71 El Camino restored just bolt on parts and go

[MOREHORSEPOWER]

Hey guys I have a very clean El Camino ( Frame off ) that I finished restoring around 04 . Car is numbers matching except for the engine . Less then 2000 miles on it since restoring .

My plan is to pull all the drive train and replace it with a built and stroked LS3 and a T56 trans with a 9" rear .
I will be updating the brakes with Corvette C6 Zo6 brakes 18" wheels as well as a complete suspension package from Speedtech Performance .

The longest trip I made with the car was when I picked it up in California and drove it back to Utah . About 700 miles . Before the restore . With the 454 and M22 and 3:73 rear gear I did not pass many gas stations . https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2017/08/cool-1.gif The 2nd longest trip was from my house to my in laws to park the car 6 years ago . About 170 miles .

My thinking is this , I want a dependable driver with good handling and stopping power as well as some better MPGs .
I could never sell the car for what I have in it . Nor do I want to . So to me my only option is to build it the way I would if I started all over again today .

[MOREHORSEPOWER]

A few photos of the car

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[HotRod47]

Sharp car! I like the idea, keep it all bolt on so if you ever desire to go back to stock you can. But, make it usable now!

[USAZR1]

I'm not much of a numbers-matching guy either but you're a braver man than me. I don't think I could bring myself to tear that particular Elco apart but hey, It's your car and money.

[MOREHORSEPOWER]

Yes I have been called crazy a few times in my life and I am sure it will not be the last !!

The rearend came on Friday and got me thinking I need to get the Elco home . Saturday I got up had breakfast and set out to get her home . First stop was the auto parts store for a new battery and new oil . So after driving 2.5 hours I removed the car cover and there she was , Got busy to get her ready to start 30 min later I poured a little gas down the carb and within 3 sec of cranking bam she fired right up .

Sorry I forgot to take my camera so no photos of pulling her into the light of the day .

So off I went to drive the 2.5 hours home . Again I did not get to pass many gas stations . LOL ! The whole time I was driving all I could think of how the transformation was going to make this car truly a great driver . Got back home around 1pm and gave the girl a bath . After her bath I took some photos before putting here in the garage . Once in the garage I jacked up the rear of the car and set there thinking what the heck am I doing . After 10 in or so I told myself if I am going to do it I better get started .

[MOREHORSEPOWER]

So once I had a late lunch I got to pulling out the rearend making sure all nuts and bolts and clips are put back where they belong or tag bagged and boxed . After that the exhaust was removed .

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After only 1800 miles it is a little dirty under there .

[MOREHORSEPOWER]

Sorry guys I lost about 20 photos as my camera failed to inform me I did not replace my SD card .

So on Sunday I dug into the front end and pulled the springs A arms and brakes off . Done a little cleaning and got to work on reinstalling the new SpeedTech A arms upper and lowers , there ATS tall spindles with C7 hubs . Also the C6 ZO6 brakes .

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[USAZR1]

I'm jealous. That 12 bolt needs to be under my Elco. lol

[Z06killinSBF]

Nice platform to be working on, clean and new! I like the idea of the plans for the car and it should be a blast once you can enjoy it.

[MOREHORSEPOWER]

I'm jealous. That 12 bolt needs to be under my Elco. lol

Sorry all parts will be kept to go back stock when the time comes !!


Nice platform to be working on, clean and new! I like the idea of the plans for the car and it should be a blast once you can enjoy it.

Thanks !! Should be driving around next summer .

[USAZR1]

Not a problem as I couldn't justify buying a 12 bolt after all the money someone spent on my 70's 10 bolt rear, anyway.

Can you post some side pics of your front brakes?

[MOREHORSEPOWER]

Not a problem as I couldn't justify buying a 12 bolt after all the money someone spent on my 70's 10 bolt rear, anyway.

Can you post some side pics of your front brakes?

Yes I will get them latter today for yea !

[USAZR1]

Bump for pics

[MOREHORSEPOWER]

Sorry no photos to post up now .

