1970 Camaro RS Operation Budget LSx

[SS1156]

Nate, I am thinking of trading my Saleen Mustang for a 70 Camaro. I definately want to run an LSx style motor with a T-56 behind it. I want to keep the EFI on it. Is there a reason you decided to go with a carb set up instaed of keeping the EFI? From the pictures it looks like the LS motors sit high up, are you going to have any trouble fitting this under a stock hood? If I do this I will probably going to run a 3" to 4" cowl hood anyways so that is not an issue. I was just curious is all. I really can't wait to see the motor sitting in there. Keep up the good work man and I will keep watching this thread.

[1970camaroRS]

Originally Posted by SS1156

Nate, I am thinking of trading my Saleen Mustang for a 70 Camaro. I definately want to run an LSx style motor with a T-56 behind it. I want to keep the EFI on it. Is there a reason you decided to go with a carb set up instaed of keeping the EFI? From the pictures it looks like the LS motors sit high up, are you going to have any trouble fitting this under a stock hood? If I do this I will probably going to run a 3" to 4" cowl hood anyways so that is not an issue. I was just curious is all. I really can't wait to see the motor sitting in there. Keep up the good work man and I will keep watching this thread.

I went with the carb for a couple of reasons.

1. I already had a carb, and with a $30 rebuild kit it was as good as new.

2. This manifold will make more power than a stock LS1/6 or truck manifold.

3. I was secretly planning on running a nitrous plate under the carb.

4. My fuel system is already setup with a low pressure electric pump.

In the long run, it was easier, cheaper and will make more power than the EFI system. It wont run as well, but that's ok by me.

[1970camaroRS]

Went to install my headers and the driver's side went in perfectly...but the passenger side:



Stopped right about there, looked like it was hitting the frame with the outside most tube. So, under the car I went to investigate and I found this:



Riding hard against the a-arm mount. The headers still need to drop just a bit and swing closer to the transmission....and that's when I found the real culprit!



That's a tab on the bellhousing for my 700r-4 transmission. These headers were not made with that bellhousing in mind I believe. I also think that it's not structurally important and I can chop it off. With it out of the way, the headers should slide right into place!

Like the driver's side headers:


It's a LITTLE bit close to the same tab on the other side of the bellhousing, but this picture is a bit deceiving. There's more than 1/4" clearance there.

Also, while I was at it I took a picture of the oil pan clearance. It hangs down almost as low as my milodon pan on my BBC did and I gained an inch or so by going from the BBC to the LQ4.



I find this to be more than acceptable for a street-strip car that I will drive carefully everywhere. Just ran out and measured the thickness of that weed-whacker line that was under the car (worked great to keep the headers up and away while I installed the motor for the final time). It measures about 1.5" thick. So it looks like I have about 4.5" from the pan to the ground. This is the 'muscle car' kit from GM. It uses the LH8 pan from the H2.

And finally, I tossed a few loose parts on the motor to mock things up and give a preview of the future.

[waynieZ]

That looks great in there nice job. I love the orange on the motor.

[1970camaroRS]

Got a bunch more work in today since I took a mental health day from work.

Just a reminder....passenger header hit this tab on the 700r4 bellhousing:


This was quickly fixed with a hack saw since that piece does nothing but get in the way.





And now there's TONS of space.



Now it clears the A arm mount just fine.



And the frame is a bit tight, but should still work just fine.



I installed the coil packs, spark plugs and plug wires. No pictures of this since it isn't very glamorous.

The next big hurdle I had to jump over was the dipstick mount not clearing the flange on the Edelbrock headers.



Before:


After:


Viola! Fits perfect.


Things are really coming together.

[1970camaroRS]

Here's a new one.

[ElkyZO6]

Looks good.