Project Nite Hawk (69 Camaro)

[GrnDragon]

I wasn't going to say anything until I finished the mock up, but since this thread had some visitors I cannot wait to talk about it...

I am modifying the brake kit AGAIN!!! I am selling the rear Billet Superlite 4 piston calipers and buying another set of the HUGE TC6 calipers (the ones on the left) for the rear. I called Wilwood and explained what I was doing and they hooked me up pretty good on the price of another set. Luckily, they had the "older" anodize calipers on the shelf (which matches my fronts). So hopefully in about 2 weeks I will have some pictures to post with a complete rolling frame.

[GrnDragon]

November 2010 UPDATE....
Talk about a slow build, at this rate it might be done by 2015!!!
I finally got it rolling!
The FIRST GMR Full Floater setup with 1/2 inch studs and 5 x 4.75" bolt pattern, I am still waiting for a couple parts but I have enough to make it roll. I designed all the brake mounts and hats and had them cut on a waterjet.



Some shots of the rear end with the Custom Gussets that Jason at GMR did for me, and a custom pinion angle adjuster I added to the JRS Torque Arm using a AME drive shaft safety loop and some off the shelf laser cut brackets.



Finally some Full Frame Shots.








More pictures at my Cardomain site.
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/384710...rton-wa-us?p=3

[RS_Customs]

Looking good!

Robert

[Bryce]

Looking good.

[MoparCar]

I'm confused....is this a torque arm or 3-link? i see both?
Wes

[454bug]

Hey Luca,

VERY IMPRESSIVE STUFF!!

You're not giving yourself enough credit for what you've accomplished so far... A LOT of the expensive stuff has been tackled already!

Keep up the awesome job!

[GrnDragon]

I'm confused....is this a torque arm or 3-link? i see both?
Wes

It is a Torque Arm setup with that upper link only acting as a pinion angle adjuster, if it were a 3-link the upper bar would be chassis mounted.

[GrnDragon]

Thanks for the comments guys, I am going to be trying to clean some stuff up over the winter, add some strengthening material in areas I think might be weak (you can see the piece I have taped in place on the rear of the frame, there is another location on the front that I am going to add some 2x3 tubing),setup a rear splined sway bar, and hopefully mount a fuel cell. I have some things that need to be fixed, but at least it rolls now!

Does anyone know what kind of tolerances are allowable on solid axle setups for camber/toe-in/toe-out. The housing ends are SUPPOSED to be parallel to each other and perpendicular to the ground, but mine has about 3/16" toe-in. The measurement from the outside of the tire to the outside of the tire front to rear is approx 3/16" different (less in the front). I just don't know what an allowable amount would be, or if I need to think about taking it into a shop with a jig and re-mount the ends?

[MoparCar]

It is a Torque Arm setup with that upper link only acting as a pinion angle adjuster, if it were a 3-link the upper bar would be chassis mounted.

Thanks---I see that now. For some reason in my head it looked like it was chassis mounted. Looks great. Did you have GMR build the pinion adjuster and mods since they did the full floater?

Very nice.
Wes

[GrnDragon]

Thanks---I see that now. For some reason in my head it looked like it was chassis mounted. Looks great. Did you have GMR build the pinion adjuster and mods since they did the full floater?

Very nice.
Wes

No, I did the Pinion Adjuster. I am doing all the work i can myself, but since I don't have a frame jig or rear end jig I bought the frame from JRS and had GMR do the rear end housing work.

[hotrdblder]

Luca, Looks great. Nice job on the pinion adjuster, will work good in your custom floor application.
Just to note, the frame is a 2x3 perimeter frame and NEEDS a full cage to structure it. it cannot be used without a full cage. If a cage was not wanted, then 2x4 tubing would need to be utilized.Luca wanted more clearance and has plans for a full cage.

[GrnDragon]

Here is the car, if you can call it that!!!

[WS6]

Looks good to me. Keep up the work even if it is slow. You'll make it eventually.

[Motown 454]

Nothing wrong with saving that car, especially to put on that frame. Nice work its looking great.

[GrnDragon]

Well it's been almost 2 years and I haven't been moving very fast. Having a baby really stalls progress, and I needed to buy tools.
I ended up buying a 210 hobart MIG, Large Ingersol Rand Air Compressor, ProTools Tubing bender and Bead roller with a couple different dies. So I have been trying to learn how to use everything, mainly the welder (I still cannot make the stacked dime look, but I am getting closer). My dad is going to have to "fix" some of my really crappy welds.

It's been 2 tough years dealing with vendors, one in particular has given me the run around for almost 3 years now but I got MOST of my products from them so I am done dealing with them and I will hold back any more ranting. You just won't see me mention their stuff in my build any more.

But the other company that I have been dealing with the last 2 years has been GREAT to me and that is GMR, their stuff does cost a bit but it is worth EVERY dime and the support you get from them is second to none. I just received updated/upgraded parts in the mail last week for my C5/C6 hub kit free of charge and they sent them without me having to ask.

Here are some pics of my new stuff...
-GMR fabricated housing with custom mounts
-GMR rear floater
-GMR front hub kit
-Custom SS tank mounted
-Bump stops mounted
-Rear swaybar setup done and main watts mount relocated to work with swaybar tube (the original cross tube that the coilovers are still mounted to is going to be cut out once I decide if I am going to design and build a cantilever setup or just use my new coilover mounting tabs. It looks kind of stupid with the 2 cross tubes right next to each other.)
-Rear brakes finally done

I know it's not much progress and the frame still isn't mounted to the body but it's something. There are more pics at my Cardomain site.
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/384710...-camaro/page-4

[Hotwhilz]

Nice frame and rolling stocks! Hury to finish! LOL

[The GMR]

looking good luca!

Jason

[Jay@GMR]

Nice job so far Luca.... keep motivated, it will not be easy juggling wife/child/project but you can do it!

[GrnDragon]

I don't like this trend of updates every 2 years, but with my 95 TA winding down, I am hoping that the Camaro will start to move faster.

Staring disassembly before the car is pulled out of the weeds


Finally progress it is in a garage after 6 years!


Coming apart


Getting some help from Pops...


The body has a new home.




14" meats.






Perfect ride height!

[GrnDragon]

So another 2 years...

Just a couple changes.
-Almost complete custom full cage 1.75" tubing
-Mounted up the front and rear cantilever suspension setup

Nothing like working in the dirt!














This is why the Camaro is going sooooo slow...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jA4JSOlS3b0

...that and no money now having 3 kids. Anyone know what the upcoming lotto numbers are going to be?