The Adventures of my Camaro in China

[rocknroll_jeph]

Originally Posted by chevy pilot

We have here Finland similar yearly inspection (brake,lights,emission,steering joints etc.) but all are in the same building.

Thanks for sharing! Do they also look at the appearance too? Or is modding allowable? I read that in Germany, mods are ok as long as you go through the proper channels and install pre-approved items. How long does it take for the inspection? Does it cost much?

[chevy pilot]

Originally Posted by rocknroll_jeph

Thanks for sharing! Do they also look at the appearance too? Or is modding allowable? I read that in Germany, mods are ok as long as you go through the proper channels and install pre-approved items. How long does it take for the inspection? Does it cost much?

They also check : tires,suspension,rust,windows tinting etc.
Small mods ok.Older car, the easier it is with mods and it depends on the inspection place.
Takes about 30-45 min and cost 65-80$.

[rocknroll_jeph]

Originally Posted by chevy pilot

They also check : tires,suspension,rust,windows tinting etc.
Small mods ok.Older car, the easier it is with mods and it depends on the inspection place.
Takes about 30-45 min and cost 65-80$.

Wow, it takes 1/4th the time but costs twice as much as China.

Thanks for sharing your experiences.

I'm just glad I don't need to get my car in Michigan registered every year and I can just leave it in my garage at home.

[rocknroll_jeph]

I just finished editing part 2 of my series. Please let me know what I could do to make them better in the future, I'm all ears and open to constructive help!

https://youtu.be/2V6Zzh6XPo4


Thanks everyone!

[chevy pilot]

You have big jobs for yearly inspection.

[rocknroll_jeph]

I didn't get any fall photos, but yesterday I attended Beijing biggest American Muscle Car club show and party. Unfortunately, after an hour's drive in traffic, my wife called me literally less than one minute after parking my car and said she wasn't feeling well so I immediately got in the car and went to meet her at the hospital, and after some tests it turned out there was nothing abnormal, but always better to be safe than sorry and family always comes first.

The show/party had everything from first gen Mustangs to Redeye Hellcats, and as I only got out of my car long enough to say hi to a friend, I didn't get any more photos. There were some games and prizes for the cars in attendance and a lot of activities and community outreach to show that the car culture is not full of rough or bad people, which the media here quite often makes it out to be. Actually, it's the Audi drivers who usually give modified cars a bad reputation.

Most of the muscle car owners I know are very much like myself, calm, passionate about cars and love the history, culture and styling of muscle cars. It really does go deeper with the people in this club, and I am proud to be a member.

I also missed out in participating in a Halloween parade through one of Beijing's First Amusement park, where 20,000 people were in attendance. There were about 60 muscle cars that took part in that parade and drove around the park just after dark. I saw the videos, and maybe I didn't miss out on too much, haha!

You guys know I love making videos, but I didn't even get my camera out before I had to leave. It takes me a few days work to complete the video, so that freed up my time to do my actual work and continue on my studies as well.

[rocknroll_jeph]

I finally finished my 3 part series detailing the process of inspection, registration, de-modding and re-modding. In the last video I put on some amazing re-re-manufactured bespoke taillights, and I don't think that the car has ever looked better before.

I admit, the video is too dark (it was raining outside and I just wanted it done) and it is a bit wordy, but there are some interesting facts, comparisons and tips that may help someone out there.

Also, I can't say it enough, the guy that made the taillights is a genius. His work is unreal, and he modifies all kinds of taillights and his designs just keepp getting better. I am proud to have his lights on my car.

Thanks to those who have subscribed, I really appreciate the support!

https://youtu.be/qvn52EDmPC8

[rocknroll_jeph]

Here is a quick video I made showing my car, probably nothing eye catching for you all, but I would like to hear back, what kind of videos do you think would be worth making?

https://youtu.be/z9DSeX8CHlo

Filming, editing and sharing is just for fun, and I'm not making money or trying to become famous. Between full time work as a teacher and working on my master's degree, its hard to balance life, but these videos give me a reason to get out and do stuff, so maybe they are more for me than they are for others. Still, it's always great to create things that people can enjoy, switch off the brain and just chill out and relax.

[rocknroll_jeph]

Car show photo dump.

This was the first "Goldenwood" festival of speed even here in Beijing. It was modeled after Goodwood. The guy who put it all together and organized the event is a rather well known driver in the drifting league here and attended Goodwood last year.

The main event was a "hill climb" type even on a path that was paved just for the event. There was also a car show, drift rides, go karts, classic car show, food and my band provided music. In all my years circling the sun, I have never seen such a wide collection of cars (just check out the neon green BMW M3 and you'll see what I mean).

There were touring cars, drift cars, track cars, baja trucks, rally cars, all kinds of European sports cars, classic cars, and both new and old cars. Any vehicle older than 15 years is hard to hold on to, so there are not many classic cars on the road, and to see such a wide variety was really mind blowing.

My friend in the yellow Camaro took the photos, so I had to put his car- and his sense of humor in. He also used to have 2 Chinese flags in his car, but after we starting hanging out more, he changed one to the US flag, which I thought was a really nice gesture of international mindedness, especially in China where nationalism is on the rise.

