LS7 1969 Camaro SS Convertible - Project "Overt"

[waynieZ]

Wow wheels and tires look SWEET! I like thecustom centers. The tires tuck up nice in the wheel wells. Perfect stance.

[rickpaw]

Car's looking great. Looking forward to seeing it on power tours.

[Spiffav8]

Car looks sick. As always, top notch work Tony.

[WSSix]

Looking great, Tony. The center caps are a nice touch. Good luck!

[Nine Ball]

Today, I got to play the role of novice sheetmetal fabricator. I had originally installed the SpeedTech transmission tunnel, back when I was planning to use the SpeedTech/ATS engine mounts and cross-member. But, I made the switch to the Holley/Hooker engine mounts and headers, because I wanted the engine to sit as low and far back as possible. Glad I did so, because of how close the intake manifold came to the hood, even in the lowest position.

But, as many of you know, parts from different brands do not play well together. The transmission tunnel did not line up with the new location of the shifter. I installed the transmission, and marked the holes from underneath, and drilled the four corners where the shifter plate is located. You can see I nailed it, with the SpeedTech tunnel plate having the corner right in the middle of the shifter. Typical. Haha





This would require me to fabricate a new shifter cover. I wanted to make sure it was removable, so that I could easily access the shifter and remove it, if needed.

Spot welds drilled from the SpeedTech tunnel cover. Cut the rear section of the tunnel cover off.



Here is where the T56 transmission sits, relative to everything. Yes, I got very good at installing this transmission, did it about 4 times yesterday.





Opened up the hole to match the rear of the shifter plate location.



I made a template out of posterboard, then traced it onto some sheetmetal. I cut it out with my plasma cutter, and used a sheet metal brake and some hammering to make the bends.

Installed some 1/4-inch nut-serts into the floorboard.



Final fitment done. Time to install the transmission again, to mark the shifter hole placement.















Tony

[HotRod68Camaro]

Tony, could you get a side shot of the headers/ground clearance? From the picture you already posted they seem to tuck up pretty well. I'm wondering how much they hang under the subframe.

[Nine Ball]

Originally Posted by HotRod68Camaro

Tony, could you get a side shot of the headers/ground clearance? From the picture you already posted they seem to tuck up pretty well. I'm wondering how much they hang under the subframe.

I took some photos for everyone. Those searching for combos may find this information useful. The fitment was absolutely perfect, everything cleared nicely and did not require any modifications. It has been very rare that something has fit properly on this project, almost should rename the car to Project "Nothing Fits". So, I'm glad to see that this combo actually fit perfectly. I had to use the Mast oil pan instead of the Holley Part 302-2, because I have a stroker crank, and the Holley does not clear the stroker. The Mast pan does clear the stroker crank. Quality-wise, however, the Holley was a much nicer casting, looked more OEM than the Mast pan does.

LS engine with 1998-2002 Camaro T56 transmission and bellhousing
Mast Motorsports LS Conversion Cast Oil Pan (Part# 401-111 )
Dipstick - GM (Part#12570788 )
Dipstick Tube - GM (Part# 12570787 )
LS Oil Pan Gasket (Can reuse factory) - GM (Part#12612350)
Hooker Transmission Crossmember (Part# 12626HKR )
Hooker Headers, 1-7/8" long tube, black ceramic coated (Part# 2276-3HKR )
Hooker Engine Adapter Mounts (Part# 12618HKR
Anchor Industries Clamshell Motor Mounts (Part# 2292)
Energy Suspension Motor & Trans Mount Urethane Bushings (Part# 3-1130G)
Detroit Speed Steering Gearbox ( 600 series ) w/ factory steering linkage

















Rear of shifter, relative to the convertible trans tunnel bracing. Coupes will not have that brace behind the shifter. It was close, but still clears.









Header collector to floor pan (driver side)



Passenger side



Tony

[BigBronco]

Great work Tony. Some good information with all of those part numbers.

[Nine Ball]

Been a few weeks, made a lot more progress. Still hoping to complete by Power Tour.

Built an extension for my PCV oil catch can. The bracket it came with put it too close to the alternator. Billet can is from Elite Engineering, very nice quality.







Drilled a few holes in the underside of the intake manifold, for MAP sensor, PCV.





Fully assembled the intake manifold w/ fuel rails and 60# injectors



Test fit and cut the custom Foose console to fit. It will get a nice head unit with nav screen.



Started tearing apart the rear seat, to restore the spring frame, narrow it for the mini-tubs, and recover with Houndstooth.





Here are the two radiator hoses I used. Part numbers shown are Dayco brand, found on ebay. Worked well for the Wegner + Griffin combo. Should work for any LSX setup with all coolant nipples on right side of engine and radiator.



Painted the front of my Griffin radiator black. I don't like seeing things through the grille, it is distracting and ruins photos.




Continued...

[Nine Ball]

Built the entire fuel system. Started with the Tanks Inc fuel tank with the clipped corners. Very, very nice quality setup - especially for the price. Bonus, it was powdercoated a similar color as the lips on my wheels. The pump kit and level sending unit come in a bunch of pieces, you have to do some measuring, cutting, and assemble everything. Since this isn't a big-hp build, it was a relatively simple layout. -6 AN feed and return lines, using the C6 Corvette fuel filter/regulator combo. Return happens right at the rear axle, so no chance heating up the fuel while sitting in traffic.

















Built my own power steering hoses. Nobody makes a kit using black lines and fittings. -6 sized PTFE hose for the pressure side, and -6 AN hose for the low pressure return side. DSE 600 series steering box, I used the two -6 AN adapters that Detroit Speed sells for this box.



Replaced the plain rubber PCV hoses with braided AN hose.



Mounted my coil pack brackets on the lower section of the firewall, on both sides. Really nice area down there, with the Hooker headers offering a lot of clearance. I reconfigured the factory truck wiring harnesses to fit inside the brackets, kept everything compact as possible. I built my own spark plug wires using parts from Taylor Thundervolt (10.4mm). Those were a pain in the rear to strip, since they are essentially triple insulated. I'd go with MSD 8.5mm if I were to do it again.









Continued...