Ep 13. SR-71 Chassis & Drivetrain

Stacey David's Gearz season 12 episode 13, titled "SR-71 Chassis & Drivetrain," sees car enthusiast Stacey David tackling a project with a legendary reputation: rebuilding a special edition 1969 Chevrolet Camaro. The Camaro in question is a True Z/28, meaning that it comes complete with all the original, special performance features that set it apart from other Camaros of its time.

Stacey decides to create a brand new chassis and drivetrain for the Camaro, using modern technology to bring it up to speed with modern standards. To achieve this, he decides to incorporate elements from a Lockheed Martin SR-71 Blackbird, a supersonic reconnaissance aircraft that set speed records during the Cold War.

The first step in Stacey's project is to create a custom chassis that can support the weight of the Camaro while also accommodating the new, high-powered engine and transmission. He turns to the aircraft industry for inspiration, taking inspiration from the SR-71's titanium airframe to create a chassis that is extremely strong but also incredibly light.

With the chassis complete, Stacey moves on to the drivetrain. He sources a powerful LS3 engine to provide ample horsepower to the Camaro, and pairs it with a Tremec T-56 transmission for smooth shifting. He also incorporates elements like a custom-built exhaust system and high-performance disc brakes to ensure that the car can stop just as quickly as it can go.

Throughout the episode, Stacey shares insights into his thought process and design choices, providing viewers with a behind-the-scenes look at the engineering that goes into a project of this magnitude. He also discusses the importance of maintaining a car's original spirit while also incorporating new technology to improve its performance.

As always, Stacey's enthusiasm for cars and all things mechanical is infectious, making "SR-71 Chassis & Drivetrain" an engaging and informative hour of television for car enthusiasts and novices alike. Whether you're a fan of classic Camaros or just love seeing talented craftsmen at work, this episode is not to be missed.