Purpose Built Road Course LS7 Camaro [COTW 1/19/15]

[Mr Twisty]

I saw the posts on FB, just now found the thread and fortunately had the time to read it all the way through..... AWESOME build!

It looks like you have a Z/28 killer on your hands, congrat's!

..... except for one thing.....

It

needs












lowered

[Aequitas & Veritas]

Originally Posted by SSSoon

Curved rear view mirror does not work well because I am too tall. Can't see around my helmet. So, we are going to install a rear-facing camera in the shark fin and mount a 7" monitor where the OEM rear view mirror used to be.

This has me very interested! I love seeing the use of cameras in cars rather than mirrors (GT Corvettes first, and a few hyper cars here and there.)

[SSSoon]

Originally Posted by Mr Twisty

I saw the posts on FB, just now found the thread and fortunately had the time to read it all the way through..... AWESOME build!

It looks like you have a Z/28 killer on your hands, congrat's!

..... except for one thing.....

It needs lowered

You're 100% correct. It does. JPSS Knuckle Drops should take care of that. It won't be slammed, but it will be a whole lot tighter.

Originally Posted by Aequitas & Veritas

This has me very interested! I love seeing the use of cameras in cars rather than mirrors (GT Corvettes first, and a few hyper cars here and there.)

I did some research into different options. What might be the easiest/best is a Nissan product that they are rolling out on many of their models in North America, but isn't available yet. The Nissan system uses a custom video system that has an aspect ratio that makes it the shape of a typical rear view mirror - really wide and not tall. Looks nice.

For now, we are going with a relatively inexpensive 7" system ($250) that clips on where the OEM mirror was taken off. I think the view from having the camera embedded in the shark fin will be pretty useful - even better than the typical rear view mirror because it can show more depth (how close is that guy off your bumper) and breadth (into blind spots).

Pete

[SSSoon]

Car weighed. Curb weight is 3,720. For comparison, that is:

About 200 lbs more than a brand new Z06 (3,524)
Over 400 lbs less than a brand new ZL1 (4,120)
About 100 lbs less than a Z/28 (3820).

But none of those cars have a cage, fire suppression, etc.

Not bad!

Weight distribution is pretty good, too: 52% front, 48% rear.

JusticePete and crew are figuring out the rear view camera. It's going to be fit into the shark fin. The monitor is 9" wide and 4.5" high (a little taller than an OEM mirror) but they'll get it tucked up as high as possible, out of the line of vision. Here's an example (camera not mounted yet, so image isn't exactly what I'll see).

[tadams72]

Looking good gentlemen! Hell of an accomplishment to put that cage in as well as all the other supporting goodies and come in at that weight! SSSoon should be giving nearly everyone more than they can handle once he gets used to the new setup.

Originally Posted by SSSoon

Car weighed. Curb weight is 3,720. For comparison, that is:

About 200 lbs more than a brand new Z06 (3,524)
Over 400 lbs less than a brand new ZL1 (4,120)
About 100 lbs less than a Z/28 (3820).

But none of those cars have a cage, fire suppression, etc.

Not bad!

Weight distribution is pretty good, too: 52% front, 48% rear.

JusticePete and crew are figuring out the rear view camera. It's going to be fit into the shark fin. The monitor is 9" wide and 4.5" high (a little taller than an OEM mirror) but they'll get it tucked up as high as possible, out of the line of vision. Here's an example (camera not mounted yet, so image isn't exactly what I'll see).

[EFI]

Nice build, followed all 17 pages so far but have a few questions.

I know you probably won't want to share investment in this, but did you really spend less than 80k on this (you mentioned once that it's still going to cost you less than just straight upgrading to the Z28) or has that budget been blown away on purpose?

What did you do about the transmission or rear end, can't imagine you would have left those anywhere near stock unless you had build them previously?

[X25]

Originally Posted by EFI

Nice build, followed all 17 pages so far but have a few questions.

I know you probably won't want to share investment in this, but did you really spend less than 80k on this (you mentioned once that it's still going to cost you less than just straight upgrading to the Z28) or has that budget been blown away on purpose?

