Gen 1 Camaro Pro Touring Build in UK

[UKprotouring]

Hi Gents,

Wanted some advise on a a possible base car to start my Pro Touring build project. There isnt a massive amount of choice on this side of the pond but ive found the below car. And would like your opinion if its a worthwhile starting point please.

Aim is to build a useable street car.

Car Details:

67 Camaro -
496 Stroker
TH400 with high Stall Converter Built Rear end
4 wheel Disc Brakes Rack & pinion Steering 4 link Rear with Coil over suspension Mini tubbed

The engine is a 496 stroker, Has a Quick Fuel 950 carb , Edelbrock Performer RPM aluminum heads & RPM Airgap intake , roller rockers , 550 lift Mutha Thumper Comp cams Hydraulic roller camshaft, 10:1 compression

Transmission is a Built TH400 with PTC 3500 rpm nitrous converter B&M Quick Silver shifter , Borg Warner 9 bolt rear end with Moser 28 spline axles and Detroit posi unit with a 4 link suspension with adjustable coil overs - back halved with mini Tubs. Front end has Power rack and pinion steering equipped with 4 wheel disc brakes

Interior has Factory Tilt wheel Racing style buckets, full console & a 4 point roll bar.

Is this a decent car to start with? Any advise much appreciated gents.

Adam

[cornfedbill]

It sounds like it was built as a drag car. It really depends on the frame and suspension modifications that have already been made. If it is tubed and has a rack and pinion front, it may be a bit of a challenge to make it into a car that turns well.

That said, I've been to the UK many times. I worked with a supplier in Warwick. There is not much selection in American muscle cars there.

If the price is good and you are willing to put in the work to make it corner, I would say go for it. If you were in the US where it is easier to find muscle cars, I might suggest you look for a different car.

[dhutton]

If that is a drag car then you will likely scrap most of it. None of it will easily transfer to a pro-touring car imho.

Don

[UKprotouring]

It sounds like it was built as a drag car. It really depends on the frame and suspension modifications that have already been made. If it is tubed and has a rack and pinion front, it may be a bit of a challenge to make it into a car that turns well.

Thank you. Would you be able to confirm what would be needed to make sure a Camaro turns well?

The car was originally built for drag but then modified for the street apparantly.

[dhutton]

The four link is likely one that will bind in corners since it was designed for straight line performance. The rack and pinion if retrofitted to a stock subframe likely suffers from bad bump steer. Both would have to go.

[cornfedbill]

Does the front end have stock control arm mounting points, or has it been modified?

You will likely have to change the front steering rack due to bump steer.

If the control arm mounts are still unmodified, you should be able to fix the front end without much effort. The rear may require the four link members to be closer to parallel or convert to a 3-link. You will probably need to change the lateral support to a panhard bar or watts link. The shock valving will be all wrong. Most drag cars lean towards 10/90 shocks to allow them to lift. Good pro-touring shocks will fix that.

[UKprotouring]

Does the front end have stock control arm mounting points, or has it been modified?

You will likely have to change the front steering rack due to bump steer.

If the control arm mounts are still unmodified, you should be able to fix the front end without much effort. The rear may require the four link members to be closer to parallel or convert to a 3-link. You will probably need to change the lateral support to a panhard bar or watts link. The shock valving will be all wrong. Most drag cars lean towards 10/90 shocks to allow them to lift. Good pro-touring shocks will fix that.

Thanks Bill.

Front has stock mounting points.

Will have to find out about the rear setup.

Regards

[TheJDMan]

It may be worth buying if the price is not too high but to make it handle just be aware you will be spending a fair amount on suspension upgrades, maybe brakes and probably wheels/tires. I would take some detailed pictures of the current suspension and then contact some vendors here like Ridetech, Speedtech or DSE to see what they recommend.