Fletcher's Customs 70 Camaro "Shop Beater v3.0"

[fletcherscustoms]

WE are headed north in a few hours to pick up the new shop car. Kevin (70gotboost) on here put his almost complete 70 Camaro up for sale, and I just couldn't pass it up. Just screams sexy with that sexy orange paint, and very nice Vortech blown 388 SBC under the hood. And the fact it mini tubbed and painted makes it a easy turn around for us in between other paying jobs. WE are doing the full DSE treatment with the subframe, quadralink, double adj remote cannister coilovers, wiper motor, etc. Also outfitting with some Forgeline comp zx3r in 18" with Toyo R888 rubber. Plan is to get suspension underneath it and do some events and beat it like red headed step child. I'll post a bunch of pics this weekend once we get home from the 24 hour roadtrip to get it.

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[AintQik]

That's a nice car. Have a soft spot for 2nd gens. My first one had rear frame rails made out of HVAC ducting lol, that was fun.

[mild2wildpaint]

Should be a killer ride.

[OLDFLM]

Crazy excited for you my friend!! :jump:

This is going to be one sick ride and I can't wait to see the build thread with all the mods you've got planned!

Where do I subscribe? :cool:

[CruizinKev]

very nice! looks good! can't wait to see some progress :twothumbs

[ProdigyCustoms]

So did you get it home yet?

[tazzz25906112]

Congrats buddy,,,, looks like a super fun season ahead of us all.

[OLDFLM]

They just left here about an hour or so ago... WOW!!! What a nice car!!! I mean a seriously NICE car!!! :drool:
Chad's going to make it even better but it's got some sexy racecar stuff on it already!

They should be home in just a couple more hours... Jerry took over driving duties so hopefully Chad will get some rest. Even at the end of a 16-hour turn-n-burn he was still crazy excited about the car! https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/11/woot-1.gif

[tazzz25906112]

That's great to hear,,, good for Chad he's a hell of a guy....

[colt zantop]

sweet...cant wait to see progress pics!

[srh3trinity]

This will be a cool build. I remember seeing this for sale in the classifieds and I thought to myself that it was already a very solid car with a great combo of parts and if I remember correctly, the deal was pretty sweet.

[OLDFLM]

Got a text from Chad saying they got home safe... he was exhausted and has an early day tomorrow... but I'm sure he'll be on here tomorrow afternoon...

[fletcherscustoms]

We left FRiday night at 7PM and got back home Saturday evening at 5PM. 22 hour turn and burn trip to get the car. I got home and crashed, boy was I tired. Car is really amazing tons of awesome parts already installed , lots of nice go fast goodies. Its gonna be a fun project for sure. Shes back in the trailer waiting on a spot in the shop to open up so we can get started. WE rolled it out yesterday afternoon so some buddies and the wife could check it out. Sitting there looking around the shop and noticed the 19x10 and 20x13 Forgelines under my challenger project. And then it happened , and they fit. The DSE subframe will allow me to run the 285 fronts. This will help my budget out alot, plus I was really wanting a different wheel for the challenger anyway.


Here's a picture with the 19x10 and 20x13 Forgelines. Still undecided if there gonna stay. It would help the budget a lot if I didn't have to buy new wheels.
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[wmhjr]

One of my favorite cars. Looks like you have some real fun ahead of you!

[fletcherscustoms]

Looking forward to the build!! To bad I got to fly to austin and be there for a week

[Rick D]

Wow it looks like a different car already!!

[srh3trinity]

The Forgelines look great. 19/20's wouldn't be my first choice from a performance aspect, but they look great.

[fletcherscustoms]

Well I'm finally back from my 10 day business trip. We should have truck loads of parts rolling in this week and early next week. She'll finally get her spot in the shop tonight when we roll her out of the trailer and get to work. Stay tuned as there will be a ton of stuff going on over the next couple of weeks

[blown9746]

Leave the forgelines. change the stripes to black then black out the chrome that imo would look killer

[mild2wildpaint]

I agree. Leave the Forgelines.

[marc_b]

that's cool, you guys are going all out.

[Motown 454]

Nice project.

