Cleetus McFarlands Camaro "Eagle" Gets a body!

CJ Race Cars
13 May 202410:17

Summary

TLDRIn this video update, the team shares progress on Cletus McFarland's new 69 Camaro. They have made significant strides since the last update, including working on the front suspension and planning for the future. The video addresses the audio quality issue from the previous video and promises improvement with new microphones. The team has started on the fuel cell mount, which will be made of titanium for weight savings and aesthetic appeal. They also discuss the importance of fitting Cletus, who is notably tall, comfortably in the car. This involves adjusting the steering column, which is also made of titanium, and fitting it with a custom extension. The pedal kit is adjustable and designed in-house, allowing for customization to Cletus's needs. The team also focuses on the seat positioning, ensuring it aligns with the frame rail for optimal legroom and comfort. They've made modifications to the seat bar and cross tube to accommodate Cletus's height. The bodywork is underway, with custom rocker panels and quarter panels being fitted. The team emphasizes the importance of safety, showcasing the mockup fire bottles for the 20-pound fire system. The fire lines are meticulously planned for optimal safety. Overall, the video provides a detailed look at the meticulous process of customizing the Camaro to meet Cletus's specific requirements and ensuring a high level of safety and performance.

Takeaways

  • 🚗 The video provides an update on Cletus McFarland's new 69 Camaro, focusing on recent modifications and progress.
  • 🔊 Acknowledging the audio quality issues from the last video, the team is expecting new microphones to improve the sound for future videos.
  • 🕒 The filming was done after hours to minimize background noise, aiming to enhance the viewing experience.
  • 🏎️ Significant work has been completed on the car since the last update, including work on the front suspension and other components.
  • ⚙️ The fuel cell mount is being designed in CAD and will be made of titanium, contributing to a lighter weight.
  • 📐 The car's steering column is titanium with delrin bushings, and an adjustable setup allows for customization to fit Cletus's height.
  • 🔩 The adjustable pedal kit is designed for a comfortable fit, with the ability to move the pedals forward for more legroom, especially important for taller drivers.
  • 💺 The seat has been modified to sit lower by sanding and cutting, ensuring Cletus has enough head clearance and a comfortable driving position.
  • 🧵 The seat mounting process involves precise alignment with the frame rail and rocker bar, using multiple zee fasteners for a secure fit.
  • 🔥 Fire safety is a priority, with the installation of a 20-pound fire system, including mockup bottles and detailed fire line routing.
  • 💣 The bodywork is a complex process involving custom-made rocker panels and quarter panels to achieve the desired fit and aesthetic.

Q & A

  • What is the main focus of the video?

    -The main focus of the video is to provide an update on the progress of Cletus McFarland's new 69 Camaro, including work done on the front suspension, fuel cell mount, and other modifications.

  • What material is the fuel cell mount made of?

    -The fuel cell mount is made of titanium, which helps save weight and provides a good appearance.

  • What is the capacity of the fuel cell?

    -The fuel cell has a capacity of about 6.2 gallons.

  • How is the steering column made and what is its purpose?

    -The steering column is made of titanium with delrin bushings and is designed to ensure a good fit for Cletus, who is very tall, by allowing adjustments to be made for his comfort and driving experience.

  • What is the purpose of the adjustable pedal kit?

    -The adjustable pedal kit allows for customization of the pedal positions to ensure Cletus's comfort and proper reach, taking into account his height and the need for legroom.

  • How are the body panels of the car being modified?

    -The body panels, including the rocker panels and quarter panels, are being custom made to be lighter and fit better with the car's design. The team is working on aligning these panels correctly and ensuring they look good.

  • What is the significance of the seat position in relation to the frame rail?

    -The seat position is being adjusted to be even with the bottom of the frame rail to maximize legroom and comfort for Cletus, who is taller than average.

  • What is the plan for the seat mounting once the body is aligned?

    -Once the body is aligned, a tube will be mounted between the frame rail and the rocker bar, which will also serve as the mounting point for the crotch strap. The seat will be secured with multiple zee fasteners to conform to all the rails.

  • What safety feature is being installed in the car?

    -A 20-pound bottle fire system is being installed for safety, which is particularly important for a car with a turbo and nitrous setup.

  • How are the fire bottles mounted in the car?

    -The fire bottles are mounted in a way that they are fully secured and connected to the car's interior via fire lines, which are meticulously designed and installed by Danny.

