Project Bad Penny - more changes because done is boring

[Steve1968LS2]

Well said Steve. She is beautiful and well engineered. On another note...if Penny always finished on top, you'd have no reason to tinker with her and then 'done would be boring.'

Maybe it takes five engineers (investors) to keep up with all the free/discount parts you throw into her!

(jk Bro)

lol.. how else could I afford this car.. then again now I only have $100k of my own money in a $150k car.. still makes me dizzy.

The competition is fun.. and it keeps me thinking of the "next" thing to do.. although I'm running out of ideas.. now it's just setting it all up just right.

Although I'm working with Global West on some of their new GW Penske shocks.. they are really bad ass and I will finally be able to adjust compression and rebound.

After that I will be down to upgrading window cranks and floor mats.. lol

[Steve1968LS2]

Steve,
I think as each Penny update comes to a close, you should post up some pics of when you first got her so we can all see how far she has come. She looks fantastic and it warms my heart to know that there is another engine update coming in the not to distant future.

Good idea.. the funny part is that from the outside she looks almost identical except for the short cowl hood.. mechanically all that's left of the original car is the steering column, rearview mirror, and.. well.. nothing...

[Bjkadron]

After that I will be down to upgrading window cranks and floor mats.. lol

And don't forget the fuzzy dice

[Gitter Dun]

Hi Steve, I always look forward to reading your threads about recent upgrades. Due to the 6 year break I took on upgrading my car I am way behind technology wise but am running hard right now to catch up.

I was talking to Jimi about you entering your car in the Spectre341Challenge and he said your car wasn't ready or completed yet.

IMO, Bad Penny has the lead in suspension technology for first generation Camaro's. I would really like to see you there and compare our times only because I need to be convinced that my suspension needs upgrading.

Cars like Bad Penny are leaders in this industry and set an awesome example of what our cars are capable of.

Unfortunately, from what I have read, I will never be able to duplicate your rear suspension due to Lateral Dynamics going out of business but that wont stop me from chasing Bad Penny, LOL.

I think by the time the Spectre341Challenge comes around our power and weight should be similar enough for me to focus on my suspension.

Anyhow, hope to see you there.

By the way, where did you find the heat shields for you exhaust?

[Steve1968LS2]

Hi Steve, I always look forward to reading your threads about recent upgrades. Due to the 6 year break I took on upgrading my car I am way behind technology wise but am running hard right now to catch up.

I was talking to Jimi about you entering your car in the Spectre341Challenge and he said your car wasn't ready or completed yet.

IMO, Bad Penny has the lead in suspension technology for first generation Camaro's. I would really like to see you there and compare our times only because I need to be convinced that my suspension needs upgrading.

Cars like Bad Penny are leaders in this industry and set an awesome example of what our cars are capable of.

Unfortunately, from what I have read, I will never be able to duplicate your rear suspension due to Lateral Dynamics going out of business but that wont stop me from chasing Bad Penny, LOL.

I think by the time the Spectre341Challenge comes around our power and weight should be similar enough for me to focus on my suspension.

Anyhow, hope to see you there.

By the way, where did you find the heat shields for you exhaust?

That Spectre Challenge scares the crap out of me.. lol.. it's one thing to hang it out on a track, but a mountain road is a whole other ballgame. Lots of bolders at the bottom wearing exotic paint. I don't want to add Prowler Orange. Maybe next year when I have a bit more practice time.

Hey, if I inspire you to build a faster car then I've done my job!

The heat shield are from Thermo Tech.. they make just about anything you could need for controling heat.

http://www.thermotec.com/

[Gitter Dun]

That Spectre Challenge scares the crap out of me.. lol.. it's one thing to hang it out on a track, but a mountain road is a whole other ballgame. Lots of bolders at the bottom wearing exotic paint. I don't want to add Prowler Orange. Maybe next year when I have a bit more practice time.

Hey, if I inspire you to build a faster car then I've done my job!

The heat shield are from Thermo Tech.. they make just about anything you could need for controling heat.
http://www.thermotec.com/

Yeah, I know what you mean, It's not like a road course where you have areas to run off. I kinda feel the same way but think about it, most of us are smart enough to know when and when not to push too hard. It's going to be real interesting for me with 125 more horse power. Thats the only thing that worries me cause I'll be running 275/40's in the rear, blip the throttle too hard and she's might wanna spin around.

I'm going to Buttonwillow on the 28th and then again June 5th and 6th just to get a good feel on how she's gonna react to the changes.
And on top of that, it's been 4 years since I've been on a road course. I'm nervous and excited at the same time.

I talked to Doug at Global West and he recommended the autocross events so it looks like I will probably see you there.

