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Rear Lowering Springs & Shocks

May 8, 2015

Time: Approximately 2 hours

Tools: standard socket set, standard wrenches, floor jack and jackstands

Cost: $200-$250

Tinware: one pair of rear lowering springs, one pair of matching shock absorbers

Tip: When working underneath a car supported by jackstands, always do so on a flat level surface. Chock the remaining wheels on the ground for added safety.

Performance gains: a more positive, responsive rear suspension with improved handling and a smoother ride

Posted in Camaro and Technical

Under Hood Restoration

May 8, 2015

If you’re content with a clean looking daily driver, or if you display your car at shows but leave the hood shut, there’s probably no need for you to tackle this project. After all, who sees the underside of your hood? However, if you’re proud of all that effort you’ve put into detailing out your engine bay, you’ll want to pay attention to this.

The underside of this car’s hood was super nasty, never having been touched in over 4 decades. With the hood removed, now was the time to get down and dirty, and restore the underside to its factory fresh appearance.

1969 and 1970 Cougar Eliminators

May 8, 2015

“I own 3 Cougars: a 1969 CJ Eliminator, 1969 CJ convertible, and a 1970 Eliminator (standard 351C-4V). It is not because I am a rich collector. I am just frugal. I bought the CJ Eliminator new in June 1969 and just held on to it. I bought the 1970 Eliminator in 1972 when the two-year lease ran out (it has been my daily driver for a lot of years), and the ‘69 Convertible I bought as a retirement present to myself in 1994.

Water Pump and Pulley Install

May 8, 2015

Time: 2 hours

Tools: standard socket set, standard wrenches, gasket scraper, long screwdriver or pry bar

Cost: approximately $50-$150 for the pump, $25-$50 for the pulley

Tinware: new performance water pump and gaskets (supplied), deep-groove water pump pulley (optional).

Tip: never reuse old coolant. Over time it can chemically breakdown and actually harm and attack the internals of your cooling system.

Performance gains: a lighter (aluminum), more reliable, higher-flowing cooling system

Tri-5s At The Atlanta Motorama!

Apr 24, 2015

Well, the 2nd annual Atlanta Motorama has come and gone. There were plenty of awesome cars for all to see, unfortunately the weather didn't cooperate. On and off again rain showers most of the day Saturday (April 18th), and a full-on downpour on Sunday really put a damper on things.

We managed to snap a few pics however. Here's a sampling of some of the wonderful Tri-5 Chevys we saw– in between the drops. Fortunately, a few of these beauties were indoors, out of the inclement weather.

Dual Exhaust Installation

Apr 24, 2015

This 1969 Chevelle Malibu has certainly seen better days. With the 350 cube, 2-bbl. V8, this car originally came with a single exhaust system. Passable (but just barely) performance wasn’t good enough, so we elected to install a full dual exhaust system. This would not only help the engine breath easier, it would give us a nice, mellow muscle car sound.

Collector Car Insurance

Apr 24, 2015

You’ve been preparing for this show all year. Your hotel reservations have been made for months and you and your buddies came out a day early to make sure you’d get to the show early to secure the best spots. You haven’t been working on her all year to park her in the back row. Waking up this morning wasn’t hard, even though falling asleep last night was. You quickly scan the hotel room to make sure you have everything you need. Polish– check. Favorite cloth– check. Keys– check. You’re all set. You grab a coffee and a Danish from the lobby and you and the boys are on your way. As you leave, everyone teases you about winning best in show, but you know it’s yours. You get out to the parking lot and everyone disperses to their rightful vehicles. You look at the spot where you’d left her the night before. It’s empty. You stop dead in your tracks and blink in disbelief, quickly convincing yourself that you must have forgotten about moving her. Panic starts to set in. Your heart is racing, palms sweating. You frantically scan the parking lot and she’s nowhere in sight. This cannot be happening.

Shimming Your Rear Springs

Apr 24, 2015

Time: 1 hour

Tools: standard socket set, standard wrenches

Cost: Fabrication costs will vary, but expect to pay around $20-$30 to have them made. If you purchase your own material ahead of time, factor in about another $10.

Tinware: A small plate of aluminum stock- 6061 aircraft alloy is the most common and the least expensive.

Tip: You can save some money by making the shims yourself if you have a wide assortment of hole saws or a knockout punch. They may not produce the cleanest results, but will work nonetheless.

Performance gains: none, just the peace of mind knowing your car is sitting level and straight

Posted in Camaro and Technical

1965 El Camino: The Story

Apr 22, 2015

It seems that all our old cars have a “Story”, and my ’65 El Camino story really starts back in 1964. Fresh out of high school, I had read in the September ’64 issue of Motor Trend that the Malibu was to be made available with the optional L79 327 Corvette engine, 12 bolt rear end and a 4-speed. I took the plunge, borrowed some money and ordered a Danube Blue ’65 Malibu with those aforementioned options. I had it by Thanksgiving. I had to sell that car a year later for cash to start college and have regretted losing it ever since– even though it was the certainly the right thing to do at the time.

1967 El Camino: My California Shop Truck

Apr 22, 2015

Russ Almand built this class-winning ’67 El Camino his way, by himself

My El Camino was purchased in March, 2008 as a project truck for $2700. The guy that I bought it from had shipped it from California but had lost his job and had to sell it. It had been built in the Fremont, CA plant.