Katech Dual-Threat Street/Track Build

[Katech_Zach]

Hello All,

My name is Zach and I am part of the engineering team over here at Katech.

In this build thread, I will be showing you how to build a track focused 5th generation Camaro that has very street-friendly manners when you want it to.

To start off my personal build, i'd like to show you guys how the car started. I purchased this car on May 28th, 2016 as a sub-15,000 mile Certified Pre-Owned vehicle. It was a 2014 Camaro 2SS with the RS, 1LE, Recaro, and NPP Packages.



Fast Forward to now, this picture was taken a couple weekends ago after a beautiful track day out at Grattan Raceway in Belding, MI.



And even further, the finished engine in the car carving up the Tail of the Dragon:



As it sits, my car has a few essential modifications done to it to make it handle like it should have from the factory. With that said, now is the right time for me to do a complete rework to blow the factory handling out of the water.

Currently, I am in the process of overhauling my vehicle to really make this car shine on the track while maintaining the street-friendliness that one would like out of a daily driven car.

Below is a brief summary of what will be done to the car:

• Katech 416 Stroker LS9.R Based Engine
• Eaton Truetrac + 4.10 Ring and Pinion
• Chassis and Suspension Work
• New Wheels / Tires
• Misc Graphics and Accessibility components

A more specific outline of my build will be in the second post below.

Best Regards,
-Zach

[Katech_Zach]

The following post contains a general build summary of what the final vehicle will have equipped. There may be more or less added, but this does a good job of summarizing what will be happening to the car over the course of the next month or two.

Engine:
Block:

• LS9 Block
• Mahle Flat Top Pistons, Gas Ported with Valve Pockets
• Katech .927 Piston Pin
• Callies Compstar Crankshaft, 4" Stroke, 2" Rod Jorunal
• Callies Compstar Rods, 6.125" Length, 2" Rod Journal
• Clevite Main Bearings
• Clevite Rod Bearings
• Katech Ported, Blueprinted LS3 Oil Pump
• ATI 10% UD Damper
• ARP Crank Bolt
• Gates RPM Belt
• Katech Billet Belt Tensioner
• Katech 4" Stroke Piston Squirters
• 1LE Oil Cooler
• Dewitts Upsized Radiator - TBD
• Additional Oil Cooler - TBD
• Oil Temperature Sensor
• Improved Racing Oil Pan Baffle
• Improved Racing Crank Scraper

Cylinder Heads:

• Katech Ported LS9 Heads with Competition Valve Job
• Fel-Pro 4.100 x .041 Head Gaskets
• Katech Cast Valve Covers, Deep Red Powdercoat
• Katech ARP LS9 Head Studs
• ARP Valve Cover Bolts

Valvetrain:

• LS9 Factory Ti/Mo Valves
• CHE Bronze Trunion
• Custom Grind Camshaft
• 3/8" Trend Pushrods
• Blue Viton Valve Seals
• Katech Spring Locators
• PSI 1511ML Springs
• OEM Spring Retainers
• C5r Timing Chain
• 3 Bolt Cam Conversion
• ARP Cam Bolts
• CTS-VR Lifters

Induction and Exhaust:

• PMAS Cold Air Intake with Gold Heat Insulation
• Katech CNC Ported Throttlebody
• Elite Engineering Catch Can Set
• GPI Ported and Rod-Modded LS3 Intake with Gold Heat Insulation
• Grams Performance 1-3/4" -> 1-7/8" Stepped Header to 3" Primary
• Factory 2.5" NPP Catback

Ignition and Fueling:

• LS9 Fuel Injectors
• LS9 Spark Plugs
• ZL1 Fuel Pump
• OEM GM Flex Fuel Sensor
• Katech Development Coil Relocation
• OEM Coil Packs
• Fore Innovations Billet Fuel Rails
• Katech Spark Plug Insulators
• Gold Heat Insulation around Fuel Lines

Drivetrain:

• Katech LS9x Clutch
• Katech LS9x Flywheel
• LS9 Slave Cylinder with Katech Sleeve
• JDP Clutch Reservoir Seperator Kit
• Hinson Clutch Speed Bleeder

Chassis:
Wheels:

• 19x11 HRE RC103, Custom Offsets, Dark Stone Clear Finish
• Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2, 305/35/19 FRPP Spec