  • What is the current status of the audio quality in the videos?

    -The audio quality has been an issue in the past, but the team is working on improving it by expecting new microphones to arrive the next day, which should resolve the problem in the subsequent video.

  • What is the next step in the car's construction after the body is mounted?

    -After the body is mounted, the team will focus on additional structural tubing and other components to finalize the car's construction, ensuring a sleek and secure finish.

Outlines

00:00

🚗 Progress Update on Cletus McFarland's 69 Camaro

The video provides an update on the ongoing project of Cletus McFarland's 69 Camaro. The team has been working on the front suspension and have shared their plans for the vehicle. They have addressed the audio quality issue from the last video and are expecting new microphones. The fuel cell mount, made of titanium, is under development, and a CAD drawing is in progress. The fuel cell itself will have a capacity of about 6.2 gallons and will be enclosed in a quick pin titanium cage for easy removal if needed. The car is being customized for Cletus's height, with a focus on comfort and fit. A steering column made of titanium and a pedal kit are being fitted, with adjustments made to accommodate Cletus's long legs. The seat has arrived and is being adjusted for optimal head clearance and fit. The video concludes with a teaser of upcoming tasks, including fitting controls and finalizing the car's assembly.

05:04

🔧 Customization and Safety Features for the 69 Camaro

The second paragraph delves into the detailed customization and safety features being implemented in the 69 Camaro. The team is notching the seat to lower it as much as possible without compromising safety, and they are using a sanding drum to create space underneath. A body is being fitted onto the car, with custom rocker panels that are lighter than factory ones. The team is working on aligning the roof and quarter panels. The seat will be secured with multiple fasteners and will have a carbon fiber cover for the tubing that will pass through it. The video also highlights the installation of a 20-pound fire system with mockup bottles, emphasizing the importance of safety. The fire lines will be meticulously designed and routed inside and outside the car, near the fuel rail and tank. The paragraph concludes with a mention of the meticulous process involved in customizing and fitting all the components for a perfect and safe fit.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡69 Camaro

The 1969 Chevrolet Camaro, often referred to simply as '69 Camaro, is a classic American muscle car. In the video, it is the central subject being updated and modified by Cletus McFarland. The car is being customized to include modern upgrades while maintaining its classic appeal.

💡Front Suspension

The front suspension is a critical part of a car's chassis that connects the wheels to the vehicle and allows for steering and absorbing road impacts. In the video, the team discusses their work on the car's front suspension, indicating a focus on improving the vehicle's handling and performance.

💡Fuel Cell

A fuel cell is a safe container for storing fuel, especially in racing vehicles where a crash could lead to dangerous situations. The video mentions a titanium fuel cell mount being designed and fabricated in-house, highlighting the custom and lightweight nature of the modifications.

💡CAD

CAD stands for Computer-Aided Design, a technology used for designing and creating detailed plans for objects such as the fuel cell mentioned in the video. The use of CAD signifies a high level of precision and customization in the car's design process.

💡Titanium

Titanium is a strong, lightweight metal used in the automotive and aerospace industries. In the context of the video, titanium is chosen for various components like the fuel cell mount and control arms to reduce weight and enhance the car's performance.

💡Steering Column

The steering column is the part of a vehicle's steering system that connects the steering wheel to the steering gear. The video discusses a titanium steering column with delrin bushings, emphasizing the customization and attention to detail in the car's build.

💡Pedals

Pedals in a car refer to the foot-operated controls for the brakes, accelerator, and clutch. The video mentions adjustable pedal kits, which are important for ensuring the driver's comfort and the car's ergonomics, especially for a tall driver like Cletus.

💡Seat Fitment

Seat fitment involves adjusting the seating position to suit the driver's body and preferences. The video discusses the process of fitting the seat to accommodate Cletus's height, which is crucial for driver comfort and control over the vehicle.

💡Bodywork

Bodywork refers to the process of shaping and assembling the outer structure of a vehicle. The video mentions the mounting of the car's body, including custom rocker panels and quarter panels, which are part of the car's aesthetic and structural integrity.

💡Carbon Fiber

Carbon fiber is a lightweight, high-strength material often used in automotive applications for its performance benefits. The video discusses using carbon fiber for covering certain parts of the car, such as the seat support, to reduce weight and enhance the vehicle's appearance.