Thanks for sharing your build, I think it gives direction for all to strive for.

http://www.thermotec.com/[/QUOTE]

[78 Type-LT]

Well said Steve. She is beautiful and well engineered. On another note...if Penny always finished on top, you'd have no reason to tinker with her and then 'done would be boring.'

Maybe it takes five engineers (investors) to keep up with all the free/discount parts you throw into her!

(jk Bro)

I agree.......

[Steve1968LS2]

Back in Action!!

Well, she's pretty much back on the road. Trailered her to Westech today for some dyno tuning TLC. We still have a few sheetmetal parts to put on, but so far, so good.

Still working on the tune. There might be a loose wire going ot the cam sensor up front as sometimes it turns over but wont fire. We going to continue to mess with it tommorow morning.

New engine bay with modified inner fenders.. should give me room to run a 285 front tire if I want.



So far this is our best dyno pull.. 532 hp and 519 tq

Not too shabby.. We figure that it's a bit more choked compared to the engine dyno since I'm running a ported 90mm TB rather than the 102mm unit on the dyno.. plus exhaust, accesories and warmer water temps. This is a 91 octane turn.

This run is being overlayed on my old 402 LS2 chassis dyno pull. I think it's safe to say I now have more power.. everywhere.



Sounds great at idle.. sorta angry. The new radiator is proving to be very efficient so far.

[Steve1968LS2]

Video action:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPQ8bQjDVvU

[Gitter Dun]

Wow, Too Clean, a reminder of who not to park next to, LOL


DUDE!!!, That thing sounds BADASS!!!

[RSX302]

Back in Action!!

Well, she's pretty much back on the road. Trailered her to Westech today for some dyno tuning TLC. We still have a few sheetmetal parts to put on, but so far, so good.

Still working on the tune. There might be a loose wire going ot the cam sensor up front as sometimes it turns over but wont fire. We going to continue to mess with it tommorow morning.

New engine bay with modified inner fenders.. should give me room to run a 285 front tire if I want.

So far this is our best dyno pull.. 532 hp and 519 tq

Not too shabby.. We figure that it's a bit more choked compared to the engine dyno since I'm running a ported 90mm TB rather than the 102mm unit on the dyno.. plus exhaust, accesories and warmer water temps. This is a 91 octane turn.

This run is being overlayed on my old 402 LS2 chassis dyno pull. I think it's safe to say I now have more power.. everywhere.

Sounds great at idle.. sorta angry. The new radiator is proving to be very efficient so far.

Very cool Steve! I'm jeolous

I still have no engine...I am however looking to go Chevy all the way and lighten it up so I can run you down..LOL...but for me, I will not have anything less than 700 flywheel. Must be that testosterone thing..:bsjerk: I've found my magic number..less than or equal to 5:1 power to weight. God I love it!

BTW..I originally bought the Toyo R888 285/30/18 thinking they would be wide! Then I wanted the taller 35 series so bought brand new Toyo R888's 275/35/18's. They are a 1/4" wider then the 285's don't ya know...DOH! Who woulda thunk it.

[BuddyP]

I was hoping someone would get that.

She turned me into a knewt!......



I got better.



Lookin good Steve, only hope mine will look half as good when finished.

[78 Type-LT]

The sweetest 68 i've ever seen...

[John Wright]

Wow, Too Clean, a reminder of who not to park next to, LOL

LOL...gotta paint the garage floor if you're gonna take pics of that engine bay.....LOL

Sounds very healthy Steve!

[rsk68]

Steve,

Any more info on the GW Penske shocks you mentioned, I dont see anything on there web page.

[Ricoch3T]

I hate to ask b/c i'm sure its in an old thread somewhere, but what front suspension are you running again?

Looks good by the way.. get some 285's on the front so we can see what it looks like

[Jim Nilsen]

Hey Steve, those front inner fenders don't look right. They are supposed to be black and on my car,LOL. Everytime I look at them I want to be able to just buy them instead of make them. It is a lot of work to do that and I am almost ready to break down and buy a new set and make them.

Why can't someone actually make them like that?

Penny is looking great and sounds awesome.

[6'9"Witha69]

I hate to ask b/c i'm sure its in an old thread somewhere, but what front suspension are you running again?

Looks good by the way.. get some 285's on the front so we can see what it looks like

Front is 21st Century Street Machine.

[Steve1968LS2]

Steve,

Any more info on the GW Penske shocks you mentioned, I dont see anything on there web page.

They are close and "in development".. mainly waiting for stock to arrive so they can ship when ordered.

I'm one of the fist in line and trust me, I'm dying to try them out. I will see if I can dig up a shot. Oh, and they will be worth the wait.

They will also be displaying them at the Costa Mesa GG show.

[Steve1968LS2]

More better eh!

did some more tuning today and the result is more torque..

Ernie at Westech took it for a test blast.. all he could say was "Fuuuuc%$%#" lol