1969 Camaro Part Deaux
 

I noticed it's been a couple days since someone started a 69 Camaro project thread so I figured I'd end the drought.

When I bought this little gem back in 92, it was Lemans Blue with a white vinyl top, a non-original 350 2bbl backed by a powerglide and an open rear end. I bought it from the original owners who decided to sell it as it was becoming more ncreasingly difficult to make the drive from OK to MT to visit their daughter.

I drove the car as I purchased it for a few years and my son drove it to high school for a couple years before heading off to college, when I decided to repossess it. It had drum brakes on all corners and I decided to change the front drums to disk. Turns out I was about to learn a lesson about "may as well" disease is, first hand - the documented falling domino syndrome where project creep rapidly expands because it's so much easier to do things while you have things apart.

Well, the project didn't end until it had disk brakes on all four corners. A 9" rear with posi, connected to an aluminum headed 454 and TH400 tranny, Coddington Timeless 17" wheels. All in a brand new sparkling black paint job.

That little project took 4 years to complete and I enjoyed going to shows with it, but it turns out that while it was pretty fun to drive it a straight line, it had other issues like heeling over like a bulldog at a fire hydrant. I really hadn't paid too much attention to handling. It was also pretty thirsty which ruled out any Power Tour activities.

I have since completed a few other projects and the Camaro spent a lot of time locked away in a storage unit, and the cycles of summer heat and cold winters took a toll on the paint - causing splits in the filler that was used in copious amounts.

As fate would have it, Kyle with Laid Back Recreations had a nice small block 406 that came out of a C10 project he was doing he offered for sale and I bought it not knowing for sure what I would do with it at the time.

The 66 Buick Skylark that Kyle and I did really showed me how much fun these old cars can be when you get the pro touring goodies bolted in place. One day I'll get a full frame and LS in the Camaro, but for now the plan is to bolt in the 406 with a Fi-tech throttle body injection setup and couple that with a 700R4. A full RideTech HQ coil over set up will be used with 4 link and Tru Turn. A set of Detroit Speed mini tubs are going in to cover up a set of 19x12 Billet Specialties Wedge wheels.

Here's how "Darth" looked when I loaded him up for the trip to LBR

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...ps1mfrfhmj.jpg

I feel like the kid at the back of the class that puts his hand up to ask this question...what happened to Darth after it was dropped off!

It's still a work in progress. The engine is in.

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...ps215uoyni.jpg

Got the FiTech unit

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...pswoaazqor.jpg

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...psxydzdiji.jpg


And the fuel tank from Tanks, Inc

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...psyrd7ouni.jpg

That's a good start...I like that fuel injection system

Thanks Dave. From what I've read it seems like a pretty nice piece. They finally got the price of these down where it makes sense to ditch a carb.



Here's a pic some might find useful when you wire up your fuel sender and pump. I got these from Tanks too.

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...ps2cqcz5ps.jpg

You have some nice updates there.

Installing the DSE tubs


Marked the areas to be cut...
http://i858.photobucket.com/albums/a...C198B067DB.jpg


Look at how clean the inside of the frame rail is - was real happy to see that.
http://i858.photobucket.com/albums/a...752C9E2DB6.jpg

http://i858.photobucket.com/albums/a...3E35B8B133.jpg

http://i858.photobucket.com/albums/a...163A2FF4DA.jpg


Old tub vs new, this gives an idea of the additional room

http://i858.photobucket.com/albums/a...658136CF50.jpg

I cant believe that you cut it out in 1 piece very nice.

Good luck with the build! The engine looks great.

This isn't Kyle's first rodeo, he's got some other things he does to get a little extra room in there. I asked, he said he'd have to kill me....


Thanks!
I've got some other changes planned, stay tuned.

Got the tubs in place

http://i858.photobucket.com/albums/a...5F6BB23D77.jpg

And with that done, we put the wheels in place so we could measure for the Quick Performance 9" rear. Got that order in, should have it next week.

http://i858.photobucket.com/albums/a...FF59010E0B.jpg

http://i858.photobucket.com/albums/a...67DD69A7EE.jpg

Looks fantastic! Nice job on the tubs and wheel selection.

Nice work so far! :thumbsup: Love those wheels!!

Nice work!

Just another Camaro, but hey it's mine! Thanks for chiming in.

very nice work,really like the car:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Thanks Jeff, if it turns out half as good as yours, I'll be thrilled!

Today Kyle's turned his attention to the front end. The front fender is off to have the paint repaired which makes this the perfect time to pull the suspension and engine. The engine is going to be repainted and the RideTech TruTurn system installed.


http://i858.photobucket.com/albums/a...048132C1_1.jpg


The brake booster and master are going to be replaced with a manual Wilwood unit.
http://i858.photobucket.com/albums/a...412CF066_1.jpg

http://i858.photobucket.com/albums/a...BFBB5C4166.jpg


Coil overs, Strong Arms, drop spindles installed.
http://i858.photobucket.com/albums/a...056B7333A1.jpg

http://i858.photobucket.com/albums/a...960F69C9B6.jpg

http://i858.photobucket.com/albums/a...86BEA5D9F8.jpg

Here's a look at the brains of the TruTurn setup. The center link gets a brace that relocates the tie rods to eliminate bump steer, in conjunction with special steering arms and taller spindles. Really nice pieces.

http://i858.photobucket.com/albums/a...54DA201B47.jpg

http://i858.photobucket.com/albums/a...03F8A5C628.jpg


Here's a look at the side with the fender still on it. This isn't ride height, the lift won't go any lower.


http://i858.photobucket.com/albums/a...42FCADED_1.jpg

http://i858.photobucket.com/albums/a...EC58E0CB6C.jpg

.
Good stuff on that tubbing, car is looking good!

.

Thanks Art!

I read through Joan's build thread and I gotta hand it to you - you've got major determination.

The rear end and axles from Quick Performance arrived this week. Kyle got the perches welded on so the Ride Tech four link installation is underway. Unfortunately some overzealous welding from the previous build has complicated things a bit. Kyle has to do some fabrication to the frame rails to get things to fit.

http://i858.photobucket.com/albums/a...1796256869.jpg

http://i858.photobucket.com/albums/a...66EF076BBA.jpg

good stuff

Kyle made some progress on installing the 4 link setup today.

http://i858.photobucket.com/albums/a...C534D64637.jpg

http://i858.photobucket.com/albums/a...7065A183AA.jpg

Finally got the correct axles in - I ordered the wrong spline count :(

Then found out the Camaro spring pads were interfering with the parking. Oh, the joys of making third party parts cooperate with each other. Anyway, Kyle made the necessary adjustments and got it done.

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...pshpox3bfa.jpg

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...psg8myecvb.jpg


So the Camaro is sitting on its own, not on the lift. Loving how it's sits now.

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...psce16ak9q.jpg

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...ps3dr8oypm.jpg

Got another pic from Kyle today. He rolled the Camaro away from the lift today to make room for a pickup he's working on. You can get a better sense for the stance in this pic - and also that the camber needs adjustment badly.... No engine in it right now.

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...psr4tyu1zq.jpg

The tires on the front have the same section width (275) as what used to be on the back.

Kyle did his magic to the engine - painted and got it installed.

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...pshjhxs4xc.jpg


http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...psryzpbgj5.jpg


http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...ps79zikffe.jpg

Very well done. Engine detail looks awesome against the black bay.

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...ps79zikffe.jpg[/QUOTE

Like the car's stance with the engine weight in now.
Would you mind sharing your wheel sizing, tks.

dig the wheels! look great on the car

Very nice

I saw the buick at the shop. looked great. looks like I got another reason to head out there. lol. I'm afraid if I drove my c-10 out there, it will stay there and ill have to sell a kidney to pay for the work. haha. kyle is for sure a master at what he does.

Car looks great!! Love the wheel choice. Please keep the updates coming.

Thanks Brycen!



Thank you Greg!




It's well worth the kidney! Kyle does great work and for the quality you get, he's gotta be the best bargain out there!




Not much to report here lately. We did get the exhaust kit in so that will be going on soon. I'll post up some pics when that happens.

The exhaust is being assembled

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...psncy2v78d.jpg


Got the Ride Tech Musclebar installed

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...pscisz6itd.jpg

I had to throw in the towel on getting the 10" wed wheels with 275's to fit in the front with the stance I wanted. Pretty expensive mistake as I had to get the wheels re-hooped, scaling back to 8" with 255's. I researched the heck out of 69 Camaros with Ride Tech Tru Turn - hey, there's only a couple hundred out there, right? But there's variances with brake kits, spindles, even tire manufacturers.
:G-Dub:

A few pics of the updates. Getting close to finishing this thing off.

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...psugfi5csq.jpg

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...ps1nfvgqxw.jpg

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...ps5pbau73c.jpg

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...psmla0jiv4.jpg

Great job! The stance is perfect on that car. I believe the term "steam rollers" can be used to describe the rear tires also!!

Car looks outstanding. What did you do for tail pipes? Looks like you went over axle. Would love more info on the tailpipes.
Thanks

Thanks Josh, that's a look that I've been lusting after for a long time. The Ride Tech coilovers make it so easy to get the stance right where you want it.



If you look closely at the pic below you can see where the tailpipe comes over the axle and ends between the gas tank and the left tire.

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...psugfi5csq.jpg

Are they custom made for your car or bought and installed?
Ya I can see them now car looks killer!!

Kyle used a kit that provides several mandrel bends and welded them up

Here's the tail pipes he put together before the install

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...psnuw5a5uj.jpg


http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...psaprvgnah.jpg


http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...pst3jcjzin.jpg


http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...psw2lyndpi.jpg