I bought a major Pro-Touring project from a high school, WOW what were they thinking!

[DannyZ]

So I buy a 1969 Camaro Pro-touring car from a closed high school class project. I spend a lot for it but the skinny is this, everything is brand new.....

New Dynacorn body
DSE front end sub frame
Heidts IRS rear
All new front sheet metal
Blue Print 490HP 396 cid small block
ProCar seats
interior
RS headlight conversion
Big Wilwood brakes
Tremco TKO 600 5sp
dual disc clutch
new glass
new trim
SS gas tank
Be Cool Aluminum Radiator
Billet Wheels
New tires
and a lot more

So the class teachers spend almost $85,000 in new parts and half assed bolted some parts on and that's where he ends and I begin, I purchased it for a less then half of that he paid for all the parts. So now I have to figure out what to keep and what direction I should head down to build a top notch Pro-Touring Camaro. Any help or thoughts as to what direction I should head with this project?? Thanks Dan

[camcojb]

That should be a great project. Welcome to the site!

[DannyZ]

I think that I have decided to go a different direction with the car. I'm going to sell the new 396 stroker and the Tremco TKO 600 and buy a LT-4 and a T56 trans. Then going to sell the front DSE front sub-frame setup and the Heidts PRO-G IRS rear end and order a Roadster Shop FastTrack Chassis to handle the added HP. I think that this would make more sense? But any input would be nice to here? Thanks Dan

[Rod P]

Originally Posted by DannyZ

almost $85,000 in new parts and half assed bolted some parts on and that's where he ends and I begin, I purchased it for a less then half of that he paid for all the parts. So now I have to figure out what to keep and what direction I should head down to build a top notch Pro-Touring Camaro. Any help or thoughts as to what direction I should head with this project??

welcome

Originally Posted by DannyZ

I think that I have decided to go a different direction with the car. I'm going to sell the new 396 stroker and the Tremco TKO 600 and buy a LT-4 and a T56 trans. Then going to sell the front DSE front sub-frame setup and the Heidts PRO-G IRS rear end and order a Roadster Shop FastTrack Chassis to handle the added HP. I think that this would make more sense? But any input would be nice to here? Thanks Dan

keep the DSE front clip, get rid of the Heidts rear and just add the DSE quadralink, it will handle the power, pretty sure Kyles car is pushing 700 hp without a problem with his DSE stuff. just my opinion, unless you have buyers already for the old gear, the used/resale/changed my mind and selling my stuff market is tough

[Sheck44]

Dan, as above ... you needn't be concerned with this level of power to justify a full chassis. I run way more power than your expecting (as do a LOT of guys) and have no issues with their DSE front sub, and a quadralink in the rear. Add in the DSE weld in frame connectors and your good to go. This is unless you want the full frame chassis then go for it, but again not needed for 650 HP....

Cheers
Steve

[DannyZ]

So, keep the front DSE front end and what about the rear? Ditch the Heidts or keep it? If I ditch the Heidts, what is the "Best" replacement that will give me the best ride and handling? Also, I'm not worried about the cost of the full frame over the parts I have now, what would the difference in improvement over the two. It just seams that the sub frame connection setups are better at push pull forces front to back and not at good at the twisting up and down forces?

Also a few people think that I should just use the 396 stroker and run a FITech fuel unit on it and it would make a potent package over and LSX engine, any body have their two cents? I was just wondering how livable a setup like this would be since I have never run one like this and is 490HP considered enough now a days? ?

[raustinss]

Im a Chevelle guy but was looking for a Camaro when i found my car , first welcome and second hell of a deal you got . I agree with the previous posters statements , ditch the heidts stuff then grab the phone and order up DSE rear and subframe connectors . It will be more than enough for what you are planning . As for power, definitely dump that motor and grab a LS or the LT you mentioned you will shed over 200 pds of the front end .

[DannyZ]

Thanks. Has any body rode in a FastTrack framed car and has a review of the ride and handling? Or could someone compare the DSE to the FastTrack?

[214Chevy]

Originally Posted by DannyZ

Thanks. Has any body rode in a FastTrack framed car and has a review of the ride and handling? Or could someone compare the DSE to the FastTrack?

Both of the company's are top notch and you cannot go wrong with either one. Again, unless you just want one and don't mind spending the extra money on a full chassis, a DSE subframe is a hell of subframe. Lot's of high horsepower guys on here run DSE subframes and have no issues. I, personally, have never heard of a complaint about any of DSE parts.

[DannyZ]

Yes your right I've heard good things about DSE and I don't have a problem using them at all. I was thinking that if i'm going to be putting 20K in the motor and trans setup would a full frame be at that level of refinement? Which is to say that if the DSE setup is a 8.5 would the FastTrack frame be a 10? If that was the case I might, but if the DSE is a 9.5 maybe not. I'm just looking for a balance between the two ie engine/chassis setups.