RYAN Motorsports expansion

[EastCoast]

Well the time has finally come that I get to start my own progress thread on GJ!!!

For the last 10 years I have worked out of my 26x32 shop. Although this always seemed sufficient when building my Camaro, in the last few years our family has become a racing family and space has become an issue. With my finished car sitting under cover in the corner, the workable space is cramped when it comes to grinding, welding, painting, etc. With the race cars only getting bigger over the next few years, expansion has begun!!

The plan is for an additional 16x30 with 12’ ceilings. The bay doors will be moved to the side of the building and a partition added in the existing shop to create a storage room for my car. The result will be a work area that is slightly larger than before, but with no cars being stored in the space. Additional height will also allow for a lift at some point.

Since I love picture heavy threads, I’ll start with some background/before pics…

This is the only pic I have of the outside from a few years ago.

I didn’t think to take a good ‘before’ pic of the inside, but here are a couple when things were pretty:

Now for some examples of how bad it can get...
Getting ready for the 2011 season:

After a nasty crash in August, then entire car was rebuilt:

(me in the back ground, puttin Dad to work)

Now for the progress!

Starting prep & forms:

Wall being removed:

We’re now ready for concrete. It looks like rain for the next couple of days, so it could be late week before things start to happen again.

Robb

 

[stick004]

That looks great! I love those little cars. But they can get a little crazy (just ask Matt Kenseth's wife).

Keep us posted on the progress. Beautiful camaro BTW.

 

[EastCoast]

Ya, she didn't do so good huh?? Lot's of people will see the car and call it a 'cute little car'... nothing 'cute' about them!! They are quick and the kids a seriously wheeling them to run competively!! We've had a few Dads get in one and not be within 2 seconds a lap of the kids .

Robb

 

[Briggs]

What kind of cars are they? They are freakin awesome looking...

 

[synik]

What kind of cars are they? They are freakin awesome looking...

 

[EastCoast]

What kind of cars are they? They are freakin awesome looking...

Thanks. They are a Bandolero. Basically a spec built car that are produced in Charlotte NC by US Lengend Car. Essentially a down-sized stock car. Lots of the same adjustability & safety in a smaller package. Don't let the size fool you, these are quick!!

I didn't mean to turn this into a racing thread, but since it hasn't stopped raining all week there is no progress to report on the shop...

First win of the season:

This class is really growing here in eastern Canada. Starting 20 cars every week...

Robb

 

[fatboy99]

What kind of an engine do they run ? Great looking shop and car's cant wait to see your progress.

 

[Briggs]

Built in my home town Im surprised I have never seen them. They remind me of the cars that I used to see at lowes motor speed way when I would go there when I was a kid. Looks like a lot of fun. Do you only race oval?

 

[EastCoast]

They run a 570cc Briggs & Stratton Vanguard engine (twin). The engines are built & sealed by US Legend Car. They start as 20 hp, but with a different cam, head work, etc that are around 30 hp for racing.

If you've been to Lowes then you've likely seen these cars. It's very big in that area. The Bandolero is built by the same company as the Legend car (slightly bigger with 30s era bodies and 1200 cc engines) which are raced almost everywhere.

Thanks for the interest. Weather is finally clearing and concrete will be poured tomorrow.

Robb

 

[flybefree]

Robb,

Cool shop...and thanks for the intro to the Bandolero...awesome.

Shaun

 

[Wingnut65]

Congrats on the expansion project. Just wait untill they outgrow these cars and need something bigger. Then Dad gets a bigger garage as well.

Agree with fbf, thanks for the intro to something new (to me).

 

[EastCoast]

Well with the long weekend (Canadian Thanksgiving) and perfect weather, we've made pretty good progress in the last few days!!

Concrete was poured last Thursday.

Walls went up on Saturday/Sunday.

And roof trusses went up on Monday.

We now need to finish strapping the roof and prep for the steel etc, but not bad progress for 2 guys and a weekend....

Robb

 

[csp]

Interesting way to sheathe the framing. Can't say that I've seen anything other than sheet goods in a building less than 60-70yrs old.

 

[A_Pmech]

Interesting way to sheathe the framing. Can't say that I've seen anything other than sheet goods in a building less than 60-70yrs old.

First thing I noticed too!

 

[EastCoast]

Sheathing with boards may be an 'old school' way to go, but with the cost being approx. 50% of OSB and much easier to handle when working alone (above the ground), it seemed like an easy choice. Dad works at the local mill, which also helped...

The shop was originally clad with steel but will not be done in siding to match the house.

Robb

 

[RCH99]

.... and much easier to handle when working alone (above the ground), it seemed like an easy choice.

Robb

+1. That is indeed remarkable progress for one weekend. It looks great

 

[colt zantop]

very nice progress! now do you use house wrap or anything over that board since there are so many exposed seams? it would seam moisture would get through pretty easy.

 

[EastCoast]

very nice progress! now do you use house wrap or anything over that board since there are so many exposed seams? it would seam moisture would get through pretty easy.

Yes, we'll use a house wrap and then clad it with vinyl siding.

 

[rsa]

Yes, we'll use a house wrap and then clad it with vinyl siding.

Do your house wrap options include 30# asphalt felt?

http://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/blogs/dept/musings/all-about-water-resistive-barriers

http://www.dickseibert.com/martin.pdf

It's nice to have the option of native, rough-sawn green full-dimension lumber to use for sheathing. I normally see it installed on the diagonal.

Congrats on the expansion, it's looking GOOD!

 

[EastCoast]

Although we've been making steady (but slower) progress, I haven't posted any new pics since lately I'm either working in the dark or rain... or BOTH!!

