Cordell Posted February 21, 2010 Report Share Posted February 21, 2010 The story of my Camaro and me is a long hard road of learning things the hard way, and figuring things out on my own. To talk about where the car is now and where it's going I'll have to give a little backround on the subject. I bought the car a low mileage used car back in 2003 in as close to perfect condition as anyone could find. My career as an electrician was coming to an end so I hadn't nearly as much experience working on cars at that time. I had a company vehicle so I wasn't going to use it as a daily, but as something fun to have. My wife traded her Grand Prix in so I could have it. At the begining I wasn't intent on modding it more then a catback and tune, but boy how things change. The first few years this is all I did and enjoyed the car, and even though it had been beat up a few times I had it fixed nicely in the body shop. Then between finding CR and going to the dragstrip a few times the bug bit me. So I dove head first into swapping in a mild cam. This led into learning so many things about modding a modern car, because I didn't want to let anyone else do any of the work, whats the fun in that? I immediatly needed to learn how to tune, so without realizing what kind of mountain I was about to climb I got my hands on EFIlive and quite a few books on the topic and went to work. Once I got the car to start working okay and many weeks of trial and error, i took it to the track to finally break into the 12s, running back to back 12.92 passes. I thought I had this all figured out. Well I was only scratching the surface, screwing up the trans tuning it burnt up the 2-4 band a couple weeks after making it into the 12s, and the reasearch continued. I had the trans rebuilt and bought a TCI converter and went to my first CR track day. I had a few mid 12 second passes before the posi stopped working and spinning one wheel. So I learned how to rebuild a 10 bolt out of a book and installed a locker and gears. After headers and working on my tuning skills I had the car running 12.0s, all on a street tune. Again i thought I had figured this shit out. All the time I had no real experience, I had never modding anything this much before, and wasn't even friends with anyone who had. The car was running good, but I still had much to learn. This is when most of you found out who I was, my dumbass decided to install a nitrous kit and beat everyone. Mistake number one, and I had no idea what I was doing. This would be when I melted down number one piston, destroyed the combustion chamber in the cylinder head, and broke two valves. By this time I was obsessed with car, and my do it myself or fuck it up trying attitude really wasn't helping. I dove deeper into more books and internet forums learning all I could, and was still determined to make this happen for myself. I built the engine thats in the car now, a stock crank 6.0 with forged rods and pistons, again I refused to let anyone else do this and only let Phillips racing do the machine work. Running out of money I had to put a stock pair of LS1 heads on the new engine, something I thought I'd have ported and got ripped off for. Once I got the new engine in the car and street tuned I finally got the car on a dyno and thanks to Brady for giving me some pointers, got it tuned right. Now I had a car putting 420hp down to the wheels. In the process I broke my tranny again, and Anthony stepped up with a tranny I could use. After repairing the pump and installing it I finnally broke into the 11s on motor by the end of last season before breaking it again. The car has never run well on spray, at first my tune was bad, and now it just won't hook up. I hope to remedy this problem this year. It also keeps breaking driveline parts, I will be fixing these issues. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Removed Posted February 21, 2010 Report Share Posted February 21, 2010 th350 that thing , and start buying spare 10 bolts or step up and buy a 9"... we can piece one together on a budget heres how you do it. buy a housing and axle package (31 spline ) either to work with stock brakes, or buy one of the right stuff kits for the larger housing 9" ends hit the ford swap and pick up a center section with the gearing you need, and a spool will be the cheap way out.(sometimes tho, you can get a deal on a locker. most dont like the noise, but i think you know this) get a set of taller slick on the back, and some different struts up front on a side note you want to be the test car for a turbo kit for ls1 f bodys? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cordell Posted February 21, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 21, 2010 I call this the school of hard knocks because thats excatly what it is. Nobody wanted to help me, nobody I knew had done this stuff, but I knew I wanted to make my car faster. I've learned so much and realize now that I really don't know much, but I will get the car to become a balanced machine again. Capable of running well at the dragstrip, driving for fun on the weekends, and not breaking. Even though this has cost me more then what it should have, I've learned more and I'm so very proud to have overcome so many problems. In the end I'll be able to say I built it, tuned it, and drive it. This isn't about beating anybody else anymore, it's about not beating myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cordell Posted February 21, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 21, 2010 So now on to what I have planned, first thing the car needs is a new tranny and properly sized stall converter. These things should be coming soon. Not long after this I'm going to put a 9inch in it with 35 spline axles and a locker. After that I'll need to finish the engine build by installing some heads and intake to get that where I wanted it to be. Putting together a progressive directport with a dedicated fuel system will come along with some more