69 RS/SS Build
 

Thought I would start a thread on my 69 Camaro build that started a couple of years back..... I get a lot of inspiration /ideas from the members. Here is a pic of the car as it was the day I purchased it. California RS/SS small block (originally) w/air. Lemans blue with black standard interior. Very clean car, and a great starting point for the build.... Plans are an LS motor with manual trans along with the usual upgrades. Let the journey begin!

Nice! Now keep the updates coming!!

Good start!!!!!!!!!

Glad you started a thread,keep updates coming.

Please tell me the green one is your avatar is the car now? That's a great looking green. Welcome to the site!

Welcome Nice project.

Nice start
 

Everything comes from somewhere

Yes.... the Avatar is my car as it is now. A lot of guys give you that "look" when you telling them you are painting your car green??

Couple of more shots of the car as it was being taken apart. The previous owner had put in a 454 with a turbo 400 trans. He was a writer with one of the car magazines and did a write up on the motor "Budget build 454". He put the motor in the 69 and ran the hell out of it. The motor was strong and ran great, but I really had the itch to do an LS drivetrain.

Got started by cleaning up the firewall a bit and closing up some of the unneeded openings in the sheet metal. I will be welding in a DSE firewall panel to get things smoothed out.

More pics of the firewall

Pretty sweet!
 

Also want that Landcruiser in the background!

Couple of pics of the rear wheel mock-up. 335/30 17's.....

Don't laugh at the wooden dolly/cart...it works! :D

You are doing a great job so far,stance,firewall look good,who cares about the wood crate,whatever works:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Shoot....my son and I built one and it worked like charm. There is nothing wrong with a wooden cart.

Nice project. I sure do wish I mini-tubbed mine. 335's look great.

Some more updates on the progress...

A few pics of the Mini-tub process...

Last of the mini-tub pics

Nice work. Keep the pics coming.

Great work, you work fast

Question, when you install/weld in the DSE brake/clutch bracket do you have to make a sheet metal filler panel to make up to space from the bracket to the firewall?

Hi Scott, I did actually fab in some sheet metal to close out that area...attached are some pics. I metal finished the welds once it was done to make it look "seem-less". Is your Avatar the rendering of your car??...Love it!!
Dave

Thanks Dave for posting some photos, that helps me out a lot. My profile photo is just one idea. I still go back and forth with color combos. Keep up the good work on your project and I will keep watching for more updates. Thanks again. Scott

Some pics of the G-Link install and trunk work. The trunk floor replacement was not planned, but the car had a vinyl top and had the typical water leaking/rust issues that caused some pin holes in the trunk...

A few more pics of the floor / frame connectors installed Underside and trunk being finished off....

all clutch brackets should be like that.

Nice work! it looks great.

A few pics of the subframe being converted to coilover shocks. One of those decisions I wished I had really thought through. After spending all the $$AND LABOR to convert to coil-over shocks, mounts, control arms, upgraded steering box, sway bar, etc... I should have spend a little more and just put a DSE subframe in the car..... Oh well, lesson learned for the next build.

Some more updates... motor is a 408 stroker with LS3 ported heads, LS3 intake w/FAST throttle body.

A few shots of the bodywork in process........

And it finally got some color...

My reaction when the car came out of paint...

Yes! Love it! Great choice of color.

Very cool color choice,looks great:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Yeah that paint is sick! Hurry up and finish

Thanks for the compliments on the color choice...wanted to do Synergy Green, but was a bit worried going with a "candy" 3 stage paint (color match, touch ups, etc)..... this is about as close as I could get using a base/ clear (thanks to my painter). A few pics of the radiator support work...

Nice job on mounting the condenser. Where did you get the grommets? Do you have a part number?

Fasteners
 

Hi Jay.... I actually got these from ACE hardware, similar to what GM uses to mount voltage regulators on stock 69s only a little larger thread size. Rubber well-nuts + stainless fasteners..... hope this helps.

Thanks. Great job on the car. Paint really pops