Project Justified 68 Camaro

[mikeybigblock]

Hey guys and gals,
I have been a member of the site for a while now but rarely do I get the time to get here but when I do I always find lots of great things. I thought it would be the right time to share my project and story.
I got bit by the motorsports enthusiast bug a long time ago, like early childhood. I have my father to thank for that. We went to all kinds of different events together from monster trucks, boat racing, car shows and everything in between. So it is no wonder that when I got a chance to get my own muscle car I jumped t the chance. I mowed a lot of lawns and worked lots of hours in my dads shop to pay back the loan I got from him to buy the car I still own today. It has been a daily driver through high school, a weekend drag car, even a show car. All along the way my dad was there to lend a helping hand or to offer some advice on how to my pride and joy in top shape. That old Camaro has been with me for a long time. That car kept me out of trouble and got me in some too. Overall It has been a great experience to this car.
I lost my dad to leukemia recently but not before a talk about that old Camaro packed away in the corner of the shop. I am building this car again with a different flavor this time, and one of the best parts is that my kids want to be involved in motorsports just like I did. And so the project is born. It will hit the scene as a featured vehicle for ARC AUDIO at SEMA 2012


Here is what it looked like



And here is where we are going ……


The goal: To build a high performance car that is just as comfortable and fun to drive on the track as it is on the street taking advantage of modern performance technology but not venturing too far from its muscle car roots.

I started out a little light in the picture taking area in the beginning but I am getting better. Everybody like pictures right

Here it is at the body shop sanding down that High school vocational program paint job, (I think looked and held up pretty good.)





back at my place getting the DSE deep tubs


On the way home from paint





ridetech’s airbar coil over kit and installation pics tacked up and ready for welding







Keep your eyes pealed for progress updates

[jtm311]

Nice work.. Love the drawings..

[Ron.in.SoCal]

Congrats man. Pops is smiling down on you today...

[mikeybigblock]

Hey guys working on getting all the pictures together and posting some more progress but until then here is a little thank you to the companies that have partnered up with us on project. justified.

[diesel25lrs]

Looking good! Gonna keep an eye on this one! What are you going with for powertrain?

[mikeybigblock]

As much as I love the LS craze we decided to stay a little old school and went with a big block. But we put a little new school tech on the internals with a 4-7 swap cam. Trans is a Tremec 5 speed, 12 bolt rear with 4.56 gears. This car should be lots of fun to drive. Can’t give away too much…. Well not yet anyway

[68firebird]

the drawings came out looking badass. definitely gonna be a fun ride

[mikeybigblock]

I am finally getting a few minuets to update the progress on the car. W ended up making dome changes to the ridetech kit to make room for a rim with the offset we are looking for. The kit is designed well for a standard offset but we want some more wheel lip so the stock spring pads were cut off and we cut these out on the water jet these will allow for some more room when mounting the brakes. All the mounting points remained the same.



Here is a quick shot of the subframe all welded up and ready to head off to powder coating shop.



This next shot is us putting the finishing touches on the ridetech outfitted subframe.



Fianlay there she is back on her feet, still wearing her old shoes but that will change soon.



Now that is down on the ground again we can work on the interior mock up. Here are the front seats. I think they fit well in the car.



Engine shop called and told me the short block is done so I should have it back here soon. The transmission is already here waiting so we will be able to ad another major component soon.

[mikeybigblock]

Sorry I was gone so long the SEMA crunch cot me like it did lots of others but we did make it and I think the car showed well. We took a little trophy at the Good Guys Autumn Get Together too. so over the next couple days I will post up more of the build pictures and finnish it up for now with some shots at SEMA. I havent had time and good weather to take her out and get some good pictures but they are comming. but for now back to the pics

[mikeybigblock]

Here are some shots of the Wilwood Challenger series brakes going on. They work great! This is the final set up of the rear we took 4" out of the rear and installed big 9" ends Auburn posi unit Richmond gears and Dutchman Axles

[mikeybigblock]

First thigs first. Introducing my Crew Chief. He kepth the project going thats for sure These next two are of the motor at the machine shop on its way back together. Here it is all dressed up wit a Restomod Air belt drive kit

[mikeybigblock]

Hey All Just a quick update. Project Justified is featured in the Oct. issue of CHP. I am super proud of it Just thought I would share.
Thanks

[Bob's68]

I love your car Mike! Saw it back at American Chevrolet during graffiti. Good talking with you, I love the fact it is a big block, it surprised me because I was expecting an LS.

[Munssey]

And a great color scheme too. Well done. Giving me ideas for my Camaro. I'm interested to hear how you like the ride tech setup.