suspension mods to put this power to the ground. Follow along as I build this thing up and try to accomplish my goals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Removed Posted February 21, 2010 Report Share Posted February 21, 2010 I call this the school of hard knocks because thats excatly what it is. Nobody wanted to help me, nobody I knew had done this stuff, but I knew I wanted to make my car faster. I've learned so much and realize now that I really don't know much, but I will get the car to become a balanced machine again. Capable of running well at the dragstrip, driving for fun on the weekends, and not breaking. Even though this has cost me more then what it should have, I've learned more and I'm so very proud to have overcome so many problems. In the end I'll be able to say I built it, tuned it, and drive it. This isn't about beating anybody else anymore, it's about not beating myself. there..someone that has it down...im glad to see you have come to your sense's. "his eyes wide open" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cordell Posted February 21, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 21, 2010 th350 that thing , and start buying spare 10 bolts or step up and buy a 9"... we can piece one together on a budget heres how you do it. buy a housing and axle package (31 spline ) either to work with stock brakes, or buy one of the right stuff kits for the larger housing 9" ends hit the ford swap and pick up a center section with the gearing you need, and a spool will be the cheap way out.(sometimes tho, you can get a deal on a locker. most dont like the noise, but i think you know this) get a set of taller slick on the back, and some different struts up front on a side note you want to be the test car for a turbo kit for ls1 f bodys? Rob, I've tried the budget route. It doesn't work for me. I want to keep overdrive so a properly built 4L60 will do what I want. I plan on going 9 inch, but I'm not set on the exact set-up. I'd like to go turbo, but I've got to finish what I started. That means getting this nitrous worked out and getting consistant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Removed Posted February 21, 2010 Report Share Posted February 21, 2010 consistent isnt really something you can say with spray...lol well with one nozzle anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cordell Posted February 21, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 21, 2010 consistent isnt really something you can say with spray...lol well with one nozzle anyway. Well working good at the least, between a dedicated fuel system, directport, and NANO system I should be able to get it tons better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex L. Posted February 21, 2010 Report Share Posted February 21, 2010 Even though this has cost me more then what it should have, I've learned more and I'm so very proud to have overcome so many problems. In the end I'll be able to say I built it, tuned it, and drive it. This isn't about beating anybody else anymore, it's about not beating myself. This is why you've earned my respect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boosted98gst Posted February 21, 2010 Report Share Posted February 21, 2010 Keep pushing forward, because in the end it will pay off when you hear the car you built run. Anyone I mean anyone ,can buy parts and pay someeone to put them on, it really takes a dedicated person to have the balls to try it themself's until they get it right. If it was not for garage type tuners/ builders the car game would be ages behind. Props to you and good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NTHER91 Posted February 22, 2010 Report Share Posted February 22, 2010 When I first put my car together it was the best sound I've ever heard props to u. You built yours not bought it ... Good for u keep it up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cordell Posted February 22, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 22, 2010 Thanks for the nice comments, I'll keep this updated as I make changes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billiumss Posted February 22, 2010 Report Share Posted February 22, 2010 I like your "do it yourself" attitude, thats the way I am with most things. If you want to play in this game, you have to buy good parts, plain and simple. With the power your making you shouldn't be going through trannys like underwear. - To get a good tranny, expect to pay about $2,500 that can handle 600-700 RWHP - Get a 9" or 12 bolt and call it a day, also upgrade your driveshaft or that will break next - Sometimes you have to know when you have to pay someone else to do some work for you If you want to ask me a few things or bounce a few ideas off me, give me a call, I've been around these cars since 2000, I know a thing or 2. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2 Sweet Posted February 22, 2010 Report Share Posted February 22, 2010 Good stuff man. I hope things go a little smoother for you from here on out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cordell Posted February 26, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 26, 2010 Ordered my new Circle D torque converter about 2 minutes ago........ ............and here we go again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cordell Posted March 7, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 7, 2010 Converter should be here tuesday. Just ordered my trans earlier tonight. Looking forward to buying a rear end later this year so I can really push this thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caseyctsv Posted March 7, 2010 Report Share Posted March 7, 2010 Scott - It is cool to see someone doing all the work themselves and learning in the process. I had read a lot about these cars but had no experience working on them. Thankfully, through the people I met here and on COFBA (RIP) I have done all of the work on my car. I was not like you though, knowing that I had no idea how to do it on my own I had a couple of guys over to help / supervise. The memory of hearing my car fire up the first time after tearing it down for the cam and headers still gives me goose bumps. Keep up the good work. Note of advice: do not take it to the track before it is done. You will end up breaking it then "patching it" (wasting money) so you can drive it until you have the funds to fix it right. I am at a point on mine where, even though I love to take it to the track, I know there are a few things I have to do before that makes sense (9" at least). If I take it before then it is likely that either I will break it or be disappointed in the numbers it will run since I am not running it hard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cordell Posted March 7, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 7, 2010 Scott - It is cool to see someone doing all the work themselves and learning in the process. I had read a lot about these cars but had no experience working on them. Thankfully, through the people I met here and on COFBA (RIP) I have done all of the work on my car. I was not like you though, knowing that I had no idea how to do it on my own I had a couple of guys over to help / supervise. The memory of hearing my car fire up the first time after tearing it down for the cam and headers still gives me goose bumps. Keep up the good work. Note of advice: do not take it to the track before it is done. You will end up breaking it then "patching it" (wasting money) so you can drive it until you have the funds to fix it right. I am at a point on mine where, even though I love to take it to the track, I know there are a few things I have to do before that makes sense (9" at least). If I take it before then it is likely that either I will break it or be disappointed in the numbers it will run since I am not running it hard. I've already been down this road a few times so I know what you mean, and I don't plan on going to the track until I have a new rear axle in there either. I was always capable of doing the work, I just wasn't capable of creating a good design from the start not having any experience with performance parts. The really bad part of all this is that I find it very hard to find someone to trust, everybody "thinks" they know what will work good together, or they're a shop that is biased towards selling you something. This is why in the process I've learned to tune, so I understand whats going on and I have control over it. I've pulled tunes off cars or watched most tuners work and I think almost all of them locally are a joke, there are only two I would trust. I wouldn't have learned that if I had not worked at it and learned things on my own from books, videos, and professional tuners. My story goes on and on because I really am that stubborn, and wanted to know the truth about these things not just some marketing fluff or someone's guess. One of the best lessons I ever learned from my Dad is just this, when I grew up racing Karts we weren't the followers listening to everyone, I didn't go to driving schools, and we didn't spend extra money buying into all the hype. We reasearched what worked, tried some different things, and as a teenager I won a lot of races. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cordell Posted March 14, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 14, 2010 http://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp133/ND2RACE/broken/CIMG0116.jpg Thanks to Chad for letting me borrow his truck again. Getting fixed soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest tbutera2112 Posted March 14, 2010 Report Share Posted March 14, 2010 i dont usually like camaros and i dont usually like chevy trucks...but damn, those are two nice looking vehicles glad the car is coming along scott! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave1647545494 Posted March 14, 2010 Report Share Posted March 14, 2010 if you've never had a locker in anything before drive something that has one and see if it suits you..... mine didn't bother me much but all the noise they make takes some getting used to it also changes how the car handles on uneven pavement Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cordell Posted March 14, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 14, 2010 if you've never had a locker in anything before drive something that has one and see if it suits you..... mine didn't bother me much but all the noise they make takes some getting used to it also changes how the car handles on uneven pavement The Camaro has had a locker in it for the last 2 years, my personal opinion is that its not very bad at all. The locker in Chad's Trans Am is a little more harsh, but not bad either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRTurbo04 Posted March 14, 2010 Report Share Posted March 14, 2010 [i Thanks to Chad for letting me borrow his truck again. Getting fixed soon. Mmm sexyynesss.. hope to see it on the road again. U were always a happier person when u drove it I know I'm not very much help but if u need any help. With what ever just call. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cordell Posted March 14, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 14, 2010 Mmm sexyynesss.. hope to see it on the road again. U were always a happier person when u drove it I know I'm not very much help but if u need any help. With what ever just call. Was going to see if you wanted to ride along while I moved both cars today, but you don't answer your phone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRTurbo04 Posted March 14, 2010 Report Share Posted March 14, 2010 I was taking a test my bad. I texted u shortly there after mang hit me up tomorrow or something if ya need meWas going to see if you wanted to ride along while I moved both cars today, but you don't answer your phone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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