Parts Used In This Episode
Centimark
A leading provider of polished concrete floor systems and epoxy floor systems to the industrial, commercial and retail markets. QuestMark serves our local flooring customers across North America with a commitment to professionalism. We remain at the forefront of modern flooring technologies. We provide a comprehensive Safety & Risk Program that ensures a safe work environment with on-going training, state-of-the-art and equipment.
Dannmar
For 2-post automotive lifts, Dannmar is the benchmark for professional shop owners, and home enthusiasts. We've engineered our lifts to exceed the competition when it comes to safety, strength, build quality, as well as having the highest customer satisfaction in the industry.
Dynojet Research
The most versatile and best selling performance chassis dynamometer in the market.
The Industrial Depot
The Industrial Depot - Fasteners, Hardware, and Shop Supplies
Video Transcript
(NARRATOR)>> WHAT DO THIS '73 SPLIT BUMPER CAMARO AND THIS '74 JET BOAT HAVE IN COMMON? THEY'RE THE LATEST PROJECTS IN OUR SHOP. TODAY ON ENGINE POWER WE'VE GOT SOME HIGH HORSEPOWER PLANS FOR OUR GLENCOE JET BOAT. PLUS THIS WELL KEPT CAMARO WILL BECOME A GREAT TRIPLE THREAT CAR, AND IT ALL STARTS WITH A VISIT TO THE CHASSIS BUILDER.
(PAT)>> HI EVERYONE, AND WELCOME TO A BRAND NEW SEASON OF ENGINE POWER. WE HAVE A BUNCH OF COOL STUFF FOR YOU THIS YEAR, BUT BACK AT THE STUDIO IT LOOKS LIKE A TORNADO WENT THROUGH IT BECAUSE WE'RE DOING SOME UPGRADES, AND WE HOPE YOU LOVE THOSE UPGRADES AS MUCH AS WE DO, AND YOU'LL BE ABLE TO SEE THEM VERY SOON.
(MIKE)>> TODAY WE'RE OUT ON THE ROAD, WELL KINDA. THIS IS A TOTALLY DIFFERENT SETTING THAN YOU'RE USED TO SEEING US IN, AND YOU'VE GOT TO BE WONDERING WHAT ARE THOSE GUYS DOING OUT AT THE LAKE ON A BEAUTIFUL SUNNY DAY? WELL THE ANSWER IS SIMPLE. WE'RE STARTING A NEW PROJECT WE'VE BEEN WANTING TO DO FOR QUITE SOME TIME. IT'S ONE THAT SENDS A STATEMENT ACROSS THE WAKES AND WILL GET ANY HOT RODDER'S ATTENTION, WHETHER THEY'RE SITTING ON THE WATER OR THE BANKS. NOW WE'LL BE BACK OUT HERE IN JUST A LITTLE BIT.
FINAL DESTINATION!
(PAT)>> BEHIND THIS GARAGE DOOR IS AN ENGINE POWER EXCLUSIVE. THE VERY FIRST ONE OF THESE PROJECTS WE'VE EVER DONE, BUT ONCE YOU SEE IT YOU'LL KNOW WHY WE'RE HERE. CHECK OUT THIS OLD CHEVELLE WAGON. IT'S A RESTORATION PROJECT THAT HAS PROGRESSED QUITE A BIT SINCE THE START, BUT IT'S NOT WHY WE'RE HERE TODAY. DWIGHT BROOKS HAS DECIDED THAT IT'S TIME TO SELL ONE OF HIS FAVORITE PROJECTS, A BEAUTIFUL 43 YEAR OLD GLENCOE JET BOAT.
(MIKE)>> LOOK AT THAT.
(PAT)>> NOW THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT RIGHT THERE.
(MIKE)>> THAT IS AWESOME.
(PAT)>> THIS IS ACTUALLY PRETTY INCREDIBLE. THIS BOAT'S A 1974.
(MIKE)>> YEAH, WHAT'S SO COOL ABOUT IT IS THE MIX BETWEEN THE NOSTALGIA AND THE POWER.
(PAT)>> OH YEAH, TO ME, AS AN ENGINE GUY, THERE'S NOTHING COOLER THAN AN ENGINE HANGING OUT OF SOMETHING. I DON'T CARE IF IT'S A STREET ROD, OR IN THIS CASE, THIS IS THE STREET ROD OF THE LAKES. LOVE IT!
(MIKE)>> YOU EVER DRIVEN A BOAT?
(PAT)>> I HAVE ACTUALLY NEVER DRIVEN A BOAT ONCE, WHICH IS ODD CAUSE I'M FROM MICHIGAN.
(MIKE)>> YEAH AND YOU'VE BUILT A LOT OF BOAT ENGINES.
(PAT)>> I'VE BUILT LOTS OF BOAT ENGINES BUT I'VE NEVER ACTUALLY DRIVEN ONE, BUT I THINK I'M GONNA HAVE TO CHANGE THAT.
(MIKE)>> YOU'RE GONNA HAVE FUN. THIS THING'S GOT A HOT FOOT AND EVERYTHING IN IT.
(PAT)>> SO I THINK WE GOT US A PROJECT.
(MIKE)>> I DO TOO.
(PAT)>> THIS IS FANTASTIC. YOU KNOW WHAT THE BEST PART ABOUT WORKING ON BOATS IS? YOU DON'T HAVE LAY UNDER IT. EVERYTHING'S UP TOP.
(MIKE)>> SOMETHING ELSE TOO. WE'VE REALLY GOT TWO PROJECTS GOING ON FOR ONE. WE'RE DOING THE BOAT, WE'RE DOING A BIG INCH BIG BLOCK FOR IT, BUT THIS ENGINE'S GONNA BE REUSED AS WELL IN A FUTURE PROJECT, EITHER IN OUR SHOP AND ONE OF THE OTHERS.
(PAT)>> NO THIS ENGINE'S A PERFECTLY GOOD RUNNING ENGINE, AND WE'RE GONNA GO SHOW THAT HERE IN A LITTLE BIT I'M HOPING. SO YOU CAN ALWAYS REPURPOSE A GREAT RUNNING ENGINE. THIS HAS GOT A BUNCH OF GOOD PARTS IN IT. SO NO WORRIES THERE, WE'LL FIND A HOME FOR IT, BUT THIS BOAT'S IN GOOD SHAPE. THIS THING'S ALMOST AS OLD AS I AM. SO I WISH I WAS IN THIS GOOD OF SHAPE ACTUALLY.
(MIKE)>> I THINK YOU'RE DOING ALRIGHT PTOP.
(PAT)>> FOR AN OLD GUY, YEAH.
(MIKE)>> I THINK YOU'RE DOING JUST FINE.
(PAT)>> NOW OUT OF ALL OF THEM THAT'S YOUR FIRST ONE RIGHT?
(DWIGHT)>> THAT'S THE FIRST ONE, '55 CHEVROLET BEL AIR, TWO DOOR HARD TOP, AND IT GOES FROM THERE. IT JUST KEEPS GOING, DRAG CARS.
(MIKE)>> EVER SINCE CHILDHOOD DWIGHT HAS BEEN FASCINATED BY CARS. HE SHOWED US HIS GARAGE, WHERE HE'S BEEN COLLECTING AUTOMOTIVE MEMORABILIA FOR DECADES.
(DWIGHT)>> PROBABLY 30 SOMETHING ODD YEARS AGO. I STARTED WITH A '55 CHEVROLET. THEN WENT TO A '57'S, '56'S. THEN I JUST STARTED, NASCAR, JUST STARTED COLLECTING EVERYTHING. JACKETS, JUST FALLS INTO JUST BEING A REAL GEARHEAD, AND JUST CAN'T GET IT OUT OF MY MIND. I JUST LIKE CARS, LIKE CARS, LIKE CARS.
(PAT)>> DWIGHT HAS A SERIOUS COLLECTION HERE, AND A STRICT HANDS OFF POLICY, WITH ONE EXCEPTION, HIS GRAND KIDS.
