Project Bad Penny - more changes because done is boring

[Steve1968LS2]

Small update..

8300RM Penske shocks are done and will ship to Global West on Monday. Supposed to have some new uber valve in it.

Yesterday I drove her to Best Of Show where we dropped the Magnum and replaced it with the one from Track Rat. Solve the first gear problem so the syncro was def bad as I suspected. The one from the car will be shipped back to Tremec and fixed for Track Rat.
Have done this so much that it's now a three hour job. Thanks Chris!

New, longer rear wheel studs are installed.

BottomFeeder front spoiler deal was modified and installed.. nice little item.

Sometime this week will swap out the cam for a three bolt version and install the Penske shocks. We will test the car on the 30th with the Pozzis and Penske is flying out an engineer to help set her up and to help set up the 2010 SS which is getting a prototype set of Penske replacement struts.

Car runs good now but I need to deepen the oil pan near the front crank lobe since it's too close and frothing the oil a bit. Engine runs, in hot weather, at 180.. even in high traffic it wont go over 190. Oil temps are actually too low and in the 180 range. If I try hard they will go 200 so I will make a block off for the Setrab for street use.

Two new 275/35/18 viper spec PS2s are on the way, anyone want a deal on my old little used PS2s?

[69cortezsilver]

if you dont mind me asking..how much money has been invested into this car? looks good!

[Steve1968LS2]

if you dont mind me asking..how much money has been invested into this car? looks good!

Sort of a tough question given how many changes have been made.. I generally guestimate that it's a $150,000 build if you were to go to a shop and say "build this car".. maybe a bit more once the shocks and final RHS engine is installed.

I know I have close to $100,000 invested.. contrary to how many keyboard warriors like to spout off that it's all free. ;)

[gEtyOpAPiOn]

well it obviously looks in the 100s with a lot of +++++ lol I was thinking no less than 250 because of the number of times it came out in mags and not to mention everyone knows bad benny by its first name

[Steve1968LS2]

well it obviously looks in the 100s with a lot of +++++ lol I was thinking no less than 250 because of the number of times it came out in mags and not to mention everyone knows bad benny by its first name

Well, there's what the car is "worth".. what it would cost to duplicate and the last catagory of what someone would pay. The last catagory is the only one that takes "fame" into account.

Was organizing my files the other day. Penny has been the main cover car three times in three diff magazine (PHR, SC, CP) and in over 30 different stories.. also in two overseas mags as well as at least four companie's print ads.. The car is far better known than I'll ever be.

Maybe I'm off on the cost.. I try not to think about it too much.

[67 ls1 vert]

Hey Steve, sending you an instant message about your front tires.

[coolwelder62]

I think it's one of the best built camaro's on the planet.Very well engineered & nice craftmanship.I like the fact that you drive it hard.

[Steve1968LS2]

Hey Steve, sending you an instant message about your front tires.

Just email me at [email protected]

Having PM issues on my home computer..

[Steve1968LS2]

I think it's one of the best built camaro's on the planet.Very well engineered & nice craftmanship.I like the fact that you drive it hard.

"They come out nice 'cause we build 'em twice" .. although I might be up to three or four by now.

Or, "if you can't be good then be persistent"

[gEtyOpAPiOn]

well hopefully it never sells because it would be hard to find someone that will take care of penny`s wardrobe like you do lol ..always sporting the latest fashion!

[dropped72ss]

wow! i guess it doesnt take long before 100,000 duckies rack up on a build of this calibur..although i wonder, if i was to sink that kind of coin into my 69 camaro, would i be that much faster if at all on a road course against say a stock ZR1 vette? or even the cheaper zo6?

[gEtyOpAPiOn]

well i think that the main difference its that if you slap 60-70k on a ZO6 you will see your cash evaporate in a few years hehe so far the zr1 value has been steady but i seen various Z06s that were bought at 80k+ and now are at 50k ...and a classic car *the right one* will keep its value as long as its built correctly

[Steve1968LS2]

wow! i guess it doesnt take long before 100,000 duckies rack up on a build of this calibur..although i wonder, if i was to sink that kind of coin into my 69 camaro, would i be that much faster if at all on a road course against say a stock ZR1 vette? or even the cheaper zo6?

