MY 68 Camaro SS LS2 Build

[majj35]

I purchased this 68 Camaro SS Restomod, back in 2016, when I was in the US. It was restored by the original owner and then was sold to a dealership in Long Island, which I then purchased from.


The dealership did not know all the details and work that was done to the car, I also have little knowledge on classic muscles (my first classic).But I just fell in-love with it.

Below is what the car came with:




Fully-restored 350ci engine (2,500 miles)
Holley Carburetor
4-speed Muncie
Hurst shifter
Classic 15" 3 spoke Steering Wheel
Classic Instrument G/stock Gauges
Upgraded brakes (unknown)
American Racing AR105 Torq Thrust 17x8
KYB Gas-a-Just Shocks
Stock front springs w/spacer
Multi Leaf springs (unknown)
Pypes X-pipe
Pypes Stree ProMufflers (Unknown if 2" or 3")
Cowl Induction Hood (2" i think)
OER Injection front spoiler
Detroit Speed Closeout Panel
Custom 2-tone Paint-job
Sumitomo HTRZII 235/45/17 & 270/40/17


Last year, I decided to start my LS2 build. I found a good mechanic who was able to find the needed parts and work on it. The build took longer than expected due to usual hiccups and surprises after stripping down a car. The car runs so much better now, much more reliable compared to a carb'd engine choking every mile lol.

Below is what has been Completed so far
Build Goal: Pro-Touring Street
Engine


LS2 Engine
Engine Mounts
Spark plugs
Fuel injectors, pumps, filters
Alternator
Air Filter (K&N)
Aluminum Radiator - Custom
Power Steering
Vintage A/C
Rear extended exhaust pipes
Painted LS2 Engine Cover (Holden SS)

Trans


T56 Magnum 6 speed (Tremec)
Shifter conversion
Driveshaft
Full clutch set (Corvette C6)


Suspension

StreetGrip Kit (Ridetech)
1" Lowering block (Ridetech)
3/8" Coil spacers (Global West)


Interior

Gauge dash panel (AutoMeter)
UltraLite Gauges (AutoMeter)
LS gauge install kit (AutoMeter - the speedo isn't reading right, working on a fix)
Hurst Shifter Ball (C5 Corvette)
GT9 Retro Steering wheel (GT Performance)
Steering wheel Adapter Plate (Summit)
Eddie Ms Billet Door Lock Knobs


Exterior
Oracle 7" Halo Headlights
AR105 wheels painted full gloss black
Nitto 555 G2 235/45/17 & 245/45/17


Might've missed a few parts there.

For now, I plan to keep my builds in phases (mostly due to budget). I'll be looking into the following next, in stages.

Tires: (Status: DONE)
Suspension: (DONE)

Suspension Adjustments: (Ordered)
[LIST]
Ridetech 1" Lowering Block kit
Global West 3/8" Coil Spacers


Interior Upgrades: (Pending install)

Classic Truck Console: Rally with Dash panel
TMI Sport R Upholstery
Billet Shift Lever 10", Grid, Straight, Black
Hurst Classic Shifter 3/8-16
Lokar Midnight Series Window Crank




Front Disc Brakes: (Status: Pending)
Goal: To upgrade the front brakes (disc kit or caliper only) for better emergency braking.(e.g. being cut off, or sudden traffic stop). With the LS2 now, it's much harder to brake quickly.

Either a disc brake kit (Wilwood / Baer)
Just a caliper upgrade

Thread Started: HERE (https://www.pro-touring.com/threads/132572-68-Camaro-Front-Disc-Brake-Kit-suggestions)



Below are some Before/After Photos:


Before

168600 168617
168601 168602
168603168604
168618 168619

After


168607 168608
168609 168610
168615 168616
168614 168612


Before & After RideTech Street Grip

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2019/12/49172172852_bafb8db951_z-1.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2hVbeRE)[/url]

After adjusting ride height and front rubbing with Lowering blocks and coil spacers

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2019/12/49304583153_e44c94490b_c-1.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2hVbeRE)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2019/12/49305075216_81baacc2d6_c-1.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2i7SSPT)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2019/12/49305284892_f102370eaf_c-1.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2i7Vp6J)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2019/12/49304583158_41e27c8f65_c-1.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2i7WtqQ)[url=https://flic.kr/p/2i7SSPY]

[majj35]

Walkaround video

https://youtu.be/4m1LtPpMolM

[majj35]

Finally found tires, went with Nitto 555 G2 235/45 & 245/45. What a ride difference vs the old Sumitomo's I had on.168728

[Motown 454]

Nice looking car, you have a great project there good luck with it.

[majj35]

Nice looking car, you have a great project there good luck with it.

Thank you so much

[Gmc427]

not sure if it matters but looks like tierods are back to front,long joint is the inside

[majj35]

not sure if it matters but looks like tierods are back to front,long joint is the inside

in the transmission photo?

[Gmc427]

yep

[majj35]

yep

I’ll have them check it out. Is it any concerning, safety wise, how its currently hooked up?

[majj35]

Update:
Street Grip kit ordered! Cant wait!

[majj35]

Here it is!!

169725
169726

[Josh@Ridetech]

The car's looking great! You're going to love that new suspension setup.

[majj35]

The car's looking great! You're going to love that new suspension setup.

Thank you! can't wait to drive it

[majj35]

First of all, ride quality and handling compared to previous 11/10 love it. Shocks are very comfortable, hitting bumps doesn't hurt anymore. The Shocks are currently adjusted toward more firm (8 clicks back from Most Firm setting). Highway cruising , and taking fast corners never felt better.

That being said, I do have some callouts. The front does scrape when hitting uneven surface, don't know how bad that is but i like the ride height in front now. (235/45/17).

The rear height is what's bothering me. It's way higher than front and I prefer to even out the ride height. Similar to the photo of the Camaro on RideTechs website. It appears that I have missed out an additional 1" Lowering kit, which doesn't come in the SG kit. I thought the leafs alone give a 2" drop.

For now, I ordered the Ridetech 1" lowering blocks in the rear, and Global West 3/8" coil spacers upfront, which should lift the car about 3/4". Hopefully this aligns it well

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2019/12/49221116357_f560c0a5d7_z-1.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2hZv64c)[/url]
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2019/12/49221116367_9dd4bd376a_z-1.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2hZv64c)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2019/12/49172172852_bafb8db951_z-1.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2hZv64n)[url=https://flic.kr/p/2hVbeRE]

[majj35]

I FINALLY fixed the issue of ride height and front rubbing. I added 3/8" coils spacers and 1" lowering block. That did the job!! car doesn't rub anymore, and sits perfectly.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2020/01/49309661812_fe4bfedda1_z-1.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2i8jUwY)[/url]
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2020/01/49308520023_7639030efb_z-1.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2i8jUwY)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2020/01/49304583158_41e27c8f65_z-1.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2i8e47X)[url=https://flic.kr/p/2i7SSPY]

[majj35]

This was called out by a member, my outer tie rod ends are slightly hitting the inner wheels. Working on the best solution to factor everything moving forward. This time by doing it right.

This involves: Going with bigger wheels, Disc brake, and steering kits. I'll have to decide what to work on first (safety).

Right now, my main concern are the tie rods, since they are hitting + look old and rusty.

Step 1: Add 1/8" wheel spacers, for now
Step 2: New steering kit - Any advice which to go for? Stick with Ridetech?

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2020/01/49309814657_3c9d59e2eb_c-1.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2i8kFYe)

[majj35]

Moved all build Updates Here! ---> https://www.camaros.net/threads/my-68-camaro-ss-ls2-build.465287/#post-1783173375