(DWIGHT)>> THEY WANT TO PLAY WITH EVERYTHING UP HERE. BEFORE I WOULDN'T LET ANYBODY TOUCH, BUT THEY TOUCH WHAT THEY WANT TO, AND THEY GET BY WITH IT.
(PAT)>> WELL WE'RE ALL HOOKED UP. DWIGHT, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
(DWIGHT)>> APPRECIATE IT.
(PAT)>> IT'S GOING TO A GOOD HOME.
(DWIGHT)>> GOOD DOING BUSINESS WITH YOU.
(MIKE)>> JUST LIKE A NEW PRESENT ON CHRISTMAS MORNING, YOU'VE GOT TO GET INTO ASAP. THAT'S OUR THOUGHT PROCESS WITH THIS HOT ROD AS WELL. WELCOME TO PERCY PRIEST LAKE IN MIDDLE TENNESSEE, THE WATERY TEST BED FOR OUR NEW ACQUISITION.
(PAT)>> PERMISSION TO COME ABOARD THERE CAPTAIN.
(MIKE)>> COME ON, LET'S DO IT. NOW IT'S TIME TO BE A RESPONSIBLE PILOT. PAT SWIMS LIKE AN ANVIL TIED TO A CEMENT BLOCK.
A SHORT SPIN AROUND THE LAKE VERIFIED THIS LITTLE ROCKET SHIP IS WATER TIGHT. IT RAN AS GOOD AS DWIGHT SAID IT WOULD, MAKING US HAPPY NEW OWNERS.
(NARRATOR)>> UP NEXT, WE VISIT ONE OF THE NATION'S PREMIER CHASSIS BUILDERS TO LAY THE FOUNDATION UNDER OUR TRIPLE THREAD CAMARO. PLUS OUR SHOP IS GETTING A WHOLE NEW LOOK WITH SOME HEAVY DUTY EQUIPMENT.
(PAT)>> WELCOME BACK TO ENGINE POWER. WE ARE STILL ON THE ROAD, THIS TIME IN KENTUCKY, SEARCHING FOR OUR NEXT PROJECT VEHICLE, A VINTAGE CAMARO. THE SELLER TOLD US THE CAR WAS IN GREAT CONDITION, AND HE WASN'T KIDDING. RARELY DOES A CAR EXCEED EXPECTATIONS LIKE THIS ONE DID. WE'VE COME TO THE OUTSKIRTS OF LOUISVILLE, TO PICK UP OUR PROJECT FOR OUR TRIPLE THREAD CAR. NOW THIS THING IS A TRUE CALIFORNIA SURVIVOR. IT'S NEVER BEEN HIT OR WRECKED, AND IT'S IN ALMOST PRISTINE CONDITION FOR ITS AGE. IT IS A 1973 SPLIT BUMPER CAMARO, AND IT'S GONNA WORK PERFECT FOR WHAT OUR PLANS ARE.
(MIKE)>> NOW WHAT HE MEANS BY A TRIPLE THREAT CAR IS ONE THAT CAN BE COMPETITIVE ON THE ROAD COURSE, THE AUTO CROSS, AND THE DRAG STRIP. NOW WE'RE NOT PAINT AND BODY GUYS. SO FINDING A CAR IN THIS CONDITION MEANS A LOT TO US.
(PAT)>> THE CAR HAS HAD ONE REPAINT, BUT ZERO BODY WORK. FROM UNDERNEATH TO THE INTERIOR AND THE VINYL TOP, WE HAVE TO GIVE THIS ONE A NINE POINT FIVE. IT'S ORIGINAL! THERE'S NO AFTERMARKET PARTS ON THIS CAR PERIOD, BUT THERE'S ABOUT TO BE. A TRIPLE THREAT CAR HAS TO MAKE BIG POWER, HAVE AN AGGRESSIVE LOOK, AND HANDLE EXCELLENT. FOR THAT WE NEED A SERIOUSLY STRONG CHASSIS, AND WE KNOW EXACTLY WHERE TO FIND ONE.
(MIKE)>> SO WE VENTURED SOUTH TO THE QUIET LITTLE TOWN OF GRANT, IN NORTHERN ALABAMA. IT WAS SETTLED IN THE LATE 1830'S, AND NAMED IN HONOR OF GENERAL ULYSSES "S" GRANT. IN THE EARLY 1920'S THE DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION ESTABLISHED THE KATE DUNCAN SMITH K-12 SCHOOL DUE TO THE LACK OF ACCESS TO PUBLIC EDUCATION IN THE AREA. THE POPULATION TODAY IS ABOUT 907. IT'S ALSO THE HOME OF OUR DESTINATION, STREET ROD GARAGE. THE OWNERS ARE A COUPLE OF OLD FRIENDS. MISTER SUTTON, HOW ARE YOU SIR?
(CHRIS)>> GOOD MAN, HOW ARE YOU GUYS DOING? HEY PAT, NICE TO MEET YOU.
(PAT)>> NICE TO MEET YOU MAN. THE PLACE IS AWESOME. I LOVE THE LOOK. THIS IS A REAL SHOP. WHEN I THINK OF HOT ROD SHOP, THIS IS A HOT ROD SHOP.
(CHRIS)>> WELL THAT'S WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR ANYWAY. THAT'S WHAT WE TRY TO DO. WE'RE BUILDING CARS, BUILDING CHASSIS', AND GOT A GOOD THING GOING HERE.
(MIKE)>> I'M EXCITED TO BE BACK. THE FEEL OF THIS PLACE IS AWESOME.
(PAT)>> NOW I'VE NEVER BEEN HERE AND I NEED THE NICKEL TOUR. SO YOU'RE LEADING.
(CHRIS)>> ALL RIGHT, WELL LET'S GO THIS WAY. ALL RIGHT GUYS, THIS IS THE BODY SHOP. THIS IS WHERE WE DO A LOT OF THE METAL WORK, ALL THE BODY WORK, PAINT AND BODY, ALL THAT. WE'VE GOT SEVERAL CARS GOING, CAMAROS, TRIFIVES, SECOND GENS ACTUALLY. SO WE'VE GOT A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING GOING ON.
(MIKE)>> WHAT'S UP WITH ALL THE CONVERTIBLES?
(CHRIS)>> MAN IT'S JUST A RUN ON CONVERTIBLES. ALL THIS HOT WEATHER I GUESS, EVERYBODY'S WANTING A CONVERTIBLE. SO WE'VE GOT SEVERAL GOING. I THINK WE'VE GOT ABOUT SIX CONVERTIBLES GOING RIGHT NOW.
(PAT)>> SO HOW MANY CARS DO YOU HAVE HERE AT ANY GIVEN TIME?
(CHRIS)>> WE'RE USUALLY DOING ANYWHERE FROM EIGHT TO 12. YOU KNOW, WE DO TRUCKS, CARS.
(MIKE)>> HOW DEEP IN THE METAL FAB DO YOU GET? I MEAN, NO LIMIT?
(CHRIS)>> THIS CAR STARTED WITH A COWL, AND EVERYTHING ELSE IS NEW.
(MIKE)>> THAT SAYS A LOT.
(CHRIS)>> THAT'S RIGHT.
(MIKE)>> A FAMILY OWNED ROD SHOP THAT'S BEEN IN BUSINESS SINCE 1979. THE PLACE TAKES YOU BACK IN TIME TO AN ERA WHEN LIFE WAS SIMPLE, AND WENT BY AT A MUCH SLOWER PACE.
(DAVID)>> WE STARTED BUILDING CARS. THERE WAS TWO GARAGE DOORS RIGHT HERE, AND A COUNTER ACROSS THE FRONT WHERE HE'S STANDING THERE, AND WE BUILT CARS. PUT THEM OUT FRONT, AND SOLD THEM AND STUFF. THAT'S HOW WE STARTED.
(MIKE)>> BUT THE BUSINESS GREW, AND A NEW VENTURE EMERGED.