[fletcherscustoms]

Got a nice gaggle of goodies from Anvil Auto this week.
-Power Bulge hood
-Deck lid
-Center Spoiler section
-dash panel
-filler panel
-core support closeout

Just ordered some other goodies from Fesler!!
-Hood Hinges
-strikers
-halogen head lights
-jamb vents
-core support braces

We have also partenered up with BMR suspension to do a full kit from them like we did on Ty's FreedomBird! There customer support and help are greatly appreciated on this project also. Plus it gives the a real world test car that they can get feedback from!!

[MrQuick]

sweet, that list gave me a power bulge.... power bulge hood?


vince

[mbrunson427]

leave the forgelines, they look awesome!

[fletcherscustoms]

Well I spent a good bit of last night going over the car, it finally made it the shop for the first time since it came home. So we got to go over some things and get a parts list together, do some measureing for some thing to order, and get a good feel of how long of a project its gonna be. We also go to unbox these awesome Carbon Fiber pieces from Anvil Auto. I just "love" me some carbon!!! We did a quick bolt on for some pics, and to check fitment with the blower and hood. All is good!!!


This week we will doing what we can while waiting on parts. Still lots to come so stay tuned

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[cdoggy81]

nice!

[fletcherscustoms]

We are slowly progressing on the project. Under hood is wrapped up and and complete American Autowire harness has been installed. Going to start the fuel plumbing this week along with the interior install. Still waiting on the rest of the BMR suspension to get here as well as a few other odds and ends... Kindof slow go as we are finishing up the "FREEDOMBIRD" and getting it ready to send home to Ty!!

[protouring70]

Where is Coolidge, Ga. from Gainesville, Ga.

[WS6]

so far south you think you've entered Florida :)

nah it's not that bad but it's down there a ways from you.

[fletcherscustoms]

yeah, I'm 3.5hrs south of downtown ATL, and about 4 hrs from Athens. Only 25 miles from my place to the Florida line!!

[protouring70]

Oh.....I thought I might drop by, sorry!

[fletcherscustoms]

Shop Beater V3.0 is now registered and will be attending the following events

-Motor State Challenge June 18th-20th
-Speed bySpectre 341 Challenge June 25-26
-Peach State MuscleCar Challenger- July 2nd-4th

[fletcherscustoms]

Well I finally had a few our to work on my car last night so I installed the BMR controls and sway bar, a set of Tie rod adjusters, and the AFCO coilovers. Shes coming together slowly but not to much longer now. BMR is shipping the torque arm and my new strange housing tomorrow. So we will start the rear install later in the week

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[David Sloan]

Looking good Chad.
Get-r-done an bring her to the PSMC
Thanks for sharing

[fletcherscustoms]

Looking good Chad.
Get-r-done an bring her to the PSMC
Thanks for sharing

she'll be at PSMC with bells on!! Beings I am helping out with sponsoring the event this year. I better get busy

[BMR Tech]

Looking good Chad! So what's the verdict on the Forgelines? Keeping them on the car?

[fletcherscustoms]

nah no forgeline's. Hard to drive a stock subframe car with 10" wide front wheel with a 295 on it!! It looks good sitting there but you can't turn for crap!!

[Dons67]

looking great - quality work as always - love looking at anything you build

[fletcherscustoms]

looking great - quality work as always - love looking at anything you build


Thanks bud!!! WE got some things coming down the pipe that will make some folks pay attention

[John Wright]

nah no forgeline's. Hard to drive a stock subframe car with 10" wide front wheel with a 295 on it!! It looks good sitting there but you can't turn for crap!!Get a big handfull of steering wheel and lots of throttle...it will turn tighter than you think....LOL

[JEFFTATE]

Chad , are you bringing the car out to the Mitty Historic Races at Road Atlanta April 29th ???

[fletcherscustoms]

Yeah and ty's car also

[JEFFTATE]

Awesome !!!
Road Course driving is the best !!!

[71RS/SS396]

You are going to find out how well built the engine is running it on a road course. It is tough to get forced induction engines to stay together holding it on boost for extended periods of time,it really heats up the pistons. Most engine builders are using oil spray nozzles to spray the back side of the dome to control the growth of the piston under boost. You may want to consider it.
Tim

[fletcherscustoms]

Yeah I've been reading about the same issues. A blower would not be my first choice if would have built the motor. I'm more of a all motor type guy. If I hang on to the car long enough. It'll get a carbed 454 LSX later this fall

[fletcherscustoms]

Well the "Goodie" truck just arrived with all the BMR torque arm components and my new Strange 9" housing with all the BMR bracket welded on !!! now the fun begins tonight!

