Build questions
 

Alright guys I have not posted in a long time, nor have I made any progress at all. I had a lot of money saved up but I ended up buying a house I just couldn't pass up. I also got married about 3 months ago so that set the funds back as well.

I have a 1969 Camaro that is going to need all new sheet metal I am almost sure. I took it to a bodyshop and he said I would need all new metal. I realize that this is going to be very costly. I have a huge amount of questions.

Should I start slowly buying parts until I have what I need and all that is left is body work? Or should I get the body work done first then just have the car sitting until I can afford the rest of the parts? Also since I am getting all new metal would it make sense just to go ahead and get the car mini tubbed?

I currently have a brand new moser rear, a t56 tranny, magnaflow exhaust, marquez tail, fog, and side marker lights sitting at my house so I am part of the way there. I want to run a SBC that makes around 400hp. What engine would be best suited for that? A 383, 406?

Basically I want the car to just be a mean street car, I want disc's all the way around and good suspension. I was looking at the tvs, but I have also been looking at coilovers, any opinions on which would be best?

As far as wheels go I was looking into Boze forged boost wheels, but I am sure I will change my mind a few hundred times. I am looking for a no frills street car look with a close to stock look with modern wheels and brakes.

I am just asking your guys thoughts on what my plan of attack should be.

Thanks a lot Ryan

Well, for me, based on the burnout pics, I assume it runs, because the car runs and drives now, I would start doing weekend improvments and keeping the car running. Do your TVS (or whatever you decide), Do your brakes, do your wheels, all while continueing to drive and enjoy the car. Why tear it apart and walk around it in the garage while the parts dribble in as money allows.

Keep it running. I swear it is a lot more fun to drive it then see it in peices in the garage for years.

That is kind of what I am leaning towards, I would at least like have something decent to cruise around in.

I'm in agreement with Frank and if the looks bother ya drive it mostly after dark. Another option is to sell the car and all the parts and buy one more useable as is then upgrade slowly in the same fashion. With a new home and wife you've got a lot of other projects to attend to I'm sure.

you know, I almost had half a mind to try selling the car and all of the parts and doing that. Then I sort of wondered how much my car was even worth and how much a good 69 is going for these days.

Listen to Frank! My car has been torn down for over 6 years now...life happens!!

You can replace some of the metal while keeping it drivable....front fenders, quarter panels, ect. And yes if it were me I would mini-tub it! Is your new rear end stock width or narrowed?

Can you do the metal work yourself? If not that is going to be quite a bill!!

Well do some research and "shop" for another car. See how much you would spend to get one in the condition you want. Then have a chat with the wife about your plan and how much you'd like to spend over what you can sell your current car for to get one in the condition you'd like to start with. See what she thinks, if she drives around in it with you she might think it's a great plan!

My rear end is stock width, I would imagine that would lessen the possibilities as far as wheel size goes. No I can't do metal work myself, and I got a quote of 16000 to take it off the frame and re-do everything. I had considered just fixing the few worst spots but then thought it may be double work if I was going to re-do it down the road. I am not real sure yet what i am going to do. I am not even close to being rich so it could take almost a decade to pay for all of this hahaha.

I have to agree with Frank.My car has been sitting for over 4 years.keep it running and enjoy it.

I have no idea what you're talking about, Frank. :_paranoid :lol:

What metal needs to be replaced....got any more pics to show why?

maybe just for the time being do some drivetrain related stuff, like new motor, trans, rear end, etc, and all the while save up and get ready for the restoration.
replace the really important stuff (not like window trim or bumpers) and keep the car driveable for the time being. it really will be more fun... but as soon as you can afford it, blast the car and get it ready for body work.

but honestly, when it comes time for body work, dont half ass it. do it right the first time. you'll regret it.

and DEFINITLY minitub the car.

well that one 1/4 in the first post is obviously pretty bad. I will get some pics tomorrow of the spots. The rockers aren't in good shape and the floorboard isn't doing real well either. Basically most panels on the car have some rust.

Here are some pics of different parts of the body. If I am going to cruise this thing around I'm def going to need some floor pan work

Here are the wheels I want to maybe get for right now, they have a race car look and are cheap which is what I need. I absolutely hate the wheels that are on the car. You think the black or gray would look better? Rouge has similar wheels on his gold 69 and his look killer, I am just not if the black would be too dark on my car. Opinions?

http://static.summitracing.com/globa...r-342-5160.jpg

http://static.summitracing.com/globa...-3455712_w.jpg

Boy you do need some metal work done! It actually might be worth shopping for another car for this project. From time to time there are members here looking to get out of their projects for a great buy. Most of them already have the rust repaired and mini-tub done. If you are willing to spend 10k-15k on metal work I would look for a differant car and drive this one while you build the other. Metal work takes quite a bit of time and even more money!

Look up boilermaker here, he had a killer body for sell some time ago.

I would do the silver wheels to match the stripes.

Yes I know what you mean. It needs some big time metal work. I just don't know If I would be able to buy another one and keep this one. How much do you think I could sell mine for?

Check this out...looks like a great deal! https://lateral-g.net/forums/showthread.php4?t=16003

I know man I saw that. I would have to sell my car, my 450r, and my mountainbike then I still don't know if that would get it. Then it would probably be sold lol.

Well, I sold a pretty bad ass R1 to buy my 3k roller! :rolleyes:

I'd rough up that ugly ass purple and shoot it flat black with those black wheels. I would buy the size tires you plan to run when you do get to buying a nicer set of wheels. Then upgrade the mechanics of the car until you're happy. That way you won't have to worry about scratching this or that. Then you can disassemble the car when you save the money and have it painted. I wouldn't sell other toys to do it. I love some variety.:D

I am in a similar predicament trying to decide between buying a total project or a car I can drive while I fix it up. I decided just because of what frank said. Look at how many cars on this site have been off the road for a long time. I want something I can have fun with while building. However, if I wanted a total project john510's car would be in my garage.

If one can afford it, the smartest move is to buy the nicest bone stock nothing special 307 / 6 cyl car with great paint and body. Then do weekend projects as the budget allows.

I like Todds (Vegas69) idea of scuffing it off, a little bondo and flat black primer till you can do it right. Hot Rod black is in, it hides everything, and you can rebondo and reprime endlessly. Get the car mechanically dialed in and when you have a big bank account, send it in for the treatment!

Yes that was also a plan of mine. Just to get the ugly ass purple off and have it primered flat black.

Yeah I actually sold my 929 and my 01 SS to pay for this project. Then I bought my house now I am back to 0 pretty much. Hahaha

Just don't buy all your parts ahead of time... you may change your mind and it will be $$ wasted, believe me.

X2 on that, a big pitfall. Keep it running....because be for you know it kids come after marriage and house. Besides it's more tangible to sell a running car if you get fed up.

X3! I just sold some parts this week, at a big loss, due to "change of plans"...design wise. Don't buy stuff untill you're ready to actualy use it...things change!

With that said try to order stuff with build time and shipping in mind...don't want to be waiting on parts....but I have been storing many things for years now!

We're here to help, don't want you to make the costly mistakes some of us may have!

Yeah I hear you guys. I talked to my buddy who paints, he is going to help me do a little bondo and primer it. I will probably go ahead and put some floor pans in it so I can put the new carpet in it I have sitting around. Then I will probably throw those wheels on it, throw the moser in it with some new kyb shocks I have and maybe cut the front springs a little to drop the front end.

Is it a tough process to put the axels in on a moser rear? I have never done it before so I don't want to screw anything up.