This is MY 67 Camaro

[Sonar Chief]

when a plan comes together!!! NEVER cut up headers before!

Well, the header looks like Frankenstein's Doc worked on him ... but it fits GREAT!! Planned for 1/8" above the frame and whola that's where it sits. Just have to find out where the steering shaft will intersect #7 tube and cut that to clear the shaft.

What a PITA getting all this done ... but it payed off big time, I won't be scrapping headers on exit or entry drives, ask Mr. Diaz what that sounds like!


Not pretty... but functional!

Good clearance, nothing moved!

JUST above the straight edge across the frame and crossmember .... HEY!

These will get JET HOT coated to make them better looking!



Thanks for looking ... cutting up the passenger side header next!

[65_LS1_T56]

Glad to see the event gave you some motivation! I tell everyone that gets in a little slump, go to an event or even a car show. It lights the fire.

Great pics Michael, and good talking to you out there. We had a great time and trip to your beautiful state.

[Sonar Chief]

Originally Posted by 65_LS1_T56

Glad to see the event gave you some motivation! I tell everyone that gets in a little slump, go to an event or even a car show. It lights the fire.

Great pics Michael, and good talking to you out there. We had a great time and trip to your beautiful state.

Thanks Aaron ... I've had the motivation all along its the dang school work getting in the way. School is out and I now have only two weeks before another class starts ....grrrrr. Better get off this computer and get that other header cut up.

[waynieZ]

Nice job Chief . You kept them tucked up tight.

[Sonar Chief]

Originally Posted by waynieZ

Nice job Chief . You kept them tucked up tight.

In stock form they were a tube ...1 3/4" below the frame, NOT GOOD. If the headers drag now I have some pretty big problems

On to the passenger side I took a total of 1 3/4" out each tube to get where I'm close. It's not as complex as the driver's side but very limited space to work within. Installed the starter for reference. I'm really not liking these ball and socket connectors ... you lose a 1/4" clearance cuz the hardware, I may have to clock them a little.

Anyway ... three are really close, #2 comes across the top and runs straight down into the rear LCA bracket. I will have to be creative so solve this one.

Thinking of doing # 4 and 6 (cuz they are ready for welding) and then cut the tubes for #2 and 8 and angle them further back away from the bracket ... that'll be APITA!


Not so good on #2!

Contact with LCA bracket ...grrrrr!

Need to change the angle of the dangle here and extend the upper tube!

Sitting above the frame.

I'll be glad when the headers fit like I want them, this has been time consuming

Thanks for looking ...

[Sonar Chief]

Cutting up a new set of headers? Had to be done thou ... well, the other side is done .... just some finish filing and then clean up the welds on the driver's side to match!

Total of 8 cuts and 10 welds, hours of hand filing and some grinding. Nothing moved w the braces and she lines up just like I planned .... whew!


Some action shots ... adding 3/8" is APITA!

Some finish work now!

Mo'Better!

Fits great!

Gained plenty of clearance ..... I hand filed that inside radius, what APITA!


I don't want to do that again, I'm glad I don't have to worry about hanging up the exhaust on something ... sure wished they would have come from the factory fitting like this

Thanks for looking ....

[Roberts68]

Wow Chief. Your ambition and execution know no bounds.
Ya got some mad skills!
Just think of the conversational tour you will be able to give someone describing all YOU did to this beast.

[Sonar Chief]

Originally Posted by Roberts68

Wow Chief. Your ambition and execution know no bounds.
Ya got some mad skills!
Just think of the conversational tour you will be able to give someone describing all YOU did to this beast.

I think it's more of the mad than the skills sometimes, seems you modify one thing and then it's another that needs modding

Thanks for looking ...

[Vince@Meanstreets]

nice work chief!!

[Sonar Chief]

Originally Posted by Vince@MSperfab

nice work chief!!

Thanks .... she's getting there


Little bit of scope creep today .... started making clearance for the steering joint, by the time there was clearance there was not much of the original mount left. SO ... I added a 1/4" plate to the engine mount, can't do just one side so I put one on the passenger side too!!

Then I aligned the braces I made for the shock tower mount and tacked them in ... not feeling confident in my vertical MIG welding 3/16" I decided to pull the subframe and weld on a horizontal plane and get plenty of penetration. Figured is was safer to do it now then when/if it failed later.

Well, anyway ... made a big mess, found a purpose for those ugly hospital socks they send you home with and I'll sleep better knowing I did the right thing. My nephew is coming up Friday to help put this thing back together and check for squareness.


That's a big hole!!!!

Added a brace to the engine mount!

Had to do the other side too!

Hospital socks for shock covers ....lol.

20 minutes later .... what a mess!!

I'll finish welding all the mounts and the braces and get her back under the car tomorrow ...

Thanks for looking ...