HOMEGROWN COPO #9 - Ready to STOP, but not GO Just Yet!

HOME Grown

COPO

RPM PROJECT CAR

by

READY TOSTOP but not

Jay Misener

>> Our COPO project gets brakes, wheels, and engine prep

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n the March 2019 issue of RPM we gave a brief overview for new readers of how our Project Homegrown COPO started life, and has developed since, and the

build looks to be on track for completion and testing by late fall of this year.

Also in our last installment, we covered mounting theHolley ECU and our Leash wiring board along

GO

just yet

with the trick VTX-20 16V 16-volt lithium battery from Antigravity Batteries battery we chose to power our tribute COPO. We saw the Camaro lights get turned on and now

finally have the proper factory-style connections in-hand to begin wiring the rest of the car in earnest.

Moving inside, we gave a first glimpse of our Summit Racing aluminum race seats

©2018 Lokar Inc.

Anchor-Tight® Locking Transmission Dipsticks

Mounting Brackets & Spring Return Kits

U.S. Pat. No. 7,546,693

Interior Battery Disconnect Lever Kit

INTERIOR BATTERY DISCONNECT LEVER KIT

TOLL FREE 1-877-469-7440

©2018 LOKAR, INC.

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june 2019 | RPM Magazine

(865) 824-9767 • FAX (865) 824-9761 • catalog@lokar.com • tech@lokar.com

TOLL FREE 1-877-469-7440 LOKAR.COM (865) 824-9767 • FAX (865) 824-9761 • CATALOG@LOKAR.COM • TECH@LOKAR.COM

LOKAR.COM

1 2: RC includes free stickers in every box, and the sinister black and machined finish looks good even in the shipping bag!

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1: Our RC Components Hammer wheels arrived just after the last article and we couldn’t wait to unbox them.

and Precision Performance shifter. Now, here we are a short three months later catching up with more progress.

Just after the last article, our badass RC Components Hammer wheels arrived.

The rears are beadlocked 15x10s with a 4-inch backspace and the fronts are 17X4.5s. We have to say that we were blown away by the quality, the weight (or we should say lack thereof) and

the downright mean, modern good looks of these wheels.

We chose to go with beadlocked rears, as the plan is to use the car as a testbed for various power adders down the road and possibly a manual trans (or both). The 17x4.5s on the front work well with the large wheelwells while also adding a modern look and show off our blingy jewelry-like Mark Williams brakes!

We went with 27.5/4.0R-17

JE_BBC_RPM_2015_Layout 1 8/11/15 2:29 PM Page 1

The latest technology for your Big Block Chevy 3D milling

OTHER BRANDS 2.930'' JE FSR 2.500''

Introducing Lightweight Big Block Chevy FSR Pistons with 3D Milling!

This new design was custom-engineered with 3D machining and drastically reduces piston assembly weight with shortened wrist pins (-26 grams) and a low-friction ring set (-25 grams). The end result provides additional material in critical piston areas, ultimately increasing strength and durability!

• The only off-the-shelf 3D machined BBC piston available!

• 60 popular BBC high compression combinations available off-the-shelf • Compatible with popular open chamber heads • 2618 alloy high strength forging (FEA designed) • Lateral gas ports improve ring seal • Superior JE Pro Seal Ring Package utilizes a .043” steel top ring, .043” Napier hooked 2nd ring, and 3.0mm low tension oil ring.

• 100% engineered, forged, and manufactured in the USA

Wrist Pins • High quality 2.500'' pin further reduces reciprocating weight • Carbon steel wire locks included

7 1 4 - 8 9 8 - 9 7 6 3 • i n f o @ j e p i s t o n s . c o m • w w w. j e p i s t o n s . c o m

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RPM PROJECT CAR 3

4

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COPO

HOME Grown

5

6 3 & 4: Fronts are 17X4.5 and rears are beadlocked 15x10s.

5: We ordered the complete Mark Williams brake kit for front and rear…and we mean complete!

6 & 7: Finished brake installation front & rear.

Mickey Thompson ET Front tires and a pair of used 30x9.0s as mock up tires that will be replaced

by Mickeys as the car gets close to making its debut.

The front brakes (part #75530) feature cross-drilled rotors and our kit included hubs with Timken® bearings, seals, rotors, dust covers, four piston calipers with linings and caliper mount brackets. All required fas-

teners and wheel studs are also included. The Front low drag wheel hubs are number 75538 and are a direct replacement for the heavy and high drag OEM unit bearing hub with a rotating torque 75% less than the OEM assemblies. There’s also a weights savings of 6 pounds per pair. While it may not seem substantial, we learned quickly on our naturally aspirated

Billet

7

Caps

The largest cap on the market!

No need to fight getting ice into your intercooler again! With PRP’s new billet machined extra-large filler caps it is not a problem at all. These one of kind extra-large caps offer almost a 7” opening and are sealed with a Buna-N O-ring for a water tight seal. All kits are completed with an anodized finish in either clear, red, blue, or black. Two available styles complete with stainless steel hardware in either a weld on version, or bolt on version.

www.prpracingproducts.com

268 Geiger Road • Philadelphia , PA 19115 Phone: (215) 969-3550 Fax: (215) 969-3548 Email: info@prpracingproducts.com

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RPM PROJECT CAR Coyote Mustang that the low drag and rotational weight savings are very important, especially in class racing.

