Max's Team - 3rd gen Camaro - F-Body Road Racing and Autocross Forums

Max’s Team – 1st Project (Posting over here, as I will be reading and asking many questions as the build progresses)

I’m calling this Max’s Team – cars come and go, but the driving force behind them will stay.

I am planning on building a car in my shop, dedicated to my son Max. The main goal is to have fun with friends and family – to build good memories. Through this project I hope to help teach others about working on cars and exposing them to different forms of racing. I look forward to making new friends and traveling to new places (under the guise of racing at out of town tracks). Friends at Corner-Carvers (www.Corner-Carvers.com) donated money, and their support was driving force for me to start this project.

A little about me – I have an engineering degree from Texas A&M (class of 98’), and I have been working on equipment and cars as far back as I can remember with my dad. I am an accident reconstructor – I look at car accidents, and as part of my credentials I am an ASE master technician. Through the Texas A&M Sports Car Club (TAMSCC) I have met many talented automotive people and been exposed to many different aspects of racing. I also have many connections to local car clubs (BCSstreet & BVSB). I live in a college town, and many young people want to help and take part in racing – but they do not have the funds or know how. Several years ago I started a build – which became Bubba Drift (www.BubbaDrift.com) with many friends. We had a great time.

I have never done any competitive wheel-to-wheel racing. I want to develop the skills and the seat time to be able to go racing.

Here is a list of some of the events I would like to take part in, and let others drive some as well:

Auto-x (we have great local events)
Drag racing (the suspension will not be optimized for this though)
Drifting (think of it as a large amount of seat time at an unrestricted auto-x, learning car control)
Texas Mile – never been, looks like a good time
Track Days – with an eye towards getting to do real wheel-to-wheel racing.
Time trials & hill climbs sounds like fun as well.

Real racing – probably along the lines of American Iron (AI) or American Iron Extreme (AIX). I am not real well versed in the different series and classes that are out there.

Here is my current toy – we have had it for ~16 years. About 5 years ago I swapped in an LS1 & t56, it has suspension work, full interior and A/C. It is too nice and has too much sentimental value to cut it up and cage it. It has been 2 years since I have driven it at a track day, I hope to fix a few things and take it out soon.

(IMG:http://www.z28evans.com/album/albums/userpics/10001/normal_DSC_2382.jpg)

So, it seems natural to stick with what I like. I prefer the 3rd gen Camaro’s over 4th gens because the engine bay is easier to work in, and a few other things. I also like the LSx series of engines, and I have done several swaps into different platforms.
I picked up a 1986 IROC Camaro that I found for a good price on craigslist.

(IMG:http://www.z28evans.com/album/albums/userpics/10001/normal_racecar.jpg)

I have a T56 that I will rebuild (I have rebuilt several before). I have an LS1 in need of a rebuild, but for the short term I think we will get a 5.3L truck motor and swap it in first (they can be had complete and running for $500). I have a nice aluminum radiator with electric fans.

I will probably get a 4th gen rear end (can use some of my current wheels from the other IROC).

Looking at Koni Yellow shocks, and a ground control springs / height adjuster / weight jacker setup.

Probably BMR or something similar for control arms, panhard bar, k-member.

Gutting the interior / removing extra weight. Will use a passenger seat and harness as well. Build a cage, paint car.

Ls1 brakes on the rear, not sure on the fronts yet.

I downloaded the AI/AIX rules and will read them.

Getting it running driving is first. Making more HP and improving things is second. My friend Derrick has worked at HK Racing Engines for a few years and has all kinds of ideas on what engine we should build. I’d like to build a turbo setup at some point, but heat management on the track could be an issue.

Thinking of this project has been a great distraction from my current situation, and I look forward to getting it into the garage and playing with it. My daughter (just turned 7) wants to help with it – for Christmas I bought her some “garage” clothes.

I will post updates of the build – but I do not think they will be as nice or informative as Fair’s (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Please feel free to comment on the build, offer parts suggestions, etc.

