Aston Martin in a 70 camaro

[Dragonfly]

I am beginning a pro touring build on a 70 camaro , I have an aston Martin v-12 , I am on the fence , would it be sac religious and blasphemy to put it in a camaro build? It's a 2001 complete engine. A couple small turbos would make it cool.

[Aficionado]

Uhh, you should rock that in exactly whatever you want to put it in.

...especially if you're going to turbo it.

[epeterson]

That would be amazing. Go outside the box!

[rjsjea]

Sounds unique for sure. I'd look into the electronics (ecu programming or standalone setup) before jumping in head first...

[Dragonfly]

It has a harness but no computer , that is a bit of a worry but should be able to get around it.

[WallaceMFG]

I'd do it! Everybody has an LS motor in their Camaro's, nobody has a V12!

[andrewb70]

Go for it.

Andrew

[rickpaw]

That will be cool. Do it, and don't forget to do a build thread.

[rfalker1]

that would be crazy!

[mc84_zz4]

I fully endorse your madness my friend, I really enjoy seeing the spirit of hot-rodding alive and well and producing rides that we all have dreams about doing.
Godspeed to your project, I hope all the technical bumps can be ironed out without much hassle.
A V12 Camaro is a very worthy cause IMO.

[cornfedbill]

It may be blasphemy, but I say go for it. Unless you plan to restore the car, there are no rules.

[BMR Sales]

Yes, Do It!

[Steve1968LS2]

For it you should go (in Yoda voice)

would be seriously cool..

[Bob in St. Louis]

Only if you have the ability to take pictures so the rest of us can drool. ;)

[Poorhousenext]

I am beginning a pro touring build on a 70 camaro , I have an aston Martin v-12 , I am on the fence , would it be sac religious and blasphemy to put it in a camaro build? It's a 2001 complete engine. A couple small turbos would make it cool.

Anything can be done. It will not be and easy fitment and you need to look at difference in of engine size and weight compared to that of standard engines inplanted in Camaros. That engine is heavy. Lot of weight on front end doesn't make a Camaro handle very well, straightline handling is one thing, autocross and track are another.

What transmission are you planning to use with it? That could be a problem even if you had trans that came with engine.

Even if you have the original wire harness, it will need to be reworked. You need to find a source to rework it, and also who will tune engine? Neither of those will be cheap.

It can be done an it will make for a cool car to park, hood open and have people ooh over it, but that could be the extent of your pleasure from owning it.

It's going to take deep pockets to complete project. It's costly enough to build an LS based Pro-Touring car. It could be and easy 3 times to 4 times cost of a great LS Camaro build and that is without turbos.

I have some build photos around somewhere of Aston Martin project in an AMX that used complete Aston Martin drivetrain & suspension. Project was never finished. Sitting in a garage 120 miles from where I live. Part of reason for that is body changes to make car a true Pro Touring build were very ambitious, but part of it was cost man faced gettng engine up and running. He didn't look into that before jumping into project. Might try to find them.

If you do decide to go ahead, make sure you have the fortatude to complete project. It could take a while to do it, and money that could be better used to prepare for your future.

Do your HOMEWORK before you jump in.

Advice from a man that goes by Poorhousenext.....LOL I'm not Young and Dumb. I'm living proof men never grow up, I'm Old and Stupid...:headbang:

[1989GTA]

"Do your HOMEWORK before you jump in."

Sage advice.

[NOT A TA]

I suggest you take a deep breath and research the engine before considering it. The Aston V12's have a history of oiling issues leading to blown engines. They are essentially 2 Ford 3.0 V6's stuck together to make a 6.0 V12. The internals are no better than a common Duratec engine. Aston offered no warranty help on them only offering a new block for about 15 grand. This one was rebuilt at a machine shop I was building cars at and I saw what the car owner went through. The owner was so mad at Aston he had the video produced.

Granted, many Aston owners could afford to just get the damage fixed and move on due to their economic status. The owner of this car was a retired firefighter from NYC and spent his savings to buy the car of his dreams. If I remember correctly it was like $6,000.00 just for the new pistons & rods.

