|
Hello Lateral-G...Finally!
After many years of drool-filled loitering on this site, I am finally ready to get my 68 Camaro project rolling again. I apologize for what is surely to be a long post but I am very excited to finally get rollin on this and am looking forward to any insight and experience you guys can give.
I bought the car in 1992 with new bad-ass midnight blue paint and a freshly built 327. Weekly top to bottom baths kept her spotless and the lopey 327 drew attention everywhere we went. The dream that began as a kid, became reality. After 4 or 5 years, she started to show signs of cancer and a shoddy prep job before the new paint. Rust bubbles began popping up in several places, and in 2000, I stepped into the back seat and my foot nearly went through the floor! It was time! The replacement of the new floorpans very quickly became a 9" narrowed 1.5" on each side, Moser 31 spline axles, a Pro-Auburn with 3.89s, Comp. Eng. ladder bars, coil-overs, an 8-point cage, and bolt in sub-frame connectors that were then completely welded up! :wow: I'm sure none of you have ever experienced a project spiral like that!;) Unfortunately, life interceded, and over the next decade, my baby evolved into a shelving system in the garage. Nearly twelve years later, due in large part to the inspiration I have received from the massive collection of incredible builds in the Lateral-G family, I have finally decided to get off my ass, finish what I started, and hopefully create something worthy of inclusion in a stable of truly bad-ass rides! Now to the project... The Lateral-G car I was immediately drawn to is Tom Lee's beautiful 68. I hope Tom doesnt mind, but I nabbed one of the pics of his car and photoshopped up my own vision. https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-G.../exterior2.jpg That's the goal...here's where we are today... https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-l...%252520004.jpg https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-F...0/DSC00051.JPG https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-v...0/DSC00053.JPG https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-w...%252520007.jpg The plan is: SpeedTech Upper and Lowers, QA1's, and 1 1/8 hollow Sway Bar Willwood 12.19 CD/SL 4-pistons all the way around Keep the stock steering...maybe considering a Lee box...Opinions??? Brushed 17x8 and 17x10 or 11 Lateral G's or Rushforth Livewires...Havent really decided yet...even still considering 18's but just not sure if the size is worth the extra cost. 10 or 11 decision is mainly on whether or not I want to mini-tub the car. I feel like I almost have to in order to get the 305 or 315 "tucked" look that I want. The engine on the stand is an LQ9 out of an '02 Escalade. I also have a fresh 4L60 ready to go. Eventually, I'd love to put some dishes in it, slap some twins on it and really go nuts, but for right now I just plan to put the TSP 233/239 Cam kit in the engine and leave everything else stock. From what I have seen and what TSP tells me, I should be able to get around 400 rwhp and 380-400 rwtq with a good tune. I have the factory computer that has already been "universalized". I have read a lot about the stock LQ9 intake not fitting under our hoods...but the measurements I have taken show that it should fit under a 3.5" cowl hood. Obviously, I wont know for sure until I can mock it up, but I cant see how it wont fit. I totally get that the LS6 intake looks a million times cooler and cleaner, but I cant justify spending the money for an intake, rails, TB, Injectors, plus all the accessory relocation stuff when the stock intake makes more power than all but the LSX-R. Advice and Experience welcome! Then there's the paint and body. Once the roller is all mocked up and ready to go, Im gonna gut it again and have the whole thing blasted to see how deep the cancer goes. There are a few spots that are worrysome...But overall, I don't think she is too bad! https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-z...%252520008.jpg https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-J...%252520009.jpg https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-g...%252520005.jpg https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-a...0/DSC00049.JPG |
Welcome!
|
Great write up. Welcome aboard!
|
Welcome! Nice intro.:thumbsup:
|
Thx for the welcomes
Its funny that you three are the first to reply as I have been really studying the build threads for all 3 cars. The fabrication that KPC67 and SonarChief have been doing is very impressive and informative. I am looking to do as much of the fab on mine as I can, so having access to detailed step by step pics is very helpful.
Kevin, where did you get that backspacing tool that will hold the tire? I need one of those! Love the stance on the rear end! Sonar Chief... keep the repair pics coming as many of my trouble spots are the same as yours. love it! Then theres Scott. Not to get too gushy here, but your car is truly a work of art. I have been studying it just trying to figure out the right way to do things. Thanks Keith |
Welcome Keith, nice build keep us updated.
|
Kevin, where did you get that backspacing tool that will hold the tire? I need one of those! Love the stance on the rear end!
Keith, It is called the tire mount mate, a quick google search will take you to the website. To be honest it is not worth the money. Cris at JCG customs came up with one that looks much more sturdy, and easy to use. I would look to rent one from someone on here. You seem like you have the right idea by leaving the body alone for now, tweak it and drive it; make it look pretty when you know it all works. :cheers: |
:thumbsup: welcome
|
Nice project! I like what u are doing. Keep us updated
|
Thanks for the welcomes!
