Project Budget 10 Second Camaro Thread
Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (12)
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,818
Likes: 1
From: Cornfields near Pontiac, IL
My whole thought is...and correct me if Im wrong in logic...is to build this current engine to go into the 10s on spray, cam, stall, gear, drag radials, suspension, chassis mods and weight reduction...I want to try and hit my goal of going into the 10s for as cheap as possible...
Then when I do hit 10s and its time to rebuild the LT1, I will have the 847 or similiar cam, which would be even better with aftermarket heads or ported stockers, I would have the bottom end forged and set up for as a nitrous engine where I could spray even more than a 150 shot and see where that takes me...
But first, Id like to hit 10s for under $10000 including the car. I think I can do it...
Then who know what a 2800-3000 pound car with a forged 355, 847 cam, aftermarket heads, aprox 250 shot dropped in place could do? Maybe go for low 9s???
Then when I do hit 10s and its time to rebuild the LT1, I will have the 847 or similiar cam, which would be even better with aftermarket heads or ported stockers, I would have the bottom end forged and set up for as a nitrous engine where I could spray even more than a 150 shot and see where that takes me...
But first, Id like to hit 10s for under $10000 including the car. I think I can do it...
Then who know what a 2800-3000 pound car with a forged 355, 847 cam, aftermarket heads, aprox 250 shot dropped in place could do? Maybe go for low 9s???
My whole thought is...and correct me if Im wrong in logic...is to build this current engine to go into the 10s on spray, cam, stall, gear, drag radials, suspension, chassis mods and weight reduction...I want to try and hit my goal of going into the 10s for as cheap as possible...
Then when I do hit 10s and its time to rebuild the LT1, I will have the 847 or similiar cam, which would be even better with aftermarket heads or ported stockers, I would have the bottom end forged and set up for as a nitrous engine where I could spray even more than a 150 shot and see where that takes me...
But first, Id like to hit 10s for under $10000 including the car. I think I can do it...
Then who know what a 2800-3000 pound car with a forged 355, 847 cam, aftermarket heads, aprox 250 shot dropped in place could do? Maybe go for low 9s???
Then when I do hit 10s and its time to rebuild the LT1, I will have the 847 or similiar cam, which would be even better with aftermarket heads or ported stockers, I would have the bottom end forged and set up for as a nitrous engine where I could spray even more than a 150 shot and see where that takes me...
But first, Id like to hit 10s for under $10000 including the car. I think I can do it...
Then who know what a 2800-3000 pound car with a forged 355, 847 cam, aftermarket heads, aprox 250 shot dropped in place could do? Maybe go for low 9s???
I picked up a budget daily driver, I think with a clutch, cam, and juice I could maybe pull 10's but that launch is going to kick that 10bolt square in the nuts.
-Dustin-
Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (12)
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,818
Likes: 1
From: Cornfields near Pontiac, IL
The only reason I see a 10 bolt holding up in my car is that it is auto, the car is light, and I have drag radials instead of slicks. Right now I cant justify spending the money on a new rearend that is about 3/4s the cost of what I paid for the car. I figure with as common and cheap as 10 bolts are, if one blows up, toss another in...for now...
The only reason I see a 10 bolt holding up in my car is that it is auto, the car is light, and I have drag radials instead of slicks. Right now I cant justify spending the money on a new rearend that is about 3/4s the cost of what I paid for the car. I figure with as common and cheap as 10 bolts are, if one blows up, toss another in...for now...
-Dustin-
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine
Verdad Gallardo
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin
Verdad Gallardo
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (12)
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,818
Likes: 1
From: Cornfields near Pontiac, IL
Sorry for the lack of updates on this, Ive been without a computer for a few months. Anyways I took *some* pictures of any work I did. I would have taken more but alot of the work was spur of the moment. Ill upload pics in a few.
Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (12)
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,818
Likes: 1
From: Cornfields near Pontiac, IL
After staring at scratches in the paint day after day, I decided to do a weekend paintjob on my Camaro at work. I wish I took more pictures here for you guys if you want to try this (maybe the prep part at least) but heres the steps I took. It was a scuff and spray more or less with some minor bodywork.
1. Sanded the car with a D/A with 320 grit sandpaper
2. Sanded the edges with a red scuffpad
3. Any scratches or chips not taken out were filled and primed
4. Primer spots wetsanded with 320 grit on a rubber block
5. I pulled the mirrors off along with the spoiler to paint seperate (also pulled front bumper, but only because it needed some bodywork done)
6. Hosed the car off to get as much dust off the car and wiped down all the door jams.
7. DX320'd the car with a towel to clean the surface before masking the car up
8. I masked the windows and thats about it, I didnt paint the jams so I just let whatever got in the door jams, get it. I used junk wheels on the car too so I didnt mask those off either.
9. Rolled the Camaro in the booth and tack clothed the entire car to get any leftover dust off
10. Alcohol wiped the car to make sure the surface was clean and wouldnt fisheye
11. Sprayed sealer, followed by 4 coats PPG Black and 4 coats PPG clear
12. Baked the car in the booth for about a half hour, let sit overnight
13. Unmasked car
14. Wetsanded the paint with 1200 grit to get the orange peel out and then 2000 grit to smooth out the 1200 scratches.
15. Buffed the car with 3m cutting compound followed by 3m polish
I still need to shoot the front bumper, mirrors, and rear spoiler but the main body of the car is done and looking NICE! I will snap some pictures of the final product tomorrow now that I have internet again.
