69 Camaro Pro-touring project "Project Got'em"

[thsnake06]

So hear it is, I was finally able to buy the car I always wanted...well most of it, ha! When I bought the car it was just a body with lots of work to do to get it to my dream car. I bought the car back in January 2014 and have spent the last couple of months working on the car as you can see in the progress pictures below.

Here are the highlights of what I am planning on;

- LS3 motor bored .30 over (roughly 650 HP)
- Tremec T-56 magnum 6 spd transmission
- 18x12 Boyd rims with 335/30/18 tires on rear
- 18x9 Boyd rims with 275/35/18 tires on front
- Speedtech track time suspension package with currie rear end (3.90 gears)
- Entropy radiator setup
- Wilwood forged pedal assembly with triple master cylinder setup
- Mini tubbed rear end

Here are a couple of pictures from the start in January till where I am at today!

9805098055980539805298058980599806098070Front subframe came back from powder coating9806498061

Installed the Vintage Air LS front runner drive kit98066980689806914" 6 Piston Baer front brake kit980679807198072Rear wheel is just sitting on a box...waiting on rear end to arrive any day now9807398074Installed the Wilwood clutch & brake pedal assembly with the triple master cylinders coming through the firewall98075Headers installed...received them from Speedtech / Stainless steel works

Still a long ways to go...

[Build-It-Break-It]

Very nice, great choice in parts to.

[thsnake06]

Thanks! Has anyone installed the wildwood clutch and brake pedal assembly? I've seen some with the brake and clutch around the steering column and some with them on the left side of the column.

[thsnake06]

After waiting a month my Ford 9" Currie built rear end FINALLY arrived!98546

[thsnake06]

Changed the firewall to incorporate the steering column with the Wilwood master cylinder setup...didn't like the way it looked originally!

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[Build-It-Break-It]

I'm going to run the same Wilwood brake set and I'm going to run the pedals around the steering column. I placed them to the left of the column but the brake pedal seemed to far away from the gas pedal.

[csouth]

Very nice selection of parts... I'll be watching this...

[Josue]

^ +1

Is the rear end all welded up then? All that sheetmetal? Or is it just mocked up for now?

[thsnake06]

Sorry just now getting back...been out of town for two weeks. The picture is a mock up before the rear end was installed! I have some new pictures now with the rear end installed and the car sitting on the ground!

[thsnake06]

So after two weeks of being out of town for work and vacation I spent the last weekend putting together the car so that I could FINALLY set it on the ground and have a rolling car after 3 years of trying to get to this point! Of course I have only had the car since January but I have been saving and waiting on this moment FOREVER it seems like!

Long hours on the weekend this is what I got done.

- Completed installing rear end
- Completed rear brakes
- Installed motor / tranny
- Put front clip back together with new billet hinges. WAAAAAYYYY better than the original hinges with springs. I would definitely suggest to anyone who is up in the air on changing out the hinges that it is worth the money for hinges with shocks.
- Entropy radiator installed
- Just installed the steering column and new Budnik steering wheel yesterday. Don't have pictures of it yet though but I will say that Jay at Budnik did a great job and it looks amazing!


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[thsnake06]

All of the sheet metal work is pretty much finished up! Still have a couple of small tweeks to make and off to the body shop to let them polish it up real nice.

Also, by middle of next week I should have a rendering done of what I am hoping the car will look like once it is completed...I will post it for comments once I get it in.

[thsnake06]

I'm going to run the same Wilwood brake set and I'm going to run the pedals around the steering column. I placed them to the left of the column but the brake pedal seemed to far away from the gas pedal.

Agreed...that's how I originally had it setup but the brake pedal was too far from the gas pedal. I now have them around the steering column, much better that way!

[thsnake06]

Finally was able to get the car rolling around and ready to go to the body shop. Looked at a couple of places and finally decided on one!

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[Windy City Chevelle]

its looking super sweet keep the updates coming

[thsnake06]

its looking super sweet keep the updates coming

Thanks! It is going to be getting body/paint work done for the next 2-3 months...tick tock! Now I just sit and wait...what to do now, haha!

[thsnake06]

So after lots of time thinking of what I want the car to look like this is what I came up with! Of course this rendering was done with the help of Ben over at Hermance Designs.

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[tubbed69]

Very nicely done,bunch of great parts.

[thsnake06]

Here are a couple of pictures of what is happening at the body shop to get the car ready for paint! Still need to get some work done to get the exhaust tips to fit right on the driver side and then still need to cut out the pass side.

Should be getting primed in the next couple of days which means paint will be soon to follow!

I attached a picture of what I'm working on to get the dash ready!

