Finishing my garage

[XcYZ]

The garage looks great and the sub frame swap is a sweet up grade.
Waynie z

Thanks Wayne.

That looks staged... I want to see a welder arc on steel or some grinding wheel sparks, until then I call BS.

Seriously though that car looks far to clean for me ever to want to have any fun with. I think that's a compliment

Very pretty to look at

There's been a lot of welding, grinding, fabricating, and painting in my little 2 car garage. My car was born there.

I put 7,300 miles on it over the past 2 summers. That's not a lot of time in Minnesota. lol I definitely drive it and abuse it.

great looking garage!!! As others have commented, I really like the overhead built-in cabinets. Just curious how far the can lighting protrudes into the storage space? Can you shoot a pic of that?

Awesome work on the Camaro!

I framed the soffit out of 2x6's, the non-IC cans are only about 3 1/2" deep, so there's plenty of room for clearance.

 

[661Charger]

Where did you get the Camaro magazine cover poster? That is very cool..

 

[XcYZ]

Thanks. Source Interlink (used to be Primedia) gave that to me when my car made the cover of Camaro Performers Magazine. It's a metal sign, 2' x 3', but I'm not sure how they made it. It looks like it was full color printed right on the metal.

The sign turned out pretty cool.

 

[darkbuddha]

First, I have to say that your garage is freaking gorgeous. I'm just getting started setting up my workshop and yours has certainly given me some serious inspiration. I knew your car and screen-name from prot-touring.com, so I know the work you've put in that car. But that actually brings me to a question about how you've dealt with some of the stuff that generally clutters a "working" garage. For example, where are you storing stuff like jacks, jackstands, spare wheels and tires, spare parts, chemicals, fuel, beer, etc.?

I'm personally finding it hard to reconcile having a significant parts stash for 2 project cars, 8 jackstands, 2 jacks, etc. and keeping it looking neat and finished. Of course, right now I'm doing what I always do, which is sacrificing it looking slick for it being functional, but if it's possible to have both, I want it!

 

[tredinger]

I thought I'd post a follow up showing that I use my garage for working on the car, too. I just finished up swapping the subframe. I picked up the new subframe from the painter on Friday afternoon. It was a big job, I figure I have about 50 hours in the job total, finishing it up last night. With all the jackstands, engine hoist, floor jacks, welding, and grinding, the epoxy held up awesome. The 30 ft of countertop made for great workspace, and best of all, I had plenty of light.



Dropping the subframe/motor/trans with the engine hoist.

Rolling the old subframe out on snowmobile dollies worked great.

The new subframe waiting to be assembled.

New subframe fully assembled.

I need a bigger shop. lol

The LS7/T56 set in the new subframe.

Rolling the new setup under the car.

All back together and running. Just need to set ride height and get it aligned.

Awesome pics of the subframe replacement in progress. Given the gorgeous paint on the car and the well-detailed engine compartment, I would have thought you'd need to pull off the front sheetmetal. But you did it without any damage. You're a braver man than I...

 

[XcYZ]

First, I have to say that your garage is freaking gorgeous. I'm just getting started setting up my workshop and yours has certainly given me some serious inspiration. I knew your car and screen-name from prot-touring.com, so I know the work you've put in that car. But that actually brings me to a question about how you've dealt with some of the stuff that generally clutters a "working" garage. For example, where are you storing stuff like jacks, jackstands, spare wheels and tires, spare parts, chemicals, fuel, beer, etc.?

I'm personally finding it hard to reconcile having a significant parts stash for 2 project cars, 8 jackstands, 2 jacks, etc. and keeping it looking neat and finished. Of course, right now I'm doing what I always do, which is sacrificing it looking slick for it being functional, but if it's possible to have both, I want it!

Actually, I call Lateral-g.net my home.

With all the added storage, overhead and the base cabinets, I have a lot more room than I had before. I should calculate how many cubic feet of storage the base cabinets and overhead soffit gives me. It's massive. All of my jackstands, handtools, saws, hardware, chemicals, fridge, stereo, etc, are stored in the base cabinets. The random stuff that I don't need as often, such as all my electrical supplies, large car parts, engine stand, speakers, paint cans and supplies, etc, are in the overhead soffit storage. So while some people think it may look less like a working garage, it's actually more of a working garage because now everything is more organized, has more light, and more bench top work space.

I wouldn't hesitate to do a complete build in the shop again.

Awesome pics of the subframe replacement in progress. Given the gorgeous paint on the car and the well-detailed engine compartment, I would have thought you'd need to pull off the front sheetmetal. But you did it without any damage. You're a braver man than I...

I felt it was safer for the paint to leave it all together and just drop the subframe/motor/trans. I didn't have to worry about chipping the paint aligning the sheetmetal. It really wasn't that hard dropping the and re-installing. It went without issue.

 

[bezzi44]

Love the soffit cabinets. What a great idea.
Excellent work.

 

[Crash913]

Garage looks great!! Does anyone else get aroused looking at his Camaro?

One of the sexiest cars I have ever seen...

