Old Soul 71 Camaro build

[c4racer2]

Thanks. Ya I’m pretty happy with the new wheel / tire package. Really gave me the look I was going for.

[c4racer2]

I spent some time re-adjusting the balance bar and got it to even at full braking. So now it actually works quite nicely.
It's still a compromise with the factory style rear discs, so the end game is still to get the 9" done next with the matching ST40 rear brake kit. The car will also enjoy lower gears - 3.42 is too mild for this motor, it wants more gear with a manual trans. Totally different from an auto w/ big stall converter.

Did more test driving today - one more brake bedding cycle and some highway driving to cool them. Car stops basically like my 2016 Camaro SS with Brembo's now. So it peels the eyes to the lids under braking and rolls them back into your head under full power. Quite the car. Quick blast in 3rd on freeway from 3500rpm and it's up over 80 before you can blink, and can stop even faster.

I really like the feel of the manual brakes. I would say the effort is very similar to the 2016 SS, but with about 50% more travel. But the sweet spot is about 75% into the travel and it's very easy to manage braking in that area of travel - very linear and excellent bite, all with very mild pedal pressure that feels no harder than a power set-up in a new SS - maybe even slightly less pedal pressure is needed actually. Very happy with this so far and it will be even better with matching rear brakes for sure.

Car runs and drives great - it's really so driveable now - the major changes made have added up to a major improvement - T56 transmission, shocks and LCA's, brakes, power steering and 18" wheels with 275/295 NT05 tires have all completely transformed the car from where I started. Cruises on the highway effortlessly - 70+ using 6th and when there is traffic and stuck under 70 using 5th.

One item uncovered - wheels slightly rub at full lock on the DSE UCA. So either need to grind that section down slightly or run 1/8" spacers. For now I'll throw on a set of .25" since I happen to have a set and see how that works. Should have caught that before but initially I had the inner fender on and just didn't see that when I checked full lock.

[c4racer2]

Wrapped up the interior. Used the speedtech tunnel and installed with 3M body seam sealer and sheet metal screws. Kinda sorta removable if needed to access wiring. Also not sure if I can access the top 2 bolts from under the car to pull trans. Always used the access hole before. So that will be interesting.

Anyway came out great. And spent some more seat time in the car and took a few photos too. Even better driving experience now with a full interior too!!

[c4racer2]

Few more shot today.

[$Mike70Z-28]

Very nice looks real good a+a+a+ enjoy it

[c4racer2]

Not much of an update. Been driving it more. Bled brakes again and had tiny bit of air. Better pedal now. Pretty happy with the brakes.

Added the correct mirrors for the car. Plan to leave them black for now. May black out front and rear. Window trim and door handles to match.

[Motown 454]

Wheels look sweet! Enjoy!!

[MUSCLECAR]

Good progress and good pics too! keep em coming!

[c4racer2]

Time for a proper rear end and to complete the StopTech brake package. Found the exact build I was planning all set-up for a 2nd gen leaf spring car from a fellow PT.com member who is going to a full DSE back-half set-up and we worked out a nice transaction on it - shipped it from MT to CA using Fastenal and now it's in my shop ready for brake mock-up.

I need to remove the axle bearings to get the backing plates behind them - thinking best way to do that is drop the axles and backing plate / parking brake assemblies to a local rear end shop and have them do that for me.

I mocked up the brake package without the axles to see how it all goes together - seems pretty straightforward.
These rotors have integrated drum hubs on the backside for the parking brake, so they are a bit thicker than a normal rotor hat. .35" is what I measured. So as a result looks like this will be about .5" wider track than a stock second gen axle wheel to wheel mounting distance about 61.75"
Turns out that will be about perfect since I'm replacing a 4th gen axle with 61.875" width. With that rear my wheels do not need any spacer - 18x10 with 6" bs and a 295 tire. I picked up a set of 1/4" spacers that I may end up using but probably won't need them. We'll see when it gets installed.
Leaf mounting pads are correct stock spacing. I have a pair of UMI springs going in - 2" drop and 175lb springs with Delrin bushings and shackle kit and a DSE shock mount for inboard shock mounting which is what the car has currently with the CE traction bar set-up which will go away.

[c4racer2]

Also - has anybody used the DSE shock mounts that locate the shock inboard of the leaf spring? Is this how they are oriented? The pair I have seem to put one shock in front and one behind the axle - that wasn't what I had wanted to do originally, but I guess that will work. Any issues with that?

[Cshenker1121]

Nice ride man, definitely an awesome looking Camaro

[c4racer2]

Nice ride man, definitely an awesome looking Camaro

thanks!!