💡Fire Bottles

Fire bottles are part of a fire suppression system used in vehicles, especially those involved in racing or high-performance driving. The video mentions the installation of a 20-pound fire system, emphasizing the importance of safety in the car's design and build.

Highlights

The channel showcases updates on Cletus McFarland's new 69 Camaro, focusing on the front suspension and future plans.

The team is addressing audio quality issues by expecting new microphones to arrive, promising improved sound in the next video.

A titanium fuel cell mount is being designed in CAD and will be manufactured in-house, emphasizing the use of titanium for weight savings and aesthetics.

The fuel cell itself will have a capacity of approximately 6.2 gallons and will feature a quick pin system for easy removal when necessary.

Cletus McFarland, being taller than average, requires a car that fits him comfortably, influencing the design and positioning of the car's interior components.

A titanium steering column with Delrin bushings is being fitted, allowing for adjustments to accommodate Cletus's height and driving preferences.

An adjustable pedal kit is being developed in-house, allowing for customization of the brake pedal position for better ergonomics and fit.

The car's firewall is designed to step forward, providing additional legroom for Cletus, which is crucial given his height.

The seat has been modified to sit lower by sanding and cutting, ensuring a snug fit with the frame rail and allowing for additional room if needed.

The body of the Camaro is being fitted with custom-made rocker panels that are lighter than factory versions, contributing to the car's overall performance.

Alignment of the car's body panels is a meticulous process, requiring careful adjustment to achieve the desired fit and appearance.

The seat will be secured with multiple Zees fasteners and will be integrated with the car's frame for safety and structural integrity.

A 20-pound fire system is being installed, a crucial safety feature for a car with a turbo and nitrous setup.

Mockup fire bottles are currently in place, with the actual bottles to be installed later, showcasing the attention to detail in the car's safety systems.

The fire lines, which are intricately designed and installed by Danny, will ensure the fire system is fully functional and integrated into the car's design.

The car's design process is iterative, with components being mocked up and then replaced with brand new parts at the end of the build for a pristine finish.

The team's meticulous approach to the build ensures that every aspect, from the fit of the driver to the safety systems, is carefully considered and executed.

Transcripts

00:00

e

00:03

[Music]