I did get the wheels ordered up last week and installed the rear suspension .

I will be sure to post some this coming weekend !! Thanks for asking !!

[USAZR1]

What did you decide on for rolling stock?

[MOREHORSEPOWER]

[QUOTE=USAZR1;1240918]What did you decide on for rolling stock?


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Gloss Black spokes hope to give it a retro look from the SS wheels .

18"x 9" fronts 275 40 18
18" x 10" rears 295 35 18

[MOREHORSEPOWER]

USAZR1 a few from this weekend .

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[USAZR1]

[QUOTE=USAZR1;1240918]What did you decide on for rolling stock?


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Gloss Black spokes hope to give it a retro look from the SS wheels .

18"x 9" fronts 275 40 18
18" x 10" rears 295 35 18


Those 275/40/18 front tires will be taller than the rear. Have you considered a 275/35/18 on the front, instead?

What backspacing numbers are you going with on those wheels? 5.75" rear and 5.50" front?
I'm running 18x8 fronts w/4.5" bs and 20x10 rears w/5.75" bs. Tires are 255/35/18 and 305/35/20 Nitto NT555 G2's.
I'll be switching to 18x9 fronts w/5" bs and 275/35/18's, soon.

Really like the C6 Z06 front brakes on your car. My plans are to go with C6 Z51 front brakes on my 70.

[MOREHORSEPOWER]

Yea they are like 3/8" taller so 3/16" on each side of the rim . You really can not see the difference side by side .
Fronts will be 5.5" backspace and rears will be 5.125" . When I ordered my new rearend I had them make it 1" narrower each side .

[1968CamaroSS_Sam]

Wow, that is one very clean Elco. I am also from UT. My wife was born and raised in Heber. She graduated HS from there, her old High School is no longer there. We are in West Haven. Thanks for sharing the pics and showing us your build.

[MOREHORSEPOWER]

Wow, that is one very clean Elco. I am also from UT. My wife was born and raised in Heber. She graduated HS from there, her old High School is no longer there. We are in West Haven. Thanks for sharing the pics and showing us your build.

Sam I have been here since 1986 now . Yes the old high school is gone as well as the small town charm !

Thanks for the complements .

[USAZR1]

Fronts will be 5.5" backspace and rears will be 5.125" . When I ordered my new rearend I had them make it 1" narrower each side .

Forgeline wheels?

[MOREHORSEPOWER]

forgeline wheels?

yes !!!

[MOREHORSEPOWER]

Hard to get good photos in the garage with the IPhone 6 . Got my Forgeline wheels and tires on a few days ago . Let me know what you think !

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[MOREHORSEPOWER]

Getting real close to starting the swap .

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[badolds]

As others have pointed out that is too nice of a car to modify. I am sure that you have seen the error of your ways and are looking for a way out yes? I will offer to come and remove that rear end and also load up the motor and trans so that you will not be tempted later. Seriously killer combo you have there, I am interested in the mods it will require to put the ls and six speed in an a-body. Please be thorough with describing the trans tunnel and clutch pedal setup.

Dan

[USAZR1]

Looking good! The only thing better than Cubic Inches, is Cubic Dollars.

[Motown 454]

Beautiful car, it's going to be a fun ride!

[MOREHORSEPOWER]

As others have pointed out that is too nice of a car to modify. I am sure that you have seen the error of your ways and are looking for a way out yes? I will offer to come and remove that rear end and also load up the motor and trans so that you will not be tempted later. Seriously killer combo you have there, I am interested in the mods it will require to put the ls and six speed in an a-body. Please be thorough with describing the trans tunnel and clutch pedal setup.

Dan

Dan

I also am interested in the way it fits into the A body using the Holley forward swap mounts . I have not seen this done and how much cutting it will take . I will keep all updated on the progress !

[MOREHORSEPOWER]

Looking good! The only thing better than Cubic Inches, is Cubic Dollars.

Well then I don't have much of either !!

[MOREHORSEPOWER]

Beautiful car, it's going to be a fun ride!

Thanks Wayne !!