69 Camaro & LSA in NZ

[mistral]

Hiya All, started a rebuild on a 69 Camaro, like all these projects it immediately grew in every way, here's the car at the start.

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Going to run a crate LSA, T56 Magnum & Art Morrison IRS & suspension.

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Once we started into the original car we found the usual rust, old repairs etc. so ended up with bringing a Dynacorn shell down here.

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And so now the real work starts!
I'll probably lean on y'all for advice, we just don't have that many pro touring builds down here in New Zealand, so I love all the info on this forum.

Thanks, Willy

[Motown 454]

Welcome Willy! This is a great place for info on just about what ever you need.

[Gmc427]

Hiya All, started a rebuild on a 69 Camaro, like all these projects it immediately grew in every way, here's the car at the start.

177244

Going to run a crate LSA, T56 Magnum & Art Morrison IRS & suspension.

177245

Once we started into the original car we found the usual rust, old repairs etc. so ended up with bringing a Dynacorn shell down here.

177246

And so now the real work starts!
I'll probably lean on y'all for advice, we just don't have that many pro touring builds down here in New Zealand, so I love all the info on this forum.

Thanks, Willy

**** must have been pretty rottern to pinch vin and start over?is orginal car hoppers new race car?

[Crazy Horse]

Subscribed!

[mistral]

**** must have been pretty rottern to pinch vin and start over?is orginal car hoppers new race car?

Nah it wasn't bad at all, but all these great parts were rolling in, and the cost on a new shell was way less than I thought it would be. So do it right the first time!
And fixing a few old repairs soon adds up.

Yes, Hoppers using it for a race car.

[Snowcatter]

Looking like fun! I'm very jealous lol you are doing what I want to do with mine, but I lack the funds to finish mine...that Morrison IRS is one spendy sob. We can share notes moving forward. I have a build thread here also.

[mistral]

Thanks Snowcatter, that build of your's is fricking amazing! Makes mine look like lego the amount of fabrication you're into.

[andrewb70]

Ambitious project! Looking forward to updates.

Andrew

[mistral]

Bit painful chopping into the new shell to fit the IRS & make it right hand drive!

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But hey, gotta start moving forward eventually right?

[CarlC]

Lots going on there. Great work!

When you're ready to fuel that LSA we have the solution.

[dhutton]

You are going to love that Art Morrison IRS. Best riding first gen Camaro I’ve been in.

Don

[Crazy Horse]

Race Car?
Targa Tasmania Anyone???

[Gmc427]

Bit painful chopping into the new shell to fit the IRS & make it right hand drive!

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But hey, gotta start moving forward eventually right?
check out kiwi camaro on fb , geart group

[mistral]

You are going to love that Art Morrison IRS. Best riding first gen Camaro I’ve been in.

Don

Yeah it's beautiful looking gear.
Getting close to getting the rear end in now. Subframe is in, chopping inner guards & stuff away.

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check out kiwi camaro on fb , geart group

Done, subscribed, thanks,

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Lots going on there. Great work!

When you're ready to fuel that LSA we have the solution.

OK I'll reach out, thanks,

[mistral]

OK bit more happening,

Rear mini tubs getting there
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Front end & LSA in for now
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Chopping more new body shell up for the bin to fit the T56
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[Snowcatter]

I didn't have to chop my trans tunnel at all to fit the tremec...what oil pan did you end up using? Also are you running the ac compressor in the stock location? If so did you notch the motor mount hoop for clearance like I had to?

[mistral]

I didn't have to chop my trans tunnel at all to fit the tremec...what oil pan did you end up using? Also are you running the ac compressor in the stock location? If so did you notch the motor mount hoop for clearance like I had to?

Holley oil pan, the Wegner drive & pumps are still on the way, so haven't got to that yet.

[Snowcatter]

I wanted to retain the LSA oil cooler so I opted for the Cadillac oil pan which fits very good. Just barely hangs below the cross member.

[mistral]

I wanted to retain the LSA oil cooler so I opted for the Cadillac oil pan which fits very good. Just barely hangs below the cross member.

Right, I've got a C & R Racing radiator & heat exchanger on the way. Seemed like a good system. I'm loving how much gear is available that's already sorted for a 69/LSA/6 speed setup.

It's like giant really ****ing expensive Lego!

[mistral]

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[mistral]

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Getting some suspension in the back end.
Ignore the tire hanging on the left, just looking at sizes for rubber.

[TANKMASTERJ]

Dang I wonder if the Caddy pan would work on my LS7 with a wet sump swap!
Keep up the good work your build is awesome

[mistral]

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Still moving ahead.

