69 Camaro Makeover

[Roadster Shop]

Originally Posted by Cakeaholic

Kinda figured that but had to ask. $18,000 in labor definitely puts a RS chassis out of reach for at least a couple more years.

A full chassis install is definitely not for everyone or every budget. But I think that when you factor in the list of what was done to this car, 200 hours is a pretty efficient install for something to come in a driver, and leave a driver. It had opened my eyes as to how easy a chassis swap can be on a first gen Camaro. This doesn't necessarily have to be done at a shop either. I would guess that an extremely high percentage of guys on this site could do this install in their own garage.

• Disassembly
• Necessary floor mods for chassis install
• Test fit chassis
• Mini tubs
• Seal and paint underside and interior of floor
• Prep and paint trunk and mini-tubs
• Prep and paint a complete chassis and all suspension components
• final assemble a complete chassis including motor, trans, brakes, etc...
• Install complete chassis and align body panels
• Re-connect all linkage, wiring, and plumbing on motor, trans, steering,and brakes.
• Fab steering linkage, run new power steering lines and convert pump to work with A/N fittings
• remove steel braided heat, a/c, and radiator hoses and replace with new
• Fab complete stainless exhaust system
• Mount fuel tank and fab complete fuel system
• Re-install interior
• Fill and check all fluids, charge A/C
• Mount and balance tires
• Fix a few other unrelated issues with the car
• And a few other items that I am sure I have missed
• Have the car ready to go out the door as a complete running/driving vehicle.

Is it more expensive than a set of bolt on control arms and Cal Track Bars? Absolutely.

But if you stack this up against the popular front subframe, subframe connectors, and rear suspension systems on the market, I feel that it is a very competitive alternative that most would have thought to be out of reach.

Dis-assembly and re-assembly time would be identical to any front and rear suspension install. Mini-tubs, exhaust, fuel system, prep & paint times would again all be the same. The floor mods are similar to welding in subframe connectors.

And after installing several other rear suspension systems in the past, I know that the full chassis requires less floor mods than some, and goes in faster than most. Plus everything is already pre-located in the chassis so you are not left having to locate, fabricate, and install crucial suspension mount points.