(DAVID)>> THAT WHOLE TIME CHRIS WAS IN THE OFFICE JUST DESIGNING, AND BUILDING, AND COMING UP WITH IDEAS, AND THEORIES, AND EVERYTHING YOU COULD IMAGINE AS FAR AS THE CHASSIS INDUSTRY. I ALREADY HAD THE CAR KNOWLEDGE, AND KNOWING HOW TO BUILD CARS AND PAINT CARS, AND BODY WORK, AND THEN CHRIS WAS JUST A BLESSING TO COME IN HERE AND WITH THE KNOWLEDGE HE HAD AND START DESIGNING THESE CHASSIS'. AND THEN THE CAR AND THE CHASSIS BUSINESS MERGED TOGETHER AND JUST EXPLODED.
(MIKE)>> AND HERE'S WHY FOLKS COME TO STREET ROD GARAGE FOR A CHASSIS. WHAT ARE GUYS LOOKING FOR WHEN THEY PULL THE STOCK CHASSIS OUT AND PUT ONE OF THESE UNDER? I MEAN WHAT IS THEIR MAIN MOTIVE FOR IT?
(CHRIS)>> WELL THEY'RE JUST WANTING STRENGTH, AND THEY'RE WANTING TO DRIVE IT LIKE WE DRIVE CARS NOW, INSTEAD OF LIKE YOU WOULD HAVE DRIVEN THAT CAR BACK THEN. SO THEY'RE WANTING TO BEEF IT UP STRENGTH WISE, AND YOU KNOW, LOOKS IS A LOT OF IT NOW. YOU KNOW PEOPLE WANT THEM TO LOOK NICE AND CLEAN. JUST OVERALL A NICE FINISHED PRODUCT.
(PAT)>> A LOT OF THEM ARE SHOW CARS BUT THEY'RE ALSO, A LOT OF PEOPLE RACE THESE THINGS, THEY DRIVE THEM HARD.
(CHRIS)>> DEFINITELY.
(PAT)>> THAT'S AWESOME! FROM CAR SHOW COOL, LIKE THIS BEAUTIFUL TBIRD, TO THE UNCONVENTIONAL, A 1,500 HORSEPOWER BLOWN CHEVY PICK UP WHICH WILL HAVE PLENTY OF STYLE ONCE FINISHED. HE ALSO HAS THE OBSCURE. THIS CHASSIS WAS MYSTIFYING TO US AT FIRST. WE HAD NO IDEA WHAT WENT ON TOP OF IT UNTIL CHRIS SHOWED US SOME RENDERINGS. THIS ONE OFF CUSTOM WILL BE POWERED BY A BIG INCH LS ENGINE BACKED BY A SIXL-80-E GM TRANSMISSION. A NINE INCH REAR END IS HOUSED INSIDE THE UNIQUE SHELL. THIS HEAD TURNER IS HEADING TO RUSSIA.
(MIKE)>> DAVID AND CHRIS HAVE PERFECTED BUILDING HOT RODS AND CHASSIS SINCE 1979. NOW THEY SHARE THEIR KNOWLEDGE WITH A NEW GENERATION OF HOT RODDERS AND TRADESMEN.
(DAVID)>> THE FACT THAT WE TAKE THESE GUYS, THESE YOUNG GUYS, AND MOST OF THEM COME OUT OF THE SCHOOL THAT'S RIGHT HERE BY OUR SHOP, AND MY WIFE'S A TEACHER, MY DAUGHTER IN LAW'S TEACHER, AND THEY HAND PICK THESE KIDS, AND THEY'RE GOOD KIDS, AND WE TAKE THESE KIDS AND WE TRAIN THEM, AND TEACH THEM HOW TO WELD. WE TEACH THEM HOW TO FABRICATE. WE TEACH THEM HOW TO DO BODY WORK, AND WE GIVE THEM SOMETHING THAT THEY CAN TAKE INTO LIFE AND USE. [ grinding metal ]
(NARRATOR)>> UP NEXT, FROM SHEETS OF STEEL TO A HARDCORE RACE PLATFORM, OUR CAMARO CHASSIS TAKES SHAPE.
(PAT)>> WE'RE BACK AND STILL ON LOCATION AT SRG IN GRANT, ALABAMA. IT'S FINALLY TIME TO BUILD THE CHASSIS FOR OUR TRIPLE THREAT CAMARO. WELL WE'VE MADE IT THROUGH THE SHOP TO THE PLACE WHERE ALL THE MAGIC HAPPENS IF YOU WILL, AND YOU'VE ALREADY GOT US KEYED UP, ENGINE POWER'S SECOND GEN CAMARO. TELL ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR DESIGN PROCESS AND WHAT GOES THROUGH TO GET SOME OF THIS STUFF FROM CONCEPT ONTO A COMPUTER SO YOU CAN START WORKING ON IT.
(CHRIS)>> WELL THE FIRST THING WE DO IS WE ACTUALLY BUY A CAR, OR USE A CAR FOR WHAT WE'RE DOING. WE SHOOT LASERS UNDER THE BOTTOM. WE GET ALL OUR DIMENSIONS, GET IT ALL PLUGGED IN THE COMPUTER, AND ONCE WE GET THE PERIMETER FRAME DONE, AS YOU CAN SEE SOME OF THIS UP CLOSE. ONCE WE GET THE PERIMETER FRAME DESIGN DONE, WE START PUTTING WHEELS AND TIRES IN. THEN WE START BRINGING IN SUSPENSION COMPONENTS AND THINGS LIKE THAT INTO THE DRAWING. THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT'S REALLY HELPED US IN THE LAST 15 YEARS IS THIS TECHNOLOGY, THE USE OF IT. BEING ABLE TO LOOK AT THINGS BEFORE WE ACTUALLY START CUTTING METAL. METAL'S NOT CHEAP. SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S GONNA WORK BEFORE WE DO IT.
(PAT)>> CHRIS IS ABLE TO LAY OUT ALL THE PIECES FOR THE CHASSIS, INCLUDING BRACKETS. NO PREFORMED TUBING IS USED. HE CUTS EVERYTHING OUT OF FLAT PLATE. WHEN HE COMMANDS THE TORCH TABLE TO CUT WHAT YOU SEE ON THE COMPUTER SCREEN COMES TO REAL LIFE. AS THE TORCH MAKES MORE AND MORE CUTS NOTICE HOW THE LAYOUT IS EXACTLY LIKE IT WAS ON THE MONITOR. THE LAYOUT ALSO HELPS ELIMINATE WASTE BY USING AS MUCH OF THE STEEL AS POSSIBLE.
(MIKE)>> CHRIS HAS PERFECTED THE SETUP OF THE MACHINE, ENSURING SUPER CLEAN CUTS AND MINIMAL TIME AFTERWARDS TO REMOVE SLAG. WHAT'S IMPRESSIVE IS ALL THE CHASSIS' ARE CUT OUT ON THIS FOUR BY FOUR FOOT TABLE. WHEN THE TORCH STOPS, THE PIECES CAN BE HANDLED.
(CHRIS)>> IT'S ALREADY COOL ENOUGH, WE CAN TOUCH IT.
(MIKE)>> THE FIRST PANEL TO BE WORKED ON IS PREPPED FOR WELDING. A QUICK PASS WITH THE GRINDER AROUND THE EDGES WILL ENSURE CLEAN WELDS WITH GOOD PENETRATION. NOW TWO SECTIONS ARE SETUP ON A JIG AND A STRAIGHT EDGE IS USED TO ALIGN THEM BEFORE TACKING THEM TO THE TABLE. NEXT A COUPLE OF FABRICATION SQUARES ARE USED TO GET THE RAIL TO THE NEXT STEP, WHICH IS FORMING THE TOP PORTION OF THE RAIL. THIS IS DONE BY HAND, BENDING AND TACKING THE PIECE AS IT FALLS INTO PLACE. REPEATEDLY THROUGH THE ENTIRE PROCESS THE RAILS ARE CHECKED FOR STRAIGHTNESS. ADJUSTMENTS ARE MADE WITH THOR'S HAMMER. WELL KINDA! IT'S A TOOL THEY FABBED UP IN HOUSE. ONCE THE SIDES AND INTERIOR GUSSETS ARE ADDED, HERE'S WHAT A SECTION OF THE RAILS LOOKS LIKE. THE CROSS MEMBERS ARE BUILT IN A JIG. THEN FINISHED WELDED ON THE TABLE. A MIX OF MIG AND TIG WELDING IS USED. WITH WHAT WE HAVE PLANNED FOR THIS CAR BEING A TRIPLE THREAT CAR, WANTING TO DO IT USING A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT DEALS LIKE, WHAT'S YOUR RECOMMENDATION FOR REAR SUSPENSION?