1. Sanded the car with a D/A with 320 grit sandpaper
2. Sanded the edges with a red scuffpad
3. Any scratches or chips not taken out were filled and primed
4. Primer spots wetsanded with 320 grit on a rubber block
5. I pulled the mirrors off along with the spoiler to paint seperate (also pulled front bumper, but only because it needed some bodywork done)
6. Hosed the car off to get as much dust off the car and wiped down all the door jams.
7. DX320'd the car with a towel to clean the surface before masking the car up
8. I masked the windows and thats about it, I didnt paint the jams so I just let whatever got in the door jams, get it. I used junk wheels on the car too so I didnt mask those off either.
9. Rolled the Camaro in the booth and tack clothed the entire car to get any leftover dust off
10. Alcohol wiped the car to make sure the surface was clean and wouldnt fisheye
11. Sprayed sealer, followed by 4 coats PPG Black and 4 coats PPG clear
12. Baked the car in the booth for about a half hour, let sit overnight
13. Unmasked car
14. Wetsanded the paint with 1200 grit to get the orange peel out and then 2000 grit to smooth out the 1200 scratches.
15. Buffed the car with 3m cutting compound followed by 3m polish
I still need to shoot the front bumper, mirrors, and rear spoiler but the main body of the car is done and looking NICE! I will snap some pictures of the final product tomorrow now that I have internet again.
Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (12)
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,818
Likes: 1
From: Cornfields near Pontiac, IL
Now some pictures of prepping the Camaro for a repaint...
BTW...note the shaved antenna...
More pics to come tomorrow...teaser pic for now...crappy cell phone pic...
BTW...note the shaved antenna...
More pics to come tomorrow...teaser pic for now...crappy cell phone pic...
Last edited by Black94Z28; Jul 13, 2010 at 04:56 AM.
Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (12)
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,818
Likes: 1
From: Cornfields near Pontiac, IL
Another thing in the meantime, I took in a nitrous "kit" on trade from am_muscl. Minus some fittings and a nozzle (bought a shark nozzle later) I need some help with how I should install this...Rob...missed your call??? Here are some pictures minus the nozzle. Sorry for some being sideways, I didnt take them...
Mounted the purge kit last night. Looks like a decent spot...
And think I found a good location for the tank (out of sight once the hatch is closed) Just need to bolt it down and start running the lines...
Mounted the purge kit last night. Looks like a decent spot...
And think I found a good location for the tank (out of sight once the hatch is closed) Just need to bolt it down and start running the lines...
Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (12)
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,818
Likes: 1
From: Cornfields near Pontiac, IL
Had some spare money with one of my paychecks and started buying gauges, its not all I need, but these things arent cheap so a couple at a time...
Also I mentioned earlier I pulled the front bumper off for bodywork, ended up the bumper was cracked in half and repaired once only to crack again. I fixed it the best I could and still looking for a good one (anyone?) I primed the entire bumper, guidecoated it, and I need to block sand it and paint it.
Also I mentioned earlier I pulled the front bumper off for bodywork, ended up the bumper was cracked in half and repaired once only to crack again. I fixed it the best I could and still looking for a good one (anyone?) I primed the entire bumper, guidecoated it, and I need to block sand it and paint it.
What about the brand new ones I see on Ebay listed for about $15.00 plus about $80 for shipping? LOL Have you heard any reviews on them? They can't be making too much money on shipping because these bumpers are heavy. There has to be some kind of gimmick, or either they just sell in such huge volume that they make their money that way??? Also, it seems odd that they only have 93-97 camaro ones. No Firebird or Trans Am bumper covers.
Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (12)
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,818
Likes: 1
From: Cornfields near Pontiac, IL
Yeah, I figure you get what you pay for on those, my factory bumper fits like crap, cant imagine what an aftermarket bumper fits like. I ended up priming the bumper and fixing it the best I could and painted it. Can still see a few hairline cracks, but not noticable unless you look for them.
Anyways, I need to go buy some batteries for my camera. I snapped some pictures of the car all painted and put together with my phone. Not the best quality, but I am glad we put 4 coats of clear on the car! It shines a thousand times better than before! Cant wait to wax it!
Front shot...
And from the side...
Anyways, I need to go buy some batteries for my camera. I snapped some pictures of the car all painted and put together with my phone. Not the best quality, but I am glad we put 4 coats of clear on the car! It shines a thousand times better than before! Cant wait to wax it!
Front shot...
And from the side...
Damn that car looks awesome Mike. That is way to shiny now.lol That rear wing looks familiar too. Hey give me a ring and drive that bad boy out this way and lets get that nitrous going 
Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (12)
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,818
Likes: 1
From: Cornfields near Pontiac, IL
Thanks for the positive comments guys! Rob, let me know when you are available. Maaco is shutting down probably tomorrow so I will be unemployed with alot of free time. 815-219-3353 cell
Also going to need an extra hand soon if anyone wants to volunteer. I have a guy bringing me a Camaro with a 4.10 geared rear end he wants to trade for a stock one. Even up trade if I do the work. This plus my Th350 with the 4000ish stall will be nice! Im itching to still get a baseline time for everyone too!
Also going to need an extra hand soon if anyone wants to volunteer. I have a guy bringing me a Camaro with a 4.10 geared rear end he wants to trade for a stock one. Even up trade if I do the work. This plus my Th350 with the 4000ish stall will be nice! Im itching to still get a baseline time for everyone too!
Last edited by Black94Z28; Jul 13, 2010 at 05:02 AM.