Unfortunately my wife wasn't feeling too good, so I played the sets and left shortly after, and didn't go back the second day. As the spots in the car show were by reservation only, I gave my spot for the second day to my friend. That way the organizers didn't need to change the information sign in front of the car at least.

Can't wait for next year, and I will try to get signed up earlier so I can get on track and try out the hill climb event too.

[rocknroll_jeph]

I finally got around to completing the video with the Goldenwood Festival of Speed, but because I was so busy with the band, I really didn't get to experience much.

The video really does not do the event justice. Its was the biggest car show I ever attended, and also included drifting, hill climb event, antique cars- which I didn't even film or get to look at, as well as vendors, food and tons of people.

Hopefully next year I can get a deeper experience.

Anyway, here is the link, I am really thankful for those who have subscribed and take some time to watch my videos, and as always, I'd love to hear your thoughts and suggestions! thanks!

https://youtu.be/LzqQgDTfAlc?si=Mh3QP9UHDUGdoXJK

[rocknroll_jeph]

Well, I can never do anything the easy way, but after 10 years of dreaming and nearly one year of waiting I finally have an LSD differential installed in my car.

The process was laughably lengthy and overly complex, but I will try to simplify it and not write another thesis paper style break down...

First, I was an actor in the presentation video that was used to announce the Xiaomi SU7 Electric Car in their press conference/ launch event last winter and the money I earned was burning a hole in my pocket so I bought a 2013 SS differential on China's second marketplace. After reading all about what I would need here on Camaro 5, I then bought a drive shaft, axels and hubs and after a little over a month of collecting, I had everything I needed, so I took it into my favorite shop to get the work done. Unfortunately, the axles and hubs I bought, despite stating very clearly what I needed were incorrect. The axle part number was for the SS, so I can't totally fault that seller, but the hubs were wrong and it took a long time to get them refunded.

Feeling like parts were unobtanium here in China, and not wanting to pay import tax, I decided to get creative. When I bought the differential, it came with one SS axle, so I took the SS axle and V6 axle and tore them both apart. Fortunately, the inner CV of the SS fits on the V6 axle so I found the proper parts and had them combined to make a bespoke V6 axle with the proper size splines to fit in the SS LSD differential. I had to send them to a shop half way across China because no local shops were able to do that.

Then I got busy, and had the parts sitting in my spare bedroom since April.

Fast forward to today! I am on vacation, so finally I took my rear diff and modified axles to the shop and they helped me install everything, and I am very pleased with the results.

That was kind of a let down after such a big build up, but it was pretty straight forward, take off parts, and put the new ones back in. I got an oil change and checked the tires air pressure while I was there.

Just an interesting side story, just yesterday some random Camaro owner contacted me because he bought an LSD diff and had the same issue, however his issue was he was unaware the V6 axles have a different shaft and spline count. Anyway, I told him what I did to swap the parts and he got it all done in one day, not 10 months like I did.

Now I am already dreaming of new bushings and an even tighter LSD... we'll see how this one goes!

[rocknroll_jeph]

Here is the video that shows what an "easy" process this was! I'm still super excited that I finally have that differential installed under my car and not sitting in the spare bedroom.

https://youtu.be/pH0_IorWysE

[rocknroll_jeph]

Last weekend I installed new front turn signals. the old ones were LED, but not very bright, one diode stopped emitting light, and when I reverted to stock a few months back I accidentally cracked one and had to super-glue it back together.

The new lights have two rows of LEDs, and has a 79 Z28 vibe. Actually I am not sure that the lights were specific to a Z28, but all the photos I saw of Camaros with the double front turn signals were Z28s so I just went with it.

Also, while the install was super easy and quick I re-recorded my theme song. For those of you who don't know, the song I use in my opening is Fugazi's "Waiting Room".

I choose this song because like Fugazi, I like to do things myself. Also, I am Straight Edge" which is a movement the singer came up with in his previous band, Minor Threat. Finally, that song, Waiting Room, is about him being ready to do something, but the scene may not be ready, and that is how I feel. I have been making videos and practicing my craft and I need to be patient as well.

I don't think I'll ever do anything as big and well known as Top Gear, Roadkill, Vice Grip Garage or any of the other shows that I am blatantly copying, but I do feel like if I am patient, and keep improving and learning that maybe some day the things that I create can be enjoyed by a wider audience.

Wow, that was kind of deep. thanks to all of you that got to the end of this~

Here's the link to my video: https://youtu.be/iuk4TXy9o9M?si=SX4iGQNU3a9niaJG

Thank you all!

[rocknroll_jeph]

I had an impromptu car meeting with some friends this weekend. At first I was just planning to meet up with my one friend and catch up at a car themed cafe, little did I know he invited someone and it kind of snowballed into an American car take over.

While not very impressive for the crowd here, 3 of the 5 cars were V8s. I'd love to hear your guesses as to which ones you think was the other V6. The answer might surprise you!

And the Lamborghini was just casually parked inside of the cafe. I love the randomness of experiences I get living in China.