(CHRIS)>> I'M THINKING WE GO WITH A PARALLEL FOUR LINK WITH THE PAN HARD. WE'LL KEEP IT SIMPLE, GIVE YOU TONS OF ADJUSTABILITY IN IT FOR WHATEVER YOU'RE GONNA DO WITH IT. WE CAN GET REAL ELABORATE WITH IT, BUT I THINK FOR WHAT Y'ALL ARE GONNA DO THAT THAT WOULD BE THE SIMPLE THAT FITS WELL, GONNA BE EASY TO WORK WITH.
(PAT)>> EVERY CHASSIS IS FINISHED OFF WITH THE NEEDED BRACKETRY, WHICH IS TACKED INTO POSITION. THEN FINISH WELDED WITH HEIMS IN PLACE FOR PERFECT ALIGNMENT. WHEN THE GUYS FINISH UP, YOU HAVE THE OPTION OF A BARE OR POWDER COATED CHASSIS.
(DAVID)>> IF WE DO THESE CHASSIS' HANDS ON AND WE INDIVIDUALLY WATCH EACH ONE OF THEM BE BUILT, AND EXAMINE THE WELDS, AND MAKE SURE EVERYTHING IS BUILT LIKE IT SHOULD BE BUILT, I FEEL BETTER WHEN I LAY DOWN AND SLEEP AT NIGHT THAT I'VE BUILT A GOOD, SAFE CHASSIS, AND I FEEL LIKE OUR PRODUCT IS QUALITY. I FEEL LIKE IT'S STRONG, I FEEL LIKE WE REALLY HAVE SOMETHING WE CAN BE PROUD OF.
(PAT)>> OUR CHASSIS WILL BE READY SOON, AND WE CAN'T WAIT TO SEE IT UNDER OUR CAMARO.
(PAT)>> WE TOLD YOU THERE WAS SOME CHANGES HAPPENING TO THE ENGINE POWER SHOP. WELL NOW YOU GET TO SEE THEM FOR YOURSELVES. WHILE WE'VE BEEN OUT ON THE ROAD, CREWS HAVE BEEN WORKING HARD TO COMPLETE SOME MUCH NEEDED UPGRADES. FIRST PREPARATIONS WERE MADE FOR A BRAND NEW IN GROUND DYNOJET CHASSIS DYNO. A PIT WAS DUG, A CONCRETE PAD WAS POURED, AND WALLS WERE FORMED. THE IN GROUND SETUP GIVES US MORE ROOM IN THE SHOP, DOESN'T NEED THE LONG DYNO RAMPS OR A LIFT, AND IT MAKES IT EASIER TO WORK WITH LOW PROFILE VEHICLES.
(MIKE)>> THE CHECKERBOARD TILE WE HAD FOR SO LONG WAS REMOVED AND REPLACED WITH A NEW EPOXY COATING FROM QUESTMARK. THEY REMOVED THE TILES WITH THIS TRICK TILE SCRAPER. THEN THEY GROUND THE CONCRETE FLAT TO MAKE WAY FOR THEIR NEW THIN MIL COATING, WHICH IS A HIGH PERFORMANCE FLOOR PRODUCT THAT OFFERS EXCELLENT ABRASION RESISTANCE AND ADHESION. PERFECT FOR OUR SHOP ENVIRONMENT. THEY FINISHED IT OUT WITH A DECORATIVE FLAKE AND CLEARED IT WITH A MATTE FINISH. LAST BUT NOT LEAST IS OUR BRAND NEW DANMAR LIFT. NOW THIS IS A TWO POST DESIGN THAT HAS A 10,000 POUND CAPACITY AND RUNS OFF OF 230 VOLT SERVICE. NOW PAT AND I GET TO PUT ALL THIS KILLER EQUIPMENT TO GOOD USE ON A BUNCH OF AWESOME PROJECTS WE HAVE PLANNED FOR THIS SEASON. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE PARTS AND EQUIPMENT USED IN TODAY'S EPISODE VISIT POWERNATION TV DOT COM.
(PAT)>> THERE WE GO!
(MIKE)>> YOU WANT ME TO SQUEEZE IN THERE?
(PAT)>> YEAH, HEY, SEE IF IT FIRES UP.
(MIKE)>> TWO PUMPS, READY, HERE IT GOES! [ engine starts ]
(MIKE)>> LOOK AT THAT!
(PAT)>> COME ON OUT.
(MIKE)>> WE'VE TALKED ABOUT TRIPLE THREAT CARS BEFORE. NOW WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT EXACTLY WHAT THEY ARE AND HOW TO BUILD A COMPETITIVE ONE. THREE OF THE MOST POPULAR TYPES OF RACING THESE DAYS ARE AUTO CROSS, WHICH IS BASICALLY CONES SETUP IN A LARGE PAVED AREA MAPPING OUT A TRACK. ROAD RACING, WHICH IS DONE ON LARGE CORNER CARVING COURSES, AND DRAG RACING. NO EXPLANATION IS NEEDED HERE. SIMPLY PUT, A TRIPLE THREAT VEHICLE CAN HANDLE ALL THREE AND BE COMPETITIVE IN ITS RESPECTIVE CLASS. THESE VEHICLES NEED A STRONG FOUNDATION TO HANDLE THE ABUSE. THAT'S WHY WE CHOSE TO PUT A STREET ROD GARAGE CUSTOM CHASSIS UNDER THIS CAMARO. NOW THAT WILL ALLOW US TO RUN A LARGER TIRE SIZE, HAVE A LOT MORE ADJUSTABILITY WITH THE SUSPENSION COMPONENTS, AND HAVE A MUCH MORE RIGID AND PREDICTABLE DRIVING EXPERIENCE.
(PAT)>> THE HEART OF ANY HIGH PERFORMANCE VEHICLE, ESPECIALLY A TRIPLE THREAT CAR, IS THE POWER PLANT. THIS BEING A 1973 WITH A STOCK ENGINE, IT CAME WITH AN L-65 TWO BARREL 350, WHICH MADE A ROMPING STOMPING 145 HORSEPOWER AND 250 POUND FEET OF TORQUE. OUR GOAL IS TO TRIPLE OR EVEN QUADRUPLE THE POWER IN THIS CAR, AND THAT WOULD BE TEMPTING TO DO WITH A BIG BLOCK, BUT BECAUSE THIS CAR IS GONNA SEE SOME AUTO CROSS ACTION AND NEEDS TO BE MORE BALANCED THAN HAVING A BIG, HEAVY ENGINE IN THE FRONT, WE ARE GONNA DO IT WITH A SMALL BLOCK THAT'S A BIT ON THE EXOTIC SIDE.
(MIKE)>> THE BALANCE TOPIC CONTINUES WITH THESE PARTS. A QUALITY COIL OVER SETUP IS A MUST. WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO CHANGE THE CAR'S RIDE HEIGHT AND ADJUST THE REBOUND AND COMPRESSION OF THE SHOCKS. I CONSIDER THESE THE HEART OF THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM. NEXT IS THIS MANUAL QUICK RATIO STEERING RACK. BEING ABLE TO ACHIEVE LOCK TO LOCK STEERING POSITIONS FASTER WILL BE A HUGE HELP ON THE TRACK. BRAKES ARE ALSO A BALANCE ISSUE. FAST CARS NEED A BRAKING SYSTEM THAT IS SUFFICIENT WITH THE WEIGHT AND SPEEDS THE CAR IS CAPABLE OF. THIS 13 INCH SYSTEM IS DEFINITELY A GOOD CHOICE.