00:43

hey everyone and welcome back to the

00:45

channel today we want to take you guys

00:46

out there and show you some updates on

00:48

Cletus McFarland's new 69 Camaro we're

00:50

doing last time you guys saw it we were

00:52

messing with the front suspension uh

00:54

we've told you what our plans were

00:55

moving forward and we just want to take

00:56

you guys out there and show you some of

00:57

that also I know the audio was kind of

00:59

bad had on our last video we're working

01:01

on that we have some mics coming

01:02

tomorrow so the next video will be on

01:05

point for sure in this video we're going

01:07

to turn everything off in the background

01:08

it's after hours and we're going to film

01:10

it then hopefully that helps we just

01:12

wanted to give you guys an update on

01:13

cletus's 69 Camaro since last time you

01:16

guys watch the video we've got quite a

01:17

bit of stuff done and I'll also have

01:19

Danny here to help me explain some of

01:21

the stuff he's done I explained most of

01:23

the front suspension last time we

01:25

started on the fuel cell mount which

01:27

goes around here we got Ryan drawing a

01:30

fuel cell in CAD we make our fuel cells

01:33

on the laser we have in house so that's

01:35

pretty cool I'll show you that in a

01:36

little bit this is all titanium the fuel

01:39

cell mount will be all titanium there'll

01:41

be a little brace here saves a little

01:43

bit of weight and it looks really good

01:45

so we do a lot of stuff in titanium as

01:47

we told you the control arms will be

01:49

titanium the fuel cell will be about 6

01:51

and2 gallons and to mount it'll have a a

01:53

titanium cage that basically mounts over

01:56

it with some quick pins that way you can

01:57

take it out if you need to get the

01:59

engine out or service anything it's it's

02:01

pretty easy to get to so other than that

02:03

up front I think we got moving back here

02:07

we got the steering column in also

02:09

something I want to touch on which we

02:10

told you in the last video is uh Cletus

02:13

is really big on wanting to fit good in

02:14

the car and he's extremely tall taller

02:17

than anyone I think we've ever fit in a

02:18

car so with that being said we want to

02:20

make sure we get him back here and we

02:22

fit him in a car so he's really

02:23

comfortable if he's driving it it's

02:24

built for him it needs to fit them so we

02:27

have our uh steering column jig in so

02:29

this is basically the column without any

02:32

mounts this column is also Titanium with

02:35

a delin bushings in the end we'll put a

02:37

tube in here 3/4 tube in here which will

02:38

be the steering shaft we'll put his

02:40

steering wheel on here with his

02:42

extension we can swap extensions uh make

02:44

a little shorter longer later on down

02:46

the road if he wants to change that but

02:48

we have this in here so that he can sit

02:50

in the car and we can fit him for the

02:52

pedals make sure his knees are out of

02:53

the way of the column uh all that stuff

02:56

we also have a pedal kit one of our

02:58

pedal kits out here which Danny has

03:01

ready uh these are really nice

03:03

adjustable pedal kits that we make in

03:04

house we have these out here as a mockup

03:07

we pretty much have mockup sets of

03:09

everything or two mockup sets of

03:10

everything that way when we're building

03:12

a car if this gets nicked or scratched

03:14

this is not what you get as a finished

03:16

product we end up installing brand new

03:17

parts at the end so these will just be

03:19

from mockup these are the titanium

03:22

mounts that'll go for the steering

03:24

column this piece is Chromo this gets

03:27

welded to the dash bar and then this

03:29

gets welded to a steering column you

03:30

can't weld titanium tamali so this is

03:32

the way we have to do it gets a little

03:34

Quin Nas bolt up here at the

03:36

top something like this this is not fit

03:38

for this car yet this is just a to show

03:41

you guys kind of how it mounts so it'll

03:42

mount something like this

03:44

here and then it'll have one Mount at

03:47

the bottom we try to make everything as

03:48

light as

03:50

possible we got his brake pedal here the

03:54

reason we step over our brake pedal

03:56

especially in a car like this is our

03:58

rails the the farther we move the rail

04:00

in for the adjustable pedal assembly the

04:04

further we can move it forward so if we

04:06

were to mount it over here it would stop

04:07

here as we go over here we can get this

04:10

a little F farther forward and as we

04:12

said in the last video this will the

04:13

firewall will step forward here

04:15

some just to get him a few extra inches

04:18

I mean if we get two or three extra

04:19

inches a leg room it'll be big for him

04:22

so that's the plan is to get him over

04:24

he's going to come over later this week

04:26

uh we'll show you a little bit of that

04:27

too on exactly how we fit fit these guys

04:29

in the car and get them get them all fit

04:32

and then we can do all the controls

04:33

pretty much from there something else

04:36

the seat we were waiting on last week it

04:37

came in the very end of last week and

04:39

Danny got it I'm going to let you you

04:41

explain what you did here Danny cuz what

04:43

happened was we we do our seat bar in

04:45

line with our uh cross tube for our ex

04:47

we always do them like that it always

04:49

works out pretty good when CET sat in

04:51

the car his head did have clearance but

04:54

not as much as we would have liked

04:59

yeah so you'll come down if two more

05:03

in I want like more than more than that

05:07

we we'll Notch it get as low as we can

05:09

you have to go what we did moving

05:11

forward is uh we got our seat in and

05:14

I'll let Danny explain what he did here