What did you do about the transmission or rear end, can't imagine you would have left those anywhere near stock unless you had build them previously?

+1 on the rear end; I suppose you could gain precious time with a better locking diff than what the standard SS diff can provide?

[JusticePete]

Tranny are rear end are still stock.

Z/28 are nice factory hot rods.

[Burt]

Originally Posted by EFI

I know you probably won't want to share investment in this, but did you really spend less than 80k on this (you mentioned once that it's still going to cost you less than just straight upgrading to the Z28) or has that budget been blown away on purpose?

I think at this point, the question becomes "how much would it cost to upgrade a Z/28 to this level?"

[JusticePete]

Originally Posted by Burt

I think at this point, the question becomes "how much would it cost to upgrade a Z/28 to this level?"

[SSSoon]

Originally Posted by EFI

I know you probably won't want to share investment in this, but did you really spend less than 80k on this (you mentioned once that it's still going to cost you less than just straight upgrading to the Z28) or has that budget been blown away on purpose?

JPSS and I are working together on the build and the cost is confidential.

But, just to point this out: It's not a Z/28, it's a Z/28 killer. Z/28 HP at the crank: 505. My HP at the crank: probably just north of 700. Same chassis, suspension. I'll need a tranny and Z28 diff probably in the next year, and some aero some time. But I'm lighter, faster, WAY safer, and with a lot of features that will make my track time much more enjoyable and effective (cool suit, helmet fan, fantastic engine cooling setup, rearview monitor, etc).

I'm the one who keeps expanding the scope because I love this stuff and want to do it right. I've worked my ass off most of my life. Can't take it with you when you go. There comes a time in every man's life where he says, "Am I going to keep reading about awesome cars in magazines for the rest of my life or *&$# it, am I going to drive one?".

I'm driving one.

[mlee]

Can't wait to see this one on the NCM track in Bowling Green..

[cdb95z28]

Originally Posted by SSSoon

JPSS and I are working together on the build and the cost is confidential.

But, just to point this out: It's not a Z/28, it's a Z/28 killer. Z/28 HP at the crank: 505. My HP at the crank: probably just north of 700. Same chassis, suspension. I'll need a tranny and Z28 diff probably in the next year, and some aero some time. But I'm lighter, faster, WAY safer, and with a lot of features that will make my track time much more enjoyable and effective (cool suit, helmet fan, fantastic engine cooling setup, rearview monitor, etc).

I'm the one who keeps expanding the scope because I love this stuff and want to do it right. I've worked my ass off most of my life. Can't take it with you when you go. There comes a time in ever man's life where he says, "Am I going to keep reading about awesome cars in magazines for the rest of my life or *&$# it, am I going to drive one?".

I'm driving one.

Your last sentence nailed it for me.
I had nice cars in the past. In 2010 I traded in an '09 G8 GT, then went without till June 2, 2014. I was proactive starting in the fall of 2013 to make a 1LE happen, things came together, money and time

Congrats on an awesome build, you deserve it!

[SSSoon]

Originally Posted by mlee

Can't wait to see this one on the NCM track in Bowling Green..

Originally Posted by cdb95z28

Congrats on an awesome build, you deserve it!

Thanks guys!

In other news, the rear camera system is finished. This isn't like a typical one that only comes on when you back up - it's a commercial unit that will be on full time, replacing my interior rear view mirror. The monitor resolution is 800 x 480, and it's 9" wide by 4.5" high. It's tucked right up behind the black part (antenna?) on the front glass. The actual camera is big (1") but it has night vision lights built in, which makes it larger than your typical pinhole camera. Those aren't going to be good for much except backing up at night, but that's perfect. JPSS painted the rear of the shark fin - looks great.

It's my secret mission to convert every nonfunctional styling cue on my Camaro into a functional one. I opened up the mail slot last year with the ACS kit to let air flow into the engine bay. Shark fin now is functional camera mount. I guess we just have those gills to work on