(PAT)>> THESE UPGRADES ARE JUST A PART OF WHAT GOES INTO PLANNING A TRUE TRIPLE THREAT CAR, AND WE STILL NEED TO ADDRESS A FEW OTHER THINGS LIKE WHEELS, TIRES, SAFETY EQUIPMENT, AND MORE.
(MIKE)>> PLUS WE'RE GOING TO KEEP THE CLASSIC LOOK OF THIS SPLIT BUMPER CAMARO, BUT WE'VE GOT A FEW IDEAS TO UPDATE ITS STYLE. NOW YOU'LL BE SEEING MORE OF THIS CAR ON FUTURE EPISODES OF ENGINE POWER.
Show Full Transcript
(PAT)>> HI EVERYONE, AND WELCOME TO A BRAND NEW SEASON OF ENGINE POWER. WE HAVE A BUNCH OF COOL STUFF FOR YOU THIS YEAR, BUT BACK AT THE STUDIO IT LOOKS LIKE A TORNADO WENT THROUGH IT BECAUSE WE'RE DOING SOME UPGRADES, AND WE HOPE YOU LOVE THOSE UPGRADES AS MUCH AS WE DO, AND YOU'LL BE ABLE TO SEE THEM VERY SOON.
(MIKE)>> TODAY WE'RE OUT ON THE ROAD, WELL KINDA. THIS IS A TOTALLY DIFFERENT SETTING THAN YOU'RE USED TO SEEING US IN, AND YOU'VE GOT TO BE WONDERING WHAT ARE THOSE GUYS DOING OUT AT THE LAKE ON A BEAUTIFUL SUNNY DAY? WELL THE ANSWER IS SIMPLE. WE'RE STARTING A NEW PROJECT WE'VE BEEN WANTING TO DO FOR QUITE SOME TIME. IT'S ONE THAT SENDS A STATEMENT ACROSS THE WAKES AND WILL GET ANY HOT RODDER'S ATTENTION, WHETHER THEY'RE SITTING ON THE WATER OR THE BANKS. NOW WE'LL BE BACK OUT HERE IN JUST A LITTLE BIT.
FINAL DESTINATION!
(PAT)>> BEHIND THIS GARAGE DOOR IS AN ENGINE POWER EXCLUSIVE. THE VERY FIRST ONE OF THESE PROJECTS WE'VE EVER DONE, BUT ONCE YOU SEE IT YOU'LL KNOW WHY WE'RE HERE. CHECK OUT THIS OLD CHEVELLE WAGON. IT'S A RESTORATION PROJECT THAT HAS PROGRESSED QUITE A BIT SINCE THE START, BUT IT'S NOT WHY WE'RE HERE TODAY. DWIGHT BROOKS HAS DECIDED THAT IT'S TIME TO SELL ONE OF HIS FAVORITE PROJECTS, A BEAUTIFUL 43 YEAR OLD GLENCOE JET BOAT.
(MIKE)>> LOOK AT THAT.
(PAT)>> NOW THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT RIGHT THERE.
(MIKE)>> THAT IS AWESOME.
(PAT)>> THIS IS ACTUALLY PRETTY INCREDIBLE. THIS BOAT'S A 1974.
(MIKE)>> YEAH, WHAT'S SO COOL ABOUT IT IS THE MIX BETWEEN THE NOSTALGIA AND THE POWER.
(PAT)>> OH YEAH, TO ME, AS AN ENGINE GUY, THERE'S NOTHING COOLER THAN AN ENGINE HANGING OUT OF SOMETHING. I DON'T CARE IF IT'S A STREET ROD, OR IN THIS CASE, THIS IS THE STREET ROD OF THE LAKES. LOVE IT!
(MIKE)>> YOU EVER DRIVEN A BOAT?
(PAT)>> I HAVE ACTUALLY NEVER DRIVEN A BOAT ONCE, WHICH IS ODD CAUSE I'M FROM MICHIGAN.
(MIKE)>> YEAH AND YOU'VE BUILT A LOT OF BOAT ENGINES.
(PAT)>> I'VE BUILT LOTS OF BOAT ENGINES BUT I'VE NEVER ACTUALLY DRIVEN ONE, BUT I THINK I'M GONNA HAVE TO CHANGE THAT.
(MIKE)>> YOU'RE GONNA HAVE FUN. THIS THING'S GOT A HOT FOOT AND EVERYTHING IN IT.
(PAT)>> SO I THINK WE GOT US A PROJECT.
(MIKE)>> I DO TOO.
(PAT)>> THIS IS FANTASTIC. YOU KNOW WHAT THE BEST PART ABOUT WORKING ON BOATS IS? YOU DON'T HAVE LAY UNDER IT. EVERYTHING'S UP TOP.
(MIKE)>> SOMETHING ELSE TOO. WE'VE REALLY GOT TWO PROJECTS GOING ON FOR ONE. WE'RE DOING THE BOAT, WE'RE DOING A BIG INCH BIG BLOCK FOR IT, BUT THIS ENGINE'S GONNA BE REUSED AS WELL IN A FUTURE PROJECT, EITHER IN OUR SHOP AND ONE OF THE OTHERS.
(PAT)>> NO THIS ENGINE'S A PERFECTLY GOOD RUNNING ENGINE, AND WE'RE GONNA GO SHOW THAT HERE IN A LITTLE BIT I'M HOPING. SO YOU CAN ALWAYS REPURPOSE A GREAT RUNNING ENGINE. THIS HAS GOT A BUNCH OF GOOD PARTS IN IT. SO NO WORRIES THERE, WE'LL FIND A HOME FOR IT, BUT THIS BOAT'S IN GOOD SHAPE. THIS THING'S ALMOST AS OLD AS I AM. SO I WISH I WAS IN THIS GOOD OF SHAPE ACTUALLY.
(MIKE)>> I THINK YOU'RE DOING ALRIGHT PTOP.
(PAT)>> FOR AN OLD GUY, YEAH.
(MIKE)>> I THINK YOU'RE DOING JUST FINE.
(PAT)>> NOW OUT OF ALL OF THEM THAT'S YOUR FIRST ONE RIGHT?
(DWIGHT)>> THAT'S THE FIRST ONE, '55 CHEVROLET BEL AIR, TWO DOOR HARD TOP, AND IT GOES FROM THERE. IT JUST KEEPS GOING, DRAG CARS.
(MIKE)>> EVER SINCE CHILDHOOD DWIGHT HAS BEEN FASCINATED BY CARS. HE SHOWED US HIS GARAGE, WHERE HE'S BEEN COLLECTING AUTOMOTIVE MEMORABILIA FOR DECADES.
(DWIGHT)>> PROBABLY 30 SOMETHING ODD YEARS AGO. I STARTED WITH A '55 CHEVROLET. THEN WENT TO A '57'S, '56'S. THEN I JUST STARTED, NASCAR, JUST STARTED COLLECTING EVERYTHING. JACKETS, JUST FALLS INTO JUST BEING A REAL GEARHEAD, AND JUST CAN'T GET IT OUT OF MY MIND. I JUST LIKE CARS, LIKE CARS, LIKE CARS.
(PAT)>> DWIGHT HAS A SERIOUS COLLECTION HERE, AND A STRICT HANDS OFF POLICY, WITH ONE EXCEPTION, HIS GRAND KIDS.
(DWIGHT)>> THEY WANT TO PLAY WITH EVERYTHING UP HERE. BEFORE I WOULDN'T LET ANYBODY TOUCH, BUT THEY TOUCH WHAT THEY WANT TO, AND THEY GET BY WITH IT.
(PAT)>> WELL WE'RE ALL HOOKED UP. DWIGHT, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
(DWIGHT)>> APPRECIATE IT.
(PAT)>> IT'S GOING TO A GOOD HOME.
(DWIGHT)>> GOOD DOING BUSINESS WITH YOU.