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[Motown 454]

You've got a sweet set up there, loaded with nice parts. Looking good.

[sheck44]

What blue are you going with ??
Steve

[thsnake06]

What blue are you going with ??
Steve

More than likely going with mulsanne blue. Doing a spray out this coming week to see what it will look like but should be similar to the lemans blue.

[thsnake06]

Here is a picture of the hood and door jambs painted! The hood looks darker since it is inside the building where as the door looks lighter since they have light shinning on it.

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[thsnake06]

Getting close to getting the car painted and back to me so I can do the final assembly. Here are some pictures of the progress from the body shop!

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[Tincup]

You sent it to the body shop with those wheels and tires on it! Your a brave man....

[Dave95Z28]

Just ordered the same Speedtech package for my 69 Camaro. Haven't finalized the rearend width. Just curious, what width your rear is and what the wheel back spacing is front and rear.

Thanks,

Dave

Great progress though, wished I was half as far along.

[thsnake06]

You sent it to the body shop with those wheels and tires on it! Your a brave man....

I was a little nervous sending it with those wheels and tires but I know the guy that owns the shop so I know they are in good hands!

[thsnake06]

Just ordered the same Speedtech package for my 69 Camaro. Haven't finalized the rearend width. Just curious, what width your rear is and what the wheel back spacing is front and rear.

Thanks,

Dave

Great progress though, wished I was half as far along.


Surprisingly not all Camaro rear ends are going to be exactly the same. If you are ordering the package from Speedtech, Roger was really helpful with figuring out what and where to measure. I gave him the measurements he needed and he figured up the rear end width and it was spot on. No wheel spacers were required!

The front wheels are 18"x9" and have a 5" backspace and the rear wheels are 18"x12" and have a 6" backspace.

[thsnake06]

Just ordered the same Speedtech package for my 69 Camaro. Haven't finalized the rearend width. Just curious, what width your rear is and what the wheel back spacing is front and rear.

Thanks,

Dave

Great progress though, wished I was half as far along.

Dave...below is how the final rear end measurement was figured.

Fender lip to fender lip 71”
Inner wheel tub area 14.250
Running 18x12 with 6” BS
71-28.5=42.5 = narrowest area on each side
71-14” front space of wheel x2- 0.625 rotor hat thickness -1.25” wheel to fender lip clearance=55.125”
Double check:
55.125+ rotor hat thickness 0.625 -6.0 back space x 2 = 12” =43.75 – 1.25 inner space = 42.5”
So looks like the correct Axle face to Axle face is 55.125”.

[Dave95Z28]

Thanks for the information. I know every car is different, I will be measuring my car very closely once the mini-tubs and new quarters are on the car to obtain the correct backspacing. But I needed to order the rear and I was considering 55-56" widths WMS and I was curious as to what widths people were running to get a similar look to the wheel.

Thanks again.

[thsnake06]

Went and looked at the car yesterday...the anticipation of getting it back is killing me! So close yet so far away!

All of the door jambs, underneath the hood, and trunk is painted. Front clip installed, doors, hood, and trunk all back in place. Still have some sanding to do and need to add primer to some areas and hopefully by early next week it will start getting some color put on it.

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[thsnake06]

Finally got the car in the paint booth!! Been a long time coming...

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One more coat of clear to add to the car!
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[cwylie]

5 inches of backspace seems aggressive for what I have seen on the speedtech subframes. How is the clearance at the outside of the inner fender? Where are you located? Im looking for a paint shop for my project as well.

[Justin@EntropyRad]

That thing is sexy! Love the radiator setup ;-)

[thsnake06]

5 inches of backspace seems aggressive for what I have seen on the speedtech subframes. How is the clearance at the outside of the inner fender? Where are you located? Im looking for a paint shop for my project as well.

The backspacing was provided to me by Speedtech so that's what I went with. It was a tight fit but I did some work to the inner fender well so that the wheels tuck up nicely without any major front end adjustments / modifications. If anything I would have done a 4.5" or 4.75" backspace and not needed any fender work done.

[thsnake06]

Here is a picture of the car with the wheels on just out of the paint booth! It was cloudy outside so the blue looks darker than it really is. Still have to buff and polish the car but it is getting there.

[thsnake06]

That thing is sexy! Love the radiator setup ;-)

Thanks! Can't wait to get it running to see how the radiator works...

[thsnake06]

So I couldn't find a good gas pedal assembly to match the wilwood brake / clutch pedal assembly I have for the car. I found some pedals that I liked from Billet Specialties and modified the wilwood brake and clutch pedal to accept the new pedals.

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[armourmark]

The paint scheme looks fantastic!!

