Our 4th Gen Camaro is up in the air on the lift, so that can mean only one thing – more progress is imminent! Our naturally-aspirated 2000 Camaro is an ambitious build; we want to run single digits on the motor without any super-exotic parts, and though the engine is built and the suspension is done, we’ve been in a holding pattern for a while we got little details sorted out like, oh, the transmission and fuel system…
We’ve gotten back on track now and wrenches are about to turn, but we don’t want to keep you waiting too long for the update so we thought we’d tease you with some shots of what we’ll be working on next. Readers with keen memories may remember that we’re going to be running a 454 Warhawk under the hood, and to back up that monster 802-horsepower mill, we need an equally stout transmission.
Automatic Transmission Factory came through for us in the gearbox department with their Stage IV High Horsepower Powerglide. This is one serious ‘Glide – rated for up to 2,500 horsepower, it’s got an SFI-spec case and bellhousing for safety, a 9310 chromoly 1.80-ratio straight cut gearset, and fully-built internals. It’s literally one of the very best racing automatics you can buy, and should be totally bulletproof behind our 454.
Of course, to make that power in the first place, we need fuel and plenty of it. MagnaFuel’s QuickStar 300 is rated for 950 horsepower naturally-aspirated applications running on gas, making it a perfect match for our Warhawk. Fuel pumps are one component where you truly can have too much of a good thing; a grossly oversized pump just ends up fighting the regulator and can lead to erratic fuel pressure at idle and under load, so it pays off to get exactly what you need in this particular department. Our MP-4650 is preset to 25psi, draws 10 amps, features an integrated filter, and has -10 AN inlet/outlet connections with a -8 bypass.
Speaking of regulators, we also have Magnafuel’s Hi-Flo 2 port regulator (part number MP-9833) to take the pump’s 25psi output down to the 6-8psi necessary at the carb. It’s all part of Magnafuel’s MP-4817 Quick Star 300 kit, which also includes AN fittings for the pump, regulator, fuel cell, and carb float bowls, and a dual relay harness to make wiring the pump easier. About the only thing missing is the fuel line…
For the fuel line plumbing, we turned to our friends at Earl’s, and ordered up a big box of Perform-O-Flex braided stainless line and Swivel-Seal ends. Perform-O-Flex is the standard by which all braided stainless is judged, and the Swivel-Seal ends are designed to make hose assembly easy, and still allow the lines to rotate even after the couplings are secured. In addition to plumbing up All Air, we’re also going to be taking a look at all the different types of hose and fittings Earl’s offers – sometimes trying to figure out the right plumbing for your application can be a little bit confusing, so we’re going to break it all down and make it simple with a how-to article and video that covers this popular DIY task.
Soon, all this empty space will be filled with our 454 and Powerglide, and we’ll be another big step closer to taking the car down the track for the very first time. Stay tuned for all the thrilling details…