1991 Chevrolet Camaro Racecar Build Body

There's a lot to be done before we can hit the tarmac, but we'll be here showcasing every step of the journey. In the months to come you can expect a number of detailed stories, from the rearend to the engine assembly, with dyno results. Until then, here's a sneak peek of what we're doing and the people involved making it happen. We'll continue reporting on our exposé with the radial Nova, but for the next chapter, Chevy High Performance is going 10.5 racing with Hickok Race Cars, baby!

Quick Notes
The Car
Back-halved third-gen Camaro

The Builder
Bill Hickok of Hickok Race Cars

The Plan
Compete in our local WCHRA series (westcoasthotrod.com)

  • 1991 Chevrolet Camaro Racecar Build Stock Style Front Suspension
    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.
    To conform to the rules, we needed a stock-style front suspension that would bolt in direc
  • 1991 Chevrolet Camaro Racecar Build Shocks And Struts
    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.
    For shocks and struts the choice is yours, as Racecraft offers both single- and double-adj
  • 1991 Chevrolet Camaro Racecar Build Cage Set Up
    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.
    Inside is all business with the endless number of chromoly bars. Chassisworks used our Cam
  • 1991 Chevrolet Camaro Racecar Build Back
    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.
    Out back, everything is flat-out trick. We have the complete rearend story coming next mon
  • 1991 Chevrolet Camaro Racecar Build Tire
    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.
    Rolling stock consists of Weld Racing's 15x12 AlumaStar 2.0 with its new black centers. If
  • 1991 Chevrolet Camaro Racecar Build Vfn Dash
    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 VFN dash features a one-piece construction and weighs in at 4 pounds. For this shot, w
  • 1991 Chevrolet Camaro Racecar Build Fiberglass Door
    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.
    The fiberglass doors are also from VFN and weigh 10 pounds each. As we were mocking them o
  • 1991 Chevrolet Camaro Racecar Build Engine Bay
    VFN's one-piece IROC Z28 Pro nose features 2-inch extended rockers and weighs in at just 20 pounds.
    VFN's one-piece IROC Z28 Pro nose features 2-inch extended rockers and weighs in at just 2
  • 1991 Chevrolet Camaro Racecar Build Front
    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.
    Completing the VFN ensemble is its latest 6-inch pin-on cowl hood that extends to the wind
SOURCE
Mickey Thompson Tires & Wheels
4600 Prosper Drive
Stow
OH  44224
330-928-9092
www.mickeythompsontires.com
Racecraft
200 Spruce Avenue
Madison
MN  56063
507-243-4104
www.racecraft.com
Weld Racing
6600 STADIUM DRIVE
Kansas City
MO  64129
800-788-9353
www.weldracing.com
Chris Alston's Chassisworks
8661 Younger Creek Drive
Sacramento
CA  95828
916-388-0288
www.cachassisworks.com
Strange Engineering
8300 North Austin Avenue
Morton Grove
IL  60053
847-663-1701
www.strangeengineering.net
Hickok Race cars
California City
CA
760-677-9078
www.hickokracecars.com
VFN Fiberglass
330 West Factory Rd.
Addison
IL  60101
630-543-0232
www.vfnfiberglass.com