Thanks,
James Evans

z28evans View Member Profile	Jan 5 2012, 04:41 AM Post #1
newbie Group: Members Posts: 9 Joined: 17-October 05 From: College Station, TX Member No.: 932	Max’s Team – 1st Project (Posting over here, as I will be reading and asking many questions as the build progresses) I’m calling this Max’s Team – cars come and go, but the driving force behind them will stay. I am planning on building a car in my shop, dedicated to my son Max. The main goal is to have fun with friends and family – to build good memories. Through this project I hope to help teach others about working on cars and exposing them to different forms of racing. I look forward to making new friends and traveling to new places (under the guise of racing at out of town tracks). Friends at Corner-Carvers (www.Corner-Carvers.com) donated money, and their support was driving force for me to start this project. A little about me – I have an engineering degree from Texas A&M (class of 98’), and I have been working on equipment and cars as far back as I can remember with my dad. I am an accident reconstructor – I look at car accidents, and as part of my credentials I am an ASE master technician. Through the Texas A&M Sports Car Club (TAMSCC) I have met many talented automotive people and been exposed to many different aspects of racing. I also have many connections to local car clubs (BCSstreet & BVSB). I live in a college town, and many young people want to help and take part in racing – but they do not have the funds or know how. Several years ago I started a build – which became Bubba Drift (www.BubbaDrift.com) with many friends. We had a great time. I have never done any competitive wheel-to-wheel racing. I want to develop the skills and the seat time to be able to go racing. Here is a list of some of the events I would like to take part in, and let others drive some as well: Auto-x (we have great local events) Drag racing (the suspension will not be optimized for this though) Drifting (think of it as a large amount of seat time at an unrestricted auto-x, learning car control) Texas Mile – never been, looks like a good time Track Days – with an eye towards getting to do real wheel-to-wheel racing. Time trials & hill climbs sounds like fun as well. Real racing – probably along the lines of American Iron (AI) or American Iron Extreme (AIX). I am not real well versed in the different series and classes that are out there. Here is my current toy – we have had it for ~16 years. About 5 years ago I swapped in an LS1 & t56, it has suspension work, full interior and A/C. It is too nice and has too much sentimental value to cut it up and cage it. It has been 2 years since I have driven it at a track day, I hope to fix a few things and take it out soon. (IMG:http://www.z28evans.com/album/albums/userpics/10001/normal_DSC_2382.jpg) So, it seems natural to stick with what I like. I prefer the 3rd gen Camaro’s over 4th gens because the engine bay is easier to work in, and a few other things. I also like the LSx series of engines, and I have done several swaps into different platforms. I picked up a 1986 IROC Camaro that I found for a good price on craigslist. (IMG:http://www.z28evans.com/album/albums/userpics/10001/normal_racecar.jpg) I have a T56 that I will rebuild (I have rebuilt several before). I have an LS1 in need of a rebuild, but for the short term I think we will get a 5.3L truck motor and swap it in first (they can be had complete and running for $500). I have a nice aluminum radiator with electric fans. I will probably get a 4th gen rear end (can use some of my current wheels from the other IROC). Looking at Koni Yellow shocks, and a ground control springs / height adjuster / weight jacker setup. Probably BMR or something similar for control arms, panhard bar, k-member. Gutting the interior / removing extra weight. Will use a passenger seat and harness as well. Build a cage, paint car. Ls1 brakes on the rear, not sure on the fronts yet. I downloaded the AI/AIX rules and will read them. Getting it running driving is first. Making more HP and improving things is second. My friend Derrick has worked at HK Racing Engines for a few years and has all kinds of ideas on what engine we should build. I’d like to build a turbo setup at some point, but heat management on the track could be an issue. Thinking of this project has been a great distraction from my current situation, and I look forward to getting it into the garage and playing with it. My daughter (just turned 7) wants to help with it – for Christmas I bought her some “garage” clothes. I will post updates of the build – but I do not think they will be as nice or informative as Fair’s (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) Please feel free to comment on the build, offer parts suggestions, etc. Thanks, James Evans

z28evans View Member Profile	Feb 12 2012, 10:43 PM Post #2
newbie Group: Members Posts: 9 Joined: 17-October 05 From: College Station, TX Member No.: 932	Update – Cage Finished Derrick gets the credit for the cage – he did a great job on it. He used the tig machine on everything but the base plates. His last few years of making cages shows – nice tight fit, almost no waste. The cage was dropped through the floor to get to the top of the welds. The top was then primered and then raised up to complete the cage. There is some misc to be done before we paint the cage. Fabricating the steering mount, pedal mount, etc. As it currently sits - shop cleaned up: (IMG:http://www.z28evans.com/album/albums/uploads/maxs%20team/normal_max_team_078.jpg) Derrick welding the main hoop: (IMG:http://www.z28evans.com/album/albums/uploads/maxs%20team/normal_max_team_062.jpg) Dropped so that the tops could be welded: (IMG:http://www.z28evans.com/album/albums/uploads/maxs%20team/normal_max_team_066.jpg) David learning to cut and notch: (IMG:http://www.z28evans.com/album/albums/uploads/maxs%20team/normal_max_team_068.jpg) Derrick contorting himself to weld: (IMG:http://www.z28evans.com/album/albums/uploads/maxs%20team/normal_max_team_071.jpg) Views of the cage: (IMG:http://www.z28evans.com/album/albums/uploads/maxs%20team/normal_max_team_080.jpg) (IMG:http://www.z28evans.com/album/albums/uploads/maxs%20team/normal_max_team_082.jpg) (IMG:http://www.z28evans.com/album/albums/uploads/maxs%20team/normal_max_team_085.jpg) (IMG:http://www.z28evans.com/album/albums/uploads/maxs%20team/normal_max_team_089.jpg) Derrick can tig nicer than I can: (IMG:http://www.z28evans.com/album/albums/uploads/maxs%20team/normal_max_team_088.jpg) Need to order a steering column, pedal assembly, seat, window net, etc. Patch holes in the firewall. Scrape more junk off of the car - and then paint. I am thinking about having it sand blasted, I have someone who will do it cheap. More photos in the photo album - http://www.z28evans.com/album/thumbnails.p...m=44&page=1 James