WIP: 70.5 Camaro Pro Mod Drag Car

[hakkfan]

I've had a lot of people ask me about my drag cars and ask me why I never built a Pro Mod. More than anything I had so many NHRA cars I wanted to do, I never really paid much attention to them. After getting beat up for so long, I finally decided to try one. I picked up a handful of bodies from Slixx until I found one that made me smile. This is the Flashpoint Resins 70.5 Camaro. Dave S can probably correct me, but I think this is based off of a Cynergy Racing body. These cars run with either Nitrous systems or blowers and injectors. To give you an idea of what I'm talking about, here is Rod Pearce's car built by Matheis Race Cars out in Missouri. This is a Nitrous car. mine will be blown, but so far I'm basing everything off of it. My chassis will be just like this one.





And here's the body with some clean up done. My plan is to get this one to go back together when finished. Doors that will open and close, and the hood that will go back on. I'd like to be able to show it all opened up or completely buttoned up, race ready.

Once I get the chassis done I'll start cutting it apart.





One of the first things I started working on was a new clutch can and Lenco transmission. These are two separate pieces, just tacked together. Both were machined on both the lathe and the mill. This will get a lot more stuff added to it as things progress. You can also see a small start to the completely scratch built chassis.





And here's my favorite part so far. My first set of machined wheels. After a lot of coaching from my buddy Dave Sherman and a lot of cheerleading, I was able to produce an almost matching set of rear wheels, wheel centers, and bead locks. These will get some more bolt details once I get another order from Scale Hardware in. The bead locks took roughly 45 minutes each to make. The wheels probably took and hour to an hour and a half each, and the centers were probably another hour and a half each. Lots of labor, but man, you can't beat the results. Once installed in the slicks and detailed out, they should look really cool! Now I just gotta make the two fronts. ;D







I worked slowly on t he chassis, area by area until it started to come together. I still have a bit more to go. I need to finish the funny car cage, add all the tabs and brackets, and a few more bars. But the bulk of it is done and fits the body really well.













I also got the rear end under way. The center section is a resin piece from TEM. I removed all their brackets and added my own PE ones mounted on aluminum tubing. I still need to add a few more tabs and this will be ready for paint.

[hakkfan]

Like I've said before, I really want to improve on my final product when it comes to these doorslammers. I want my doors to open and close with ease, and for the front clip to go on and off with no issues. I'd like to be able to have the car look complete, and then five seconds later be all opened up like they normally are.

I got back to the chassis first. Lots of test fitting, measuring and luck I was able to get the rear portion of the body mounted to the chassis and establish where my door pivots would be. Hinges were added to the chassis, and the connectors to the doors. I've got some mini magnets coming this week that I will embed in the doors so when they shut, they will be held tight. Until a bit of pressure to pop them open, then they will swing open nicely.

Here's how it's looking after two days of work.











I've also been working on the rear suspension. Big thanks to the Shermanator here for helping me get it all sorted out. I was close but his help and photos really made the difference.

I scratch built a new wheelie bar from styrene and shot it with various Alclads. The rod ends are RB. The diff was painted and I machined up a new set of hubs/rotors as well as a new upper wishbone. It's actually still floating right now, but once everything is assembled, it will be mounted permanently.







The chassis is almost complete too. All of the mounts are added, as well as a new sheet plastic firewall. Just a few more small things and it will be ready for paint and clear.







I went with Tamiya TS38 Gunmetal for the chassis decanted it and shot the whole thing in two coats. Then one even coat of PPG clear.

I also made up the small tranny tunnel from K&S aluminum tubing and some Detail master #4 hard line. I need to paint the crimp tubes chassis color, then it can be installed.

[hakkfan]

I was out of town all weekend, but managed to have a pretty productive Sunday afternoon after I got back. Before I had left for the weekend, I had made up myself a simple jig to hold the chassis and rear end in place so I could hook up the 4 bar rear suspension without things moving all over the place on me. I marked center line and both axle lines on a thick sheet of sheet plastic then taped that to a ceramic tile.

I used plastic strip to get the chassis set at the proper ride height, and then set the chassis and rear end in place. The rear end was all hooked up with RB Motion 1504 rod ends, and Scale Hardware bolts. I still need to add all the nuts to the other side as well as some PE nut and bolt details. Even with the jig the process of hooking all this up is still like juggling a handful of worms. I was happy to finally get all four bars on as well as the wishbone and wheelie bars.

Here's the jig.



And with everything in place and the rear end hooked up. Still need to finish the rear sway bar, rear coil overs, and brakes.





Here's the small tab the holds the front end in place. I've also got my front end all plotted out and will get to that soon.



With the slicks on and the body pinned in place, I wanted to get an idea of how my stance ended up. It's a bit lower than I wanted, but I don't think it hurts anything. I could always switch to Pegasus slicks to get the rear a touch higher if I want.





And the thing I'm most proud of for today. With my buddy Dave Sherman coaching, I attempted a new challenge I've never even thought about before. Machining my own engine. Here's the block after about three hours of machining time. I haven't done any clean of or fine tuning yet. This is right off the mill. Once I get a package from Dave this week, I'm going to get started on the heads, valve covers and manifold. I made a few small errors, but nothing that will be seen after more stuff gets added. I'm still in shock that this thing actually came off of my machine. But it's all a credit to Sherline machines, and Dave's outstanding knowledge and advice. So thanks Dude!







And finally, here's how things are sitting at the moment. Still a huge amount of work to go. But it's starting to look like a Pro Mod!







Thanks for looking!
Clay

[ales]

This is so beyond anything I can dream of achieving detail-wise! Simply amazing.

[gionc]

Superb.

[Jordypop]

this is unbelievable, i can't imagine the time you put in on this thing the detail is insane great job!

[f40]

Great work. You have great skills.Stunning !!!!!

[MPWR]

Originally Posted by hakkfan

Lots of labor, but man, you can't beat the results.

Yeah, that about says it.

Those wheels are terrific. (Personally, I always find the first one fun. But making that second or fourth copy is something else....)

I'm really looking forward to seeing the engine painted and plumbed. That's some very impressive work.

[LeeABC]

FANTASTIC! enough said.

[Drift F.C]

This car is EPIC! Those wheels are just awesome!

[hakkfan]

Thank you very much for the replies!

Last night was cylinder head night. I laid these out side by side and did as much as I could without moving them. Then I flipped the aluminum chunk on it's side and did the exhaust ports. Once those were finished I flipped it back over and parted them off. I still need to drill the fuel line holes in the back, but these are pretty well ready. A quick mock up just for fun.











I've still got other things to machine, but I think I may take the night off from metal and work on the car some.

Thanks again for looking.

Clay

[Eric Cole]

Very, very impressive so far, Clay. Wheels look awesome. Great work.

[da_ashman]

Amazing as per usual!! That gearbox & engine is amazing
How so you get your Roll cages so clean looking. I mean all the joins look flawless, do you use filler around the joins?

[MidMazar]

I always was fascinated by your scratch building skills on the lathe. I have to thank you for sharing your work with us and the steps you take to get a master piece put together. I love it already in its mock up stage. Not to sound corny, but your work is very inspirational!

[willimo]

Oh my heck!

Your builds are always inspiring. As amazing as your work is - and it is, so very amazing - the most stunning thing bit is the chassis jig! I love the work, I love the process, this is so great! I can't wait to see more!