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[BMR Tech]

Well the "Goodie" truck just arrived with all the BMR torque arm components and my new Strange 9" housing with all the BMR bracket welded on !!! now the fun begins tonight!

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Good to see everything arrived safe and sound!

[Finch]

Looking really good Chad. Glad to see your making good progress and look forward to seeing how she runs.

[brans72]

Awesome project there!!! Your living the life I want from what I have read about you ( day job,shop at the house rolling out customs,car shows every where and must have one nice wife to handle your load there!! I got to hand it to you Great Job your doing!!!!!

[fletcherscustoms]

Been a busy couple of weeks on the car. Complete BMR suspension is installed, 3" Stainless exhaust has been fabricated and installed, Ricks tank installed, and fuel plumbing has began. Made the decision to run the 19/20 combo from Forgeline that I had for the Challenger project. The 17's were causing way to many issues in the rear, back spacing was setup for the inboard leaf spring setup that previous owner had fabricated. So they were interfering with the BMR lower arms. I'll have to send the fronts off to be rehooped! Even though with the 285 I can almost turn lock to lock in the front. Might just change out the rear hoop and go to a 255 front as back spacing is perfect right now

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[fletcherscustoms]

Rolled her off the lift last night, underside is done. Moved her into the other bay, and put Freedombird back on the lift to chase some fluid leaks.

She sure does look mean on those Forgelines and looks sweet sitting there with Freedombird!! Shes real close, I hope to have her on the road within the next few weeks

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[fletcherscustoms]

Well its been a little while since a update. Car is progressing rather smoothly!! Exhaust is done, fuel system is done. Spent this weekend wiring the dash and laying Dynamat. My hands are look like I've been playing with barbed wire. tons of tiny little cuts from under the dash and the foil backing on the dynamat, and then theres the place I tried to take my thumb off with the razor blade!!! I'm ordering a few parts today to get the running portion finished. My interior guy is coming tomorrow for headliner and door panel install. Should be a couple weeks to go

[BMR Tech]

Looking good! Any pics of the suspension and exhaust under the car? I have been planning to do dual 3" under my '70 also when I get the car back together and would love to see how it turned out!

[fletcherscustoms]

I'll get some later this week. Not a whole lot a room left with all your guys stuff under there.

[93Polo]

Looks good. I always liked the look of the regular front clip and RS bumpers better than a true RS.

[srh3trinity]

I know that I could probably find the answer to this question between the two threads, but is the FreedomBird mini-tubbed? What width tires are on it? If I recall, the Shop Beater is mini-tubbed...correct? Great looking pair of cars.

[fletcherscustoms]

I know that I could probably find the answer to this question between the two threads, but is the FreedomBird mini-tubbed? What width tires are on it? If I recall, the Shop Beater is mini-tubbed...correct? Great looking pair of cars.

Freedombird is stock with a 295/40 under the rear, and shop beater is tubbed with a 345 under the back

[94SNGLTURBO]

can you take some pictures of the rims upclose.. car looks great

[fletcherscustoms]

Forgelines or the 17's??

Few pics of the forgelines under the challenger
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[CruizinKev]

woohoo the challenger looks sweet!!!

[fletcherscustoms]

Well yesterday it finally happened. The moons aligned and the stars shined bright as we finally got to add fluids to Shop Beater and fire her up. Everything went great fired on the first turn of the key, and purred like a kitten. Still got a little tuning to do, timing needs some playing with, and she a little rich on idle currently. She should be on the road later this week. Have to install driveshaft, install rear calipers,and bleed brakes. Interior guy is coming over today to do headliner and door panels and get the the measurements to do some custom rear tub covers for the mini tubs. Getting really exciting now

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[greycamaro]

Chad car looks good. anxious to see the end result. The stuff you wanted should be at your shop soon.
SMSGT Alex Wilkins

[fletcherscustoms]

thanks bud!!

[fletcherscustoms]

Well she is finally road worthy. Drover her 3 miles last night and I'm still grinning from ear to ear. Nothing like a blower!! Totally insane the amount of power this thing makes. Few little things to do, and then we are headed off to Peach State tomorrow night.

Got her in the booth yesterday and got rid of the white stripes on the nose. Also a pic of the rear setup

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[OLDFLM]

Looks MUCH better my friend!! Have fun and kick butt at Peach State buddy!