[BuddyP]

Wow you made progress fast!! It took me several years to get from where mine started to where you are now. Also nice selection of parts, can't wait to see it completed!

[thsnake06]

So I finally got to pickup my car and take it home for final assembly! Here are some pictures of when I picked it up from the shop and once I got it home I installed the new Fesler blacked out tail lights that I got for Christmas, the newly painted intake and valve covers, and the front grill. Still a bunch of work to do but one step at a time.

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[minendrews68]

looking very good! Wish mine was that far along.

[Auto Rod Technologies]

Love the paint scheme!!

[thsnake06]

Thanks...trying something different!

[Dewil]

Very nice no compromise build! What hood hinges are those? Have you got billet ones for the trunk lid as well?

[6.0 1955]

Very nice looking car!

[91 zeee]

your car is turning out great. I love the way the exhaust pipes look in the rendering you posted. I cant wait to see the finished product...nice job!

[Vegasboxer]

Where did you purchase those wheels if you don't mind me asking? I have heard Boyd's quality and service may be lacking. Did you have any issues or was everything on the up and up? I am thinking about purchasing a similar wheel from them.

[Motown 454]

The paint looks nice !

[thsnake06]

Very nice no compromise build! What hood hinges are those? Have you got billet ones for the trunk lid as well?

I got the hood hinges from Classic Industries...part #CB40121.

The trunk lid hinges are still the same...just had them painted.

[thsnake06]

Where did you purchase those wheels if you don't mind me asking? I have heard Boyd's quality and service may be lacking. Did you have any issues or was everything on the up and up? I am thinking about purchasing a similar wheel from them.

I purchased the wheels direct from Boyd. I dealt with Chris Boyd and it was a pretty quick and painless process. I got the wheels in a timely manner and the quality is great!

[thsnake06]

So now that the car is finally home I spent the last couple of days installing some items.

1. Installed the new Marquez Park lamp assembly / turn signals...these things look GREAT!
2. Installed the Wilwood Master Cylinder assembly.
3. Started installing the sound deadener in the roof, doors, firewall, and flooring. This stuff definitely makes a big difference!
4. Installed the Entropy radiator.


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[slacker1965]

great color choice.....perfect stance.... thanks for sharing.....

[Justin@EntropyRad]

So now that the car is finally home I spent the last couple of days installing some items.


4. Installed the Entropy radiator.




That's what I'm talking about, excellent choice in the Radiator!!

The car looks amazing...and the color-matched FAST intake looks at home on there

[thsnake06]

That's what I'm talking about, excellent choice in the Radiator!!

The car looks amazing...and the color-matched FAST intake looks at home on there

Thanks!

I have been thinking / wondering if I should pull the motor and get the block painted blue or black to match the rest of the motor parts?? Any thoughts from anyone?

[32deucecoupe]

Car looks fantastic, Who's sheet metal did you use, looks like it fitted up really well.

[Justin@EntropyRad]

Thanks!

I have been thinking / wondering if I should pull the motor and get the block painted blue or black to match the rest of the motor parts?? Any thoughts from anyone?

Blue would be cool..but might discolor from heat...Black is slick too..but hides any potential fluid leaks(good/bad)

[thsnake06]

Car looks fantastic, Who's sheet metal did you use, looks like it fitted up really well.

Thanks!

I did all of the sheet metal work / fitting and then sent it off to a body shop for them to do the final touches.

[thsnake06]

Installed the new headlights for the Camaro...they have a blue halo ring. These lights are from a Harley Davidson motorcycle...slight modifications to the bucket but they fit nicely!

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[thsnake06]

Got the bumpers, door handles, and mirrors back from getting powdercoated black!

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My little man is ready to go for a ride in the Camaro...already sitting in the seat waiting to go, haha! These seats were taken from a 2002 Camaro and redone to match the style of the 69 Camaro.
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[1968CamaroSS_Sam]

The car is looking great. Nice job on the paint scheme. Love it.

[Goosesdad]

That little dude is ready to rumble!! Car looks great, man...you are working fast!! Well done!

[thsnake06]

Thanks!

Seems fast but doesn't seem fast enough when you are ready to get to driving it down the road!

[ssx]

Love the car!!! Great build!

[thsnake06]

Love the car!!! Great build!

Thanks!

So it has been awhile since I have been able to post any progress updates.

I have been able to get the glass in the doors, drive shaft installed, wiring 95% completed, brakes completed, and the interior partially installed. I was able to get the car to start the other day but it wouldn't stay running for more than 2-3 seconds. I found that the injectors weren't working properly so I purchased a new set and they just came in yesterday. Going to try to get them installed today and see if that fixes the problem...keeping my fingers crossed!

