rlovell383
07-29-2021, 04:11 AM
I've owned my Camaro for 23 years, got it as a rust bucket when I was 16. My dad and I restored it together and I've been upgrading/modifying ever since, as budget allows. Every single part on the car I did myself including paint/body/drivetrain in either my dads garage or mine.
I've always wanted it to be a trans-am style, period correct looking muscle car, but with modern performance. I prefer old school. Its a pump gas, carbureted 385 small block, hydraulic roller motor, dyno'd at 581HP/535Lbs. An Autogear M22w and beefed up 10 bolt. Stock subframe that's got every performance modification you can do. Even running old school leafs in back! They are Global West L2 springs which work amazingly well... Parts from SPC, Ridetech, Chassisworks and others, round out the rest of the suspension.
Over the winter I rewired the car with an American Autowire harness. Its the second one I've used (also on my 57 Pickup). Installed a Ridetech Tiger Cage and Crow Harness.
The crowning jewel is new wheels from ET Mags. 17x9 with 255/40s in front and 18x9 with 275/40s in back. Nitto NT01s get the most out the rubber on the road.... It's the most tire you can squeeze into stock wheel wells with zero rubbing and a low ride height.
This past weekend I finally got a chance to run the car at an open track day at my local track NYST. It was the most fun I've ever had in a car... My goals were: 1- make it to the track, 2- survive a few sessions without going up in flames, 3- make it home.
SO many questions marks were answered. Would my oil temp survive? Are leaf springs going to be useless? Will the car be balanced or want to push or loop into ever turn? Will my power steering overheat? Whats going to break on a car that was entirely built in my garage by a complete hobbyist? Well, it far exceeded my expectations. The only issue all day was a poorly fitting PCV grommet that dripped on a header. No only did it make it to the track and back, I was embarrassing new Porsches and Mustangs! She made it through 5, fifteen minute sessions without a whimper and I didn't hold back! I was moved to tears at the completion of my final session that my car performed better than I could have imagined. I attribute much credit to this forum and the fine folks who post. I've spent countless hours reading here and elsewhere on how to get the most out of your car, and what works.
Here is footage of my final session (my fiancé riding shotgun). https://youtu.be/cIonH5FCopU
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2021/07/IMG_7718XL-1.png
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2021/07/89756456NYST072421361X2-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2021/07/IMG_7747XL-1.png
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2021/07/IMG_7750X2-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2021/07/IMG_7751X2-1.jpg
I've always wanted it to be a trans-am style, period correct looking muscle car, but with modern performance. I prefer old school. Its a pump gas, carbureted 385 small block, hydraulic roller motor, dyno'd at 581HP/535Lbs. An Autogear M22w and beefed up 10 bolt. Stock subframe that's got every performance modification you can do. Even running old school leafs in back! They are Global West L2 springs which work amazingly well... Parts from SPC, Ridetech, Chassisworks and others, round out the rest of the suspension.
Over the winter I rewired the car with an American Autowire harness. Its the second one I've used (also on my 57 Pickup). Installed a Ridetech Tiger Cage and Crow Harness.
The crowning jewel is new wheels from ET Mags. 17x9 with 255/40s in front and 18x9 with 275/40s in back. Nitto NT01s get the most out the rubber on the road.... It's the most tire you can squeeze into stock wheel wells with zero rubbing and a low ride height.
This past weekend I finally got a chance to run the car at an open track day at my local track NYST. It was the most fun I've ever had in a car... My goals were: 1- make it to the track, 2- survive a few sessions without going up in flames, 3- make it home.
SO many questions marks were answered. Would my oil temp survive? Are leaf springs going to be useless? Will the car be balanced or want to push or loop into ever turn? Will my power steering overheat? Whats going to break on a car that was entirely built in my garage by a complete hobbyist? Well, it far exceeded my expectations. The only issue all day was a poorly fitting PCV grommet that dripped on a header. No only did it make it to the track and back, I was embarrassing new Porsches and Mustangs! She made it through 5, fifteen minute sessions without a whimper and I didn't hold back! I was moved to tears at the completion of my final session that my car performed better than I could have imagined. I attribute much credit to this forum and the fine folks who post. I've spent countless hours reading here and elsewhere on how to get the most out of your car, and what works.
Here is footage of my final session (my fiancé riding shotgun). https://youtu.be/cIonH5FCopU
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2021/07/IMG_7718XL-1.png
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2021/07/89756456NYST072421361X2-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2021/07/IMG_7747XL-1.png
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2021/07/IMG_7750X2-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2021/07/IMG_7751X2-1.jpg