(MIKE)>> JUST LIKE A NEW PRESENT ON CHRISTMAS MORNING, YOU'VE GOT TO GET INTO ASAP. THAT'S OUR THOUGHT PROCESS WITH THIS HOT ROD AS WELL. WELCOME TO PERCY PRIEST LAKE IN MIDDLE TENNESSEE, THE WATERY TEST BED FOR OUR NEW ACQUISITION.
(PAT)>> PERMISSION TO COME ABOARD THERE CAPTAIN.
(MIKE)>> COME ON, LET'S DO IT. NOW IT'S TIME TO BE A RESPONSIBLE PILOT. PAT SWIMS LIKE AN ANVIL TIED TO A CEMENT BLOCK.
A SHORT SPIN AROUND THE LAKE VERIFIED THIS LITTLE ROCKET SHIP IS WATER TIGHT. IT RAN AS GOOD AS DWIGHT SAID IT WOULD, MAKING US HAPPY NEW OWNERS.
(NARRATOR)>> UP NEXT, WE VISIT ONE OF THE NATION'S PREMIER CHASSIS BUILDERS TO LAY THE FOUNDATION UNDER OUR TRIPLE THREAD CAMARO. PLUS OUR SHOP IS GETTING A WHOLE NEW LOOK WITH SOME HEAVY DUTY EQUIPMENT.
(PAT)>> WELCOME BACK TO ENGINE POWER. WE ARE STILL ON THE ROAD, THIS TIME IN KENTUCKY, SEARCHING FOR OUR NEXT PROJECT VEHICLE, A VINTAGE CAMARO. THE SELLER TOLD US THE CAR WAS IN GREAT CONDITION, AND HE WASN'T KIDDING. RARELY DOES A CAR EXCEED EXPECTATIONS LIKE THIS ONE DID. WE'VE COME TO THE OUTSKIRTS OF LOUISVILLE, TO PICK UP OUR PROJECT FOR OUR TRIPLE THREAD CAR. NOW THIS THING IS A TRUE CALIFORNIA SURVIVOR. IT'S NEVER BEEN HIT OR WRECKED, AND IT'S IN ALMOST PRISTINE CONDITION FOR ITS AGE. IT IS A 1973 SPLIT BUMPER CAMARO, AND IT'S GONNA WORK PERFECT FOR WHAT OUR PLANS ARE.
(MIKE)>> NOW WHAT HE MEANS BY A TRIPLE THREAT CAR IS ONE THAT CAN BE COMPETITIVE ON THE ROAD COURSE, THE AUTO CROSS, AND THE DRAG STRIP. NOW WE'RE NOT PAINT AND BODY GUYS. SO FINDING A CAR IN THIS CONDITION MEANS A LOT TO US.
(PAT)>> THE CAR HAS HAD ONE REPAINT, BUT ZERO BODY WORK. FROM UNDERNEATH TO THE INTERIOR AND THE VINYL TOP, WE HAVE TO GIVE THIS ONE A NINE POINT FIVE. IT'S ORIGINAL! THERE'S NO AFTERMARKET PARTS ON THIS CAR PERIOD, BUT THERE'S ABOUT TO BE. A TRIPLE THREAT CAR HAS TO MAKE BIG POWER, HAVE AN AGGRESSIVE LOOK, AND HANDLE EXCELLENT. FOR THAT WE NEED A SERIOUSLY STRONG CHASSIS, AND WE KNOW EXACTLY WHERE TO FIND ONE.
(MIKE)>> SO WE VENTURED SOUTH TO THE QUIET LITTLE TOWN OF GRANT, IN NORTHERN ALABAMA. IT WAS SETTLED IN THE LATE 1830'S, AND NAMED IN HONOR OF GENERAL ULYSSES "S" GRANT. IN THE EARLY 1920'S THE DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION ESTABLISHED THE KATE DUNCAN SMITH K-12 SCHOOL DUE TO THE LACK OF ACCESS TO PUBLIC EDUCATION IN THE AREA. THE POPULATION TODAY IS ABOUT 907. IT'S ALSO THE HOME OF OUR DESTINATION, STREET ROD GARAGE. THE OWNERS ARE A COUPLE OF OLD FRIENDS. MISTER SUTTON, HOW ARE YOU SIR?
(CHRIS)>> GOOD MAN, HOW ARE YOU GUYS DOING? HEY PAT, NICE TO MEET YOU.
(PAT)>> NICE TO MEET YOU MAN. THE PLACE IS AWESOME. I LOVE THE LOOK. THIS IS A REAL SHOP. WHEN I THINK OF HOT ROD SHOP, THIS IS A HOT ROD SHOP.
(CHRIS)>> WELL THAT'S WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR ANYWAY. THAT'S WHAT WE TRY TO DO. WE'RE BUILDING CARS, BUILDING CHASSIS', AND GOT A GOOD THING GOING HERE.
(MIKE)>> I'M EXCITED TO BE BACK. THE FEEL OF THIS PLACE IS AWESOME.
(PAT)>> NOW I'VE NEVER BEEN HERE AND I NEED THE NICKEL TOUR. SO YOU'RE LEADING.
(CHRIS)>> ALL RIGHT, WELL LET'S GO THIS WAY. ALL RIGHT GUYS, THIS IS THE BODY SHOP. THIS IS WHERE WE DO A LOT OF THE METAL WORK, ALL THE BODY WORK, PAINT AND BODY, ALL THAT. WE'VE GOT SEVERAL CARS GOING, CAMAROS, TRIFIVES, SECOND GENS ACTUALLY. SO WE'VE GOT A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING GOING ON.
(MIKE)>> WHAT'S UP WITH ALL THE CONVERTIBLES?
(CHRIS)>> MAN IT'S JUST A RUN ON CONVERTIBLES. ALL THIS HOT WEATHER I GUESS, EVERYBODY'S WANTING A CONVERTIBLE. SO WE'VE GOT SEVERAL GOING. I THINK WE'VE GOT ABOUT SIX CONVERTIBLES GOING RIGHT NOW.
(PAT)>> SO HOW MANY CARS DO YOU HAVE HERE AT ANY GIVEN TIME?
(CHRIS)>> WE'RE USUALLY DOING ANYWHERE FROM EIGHT TO 12. YOU KNOW, WE DO TRUCKS, CARS.
(MIKE)>> HOW DEEP IN THE METAL FAB DO YOU GET? I MEAN, NO LIMIT?
(CHRIS)>> THIS CAR STARTED WITH A COWL, AND EVERYTHING ELSE IS NEW.
(MIKE)>> THAT SAYS A LOT.
(CHRIS)>> THAT'S RIGHT.
(MIKE)>> A FAMILY OWNED ROD SHOP THAT'S BEEN IN BUSINESS SINCE 1979. THE PLACE TAKES YOU BACK IN TIME TO AN ERA WHEN LIFE WAS SIMPLE, AND WENT BY AT A MUCH SLOWER PACE.
(DAVID)>> WE STARTED BUILDING CARS. THERE WAS TWO GARAGE DOORS RIGHT HERE, AND A COUNTER ACROSS THE FRONT WHERE HE'S STANDING THERE, AND WE BUILT CARS. PUT THEM OUT FRONT, AND SOLD THEM AND STUFF. THAT'S HOW WE STARTED.
(MIKE)>> BUT THE BUSINESS GREW, AND A NEW VENTURE EMERGED.
(DAVID)>> THAT WHOLE TIME CHRIS WAS IN THE OFFICE JUST DESIGNING, AND BUILDING, AND COMING UP WITH IDEAS, AND THEORIES, AND EVERYTHING YOU COULD IMAGINE AS FAR AS THE CHASSIS INDUSTRY. I ALREADY HAD THE CAR KNOWLEDGE, AND KNOWING HOW TO BUILD CARS AND PAINT CARS, AND BODY WORK, AND THEN CHRIS WAS JUST A BLESSING TO COME IN HERE AND WITH THE KNOWLEDGE HE HAD AND START DESIGNING THESE CHASSIS'. AND THEN THE CAR AND THE CHASSIS BUSINESS MERGED TOGETHER AND JUST EXPLODED.
