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5 Feb 2011, 21:38 (Ref:2826303)
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Rookie
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 6
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Exciting New Nissan 370Z NISMO Team
Hey all, A.M. Performance announced plans to enter into the 2011 Grand AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge. They are currently in the works of building the new Nissan 370Z NISMO’s that are planned to compete. Drivers Brian Lock and Mike Sweeney are anxious and excited to get into their new cars and see what they can do. We work with Brian Lock, who has promised to keep us updated (weekly) on the progress of the cars (accompanied with photos) and we will relay that information to you. If you are interested in the team, their recent press release can be located on their website.
PICTURES OF SHOP PROGRESS               UPDATE 2/5/11 At the beginning of this thread we wanted to introduce A.M. Performance to the forum, and get some pictures up on what has been happening at the shop. In this update we asked them to tell us why they chose the 370z as their car to compete in, as well as, what they have so far done to improve the cars. From Mike Sweeney, We chose the 370 because we think it's a good package that can be made competitive. Our goal is to win races and championships in order to build our brand. In addition, Brian has a good relationship with the Nissan people from his time running the GT-R Time Attack car with Cobb Tuning last year. We also know that Grand Am wants new manufacturers in their series, and finally, we want to build a brand with A.M. Performance, offering parts and services for people who want real, effective, properly engineered, and motorsports proven performance parts for their cars. We saw a big opportunity in the Nissan community, as there just isn't that type of support out there for this brand. We also think the 370's will look and sound badass, which is important, because race cars have to look and sound cool!  We have so far stripped two of the cars down completely (as in not a single nut or bolt left on the chassis) to get sandblasted, and seam welded every seam on the cars! (The factory only spot welds, and there is significant rigidity to be found in seam welding) The third we stripped to a point where it can still be used to mock up parts, such as headers, exhaust, and suspension components. Waiting to be marked for sandblasting.  The red spray paint is used as a guide for sandblasting.  The car on the rotisserie we built for it.  The car is now prepared for welding.   Aerial view of welding the bottom of the car.  Seam welding in progress.  Close up of a new weld.  Completed seam welds in the front.  The bottom and front completely seam welded.  We will also be developing and producing multiple suspension pieces for the car. The lower control arms and most of the links in the rear suspension will be included in this, and the pieces we make will be available to our customers. We will be running AST 5200 series dampers, as we think they are a better choice than the KONI 2800s, also allowed by Grand Am (those are the only two approved dampers). We plan on changing the springs from track to track and session to session, due to varying conditions. For braking, we plan on using Brembo front calipers and Nissan rear calipers, working with a Tevis racing ABS system. Finally, we are going to run the extremely sexy 18" Nissan Motorsport Volk Special wheels to fit the 245 front and 275 rear Continental slicks. (Test fitting shown below)  Keep checking for regularly posted updates. Other Cool Pictures of the cars and shop          [/CENTER] Advertising Logos removed by Aysedasi Self-promoting website link removed by Aysedasi - please read the forum rules. Last edited by Aysedasi; 6 Feb 2011 at 09:32. |
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6 Feb 2011, 09:19 (Ref:2826429)
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Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,527
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Quote:
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__________________
There's an old F1 adage, 'If you want to finish first, first you have to be a duplicitous little moaning git'
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6 Feb 2011, 10:17 (Ref:2826466)
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Veteran
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 13,763
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I think its a very interesting thread ..... it offers an insight into a race car build , that we on 10/tenths have never seen before , that Im aware of .
It also offers a pictorial story of what it takes to set up a team . Whats the idea behind the sandblasting , is it just to ready the surface for welding ? I remember teams dipping body panels in acid baths , to lighten the panels . We also think the 370's will look and sound badass, which is important, because race cars have to look and sound cool! That above comment ..... especially the sound part , I whole heartedly agree with ..... If I had my way , the decibels rule should be done away with and to hell with the pussies and greenies too . |
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6 Feb 2011, 14:23 (Ref:2826618)
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Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 12,236
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More than a mouthful in the first post! Enough info there for an entire thread!
