Cascade Crew

Twilightoptics · Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2007 11:44 pm Post subject: So what are "big people hours?"

Well some of you know that I was working at a hotrod shop part time about a month ago. Trying desperately to use my degree in welding and get out of retail life.

Well, they hired me full time. It's not much more money than I make at the grocery store (which I'm topped out without going to management), but I'll bring more $$ home. The shop pays my benefits after 90 days, no union dues. Good deal!

It's a small shop and we do everything but paint and upholstery. From brakes and tune ups to .... yes.... LS1 Swaps! This is my first full week. Nicest bunch of guys. It's where I had my T56 serviced a year and a half ago. Mon-Fri 8-5pm. I'll be working at Safeway for two days out of the middle of the week to get some extra income for the holidays and utilize my paid holidays. After the first of the year... POOF... I'm gone!

Here are some pictures capturing some of what I've done so far.

This is the custom racecar frame with a 32 Willys glass body. I welded the cage.

Air Cleaner I made for a hummer knockoff to replace the 5"Dia air cleaner that it had. Breathes great now!

Here is a NEW Dynacorp '69 Camaro body that has been cut for a T56 crossmember (piece just behond the shifter hole.) I cut the floor boards for some seriously intricut subframe connectors.

Very spendy 4 link rear axle with fully adjustable koni coil overs.

Check out this hydroformed subframe and suspension for this camaro!

Subframe Connectors all installed and welded and attached to the subframe.

Today I put on 4 wheel disc BAER brakes. 12 3/4" x 1 1/4" Rotors in the front. Sweet little setup to fit behind a wheel.... that can be up to 10" wide no problem with this subframe.

Overshot of part of the shop. Lots of sweet stuff going on. The 68 Maro got ALL new wiring. We're building the '50 Chevy stepside on the left. The red Studabaker needs final assembly.

It's way fun and way cool. When my shift is over I just don't want to go home!

Anyhow. I've been working about 60 hours a week for the last month so there hasn't been much action on the chevette. Now that I have days off... WEEKENDS OFF!!!! To be specific... I'll be getting back into my stuff.

And for those of you that knew about my Willy Wonka adventure in K-Falls over labor day. O. Nork decided not to show! Victory is mine!

Ciao for now!
-Paul

83Z28BlackBetty · Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2007 12:54 am Post subject:

SWEET! that is great Paul! He's all growd up now *sniff* we are so proud of you!

~JAKE

Xophertony · Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2007 2:35 am Post subject:

paul, i also work regular days now. (mine are more like 3-9) and have weekends off. anytime you want me for wire help with the chevette shoot me a text/PM

i have all next week off too!

Quasi-Traction · Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2007 4:27 am Post subject:

You have no idea how much I want your job paul.....

sounds like you've been a busy guy!

I'll second what tony says, and if you want to do any work on the chevette, gimmie a buzz.

I need something to do over winter break anyhow.... Rolling Eyes

rjmcgee · The Hammer Joined: 08 Jan 2004 Posts: 2328

Looks great Paul. Nothing quite like enjoying your job. Smile

Dewey316 · Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2007 9:15 am Post subject:

Cool Paul !!! Glad it is working out for you.

BTW, Tell you boss to make the axle side of the panhard adjustable on that camaro, so they can set the rear roll center.

--John

blue89 · Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2007 10:32 am Post subject:

Schultzy89GTA · Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2007 11:53 am Post subject:

Good for you man. Glad that you are happy and things are working out well. I was checking out that '69 when I was over there. That is going to be one sweet ride.

-Schultzy

scott in wa. · Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2007 11:55 am Post subject: WOW

Holy crap, that’s great.
You are well on your way to opening your own shop some day.
Iam jealous....
Congrats.
This is a huge step, if you want to make some money in the hot rod car business.
Fantastic....
Ya never know, some of your stuff could end up in hot rod magazine.

Scott

Al Hasse · Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2007 12:21 pm Post subject:

That's awesome. Looks like you found yourself a great place to work. Some fine looking piesces in there too.

Xophertony · Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2007 12:48 pm Post subject:

paul, whats the name of your shoppe?

91RSVert · Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2007 1:16 pm Post subject:

I just need an aftermarket panhard BRACE. Mines freakin rusted to...

But an axle side panhard mount is needed too.

Xophertony · Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2007 1:27 pm Post subject:

is that an LS in that 69 maro?

Dewey316 · Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2007 1:30 pm Post subject:

The brackets are fine, but if they had a couple of inches in adjustment, he could modify the rear roll center height. With the coil overs, if they lower the car further, the front roll center height will change, but the rear will not. With the adjustment built in, they can change the rear roll height also, so that as ride changes, you can tune it to be balanced, otherwise you are going to need to raise the front spring rates as the ride height drops, to keep the feel of the car balanced.

I won't even start talking about jacking effect....

--John

Jenn · Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2007 4:42 pm Post subject:

uber congrats!

(on stickin it to "the man" too!!!)

Kage87Z · Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2007 5:22 pm Post subject:

Where

Is

This

Place.

Twilightoptics · Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2007 5:41 pm Post subject:

The place is called "The Garage" in downtown Vancouver.

http://www.garagemotorsports.com/

Guys... the panhard is adjustable. I don't see why you need both sides to spin. As are the 4 link control arms. It's a spherical end that's adjustable onto a poly end. Except it's not just a straight piece of tube. It's some new deisgn made to be a comfort ride thing. The tube the spherical is attached to spins freely from the poly end. Some kind of greased bushing in there keeps the poly end and the tube attached. So it's all fully adjustable. Ride height hasn't been set at all. All 4 corners are adjustable ride height.

And yes. That's a BRAND NEW LS in the '69 maro bolted infront of a brand new viper T56. Even has the little snake logo on the housing!

Dewey316 · Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2007 5:43 pm Post subject:

I know it is adjustable lenght, I am talking about having the mounting point adjustable. When I get home tonight, I'll post a picture of what I mean.

--John

Twilightoptics · Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2007 5:45 pm Post subject:

I see what you're saying. Don't think that's going to happen. The customer paid an ungodly amount of money for that axle housing setup/arms.

Dewey316 · Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2007 5:56 pm Post subject:

It probably won't matter much, he likely isn't actualy racing that car. With everything else being so adjustable, it would be nice to set the rear roll center.

Hey, do you guys have 4 corner scales there? I really need to corner-weight my car before I get it aligned, after I do the brakes.

--John