(MIKE)>> AND HERE'S WHY FOLKS COME TO STREET ROD GARAGE FOR A CHASSIS. WHAT ARE GUYS LOOKING FOR WHEN THEY PULL THE STOCK CHASSIS OUT AND PUT ONE OF THESE UNDER? I MEAN WHAT IS THEIR MAIN MOTIVE FOR IT?
(CHRIS)>> WELL THEY'RE JUST WANTING STRENGTH, AND THEY'RE WANTING TO DRIVE IT LIKE WE DRIVE CARS NOW, INSTEAD OF LIKE YOU WOULD HAVE DRIVEN THAT CAR BACK THEN. SO THEY'RE WANTING TO BEEF IT UP STRENGTH WISE, AND YOU KNOW, LOOKS IS A LOT OF IT NOW. YOU KNOW PEOPLE WANT THEM TO LOOK NICE AND CLEAN. JUST OVERALL A NICE FINISHED PRODUCT.
(PAT)>> A LOT OF THEM ARE SHOW CARS BUT THEY'RE ALSO, A LOT OF PEOPLE RACE THESE THINGS, THEY DRIVE THEM HARD.
(CHRIS)>> DEFINITELY.
(PAT)>> THAT'S AWESOME! FROM CAR SHOW COOL, LIKE THIS BEAUTIFUL TBIRD, TO THE UNCONVENTIONAL, A 1,500 HORSEPOWER BLOWN CHEVY PICK UP WHICH WILL HAVE PLENTY OF STYLE ONCE FINISHED. HE ALSO HAS THE OBSCURE. THIS CHASSIS WAS MYSTIFYING TO US AT FIRST. WE HAD NO IDEA WHAT WENT ON TOP OF IT UNTIL CHRIS SHOWED US SOME RENDERINGS. THIS ONE OFF CUSTOM WILL BE POWERED BY A BIG INCH LS ENGINE BACKED BY A SIXL-80-E GM TRANSMISSION. A NINE INCH REAR END IS HOUSED INSIDE THE UNIQUE SHELL. THIS HEAD TURNER IS HEADING TO RUSSIA.
(MIKE)>> DAVID AND CHRIS HAVE PERFECTED BUILDING HOT RODS AND CHASSIS SINCE 1979. NOW THEY SHARE THEIR KNOWLEDGE WITH A NEW GENERATION OF HOT RODDERS AND TRADESMEN.
(DAVID)>> THE FACT THAT WE TAKE THESE GUYS, THESE YOUNG GUYS, AND MOST OF THEM COME OUT OF THE SCHOOL THAT'S RIGHT HERE BY OUR SHOP, AND MY WIFE'S A TEACHER, MY DAUGHTER IN LAW'S TEACHER, AND THEY HAND PICK THESE KIDS, AND THEY'RE GOOD KIDS, AND WE TAKE THESE KIDS AND WE TRAIN THEM, AND TEACH THEM HOW TO WELD. WE TEACH THEM HOW TO FABRICATE. WE TEACH THEM HOW TO DO BODY WORK, AND WE GIVE THEM SOMETHING THAT THEY CAN TAKE INTO LIFE AND USE. [ grinding metal ]
(NARRATOR)>> UP NEXT, FROM SHEETS OF STEEL TO A HARDCORE RACE PLATFORM, OUR CAMARO CHASSIS TAKES SHAPE.
(PAT)>> WE'RE BACK AND STILL ON LOCATION AT SRG IN GRANT, ALABAMA. IT'S FINALLY TIME TO BUILD THE CHASSIS FOR OUR TRIPLE THREAT CAMARO. WELL WE'VE MADE IT THROUGH THE SHOP TO THE PLACE WHERE ALL THE MAGIC HAPPENS IF YOU WILL, AND YOU'VE ALREADY GOT US KEYED UP, ENGINE POWER'S SECOND GEN CAMARO. TELL ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR DESIGN PROCESS AND WHAT GOES THROUGH TO GET SOME OF THIS STUFF FROM CONCEPT ONTO A COMPUTER SO YOU CAN START WORKING ON IT.
(CHRIS)>> WELL THE FIRST THING WE DO IS WE ACTUALLY BUY A CAR, OR USE A CAR FOR WHAT WE'RE DOING. WE SHOOT LASERS UNDER THE BOTTOM. WE GET ALL OUR DIMENSIONS, GET IT ALL PLUGGED IN THE COMPUTER, AND ONCE WE GET THE PERIMETER FRAME DONE, AS YOU CAN SEE SOME OF THIS UP CLOSE. ONCE WE GET THE PERIMETER FRAME DESIGN DONE, WE START PUTTING WHEELS AND TIRES IN. THEN WE START BRINGING IN SUSPENSION COMPONENTS AND THINGS LIKE THAT INTO THE DRAWING. THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT'S REALLY HELPED US IN THE LAST 15 YEARS IS THIS TECHNOLOGY, THE USE OF IT. BEING ABLE TO LOOK AT THINGS BEFORE WE ACTUALLY START CUTTING METAL. METAL'S NOT CHEAP. SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S GONNA WORK BEFORE WE DO IT.
(PAT)>> CHRIS IS ABLE TO LAY OUT ALL THE PIECES FOR THE CHASSIS, INCLUDING BRACKETS. NO PREFORMED TUBING IS USED. HE CUTS EVERYTHING OUT OF FLAT PLATE. WHEN HE COMMANDS THE TORCH TABLE TO CUT WHAT YOU SEE ON THE COMPUTER SCREEN COMES TO REAL LIFE. AS THE TORCH MAKES MORE AND MORE CUTS NOTICE HOW THE LAYOUT IS EXACTLY LIKE IT WAS ON THE MONITOR. THE LAYOUT ALSO HELPS ELIMINATE WASTE BY USING AS MUCH OF THE STEEL AS POSSIBLE.
(MIKE)>> CHRIS HAS PERFECTED THE SETUP OF THE MACHINE, ENSURING SUPER CLEAN CUTS AND MINIMAL TIME AFTERWARDS TO REMOVE SLAG. WHAT'S IMPRESSIVE IS ALL THE CHASSIS' ARE CUT OUT ON THIS FOUR BY FOUR FOOT TABLE. WHEN THE TORCH STOPS, THE PIECES CAN BE HANDLED.
(CHRIS)>> IT'S ALREADY COOL ENOUGH, WE CAN TOUCH IT.
(MIKE)>> THE FIRST PANEL TO BE WORKED ON IS PREPPED FOR WELDING. A QUICK PASS WITH THE GRINDER AROUND THE EDGES WILL ENSURE CLEAN WELDS WITH GOOD PENETRATION. NOW TWO SECTIONS ARE SETUP ON A JIG AND A STRAIGHT EDGE IS USED TO ALIGN THEM BEFORE TACKING THEM TO THE TABLE. NEXT A COUPLE OF FABRICATION SQUARES ARE USED TO GET THE RAIL TO THE NEXT STEP, WHICH IS FORMING THE TOP PORTION OF THE RAIL. THIS IS DONE BY HAND, BENDING AND TACKING THE PIECE AS IT FALLS INTO PLACE. REPEATEDLY THROUGH THE ENTIRE PROCESS THE RAILS ARE CHECKED FOR STRAIGHTNESS. ADJUSTMENTS ARE MADE WITH THOR'S HAMMER. WELL KINDA! IT'S A TOOL THEY FABBED UP IN HOUSE. ONCE THE SIDES AND INTERIOR GUSSETS ARE ADDED, HERE'S WHAT A SECTION OF THE RAILS LOOKS LIKE. THE CROSS MEMBERS ARE BUILT IN A JIG. THEN FINISHED WELDED ON THE TABLE. A MIX OF MIG AND TIG WELDING IS USED. WITH WHAT WE HAVE PLANNED FOR THIS CAR BEING A TRIPLE THREAT CAR, WANTING TO DO IT USING A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT DEALS LIKE, WHAT'S YOUR RECOMMENDATION FOR REAR SUSPENSION?