Most likely not.. the SMARTER way for me to have gone would have been to buy a slighly used ZR1 Vette and have a car as fast as if not faster than what I have. Or spend half as much for a modded Z06 and be nearly as fast. I doubt people would pull out video cameras when I'm cruising down the highway in a Vette.

But where's the challenge in that.. or in one way the fun. Remember that my car is more expensive because I try to have it looking show car nice and "race car" performing. Doing just one of those is a lot cheaper than doing both. Penny is more of a "what if" experiment than an exercise in common sense. lol

[71firebird400]

Most likely not.. the SMARTER way for me to have gone would have been to buy a slighly used ZR1 Vette and have a car as fast as if not faster than what I have. Or spend half as much for a modded Z06 and be nearly as fast. I doubt people would pull out video cameras when I'm cruising down the highway in a Vette.

But where's the challenge in that.. or in one way the fun. Remember that my car is more expensive because I try to have it looking show car nice and "race car" performing. Doing just one of those is a lot cheaper than doing both. Penny is more of a "what if" experiment than an exercise in common sense. lol

Steve-

Hope you don't see this as giving you a hard time, but one question I've always come away from PT cars wondering is how they stack up in the real world. I'd love to drop 50K into my Firebird, but I wonder how it would do on a road course (like Laguna Seca) when a stock Z06 pulls up next to me. I'd love to know what kind of time Bad Penny could pull around Nurburgring if, for nothing else, to know where it lies against the world's best cars. Any chance you have lap times around any popular tracks (Road America, Laguna, Road Atlanta, etc)??

[Tucks69]

Penny is more of a "what if" experiment than an exercise in common sense. lol

I think that quote describes most of the projects on here!! That is why it is hard for the spouse to understand the 6 grand subframe when you already have one!! LOL It ended up costing me a new washer and drier, so it worked out!!

[Steve1968LS2]

Steve-

Hope you don't see this as giving you a hard time, but one question I've always come away from PT cars wondering is how they stack up in the real world. I'd love to drop 50K into my Firebird, but I wonder how it would do on a road course (like Laguna Seca) when a stock Z06 pulls up next to me. I'd love to know what kind of time Bad Penny could pull around Nurburgring if, for nothing else, to know where it lies against the world's best cars. Any chance you have lap times around any popular tracks (Road America, Laguna, Road Atlanta, etc)??

In the optima 08 race we beat a 2004 Porsche GT3 and a modded C6 Z06 on the road course in terms of track time. In the O9 event we out 0-60-0 a Nissan GTR.

But I really didn't build this to be a race car.. or even a track car. What I wanted was a showy car that could be beat on and one that could hold its own on a road course or autocross. The car ended up evolving into more.

Penny is by no means "the fastest thing out there".. but given equal drivers I would but her up against most stuff.

[69cortezsilver]

yeah, but as for appealing to see on the freeway, i personally dont see to many z06's or zR1's running around on my local interstates as i do see tons of 1st and 2nd gen camaros. i guess it would be cool to build a 1970 buick skylark, and drop 50-75k making it pro-touring, but when you pull up to a used modded z06 and get your ass handed, id personally be embarassed!

[dropped72ss]

Steve are u hiring by chance? I damn near ate top ramen to buy my ls2.... And looks like u have just about as much into your car as i do my house!!!! Does that rear seat fold out to a queen size bed by chance? lol killer car man!!!!!!

[Steve1968LS2]

Steve are u hiring by chance? I damn near ate top ramen to buy my ls2.... And looks like u have just about as much into your car as i do my house!!!! Does that rear seat fold out to a queen size bed by chance? lol killer car man!!!!!!

If it makes you feel any better our houses in SoCal cost WAY to much..

[j-rho]

Penny is by no means "the fastest thing out there".. but given equal drivers I would but her up against most stuff.

Steve, have you guys had a chance to run it at Wilow Springs, Buttonwillow, or Laguna Seca? Curious what sorts of times the car is capable of.