

Thank you Pete..and thanks for your encouragement along the way!

NOT A TA said:

So happy to see you got it out on track!!!

Thanks John!  Now that I have a taste of it, I'm craving getting out again with improvements. I hope to do a better job documenting now that the giant push is over. Thanks for your support along the way. 

Sweet mother of God this is awesome!!!

Car looks incredible!!!

That looks amazing.

I'll bet the grin was impossible to peel off your face.

Gimp (Forum Supporter) said:

Car looks incredible!!!

Thanks sir!  We need to do that meet up/photoshoot!

iansane said:

That looks amazing.

I'll bet the grin was impossible to peel off your face.

As if you were there....yes.

Dusterbd13-michael (Forum Supporter) said:

Sweet mother of God this is awesome!!!

Thanks sir!!

I had a few simple goals for #36 in the midst of a lot of yard work/catch up around the house.

I wanted to firm up my plan to brace the hood (and fenders a bit) to keep things from deflecting down at speed.  Deren orignally had an aluminum brace between the tube frame, but I repurposed those pickup points for my quick disconnect front clip.  I will purchase a few more tube mount 1/4-20 mounts and span the hood area in 2 or 3 places.  That should provide more than enough support for the speeds I should be hitting.  All I need to do is browse the JEGS website and come up with enough stuff to get free shipping.  Easy.

Next, I wanted a to make a driver's side door opener that was simple, dependable and rid myself of the Houdini-like moves I was forced to practice last weekend.  I decided to take a cue from the MGA and made a cable release.  It's simple and also safe...reaching inside the door, I can lay my hand on the cable very easily, which might come in handy in an emergency (knock on wood).  While I had the door off, I also trimmed up some fiberglass so it opens a bit more smoothly.

I laid the splitter out and Edward came over. We sat in the shop and just looked at it for a while.....I doubt seriously this is my final design, but I have to start somewhere.  I ordered the hardware from Professional Awesome and Dan was....professional AND awesome.  The hardware and the quick disconnects are really well designed, and I am very pleased with the way everything looks.  Depending on a double birthday party tomorrow (2 kids born within 8 years and a couple of days of each other) and having the entire clan over for pizza, cake and a pool party, I might try to mount the hardware for the splitter and see what is what.

I got the quick disconnect splitter hardware from Professional Awesome. 

I installed the front supports directly to the metal bumper. Again, the supplied hardware from these guys is outstanding and it was a breeze to mount the fronts. 

The leading edge of the splitter is 3" out from the air dam and 2.75" off the deck. Based on just a few pics of the car under load at Summit Point, I THINK the height is ok, but I am emotionally prepared if I need to raise it. 
If I do raise it, that will mean cutting additional holes in the front for radiator cooling. 
 

I ordered roll bar padding and a few 1.75" roll bar mounts for my hood reinforcements. 
Next up, I'm going to go front to back and check for torque on bolts. There was a lot of activity on this thing over the past month and I'm not 100% something didn't get skipped. Nice easy job for starting the day before heading to work. 
Also, I need to find a good material to fill in the 2.75" gap between the air dam and splitter. I hear plastic garden edging is a go to, so I may start there. I plan to trace the air dam, cut some 3/4" plywood and use that to attach the splitter to the filler. 

These plastic rolls work great for air dam material. Its what I used on mine.

Colored Plastic Rolls, 25 Ft. (speedwaymotors.com)