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Motor Trend 3rd Gen Camaro

Old Dec 27, 2023 | 06:02 PM
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Motor Trend 3rd Gen Camaro

The link is to #4 in the series however this latest release is showcasing the Speedtech front and rear suspensions. To me, it's mind blowing that this kind of stuff is being developed for our platform.
Like it or dislike, it worth a view.
Comments to follow...

Warning to those offended by the F word but Ford is also represented in the vid with a Fox body something or other.
Parts 1, 2 and 3 are out there as well.

Last edited by skinny z; Dec 27, 2023 at 06:06 PM.
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Old Dec 28, 2023 | 10:06 AM
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Re: Motor Trend 3rd Gen Camaro

The poor interior of that thirdgen. The inside of the Fox looks much nicer. Lots of neat parts under that thirdgen, some I hadn't seen before like the torque arm and transmission crossmember
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Old Dec 28, 2023 | 10:16 AM
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Re: Motor Trend 3rd Gen Camaro

Originally Posted by StevenK
Lots of neat parts under that thirdgen, some I hadn't seen before like the torque arm and transmission crossmember
That's what caught my attention. In particular the front "clip".
I've seen K-members and coil over conversions. Rack and pinion installations too. But nothing as involved as that Speedtech piece.
While I can't say for certain, I kind of think you could do the same with less for the rear end though. 9" retro-fits and modified torque arms are out there and plentiful.
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Old Dec 28, 2023 | 10:42 AM
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Re: Motor Trend 3rd Gen Camaro

too bad they don't show the installation of the front suspension... i have been looking at this. the installation is fairly involved and would nice to see the actual install

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Old Dec 28, 2023 | 10:52 AM
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Re: Motor Trend 3rd Gen Camaro

Originally Posted by alan91z28
too bad they don't show the installation of the front suspension... i have been looking at this. the installation is fairly involved and would nice to see the actual install
Me too.
Having been involved with a chassis shop for many years, I can't see this being done in an effective manner without a layout table or frame jig. Going off of the floor with a tape measure and a lift is a little crude but I've seen it done albeit on a minor level such as with subframe connectors.
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Old Dec 21, 2024 | 03:20 PM
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Re: Motor Trend 3rd Gen Camaro

Old post bump, They do show the install of the speedtech front subframe in more detail in episode 3. Interesting, A lot of cutting no going back to stock. Also could be very easy to get it "off square" by a little bit.
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Old Dec 29, 2024 | 04:49 PM
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Re: Motor Trend 3rd Gen Camaro

Originally Posted by 88Greg
Old post bump, They do show the install of the speedtech front subframe in more detail in episode 3. Interesting, A lot of cutting no going back to stock. Also could be very easy to get it "off square" by a little bit.
Battle of the 80’s: Car Craft - Mustang Vs. Camaro Pt. 3 | MotorTrend
I'd watched that from beginning to end and went back for a visit. Right away, the thing that stood out was using the lift on the bottom lock as a means to have accurate datum points. I don't think it would be repeatable once components were added or subtracted. Or not to the degree of accuracy I'd think you'd want if you're added a entirely new front subframe. There's a lot involved in that. Not to take away from the project as a whole (although I suppose I am in a way) but any work on this scale that I've been involved always used a frame jig that was never moved once the chassis was secured to it.
Still, a cool project. Especially so since it involves one of our 3rd gens.
Much better than Freiburger and Finnegan running over one with a Jeep (of some sort).

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Old Dec 30, 2024 | 05:52 AM
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Re: Motor Trend 3rd Gen Camaro

Originally Posted by skinny z
I'd watched that from beginning to end and went back for a visit. Right away, the thing that stood out was using the lift on the bottom lock as a means to have accurate datum points. I don't think it would be repeatable once components were added or subtracted. Or not to the degree of accuracy I'd think you'd want if you're added a entirely new front subframe. There's a lot involved in that. Not to take away from the project as a whole (although I suppose I am in a way) but any work on this scale that I've been involved always used a frame jig that was never moved once the chassis was secured to it.
Still, a cool project. Especially so since it involves one of our 3rd gens.
This is the biggest issue with all the manufacturers of front suspension equipment for our third gens... the UMI k member has some indicators for the frame pins but even they are undersized.... it would be great if at a minimum all the manufacturers placed a couple known indicators in their k members / speedtech front sub parts that then could be referenced to known points on the frame. i made my own frame jig when i restored my '88 Camaro as i needed to cut the car in half as the back end was so bad, but even for just normal swaping of k member etc it would be nice if a couple simple reference points and the intended cross dimensions were given...
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Old Jan 1, 2025 | 10:25 AM
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Re: Motor Trend 3rd Gen Camaro

Originally Posted by alan91z28
This is the biggest issue with all the manufacturers of front suspension equipment for our third gens..
About the only datum point information I've come across are from images like these:






As I mentioned, any chassis work we've done (and this is regarding the hot rod chassis I spent a lot of time in) was always done on a jig. Better still would be a surface plate which offers even more adaptability.
I'd trust that QA1, et al, use something similar in their development. But as you say, how that translates to the chassis at hand can often be challenging.

Last edited by skinny z; Jan 1, 2025 at 10:30 AM.
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Old Jan 1, 2025 | 10:48 PM
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Re: Motor Trend 3rd Gen Camaro

The use of a 6l80e and having to shift the engine forwards to accommodate it is so disappointing. They should have gone Magnum-F. More room, engine stays where it should be.
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