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    Results 21 to 40 of 80
    1. #21
      Join Date
      Aug 2004
      Location
      St. Louis
      Posts
      191
      I think you you should have waited another month before the tear down. :O

    2. #22
      Join Date
      Feb 2003
      Location
      Houston, TX
      Posts
      3,445
      Country Flag: United States
      It has been 3 years since I made any updates on this car, but some progress has been made since then. Along the way, I got distracted by my other builds, and a bit burned out on this project. I'll do my best to catch up now!

      After I had the car media blasted, we found all sorts of issues hidden under the paint. I didn't think it would be so bad, but it was. The quarter panels were not butt-welded, just overlapped, and had so much welding heat put into them that they were wavy and filled with bondo to get rid of the wave. The trunk floor was swiss cheese, those holes must have been filled with the splatter paint. The entire floor of the car, firewall to trunk, had rot issues forming, and had to be replaced. So, this "budget build" had grown into a full-on restoration. How many others have heard that story?

      Here is what we found under the paint. Hence, my motivation on the project dropped for a while.



























      Trunk floor = daylight holes.

      Last edited by Nine Ball; 06-30-2015 at 02:15 PM.
      Co-Founder, LS1TECH.com


      Forged Wheel Dealer, Contact me for a quote!
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    3. #23
      Join Date
      Feb 2003
      Location
      Houston, TX
      Posts
      3,445
      Country Flag: United States
      Basically, all of the sheetmetal would need to be replaced, in order to do this build right. Structurally, the Camaro was very good. The rocker panels, frame rails, cowl and windshield frame, all were good. We managed to save the forward trunk panel, as well as most of the dash and firewall. The rest was removed and replaced by GAP Racing ( http://www.gapracingtx.com/ ). I had GAP do the following work:

      -Replace full floor
      -Replace full trunk floor
      -Replace trunk drop-off panels
      -Replace both quarter panels
      -Replace tail panel
      -Replace trunk lid
      -Replace door skins
      -Replace both cowl side panels
      -Smooth firewall
      -Install DSE mini-tubs and new inner wheelhousings
      -Install restored '69 front subframe
      -Install DSE subframe connectors
      -Install new narrowed 12-bolt axle, 3.42 gears and posi
      -Install SpeedTech torque arm rear suspension system

































      Last edited by Nine Ball; 06-30-2015 at 02:20 PM.
      Co-Founder, LS1TECH.com


      Forged Wheel Dealer, Contact me for a quote!
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    4. #24
      Join Date
      Feb 2003
      Location
      Houston, TX
      Posts
      3,445
      Country Flag: United States
      Back from GAP Racing, all sheetmetal and suspension installed.













      Co-Founder, LS1TECH.com


      Forged Wheel Dealer, Contact me for a quote!
      www.DV8Motoring.com

    5. #25
      Join Date
      Feb 2003
      Location
      Houston, TX
      Posts
      3,445
      Country Flag: United States
      Two weeks ago, I loaded up the Camaro and took it to the paint shop, RF Customs (Spring, TX). I met with Ray, the owner, and looked at a few of their other projects going on in the shop. They had nice attention to detail, and seemed to only work on classic cars. I didn't want a paint shop that focused on mostly collision/repair work, as those places often back-burner our classic car jobs.

      RF Customs will do the final trunk and door gap work, panel alignment, block/sand and paint the car. So, this is where we are today.





      Co-Founder, LS1TECH.com


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    6. #26
      Join Date
      Feb 2003
      Location
      Houston, TX
      Posts
      3,445
      Country Flag: United States
      Looking back at my original post, I'll further illustrate "scope change" or "project creep".

      -Gut car completely down to shell. Load onto my new rotisserie.
      Done.
      -Soda blast the shell inside/out
      Done.
      -Evaluate/inspect any panels that need to be replaced or repaired.
      haha, all of them.
      -Body work / paint
      in progress
      -Install a restored OEM front subframe (already have). It has DSE arms on it, QA1 coil-overs, and a DSE steering box. Keeping the rear steer setup.
      Still planned
      -Restore the factory 12-bolt axle, install new bearings, posi, and axles. Probably use a 3.42 gear for highway cruising.
      Purchased new Moser 12-bolt housing, narrowed for deeper wheel lips
      -Install DSE lowering leafs (already have). QA1 adjustable rear shocks.
      No leaf springs. SpeedTech torque arm suspension installed
      -Install CPP 4-wheel disk brake kit (already have).
      Upgraded to 6-piston Wilwood brakes
      -American Autowire update wiring harness
      Same here.
      -Brand new L92/LS3 crate engine (already have) - will install a cam, valvesprings.
      Brand new 427ci LS7 being built by Texas Speed & Performance
      -Built T56 6-spd transmission (already have)
      Yup.
      -LS7 clutch (already have)
      Ram clutch with ceramic/metallic pucks now
      -Vintage Air system
      Same.
      -Magnaflow dual 3" exhaust system (already have)
      Same
      -Hooker longtube headers (already have)
      Same
      -New standard door panels
      Going with Deluxe door panels
      -New Arizen houndstooth seats (already have)
      Same
      -Spectra OEM style fuel tank w/ electric pump (already have)
      Same, but may need pump upgrade
      -New canvas convertible top
      Same
      -Install subframe connectors
      Done. DSE in-floor installed
      -Install AR Torque-Thrust 2 Classic wheels 18x8 and 18x10 (already have). This may change, but I do like the gray spokes on them.
      Nope. I will be using 3-piece forged wheels, not decided on style yet.
      Co-Founder, LS1TECH.com


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    7. #27
      Join Date
      Aug 2007
      Location
      Jonesboro, Arkansas
      Posts
      2,506
      Country Flag: United States
      Gotta love the fine attention to detail the previous owner had though. I don't think I've ever seen the engineering marvels they came up with.

      Carl Wilson
      1968 Camaro - T-56 6 speed - 383 Stroker, 2014 Mustang GT seats. FiTech EFI, Tanks Inc. Tank with Deutschwerks fuel pump.

    8. #28
      Join Date
      Nov 2012
      Posts
      346
      Country Flag: United States
      I can only imagine the sheer horror upon seeing the body after blasting. Everyone's nightmare.
      Any chance you'll be at Goodguys in October with it?
      _______________
      1969 Camaro
      1966 Skylark
      1964 Lemans
      1960 Biscayne
      Steve

    9. #29
      Join Date
      Feb 2003
      Location
      Houston, TX
      Posts
      3,445
      Country Flag: United States
      Quote Originally Posted by Zoomin View Post
      I can only imagine the sheer horror upon seeing the body after blasting. Everyone's nightmare.
      Any chance you'll be at Goodguys in October with it?
      Car will probably be back from the painter around then, but I'll be assembling it all winter. Trying to get it wrapped up for Power Tour 2016, in June.

      Tony
      Co-Founder, LS1TECH.com


      Forged Wheel Dealer, Contact me for a quote!
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    10. #30
      Join Date
      Feb 2003
      Location
      Houston, TX
      Posts
      3,445
      Country Flag: United States
      Door gaps being addressed now. Aftermarket quarter panels weren't even close to matching the door curve.

      Co-Founder, LS1TECH.com


      Forged Wheel Dealer, Contact me for a quote!
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    11. #31
      Join Date
      Feb 2003
      Location
      Houston, TX
      Posts
      3,445
      Country Flag: United States
      Okay, a lot of updates since my last post in July. The body/paint shop (RF Customs in Spring, TX) is doing a great job with schedule, as well as attention to detail. Ray spent a lot of time getting the door gaps perfect, as well as the trunk gaps. I should have the car back by November, which was our agreed date. No paint shop prison, amazing.













      Welded up all the misc holes on the inner fenders, and filled in all the little dimples. I see a lot of high-end builds skip this step, when they shouldn't. Looks much better smooth!








      In the paint booth! Laying down epoxy primer on every surface.



      Smoothed the body seam surrounding the tail light panel, as I plan on painting the rear orange. Subtle, but looks cleaner like this.







      Co-Founder, LS1TECH.com


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    12. #32
      Join Date
      Feb 2003
      Location
      Houston, TX
      Posts
      3,445
      Country Flag: United States
      Firewall has been completely smoothed, painted in semi-gloss black. Entire engine bay will be this color.





