Update II

1989 RS Camaro

Project Camaro quietly sits waiting for it's newest powerplant. The engine has been assembled over the last two months with varying degrees of setbacks that we are so used to by now. At the sametime, we needed to put together another transmission as we found that we had again broken the transmission case in the bellhousing area. Both units are now ready to go, but conflicting schedules have not allowed us to move forward.

The Engine Build or How I learned to Love Aftermarket Parts

I am throughly convinced today that unless you are just trying to get something together on a shoestring, basing your performance needs on the availability of original manufactured parts is a waste of time and money. Far better performance and durability can be had from the aftermarket today and you might be foolish to ignore the parts that are available to you.

We started with a fresh block this time, punched out to give us a few more cubes and then an aftermarket stroker crank to sweenten the deal. Cam, heads and intake were already on hand so a fresh set of rings, bearings and timing components were all that we needed to make this come together for us.

Project Camaro now sports 419 cubic inches breathing through a set of re-worked Brodix aluminium heads and a matching Edlebrock intake. On top is our Barry Grant carb except with new venturis delivering 1025 cfm. First runs with the new combination lowered the short time and 1/8 mile ET substantially and along with the changes to the rear suspension that are solidly planting the rear tires, this thing is really flying now. We fully expect to hit 9.90 range soon as just some additional tuning of the combination is needed. Other changes to the driveline that included a freshened TH350 was a slightly tighter convertor flashing to 6000 rather than the 7100 unit that was in the car previously.

And of course, we have had our setbacks too which seem to be a constant with this project. We managed to kill our first transmission, but haven't figured out why just yet. It still sits on my workbench completely disassembled. Hopefully I will figure out it's problem soon. We also had to install a new radiator to deal with the additional heat that this new combination is generating. The old one would hit 180+ just getting it out of the trailer! So a new AFCO unit was put in place and it just flat works.

Other than making a couple of changes in the car for easier maintenance there are not any additional upgrades planned at this time. Losing some weight in the car would be helpful, but there is very little room for much of a gain there as the car is stripped at this point now.

Neither Phil nor I have raced much at all this season, a lot of personal issues, monetary issues and just schedules that wouldn't fit are the basic reasons. Hopefully as we finish out 2009, we will have the chance for more track time and maybe finally pick up that first winner's check.