New Project – 33 Ford
We can’t wait to get into this one.
We’ve purchased a Factory Five 33 Ford Kit and have got some big plans.
Stay tuned for more updates.
In the mean time, check out a video to kick things off… or visit the Factory Five Web site for more information about the kit.
Tiger Cage Install
The Popular Hot Rodding Project G28 has been a popular and fun project that we have were very fortunate to have been included in.
Recently, we took the chance to upgrade the car with our new 2nd Gen Camaro TigerCage.
We didn’t perform this install in some super equipped professional garage. Nope, we did it right in the parking lot of the GoodGuys show – during the show. The install went smooth and the cage was in before the show was over and the car even got to run the autocross.
Check out the video of the install:
New Display Chassis for Power Tour
We’ve built a new chassis for the display we will be using on the 09 Power Tour. We started with a 1972 Chevelle, and added all our latest & greatest products. What we ended up with is so cool, it would be a shame to cover it with a body.
First there is the TigerCage (now available for A-body applications), then we installed our all new Double Adjustable, Remote Reservoir, Gas Pressure, Mono-Tube ShockWaves (We call them the Titanium Series) mounted on our StrongArm tubular control arms and backed up with our MuscleBars front and rear (the front is our all new modular design).
The air suspension is brought to life with a 3 gallon AirPod system with LevelPRO auto leveling system (did we mention the Titanium ShockWaves have built in Internal Infrared Ride Height Sensors?).
To finish things off, we called Baer Brakes and they set us up with a sampling of Brake components to get us rolling on the BFG tires.
Come on out and see us on the tour, and take some time to play with the fully operational air suspension system on this awesome chassis, cause who knows how long we can wait before we build a car on top of it…
New Garage
We moved our ridetechGARAGE area to the new building. Come with us as we show you the new home for our projects.
Gear Vendors Overdrive Install
While the 66 Chevelle was out on the west coast it spent some time at the Gear Vendors shop. They installed an under/overdrive unit in the car.
We decided to give the 700R4 and Gear Vendors combo a try to see if we can get a better gear range for autocross use. After running the Del Mar GoodGuys event, we are please to say it was a great addition to the car.
It also has the advantage of providing better fuel economy and increased performance in a wide range of applications.
Check out the video below for more details:
Master Mechanic Piece Theater
Our newest “personality” here at the shop, Angus McRide, takes us on a cultural journey into “Master Mechanic Piece Theater”.
Enjoy…
Velocity Camaro – Engine Install
If you have been following along, you may have noticed we’re doing alot of engine work. We just finished up the installation of a brand new 383 engine in the 66 Chevelle after the last one expired in a dramatic fashion late in the season last year.
Having learned our lesson, and knowing the abuse we put the Velocity Camaro through last summer, it was decided a close inspection and “refreshing” of the 600+HP LS engine was a good idea – insurance if you will.
Well the engine is back from World Products and the transmission is back from Bowler. They have found their way back into the car and with a little more work, they will once again be propelling the Velocity Camaro.
66 Chevelle Engine Swap – Part 4
The engine install is done, and now it is time for the fun part. We get to take the Chevelle out and put a little “stress” to it.
This car is going to be loaded up and sent out to Costa Mesa for the first Good-Guys show of the year. It will be autocrossed and we want to make sure it is ready for duty.
66 Chevelle Engine Swap – Part 3
The engine is in the car and running. Still some work to do to get everything to fit – without punching a hole in the hood.
66 Chevelle Engine Swap – Part 2
The new 383 gets unwrapped and ready to install. The dyno info from GearHead Performance shows 440HP – enough to get the job done.
66 Chevelle Engine Swap – Part 1
To say this car & engine have paid their dues would be an understatement. After countless runs through autocross events, days on end of open track use, and thousands of miles of highway driving, the 383 gave upon the last day of the last autocross last year in Texas.
The injuries were terminal, including a large window in the block.
To get the Chevelle back on the road & track, we’re installing a new 383 400+HP engine. We’re working fast, because this car is once again making the trip to the west coast for the opening of the 2009 GoodGuys season.
Check back soon for more updates.
YES! We have got the ZF in the GSX!!
I won’t say that it just fell in, cuz that would be a lie. But I will say that Rockland Standard Gear (who we got the ZF trany from) was extremely helpful through every step of the process.
Being how we were putting the ZF behind a 455 in the big Buick and being that we didn’t know of anyone specifically that had done that before, it was a learning experience to say the least.
The biggest hurdle was the bell housing, the one we had in the car was 5/8 of an inch deeper than the Quicktime bell we got with the ZF. Ya see no one makes an exact bell to go from a 455 to a ZF, but Quicktime did supply the best option possible and one call to them we were able to get the half inch spacer we needed. We then made a step pilot bushing to address the difference there and bing-bahdah-boom.
Of course we also got the opportunity to built a new crossmember for the trany since the ZF normally is attached to a torque tube in the C4’s. That and some floor mods and we were rockin’!
The ZF is smooth and fun to drive. You can bang it through the gears and leave the needle on six grand with no worries. It’ll make this car a whole lot more fun to drive!
Here are some photos showing the install:
