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.