Help Me Decide How to Waste (spend) My Money - New 72 Camaro

[RLJ676]

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So I just bought my first muscle car, a 72 Camaro that has a body up resto and a 355 w/ a TH400 and 3.73 rears. I had planned on suspension, wheels and stereo for a light pro-touring type build. It didn't take me too much driving to realize there's a reason we moved on from 3 speeds, so I've added a manual swap to my list hahaGiven I want to all this, for a driver that may see a track day or two, what's a good split on budget of around $11k? I'm open to used parts, especially wheels but want forged wheels vs cragar style 17's I have now.

I wanted to do a ridetech level 1, T56 and Rushforth 18's. Obviously I can't afford them all, further for my purposes that's too much to spend I think so no point "waiting to get what I want". So I'm thinking TKO600 (I know it has some haters, but there's lots satisfied) kit, maybe stick w/ complete Ridetech and just find a deal on used wheels?

How would you do it, knowing what you know now? Would a Hotchkis TVS level 1 and T56 and new Rushforths be better?

Ideal goal is to handle relatively well, I've previously had a C6 (non z51) and an 09 CTS V to give a baseline on the kind of performance I'd love to get near.

So I just bought my first muscle car, a 72 Camaro that has a body up resto and a 355 w/ a TH400 and 3.73 rears. I had planned on suspension, wheels and stereo for a light pro-touring type build. It didn't take me too much driving to realize there's a reason we moved on from 3 speeds, so I've added a manual swap to my list hahaSo I just bought my first muscle car, a 72 Camaro that has a body up resto and a 355 w/ a TH400 and 3.73 rears. I had planned on suspension, wheels and stereo for a light pro-touring type build. It didn't take me too much driving to realize there's a reason we moved on from 3 speeds, so I've added a manual swap to my list haha

[csouth]

My first question would be what is your budget?

[RLJ676]

My first question would be what is your budget?

Sorry, buried in first paragraph $11kish.

Also I see you're local, I live in Macomb. Any good locals to deal with? I'd love to not do the trans swap labor haha.

[csouth]

I would say the only one I know local that I trust to do it right is Matt at Sled Alley. He's building my friends Chevelle and he also has worked with Mark Stielow on some of his builds. His shop is always full of F-bodies, usually 1st gen though.

The LT1 T-56 should be easy to find and can be used provided you don't want to swap to a GEN III/IV motor in the future.

http://toledo.craigslist.org/pts/4957829896.html

Not sure what type this one is...
http://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/pts/4943864804.html

If you're mechanically inclined you should be able to handle it

Seems like you know that you want the Rushforth's, so I would start there. The Ridetech Level 1 is where I would go for the suspension, you could always run the factory sway bars for now. The fact that it is a bolt in kit, means you should be able to handle it in your garage over a weekend.

I don't typically recommend vendors, but Matt's Classic Bowties is a sponsor here that carries both Rushforth and Ridetech. My customer service experience with them has been very favorable. I would contact them to get some pricing on the wheels and suspension. Tell them you're a member here and you should get a discount of some kind.

[RLJ676]

Cool, thanks for the advice. I have been looking on CL for T56s and found 1 or 2 as well. Question is it it worth saving a grand on a used one w/ a lot of miles vs a brand new TKO 600? Also the complete kits to make it easy all seem to include a tranny, haven't found any for used ones, although I'm sure w/ more research I can figure it out. I'm thinking I'll have to do myself, got a quote for 1500-1800 on labor!

I'll touch base w/ MCB. Rushforth actually carries Ridetech as well and can do some dealing. Problem now is 8 week lead time on wheels haha.

I'll also talk w/ Sled Alley, thanks for the tip. It's not easy finding people who even do this type of stuff in the area it seems.

[srh3trinity]

It all hinges on the wheels. Are you going to mini tub? Narrow the axle? I would buy them first. Talk to a vendor or Rushforth directly. You might be surprised at pricing.

[xavier296]

I did suspension and wheels first on my 68, and was very happy I started with those. It changed the look and made me fall in love with the car every time I walked up to it.

Then I fell in to the rabbit hole, head first. Ongoing...

[bs46488]

I would probably waste money on buying gas. And I'd just keep driving and driving and driving that car!