[mistral]

You are going to love that Art Morrison IRS. Best riding first gen Camaro I’ve been in.

Don

Thanks Don, sent you a PM, keen to chat about wheels/tires & stuff,

[andrewb70]

Where do the coilovers mount at the frame? Does there need to be a mount added?

Andrew

[mistral]

Where do the coilovers mount at the frame? Does there need to be a mount added?

Andrew

Art Morrison supplies a sub frame/chassis section, you cut out the existing stuff, weld in their one, and the IRS bolts into that.
Tidy engineering.

[mistral]

Wegner drive kit, nice gear.
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Shot from the bottom
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[Dragonfly]

Very very nicely done

[Snowcatter]

Wow you are moving along quickly! Mine is progressing much slower lol

[mistral]

Very very nicely done

Don't look hard at the exhaust, it's just tacked, coming out now for a smooth up & finish.

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Wow you are moving along quickly! Mine is progressing much slower lol

Has times when it goes well, & times when it goes backwards. ;-)

[mistral]

Well, the cars been at the painters for 14 months, which wasn't what I envisioned, but hey, good things take time right?

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It should be back in the workshop in a few days, and we start putting it back together.
So it'll move along then. Really really want this thing sitting on it's wheels!

[theunderlord]

Gorgeous man!

[Tynitty]

Wow! that IRS is amazing looking, this is going to be an incredible car

[mistral]

Sh*t stage for photos, but we're moving ahead.
Waiting for front sub frame to be painted to install engine, gearbox front suspension etc. but back end is in, wheels fit beautifully thank f*#k, & Keith is busy slapping dynamat on anything that doesn't move.
It's awesome to be moving forward again!
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[thumper877]

What size rear tire is that?

[mistral]

What size rear tire is that?

335/30/18

[TANKMASTERJ]

Holley oil pan, the Wegner drive & pumps are still on the way, so haven't got to that yet.
Welcome to to the forum and the sickness. I wish I had started with a dynacorm body. New metal everywhere. Yeah fitting takes time but what I spent fixing old metal and still having to be gap everything I would have been better off. I run the Wegner front drive also but on an LS7. It's a work of art . Got matching valve covers in the way being engraved with my car name.
Like your build thread start. I'll be watching.
Jason

[mistral]

So moving ahead.
Front sub frame in, engine & box in.
Have to tweak one rack hydraulic line to clear the sump, and a few fiddly little things like that, but it's progress!
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[mistral]

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[Senek67RS]

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Have you figured out where you will be putting your remote PS reservoir? Running the same front drive on an LSA swap and running out of room...

[Aschle]

Awesome build !!!

I'm a little biased, but GREAT choice on the wheels. haha

199073

[mistral]

Have you figured out where you will be putting your remote PS reservoir? Running the same front drive on an LSA swap and running out of room...

We'll be on that soon, I'll post a photo

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Awesome build !!!

I'm a little biased, but GREAT choice on the wheels. haha

199073

Very nice!

[mistral]

Have you figured out where you will be putting your remote PS reservoir? Running the same front drive on an LSA swap and running out of room...

Well here's where we are currently.
Still a work in progress, but I think it will work.
It's a right hand drive car & rack, but it shouldn't make too much difference?

It was looking really tight for the air intake to get past, so we've recessed the mount panel for the reservoir & the radiator overflow tank (recessed from the rear, so they actually move forward)

Hope it helps?

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[mistral]

And here's a pic with a dummy intake hose
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So hopefully, it'll be something like that, and maybe all the sh*t will fit in.

But yes, it's definitely getting crowded in there. Maybe a Chevelle would have been a good idea! :-)

[EVO]

In case you didnt know, Those PSC resevoirs work great but the -10 outlet has to be above the power steering pump inlet to flow properly and not starve the pump. In other words, the fluid has to have a downhill run to the pump.
Hope this helps,
Evan Q.

[mistral]

In case you didnt know, Those PSC resevoirs work great but the -10 outlet has to be above the power steering pump inlet to flow properly and not starve the pump. In other words, the fluid has to have a downhill run to the pump.
Hope this helps,
Evan Q.

Aha! OK thanks for that, the outlet is about an inch higher, that enough?

[EVO]

Might be enough, If it isnt, the pump will be kinda noisy and make groaning noises. I used the same one on my son's C10 and its mounted much higher. I'd go for maximum height if hood clearance allows.


