Pro Street Conversion

[Westlacamaro]

I have an original 70 Z28 that was back halved some years ago. The car is original with exception of the engine from the back half forward. It has the original 4 speed, gauges, seats, and dash. I want to remove the tubs and back half.

Has anyone ever attempted this and if so is there a thread on it.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/09/PIC_0533-1.jpg (http://s973.photobucket.com/user/tntand3/media/PIC_0533.jpg.html)

[Bill Howell]

Several builds started out as prostreeters or racecars. Not a bad place to start, but will require special pieces to make new rearend fit (attachment points mainly). Off the top of my head, can't remember specific cars but will try to reboot my hard drive. Don't expect too much it has a lot of useless knowledge that takes up way too much space that won't erase....lol

[thumper877]

Check with Kevin at art morrison they have new 2x4 frame rails for the back have just weld them in that's what I'm running on mine great guy tell him ron starforth told u to call

[Westlacamaro]

Thanks..

[bs46488]

There are a few that have converted.

Here is one approach:

https://www.pro-touring.com/threads/66409-1969-Yenko-Camaro-Race-Car-Conversion-to-a-Pro-Touring-Beast

[boneheadzz]

But it looks soooooo tough tubbed..... but I understand. I love all kinds of muscle cars and pro street is what I grew up on. Pro tour is pretty awesome also.

[TheJDMan]

What will be your ultimate intended use for this car? Do you want to put it back stock, are you looking to improve the street handling, or do you plan to autocross and/or track day? The use will dictate the recommendations.

[MonzaRacer]

I have seen several repurposed.
It's really not as hard as most would think. Your going to redo the upper shock/spring mounts as most pro-street stuff has verticle shock mounts.
So the redo would be to decide on axle/brake package, and tire sizes. Luckily to could even look at newer 19 and 20 in Corvette whhels easy enough, brake also( I you decide to sell PS rear as complete unit.
Drag brakes not really PT.
I would call Ridetech, order up some of their heavy wall tubing and remake lower 4 link/ladder arms, also plan on more material either from them or other sources for upper link bar(s) depending on if you triangulate upper arms, or three link with panhard bar or Watts link.
Since your looking at a redo you can also think about mounting lower arms OUTSIDE frame rails.
Me and local customer used Chevelle or Ford style 4 link housing. Remade lower mounts after car height was set. He bought Ridetech front set up, strong arms, coil overs, musclebar. Got it in and car set back down and looking right.
We leveled car with less than 1 in back high rake as little more might come from tire/ combo.
His lower control arms went back in straight and nearly level or slight up slant. He actually used del alum or graphite impregnated housing bushings, made some sweet partially enclosed upper arm cups , clearances for up/down movement. Then located both heim joints and front Johnny joints for front mount, got some heavy DOM tubing similar to what Ridetech uses for their cross members, we made plates, slid it between rails and set our cross member height/angle. We did build in more than one front mount hole so we could make course adjustments, and then dial pinion angle in with adjustable upper arms.
He got some rear coil over angle suggestions from Ridetech, I could ask him who helped in that info.
He got most parts from Ridetech. We also added a parallel three link arm on right side axle tube but it hooks and drives so well he hasn't worked on that.
He has 19 or 20 in Corvette in back, used big C6/C7 Corvette brakes all around, has the 6 piston Corvette calipers with 14 in rotors up front. More 3 adapters as his car was still stock.
I will have him send me pics as soon as he gets home.
His dad did similar on a PS 56 Ford pick up, but to get exhaust clearance we ran lower arms on out side of frame rails, still plenty of room for 335 30 20 tires on 12 or 13 wheels. May even jump to 345s except the are $600+ each ie no burn out contests!
We then did build his with three link upper and lots of adjustment holes. We then added Fays2 Watts link. His dad mixed up wheels and used 18s up front 275 40 18.
Been waiting for pics but his dad has threatened to run it through Barrett Jackson and use cash to rebuild an old pro street car down rod from him , supposedly either a Buick or Ford.
BUT all it takes is little planning and few updates and at least you have room for HUGE tires. I know Michelin, Pirrelli have some big tires, just takes some planning and sometimes hard decisions.

[Protour_Pinto]

Didn't Bad Penny start out as a Pro street car?