I should mention Aston did have a shorter dipstick made claiming that would cure the "problem".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzmL2rl1j8Q

Engine on boring machine for sleeving.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/04/0153-1.jpg (http://s240.photobucket.com/user/NOTATA/media/015-3.jpg.html)

Engine being assembled while being filmed for the video.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/04/0039-1.jpg (http://s240.photobucket.com/user/NOTATA/media/003-9.jpg.html)

[Dragonfly]

scary video, now I know the internals are junk, 12 h beams and 12 custom pistons arent cheap.

[parsonsj]

The Aston V12's have a history of oiling issues leading to blown enginesThere are horror stories for any make and model. You should hear the Z06 guys screaming about the LS7 and its oiling issues leading to blown engines. I'm on the third LS7 in my Z06. The car has less than 8000 miles on it. :)

To the OP: if you have the resources, do it do it do it.

[ho428]

I'd go through the engine, forged rods are cheap, and new pistons aren't that bad. The gasket set will probably cost more than the pistons.
Send one of your pistons to someplace like Ross and they may even have a plug that's close to work with.

My opinon of the failure is the rod cap or bolt broke first, not the piston. Might just replace your rods.

[Dragonfly]

So with beefed up rods and pistons how much boost would be possible without replacing head gaskets all the time ?

[andrewb70]

This doesn't sound nearly as cool anymore, unless you want to spend cubic dollars.

Andrew

[aps63]

Go for it!!!!!!!!!!!

[MonzaRacer]

With a V12 and 5 to 10 lbs of boost, beefing the oiling up and probably plumbing in a couple of accusump emergency oiling systems if pump fails, wouldnt be bad idea. At least look around for some better rods with good bolts. If a cast piston/crank 355 can take well over 20 and never scatter. properly controlled, add some snow water injection and a good intercooler your good. And dont forget couple of larger ebay gt2876r or gt35 style turbos would be plenty,,, oh and a good rev limiter. Dual edis, batch fire injection from megasquirt and you should be ok.

[olason]

After any concerns with the engine are addressed, I would totally put this in anything.

Check out speedhunters.com blogs about Gatebil (something like that) in Sweden. Or most any Swedish build, for some reason they spent all those hours of dark in the garage making massive power out of everything they let out of their garage.

[Richard454]

Don't know a lot about the Aston- but V12's ARE different!!! But don't forget- 12 of something is A LOT...and a lot more money & time...Go for it- and don't look back!!!

I was originally looking at doing an LS swap in my 71 Vette...but when there is kits to do it-loses the appeal to me. I wanted different - I wanted a V12!!! It had to be reliable and not off the charts as far as parts pricing and availability. I went w/ the BMW V12- used in the 750il and the 850i-(90's vintage) when cared for - easily exceed 200k miles.

I still wanted different so I went w/ ITBs- dry sumped it out of necessity (as engine is front sumped)

For the driveline? Didn't want a couple grand stock clutch set up- so I got a BMW flywheel for $100 used and drilled it fit a Chevy Clutch- $300 at any parts place...

The bellhousing is part of the BMW's auto box - milled to fit the standard Chevy/Muncie bolt pattern. Originally going w/ a ROD 6 speed- but ended up going w/ a TKO500 because I needed some parts for the 6 speed allegedly no longer in production.

Oh - as far as V12's being heavy- mine hits the scales FULLY dressed at less than 520lbs...

Electronics? The Megasuirt MS3Pro- at about $1300 - will sequentially fire 12 cylinders and wasted spark run 12 LS coils w/ no drivers required.


The Swedes have also taken this same engine - force fed it w/ a BIG turbo and are seeing over 1400HP- w/ STOCK internals.