I like these cars and it will add more flavor to the GA GT. Using the name "NISMO", does this mean this effort factory supported? Got a GA debut date? |
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__________________
"Knowing that it's in you and you never let it out Is worse than blowing any engine or any wreck you'll ever have." -Mike Cooley
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6 Feb 2011, 14:45 (Ref:2826635)
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Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 6,958
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6 Feb 2011, 15:36 (Ref:2826658)
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Veteran
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,338
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Quote:
Race debut is said to be at Barber in early April. |
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6 Feb 2011, 17:17 (Ref:2826739)
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Veteran
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,767
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Brian Lock? Didn't he work with Subaru in the past? I guess he smarted up and realized that the platform was not suited to the class it's in. The Impreza, that is. The Legacy was pretty good in it's class.
Also nice to see coverage of the CTS less than a month after the race actually took place. |
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6 Feb 2011, 17:23 (Ref:2826741)
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Veteran
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,338
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I think the Subaru Impreza in Conti Challenge will turn some heads this year... the team was quite happy with their Daytona result and expect to be able to challenge for podiums on the tighter circuits (and pray for rain at all the others, I supposse).
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6 Feb 2011, 17:27 (Ref:2826746)
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Veteran
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,525
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Quote:
http://tentenths.com/forum/showthrea...t=118490Always nice to see ths inner workings of a team. Don't forget you don't need to directly advertise here.... if people are really interested, they'll always find the team via the official championship page or Google, etc. |
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__________________
*jingle* The New York Mets have a new left fielder... Duda, Duda “It's fine that F1 goes all over the world, but we must not exaggerate by going to race in deserts or where there is no culture for racing," di Montezemolo continued
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6 Feb 2011, 17:27 (Ref:2826747)
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Veteran
Join Date: Oct 2001
Posts: 785
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Quote:
I'd like to ask the team about what - technically - would be needed to step the effort up to GT2 standards, comparing it to the RJN Zs in Europe, about installing an AER VQ or a VK V8 to get there, about their choice of transaxle... But it's a road car - a cool one - with a strengthened shell and a stock drivetrain. They probably have no idea about anything closer to what's discussed here. At least it's not a tube-frame look-alike. If that's OK, we could also discuss the drifting Zs with an unrestricted VK V8 that must be pretty close to the ones that are introduced in LMP2. |
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6 Feb 2011, 17:33 (Ref:2826750)
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,338
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This car is basically a GT4, and we've had perfectly fine discussions on GT4 racing on here on occassion and without anybody complaining that this doesn't belong in this forum. So why all that hooopla now?!
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6 Feb 2011, 18:59 (Ref:2826820)
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Team Crouton
20KPINAL
Join Date: Oct 2001
Posts: 39,963
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Jeez - there is NO hoopla. The thread is open. Read my lips - O-P-E-N. That's NOT closed. OK? It always has been since I moderated it this morning. Talk about it, it's fine....
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__________________
280 days......
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8 Feb 2011, 12:37 (Ref:2827721)
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Racer
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 147
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I like this thread! It's cool to see the work that goes into building a race car from scratch. I also love the 370Z it's on of my favorite cars. I can't wait to see it on the track. Good luck with the rest of the build.
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__________________
Chevrolet Corvette C6.R GT2 (3) - Beretta, Garcia, & Milner Chevrolet Corvette C6.R GT2 (4) - Magnussen, Gavin, & Westbrook
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8 Feb 2011, 21:47 (Ref:2828051)
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Rookie
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 1
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Its exciting to see everyones interest in the team and the car builds. We will definitely keep you guys up to date with the progress!
To answer the question on why we don't do GT2, the answer is cubic dollars mr friends  . But not to worry, we have plans for Nissan in Rolex GT in the near future. Stay tuned!
