[Insert Cool Name Here] '69 Camaro LS1 Project

[OBeer-WAN-Kenobi]

A lot of progress this weekend!

Friday night we finished up the cutout in the subframe for the alternator.

It turned out pretty nice. I did have to mess up the nice powdercoating but the paint I used matched really well. You would never be able to tell.

After the alternator cutout we worked on the transmission crossmember.

The middle part is from the donor 2004 GTO and I'm using a new GTO mount as well.


It may need a little strengthening or bracing later, but for now it looks like it will work really well.

On Saturday we worked on getting the subframe up underneath the car again, and getting all the brake stuff hooked up. I did have one little SNAFU in that I didn't get the right rag joint for the 3rd gen steering box I'm using. I've got it (GM 7826542) on order now at the local auto parts store.

After the Easter family stuff we decided to play with the car some more and actually install (hopefully I won't have to take it out anytime soon) the engine and transmission.

Here's the transmission mounted under the car.



And Here's the engine in it's new home.


It fit pretty well. I have probably around a 3 to 4 degree downward angle on it and the trans fits pretty tight. I'm going to remove some of the welded in nuts in the body for a little clearance and do a little cutting around the reverse lockout solenoid.

Here's the alternator resting nicely in it's new home.

To remove it, you just need to remove the bolts that attach it to the engine first and pull out the whole assembly towards the front of the vehicle. Then you can unhook the wires and it pops right out.

Here's a pic of the new master and 8" booster. No clearance issues there anymore.


This wasn't planned but turned out really good for me. The wiring harness from the GTO that went to the alternator starter and battery looks like it will end up right where my battery is in the Camaro. That will save me some time and headaches!




I'm starting to get a little excited, and I'm hoping things keep going smoothly even though I'm planning that they won't.

Now I've got to order some fuel line and fittings. My radiator should be here this week. Next though, is the wiring from hell! That's what I'm most worried about at this point. I'm hoping to get some pointers and help from this forum on that.

Until the next update: May the Schlitz be with you!

[Ron in SoCal]

Is it running YET??

[OBeer-WAN-Kenobi]

Originally Posted by Ron in SoCal

Is it running YET??

I've got some crappy tires on there that are just begging to be destroyed so we'll see who has the first burn-out video.

[OBeer-WAN-Kenobi]

Argh!!!!

[OBeer-WAN-Kenobi]

I haven't made any updates to my thread lately.....BECAUSE I was too busy actually WORKING on the car!

In chronological order........

I ended up buying the Texas Speed stainless steel LS swap headers. My reasoning was based on the SWAG that I would need to modify WHATEVER I bought anyway and that they filled two criteria.

1. They are stainless steel so I can modify them without worrying about a coating.
2. They are cheaper than most so I won't WORRY about modifying them.

Well, I did have to modify them, but not very much. They just made contact with my rag joint.

Sawzall!




Mig with Stainless wire


Here it is installed


Ohh, what's that sticking up through the floor? An MGW shifter! And it's even attached to a T56!


After that we took an entire weekend making a kit that's supposed to fit, fit. IOW, the Magnaflow 3" exhaust had a few issues. Notably where the pipe exits from the rear of the muffler. It just got too close to the axle. Unfortunately, I can't seem to find the pictures I took of this anywhere. Oh well.

Then I bought a nice new radiator. Unfortunately, someone else with a 69 camaro ordered one at the exact same time and they had a big block. They sent me the big block radiator and he got my LS one.



After that was straitened out, I was sent the proper one.

Ahhh.....


Then I went about installing my CAI. Unfortunately...AGAIN, I was missing parts. It didn't have the aluminum tube in the package. I called up Spectre though, and they took care of it right away.



Then we decided to finish up (for the most part) the Classic Auto Air system.

Here's the under-dash view. Not much else to see except what's in front of the radiator and in my engine compartment.



This weekend I got a bunch of wiring done.



I actually got the fuel pump working (through the PCM even!) and imediately found a leak in the push in connector on the fuel filter/regulator outlet. Sigh.

Then, my Dakota Digital gauges never even lit up at all. So, I called them today to send me a new brain box. It must have been dead on arrival.

If I didn't have all this bad luck, I'd be done already!

So, waiting on parts again. I'm really hoping to hear this engine fire up next weekend.

[Dave95z28]

Whose radiator and fan combo is that?

[OBeer-WAN-Kenobi]

http://www.wwwsuperiorradiator.com/6...amaro_chevelle
Superior Radiator. Very reasonably priced and the quality seems good as well.