83rdracer
07-07-2015, 09:08 AM
I am new to PT but have a 4 year build thread on thirdgen.org about the transformation of a worn out but solid 3rd gen into what I hope will be a very capable track day car. I performed all of the work on the car at home in my garage. I have a lot of mechanical experience but never did extensive mods before. I have some experience in building/modifying cars and suspensions for short track asphalt stock cars. Most of my fab skills have been learn as needed. Most of the welds on the car look a little heavy but are very strong. Since the I plan on beating on the car at track day and autox events I won't be spending a lot of time grinding welds and making things look pretty for pretty sake. It will be respectable but certainly not a show car.
This car has been built on a very tight budget, probably less than $6000.00 in it to date. Every major component on the car has been modified to improve handling and safety. Only the exterior will remain pretty much original. There are no plasma cutters, tubing benders, tig welders or rotisseries in my garage, just your basic hand and power tools. The most high tech equipment in my garage is an old Lincoln Pro Mig 130 welder. Almost all of the suspension pieces were designed on graph paper and made in the garage. The 3 link rear suspension is built around a 2000 ZR2 rear axle assembly. The front suspension uses 4th gen camaro parts.
The reason I am posting the build here is to get more eyes on the modifications in hopes that someone might see something I have done wrong or unsafe. The car is still welded to some custom ramps I made that serve as a chassis jig. Even though I am pretty far along on the build I won't hesitate to change something especially in a safety related area.
Please look this over and let me know what you think.
The car before mods. Car was hit on left front and bent frame horns ahead of the k-member. Had it straightened at a local body shop.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/07/83camaro001-1.jpg (http://s1309.photobucket.com/user/83RDRACR/media/83camaro001.jpg.html)
brackets made to locate rear axle
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/07/83camaro012-1.jpg (http://s1309.photobucket.com/user/83RDRACR/media/83camaro012.jpg.html)
ZR2 rear axle 8.6 chevy truck axle with 3.72 gears and a gov-loc posi, disc brakes and 30 spline axles.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/07/83camaro010-1.jpg (http://s1309.photobucket.com/user/83RDRACR/media/83camaro010.jpg.html)
comparison to stock 7.5 axle
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/07/83camaro027-1.jpg (http://s1309.photobucket.com/user/83RDRACR/media/83camaro027.jpg.html)
This car has been built on a very tight budget, probably less than $6000.00 in it to date. Every major component on the car has been modified to improve handling and safety. Only the exterior will remain pretty much original. There are no plasma cutters, tubing benders, tig welders or rotisseries in my garage, just your basic hand and power tools. The most high tech equipment in my garage is an old Lincoln Pro Mig 130 welder. Almost all of the suspension pieces were designed on graph paper and made in the garage. The 3 link rear suspension is built around a 2000 ZR2 rear axle assembly. The front suspension uses 4th gen camaro parts.
The reason I am posting the build here is to get more eyes on the modifications in hopes that someone might see something I have done wrong or unsafe. The car is still welded to some custom ramps I made that serve as a chassis jig. Even though I am pretty far along on the build I won't hesitate to change something especially in a safety related area.
Please look this over and let me know what you think.
The car before mods. Car was hit on left front and bent frame horns ahead of the k-member. Had it straightened at a local body shop.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/07/83camaro001-1.jpg (http://s1309.photobucket.com/user/83RDRACR/media/83camaro001.jpg.html)
brackets made to locate rear axle
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/07/83camaro012-1.jpg (http://s1309.photobucket.com/user/83RDRACR/media/83camaro012.jpg.html)
ZR2 rear axle 8.6 chevy truck axle with 3.72 gears and a gov-loc posi, disc brakes and 30 spline axles.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/07/83camaro010-1.jpg (http://s1309.photobucket.com/user/83RDRACR/media/83camaro010.jpg.html)
comparison to stock 7.5 axle
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/07/83camaro027-1.jpg (http://s1309.photobucket.com/user/83RDRACR/media/83camaro027.jpg.html)