Getting close to finishing it up-


Richard


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qok8r_etjgU

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/04/14063063313_c40818b06d_b-1.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/nqGSLR)P1010594 (https://flic.kr/p/nqGSLR) by richardhayes454 (https://www.flickr.com/people/123721740@N04/), on Flickr

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/04/14019921066_02f2923d92_b-1.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/nmTL61)DSCN3599 (https://flic.kr/p/nmTL61) by richardhayes454 (https://www.flickr.com/people/123721740@N04/), on Flickr

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/04/14043500144_4104284a09_b-1.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/noYBjQ)DSCN4069 (https://flic.kr/p/noYBjQ) by richardhayes454 (https://www.flickr.com/people/123721740@N04/), on Flickr

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/04/14019917566_ebb2f043af_b-1.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/nmTK3E)DSCN4072 (https://flic.kr/p/nmTK3E) by richardhayes454 (https://www.flickr.com/people/123721740@N04/), on Flickr

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/04/14063064583_a035cf4f1e_b-1.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/nqGT9K)DSCN4080 (https://flic.kr/p/nqGT9K) by richardhayes454 (https://www.flickr.com/people/123721740@N04/), on Flickr

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/04/14039856371_eaa988f37d_b-1.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/noDWaa)P1010447 (https://flic.kr/p/noDWaa) by richardhayes454 (https://www.flickr.com/people/123721740@N04/), on Flickr

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/04/14039845502_4ab9ffafa6_b-1.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/noDSVL)P1010449 (https://flic.kr/p/noDSVL) by richardhayes454 (https://www.flickr.com/people/123721740@N04/), on Flickr


Here's what they are doing in Sweden-

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[shmoov69]

Ok, first to the OP. Very cool and different idea, do it if you can afford to!

Now to you Richard, a couple things actually. First, bad ass car and idea and work! Super cool!! Can't wait to see it completed. Second, a member here since 06 and that was your third post?!?! LoL!

[Richard454]

member here since 06 and that was your third post?!?! LoL!

Just got my ankle bracelet removed- it prohibited me from visiting my local library to use the interweb....

[slammedwhitec5vert]

Super sweet idea if you got the cash!!!

[HellPhish89]

do this instead:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/04/LSV122-1.jpg

seriously though, engine management is easy.. a BS3, FAST EFI system, etc should be able to take care of it. setup a good dry sump system and such and you should be fine.

[shmoov69]

Just got my ankle bracelet removed- it prohibited me from visiting my local library to use the interweb....


Allllllrighty then!! Works for me! Bitchin car and I want to see more of it!

[mikedc]

Put a common Asian motor in a Camaro and it's sacrilege. Put an expensive European motor in there, and it's cool? Whatever.

I say its cool to put a GOOD motor in there, or a powerful one, at least a decent interesting one. I'm not sure the AM qualifies as anything more than just expensive. The backstory of that motor seems suspiciously like an example of "We need a V-12 because it has to be a V-12."



As for all motors having horror stories?

Maybe all modern hi-tech ones.
Try finding horror stories about dealing with an old Mopar slant-6.


---

[RichardSIA]

Chevy into British cars has been done to death, time to see a Brit engine in a Chevy!

[xsboost90]

funny i have an (aston martin v12) T56 trans in my 64 mustang....about the same as the f-body trans but slightly longer/different. So chev motor/AM trans-in a ford. I say do it...

[Twentyover]

funny i have an (aston martin v12) T56 trans in my 64 mustang....about the same as the f-body trans but slightly longer/different. So chev motor/AM trans-in a ford. I say do it...

Build thread anywhere?

[Dragonfly]

I bailed on the idea and went with a twin turbo sbc

[1989GTA]

I bailed on the idea and went with a twin turbo sbc

It would have been neat to to see it completed. However I know you would have had a lot of hurdles to overcome.

[flomofo]

Damn, make a thread for that twin build too though. Still sounds fun.

[JustJohn]

V-12's happen in other cars here and there:
http://www.team.net/TR8/mp/html/body_grinnall_v12.html
https://www.corvaircorsa.com/V-12-01.html

I've rebuilt a couple years ago and they are glorious to drive. Nothing else sounds quite the same. One of the engines I did was stroked with an offset ground crank and custom rods. Crower did my rods and can build just about anything you need.

Keep it oiled, keep it cooled.

[LS6 Tommy]

I'm not a big A-M fan, but it's your car, go for whatever pleases you! Heck, It would be a nice change to see something that is sort of from the Ford family in a GM chassis. Usually it's the other way around...

[ClassicNation]

Do it. I'd love to see some pictures when you stick the engine in the Camaro!