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20 Feb 2011, 19:13 (Ref:2834313)
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Rookie
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 6
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Update 2/20/11
Hey all, sorry for not posting any update recently, we have been having issues uploading them to the internet. The problem has been resolved and we are in the process of consolidating recent photos. Here is an update for the last two weeks. We have had requests asking for a complete listing of everything that has been taken off the cars, what is going to be fabricated, and what will be put on the cars. Regarding what has been removed, Literally Everything! The cars have been stripped down to the frame and ever part that can come off has. As far as what is going to be fabricated and put on the cars, we regretfully are not able to provide that information right now, besides the obvious. A.M. Performances is currently working with GRAND-AM regarding this and once it has gotten the O.K., A.M. Performance will send us the list to get to you. The team was kind enough to answer a couple of posts that came up this past week, and the answers provide a little insightful information on what the team is doing to the cars. Here are the questions and response: -What are the parts you took off to save weight and if you can, the modifications you will or have done to meet your goal of 400rwhp?- A.M. Performance, “There is an astonishing amount of wiring, comfort, and interior equipment that is superfluous to our cause here. Much of the saved weight is purely in the removal of everything that keeps the car comfortable, safe, and quiet on the street. Also, stripping all the undercoating and tar insulation saves a lot of weight. Finally, all the little brackets and doodads that we aren't using add up, and we have cut all of those off the car. Any of the parts we replace will be replaced with a better, stronger part that is as light as it can possibly be.” -What’s the idea behind the sandblasting, is it just to ready the surface for welding?- A.M. Performance, “It preps the car for seam welding quite nicely, and makes for a clean, blank canvas to work with. In addition, it saves a bunch of weight by getting probably about 40 pounds of undercoating and seam sealer off the car.” Regarding this weeks update: The team has been busy at work seam welding the second car, installing the cage on the first car, and designing the new parts that will be added to the cars. We have a bunch of great photos for you, so check them out below. Pile of brackets, etc. we are removing for weight savings.  Chassis #2 being welded on the rotisserie  Seam welding getting finished on chassis #2  Chassis #1 ready for cage!  The Machine shop ready to prototype parts  The shop GT-R, which A.M. Performance will use as a test mule to make parts for Nissan's other sports car.  Racetech Seat in car to figure out mounting  First bends for the main hoop  Three mains!  Racetech belts showed up today, with their super-slick new style adjusters.   Andrew (right) and Drew hard at work drawing awesome new parts with green lines  TIG welding the first cage  Working on the halo bar  Hot new rig front  Hot new rig rear  Front of the rig workshop  Office/lounge  The downstairs workshop in the rig  Workbench space  Kurt up to his eyeballs with wiring harness  Mocking up the door bars  Cage rear  Detail of gorgeous cage foot  Cage front  Pretty welds  Nice looking door bars, feel safe behind those!  The NISMO bodywork   Test fitted body work... this car's going to look sweet!  Graphics guys making templates for vinyl  Keep checking for future updates and awesome pictures of these cars!
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21 Feb 2011, 04:10 (Ref:2834462)
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Veteran
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 8,611
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Thanks for the updates! Its great to see behind the scenes of a race team's workshop especially when they're building some new cars.
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__________________
Somebody asked if the McLaren F1 was going to be like the Ferrari F40, Gordon Murray replied, "I don't think so, there's no one at McLaren who can weld that badly."
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21 Feb 2011, 11:04 (Ref:2834549)
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#17 | |
 Race OfficialVeteran
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,102
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This is turning into a fascinating 'for the fans' thread. Nice bit of PR by the team, I wish them the very best of luck and will likely take more of an interest in Grand Am (or more specifically, how the team gets on) as a result of this.
Well done!