But seriously, I would start with suspension upgrades.

[RLJ676]

It all hinges on the wheels. Are you going to mini tub? Narrow the axle? I would buy them first. Talk to a vendor or Rushforth directly. You might be surprised at pricing.

No tub or axle changes. Not looking to go crazy wide (due to the expense of it all).


I did suspension and wheels first on my 68, and was very happy I started with those. It changed the look and made me fall in love with the car every time I walked up to it.

Then I fell in to the rabbit hole, head first. Ongoing...

This is my thinking. Just want to split out how much I spend on each before I leap. Like I had said in OP, it's not that I can't "afford" more, it's just that I don't want to put that much more into the car so that's what set the budget.


I would probably waste money on buying gas. And I'd just keep driving and driving and driving that car!

But seriously, I would start with suspension upgrades.

Oh yeah, and putting in 93 w/ a 3 spd and 3.73's that's a lot of gas!

I'm definitely doing suspension, my question is what part of my $11kish budget should go to it. Is the Hotchkis TVS 1 at $1500 adequate or at a minimum due the Ridetech stage 1, and spend less on wheels and transmission swap?

[rickpaw]

I'd do the Ridetech front. Also you need to budget for some decent brakes as well.

[RLJ676]

Thanks for the advice so far. I'm thinking the brakes are a good idea too...so I cut some rear suspension budget to afford them. Right now I have front discs but a hard pedal and no stopping...

So here's what I'm in process of ordering.

From Rushworth
18x8/19x10 Nightrains, black center polished lip (maybe Rated X's)...
Ridetech front a arms
Ridetech RQ front coilover
Ridetech RQ rear shocks

From MCB.
Hurst TKO600 elite kit
Pedals/linkage
Wilwood 12.19 4 piston brakes
Global West L2 2 in lowering springs
Global West Shackle kit.

All this came in a good bit under budget, so by the time I sell the wheels I have now and buy tires I'll still be in good shape, and may even afford to pay for at least one project to get done for me haha. Does anyone see any issues? Should I add new sway bars? I'm also going to try and put the front discs I have on the rear...not sure what will be involved though.

[RLJ676]

Forgot to mention, I also want to get a new steering box. So would just a reman'd 80's Z28 box work? Something like this http://www.summitracing.com/parts/aaz-27-6550

I also ordered Morris 3 point belts, and will get a smaller steering wheel. Hoping all this will get me something at least a bit sporty in feel/handling compared to now!

[csouth]

You don't have to break the bank on the brakes. Find a take off kit from an LS1 Camaro, much better than the 10" brakes these cars came with. Check eBay or LS1tech, plenty to be found there.

[Tomswheels]

Thanks for the advice so far. I'm thinking the brakes are a good idea too...so I cut some rear suspension budget to afford them. Right now I have front discs but a hard pedal and no stopping...

So here's what I'm in process of ordering.


From Rushworth
18x8/19x10 Nightrains, black center polished lip (maybe Rated X's)...
Ridetech front a arms
Ridetech RQ front coilover
Ridetech RQ rear shocks

From MCB.
Hurst TKO600 elite kit
Pedals/linkage
Wilwood 12.19 4 piston brakes
Global West L2 2 in lowering springs
Global West Shackle kit.

All this came in a good bit under budget, so by the time I sell the wheels I have now and buy tires I'll still be in good shape, and may even afford to pay for at least one project to get done for me haha. Does anyone see any issues? Should I add new sway bars? I'm also going to try and put the front discs I have on the rear...not sure what will be involved though.


I like your list, with the exception of wheels that are that expensive... I'd use the money for a custom 3 link for the rear and cheap wheels. Rear drums are fine.

[RLJ676]

You don't have to break the bank on the brakes. Find a take off kit from an LS1 Camaro, much better than the 10" brakes these cars came with. Check eBay or LS1tech, plenty to be found there.

The Wilwood 4 pistons aren't too bad at all, and I can get drilled/slot to look race car haha.


I like your list, with the exception of wheels that are that expensive... I'd use the money for a custom 3 link for the rear and cheap wheels. Rear drums are fine.

The wheels make or break a car to me, so can't skimp there (unless I had found used). If I can't get the current front discs to work on the rear they'll stay drums for a while.