I'm down for the trip. 2,203 miles one way, 33hr drive. Anyone from MI want to tag along?

Looking good Lasater!

 

Today I started on the steering shaft stabilizer. I machined a 4" piece of 1 1/4" pipe to clear a section on the "Camaro" end of the steering shaft. Then I cut into 2 halves and welded 1/8" x 1/2 x 4" ears onto the 2 pieces. This picture shows the Dyechem layout dye on the ears for the 4 holes that are drilled and tapped 10-24 threads for some allen head cap screws to hold it together. The single hole in the top is a pilot hole for the zerk fitting that will keep it lubricated. Next week-end I'll build a support that comes up from the motor mount. I'll be glad to get done with this steering setup so I can get back to the drive shaft hump fabrication. After that is done it will be time to build a longer drive shaft and a new torque arm for the rear axle.

 

Since I'm on the subject of steering, here's what I did to the wheel; first I got a black leather one and gutted it. I took all the electronics and wires out. Once the cruise control and radio switches came out I filled in the holes and re painted it. I filled in the air bag area with Great Stuff foam and removed the bow tie emblem. I machined an aluminum ring to be glued in place. Then I printed up a sticker for the horn button.

 

Very nicely done. As they say, " it's all in the details."

Jim

 

After almost 9 full days of work, the steering is complete. It turns lock to lock with no clunks or hard spots. The support bracket I made for the shaft works well. I drilled an 1 1/8" hole in it for the EGT wire to go thru. It's plenty strong and it has a zerk fitting to lube the bronze sleeve inside. I put the front bumper on it just because I was tired of tripping over it in the shop. Here is what it looks like as of today.

 

Very nice

 

Simply awesome. I didn't realize how low the drivetrain was until now.

 

If the drive train of a car is it's muscle, then it's wiring harness has to be it's DNA. I just finished removing all of the wiring on the V8 HHR, here it is laid out on the ground. Tomorrow I begin removing the complete wiring harness from the donor Camaro. Once that is done I will lay them side by side and begin splicing the HHR ends on to the Camaro harness. It will be a complete wiring change to the Camaro. Computers and all. I guess the HHR V8 Panel will have Camaro DNA

 

Way more fun this way!! and very cool bumper setup!

 

i know its been said before..but i wish there was a v6 or even a v8 version from GM
this is so awesome, keep up the good work!