Camaro Build Hit by Delays and Engine Failures: Inside the Shop Chaos

From Bad Traffic to Worse Engine Trouble: The Camaro Build’s Rocky Start

What was supposed to be a straightforward commute turned into a three-hour slog through Seattle’s infamous traffic. A 40-minute drive in an 85-mph Miata stretched into a nightmare when construction closed the express lanes. By the time I arrived at the shop, the Camaro’s suspension project was already behind schedule.

Lemons Race Weekend Leaves Shop in Ruins

Our race team’s Lemons venture ended in disaster. Not metaphorically—literally in smoke. When the team pulled the head off one of the race cars, they found a piston caked in crusty coolant. The damage was severe enough to halt progress before the Camaro build even began.

The shop resembled a warzone. Three engines had failed across two race cars:

• A Bavarian inline-six had blown in a previous Lemons race.
• A second engine, another Bavarian inline-six, was pulled from a different car.
• A third engine, a Chevy inline-six, was removed from yet another vehicle.

The shop looked like a battlefield. Amid the chaos, a new BMW S52 engine for our C3 Corvette race car arrived—a rare bright spot in an otherwise grim day.

From Ambition to Triage: A Day of Damage Control

By noon, the mood shifted from excitement to triage. The team’s focus turned to short-term fixes: organizing scattered parts, assessing the Camaro’s suspension build, and restoring some semblance of order. This installment of Camaro vs. World documents the shop day and offers a glimpse of what’s ahead.

I’ve leaned on Hagerty’s readers before for insights, and today is no different. If you’ve ever faced setbacks in a car build, you’re not alone. Share your stories in the comments.

Parts, Patience, and a Mysterious Jag Sedan

Amid the chaos, we turned to Facebook Marketplace for parts. Patience and persistence paid off—though some finds, like a Jag sedan, come with more questions than answers.

What’s next for the Camaro build? The team is prioritizing inventory, sorting through the wreckage, and planning the next steps. Stay tuned for updates—and prepare for more surprises.

Photo Report: The Shop’s State of Disrepair

"The boneyard when I arrived. Not pictured: A Mustang II with Cologne V-6 and (potentially) warped head." — Kyle Kinard

"Every straight-six gets the royal treatment." — Kyle Kinard

"Yes, that’s a Jag sedan. No, I will not be taking further questions on the matter." — Kyle Kinard