E.199361

[mistral]

[QUOTE=EVO;1378476]Might be enough, If it isnt, the pump will be kinda noisy and make groaning noises. I used the same one on my son's C10 and its mounted much higher. I'd go for maximum height if hood clearance allows.



Ok got it, thanks!

[mistral]

Still moving along. Getting more exciting!
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[srode]

Well here's where we are currently.
Still a work in progress, but I think it will work.
It's a right hand drive car & rack, but it shouldn't make too much difference?

It was looking really tight for the air intake to get past, so we've recessed the mount panel for the reservoir & the radiator overflow tank (recessed from the rear, so they actually move forward)

Hope it helps?

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I like what you are doing with the filter location and size, what filter is that?

[TANKMASTERJ]

I see you got a C and R radiator. I love mine it cools well.
Your build is looking fantastic..I know they are slow but you can see progress.
Keep it up.

[mistral]

I see you got a C and R radiator. I love mine it cools well.
Your build is looking fantastic..I know they are slow but you can see progress.
Keep it up.

Thanks Pal, still moving ahead!

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[mistral]

Still moving on!

200020

[mistral]

Well, it's been a while but we're getting close now. Runs & drives, needs upholstery & the dash finishing, then front & rear glass in & we're done.

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[Threepointtwo]

This must be very exciting. I can’t wait to be at that point.

[mistral]

This must be very exciting. I can’t wait to be at that point.

Yep started in 2019, first bits ex Art Morrison arrived early 2020.
Long road, but it's looking gorgeous.

Hang in there, if it was easy every Muppet would be doing it!

I just can't help taking on really ambitious projects.
Here's the next stroke of madness!


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[JJ 86]

Very cool build. Nice job! Do you have any details on the wheels?

[mistral]

Very cool build. Nice job! Do you have any details on the wheels?

Budnik Vapor, Brushed Rim Outers with Charcoal Center, Fat Lip

18x10 with 6.5bsp
18x12 with 7.0bsp

Vapor - BUDNIK (https://www.budnik.com/g-series-wheels/vapor)

[mistral]

Been a while between updates, car is pretty well finished apart from upholstery, which is underway but taking a while!
Can’t wait to be driving this!
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[TANKMASTERJ]

Nah it wasn't bad at all, but all these great parts were rolling in, and the cost on a new shell was way less than I thought it would be. So do it right the first time!
And fixing a few old repairs soon adds up.

Yes, Hoppers using it for a race car.

Willie,
I ve been there like everyone on this forum. If I had to do over again, I would have done the dynacorn body. I think it's a better way to go. After two body shops and to much cash I could have bought the new body. In the end I'm satisfied with my build but it would have been cheaper. Some guys would argue differently but to me new metal is new metal.
Killer build startup ill be checking in on it
Jason

[mistral]

Thanks Jason, yeah I don’t think there’s a right or wrong way, I’ve fixed up some way worse projects before, and we often struggle to be realistic about what the true cost of stuff is going to be.
The dynacorn body wasn’t just a bolt on & paint thing either, took quite a bit of playing around to get panel gaps & things right, but it’s all metal, no filler, so that’s gotta be a good thing!
I see your cars looking great, I’m looking forward to being at the driving around stage!

[mistral]

OK, so at times it felt like this would never happen, but I got there! It's legal, on the road, and drives better than I thought it could.
I'll get some better pics & get them up here, but in the meantime, here's the 69, LSA, T56, Art Morrison IRS, IFS, Baer 14" discs & 6 pots all round. Handling is excellent, very neutral with sharp turn in, stops great, in general nothing like a 1969 car!
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[Steve68]

RHD just freaks me out!

Nice work,

[Gmc427]

any issues with cert process?car looks great btw

[mistral]

any issues with cert process?car looks great btw

Not really, Certifier has a few things he wanted changed but minimal.
Using Art Morrison gear helps hugely, it's pre approved, 1 of a couple of US labels that don't need
re-engineering, Detroit Speed is another I think.

[BORIStheBLADE1]

I might have missed it in the thread, but did the seats come from a doner car?

[mistral]

I might have missed it in the thread, but did the seats come from a doner car?

Yeah VW Scirroco, they got reshaped & recovered in leather.
Manual adjustment, but they go up & forward a long way which is good for my wife,

[-KILO-]

beautiful car sir!
I've got family in NZ and AUS
I bet that car gets A LOT of attention in NZ and rightfully so
work of Art! no pun intended

[EnhancedAspiration]

Awesome build. While you took the entire further than would do, I can try appreciate the worksmanship.