05:16

we knew we wanted to get the seat down

05:19

the bottom of the seat about even with

05:21

the bottom of the frame rail so to do

05:23

that we had to uh I had to make a bunch

05:27

of lines inside there I just drew some

05:28

lines under the seat alongside the rail

05:31

so I knew what direction it was going

05:34

that way and we have a crossbar so I

05:36

kind of marked that off and then I just

05:39

took a sanding drum that we have it's

05:41

about the same size as in 582 and I just

05:44

started cutting and you start sanding it

05:46

sanding it until you get a hole and you

05:48

sit the seat see if it lines up good you

05:50

just keep going more on each end more on

05:52

each end more just keep going until the

05:54

seat kept dropping down and I had blocks

05:56

of metal underneath there to block it up

05:58

so it was nice and even while I was

05:59

doing doing this so now we've got it to

06:02

where it's with the bottom of the

06:05

frame that gives him quite a bit of room

06:08

I mean if we have to go a little lower

06:10

we're going to have 1 in tubes to go

06:11

under the seat anyway but we can even

06:15

drop it lower if he wants to a little

06:16

bit that's just a matter of just

06:18

extending those notches we have out and

06:20

it'll just drop down but that's uh a

06:23

starting point you see uh you see you

06:26

have a tube sticking through the seat

06:28

that won't be that way in the real world

06:31

we're we can carbon fiber over that to

06:34

cover it all up plus he's going to have

06:36

a pour in seat and so the pour in seat

06:39

will just go right around that and he'll

06:41

never even feel it it won't it won't

06:43

even be seen one of the biggest updates

06:45

you might notice since the last video is

06:47

we started getting a body on here uh

06:50

Troy's been working on that we made the

06:51

rocker panels we you can use a factory

06:54

rocker but they're pretty heavy so we

06:56

make a rocker that's pretty much a

06:58

similar Dimension height-wise as the

07:01

factory rocker except it doesn't have

07:02

the second Bend which works good with

07:04

our sheet metal and it also looks good

07:06

flowing with the quarter panel so the

07:08

first thing we did is we made this

07:09

rocker uh with a hem on the top and a

07:11

and a brake on the bottom to tie in with

07:13

our sheet metal and then we get the

07:14

quarter panels align with this fasten to

07:17

that you can see we we've been working

07:19

on today getting the the roof all Cleo

07:21

on getting the correct space up there

07:23

and just working with that it's a pretty

07:25

big process to get all these panels to

07:26

work exactly how you want them to work

07:29

and look good and to add on to that then

07:32

you have to make carbon fiber

07:33

aftermarket doors and front end fit the

07:35

factory stuff so it's a pretty big

07:37

process we're getting close on that once

07:39

we get the exact alignment we'll start

07:41

mounting the body from the back to the

07:43

front once the body's mounted then

07:45

there's a lot of tubing and a lot of

07:47

other stuff we can do the seat's not

07:49

going to be just sitting here like this

07:50

when we mount it there's a tube that

07:53

will go between this between the rail

07:55

and uh frame rail and The Rocker bar it

07:57

will go back until it touch which is the

07:59

seat that will be where your crotch

08:02

strap Mount is welded to then there'll

08:05

be a slot cutting the seat for that to

08:07

come through we also have to cut slots

08:09

with uh seat belts and this here may or

08:13

may not get trimmed back it all depends

08:15

on how he feels with it and then once he

08:18

we've got this cut to where we want it

08:20

then we use like there'll be like a

08:22

piece of/ inch chrome mly that's offset

08:24

notched all the way to the inside

08:25

that'll run right along the seat welds

08:28

here and welds there then like we have

08:29

one here that bends around the seat goes

08:32

across it'll Bend up it'll weld into

08:34

this there's even going to be something

08:36

on the other side of this panel over

08:37

there that will go up along the seat and

08:39

it will have Zeus Fasteners on it so the

08:41

seat's going to be held in with probably

08:42

anywhere from 9 to 10 Zees and it locks

08:45

it in position to where it conforms to

08:48

all the rails

08:50

and right now it's real crude we're just

08:53

starting the process but when it's all

08:55

done it just goes in real slick

08:58

[Music]

09:06

fire bottles something else we got done

09:08

since the last video that you guys

09:09

haven't seen yet is Danny got the fire

09:11

bottles mounted obviously that's a

09:14

extremely big important part of the car

09:16

safety is is number one so we've added

09:20

uh these are just mockup bottles also so

09:22

these are not the actual

09:23

bottles the actual bottles are a lot

09:26

nicer but this is a 20 PB fire system

09:29

which is is what's needed really for a

09:31

car like this with a turbo deal on a

09:33

nitrous car we can get away with one

09:35

10lb bottle and this car will have two

09:38

now that these are fully mounted we get

09:39

a few pieces of sheet metal in Danny is

09:41

the one who does a lot of the fire lines

09:43

so you guys will see that also fire

09:45

lines pretty cool a lot of a lot of

09:47

detail on those but they'll run around

09:49

the fire lines will be one at your foot

09:51

here on the on the inside of the car

09:53

there'll be some on the outside toward

09:55

the fuel rail and one closer to the fuel

09:57

tank so

09:59

[Music]

Rate This

5.0 / 5 (0 votes)

Related Tags
Camaro BuildCar CustomizationTitanium UpgradesDriver ComfortSuspension WorkFuel Cell MountCAD DesignSteering ColumnPedal KitBody AlignmentCarbon FiberSafety SystemFire Bottles