Penny is on the streets.. woot!

[Steve1968LS2]

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

Today was the day, the first drive.

The dyno tuner in Claremont, CA, called me up to say she was all tuned and ready to go home. They are located about 40 miles away and there’s no easy way from there to here. Usually when I start “breaking in” a newly done car I take a spiral approach. This is where I drive around the block, then around two blocks, then a little farther until I feel the car is officially “road worthy”.

However it was Friday night and I couldn’t arrange a flatbed tow. Screw it, I decided to drive her home. At first it was strange, but as I drove I got more confident with the way she shifted and felt.
She’s fast, smooth silky speed…

On the mustang-style dyno she put down 440rwhp and 390 rwtq. That’s right around where a new Z06 comes in on his dyno.
My max torque is at 4500 and at 6500 I’m still at 90% of that. Gotta love a flat torque curve. At 6500 rpm the car still accelerates to the tune of 7.4 feet per second. A bit above a new Z06. She would pull to 7000 but we decided to set the rev limiter to 6700 to save the rods.

She idles very nice. During the drive home she never went over 190 degrees. The brakes worked great. The car road like a new car. It was firm but didn’t fell like an old car. I still need an alignment, but the car tracked well and was rock solid stable.

I got a ton of thumbs ups from people. Several shouts and three times I caught people taking pictures. On the 91 fwy the people in one car were video taping me, so I dropped a gear and hit it. :)
Oh, and several people tried to race, I declined.

When I got home my wife loved the car. It’s the first time she’s seen it in over a year and she very much liked how it turned out. That was nice and I’m a lucky guy.

Ok, the bad..

On the way home I guess I went too fast. In my driveway there was a small nick in my door, no dent just a scratch like a knife hit the door. I couldn’t figure it out until my noticed the passengers side (vertical) stainless window trim was gone.. poof. I guess it came off and nicked the door on the way to the great unknown. Lol. Maybe I need to safety wire my trim.

Anyways, I will fix that and BOS will fix the nick. Just part of the sorting out process. Saturday we shoot the car in an old machine shop, should be cool and I’m almost done writing the story for Super Chevy.

After driving her I’m hooked, it was such a blast. The suspension felt great, it felt stable and it felt reliable. All this without tuning or even an alignment.

It’s going to be a fun fun summer…

Here’s the missing trim and nick..could have been worse.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

Here’s her new license plate :D

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

Thanks to all those who have helped make this happen. Best of Show, Lateral-Dynamics, Marquez design, Rick’s hot rods, DSE, American Autowire, Classic Chevy 5-speed, Optima, Stewart Warner, ATS, Modo Innovations, 21st Century Street Machine, AFCO, COMP, Varishock, Inland Empire Driveline and everyone that helped give me opinions, ideas and encouragement.

This community is family and this family has a new, and soon to be very active, member.

[Steve1968LS2]

Also,

I drove her 40 miles today and 40 miles yesterday. Tomorrow we are taking her to the mountains to shoot action shots for Super Chevy. So far she is working well although the oil pressure guage (elec) reads lower than the mech guage I have mounted on the engine. Damn elec gauge.


I have a very nice "max effort" dyno vid to share but nowhere to host it and it's in some strange format (quicktime I think). I shot Scott a copy last night and I'm sure he will be able to size it down and convert it (it's 18mb)

Anyways, the shoot we did tonight at the factory was WAY cool. Look for the full feature in the August Super Chevy Magazine. It's going to be a LSx issue.

[MrQuick]

sorry to hear about the trim mishap but well,it happens. Im glad you are (and the miss's) enjoying the car. im jealous but happy for you.

[Ralph LoGrasso]

Penny looks great, Steve. Glad to hear she's on the road.

[TonyL]

Looks great Steve. Sorry to hear about the battle wound. Can't wait to see the "turning wheels in anger" videos sure to ensue!

[tracar91]

I understand battle wounds. I picked up my car from paint on Monday, took it to the pinstriper tuesday, loaded it on the trailer tuesday night, drove 5 hrs Wed to Memphis, and was on the track all day Thursday. I have a nice rock chip in the middle of my flames to show for it (too close behind a sticky tire car I guess). So I get to brag that my first rock chip happened at 130 mph....lol

Great to see Penny out and about. So when is the first track day scheduled? :drive:

[72NovaSS]

penny sure is lookin good steve!
what was the shop called that you were at?
i wish i would have know when you were in claremont...i live like 2 minutes away :(

anyways, its good to know that you're finally getting to enjoy penny!

[TT402LS1]

Very nice! I been keeping up on the artices in the Mag's. I love how clean the car looks! Thats the look Im going for. Im also doing the the coil over swap, front and rear. Have you played around with them yet? How do you like them?

Ron

[Morgan]

Steve,

Looks awsome but that is the easy part. I am really happy for you that the car is working the way you hoped it would. Even if the project isn't mine I always feel a bit of satisfaction to see someone else's project come together as they wanted it to. Congrats!

[73z-6sp]

Steve, that car looks incredible! Im glad to hear you are driving her now and that the little lady appreciates it. (Thats important!) Enjoy the summer! ;)

[formula98]

That's great news. I can't wait to see the article in the August Super Chevy Magazine! I like the plates.....

[trapin]

Congrats on a job well done, Steve. Can't wait to read the issue.

[Ron S]

That is a gorgeous car,sucks about the trim,but like you said its not the worst thing that could have happend.I've got to say Steve,your photograghy skills are unbeleivable,that thing looks wicked.Beautiful car.Ron

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

man that first MONEY SHOT is breathtaking!!!.. congrats Steve... must be VERY exciting to be all together now..

