Original passion, reborn! RamAirZ history lesson, lotsa pics

[RamAirZ]

Well, as some of you know, Camaro's (and muscle/classic cars in general) are my passion. Have been since I can remember (thanks dad!). I've built ALOT of cars (for myself and others) but Camaro's have been my "thing" for a long long time. Here are a few of my past versions (not counting parts cars lol):

My first one:
http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/192036_42_full.jpg

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/192036_67_full.jpg

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/192036_71_full.jpg

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/192036_46_full.jpg

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/192036_49_full.jpg

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/192036_69_full.jpg

My 2nd one:
http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/irocprimer.jpg

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/studgirdles.jpg

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/newexhaust2.jpg

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/irocinterior.jpg

This plate was on my first one too, hence my screenname.
http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/statewiderear.jpg

After LS1/T56 swap (built my own longtubes for this one)
http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/LS1almostdone.jpg

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/irocstatewide1.jpg

One I designed and built for my old shop:
http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/l_aeda7c08d21c8d0c67cb8f49423881a3.jpg


My 70' SS when I got it
http://c1.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/54/l_4786c2f4b994404a9729053033060d10.jpg

fresh 454 built by yours truely
http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/IMG_3594.jpg

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/brakes.jpg


Well, I couldn't hold out anymore. I have to continue the tradition of RamAirZ!!! (that custom plate is on it's way too!)

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/1999%20Camaro%20Z28/IMG_5530.jpg

[RamAirZ]

This was when I first got her:
http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/1999%20Camaro%20Z28/photo5-1.jpg

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/1999%20Camaro%20Z28/camaronew1.jpg

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/1999%20Camaro%20Z28/camaronew3.jpg

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/1999%20Camaro%20Z28/camaronew2.jpg

I wasn't a big fan of the cowl hood so I traded to a local guy for a new ramair hood that he had purchased. I cut out the holes and made some billet grilles to match the one in my front bumper (Thanks Cronk!!!):

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/1999%20Camaro%20Z28/holecut1.jpg

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/1999%20Camaro%20Z28/holecut2.jpg

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/1999%20Camaro%20Z28/newgrilles2.jpg

Ordered some new rear tires for it as well. It currently has 17's front and 18's rear, gonna order a set of 18's for the front to match and use the 17's as my drag wheels:
http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/1999%20Camaro%20Z28/newtires1.jpg

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/1999%20Camaro%20Z28/newtires2.jpg

[RamAirZ]

Picked up a set of 17x4.5's for the front for when I go to the strip:
http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/1999%20Camaro%20Z28/gtospares.jpg

Got the new tires mounted today and decided to take some pics:
http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/1999%20Camaro%20Z28/IMG_5519.jpg

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/1999%20Camaro%20Z28/IMG_5520.jpg

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/1999%20Camaro%20Z28/IMG_5521.jpg

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/1999%20Camaro%20Z28/IMG_5522.jpg

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/1999%20Camaro%20Z28/IMG_5523.jpg

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/1999%20Camaro%20Z28/IMG_5524.jpg

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/1999%20Camaro%20Z28/IMG_5527.jpg

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/1999%20Camaro%20Z28/IMG_5529.jpg

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/1999%20Camaro%20Z28/IMG_5513.jpg

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/1999%20Camaro%20Z28/IMG_5514.jpg

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/1999%20Camaro%20Z28/IMG_5512.jpg

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/1999%20Camaro%20Z28/IMG_5515.jpg

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/1999%20Camaro%20Z28/IMG_5516.jpg

The business end, with new intake for fully funtional hood!
http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/1999%20Camaro%20Z28/IMG_5518.jpg


And finally, a house divided!
http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/1999%20Camaro%20Z28/IMG_5455.jpg

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/1999%20Camaro%20Z28/IMG_5456.jpg

I'll continue to update this thread as I go. I'm looking for a cheap Zu' to replace the VX and be a trail only rig. I love it that this thing gets 24mpg!! :twisted: Ity'll eventually become a weekend car and by then the power steering, a/c etc will be out and a giant front mount turbocharger will be taking up that space under the hood, but for now I'm working on a 370ci 6.0L block, L92 heads with LS3 intake manifold, custom cam with a plate kit. Shooting for 10's on motor and 9's on the bottle.

