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

[Redemption]

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)

Insert Long Story Here: or Skip down below.

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!


Build part of the thread: Shorter version starts here:

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 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.






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






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





Here are some shots after some paint correction with Adams!







Some shots from Napa, CA run





After Pedders Xa Coilovers:







AAC Sidemarkers



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














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?

Thanks for reading!

Jason

[Redemption]

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"!







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

[Redemption]

Some fresh new shots of the Camaro! Many Thanks to ddavis for the photos and editing!

Enjoy

[cyberLS]

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

[Blueclyde]

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

[n116ebo]

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.

[thespymaster]

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

[hypurone]

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

[Redemption]

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

[Mindz]

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!

[Redemption]

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

[Mindz]

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. =)

[Redemption]

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

[Redemption]

Updated 2nd post for the exhaust!!

Love my LG Exhaust, check it out!!

Jason