[LMDGUY]

X2... that first picture is Amazing!! congrats on getting her running

[Steve1968LS2]

Very nice! I been keeping up on the artices in the Mag's. I love how clean the car looks! Thats the look Im going for. Im also doing the the coil over swap, front and rear. Have you played around with them yet? How do you like them?

Ron

So far I love the suspension and I have the feeling they (and the brakes) will turn in some great numbers.

We still need to align the car and tune the suspension. I also need to weigh the car.


man that first MONEY SHOT is breathtaking!!!.. congrats Steve... must be VERY exciting to be all together now..

That was a quick shot I took.. the REAL shots are 100% better. The lead was shot from a lift and we popped flashes all around her and lit up the interior. We also had a 20 ton crane posed over her and a welder in the backgroung. I think it might be poster quality. Mike Harrington of Super Chevy took the real shot since he is so good with lighting rigs. I provided "ideas" and I will be shooting the engine bay and undercarriage.

[paulk68]

that car is so sick, please post ANY and ALL pictures you take.

[novanutcase]

Oh, and several people tried to race, I declined.

Sure ya did Steve!!!!:naughty:

She looks AWESOME!!! Congratulations!!!:1st: :enguard:

John

[Nine Ball]

Congrats Steve! I hope you keep this one longer than the blue one, lol.

[dropit69]

Awesome Steve Congrats bet that was a fun ass drive..i love the pic of it in shop but need Penny on right side so i dont have to move all my icons when it becomes my new desktop..Wohoo Penny is hott!!!

[Steve1968LS2]

Here's a low res of the dyno pull..

It has a very distinct sound...

http://www.dailymotion.com/jm350/video/x1ujve_redcam/1


Oh, off to the photo shoot.

[formula98]

Sweet!

[David Sloan]

Congrats Steve
She is just sick! Have fun an treat her like a Lady in publix an like a you know what behide closed doors.:spank2:

[DJ Mabe]

Congrats again Steve! One of the nicest Camaro's around. Hopefully I'll be able to see it in person one day. Look forward to seeing th photo shoot. I love the picture that you posted in this thread. Very coold shot. Reminds me of the Fast Forward Fastback photos. Cool!!

[Steve1968LS2]

Just a quick shot I took yesterday in the mountains.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif


Here's the high-res version...

http://picsorban.com/upload/done3.jpg

[69Nova]

WOW. What a awsome picture.

[6'9"Witha69]

That is sooo sweet!!

[dropit69]

wohoooo ,,,my new background..youll be happy to know Steve i am replacing your old blue 69 with this pic..Rupps cars make awesome backgrounds..

[Rubes]

as Frank Barrone would say..."Holy CRAP!!!!!". Good for you Steve.

[Steve1968LS2]

Bonus warehouse shot..

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When this Super Chevy comes out could you do me a favor and buy a copy or two. I want to show a few people that Pro-Touring is a popular segment. Would go a long ways to proving the point if this issue did well.

Besides, the best shots (by Harrington) will be in the issue. Those will make these look amature.

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

so sick.. i guess you gotta update your sig now..

[Nine Ball]

hey, update your website. Old ass info and old pic with the huge cowl hood. lol

[Steve1968LS2]

hey, update your website. Old ass info and old pic with the huge cowl hood. lol

I still like that shot!! lol

I did update and add a bunch of build shots.. need to do the final "rebuild" now.

I still have the hood hanging in my garage. I plan on tossing on some bigs/littles - putting on the hood and looking all pro-street. lol

[Bow Tie 67]

Oh man, Steve those shots are killer. The pics gave me goosebumps, now thats its home every time you walk past the garage door you can open it flip the light on and ogle it. I cant wait to have that opportunity with my garage again.

Thumbs up,
Matt

[muthstryker]

steve i absolutely love the picture you posted. i have found my new background image. penny turned out to be kick ass!

[Damn True]

Wow Steve. Kinda speechless. Looks fantastic!

[DeltaT]

What a beauty! Well done.

Jim

[BA.]

It's great to hear that you've been able to log the miles on her with no major issues.
That has to be one sweet feeling!!!


congrats!

[jaybee]

That is one sweet car! Congratulations & good work.

[rockdogz]

Wow great pics - can't wait to see the article!!

:cool:

[formula98]

When this Super Chevy comes out could you do me a favor and buy a copy or two. I want to show a few people that Pro-Touring is a popular segment. Would go a long ways to proving the point if this issue did well.

I have a subscription to both PHR and Super Chevy. I'll buy a few extra copies and give them to friends that do not Subscribe.

Great Job Steve! She's beautiful and I'm glad I got to see her in person. Let me know when your out crusing wouldn't mind meeting up with others in the area.

[jeffandre]

Beautiful car Steve, can't wait to see some numbers and hear how it performs on a track. Enjoy it!

[super_kev]

Hey Steve,
The video was deleted. Would you mind posting it up again?

[Steve1968LS2]

Hey Steve,
The video was deleted. Would you mind posting it up again?

The dyno video?

[Damn True]

Hey Steve,
The video was deleted. Would you mind posting it up again?

[Jedi mind trick] There is no video [/Jedi mind trick]

[super_kev]

Yep, the dyno video. If you removed it for some reason, no big deal, but I was just letting you know it didn't work. :)

[Carver67]

Hey Steve,
Thanks for reminding us what we're all working towards. That "bonus shot" in the warehouse is amazing. You've stoked a flame thats been feeling a bit smothered lately.
Thanks again
-Mike

[olds87]

I think the video is on Lateral-g. I will grab it.

[olds87]

My bad

[1Fine69]

i want someone to take pictures like that of my car! beautiful steve