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...

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/09/9808988673_c1ed63a20d_c-1.jpg
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.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/09/9808917375_56e7dd0447_c-1.jpg
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.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/09/9808925614_c07a885434_b-1.jpg
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.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/09/9808944746_a1742833e3_c-1.jpg
As the dash is anything but straight, John uses a shrinker/stretcher to add curvature in both directions.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/09/9808945486_193e626200_c-1.jpg
That lower edge fits like a glove and clears the speedo/tach carrier and center stack. Now work can begin on the top piece.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/09/9808919965_887c63d3c9_c-1.jpg
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.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/09/9808921795_7883613ebc_c-1.jpg
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.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/09/9808948486_a443ac8ac2_c-1.jpg
Now we're getting somewhere. Welds will be ground down and seams filled with bondo.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/09/9808923895_071c6b0ef5_c-1.jpg
Here's the dash cap held in place with a coupla screws.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/09/9808950716_fb0147b834_c-1.jpg
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.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/09/9808951376_99f2fecba9_c-1.jpg
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.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/09/9808999193_c9367bce05_c-1.jpg
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.

We'll post some more pix tomorrow.

[astroracer]

That looks great Steve! Keep posting! You are giving me some ideas to get the dash fleshed out on the van.
Mark

[bonecrrusher]

Whats the Perma R on the garage door?

[BuddyP]

Awsome Steve!

[srh3trinity]

To me, this car set a standard for the pro-touring movement. I can remember reading about it in one of the mags and thinking to myself that I hoped more would be built like this. Glad to see that you are back on it.

[parsonsj]

Whats the Perma R on the garage door?Insulation.

[CliffS]

innovation...sweet!

[Buryingthesun]

Insulation.

You need that stuff when you live in a cold climate lol

[83tb]

Nice work!

[Steve Chryssos]

That looks great Steve! Keep posting! You are giving me some ideas to get the dash fleshed out on the van.
Mark

Thanks! That was the idea. John helped me out a bunch, so the least I could do was spread the wisdom.

[Steve Chryssos]

To me, this car set a standard for the pro-touring movement. I can remember reading about it in one of the mags and thinking to myself that I hoped more would be built like this. Glad to see that you are back on it.

Thanks. That means a lot. I like to think that the tweaks will never end.

[andrewb70]

"John Parsons is great at problem solving because he's smart."


That there is signature worthy!

I would have covered the new piece with some high quality vinyl or ultra-suade...But that's just personal preference. Great fabrication work!

Andrew

[NOT A TA]

Great idea! Nice work guys.

[Steve Chryssos]

And thanks all. So here are the rest of the pictures.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/09/9808952996_54e60d9977_c-1.jpg
With bondo and primer done, you can really see all the mounting holes. More is better so that it gets that antique aircraft mojo.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/09/9808927075_d91f77c7ab_c-1.jpg
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.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/09/9808927915_3cd61caf01_c-1.jpg
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.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/09/9808936554_ed690126d8_c-1.jpg
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.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/09/9809591785_620192b721_c-1.jpg
..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.

That's it. You don't have to be Troy Trepanier to make your own one-off dash cap. By breaking it up into segments and asking for a little help, the job was cheap easy and rewarding.

[csouth]

Definitely a Street Fighter, nice work. Gives it the look I call "all business"...

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

the ORIGINAL Streetfighter!!!

[130fe]

Looks good Steve!

[zbugger]

Looks great bro!! Makes me want to make time to work on my own car.

[parsonsj]

That was one of those good days. Completely devoted to making custom car stuff. Thanks for showing us "the rest of the story" after it left here.

[Ron S]

I still love that car. Good seeing you and John giving it some love.

[T_Raven]

Great idea. I too always thought the 68 dash pad was a bit bulky

[Steve Chryssos]

Thanks everyone. Yeah, bulky. And there's a really swoopy indentation under that dash pad with a lot of character. I'm sure the original engineers never intended for it to be seen -- which is part of why I like the idea so much. Moving right along, my own car has roll cage forward bars that go right through the original vent openings. Done back in 2000, I would never suggest that anyone build their cage this way -- with the A-pillar bars behind the dash rather than through the top of the dash. It is what it is. The dash cap has inspired me to make vent block off plates. I'll tackle that in a coupla weeks.

[J-440]

Dammit now I have to do that to my dash!!!

[Damn True]

I dig it.

Also curious about that center panel gauge pod.

[David Sloan]

Very cool ideas
Iam also happy to see this car getting some love. Was one of my favorites from when i first found this web site and still is.
Thanks for sharing

[Steve Chryssos]

I dig it.

Also curious about that center panel gauge pod.
Thanks. There's alternatives these days, but if you want 2-5/8", making your own still makes sense. It's fabricated sheet metal with a wrap secured to the OE trim piece. Very good for line of sight gauge reading at track days.

David Sloan - Good to hear from you!!

[Steve Chryssos]

Dammit now I have to do that to my dash!!!

Do it!!

[sccacuda]

Steve, are those gauge bezel's universal?

[Steve Chryssos]

They are the exact opposite of universal. We hand shape cutters to match the profile of Auto Meter gauges so that they hug the stock ring. They practically suck themselves onto the the stock rings. I wouldn't recommend trying them with other gauges, but since you are a neighbor, we can try.

[sccacuda]

They are the exact opposite of universal. We hand shape cutters to match the profile of Auto Meter gauges so that they hug the stock ring. They practically suck themselves onto the the stock rings. I wouldn't recommend trying them with other gauges, but since you are a neighbor, we can try.

If your still wanting to come by, please bring one with you and I'll check the fit.

[Steve Chryssos]

Roger that!

[jlcustomz]

Like the look of the metal dash cap with fastners.

So the twist machine resides here in jax right now?

[Steve Chryssos]

Yup. and loving it.

[David Sloan]

Quote David Sloan - Good to hear from you!!

Steve its been a while since we have seen you guy's hope we can get together soon. this year is out we just bought a house an the move is killing me. hope to be going to so events next year. Take care an tell the wife we said hello.

[Steve Chryssos]

Will do. Likewise!