Rybar, Sweet 69! Love the color and the fikse's! do you still have the TSP 233/239 112 in your car? Or at least an audio recording of it? I would love to get an idea of what it might sound like in my 6.0. I would expect it to have a nice little lope. Thx Kevin wrote: Quote:
Thx |
Hi everyone, seems like this is a very interesting forum. I’m a newbie here and hopefully I’ll be able to participate in some threads/discussions since I like to discuss things that I am familiar with. I want to share my learnings and hopefully learn from all of you. I’m almost excited here.
|
project update
well, got back out to the garage yesterday and yanked the old motor and transmission out
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-t...re%2520144.jpg Just received the new LS motor mount/adapter plates and 4l60e crossmember from ricks. I am about to order the dynatech headers. Heres hoping that the headers and stock steering box clear with these mounts! Hopefully will have the subframe cleaned up and the new 6.0 and tranny stabbed in the next week or so. https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-H...re%2520145.jpg |
Minor Setback!
Thoroughly depressed at the realization that I am going to have to rip the entire rear end outta my car. That was the one thing I thought was already good to go! When I did the back section of the chassis 12 years ago, I had planned on a more "drag race" setup than "pro-touring" but I figured it would still work on the street. But according to several people I have talked to, it would be borderline dangerous on the street. One guy said it would be like driving around with a 4" swaybar on the back!
Bet it would make a helluva drift car tho! :wow: Its got a brand new 9" narrowed 1.5" on each side, moser 31's, ladder bars, panhard bar, and coilovers. All the connections are solid...no polyurethane anywhere, and the coilovers are way too inboard and straight up and down. Any opinions or experience with ladder bars on the street would be appreciated. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-F...0/DSC00051.JPG https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-v...0/DSC00053.JPG |
I bet my brother in law has a 100,000 miles on his pro street blown '69 Camaro. He's running an 18" wide rear tire... ladder bars - leaf springs and shocks... Far as I know there's been nothing wrong with it in the 15 years they've owned it.
Of course - they're not trying to auto cross the car either. |
Welcome Keith Nice project.
|
Quote:
|
Quote:
Yeah -- I get it.... a Pro STREET car is a straight line deal.... and not a corner carver! |
Wow. Time flies
Been a while. Life always seems to get in the way.
Build update (short version) Got back on the car build about 18 months ago. And.... I fell down the rabbit hole and completely rebuilt the car from the ground up. New everything. And I mean everything ..... Every Nut, Bolt, and Wire is new. The only thing that remains of the original car is the Firewall, Subframe, and internal body structure. All exterior sheet metal is new. Engine is a 6.0 LQ9 with a Texas Speed Torquer V4 Cam, Fast LSXR 92 Intake, and Speedtech Headers. Trans is a 4L60e built by Phoenix Transmissions with one of their custom converters. Suspension is all Speedtech. Narrowed Currie 9" with Speedtech Torque Arm setup. Viking Coil Overs all the way around. RestoMod Air Haymaker System. Fesler Flush Mount Glass front and rear Car will be wrapped in Satin Pearl White with Forgeline wheels and Nitto Invos in 255/40/18 and 325/30/19 I'm doing a lot of custom stuff on the interior that is looking really cool. Here is the best part! I am building this car myself! To be fair, I had the bodywork done by pros cuz I am not a body man. I had the engine bottom end machined and I built the rest. I had the tranny built by pros. Other than that, it has been a lot of late nights at the shop by myself....and to be honest....I wouldn't have it any other way. The sense of accomplishment to see something that you have dreamed of and planned out for many years come to life by your own hands is incredible. Much more to come, but here’s a quick look.. Hoping to have the car completed in the next month or so. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/h2...7=w670-h894-no https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/JH...q=w952-h714-no https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ql...D=w670-h894-no https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/FH...=w1191-h893-no https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/bV...=w1191-h893-no https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Vf...=w1191-h893-no https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/el...=w1191-h893-no https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Ca...g=w952-h714-no https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/gN...=w1191-h893-no https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/cH...C=w952-h714-no https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/cM...=w1191-h893-no |
:ttiwop:
Time to show and tell !!! LOL |
Take 2
Sorry bout that. I finally got the pics to upload!
Enjoy! :hairpullout: |
Oh yeah....you dove in to the deep end big time! Looking really good!!
|
Hows the car coming along? If you ever need an extra hand or want to grab a beer I am in Dallas as well. McKinney to be specific.
|
It is alive!
What a Ride!
I couldn't be happier with how this thing came together. Everyone that has seen it has been very complimentary. She runs really strong, and handles like a Go-Kart. Dyno'd 425rwhp/402rwtq Still tweaking a bunch of little things, but 800 miles in, and i'm still smiling! https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/qx...=w1762-h814-no https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/7U...=w1167-h875-no https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/eq...=w1167-h875-no https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/97...=w1167-h875-no https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/vB...=w1167-h875-no https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/zy...=w1167-h875-no |
Turned out very well!
|
Thanks
Quote:
She’s got about 2500 miles on her now and damn! What a blast. Got most all of the bugs worked out. Runs like a bat outta hell and handles like a go kart! |
I love your Camaro!
All the detail is amazing. I mostly love the way you are getting the car out and actually enjoying it Congratulations and Merry Christmas |
Car looks great, I am also rebuilding my 68 Camaro and want to install a new grill minus the signal lights. What grill did you install in your 68 ? Enjoy your ride. :thankyou:
|
| All times are GMT -7. The time now is 04:00 PM. |
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright Lateral-g.net