[Insert Cool Name Here] '69 Camaro LS1 Project

[tubbed69]

Cars looking good so far,it's a lot of trial and error putting the ls engines in but we'll worth it in the end.

[OBeer-WAN-Kenobi]

Well, I'm back in business!

Someone answered my Craigslist add for a stock subframe and I went and got it this weekend. It's in really good shape compared to my old one. It just needs a wee bit of TLC on the middle mount holes but that's it. The rear holes are great. The picture is pretty crappy but there's not much to see anyway.

I've also ordered all the components I need to rebuild the sub including bushings, tie rod ends, upper and lower ball joints, pitman and idler arm, rag joint etc. I'll be going with the 3rd get steering box as well but haven't ordered one yet.

Anyway, at least I can make some real headway again!

[aggie91]

Cool, waiting to see more...

[OBeer-WAN-Kenobi]

Well, my uncle and I got some work done on the subframe in his shop this weekend. It should be ready to go and get sand blasted now.

Here's our fix for the rusty middle mount holes. We special ordered washers of the right thickness and bored out the ID on a lathe to the proper dimension. Then we fitted it to a hole in the frame that my uncle cut out with a plasma cutter and smoothed out with a die grinder. For most of this, I just let him do his thing. I can weld and grind but he does it for a living so I left the professional alone!

Tacked it into place and made some minor adjustments.

Finish Welded

Ground the Weld and they are done


After that we heated and beat out some dents caused by people inserting tow hooks in places not designed for it. I decided to put a tow hook on the front just for that purpose in case it was ever needed.


Getting that thing apart was a big PITA. The upper control arms weren't so bad but the lowers required judicious use of a plasma cutter on the bolts. So, now I'm in search of new bolts for the lower control arms.

That's it for now. It doesn't seem like a lot but it took a whole day.

[OBeer-WAN-Kenobi]

I ordered some new upper bump stops, LCA bolts, front shocks and an alternator bracket (one I got with the engine was broken) yesterday. That wasn't too bad.


Today I ordered a Classic Auto Air system and some VHX gauges. That was Ouch!

[pitts12driver]

Keep up the good work. It's a long (and expensive road) I think I've bought my car twice!

[OBeer-WAN-Kenobi]

Originally Posted by pitts12driver

Keep up the good work. It's a long (and expensive road) I think I've bought my car twice!

I was hoping to keep the total cost of my build including the car to under $25,000. I mean, I knew it wasn't going to happen but giving myself a number to stick to still helps me come out under what it would have if I didn't care and on my salary...I definitely care!

That being said, my revised goal is $30,000. This is to get it on the road and running reliably, mind you. It's not including later upgrades like a ridetech suspension and a new paint job.

So, today I was looking at what I still need, as far as big expenses go and I'm down to three things, for the most part, baring any unforeseen circumstances.

1. Fricken indomitable, gosh-darn headers. (I'm really beginning to hate headers)
2. Exhaust (thinking magnaflow 15899)
3. Radiator and fans

By my calculations; if I get the cheaper headers I'm thinking about, I should be needing to spend about $1,870 on that stuff.

I'm really hoping that's it because I'm getting uncomfortably close to $30k

[U-turn]

Originally Posted by OBeer-WAN-Kenobi

I was hoping to keep the total cost of my build including the car to under $25,000. I mean, I knew it wasn't going to happen but giving myself a number to stick to still helps me come out under what it would have if I didn't care and on my salary...I definitely care!

That being said, my revised goal is $30,000. This is to get it on the road and running reliably, mind you. It's not including later upgrades like a ridetech suspension and a new paint job.

So, today I was looking at what I still need, as far as big expenses go and I'm down to three things, for the most part, baring any unforeseen circumstances.

1. Fricken indomitable, gosh-darn headers. (I'm really beginning to hate headers)
2. Exhaust (thinking magnaflow 15899)
3. Radiator and fans

By my calculations; if I get the cheaper headers I'm thinking about, I should be needing to spend about $1,870 on that stuff.

I'm really hoping that's it because I'm getting uncomfortably close to $30k

Bud, everyone has that goal..... and everyone breaks it too....

[OBeer-WAN-Kenobi]

Just a small, non-picture-worthy update.

I installed my Sanden compressor from my CAA kit last night with the included Kwik Performance bracket. I also temporarily mounted the alternator back on as well. I'm going to pick up a belt tonight and make sure it's all good. It seems like everything should work and it went together without any apparent issues; yeah, weird right?

This is all sitting on an engine stand outside the vehicle unfortunately....LOL

I did order my exhaust last week so I might have that by the end of this week. Not like I'll need it for a while though anyway.

So, down to headers and radiator/fans on my "to buy" list for now.

Oh, I did order the stuff to rebuild the rear spring bushings and shackles as well. Figured I might as well do that when I switch to the 12 bolt rear end. I snagged some stainless brake lines for the front and rear as well as part of the order.

[waynieZ]

Don't feel bad I bought my exhaust for my car 5 years ago and still not ready for it. Same one you got.