Viewing 15 posts - 16 through 30 (of 71 total)
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  • #4843
    V8 Staff
    Keymaster

    An additional support was welded to the floor to act as a driveshaft loop and chassis stiffening element.

    The ZR9 will roll on polished Forgeline wheels, shown here showcasing the upsized Baer brakes.

    All the fuel and brake plumbing was completed in stainless steel and TechAFX carbon-lined hose.

    Kevin Oeste

    #4844
    V8 Staff
    Keymaster

    Next, a 3 inch diameter MagnaFlow mandrel bent exhaust system was built to wind it’s way under the ZR9.  

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    The tricky part of building and exhaust for a car like this is to fit the tubes around the rear QUADRALink suspension, coil over shocks, and fuel tank and to keep everything narrow enough to be inside the giant wheels.

    The exhaust system is 100% TIG welded stainless steel, starting with Detroit Speed headers, and flowing through the MagnaFlow X-pipe, MagnaFlow, and exiting at the rear tail panel.

    Kevin Oeste

    #4845
    V8 Staff
    Keymaster

    The ZR9 rolls on Nitto NT05 tires, 335/30ZR19s in the rear, and 275/35ZR18s in front.

    The remaining pieces of the front sheet metal or test fit along with the grill and header panel.  

    The crew installed the dual Spal fans, radiator overflow can, and made a custom bracket for the power brake reservoir. This car is running a Hydratech hydroboost brake assist unit which requires returns on the power steering fluid reservoir.

    Kevin Oeste

    #4846
    V8 Staff
    Keymaster

    A pair of II Much vapor separators were installed in the trunk, one for the fuel system and the other for the rear axle. These allow the fluid to expand without emitting vapors.

    The front bumper was cut into many pieces, narrowed, and molded to fit the nose in much the same way the rear bumper was.

    Cardboard templates were made as a guide for custom steel trunk panels.

    Kevin Oeste

    #4847
    V8 Staff
    Keymaster

    An Anvil carbon fiber under hood closeout panel was installed, as were Anvil fender support braces.

    Ringbrothers billet door sales were test fit for an additional interior detail.

    All the body gaps were tightened up in steel for a precise fit. Soon, the crew applied electricity to the car to check function of the lights and all electrical systems.

    Kevin Oeste

    #4848
    V8 Staff
    Keymaster

    Later model Camaro mirrors we uplifted with ’90s GM power movements and test fitted to the car.  

    The controller will live in the center console.

    The audio amplifiers were installed in the trunk, with speakers and crossovers hidden throughout the car.    

    We got the sneak peek at the color with the Baer calipers powder coated to match the blue exterior color.

    Kevin Oeste

    #4849
    V8 Staff
    Keymaster

    Our test assembly was nearly complete, and the car was started and run for the first time. The crew built a complete running and driving vehicle to ensure that no additional holes or fabrication would be required after the car was painted.

    We ran the car on the chassis dyno to break in the mechanical parts and to verify the state of the two. After a software glitch that was restricting the throttle, the car eventually made over 620 hp at the rear wheels!

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    Kevin Oeste

    #4850
    V8 Staff
    Keymaster

    A custom bracket was made for the Moroso oil separator and mounted by the power steering reservoir.  Note that we changed the steering reservoir to a stock GM style, we have learned that they are much better for preventing air bubbles from the power steering fluid then non baffled reservoirs.

    Stainless radiator tubes were made to replace the temporary rubber ones.

    Steel guides were made for the emergency brake cables under the car.

    Kevin Oeste

    #4851
    V8 Staff
    Keymaster

    After the car had run, The crew began the disassembly process for paint.

    The sheet-metal was removed, noting locations of shims and utilizing guide holes to keep proper panel alignment upon reassembly. All the interior elements were removed, and the front subframe and Suspension were removed as an assembly.

    Kevin Oeste

    #4852
    V8 Staff
    Keymaster

    The engine and transmission were separated from the subframe and it was disassembled for detail work and paint.

    Kevin Oeste

    #4853
    V8 Staff
    Keymaster

    Once stripped, the body shell was attached to a rotisserie for detail welding, grinding, and eventually media blasting.

    The stripped body was cleaned seam sealed, then prayed with a Standox epoxy primer.  

    The the bottom side was painted black with Dupont Imron industrial coating. Next, the bottom of the car was coated with 3M Body Defender to prevent chips.

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    Kevin Oeste

    #4854
    V8 Staff
    Keymaster

    The subframe and all the chassis parts were also epoxy primer and painted with Dupont Imron for a nice satin finish and high chip resistance.

    The suspension components were then installed back on the body for the last time.

    Kevin Oeste

    #4855
    V8 Staff
    Keymaster

    The body shell was rolled into the body shop, and filler process began. Meanwhile, the individual parts were cleaned and epoxy primed.

    While the body was being straightened for paint, the crew narrowed and modified the rear seat Springs to fit between the wheel tubs and around the quadrant link suspension mounts in the floor. 

    Kevin Oeste

    #4856
    V8 Staff
    Keymaster

    All the original Camaro trim pieces would be installed, such as the quarter panel “gills” and polished stainless trim around the windows.  These pieces must be test fitted during the bodywork phase.

    Kevin Oeste

    #4857
    V8 Staff
    Keymaster

    A skim coat of Evercoat Quantum1 body filler was applied to all the panels, and blocked sanded. Various coats of guide coat were applied to ensure that all areas were sanded smooth.   

    Kevin Oeste

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