(CHRIS)>> I'M THINKING WE GO WITH A PARALLEL FOUR LINK WITH THE PAN HARD. WE'LL KEEP IT SIMPLE, GIVE YOU TONS OF ADJUSTABILITY IN IT FOR WHATEVER YOU'RE GONNA DO WITH IT. WE CAN GET REAL ELABORATE WITH IT, BUT I THINK FOR WHAT Y'ALL ARE GONNA DO THAT THAT WOULD BE THE SIMPLE THAT FITS WELL, GONNA BE EASY TO WORK WITH.
(PAT)>> EVERY CHASSIS IS FINISHED OFF WITH THE NEEDED BRACKETRY, WHICH IS TACKED INTO POSITION. THEN FINISH WELDED WITH HEIMS IN PLACE FOR PERFECT ALIGNMENT. WHEN THE GUYS FINISH UP, YOU HAVE THE OPTION OF A BARE OR POWDER COATED CHASSIS.
(DAVID)>> IF WE DO THESE CHASSIS' HANDS ON AND WE INDIVIDUALLY WATCH EACH ONE OF THEM BE BUILT, AND EXAMINE THE WELDS, AND MAKE SURE EVERYTHING IS BUILT LIKE IT SHOULD BE BUILT, I FEEL BETTER WHEN I LAY DOWN AND SLEEP AT NIGHT THAT I'VE BUILT A GOOD, SAFE CHASSIS, AND I FEEL LIKE OUR PRODUCT IS QUALITY. I FEEL LIKE IT'S STRONG, I FEEL LIKE WE REALLY HAVE SOMETHING WE CAN BE PROUD OF.
(PAT)>> OUR CHASSIS WILL BE READY SOON, AND WE CAN'T WAIT TO SEE IT UNDER OUR CAMARO.
(PAT)>> WE TOLD YOU THERE WAS SOME CHANGES HAPPENING TO THE ENGINE POWER SHOP. WELL NOW YOU GET TO SEE THEM FOR YOURSELVES. WHILE WE'VE BEEN OUT ON THE ROAD, CREWS HAVE BEEN WORKING HARD TO COMPLETE SOME MUCH NEEDED UPGRADES. FIRST PREPARATIONS WERE MADE FOR A BRAND NEW IN GROUND DYNOJET CHASSIS DYNO. A PIT WAS DUG, A CONCRETE PAD WAS POURED, AND WALLS WERE FORMED. THE IN GROUND SETUP GIVES US MORE ROOM IN THE SHOP, DOESN'T NEED THE LONG DYNO RAMPS OR A LIFT, AND IT MAKES IT EASIER TO WORK WITH LOW PROFILE VEHICLES.
(MIKE)>> THE CHECKERBOARD TILE WE HAD FOR SO LONG WAS REMOVED AND REPLACED WITH A NEW EPOXY COATING FROM QUESTMARK. THEY REMOVED THE TILES WITH THIS TRICK TILE SCRAPER. THEN THEY GROUND THE CONCRETE FLAT TO MAKE WAY FOR THEIR NEW THIN MIL COATING, WHICH IS A HIGH PERFORMANCE FLOOR PRODUCT THAT OFFERS EXCELLENT ABRASION RESISTANCE AND ADHESION. PERFECT FOR OUR SHOP ENVIRONMENT. THEY FINISHED IT OUT WITH A DECORATIVE FLAKE AND CLEARED IT WITH A MATTE FINISH. LAST BUT NOT LEAST IS OUR BRAND NEW DANMAR LIFT. NOW THIS IS A TWO POST DESIGN THAT HAS A 10,000 POUND CAPACITY AND RUNS OFF OF 230 VOLT SERVICE. NOW PAT AND I GET TO PUT ALL THIS KILLER EQUIPMENT TO GOOD USE ON A BUNCH OF AWESOME PROJECTS WE HAVE PLANNED FOR THIS SEASON. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE PARTS AND EQUIPMENT USED IN TODAY'S EPISODE VISIT POWERNATION TV DOT COM.
(PAT)>> THERE WE GO!
(MIKE)>> YOU WANT ME TO SQUEEZE IN THERE?
(PAT)>> YEAH, HEY, SEE IF IT FIRES UP.
(MIKE)>> TWO PUMPS, READY, HERE IT GOES! [ engine starts ]
(MIKE)>> LOOK AT THAT!
(PAT)>> COME ON OUT.
(MIKE)>> WE'VE TALKED ABOUT TRIPLE THREAT CARS BEFORE. NOW WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT EXACTLY WHAT THEY ARE AND HOW TO BUILD A COMPETITIVE ONE. THREE OF THE MOST POPULAR TYPES OF RACING THESE DAYS ARE AUTO CROSS, WHICH IS BASICALLY CONES SETUP IN A LARGE PAVED AREA MAPPING OUT A TRACK. ROAD RACING, WHICH IS DONE ON LARGE CORNER CARVING COURSES, AND DRAG RACING. NO EXPLANATION IS NEEDED HERE. SIMPLY PUT, A TRIPLE THREAT VEHICLE CAN HANDLE ALL THREE AND BE COMPETITIVE IN ITS RESPECTIVE CLASS. THESE VEHICLES NEED A STRONG FOUNDATION TO HANDLE THE ABUSE. THAT'S WHY WE CHOSE TO PUT A STREET ROD GARAGE CUSTOM CHASSIS UNDER THIS CAMARO. NOW THAT WILL ALLOW US TO RUN A LARGER TIRE SIZE, HAVE A LOT MORE ADJUSTABILITY WITH THE SUSPENSION COMPONENTS, AND HAVE A MUCH MORE RIGID AND PREDICTABLE DRIVING EXPERIENCE.
(PAT)>> THE HEART OF ANY HIGH PERFORMANCE VEHICLE, ESPECIALLY A TRIPLE THREAT CAR, IS THE POWER PLANT. THIS BEING A 1973 WITH A STOCK ENGINE, IT CAME WITH AN L-65 TWO BARREL 350, WHICH MADE A ROMPING STOMPING 145 HORSEPOWER AND 250 POUND FEET OF TORQUE. OUR GOAL IS TO TRIPLE OR EVEN QUADRUPLE THE POWER IN THIS CAR, AND THAT WOULD BE TEMPTING TO DO WITH A BIG BLOCK, BUT BECAUSE THIS CAR IS GONNA SEE SOME AUTO CROSS ACTION AND NEEDS TO BE MORE BALANCED THAN HAVING A BIG, HEAVY ENGINE IN THE FRONT, WE ARE GONNA DO IT WITH A SMALL BLOCK THAT'S A BIT ON THE EXOTIC SIDE.
(MIKE)>> THE BALANCE TOPIC CONTINUES WITH THESE PARTS. A QUALITY COIL OVER SETUP IS A MUST. WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO CHANGE THE CAR'S RIDE HEIGHT AND ADJUST THE REBOUND AND COMPRESSION OF THE SHOCKS. I CONSIDER THESE THE HEART OF THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM. NEXT IS THIS MANUAL QUICK RATIO STEERING RACK. BEING ABLE TO ACHIEVE LOCK TO LOCK STEERING POSITIONS FASTER WILL BE A HUGE HELP ON THE TRACK. BRAKES ARE ALSO A BALANCE ISSUE. FAST CARS NEED A BRAKING SYSTEM THAT IS SUFFICIENT WITH THE WEIGHT AND SPEEDS THE CAR IS CAPABLE OF. THIS 13 INCH SYSTEM IS DEFINITELY A GOOD CHOICE.
(PAT)>> THESE UPGRADES ARE JUST A PART OF WHAT GOES INTO PLANNING A TRUE TRIPLE THREAT CAR, AND WE STILL NEED TO ADDRESS A FEW OTHER THINGS LIKE WHEELS, TIRES, SAFETY EQUIPMENT, AND MORE.
(MIKE)>> PLUS WE'RE GOING TO KEEP THE CLASSIC LOOK OF THIS SPLIT BUMPER CAMARO, BUT WE'VE GOT A FEW IDEAS TO UPDATE ITS STYLE. NOW YOU'LL BE SEEING MORE OF THIS CAR ON FUTURE EPISODES OF ENGINE POWER.
