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Redemption: It's more than a car! [COTW 7/25/11]

Been hanging around for quite some time, so figured I'd start a build thread.

But this is more than a story about me and my Camaro, its a story about my life (which could get long! LOL) :D

Insert Long Story Here: :readthethread: or Skip down below. :thumbsup:

I grew up in Oklahoma with my folks and older sister, with lots of cousins, aunts/uncles/grandparents/friends/family nearby. We were very well off, until the early 80's. At that point we lost everything other than ourselves and our farm, so we moved to there, where I spent my childhood. 160 acres that was bought during the Oklahoma land rush, and yes my family were TRUE Sooners...

My mom worked her tail off so that my dad could go to college to work towards a new career. The oil boom was over in Oklahoma, and the economy was already dying in our little town, even back in those days.

Dad got his MBA in marketing from OU and it was time to move onto greener pastures. So summer 1989 we packed up all our stuff and drove out to San Jose, California. Us Okies out in Cali, just in time for the big earthquake. I was still in middle school, and had a real hard time adjusting to life here.

At the time I had no idea what my dad was going through at the time...I later found out that he had to sell our farm and land, just to be able to afford to keeping food on the table. I know that it tore him up inside to sell the land.

We soon learned about the Cali lifestyle and settled in like "locals". We love it here, and dont think we're ever gonna leave!

Fast Forward to 1996:

I was a dumb kid in high school, making a ton of $$, living at home. I decided that it was time for me to "be better than my father". SO I wanted an Impala SS, 1996 model. Well I got the run around at every dealer I went to (I was 18-19 y/o with no credit), but I finally got my car.

A year and half later, I had no job, and I lost my car to the bank, and hand to move back home with my parents. I had thought that my Redemption had occurred, and that I had proven myself a man, yet I was back where I began.

A lot happened in my life between then and 2010, but I wont bore you anymore! :paddle:

Build part of the thread: :readthethread: Shorter version starts here: :thumbsup:

Early 2010: I wasn't one of the chosen who followed all the news of the new Camaro, because I never envisioned that I would ever have one. I had been down the path of "want" before, so I didn't want to disappoint myself again.

I really needed a new car, but had just bought my wife a new car 10 months back, so money was tight. But my wife insisted that we go check our the new Camaros, since I had been drooling :drool: for awhile. Went for a test drive, and I was hooked. I had already done my homework on pricing etc, so I did a transfer from another dealer, and ended up getting a great deal!

So this is a Redemption for my father, and for my mistakes as a young man: I drive this car for myself, I mod this car for myself, I share this car only for myself... I dont do it for recognition, for forums, for vendors, for anyone other than me. It is a symbol of my hard work and determination.

There's more to it, but that's plenty of yack-yack for now!

Thanks for reading: Now for some pictures!!

Picking up the car, 2-15-10 setting up Onstar.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2750/...dfd_z.jpg?zz=1

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2195/...a1a_z.jpg?zz=1

I dont care about the damn blue tooth, let me drive!!

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2743/...e1c_z.jpg?zz=1

http://www.flickr.com/photos/10327016@N07/4367205210/

Got to spend some time with the world traveling chicken "Bonnie", back when the car was still stock... Another Long Story...

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4006/...39a07194_z.jpg

http://www.flickr.com/photos/10327016@N07/4471214612/

Here are some shots after some paint correction with Adams!

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4085/...240dca97_z.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4133/...6c807c14_z.jpg

http://www.flickr.com/photos/10327016@N07/5018755861/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/10327016@N07/5019362602/Some shots from Napa, CA run

http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/a...9/IMG_0654.jpg

http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/a...9/IMG_0662.jpg

After Pedders Xa Coilovers:

http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/a...o/P1050764.jpg

http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/a...o/P1050766.jpg

http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/a...o/P1050765.jpg

AAC Sidemarkers

http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/a...o/P1020039.jpg

And the newest mod: Forgeline ZX3P Wheels. Playing with camera settings too...

http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/a...o/P1020001.jpg

http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/a...o/P1020020.jpg

http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/a...o/P1020005.jpg

http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/a...o/P1020025.jpg

http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/a...o/P1020028.jpg

http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/a...o/P1020032.jpg

That's all for the moment Folks! More to come VERY soon!!

Mods:
MGW Shifter w/gripper knob
Pedders XA's
Pedders Swaybars/Endlinks
Pedders rear cradle and front radius bushes
CAI Cold Air Intake
Custom DRL wireless harness, with rolling code controller
AAC Sidemarkers, LED strips throughout, ABL interior LEDs, RGB KnightRider Scanner
Forgeline ZX3P Wheels, Brushed Finish

Coming up next:
LG Exhaust and Headers with tune
Custom Vinyl work
Who knows!!??

Anyone want to make me an awesome sig? :headbang:

Thanks for reading! :respekt:

Jason

Up Next on the Mod list: LG Motorsports Exhaust!

So we found out that the tips dont fit great with the GM GFX, so we went custom!

Used some brushed stainless for tips, and did a nice slash cut to match the angle of the GFX!

I love the sound, was expecting a little louder, but I am very happy with the results. Very nice tone!

Big thanks to Luke at Blu808 for getting the system, welding up the tips and get them cut "just right"!

http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/a...o/P1020185.jpg

http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/a...o/P1020183.jpg

http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/a...o/P1020181.jpg

And some Crappy video: Sorry, the pimp HD Video camera is no where to be found:

Really love the brushed wheels on your car looks really sharp.