 

[E.rodz]

gret to see your garage finished off scott. looks awsome hope to see you on the power tour again this year. keep up the great work.

 

[XcYZ]

Garage looks great!! Does anyone else get aroused looking at his Camaro?

One of the sexiest cars I have ever seen...

lol, thanks.

gret to see your garage finished off scott. looks awsome hope to see you on the power tour again this year. keep up the great work.

Thanks, yours is looking great, too. I've been following your thread.

I'll be doing Power Tour again this year, see you in Iowa.

 

[Gord]

Looks great ! Im stealing your ideas as we speak. Thanks for sharing! I will start a post in a couple of weeks and you just might see some replication .

 

[darkbuddha]

Actually, I call Lateral-g.net my home.

With all the added storage, overhead and the base cabinets, I have a lot more room than I had before. I should calculate how many cubic feet of storage the base cabinets and overhead soffit gives me. It's massive. All of my jackstands, handtools, saws, hardware, chemicals, fridge, stereo, etc, are stored in the base cabinets. The random stuff that I don't need as often, such as all my electrical supplies, large car parts, engine stand, speakers, paint cans and supplies, etc, are in the overhead soffit storage. So while some people think it may look less like a working garage, it's actually more of a working garage because now everything is more organized, has more light, and more bench top work space.

I wouldn't hesitate to do a complete build in the shop again.

Thanks... it's just as I suspected; lots of storage + organization = better, easier, more of everything that matters. Seems simple enough, but it sure can be hard to do. I'm getting there, and your garage is definitely my current number one role model.

BTW, I don't get over to lateral-g.net very often. I've lurked over there but only joined rather recently. I think I'll start making it one of my regular stops.

 

[Cobra4B]

I love how clean/neat everything is.... it's a mildly OCD guy's dream

 

[XcYZ]

Thanks... it's just as I suspected; lots of storage + organization = better, easier, more of everything that matters. Seems simple enough, but it sure can be hard to do. I'm getting there, and your garage is definitely my current number one role model.

BTW, I don't get over to lateral-g.net very often. I've lurked over there but only joined rather recently. I think I'll start making it one of my regular stops.

Very cool, glad to have you on there.

I love how clean/neat everything is.... it's a mildly OCD guy's dream

LOL... maybe now, but this pic and this pic show how rough it was before I finally finished it. It's soooo much nicer working in the garage now.

 

[Cruiseman]

where did you get your cabinets?

 

[Interex]

LOL... maybe now, but this pic and this pic show how rough it was before I finally finished it. It's soooo much nicer working in the garage now.

I think you inspire a lot of us that have standard 2-car garages!

I know it's a sin to even think about how much we have dumped into our tool collections and cars but if you don't mind me asking, how much did you invest into this project?

 

[XcYZ]

where did you get your cabinets?

I had them made by Dakota Kitchen. Their manufacturing facility is about 4 hours from me, so I took a road trip and picked them up directly.

I think you inspire a lot of us that have standard 2-car garages!

I know it's a sin to even think about how much we have dumped into our tool collections and cars but if you don't mind me asking, how much did you invest into this project?

Thanks. I didn't keep a running total, but thinking about what I added, I'd say about $3500 or so... epoxy, cabinets, countertop, lights, bypass door hardware, paint. Some of the materials I already had.

 

[WANTSOM]

Love this garage, love the Camaro, love the fact you aint afraid to do some 'real' work in such a beautiful space. Must make working on your car very very enjoyable.

 

[Flash]

Wow. Your garage is sweet! Everything is great, but you've especially inspired me to add some pot lighting. Beautiful car as well, seriously drool-worthy.

 

[brownfoot]

I must have missed something, why did you change the subframe?

 

[projectPONY]

I must say that your garage and Camaro are things of beauty. I too plan to incorporate a lot of your ideas into my own garage when the time permits. congratulations.

I do have a question though. on the wall with the LCD screen, on your overhead storage, what are the black, rectangular things on the doors?

 

[TurboCup87]

Love the garage and especially love the Camaro. 69 Camaro is still my favorite car, in spite of being a Porsche guy. Hope to build one similar to yours with a an LS7 and a Detroit speed frame/ suspension. One day.....

I lived in Rochester from 1975 to 1984. Get back for an occasional visit. Do you work at WFMC?

 

[Gustav_t]

I look at your garage - then I go to my own - back to look at yours and so on...
One of the best I´ve ever seen

G.

 

[Interex]

I must say that your garage and Camaro are things of beauty. I too plan to incorporate a lot of your ideas into my own garage when the time permits. congratulations.

I do have a question though. on the wall with the LCD screen, on your overhead storage, what are the black, rectangular things on the doors?

He mentioned those are speaker grills that he just took off from his existing speakers.

 

[XcYZ]

Thanks for the kind words, guys.

Sorry for the delay in responding, I've been out of town with the family on a little vacation.

I must have missed something, why did you change the subframe?