[VX KAT]

Man it's rainin' Camaros 'round yer joint! Black one on the street , red one in the garage :_thinking (and I KNOW it's not the mustang in that one pic...)

Looks nice :thumbup:...always been partial to '69s myself! I remember asking my Dad somewhere around age 10 (1970) if I could buy a NEW 1969 Camaro when I got old enough to drive..he then explained how they make a new model each year and I'd have to buy a used one....my first automotive disappointment...:laugho:

Get another VX Dallas!!!! We're waiting!

[Bob Barker]

fooie!

But I like your wife's mustang!

[RamAirZ]

The red one in the garage is the same black one, my brother in-law is painting it. He's changing the stripe color to red on it too. He needs to ditch those wheels lol. I'm planning on buying a 1st gen (67-69) vert for myself eventually, want to paint it Cortez silver with black stripes. I think when I do the motor swap on my current one I'll paint it sunset orange metallic. I'm keeping my eyes out on the Zu' front right now. I'll be back in one eventually. haha, I like the wifes stang too. Needs work but got it dirt cheap and it currently has a nasty 302 in it.

[ZEUS]

I gotta say man... you traded down IMHO. That's how I roll too! Went back to my roots after the VX cuz nothing else grabbed my attention enough!

[RickOKC]

I love that new hood! What's going on at the back near the windshield - heat extractor?

[RamAirZ]

There are vents in the rear of the hood under the "cowl" area of it. I like the new hood too, I was 50/50 on it until I saw it on this one:

https://netfiles.uiuc.edu/nbrinkw2/Boosted_List/boosted_06_images/Navy%20David%20SS.JPG

And Zeus, traded down to you but not to me :) I lose certain things from the VX but gain others (power, mpg, handling, cargo space lol).

[ZEUS]

Yeah I know... I can't wait to see what you come up with for mounting your CB antenna on the Z!!! LOL

[RamAirZ]

lol, I've got 3 different threads to show how I did it

[ZEUS]

You're rollin on Z06 wheels aren't you? Oh yeah and one has to ask, with that many Camaros around... do you have a mullet?

[RamAirZ]

I'm working on it, I used to have a shirt that said Got Mullet? but the wife tossed it in the trash. And yes, I have Z06 wheels.

[VX KAT]

BTW, what year is that new sled ya just got?


p.s...ya better change your profile since you're VX-less now...

[RamAirZ]

lol. I'll change it soon. It's a 99' Z28.

[Bob Barker]

Yeah, change ur profile you poser!

[RamAirZ]

bite me neuter king

[VXR]

You're rollin on Z06 wheels aren't you? Oh yeah and one has to ask, with that many Camaros around... do you have a mullet?

LOL now that there is funny! :yesb:

[Luna X]

I believe he would have to own an IROC to qualify for wearin' a mullet... ;)

[RamAirZ]

lol well then I USED to have one

[Luna X]

lol well then I USED to have one

me too...I owned a brand spankin' new TransAm back in '87... which did translate to long hair... :)

[ZEUS]

"...Not that there's anything wrong with that..." lol

[RamAirZ]

^ hahahahaha


http://www.supermotors.org/getfile/292103/fullsize/camaro5db.jpg

[ZEUS]

BUWAHAHAHA!!! That's disgusting and beautiful all at the same time! :D

[RamAirZ]

thought you'd like it

[VX KAT]

I believe he would have to own an IROC to qualify for wearin' a mullet... ;)

Dave had a '91 IROC-Z convertible when I met him....if he ever had any hair/mullet, either the convertible blew it away or the Texas sun burned it right off! :laugho:

[vt_maverick]

As a one-time owner of a POS 1984 V6 Camaro, I want to know how you went from the super crap stock interior (window dressed nicely in the first pic) to what's in the second pic? That is an AMAZING upgrade... surely that wasn't the dash they upgraded to later in the 80's?