The rear brakes (Part # 71525) include 5/16inch thick 7075 aluminum caliper mounting brackets, aluminum brake hats that are drilled to accept 5/8-inch drive studs, a slot-drive rotor attachment system, all required mounting hardware, and MW 4-piston calipers with linings.

Now on to the heart of the matter—the mill we will be using to power HGC—a naturally-aspirated 427 cubic inch LS 7

with a goal to make 850-plus flywheel horsepower.

We mentioned last year that we would be using an aftermarket block—specifically the DART LS Next (#31837211) 6-bolt block with a 4.125inch bore. As DART states, “designed from a clean slate approach, the LS Next iron block has addressed the shortcomings of the LS platform. By utilizing conventional style main caps and oil pans with LS rotating assemblies and related components, Dart has addressed the windage and oil control problems which result from the factory LS engine’s separated crankcase bays.”

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8: Deburring the block should be step one in any build. Spend the time now to save dollars later if contaminated oil caused engine failure.

9: Our block is now ready to be bored, honed, cleaned, then assembled.

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REDEFINING PERFORMANCE 10 10 & 11: We now have our .800+ lift custom grind COMP cam and custom 14:1 Ross pistons to go along with our Lunati Pro Series crankshaft and I-Beam rods but are waiting on a few more items to start assembling the short block.

SHP LS NEXT PRO

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Features and benefits of the block include:

• Priority main oiling system • Siamesed cylinder bores with extra thick walls • Cylinder barrels extended .375-inch at the bottom • Extra thick decks ensure reliable head gasket seal • Blind head bolt holes don’t go through to water jacket • Scalloped water jackets increase flow around cylinders for better cooling • Clearance for 4.100-inch stroke with steel rods • Splayed outer bolts on middle main bearing caps • LS or Gen I-style motor mounts • Provisions for OE stock roller lifters and cam • Uses stock timing covers and stock rear cover • All OE bolt holes for starter, water pump, etc. retained • Driver or passenger side starter mounts

We started by deburring the block of its casting flash. This is one of many small details to building a strong reliable engine.

Most blocks need this kind of work, but not many people will spend the time doing it. Pieces of casting can come off blocks over time and get into the oil, which can only spell trouble. Plus, with less material in its way, oil will run smoother throughout the engine. While our block didn’t need much, it is always a good idea to complete this step toward building the best engine possible. Think of it as insurance.

Progress on actual engine assembly is slow going. To go along with our Lunati Pro Series crankshaft, I-beam rods and custom Ross pistons, we now have our custom grind COMP Cams solid roller camshaft that is in the neighborhood of .800-inch lift, along with set of matching valve springs part # 996-16 and a set of #733-16

• Superior strength 220 BHN Cast Iron • Full skirt design for use with OE type oil pans and windage trays • Standard LS 9.240” deck height • Bore sizes from 4.000” up to 4.185” • Factory oil filter provision • Priority main oiling • 4-bolt Steel main caps with upgraded ARP main studs • 6-bolts per cylinder capability • 8 counterweight machining

PRO1 LS 12° 285cc CNC • LS7 compatible • RMR Cast Aluminum Alloy • High flowing 285cc CNC intake ports • 12° valve angle with 2.200” x 1.625” valve job • 66cc CNC combustion chambers • 6-bolt per cylinder Q U A L I T Y. S T R E N G T H . P E R F O R M A N C E . S I N C E 1 9 8 1 .

248.362.1188 | DARTHEADS.COM

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RPM PROJECT CAR titanium retainers.

An ATI Balancer and flexplate are also in the house, however, we still need our shaft rockers, timing chain, oil pump and pan.

Andrew Blanchard from New Generation Engines has been busy prepping the Mast Motorsports cylinder heads. The heads required a touch of machining to the spring pockets to get the spring installed heights just perfect, which is another detail required when planning to make north of 800 hp and spin an engine over 8000 rpm. Once the heads were bang-on, New Gen lapped the valves in for a good seal and began installing the hardware, spring cups, valve seals, springs, retainers and locks.

We’re moving

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14 12: A valve spring height micrometer is an invaluable tool in the engine room.

15 13: Andrew Blanchard works his magic on our Mast Motorsports heads. They needed some minor machining in the spring pockets to get the valve spring heights bang on.

14 & 15: Lapping the valves in before assembly will ensure that everything is sealing air tight or reveal any concerns that can be addressed before assembly. As you can see our valves and seats (supplied by Mast with the heads) are perfect.

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RPM PROJECT CAR 16 & 17: Valves are carefully installed

by Andrew and then our COMP valve springs and a set of COMP Titanium retainers and locks are installed as seen here.

Blanchard rigged up an attachment to a drill press to use as a valve spring compressor.

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along, but its busy season again in the shop and with racing activities.

Stay tuned a few months down the

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road as we’re hoping to get on with the short block assembly along with finishing the wiring so we can install the interior

june 2019 | RPM Magazine

and then tackle the remaining glass install. Be sure to check back in then!

SOURCES DART

Mast Motorsports

www.dartheads.com 248.362.1188

www.mastmotorsports.com 936.560.2218

Mark Williams Enterprises

RC Components

www.markwilliams.com 866.508.6394

www.rccomponents.com 800.360.0915