Suspension

• Bilstein B6 Struts
• Bilstein B6 Shocks
• BMR 220lb/in Front Spring
• BMR 430lb/in Rear Spring
• Vorshlag Camber/Caster Plates
• Z28 SKF Wheel Hubs
• Z28 Upper Control Arm Mounts
• OEM GM Truck Extended Studs (Front Only)
• Detroit Speed Caster Offset Locks
• Pedders Rear 32mm Solid Sway Bar
• Hendrix Engineering Poly Offset Differential Bushings
• Pegasus CNC Solid Cradle Bushings
• Spohn Del-Sphere Rear Trailing Arm
• Custom Inner Bushing for Del-Sphere Trailing Arms
• JPSS Rear Lower Control Arm Camber Bolts

Brakes

• C7 Z06 Front Brake Caliper
• Goodridge Stainless Steel Brake Lines
• Motul RBF660 Brake Fluid
• DBA 4000XS Front and Rear Rotor
• Ferodo DS2500 Brake Pads

Differential

• Eaton Truetrac
• US Gear 4.10 Gearset, REM Isotropic Superfinished

[Katech_Zach]

Updated with a build summary above. Pictures to come. The chassis is nearing completion and engine components are being ordered.

[John_C]

Very nice build!


Let us know what it lays down.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Katech_Zach]

A lot got done over the last week. I will update with as many pictures I can when I have the time.

First on the list was getting the newer extended GM studs into the front hubs. Very straight forward process and helps anyone looking to run a square setup with spacer options. You can now safely run an 8mm spacer with the factory amount of turns in the lugs.

[Katech_Zach]

Car getting prepped to be ripped apart along with some of the quality components going into this build.

DBA 4000 XS Rotors, Ferodo DS2500 Pads, Bilstein B6 Shocks, and a US Gear 4.10 REM Isotropic Superfinished Ring+Pinion set.

[JakeRobb]

Awesome build!

[Katech_Zach]

Out with the old, in with the new as far as shocks go.

Bilstein B6 Shocks seems like they will hold up to Michigan a lot better than the OEM ones did.

[Katech_Zach]

Vorshlag Camber/Caster plates to go with the Bilstein B6 shocks. I still need to slot the top of the strut tower to get the maximum amount of camber adjustment out of this kit.

[Katech_Zach]

Updated Build Parts List:

-Improved Racing Crank Scraper and Oil Pan Baffle
-Potential cooling upgrades with a DeWitts Radiator and Oil Cooling System
-Fore Innovations Billet Rails
-Misc Gold Heat Shielding and ARP hardware

[JakeRobb]

Where are you getting the gold shielding? What are you going to put it on?

I need to figure out an oil cooler.

[cdb95z28]

I have the Vorshlags and I do not think with using an OE type front spring that you will be able to get max camber, the Vorshlag top spring seat OD is too big and it will touch the strut tower.
Nice build!

[Katech_Zach]

Originally Posted by JakeRobb

Where are you getting the gold shielding? What are you going to put it on?

I need to figure out an oil cooler.

DEI makes quality heat shielding accessories, that will be the direction that I will be going for my build. It will go underneath the intake plenum, around the intake, the outside of the new airbox, around a few fuel lines, possibly brake line components, and spark plug wires. The wires will be covered using our Katech Spark Plug Wire Insulators. https://store.katechengines.com/spar...ator-p291.aspx

Originally Posted by cdb95z28

I have the Vorshlags and I do not think with using an OE type front spring that you will be able to get max camber, the Vorshlag top spring seat OD is too big and it will touch the strut tower.
Nice build!

I do know that it may become an issue, but so far the slotting of the strut tower is my current priority since I am maxed out as far as that goes. I will only be running around 2.5 degrees, I believe I will be able to get there with the adjustment that I have.

In the future, I will be getting coilovers that will use a standard coil spring.

Thank you! Looking forward to getting this finished. The shortblock will be started this week.

[cdb95z28]

Originally Posted by Katech_Zach

I do know that it may become an issue, but so far the slotting of the strut tower is my current priority since I am maxed out as far as that goes. I will only be running around 2.5 degrees, I believe I will be able to get there with the adjustment that I have.

In the future, I will be getting coilovers that will use a standard coil spring.

Thank you! Looking forward to getting this finished. The shortblock will be started this week.

You shouldn't have a problem getting there, depends on what offset/spacer you will use ( for clearances).
I achieved -3.4* on mine with the Z/28 springs/struts, 305/30-19 ET20 wheels
and a 12mm spacer. I've since backed it down to -2.7.