01-24-2015, 06:46 PM | #1 |
Drives: 2012 Camaro 2SS/RS L99 TF3 Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 302
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Project BattleBee - Wounded Warrior Build
Hey everyone. I’ve been on here for awhile but figured it was time I did a build thread. In May 2011 I was injured in Afghanistan when I stepped on an IED. I lost my left leg below the knee and my right leg was damaged so bad that it took almost 2 years to rebuild it and be able to walk again without canes or crutches. I now require a brace to walk. Bee was a gift from my wife after I was released from the hospital as motivation to get back to walking and driving. I had Bee for a year before I was able to drive again so I started building him as I began to rebuild myself. My Camaro was a huge part of my therapy.
Because of my experience and all that I had been through, I decided to build my Camaro and hope to eventually race and show it to help raise money for wounded and veteran organizations. The main organization I plan to help at first is the EOD Warrior Fund (EODWF). I had been an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) tech for almost 13 years in the Air Force and the EODWF does many things to help wounded EOD techs as well as helping the families of our fallen brothers and sisters. Anything I can do to help others going through what I had been through would be an honor. The name I have come up with for my build is Project Battle Bee. I want to build it to look like a Bumblebee inspired COPO clone with military tribute work under the hood and trunk. I have done a lot of work already but there is a lot that still needs done. Hopefully Bee can become a drag car that I will end up racing. I figure that a combat wounded amputee racing his own car would help to draw more attention to my mission. I look forward to this build and seeing what I can get accomplished with it. If any companies would like to help sponsor my build any help would be appreciated. Now that I am medically retired from the military funds are tight so the build will start moving along a bit slower now. Thank you all for your time in reading this and I hope you follow my build and see where it goes. MOTOR & EXHAUST L99 to LS3 conversion MagnaCharger supercharger w/3.6 pulley Lingenfelter GT9 cam Ported LS3 heads w/valve job -Hollow stem 2.165 intake valve -1.59 High temp heavy duty Inconel exhaust valve Halltech Yellow Jacket 102mm CAI Boost-a-pump ZL1 high volume fuel pump ARH 1-7/8 x 3" headers w/o cats Flowmaster American Thunder cat back SUSPENTION Pedders Supercars coilovers Sub-Frame Bushes Supercars End links Radius Bush Inserts Lower Inner Rear Steel Jacketed Bushes Weld-In Rear LCA Pedders Full Alignment Kit ZL1 sway bars BMR chassis brace BMR Trailing Arms BMR Rear Trailing Arm Bushing Kit BMR Toe Rods BRAKES Raymond CTS/V 6 piston Brembo front brake conversion w/ front and rear slotted rotors INTERIOR CFD TapShift shifter Pillar gauges: Autometer carbon fiber boost & fuel pressure EXTERIOR ZL1 front bumper Hot Rod Black accents Smoked taillights, front blinkers and side markers Classic Industries rear SS badge DRIVETRAIN GForce 9" Rearend Built Stange Pro-Iron pumpkin with 3.50 gears, 35 spline S-TRAC, Level 5 31 spline axles, 35 spline inner stubs, outer stubs 3.5" aluminum driveshaft CURRENT NUMBERS 566 RWHP 501 Torque
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01-24-2015, 07:53 PM | #2 |
Drives: 2012 Victory Red 1SS/RS Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Meridianville, AL
Posts: 254
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Very moving story man. Glad you found some motivation to help with your recovery. The car looks awesome. I've subscribed and hope to follow your journey and hope you realize your goals. Thanks for your service.
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01-24-2015, 08:36 PM | #3 |
Drives: 2018 1SS Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 142
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Props to you, OP for your drive to help others in light of the circumstances you have faced! You are an inspiration. Best of luck with your continuing build of Battle Bee! Thank you for your service, sir.
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01-25-2015, 06:26 PM | #4 |
Drives: 2012 Camaro 2SS/RS L99 TF3 Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 302
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Thank you very much. Ive learned that there is no obstacle that you cant overcome as long as you stay positive and give it your all.
The first thing I need next is wheels and tires. I'm liking the Weld V Series wheels and not sure what tires yet. I was able to get Bee to the track but with the amount of power I'm putting down right now and with the stock tires I couldn't catch traction at all. Plus I think my hand controls need adjusting. I know I'm not able to get full brake use with them so I might not be getting full throttle either.
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01-25-2015, 07:14 PM | #5 |
Drives: G5.R Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: SoCal
Posts: 2,377
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Hey Dan, I'm glad you posted your bill thread. You are an encouragement for all of us. Thanks
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01-25-2015, 07:41 PM | #6 |
Thank you brother.
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01-25-2015, 10:00 PM | #7 |
NZ Camaro. New Zealand
Drives: 1968 camaro. 2010 2ss Camaro Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 284
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Great attitude mate.
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01-26-2015, 01:12 PM | #8 |
Drives: 2013 BRM LS M6 Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Northern Indiana
Posts: 98
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Car looks great! Good luck with the build.
Thanks for your service and sacrifice!!! |
01-28-2015, 03:38 PM | #9 |
Drives: 2012 Camaro 2SS/RS L99 TF3 Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 302
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Finally found my picture of Bee when we found him at the dealership. He's come along way. I like doing subtle changes without anything too over the top.
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01-29-2015, 06:00 PM | #10 |
SoCal HT5 COTW 4/21/13
Drives: 2011 SS/RS Blown & Cammed LS3 Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Sandy Eggo
Posts: 3,047
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Great story and thank you for your service sir. You have given a great deal for this amazing country we live in
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01-29-2015, 07:06 PM | #11 |
Drives: 2018 Hyper Blue 1SS 1LE Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Brownsburg, Indiana
Posts: 6,231
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Very nice car. Sorry to hear what happened. Thank you for what you have done for our country! Enjoy the car.
Ryan
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Ryan
* 2018 1SS 1LE Camaro Hyper Blue Metallic Car Build: http://www.camaro6.com/forums/showth...0#post10049680 |
01-30-2015, 04:01 PM | #12 |
Drives: 2012 Camaro 2SS/RS L99 TF3 Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 302
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Thank you very much. The kind words mean a lot.
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01-30-2015, 05:06 PM | #13 |
Drives: 2018 Hyper Blue 1SS 1LE Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Brownsburg, Indiana
Posts: 6,231
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Are you going to be joining everyone at camarofest in August?
Ryan
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Ryan
* 2018 1SS 1LE Camaro Hyper Blue Metallic Car Build: http://www.camaro6.com/forums/showth...0#post10049680 |
01-30-2015, 06:07 PM | #14 |
Horsepower Therapy
Drives: 2014 2SS, RS, 1LE, Heartbeat Blower Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Huntsville, AL
Posts: 467
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Great looking ride! Keep it up.
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