The steel roofing is now here and will go on this weekend!! And my biggest development is that I ordered a new 2 post list from Greg Smith Equip. yesterday!! Getting an Atlas 9OHSC!! Can't wait

More pics should follow this weekend.

Robb

 

[EastCoast]

Well, another warm weekend for late October!! Considering how late I started this project, I've had great weekends thus far.

Got the roof on!! So although we're no completely enclosed yet, at least the rain doesn't get in any more.

All the soffit is on under the eaves, door & windows in, even got some siding on after this pic. Hopefully my 10x10 door is in soon so we can get this thing closed up!

The shop still looks a little funky since we removed the window from the far left, but we'll be putting a 9x7 bay door there as that will be the storage end for my Camaro. Soon need to get the driveway put in along the front of the building too.

Robb

 

[EastCoast]

GOD D%^M FU^%$ING SNOW!!! I know some people might think this is normal for Canada... BUT IT'S NOT!!

Well, I didn't need this, but as with most of the east coast, we got an early snow on Sunday!! Got both door installed on Friday and Saturday, siding is on the back & end walls. The weather looks to stay warm this week, so we'll continue to thrash away.

Robb

 

[bacpacker]

Nice build, looks great.

 

[EastCoast]

Haven't posted in a while... been really busy!!!

The outside is now completely enclosed. It can snow whenever it wants now!!

Still need to get a guy in to bend up some aluminum for the fasia & doors, etc. The driveway is being done early next week.

Now starting to rough in the wiring and soon we'll be insulating.

I HAVE A LIFT!!! Some things fell through (delays) with the local importer that was going to get me a lift through Greg Smith Equip. In the meantime I found this Rotary at a local Nissan dealer!! Recently inspected/serviced, they are adding another 4 poster so no longer needed this one. I AM STOKED!!

Robb

 

[FASTRAKR]

It can snow whenever it wants now!!

And that is why there is green grass in your picture!

 

[EastCoast]

It has been a looonnnggg time since the last update. I've been working non-stop, but the progress seems to slow badly once you try to work on the original space. Feels like I spend more time moving stuff than I do working.

New piece mostly painted. (Red cabinets being moved)

Looking from old shop towards new bay:

Looking into original shop:

And today, we raised the columns on my lift:

More updates soon as things will hopefully start to be completed.

Robb

 

[impala_631]

Looks great,congrats on the lift

 

[colt zantop]

lookin good! keep those updates coming!

 

[pontifex4]

Nice work! I'm really curious about your side lighting (on the walls in your new bay). How high up are they? Did you have to get special wall fixtures, or are all fluorescents able to be mounted that way?

 

[kippieland]

Looks great...and your race cars are bitchin man!

 

[EastCoast]

Nice work! I'm really curious about your side lighting (on the walls in your new bay). How high up are they? Did you have to get special wall fixtures, or are all fluorescents able to be mounted that way?

To my knowledge any light can be mounted that way. They are approximately 9' off the floor. I used a 2x2 spacer across the top to tip them down a little and provide some air space behind. All the fixtures are used units that I've picked up over time. The shop is stupid bright!!

Robb

 

[knixon804]

looks good! waiting on more pics!

 

[A_Pmech]

Looks good from here!

 

[EastCoast]

We're getting there!! Slow but sure

Finally got a bench built and cabinets moved & painted so some of the piles of **** that were laying around got put away. Still need to install the lift (posts are just standing there for now) and give it a coat of paint, trim out doors and windows, etc. Some of that can wait a while as it's time to starting preparing the car for next season.

New bench still needs some handles. My wife says it has a 'Man Valance'...

Old red cabinet repainted. The steel bench to the right was given to me years ago. I'd like to fix it up and enclose it, but not right now...

Thanks for the comments. More to come.
Robb

 

[EastCoast]

I took some pictures this weekend of our race car rebuild and it got me thinking, that I never got any real 'finished' money shots of the completed shop. Probably because the project ran longer than I had hoped and I almost immediately started to the work needed for the upcoming season.

So it's already a complete mess and completely FULL. Although comfortable, it's funny how you take up what ever space you have, no matter how big you go...

You can see my temp paint booth on the left.

Base coat white...

Oh, and yes... having a lift is AAAWWWWESOOOMMME!!!

Robb

 

[EastCoast]

Things are busy...

Robb

 

[Wingnut65]

Robb, you have such cooool toys. Those racers look like so much fun to build, paint, work on... They are probably a blast to drive too. And that Camero...

The shop looks great! Nice paint booth. And that lift is really getting itself used. The only problem I see... that the blue lift in the orange garage kinda reminds me of that school up state from me...

 

[EastCoast]

Wingnut

Thanks for the kind words!

The cars are a blast. But like any form of stock car racing, it can get a little frustrating when you have to build/fix/rebuild the same things over and over again. Nature of the beast I guess. I'm sure they are a blast to drive, but I wouldn't know... my driver is 11 years old. The bandos are for kids 8 - 16 and believe me that they are haulin the mail!!

The Camaro is Dad's. I just uncovered mine last night (also a 68) and fired it up for the first time in 2 years. Didn't even drive it last summer, but I'm going to make the time this year!!

My first street rod build was a 71 Super Beetle. Lowered, wider fiberglass fenders, dual carbs, etc... Always was a VW guy.

Robb

 

[Wingnut65]

build/fix/rebuild/fix/rebuild/fix.... Isn't there a saying that Practice Makes Perfect? I'm sure you do some of the work in your sleep.

Your Camero is Sweet as well. I love the stance, nice and aggressive Must be fun to have a pair of '68's in the family.

I would love to get a Beetle to work on and have fun with. I did have a '72 back in high school, but passed it on before I should have. I gotta get my bus running before any new projects come to my shop.

 

[EastCoast]

Thanks again! I look forward to seeing that bus done!

Robb