69 Camaro Project Subtle

[bkfast02]

Hello everyone! It's finally time to provide some details on my project as it's nearing completion of the mock up stage. Thanks to this forum for providing great ideas and information for every system in the car. I've been working on cars for a long time as a hobby, but there is a lot to learn about Pro-Touring modifications especially marrying newer technology to older cars. This site has been invaluable for my project. There may be a new modifications that will help others.

The goal of this project was really a learning experience for me to build this car from scratch minus the bodywork which is done by a local person. The car will have a all modern components with subtle external body changes.

On to the car. Purchased a rolling chassis with new front sheet metal. The floor and trunk pan had just enough pin holes to require replacement. First step was disassembly then body mods which include:
- Mini tubs
- Smooth firewall
- Shaved drip rails
- Shortened and tucked rear bumper
- Tucked front bumper
- Reinforce quarter window
- Custom metal fab integrated rear spoiler
- Stinger Hood

Next step was selection of suspension. After some research on the myriad of options, I settled with SpeedTech front subframe and their torque arm rear subframe with a currie 9". Subframes are painted gunmental gray. Suspension includes coilovers, rack and pinion, Corvette spindles and 14" Baer brakes.

That's all for now. Next post will include drivetrain.

[bkfast02]

Drive train choice was an LS3 525 crate with T56 Magnum 6 Speed. Really wanted to go with the newer technology and fuel injection for driveability. I plan to show this car locally, so there were a number of mods to the engine to make it look 'clean'. Remote mounted the coils to the back of the heads. Added polished SW headers, Frontrunner polished pulley kit, Precision Metalcraft intake with hard ss fuel line and regulator mounted to the rear of the engine. We also chose to extend and smooth the front inner fenders. Here are a few pics.

Searched a long time for the right seats that were the right style and sat low enough for adequate head room. I'm 6' 1". Decided on these Scion FRS seats. Plan to have them reupholstered. The drivers seat has a pump up/down which lowers to just about 2 inches above the floor. They are just the right width for the car. Minor hammering of the seat pans needed for the rails to fit. Made seat adapter brackets out of 3/8" stock. Here are some pics of the seats and brackets.

[bkfast02]

Here is a good pic from underneath showing the torque arm rear suspension. Frame connectors were welded in then modified in the front so the front subframe could still be unbolted. Third pictures shows underside of front subframe with steering rack and radiator. Changed oil pan for one from Autokraft which gives clearance with the speedtech subframe.

[bkfast02]

This is a custom Al part used to mount the MAP sensor to a 3/8 npt female port. This was necessary to relocate it to the back of the manifold to keep with the theme of hiding wires. I purchased a 3/8 NPT adapter and drilled out the inside to 7/16" which is perfect size for my MAP sensor O-ring. Flat bar stock was welded on by a local shop so we have a positive screw lock through the hole on the sensor. Last picture is difficult to see, but it's the senor mounted underneath the manifold with everything installed. This post may only be useful to a few of you so thanks for reading it.

[Doodler]

Dear god! That is turning out beautifully!

[AB69Z]

Can you post a few more detailed pics of the reinforced quarter windows. Is this a detail that is only done along with the shaved drip rails or can it be done independently and still look good?

[bkfast02]

AB697: Captured three pics for you of the metal welded in to reinforce the quarter windows. Pics are from inside the car, along the body line, then outside the car. It's just a small piece of metal welded in for reinforcement to take out the flex. I've seen a couple high HP cars at shows that were beautiful with cracks coming from the vertex of the rear quarter windows. You can do this reinforcement with the standard drip rails.

Doodler: Thanks very much for the comments. Couple years of progress and still a ways to go.

[slimjim]

Great build, we have very similar taste in cars.
Cant wait to see some wheels under it. sub

[subtlez28]

Nice build!

Just as long as it isn't a Z28... We could have some copyright issues then... Lol

[bkfast02]

Nice build!

Just as long as it isn't a Z28... We could have some copyright issues then... Lol

No worries: No Z28 here.

[AB69Z]

Is the Hydroboost necessary when running the Ls3 525 crate motor with a T56?
I'm leaning towards this motor / transmission combination

[bkfast02]

AB69Z: I'm no expert on when Hydroboost is needed. My understanding is it's just a function of whether you want power brakes or not. With the 14 inch rotors and large diameter master cylinder, i'm hoping pedal pressure will not be too extreme for my leg. If it is, then Hydroboost or a traditional vacuum booster can always be added later with some reworking of brake lines. I don't see any reason why the engine/transmission would be a factor in boosting brakes.

[windows]

AB69Z: I'm no expert on when Hydroboost is needed. My understanding is it's just a function of whether you want power brakes or not. With the 14 inch rotors and large diameter master cylinder, i'm hoping pedal pressure will not be too extreme for my leg. If it is, then Hydroboost or a traditional vacuum booster can always be added later with some reworking of brake lines. I don't see any reason why the engine/transmission would be a factor in boosting brakes.

It all depends on how much vacuum is being produced. In most cases, the more camshaft you run, the less vacuum is produced. There are other reasons one might wish to use hydraboost systems also. At any rate, the C6 zo6 has factory big brakes yet still uses vacuum brake booster. Btw, I'm definately not a brake expert.

[bkfast02]

A graphic artist friend of mine and car guy was very helpful and took on the challenge of creating a rendering of the finished project. As you can see, we're going for a very clean and subtle look. What do you think?

[Tiny]

Drive train choice was an LS3 525 crate with T56 Magnum 6 Speed. Really wanted to go with the newer technology and fuel injection for driveability. I plan to show this car locally, so there were a number of mods to the engine to make it look 'clean'. Remote mounted the coils to the back of the heads. Added polished SW headers, Frontrunner polished pulley kit, Precision Metalcraft intake with hard ss fuel line and regulator mounted to the rear of the engine. We also chose to extend and smooth the front inner fenders. Here are a few pics.

Searched a long time for the right seats that were the right style and sat low enough for adequate head room. I'm 6' 1". Decided on these Scion FRS seats. Plan to have them reupholstered. The drivers seat has a pump up/down which lowers to just about 2 inches above the floor. They are just the right width for the car. Minor hammering of the seat pans needed for the rails to fit. Made seat adapter brackets out of 3/8" stock. Here are some pics of the seats and brackets.


Just so I understand this, with the seat fully pumped down, from the floor to the top of the seat pan is what height? 2 inches? or is that the gap from the floor to the bottom of the seat?