[Motown 454]

Its looking slick! beautiful job.

[thsnake06]

Its looking slick! beautiful job.

Thanks! Can't wait to get it on the road. It seems as though the closer I get the longer it is taking.

[Rickalcantar]

This project looks great. this is the same style I am going with my 69. Blue with black bumpers, Love post more pictures

[thsnake06]

This project looks great. this is the same style I am going with my 69. Blue with black bumpers, Love post more pictures

Thanks! Spent some time this weekend working on the trunk and center console...almost forgot to make a slot in the console for the E-Brake, doh!

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[Rickalcantar]

Very nice set up.

[armourmark]

Keep it going! You are so close! Love the paint scheme

[thsnake06]

Thanks!

[thsnake06]

99% of the wiring is completed, interior is almost done (building 2 more door panels), sound system installed and sounds great, exhaust completed, and the car is just about ready to go. I actually put it on the ground and was getting ready to load it onto a trailer to take it to get the motor tuned and bam...another issue. The motor isn't getting enough oil pressure so now I have the car jacked back up and the oil pan removed. Looks like an issue with the oil pickup o-ring but won't know for sure till I get it put back together. Should have it back together and running again by tomorrow hopefully. Always feels like one step forward and two steps back, doh!

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[Z06killinSBF]

Man this thing looks good! Nice work so far, not bad for a Camaro

[ejh532]

beautiful build

[thsnake06]

So it has been awhile since I have been able to put some updates up. Excuse the mess...the car needs a good wash but no since of washing it till the build is completed.

Since then I have completed the interior, exhaust, and the car is currently at the shop getting tuned. The very first dyno run on the car produced 402 rwhp which was a raw run, before the car got any fine tuning done to it.

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[camarodude87]

Love your car man. One day mine will be as nice (I hope) as yours.

[Motown 454]

Interior looks great. The car looks nice out in the sun.

[RaceFace]

That is a great looking car man!! Nice work!!

[rohrt]

Are those the 18x12 Boyd rims on your car, that you mentioned in the first post? Those rims are great.

Like the ratchet strap idea on the rear quarter too.

[Dave95Z28]

What did the final dyno numbers end up being?

Dave

[cbpldc]

I'd love to see some pics of your console if you've got some. I'm looking at building one for my 2nd gen.

Chris

[thsnake06]

Are those the 18x12 Boyd rims on your car, that you mentioned in the first post? Those rims are great.

Like the ratchet strap idea on the rear quarter too.

Those are wheels from Hot Rods by Boyd...I ordered them from Chris Coddington.

[thsnake06]

I'd love to see some pics of your console if you've got some. I'm looking at building one for my 2nd gen.

Chris

Here is the only picture I have of the console in the car. I will have to take some more when I get the car back from getting the motor tuned.118304

[thsnake06]

What did the final dyno numbers end up being?

Dave

Should hopefully know by the end of the week...had some issues with the timing.

[thsnake06]

Love your car man. One day mine will be as nice (I hope) as yours.

Thanks!

It takes time that's for sure...

[thsnake06]

Interior looks great. The car looks nice out in the sun.

Thanks!

The car needs a good wash though...waiting till the tune work is done then I am going to give it it's first real wash!

[thsnake06]

Almost finished with the car. Have some minor electrical work, interior assembly, fuel line relocation, engine dress up work, park lamps to install and a front end alignment to do then she's ready to drive around town!

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[rfalker1]

she is a beaut!

[juicypop]

Awesome build!

[Pt109]

Very nice build!! I really like the way everything is blacked out around the glass. Love seeing these builds, but the part I don't like, is it makes me realize how long mine is going to take. Looking forward to see how it handles and runs for you. I love these Camaro's. First class build. Thanks for sharing your posts.

[minendrews68]

Good looking car!!

[thsnake06]

she is a beaut!

Thanks!

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Awesome build!

Thanks!

[thsnake06]

Very nice build!! I really like the way everything is blacked out around the glass. Love seeing these builds, but the part I don't like, is it makes me realize how long mine is going to take. Looking forward to see how it handles and runs for you. I love these Camaro's. First class build. Thanks for sharing your posts.

Thanks! I had the trim around the windows powder coated a gloss black; definitely looks better than the original chrome with the look I was going for.

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Good looking car!!

Thanks!

[Motown 454]

Sweet!

[thsnake06]

Here are a couple pictures of the car now that it is finally completed.

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[EdyJun]

Looking good, any more pictures of the exhaust ?

[Dave95Z28]

Car looks amazing. Any video clips of it? Would love to hear what that exhaust sounds like.

Dave