That is one of the sharpest SIM's that I have seen.

Wow! great looking! Reminds me of the first 2010 I saw in my home town was silver at a restaurant, people were taking pictures of it.Welcome to the forum and the cool pictures.

Nice.............. and the below PIC..........LOL

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4006/...39a07194_z.jpg

We brought the SIM hard to that Napa cruise didn't we!! :respekt:

Thanks for all the compliments guys! I really love sharing it!

Here is the back story on "Bonnie" the Chicken. Great laughs and pics in this thread:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=380490

Jason

Glad to see you finally made a build thread man. I really like the new wheels. =) Let me know when you get the exhaust on there. I want to hear it. Keep up the good work. Glad it's working out for you!

Thanks J!

Should be getting the exhaust next week. Was waiting on new tips, as the normal ones don't fit quite right with the Gfx. We are doing some leg work for them (lg) to change the system using my car as the prototype.

Also making some new parts that will be available for purchase in the future!! These will really help out the DIY guy & us folks that need to pass smog!

Gonna run just exhaust for a bit, then go back for headers at a later date. Once all the mockup stuff has been tested!

Jason

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Anthony @ LG was telling me they will never sponsor a 5th gen or prototype things for free. He must have hated me. =P

Can't wait to hear it. =)

Yeah, he just doesnt like you! LOL

But really, no sponsorship, if anything, I am helping them out on my dime. I got a good deal on the system, but gotta get the different tips to fit. No biggie! I can make it the way I want!

Since I am keeping the stock manifolds/cats for future smog checks, I need a way to bolt a 3 inch system to the stock setup. And also be able to add the headers later on, and switch back and forth! So Luke at Blu808 is designing a "midpipe" for lack of a better term. It will bolt up to the LG system (and other systems!) and the stock manifolds.

I'm ready to ditch the mufflers though. Sheesh I had a Benz throw me revs today, and his exhaust sounded better than mine! LOL

I'm having so much fun making parts work!

Jason

Updated 2nd post for the exhaust!!

Love my LG Exhaust, check it out!!

Jason

Updated 2nd post with new pics!

Enjoy!

Jason

one of my favorite SIM's now! looks really good the wheels look great :thumbsup:

Thanks Shadow! Ive got more things in the works! Its a sickness! =) LOL

Jason

Trying some of my own editing...Ehh not bad for first real try.

http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/a...irstgo1of1.jpg

The new pics looks great Jason. your car is beautiful. =)

:thumbsup:

I love that building behind you... I am always on the lookout for interesting (crappy) backgrounds for my car.

Thanks guys. We shot this group of photos at Alameda Naval Base. We barely scratched the surface of all the amazing buildings there. The property management group requires you to get permission before any photoshoots, so we got kicked off after about 30 minutes of being there. There are blocks and blocks of really cool old buildings.

Cant wait to go back with permission! =)

Jason

Jason,

I had no idea the significance of your screen name until I read your post.

http://fc06.deviantart.net/fs34/f/20...ngDivinity.gif

:respekt:

Alameda is a cool spot... We pulled in there just before they closed it.

Love the car man.. Very well done!

:popcorn:

Thanks Gentlemen!

I suppose all young men must make their own mistakes to become "real men". I've made more than my share!

So what the heck should I buy next? I need some more flash, eye catching stuff for the outside!

Jason

Now you are thinking like a young man. The flash is inside behind the wheel.

Silly Pete,

That's the blinker!

Quote:

Originally Posted by JusticePete (Post 3502197)

Jason,

I had no idea the significance of your screen name until I read your post.

http://fc06.deviantart.net/fs34/f/20...ngDivinity.gif

:respekt:

+1 I saw this post and had to go back and read the long version...:clap:

...and I also agree w/ Shadow... this car is top notch...

Yeah, I can be wordy sometimes. Especially when its about me! :bellyroll:

But really, my Dad gave up everything to provide for the family. Now that I have a wife and little girl, I can much better appreciate and understand what he REALLY did for us. :wub:

J

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redemption (Post 3503940)

A hug from your son or daughter is priceless. My oldest turn 14 next month. I remember every detail about the day she was born. The same is true for all three of my daughters. Every time you take that little hand in your remember the feeling. All too soon it will be an adult hand. I am on the other end of that with my 94 year old father. Enjoy every day. No one is promised tomorrow.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JusticePete (Post 3503983)

Amen!

SO true Pete. Nothing beats watching my lil 8 month old grow. Hearing her say "dadda" last week melted my heart. Little girls sure know how to get to their daddy's heart!

Hope your father is doing better, many prayers for you and your family.

J

WUT?! Shut the Front Door! :confused0068::confused0068:

No way! Wow, Very humbled guy over here. Thank you very much for the recognition Mods and Admins! :respekt:

Made my Monday MUCH better! :thumbup::thumbup:

Who's gonna teach me the secret handshake?! Oh wait, are we not supposed to talk about it?

Jason

Congrats on COTW!! :thumbup:

this is the first SIM 5th Gen I've seen with a painted OEM GFX.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redemption (Post 3518498)

musta been the photoshoot?

haha

Yeah, for reals! I was already sending D a present to say "thanks" for the photos. Guess I better rethink what I am going to send! LOL

Congrats, on joining the COTW club. Another Cali car too!

car looks great!,those wheels are really a nice choice,reminds me of the camaro berlinetta of old,not saying it makes the car look old,looks really good,again,good choice,