That's a pretty long story. The short version is that the other frame was designed around stock suspension applications, the new subframe is a clean sheet of paper design incorporating modern design, theory, and manufacturing. I've put about 400 miles on it over the past week and the difference is huge.

I must say that your garage and Camaro are things of beauty. I too plan to incorporate a lot of your ideas into my own garage when the time permits. congratulations.

I do have a question though. on the wall with the LCD screen, on your overhead storage, what are the black, rectangular things on the doors?

Those are the speaker grills. I have my old college speakers laying on the soffit shelf with the doors in front of them. To get the sound to come through and sound nice, I cut openings in each of the sliding doors and then I mounted the speaker grills to them. Very clean, very functional, and very cheap.

Love the garage and especially love the Camaro. 69 Camaro is still my favorite car, in spite of being a Porsche guy. Hope to build one similar to yours with a an LS7 and a Detroit speed frame/ suspension. One day.....

I lived in Rochester from 1975 to 1984. Get back for an occasional visit. Do you work at WFMC?

WFMC. lol You did live in Rochester. Why yes I do work there.

My 69 isn't a Porsche, but I'm doing everything I can to get it to handle the best it can. It's an extremely fun car to drive.

 

[projectPONY]

Those are the speaker grills. I have my old college speakers laying on the soffit shelf with the doors in front of them. To get the sound to come through and sound nice, I cut openings in each of the sliding doors and then I mounted the speaker grills to them. Very clean, very functional, and very cheap.

...and very smart.

 

[TurboCup87]

Thanks for the kind words, guys.


WFMC. lol You did live in Rochester. Why yes I do work there.

My 69 isn't a Porsche, but I'm doing everything I can to get it to handle the best it can. It's an extremely fun car to drive.

Yeah, I did Med school and residency there. We called our first year med school class softball team the WFMCs. One of my close classmates is now the Dean of MMS.

A tubbed 69 Camaro with DSE underpinnings and an LS7 should do very well on a road course. I'm quite envious.. great choices.

Do you ever go to the Cars and Coffee in Chanhassen? I'm going to go to the Sept one when we're back home for a family visit. Your car would be a hit!

 

[XcYZ]

The WFMC's. lol That's great.

I really want to get to Cars and Coffee, it looks like a great time.

 

[dykstra]

Looks great!!!!!!

 

[projectPONY]

XcYZ, if you don't mind me asking, how tall is your ceiling?

 

[TurboCup87]

The WFMC's. lol That's great.

I really want to get to Cars and Coffee, it looks like a great time.

Come to the one on Sept 3. I'd love to meet you and check out your gorgeous 69! Kyle

 

[XcYZ]

XcYZ, if you don't mind me asking, how tall is your ceiling?

9'4" from the concrete to the ceiling.

Come to the one on Sept 3. I'd love to meet you and check out your gorgeous 69! Kyle

I'll see what I can do. That would be great.

 

[projectPONY]

----thanks

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Hey Scott,
I'm curious: your Wolverine floor has been down for about a year now and obviously you've done some heavy wrenching on it - though it looks like you took care about dropping stuff and using your jack & jackstands, etc. How's is holding up? In real life does it show much in the way of chips or scuffs?

It's just idle curiosity on my part as my 80+ year old floor is too damaged for epoxy...though I think yours looks excellent in the old photos on this thread.

 

[R_Willis]

Love the garage & love the car even more!

 

[XcYZ]

Hey Scott,
I'm curious: your Wolverine floor has been down for about a year now and obviously you've done some heavy wrenching on it - though it looks like you took care about dropping stuff and using your jack & jackstands, etc. How's is holding up? In real life does it show much in the way of chips or scuffs?

It's just idle curiosity on my part as my 80+ year old floor is too damaged for epoxy...though I think yours looks excellent in the old photos on this thread.

I don't have any chips, but there are a few scuffs from the frame swap. Once I cleaned the floor up, they are pretty much invisible.

The floor was about 8 years old when I did the epoxy. There were a lot of oil stains, and so far, so good. I'm extremely happy with how it has held up.

 

[TurboCup87]

[QUOTE
I'll see what I can do. That would be great. [/QUOTE]

Hope that it works out!

 

[Ryan_C]

Awesome Garage! And Car!

 

[isetech]

i was browsing the internet looking for some storage ideas for my garage a couple of days ago and i came across this thread in the garage journal.

i have alway been proud of my workshop and had lots of comments about how neat it is and the painted lines etc but only dreamed of it looking like this...the car looks great but i am a super bike fanatic.

i have had a vision in my mind of what i want my worshop to look like...and this garage is what i dream about.

unfortunatley i have never had the finances to kit out a garage like this and have been renting properties since i got divorced ( the ex got my old workshop)...i have recently managed to buy a house so what i plan on doing is taking it one step at a time...starting yesterday already.

thanks for the inspiration...i will post pics soon

 

[HIRISC]

Great garage and epic '69 transformation (i followed your build on Lat-G)

Lmk if you are coming up to Cars & Coffee. You can park that in my garage or I will make sure you can park with the (other) exotics.