Project Trial Run

[TrialRun]

Guys,

I building my first pro-touring car, a 1969 Camaro with a LS1/T56. I'm 25 yrs old and will be completing all the work in my garage with a few buddies to help out. Hence the name TrialRun, as this is my first go around with a project of this caliber. To say the least this will definitely be a learning experience for me. I sourced a 69 Camaro that I found locally here in San Antonio on craigslist.com (I love this site). Car was listed with no photos and a vague description. After emailing the seller several times I was able to check out the car two months later. The car had been sitting in his garage since 1995 and the front end and sub frame completely disassembled, motor/trans was pulled and sold. The sub frame, inner fenders, control arms and spindles were blasted and primed; seller was planning on doing a frame off. Body was still straight with minimal rust issues and all the parts were in the car or in boxes. Long story short, I came back out the following day with cash and got the car for $4,500 (I still have a grin on my face from this find).

I originally anticipated to build this car on a budget, but that quickly went out the window once I started ordering parts, might as well do it right the first time around, at least that’s what I keep telling myself to justify all these purchases.

I wanted to give a special thanks to Frank @ Prodigy and Tobin @ Kore3, these guys both took the time to answer all my emails/phones calls and explain the pros and cons of each part in more detail than I probably ever wanted to know. Here is what I have on picked up or have on order so far for the build:

-2000 LS1 w/4L60e out of a wreaked WS6 (auto tranny is for sale)
-6 speed t-56
-Stainless steel bolt kit from Prodigy for the entire exterior of the car
-Chris Alston G-bar rear suspension w/ coilovers and weld in brackets
-Adjustable variShocks - front
-Hotchiks front drop springs, sway bar, sub frame connectors, front steering kit and tie rod sleeves
-DSE mini tubs and firewall filler plate
-Hooker long tube headers for the LS1 conversion
-Carshop motor mount adapter plates
-Helix tubular upper and lower control arms w/ upgraded bushings and heavy duty ball joints
-WS6 radiator, dual fans, hydraulic system for t-56, power booster and master cylinder
-tires are 18 x 8.5 front and 19 x 10 rear – will be running Z06 wheels
-kore3 billet hubs
-c6 calipers, hawk hp pads, 340 mm DBA slotted rotors up front
-stainless brake lines all around

Need to order or find:
-ls1 rear brakes
-gauges
-steering box and link
-send harness to speartech
-Figure out the fuel setup - this has been keeping me up at night
-lots of misc stuff that I haven’t even started learning about, but I’ll get there as the build progresses

Fabbing up:
-trans cross member
-exhaust
-plate for gauges

Sorry for the long winded post, on to the photos of how the car sits as of now, more photos to be updated as the build begins:









Thanks for looking

-Chris

[TrialRun]

[TrialRun]

[War]

Very nice find. You know you may want to concentrate your efforts and cash on the body first. You can always get parts and there's always something new out and by the time people get to body and paint their budget is blown apart.

Just a thought.

[98ssnova]

Ricks stainless tanks can meet all of your fuel needs look left

[TrialRun]

Originally Posted by War

Very nice find. You know you may want to concentrate your efforts and cash on the body first. You can always get parts and there's always something new out and by the time people get to body and paint their budget is blown apart.

Just a thought.

Thought about it, but figured since this is my first build I should put the car together first that way I can fill all the holes that are not needed prior to paint.