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/192036_49_full.jpg

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/irocinterior.jpg

[RamAirZ]

That dash is out of a 93+ firebird and the console is out of a 98+ camaro/firebird. My friend Chris molded the dash to get rid of the air bad and all the AC vents and made the pods for the gauges. He also deleted the HVAC control area and it was used for the various switches for the car. I also deleted the 93+ headlight switch and put my shift light there. In the first pic I swapped out the stock console for a 3rd gen firebird radio pod and a 98+ console, looked better and gives you 4 cupholders. Compared to the 0 that you got originally lol.

[vt_maverick]

So I assume the car was for show/race only; deleting HVAC in Florida seems like a BAD idea.

[RamAirZ]

No, I was young and didn't care lol. It had t-tops and windows that rolled down, I was good. I'd drive it all over the place. I carried a towel with me for the humid/rainy nights to make sure the windows didn't get fogged up. It was fast and would pull the tires off the ground on the street, that's all that really mattered at the time

[vt_maverick]

I hear you, the AC didn't work in my Camaro and I couldn't afford to have it fixed (I was 17 and saving for college at the time). Lots of memories of hot summer nights in NC...

[RamAirZ]

true that. Mine worked in my first one but my temp gauge would shoot up when I used it so I just never did. When I got a little more car knowledge I decided to diagnose it myself and turns out it was something in the gauge circuit cuz it'd be sitting at 180-190 on a different gauge when mine said 250! I still rarely used it, ttops were off at all times unless it was raining

[vt_maverick]

Would have loved to have had T tops, here's hoping that trend comes back someday. FWIW, I would love to see a restyled version of the 80's IROC Z28 T top Camaro succeed the current 60's redo model someday. I love the new look, but someday Detroit WILL have to stop repackaging 60's designs (and therefore move onto the 80's). :)

[RamAirZ]

True that. I'm one of the few that REALLY love that body style. I actually would love to own an 84' like this:

http://media.motortopia.com/files/10556/vehicle/47a292daac949/IMG_4970_crop.jpg

[ZEUS]

^^^ I like that one but in black! ^^^ YESH!

[RamAirZ]

Ya same here

[VX KAT]

Dallas you check out the current cover story on AutoWeek (October25, 2010)?
"Camaro Corral -Three trick ponies 1,800 HP by SLP" with a short history side article, including your body style.
I'll send it to ya if ya want.

[RamAirZ]

Ya send it over, that'd be sweet. Did they have the early Firehawk in there?

[VX KAT]

Ya send it over, that'd be sweet. Did they have the early Firehawk in there?

PM me your addy...

The short history is of SLPs performance timeline, and it includes one Firehawk, 2002....oh, and a red 1991 too.

I LOVE the new Camaros! It's like my childhood wish could come true one day. My high school heartthrob had the white with orange stripes.....oh man I loved that but I want a bright red SS.
One Canadian VXer (mrtew - check out his gallery pics) got one real early (kinda the orangey/red), and I think he said he had a part in its development too. How cool is that?

[RamAirZ]

PM sent. I really liked this Firehawk:

http://www.incom-racing.com/articles/SLPFirehawk/firehawk.html

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s145/willi44225/Firehawk%20General/9296firehawks025.jpg

[VX KAT]

Did you ever check out this thread?
Post 9 and 17
http://www.vehicross.info/forums/showthread.php?t=17895&highlight=camaro

[RamAirZ]

Never saw that thread, man some of the cars were gorgeous

[Triathlete]

If your going to get a new Camero you should get a NEW CAMARO (http://www.hennesseyperformance.com/hpe1000camaro.html)!:bwgy:

[ZEUS]

You just always have to out-do don't ya Billy!? LOL

[vt_maverick]

If your going to get a new Camero you should get a NEW CAMARO (http://www.hennesseyperformance.com/hpe1000camaro.html)!:bwgy:

Mmmm... :drool2:

http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/yhst-54734705425182/hpe1000-motion.jpg

Nice find Billy!

[VX KAT]

If your going to get a new Camero you should get a NEW CAMARO (http://www.hennesseyperformance.com/hpe1000camaro.html)!:bwgy:

:yeso: "Yes please!" :drool2:

[Triathlete]

You just always have to out-do don't ya Billy!? LOL

All I need is the lottery!:yesy:

[RamAirZ]

That black one I posted was twin turbo fyi :)