Round 2 Pro Touring 69 Camaro

[fatelvis]

Ok, I have been a member since probably 2008 and have never posted. I originally built this car back in 2007 with the intent of selling it to pay off my house. Unfortunately, by the time I got it finished, the housing economic crash halved the values of these builds. Fortunately, by the time I got it finished, I had my house paid off and fell in love with it. So, I kept it! After driving it for 10 Years, two engines,2 transmissions, and 2 interior redesigns, it started to show some signs of wear (Rust, Road rash etc.) The following photos are from the original build and I intend to document the second round of this car's life. I think you will find it interesting as it turned out very nice.
This car has served as a business card for me and enabled me to start a niche restoration/ customization shop. For 13+ years this site has been a constant source of information and ideas and it is time for me to contribute. Sorry it took so long, and I hope you enjoy!

[camcojb]

This should be fun, thanks for posting!

[zz430droptop67rs]

Liking that 59-60 dash a lot.

Also the Zo6 on the tail panel.

[fatelvis]

Widened the rear tubs 3" to allow for the 11x19" wheels. Already had a DSE "style"(as I stole their design and made my own in 07') rear 4 link. Integrated the wide tubs into the coil over pan and narrowed the frame at the rear. I Would later add wider exhaust "bumps" to allow for increased exhaust room, as this was always a problem with this car. 4 links and tail pipes do not get along well. Also added a fuel pump access door that turned out to be needed after a couple of shake down runs!

The park lamps were recessed to make the factory lenses flush. Not intended to be a full custom Frenching, just wanted a subtle recess. Had to build my own stamp press. turned out great, very little body work necessary to finish for paint. The bezels were ceramic coated black.

The front spoiler was hand formed sheet metal of my design. Notice the fog lamps removed and the opening with the "teeth" cut out of 1/4" aluminum. these would be ceramic coated black when finished. The opening was designed around the need for air flow for the intercooler radiator. The bumper bracket openings were tightened up when the car was originally built in 07'.

[fatelvis]

This is the rear diffuser idea that I had been tossing around for a couple of years. Actually, went to SEMA in 18' and saw one similar but decided to put a little more character into my design. By far the most ambitious metal project the I had taken on to this point...F'it, jump in!
Photos speak for themselves, measure, cut, fit, repeat. Took a month and half of nights and weekends. Definitely worth it. honed my metal skills and gained confidence in the rest of the build. Another month of body work to finish.
Intended on making a mold of this for a Carbon Fiber piece but later deemed it too challenging for my beginner skills. If anyone knows someeone with these abilities, I would still like to do it.

[fatelvis]

More pics of rear diffuser. Playing around with front quarter side scoop as well. Ultimately decided not to do it as I suspect this mod may "Date" the build. Also started on the rear bumper tuck process.

[fatelvis]

More pics of rear bumper area. Curled up ends, peaked center, narrowed and frenched the ends. shrank thickness 1/4". Spent an absurd amount of time perfecting gaps. Intended on having them chromed but decided to paint body color at this point. Also intend on making a mold for Carbon Fiber....Someday.

[fatelvis]

Front bumper treatment. Cleaned up gaps, narrowed ends, modified brackets for hidden fasteners. Cleaned up the edges of the fenders to fit the bumper better. Didn't go crazy on the super tight gaps as this will be a driver. I have found that chipped paint on gaps looks bad.

[fatelvis]

Not a lot of Engine Bay pics, these are all I have during the build. Smooth firewall, Hidden wipers, dual master cylinder/ clutch pedal set up. Fender wells were extended around the a-arms and all holes filled. Fenders were modified in the hood jamb area to remove some of the ugly. Hidden fasteners and privacy panels fabricated to hid hoses and wiring etc. Hood latch area removed in favor of hood pins. Radiator support was hand fabricated and panels were made to hide the radiator/intercooler/condenser setup. Also, handmade a fan shroud with dual fans, and an airbox for fresh air inlet.
Subframe is stock, sort of... cut the engine cradle back 2" to mount the DSE rack and pinion unit. Custom steering arms mount to stock spindles, Wilwood 6 piston brakes, Speed Tech Arms and Viking dual adj. shocks. Cut the sides of the frame to allow for the 9" wide front wheels proper clearance. Both frame horns from the Spring pocket forward are 2x4" steel in order to mount the front sway bar. Very Unconventional but Very functional! Built a frame jig in order to check measurements and ensure proper alignment specs, turning radius and suspension articulation. I went overboard on this as the geometry wasn't ever "right" on the first build. I never liked the turn radius and the bump steer was annoying. All these modifications Made such a big difference on this car, it really handles/steers/corners Awesome! Hard to explain, it just works!
Oh! forgot the best part. 408 LS, Forged internals, Edelbrock Blower, T-56 with Viper internals Hand built headers, Custom exhaust completely Ceramic coated.3" mandrel, x pipe. 12 bolt rear Custom 4 link, rear sway bar and Qa1 coil overs. Estimated 7-800 rwhp

[Beechy]

Dayum.........at last somebody did a sympathetic job of those exhaust humps in the trunk. The "normal" way with the sharp, straight fold is just so wrong when it tries to blend with the bigger radii of the trunk floor. Bravo!

Detroit Speed, there's a niche for a better fitting panel.

......and you just don't give up do you? Fantastic eye for creating those gently curved surfaces everywhere......just perfect. Especially the diffuser.
FWIW I'm an ex-GM designer

I've just done something similar, but way simpler, on my '68. Simpler cos it's my daily but I had a couple weeks lockdown to complete the entire project (radiator under the trunk). Will post a thread one day when I get some decent pics.

Thanks for the thread.

BTW........do u have a pic of the exhaust outlets in the diffuser please?