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8 Mar 2011, 04:46 (Ref:2841933)
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Rookie
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 6
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Update 3/7/11
 Update 3/7/11 The A.M. Performance team for the past couple of weeks has been in a crazed frenzy trying to complete the builds on time for their public revealing and Grand-AM's Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge, Barber 200. Fighting against a crazy time schedule, numerous potential problems, and a seemingly endless to-do list, the team has shown their determination to complete the builds on time and are rapidly pushing toward their goals. They have made astounding progress on the cars and the litany of other necessary objectives that create a truly professional team. We have gotten some great media form them for this weeks update that includes an interview with Mike Sweeny, pictures from the past weeks, and an awesome video! Brian driving the GORGEOUS sounding 350Z development mule last weekend at Willow Springs! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1L4U3...layer_embedded Mike Sweeny's interview with Grand-AM radio http://bit.ly/GAULep26 Check out the great pictures from the previous couple of weeks below. Cool new look for the rig!    Dropping off #04 at the powder coater's place.   Caging the bejeezus outta Car #05!     Finish welding the halo on car #05. Awesome!  Used a rotary punch and arbor press to make the gusset plates!   Recieving first test engine!  Test engine installed in the 350Z test mule and on the dyno. It made somewhere between 100 and 1000 horsepower.  Busy day at A.M. Performance.  Sexy.....  Everyone checking out the powder-coated chassis after unloading it. Thanks TNT Powdercoating in Cameron Park!  Chads old 350 motor going in the recently finished chassis on #4 for plumbing. Just a place holder until our next Grand Am motor is done.   Plumbing the chassis on #04. Going back together!  Did we mention the quality of the work here? Check the welds on our exhaust!  Prototype (not plated yet) of our A.M. Performance caliper mount with provisions for our integral brake cooling ducts.  Keep checking this thread and sign up for A.M. Performance's Facebook page to receive more great updates! |
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19 Mar 2011, 18:28 (Ref:2849278)
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Rookie
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 6
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Update 3/19/11
Update 3/19/11 In just over 3 weeks Mike Sweeney and Brian Lock will be making their debut at the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge Barber 200, from April 7-9. They have postponed their official public revealing in order to see that the number 4 car is in tip-top shape and will demonstrate its awesome capabilities at Barber. They plan on having everything on the car and start testing within the week. So keep up for what will be some awesome videos. Also, Mike Sweeney is running this very important fundraising effort for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, please check it out it is a great cause and you can help a lot of people! https://svmb.dojiggy.com/pledge/inde...7E747E0F0D0403 Below are some cool pictures on what has been going on at the shop and also a video tour of the shop, for those who might have missed Cmike2780's post. Cool Video! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8hC_NYiLgI Awesome Picture! Sweet fuel cell/receptacle setup!  Awesome oil cooler setup!  Mike and Jeff working sheet metal for fuel cell  Andrew machining the A/C Delete Kit Pulley Relocation Bracket  Front of car 3/8  Big Duster TIG welding coolant swirl pot  Car rear 3/9 - working on crossing things off of that punch list!  Wiring!  Making templates for graphics  Best lookin' canopies you ever saw.  Machining A-arm pieces  Making brake and fuel lines  Andrew being smart.  Taylor-Dunn! These things make the racing world go round, we'll be doing some custom stuff with ours...  Starting to lay on the car wrap!  Drew being smart  Weighing the car, Clampett-style  Sneak peek of our finished caliper mount and a prototype Ultra-Trick 370Z Upper A-Arm  The team is also selling their 2005 Renegade toterhome setup.  If you are interested visit: 2005 Renegade Toter Home For Sale! Only 74,000 miles!!! - eBay (item 330542521484 end time Mar-22-11 11:28:13 PDT) Keep checking this thread and sign up for A.M. Performance's Facebook page to receive more great updates!
