1969 Amx-ls3
 

Hey guys - I'm certainly not new to the site and I've had the pleasure of meeting many of you in person at the various shows and events we attend. This group has been great with assisting us with display cars at locations around the country and providing us enthusiastic volunteers for the events we produce.

I figure it's time to come out the closet and post my project up here for all to see. Yup, it's an AMC...but before you laugh too hard and pass judgement, let me say right up front, I'm not a fan of all AMC's - who could really love a Pacer or a Matador (no offense to hard core AMC fans)? No, I'm just a fan of the AMX - I fell in love when I was 15 years old, volunteering my services at a local body shop, where I worked sweeping floors and doing other dirty work in exchange for the opportunity to hang around some cool guys and cool cars. A customer brought in an AMX for some minor work and I was smitten. Growing up in central Illinois in the 80's, I'd never seen one before. Hell, most of them had rusted to the ground at least 10 years earlier, and with only 8100 69's produced, there were very few to begin with.

I've always been a fan of the long hood, short deck look like notchback Mustangs and Cougars, and I was really intrigued by the 2 seater configuration. A sports/muscle car all rolled into one. Well, it took me another 20+ years to finally find one - this one spent her whole life in sunny California and the body was original and unmolested when I bought it in 2002. Here's what's going on:

Paint and body: Turnkey Restorations - Oxford, MI
Suspension front: Global West, Hotchkis, Mustang Cobra
Suspension rear: AMC leaf springs and torque arms
Engine - 401 AMC - 325 HP
Trans - T10 4 speed
Rear - AMC M20 w/3:55 posi & Moser axles
Brakes front: Mustang Cobra/Brembo 13" disc
Brakes rear: SSBC 10" disc

Here's what's happening now:
Fabrication: D and Z Customs - Randy Johnson
Engine swap: 2010 LS3
Trans swap: Keisler 6 speed
Wheels: Rushforth Night Train - polished hoop, dark brushed centers
Tires: BGF KDW2's 255/35/18 and 295/35/18
Suspension rear: relocate leaf springs inboard 2", Global West spherical bearing leaf springs

Looking for completion later this year and then you'll see it everywhere we go on the event circuit. Hoping to debut it at LSfest in Bowling Green in September. Thanks to everyone here for motivation and inspiration!

Jimi,

Cool project, nice to see the AMX getting the treatment. Looking forward to seeing more pics as you progress. :thumbsup:

Rich

Pretty cool, Jimi!

Pretty cool, she made it back to her birth area.

very cool project, I'm also a fan of those cars. In fact, a few years ago before I bought my last Chevelle I was looking for an AMX.......... ;)

Jody

Thanks guys - I'm pretty excited to have my own project going now and not just spectating on the sidelines. I'm really looking forward to that first autocross and hot lap shakedown - or maybe not! They're never done, right?

Here's a couple more pics - on the way to the body shop and the LS3 and the Rushforth wheels...

As I read your post and came across this - I started to get a little nervous there Jimi! :_paranoid :D

Cool car indeed. I have always been a fan of those cars as well. I remember a couple of them that ran around here that really left an impression on me. Looking forward to seeing it done. I know with you behind the helm - it will be nice and done right!

Cooooooooooooool
 

JIMI

:woot: A KICK A$$ AMC ADDED TO THE GROUP...
cant wait to see the car with the lsx/6 speed...Randy get your camera out !! You have to post pics..
I would like to see how the front suspension/brake setup looks..Im interested to know what combo of parts are on it because i see some mods to the spring towers..

Tom

Brent, we've hung out enough times at SEMA for you to know better pal! :yes:

Tom, the front suspension is comprised of Hotchkis upper spring mounts, Strange coilovers, Mustang Cobra spindles, Global West lower control arms and some custom fabricating. We're going to add a shock tower brace with both side/side and front/rear stabilization. I'll try to get some pics up here of that when we get it a little more torn down. It looks way roomy under the front fenders with no trunnions!!

Hi Tom,
between Jimi & myself we will have plenty of pics to post.:thumbsup:

:D

:thumbsup:

Jimi; Love those AMC's If you need anything else like a C-6 corvette sub frame clip to weld in that thing it's your;s N/C just supply the c6 componets.Let me know.Scott.:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

the one you built for my 73 is fantastic, great work.

