1968 Camaro Drifting & Shredding Tires Hoonigan Style

Summary

In this video, Sean Otto from Topia LA takes viewers through an exciting ride with Josh Mason, a passionate car enthusiast who built his 1968 Camaro from the ground up. Josh shares his journey of transforming the car, which sat in a backyard for 20 years, into a powerful drift machine. With a 383 stroker engine, custom suspension, and DIY fabrication work, this Camaro showcases Josh's dedication. The video dives deep into the car's specs, modifications, and the thrill of drifting, as Josh demonstrates his skill on the track, leaving viewers inspired by the car's raw power and his craftsmanship.

Takeaways

• 😀 Josh Mason has been working on his 1968 Camaro since he was 19 years old, building it from the ground up with his own hands.
• 😀 The car originally sat in a backyard for 20 years after being parked by its previous owner due to street racing and lack of brakes.
• 😀 The Camaro underwent a full rebuild, including disassembly to a shell, and Josh invested around $50,000 of his own money into it.
• 😀 The car is designed to be both a drift car and autocross machine, but Josh realized he enjoyed drifting more, which became the car’s main purpose.
• 😀 Josh started his racing career with junior drag racing at the age of 8 and later competed in super gas roadster racing before discovering his passion for drifting.
• 😀 The car features a fully built 383 stroker engine, with Dart block, Eagle rods, and Edelbrock heads, producing about 400 horsepower.
• 😀 The car’s suspension is heavily modified, including aftermarket tubular A-arms, Corvette C5 spindles, and a custom-built rear torque arm suspension system.
• 😀 A Ford 9-inch rear end was swapped in to replace the original Chevy 10-bolt for greater durability and availability of parts.
• 😀 The Camaro’s transmission was upgraded to a Tremec TKO 600, which Josh has been using for four years without needing a rebuild.
• 😀 Josh designed and built several custom features, including the roll cage, engine cage, LED lights, rear spoiler supports, and exhaust system.
• 😀 The car features a hydraulic handbrake setup with dedicated rear calipers for drifting, ensuring better performance and lockup during maneuvers.

Q & A

How did Josh acquire the 1968 Camaro and what condition was it in when he got it?

Josh acquired the 1968 Camaro when he was 19 years old, just after graduating high school. The car had been sitting in a backyard for 20 years, owned by a high school kid who used to street race it. It was in rough condition, with a broken 327 engine, non-functioning brakes, and vines growing on it. Despite this, Josh decided to bring it to his shop and completely rebuild it from the ground up.

What is the engine specification of Josh's Camaro and how does it perform?

Josh's Camaro is equipped with a fully built 383 stroker engine, featuring a Dart block, Eagle rods, Eagle crank, and Edelbrock heads. It runs on pump gas with a 10:1 compression ratio. The engine produces approximately 400 horsepower and is paired with a Holley 750 double pumper carburetor. This engine has been reliable, with no major issues over the years.

What modifications did Josh make to the Camaro's suspension?

Josh made significant modifications to the Camaro's suspension, including aftermarket tubular A-arms and Corvette C5 spindles in the front. For the rear, he swapped out the stock leaf spring setup for a custom-built torque arm suspension, which he designed himself. The rear end was also upgraded to a Ford 9-inch, providing greater durability and easy availability of parts.

How did Josh modify the Camaro's transmission, and how has it held up over time?

Josh replaced the original Saginaw four-speed transmission with a Tremec TKO 600 five-speed, which he chose after seeing it in a catalog. This transmission has held up well, surviving four years of heavy use and never requiring a rebuild, even under the strain of drifting and other aggressive driving.

What is the purpose of the hydraulic handbrake system in Josh's Camaro?

The hydraulic handbrake system in Josh's Camaro is essential for drifting. It uses a dedicated set of rear calipers, separate from the regular braking system, allowing Josh to lock the rear wheels independently. This setup provides more control when initiating drifts, unlike a regular system, which would require pumping the brakes to achieve the same effect.

What custom fabrication work did Josh do on the car?

Josh did extensive custom fabrication work on the Camaro, including building the roll cage and engine cage himself. He also fabricated the exhaust system from three-inch oval stainless steel tubing, TIG welding it together. Additionally, Josh designed and fabricated a rear spoiler, which he cut by hand from aluminum using a bandsaw.

How did Josh design and create the rear spoiler on the Camaro?

Josh designed the rear spoiler using CAD software and then sent the files to a friend who cut the parts out for him. The spoiler itself was hand-cut by Josh from a sheet of aluminum using a bandsaw, and the hinge was sourced from Home Depot. Despite being a simple setup, Josh believes it provides effective downforce, especially during high-speed cornering.

Why did Josh choose to use eBay parts for some of the Camaro's components?

Josh used eBay parts for certain non-critical components like the LED lights and some smaller items because they were affordable and functional. He believes in spending more on crucial parts like the engine and suspension but sees no problem with using inexpensive eBay parts for things like lighting, since they can easily be replaced if they fail.

How did Josh transition from drag racing to drifting, and what inspired the change?

Josh started his motorsports career in junior drag racing at the age of eight and later moved up to a super gas roadster. However, after getting his driver's license and experimenting with turning corners, he discovered a love for drifting. The thrill of putting the car sideways became his main focus, and the Camaro transformed from a project intended for autocross into a dedicated drift car.

What are some of the unique features and customizations that set Josh's Camaro apart from a stock 1968 Camaro?

Josh's Camaro stands out with several unique features, including its custom suspension with Corvette components, the hand-built roll cage, the custom exhaust, and the hydraulic handbrake system. Additionally, the car has a hand-fabricated rear spoiler, LED lighting, and eBay parts for small details. The car also features a Ford 9-inch rear end, custom torque arm suspension, and a swapped 383 stroker engine, which is far from the stock setup.