1991 Chevrolet Camaro Racecar Build - Bad To The Blown

To conform to the rules, we needed a stock-style front suspension that would bolt in directly to the factory holes. Solving our needs is a complete Racecraft setup with its tubular control arms, K-member, drop spindles, coilover kit, camber/caster plates, Pinto rack, and bumpsteer kit. Racecraft offers a wide variety of options, including your choice between a steel or chromoly K-member, along with 1-inch-shorter control arms.

For shocks and struts the choice is yours, as Racecraft offers both single- and double-adjustable Santhuff and Konis. For our application, we opted to try VariShock's latest double-adjustable units.

Inside is all business with the endless number of chromoly bars. Chassisworks used our Camaro to design its complete 25.2 chromoly 'cage setup and includes every bar required to be NHRA certified. If you didn't already know, the 25.2 designation is what you need for sub-7.50-second passes at 3,200 pounds and legal for cars as quick as 6.0 in the quarter-mile. Over the years, rules have changed significantly; what was once good for 7.50 will now only cert to 8.50. That said, we'll be sure to come back once the 'cage is complete and go over the exact details of what you need to be NHRA legal for both the street and dedicated strip cars like ours.

Out back, everything is flat-out trick. We have the complete rearend story coming next month, so for now we'll just tell you that it's a custom-built Fab9 from Chassisworks, utilizing all Strange Engineering internals and brakes, and a full-floater assembly for added safety. The four-link setup is a Chassisworks Avenger Scalloped four-link assembly, also from that line is the Avenger splined antiroll bar, which is specifically designed for Outlaw and Pro-Mod race cars. The shocks are also from the VariShock line.

Rolling stock consists of Weld Racing's 15x12 AlumaStar 2.0 with its new black centers. If you like these, wait until you see the fronts; wrapping the wheels is a pair of 29.5x10.5 Mickey Thompson ET Drags. And because we're playing with the idea of running a few select Outlaw events, Hickok specifically wanted to go with a 3-inch backspace to accommodate the larger 33x10.5W rubber. It's worth mentioning that this is the actual ride height. Everything tucks in nicely, and with the factory lower skirts on we're about 3 inches from the ground.

The VFN dash features a one-piece construction and weighs in at 4 pounds. For this shot, we simply mocked it into place to show how well it fits out of the box. Looking at what used to be the floor, it's pretty obvious how elaborate a 25.2 chassis really is.

The fiberglass doors are also from VFN and weigh 10 pounds each. As we were mocking them on, we really appreciated the precision construction. We still have to add the Lexan windows, but that's something we'll address in the upcoming months.

VFN's one-piece IROC Z28 Pro nose features 2-inch extended rockers and weighs in at just 20 pounds.

Completing the VFN ensemble is its latest 6-inch pin-on cowl hood that extends to the windshield. The hood weighs in at 16 pounds and all together we're talking about a grand total of 60 pounds to look like a real car again. Of course, the fasteners and Lexan will add a little more, but it's nothing compared to the weight we've already shed over the factory sheetmetal. The fit is incredible, which will ultimately help reduce our costs when it comes to painting our quarter-mile sled.