Jody

Awesome Jimi! Can't wait to see how the LS3 fits in there - should be a blast.:thumbsup:

Scott - you're an evil tempter!! I appreciate it but I gotta get the drive train in and sorted out before I start going wild! Maybe a next winter project!!

Jimi; I can have the clip ready ship mon. morning all you have to do is weld it in wed. morning.Scott:thumbsup:

Great project! I've always like that body style.

Very sweet, looks like one to watch for sure. :thumbsup:

:drool:
:wow:

Tom

Well its about time you did something with the AMX. I didnt know you still had it. The good thing is I won't have to hear the karaoke tribute about them anymore. I'll stop in the Jimi the next time Im on that side of the county.

That's awsome Jimi---a buddy of mine from high school used to have one---the thing was fast--we used to race each other all the time---lots of fun. I always liked that car, it's great to see someone like you take this on since it will most certainly be done well. Does this mean next years Optima challenge will have an AMX entry? Hope you will bring out to some of the Cali events as well.

Was great working with you/for you at the Optima event this past year---so much fun.

Doug

Yes, it'll start making it's way across the country to the various autocross and challenge events - probably won't hit Cali until early 2011. That's it's original home, it may not want to come back with me!

Probably not an entry for the OUSCI - a little conflict of interest there but it might make an appearance as our daily transportation at SEMA, provided it's done by then.

I received some sweet news on St. Patty's day - the LS3 was on the dyno and did a baseline of 485HP with headers. After the cam and valve spring swap, final numbers were 525HP. I should have the actual sheets by the end of this week with more detailed info regarding the power band and torque numbers!

I'm stoked!

525 HP :wow: AWESOME:wow: congrats

Jimi, those are some sweet numbers to be stoked about. Where did you take it for Dyno. I only know of two shops close by me.

Dave

What cam and springs did you go with? I also have a LS3 and have been looking at different cams for it...

This should be a fun ride with that power in there. Nice project.

Turnkey Engine Supply in Oceanside, CA. They're putting it all together and it will be shipped here to Randy at D&Z Customs for install. West Bend dyno will be doing the final tuning - hoping to be at 550 when it's installed and done.

very cool Jimi. That's my goal also for my LQ9-LS3 build, so I'll be keeping an eye on this one. No matter what this should be a ball to drive. :thumbsup:

Jody

Thanks Jody - I should have actual dyno sheets to share with everybody next week.

I don't know a single car guy that does not tip his hat to a 68-70 AMX. They are way cool.

Very cool car. Be cool to see it done. Good seeing you at Scottsdale.

Great numbers on the motor--get those dyno sheets up!!

Doug

Well it's been awhile since I posted any updates - seems I have the simple Facebook thing figured out and I've really never taken the time to figure out the easy way to post pics here! Here's a link to the build pics of the AMX-LS3, it's coming along nicely at Randy Johnson's D&Z Customs!

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?ai...7&l=5fa72e162d

As you can see, we've changed the scope of the project a great deal. We are installing a complete custom front subframe and suspension system, four wheel floating disc brakes and a complete custom rear suspension system. We hope to be dialing it in about May and have it competitive by July! Be sure to sign up as a friend to follow along with the build!

Jimi,AMX is going to be smokin cool.Would love to have one of those or a 71 javelin for my self.Please bring it to Kc.goodguy's.:thumbsup: Scott

Looks great Jimi, I can't wait to see it out there and running with all those camaros!


I was wondering what happened with the AMX, It looks like you will be done way before I get my Javelin going.

Hey Scott, I still have the 69 Javelin shell ;)

Thanks,
Jon

Jon;Send me some photo's.And I will check into shipping cost.What's your zip code.Scott

Jimi,keeping this cool AMX stock would totally BORING.I love the direction you are headed w/this project.Can't wait to see more.:thumbsup: Scott

Hi Randy and Jimi,

Your KEISLER RS600 close ratio 5-speed is getting close to completion. I've reserved one of the first units for you! (please update the specs on the first page .. here are the ratios: 2.80, 1.99, 1.33, 1.0, .67 33% RPM drop, 600 torque, 7000 RPM shifts, pro shifter, Keisler LS 621 bell, hydraulics.

from your friends at Keisler!