Finally got the car on the ground - F-Body Road Racing and Autocross Forums

Yesterday the Camaro finally saw asphalt for the first time since June of last year. I've been flayling on this thing for what seems like forever. Put it on the ground in the garage two nights ago, yesterday afternoon we started to roll it out. Got two wheels out of the garage and Chris tells me that the clutch pedal is on the floor and the gear won't engage. Of course there's this two inch lip for the garage, so we can't push this thing back in. And I'm thinking the worst, that the slave cylinder is shot again or something, and I can't think straight because I can't really bear the thought of the car not getting into the trailer and out of the damned garage. I was seriously despondant. I wanted to push the thing down the driveway, down the street some, and put a sign on it that said, "Free to a bad home". But then Chris talks me down, and says let's think about this logically (women! I don't want to think about it logically, I want to dent the car and break some fiberglass!), and starts describing what happened. And it sounds more and more like the pedal and not something really drastic. I look in the footwell and the clutch engagement strut has come off the pedal. I recall thinking that we needed to get a new clip, on account of I thought I lost it during the install, but then I found it, so I erased that note. But I didn't put it on. So I took one of the clips for the header bolts and shoved it on there and all was well. Chris drove it up and down the street a couple of times (which the neighbors don't appreciate but the neighbors kids really do. I asked one kid who really digs on the Camaro - he's like 5 - if he wanted a ride. He got this look of horror on his face and yelled "NO!"), washed it, and put it in the trailer. It's gone this weekend and the M3 can enjoy the garage for a while.

A little long winded, but I really am relieved.

Jason

JKnight View Member Profile	May 13 2005, 03:25 PM Post #1
Advanced Member Group: Advanced Members Posts: 813 Joined: 21-January 04 From: Santa Barbara, CA Member No.: 141	Yesterday the Camaro finally saw asphalt for the first time since June of last year. I've been flayling on this thing for what seems like forever. Put it on the ground in the garage two nights ago, yesterday afternoon we started to roll it out. Got two wheels out of the garage and Chris tells me that the clutch pedal is on the floor and the gear won't engage. Of course there's this two inch lip for the garage, so we can't push this thing back in. And I'm thinking the worst, that the slave cylinder is shot again or something, and I can't think straight because I can't really bear the thought of the car not getting into the trailer and out of the damned garage. I was seriously despondant. I wanted to push the thing down the driveway, down the street some, and put a sign on it that said, "Free to a bad home". But then Chris talks me down, and says let's think about this logically (women! I don't want to think about it logically, I want to dent the car and break some fiberglass!), and starts describing what happened. And it sounds more and more like the pedal and not something really drastic. I look in the footwell and the clutch engagement strut has come off the pedal. I recall thinking that we needed to get a new clip, on account of I thought I lost it during the install, but then I found it, so I erased that note. But I didn't put it on. So I took one of the clips for the header bolts and shoved it on there and all was well. Chris drove it up and down the street a couple of times (which the neighbors don't appreciate but the neighbors kids really do. I asked one kid who really digs on the Camaro - he's like 5 - if he wanted a ride. He got this look of horror on his face and yelled "NO!"), washed it, and put it in the trailer. It's gone this weekend and the M3 can enjoy the garage for a while. A little long winded, but I really am relieved. Jason

JKnight View Member Profile	May 14 2005, 01:40 AM Post #2
Advanced Member Group: Advanced Members Posts: 813 Joined: 21-January 04 From: Santa Barbara, CA Member No.: 141	QUOTE Ahhhh, there's nothing like breaking in a newly minted car. Relax and enjoy the buzz. Missus Knight gets to do that this weekend. I don't want to be anywhere near that, but I know that another LT1 guy (Corvette - but whatever) is going to be there. He can help out the damsel in distress when whatever I did wrong breaks. Hopefully nothing of course. QUOTE Right on Jason, This has got to put him in good running for husband of the year That's what I keep thinking! If you come by our pit make sure to say that when Chris can hear it. If you don't make it to our pit I'll drag Chris over to yours and try to steer conversation in that area. QUOTE We will be in hpde3 together, make it look like it was hard for you to pass me ok The other way around is more likely. Remember I'm used to an understeering, (relatively speaking) underpowered M3, with great traction control (which I turn off) and ABS, and a near perfect weight distribution, and a nicely designed suspension. The car makes it look easy. And the Camaro is probably only putting out 330 HP at the moment, which is a lot less than a lot of slightly modded street Camaros (that's the excuse I'm going to use when everyone is passing me). My driving gloves are blue. That way you'll know what to look for through the lexan when I'm giving you the point by. And I can't wait! I've been driving too fast on the street, which is a sure sign I need a hit! Oh, and the VP of my department is going to fly out for a ride. Should be an awesome weekend. Jason