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    13. #33
      Join Date
      Feb 2003
      Location
      Houston, TX
      Posts
      3,445
      Country Flag: United States
      We have color! Laid down a base coat of white to make the Hugger Orange pop more. Car was disassembled to do body work and paint the jambs. Door jambs and trunk jambs are now completed.













      Co-Founder, LS1TECH.com


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      www.DV8Motoring.com

    14. #34
      Join Date
      Feb 2003
      Location
      Houston, TX
      Posts
      3,445
      Country Flag: United States
      Baking out in the Texas 95F sun.









      Last edited by Nine Ball; 09-06-2015 at 07:12 AM.
      Co-Founder, LS1TECH.com


      Forged Wheel Dealer, Contact me for a quote!
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    15. #35
      Join Date
      Feb 2003
      Location
      Houston, TX
      Posts
      3,445
      Country Flag: United States
      Body reassembled for final paint. Getting close...







      Co-Founder, LS1TECH.com


      Forged Wheel Dealer, Contact me for a quote!
      www.DV8Motoring.com

    16. #36
      Join Date
      Sep 2015
      Location
      Orange County, CA
      Posts
      59
      Country Flag: United States
      Subscribed. Nice build.

    17. #37
      Join Date
      Jul 2004
      Location
      Braselton, Ga.
      Posts
      1,477
      Country Flag: United States
      Looks amazing Tony as with any build you have done. Great job!

    18. #38
      Join Date
      Nov 2006
      Location
      Ma.
      Posts
      5,567
      Country Flag: United States
      Wow Sweet! I love the progress.
      Wayne
      Car FINALLY home !!!!!! lol
      Project FNQUIK https://www.pro-touring.com/showthre...ghlight=FNQUIK

    19. #39
      Join Date
      Feb 2003
      Location
      Houston, TX
      Posts
      3,445
      Country Flag: United States
      Engine updates. I dig horsepower related topics

      Texas Speed & Performance did the machining and assembly on my engine. It is a 427ci LS7 that was built from all brand new parts, including the block. I went with a relatively mild cam, as this car is a cruiser and I want to maintain street manners. Target is to make 525-550 rwhp.

      GM LS7 block
      11.1:1 CR
      ETP/Mast CNC ported LS7 heads 64cc
      TSP custom cam - 233/239 0.595/0.603 113 LSA
      Callies Compstar crankshaft and rods 4.0" stroke
      Wiseco pistons - part K445X7 -15cc 4.127"
      Katech ported oil pump
      All ARP hardware
      Clevite bearings
      Cometic head gaskets
      LS7 rocker arms with Comp Cams trunion upgrade kit

      New LS7 block:





      Bunch of parts:





      Assembling at Texas Speed:



      Arrived at my shop:









      Installed a billet valley cover that I had left over from a previous MagnaCharger kit install.



      Intake port:



      Exhaust port:



      I had the sheetmetal intake built by my late friend John Beck, who passed in 2013. It was always intended to be the centerpiece of this engine bay. I challenged him to create some CNC billet runners, forming a cross-ram of sorts. The intake is a work of art, and he will be missed.



      Testing out two different valve covers I had made for the engine. Some fabricated sheetmetal ones which match the intake manifold well, and some billet aluminum ones that are more dressy. I'm likely going to powdercoat the upper hat of the intake, and the valvecovers, thinking a matte gunmetal gray.







      Billet valvcovers:







      Height comparison. The coil packs hide inside the taller billet covers.



      Really digging this view.



      Now I need to decide on which serpentine pulley system to purchase. Leaning towards the brushed Eddie Motorsports kit at the moment, as I like the industrial look. This engine bay will have zero chrome, it will consist of black, gray, and bare metal. That is my goal.

      Tony
      Co-Founder, LS1TECH.com


      Forged Wheel Dealer, Contact me for a quote!
      www.DV8Motoring.com

    20. #40
      Join Date
      Feb 2003
      Location
      Houston, TX
      Posts
      3,445
      Country Flag: United States
      Replaced all the screws with ARP stainless. Had the lid off, so snapped some more pics of the intake.







      Co-Founder, LS1TECH.com


      Forged Wheel Dealer, Contact me for a quote!
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