Project - HAVOK

[yellowfever494]

Hi All. Long time lurker, very seldom poster. That is, because my project is stillborn, but not for long.



I've had this LeMans since 2006, and I haven't done a thing with it. Guys always come up with the darnest excuses, but mine are legit. I was fresh out of college, I had (well, still have) a Chevelle that I was enjoying full-time (again, still...), and I had a series of crazy deals on other cars I couldn't pass up. Yeah, I know....

ANYWAY, I've been silently amassing GTO sheetmetal to get rid of that ugly nose, tubular a-arms, and all those go-fast goodies associated with the deal. Recently, I commissioned a rendering after I saw Mascoll designs post samples on here. Looks good



I'm into the clean looking rides, and this car will be no exception. Straight lines, bright colors, that's my trademark. The yellow in the rendering is Mitsubishi Lightning yellow, and it could be even brighter by the time I spray it.

The suspension, so far, is Heidt's Upper and Lower tubular a-arms, 2" dropped spindles, and yes, it will be a coil-over car. I like tubular a-arms, but I want a different style rear control, so I'm looking at different setups (some that articulate via a QA1 rod end, or those almost-I beam looking things). I was going to run 11" wilwoods, but I think they'll end up on the Chevelle, as the wheels I've selected can handle up to 13". I hate power brakes, so I'm going to do some research around here to see how to do an effective manual setup.

I'm big into horsepower, so I'm building an aluminum-headed Pontiac 400 with a 4.5" stroke - with a .060 overbore, it'll displace 494 ci, hence the screenname! I'm going to back it with a TKO or a T56, or it the McLeod M-800 is as good as the hype, might try that. I've got a 12-bolt Chevy with 3.08s, which will stay if I go with the 6, or I might go to a 3.36 with the 5-speed.

As far as the body, it's going to look mostly stock, but I'm thinking of doing a reverse-raising hood. I'm a closeted Vette guy, so that's probably why.

I'm into extremely clean detailing, so the interior will be simple, but speak 1000 words. I want to appeal to the car guy, not the casual enthusiast who doesn't like it 'cuz it's not a Mustang. haha. Think racing seats, use of leather, nice appointments of brushed stainless, and those oh-so-sweet SPEK gauges. Also, the engine bay will be so clean you can eat in it - you won't see a single wire, and the hoses are going to blend in.

Ok, my goals are going to sound silly, but I've got a few milestones in mind. I want to have the fit-and-finish of a Street-Machine-Of-The-Year car, yet I want respectable autocross and 1/4 mile times. Also, I want to thrash the guts out of it on the street.



Also, it's called Havok for a reason. These local-yokel car shows I did very well with when I took the Chevelle; but I got crap because I had 5 mods in stock, or I'd win a modified class with 'only' 5 mods, and also because I was so young. Now, the kid gloves are off. I gotta show the locals that the boring show scene is for fun - those guys treat it like it's WWE or something.

Sounds petty, but I'm 27 now, I was 20 when I first started showing locally. All I heard when I was a kid was that my generation isn't interested in the vintage car scene, until I showed up and won their stupid $7 trophy with my first effort AND I ACTUALLY DRIVE IT! - and all I heard was stuff as outrageous as that I bought the award, or bought the car done... truth be told guys, I'm just a really hardcore car guy, and this life of build/thrash is all I've ever known. Being a fourth-generation car guy and being anal retentive goes along way, too. haha, so in short, I'm gonna make 'em crap themselves this time 'round! time to reign havok!

[Blitz]

I'll be watching.

[wellis77]

Cool project. Shawn does awesome work. I'm looking forward to seeing this come together.