[BanditDave]

Hey Chad,

I may not have read well enough (I'm at works o don't rat me out) but what type of gas tank is that?

Dave

[fletcherscustoms]

Its Rick's STainless with a rear sump

[BanditDave]

Its Rick's STainless with a rear sump

Interesting....let me know when you are running a deal on one of them too! I need one for my Cutlass! :cheers:

Looking good man!

[fletcherscustoms]

shoot me the details at [email protected] and I'll get you something worked up

[fletcherscustoms]

Some pics from the Peach State Muscle Car event July 2-4th.

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[hefs72]

Thats a sweet car. Love the wheels. How do you like the INVOS do they drive good

https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/showthread.php?t=68613
Shawn

[fletcherscustoms]

There great all around tires, theres better tires for autocross etc, but good on the road. Those wheels and tires are for sale. Ordered a new set of 18's today. Its race car, so it needs race wheels lol. Or at least thats my excuse

[bonecrrusher]

The hood not fit well? Looks like a nasty gap on those pics....

I should have went to the Peach State event... damn last minute planning!

[fletcherscustoms]

hood fits really good. What you see is cause the struts on the billet hood hinges are to strong and want let the hood go all the way down. We got the correct ones, but it got left off our to do list in order to get the car there and running. It was all fixed yesterday

[Z06killinSBF]

Bad ass. I love it. I only 3hrs away, I wish I could come see it.

[fletcherscustoms]

Well just as soon as shes on the road, Its back i the shop to tear it down! WE are making some huge changes up front. We will now be running a Jake's Rod Shop C6 subframe with his DOM control arms, splined sway bar, and his customs Try-y headers. Also changing brake setup to C6 355mm 6 pistons, and changing the wheels to some 18" Forgeline WC3R with BFG rubber. If you want to play with the big dogs you got to spend the dough!!

[formula]

It sure was awesome seeing the beater at psmc. How did the ricks tank do? I'm running a modded stocker and it's slowly killing my fuel pump.

Ate you guys gonna make it for rtth?

[fletcherscustoms]

Ricks tank works great. I'm not a fan of the sump but no fuel problems at all. Its a 18 gallon tank, we ran all day friday, and friday night pump 17.5 gallons. So it gets every bit of fuel!

yeah we will be at RTTH with bells on, with a fully sorted car I hope!

[OLDFLM]

yeah we will be at RTTH with bells on, with a fully sorted car I hope!

Or two! :fingersx:

[fletcherscustoms]

Oh yeah I keep forgetting about the demon child pontiac!!

[OLDFLM]

LOL I feel a side bet brewing! (c:]

[fletcherscustoms]

Well 1 year and 11 months to the day of the big engine mishap. We have moved the Shop beater back in the shop and started the tear down and rebuild. I blew the motor up 9/18/2010, and the poor car has sat under my garage ever since, just waiting on its new chance at life. Well she's getting her chance. Deals have been made and I picked up nice Forged Lunati rotating assembly 406 SBC from Chris at JCG along with a T56. Motor puts 520/520 at the crank and is built for boost so I'm good to go there. Placed a order with Scott over at Formula 45 for a set of RadS5 in Autobahn (matte) black in 18x8 and 18x12. New set of Toyo R888 rubber is on the way to me also. Blowing apart the front of the car tonight to paint everything under hood flat black, and paint all the exterior trim and bumpers black also. Carbon will all stay exposed but get coated in Matte clear to go along with everything else. Hopefully she's on the road in the next 60 days.

Engine Failure, seized #4 rod bearing at 7000RPM
64247

Motor form JCG
64248

Wheel style, but mine are black
64249

[fletcherscustoms]

Slowly making progress. But starting to see a glimpse of light at the end of this journey. Been sitting over two years in storage so finally happy to see it coming back together. FEw things left to do, order driveshaft, decide which accessory setup for motor, and then touch up some issues on what was perfect paint from sitting in the garage the last two years. VEry happy with the outcome. The idea of painting everything under hood Satin black, installing DSE filler panel, and a set of Anvil Carbon inner fenders really changed the look under the hood. Happy with my decision even though it took a good bit of work to get it done.

Want to send a special thanks out to Scott Main at Formula 43 for all is help on the wheels for the car. Great folks and a great product. Honestly one of the lightest wheels I have ever held. Wrapped em in a set of 255/35/18 and 335/30/18 Toyo R888

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