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5 Apr 2011, 02:41 (Ref:2858922)
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Rookie
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 6
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Update 4/4/11
Update 4/4/11 This weekend A.M. Performance will be making their much anticipated debut at Barber Motorsports Park, Barber 200. They will be demonstrating the exciting new capabilities of their Nissan 370z NISMO's, which they have meticulously and relentlessly built from the bottom up, developed new parts, and tuned everything to harmony. This thread has been showing the team's determination and diligence in creating the most exciting new race cars out there, and we will continue brining more great updates from the team. Since we haven't provided updates for a while (due to chaos all around) and the team is about to race, we will be catching everything up in the next couple of days (MANY, MANY, MANY COOL PICTURES TO COME!!) Also, these next updates will catch up on everything the team has been doing. You can also stay connected with the team through their mailing list. Those who sign up will receive race results, what's happening at the shop, what they are doing, what they are making, and probably some pretty cool videos involving race cars doing pretty cool stuff. Sign up form A.M. Performance's Mailing List at: Mailing List Sign Up For those who are first time viewers or returning fans, Mike Sweeny is working with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to promote the awareness of blood cancers, and he is currently in the running for their Man of the Year. Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is a dedicated volunteer health agency devoted to providing the necessary information and funds needed to research blood related cancers. If you are interested in their cause or the diseases they are fighting, check out their website at: The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society® - Official Website If you wish to read Mike's story relating to and/or make a donation supporting Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, please follow this link: https://svmb.dojiggy.com/pledge/inde...7E747E0F0D0403 Below there are some great pictures and cool video!! Brian driving the GORGEOUS sounding 350Z development mule http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1L4U3coPR8U A.M. Performance Shop Tour http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8hC_NYiLgI Awesome Pictures!! Cool new look for the rig! Dropping off #04 at the powder coater's place. Caging the bejeezus outta Car #05! Finish welding the halo on car #05. Awesome! Used a rotary punch and arbor press to make the gusset plates! Recieving first test engine! Test engine installed in the 350Z test mule and on the dyno. It made somewhere between 100 and 1000 horsepower. Busy day at A.M. Performance. Sexy..... Everyone checking out the powder-coated chassis after unloading it. Thanks TNT Powdercoating in Cameron Park! Chads old 350 motor going in the recently finished chassis on #4 for plumbing. Just a place holder until our next Grand Am motor is done. Plumbing the chassis on #04. Going back together! Did we mention the quality of the work here? Check the welds on our exhaust! Prototype (not plated yet) of our A.M. Performance caliper mount with provisions for our integral brake cooling ducts. Again keep checking this thread the next couple of days to stay up to date on the team before the big race. We will again be bringing another cool update within the new couple of days!
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5 Apr 2011, 17:58 (Ref:2859284)
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Rookie
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 6
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Update 4/5/11
More great pictures of what the team has been doing! Sweet fuel cell/receptacle setup! Awesome oil cooler setup! Mike and Jeff working sheet metal for fuel cell Andrew machining the A/C Delete Kit Pulley Relocation Bracket Front of car 3/8 Big Duster TIG welding coolant swirl pot Car rear 3/9 - working on crossing things off of that punch list! Wiring! Making templates for graphics Best lookin' canopies you ever saw. Machining A-arm pieces Making brake and fuel lines Andrew being smart. Taylor-Dunn! These things make the racing world go round, we'll be doing some custom stuff with ours... Starting to lay on the car wrap! Drew being smart Weighing the car, Clampett-style Sneak peek of our finished caliper mount and a prototype Ultra-Trick 370Z Upper A-Arm [SIZE="3"] The team is also selling their 2005 Renegade toterhome setup. There will be another cool picture update tomorrow! Also, sign up for A.M. Performance's Facebook page to receive more great updates!
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6 Apr 2011, 23:41 (Ref:2859959)
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Veteran
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,630
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Will be interesting to see how they make out in their first competitive run. thanks for all the pics.
DK |
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7 Apr 2011, 01:04 (Ref:2859977)
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Race Official Veteran
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 4,154
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Indeed, interesting thread, and best of luck.
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You live and learn. At any rate, you live. Douglas Adams
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