1969 Camaro LSX 427 Project

[gigjr]

Here is my current project. My Dad bought this car for $900 in 1978 in North Carolina on his way to race in the '78 Gator Nationals in Gainesville, FL. The car sat in my Grandmothers garage until he sold it around 1995. I remember being a kid and playing Dukes of Hazzard in it, haha. It's an original SS 350 4 speed car with 28,500 miles that was pretty heavily optioned. The car made it's way around a few owners over the years and was completely disassembled with who knows what intentions. Half of the original equipment is missing and what I do have is beat up but the body is all original and in absolutely great shape. I've kept the car in my sights hoping to be able to buy it back one day and build the car I dreamed of having since I was a kid.

Unfortunately 2021 wasn't too kid to my family. In April we learned my dad had cancer and in May my oldest son passed away tragically. We needed a distraction and something to keep my dad's spirits up so I wasn't taking no for an answer from the current owner and finally got him to sell the car back to me. This car will be built to honor my son, as a goal for my Dad to get through his situation and probably therapy for me. He's jumped into this big time and is the best person to have help me do this. He's a two time NHRA World Champion and is a genius with '69 Camaros.

I've ordered everything Detroit Speed makes for this and with his racing connections we were able to come up with a 427 block and a ton of parts to get us started. I'll try to post a ton of pics along the way and hopefully one day the cancer is gone and we have one bad ass 1969 Camaro.

[gigjr]

Here is my current project. My Dad bought this car for $900 in 1978 in North Carolina on his way to race in the '78 Gator Nationals in Gainesville, FL. The car sat in my Grandmothers garage until he sold it around 1995. I remember being a kid and playing Dukes of Hazzard in it, haha. It's an original SS 350 4 speed car with 28,500 miles that was pretty heavily optioned. The car made it's way around a few owners over the years and was completely disassembled with who knows what intentions. Half of the original equipment is missing and what I do have is beat up but the body is all original and in absolutely great shape. I've kept the car in my sights hoping to be able to buy it back one day and build the car I dreamed of having since I was a kid.

Unfortunately 2021 wasn't too kid to my family. In April we learned my dad had cancer and in May my oldest son passed away tragically. We needed a distraction and something to keep my dad's spirits up so I wasn't taking no for an answer from the current owner and finally got him to sell the car back to me. This car will be built to honor my son, as a goal for my Dad to get through his situation and probably therapy for me. He's jumped into this big time and is the best person to have help me do this. He's a two time NHRA World Champion and is a genius with '69 Camaros.

I've ordered everything Detroit Speed makes for this and with his racing connections we were able to come up with a 427 block and a ton of parts to get us started. I'll try to post a ton of pics along the way and hopefully one day the cancer is gone and we have one bad ass 1969 Camaro.


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[Vimes]

My condolences on your son, will look forward to seeing what you do with this.

[TANKMASTERJ]

Looks like a great foundation and a great place to throw angers frustrations and pain from loss. I use my car build as therapy for sure.
I'll be watching your build.
Thanks for sharing your story and my family will pray for your family.
Jason

[MTBSully]

Im am sorry for the loss of your son and wish your dad the best of luck. Looking forward to watching the build progress!

[gigjr]

Thank you for the kind words, it means a lot!
So right now the car is at Craftworks Fabrication having all the Detroit Speed parts installed (Quadralink, subframe connectors, mini tubs, etc), firewall redone and some small detail work completed. Waiting for the subframe to arrive hopefully next week so it can be finished up and brought back home. EJ @ Craftworks is an absolute artist.
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[Motown 454]

So sorry to hear of your sons passing, and you fathers illness. Spending time together is some of the best medicine for both of you. I'm going to enjoy seeing it go together. Subscribed!

[Alwhite00]

So sorry for the loss of your son, I can not imagine. My main goal in life is to die before my kids. Good luck with your dad.

69 is looking great. DS stuff is top notch.

[gigjr]

So we've rounded up everything to get going. Took a lot longer that anticipated because just about everything is on back order. But here's the list of what we're going with

427 COPO block
LS9 CNC ported heads
Bullitt custom cam
Callies crank
Compstar Rods
Diamond pistons
ATI Super Damper
Holly mid mount accessory drive
Holly intake
Holly Terminator X Max
4L80 trans with ATI guts

Hopefully if all goes well it will be assembled this weekend.197163197162197161197160197159197158197157

[gigjr]

Completed the engine earlier in the week. Waiting on the drive accessory from Holly. I was going to powder coat the valve covers but their China junk so they're out. Any recommendations on a nice, clean cover without coil brackets?


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[gigjr]

We thought of a bunch of different paces to hide the coils and were close to putting the on the sides of the block like DSE does on their builds but ultimately chose this. The Holly intake has just enough rise to it that you can fit all eight neatly under it. With it being black you can hardly see anything.
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[TANKMASTERJ]

Love the hidden coils under the intake

[Jason_Aschle]

Awesome build going on !!!

Definitely sorry for your loss, that's something I can't even fathom. You are certain to do him proud when he looks down upon you and your father creating this beast !!!

[andrewb70]

Sorry about your family situation, and my condolences.

You have a great foundation to build from and it will be awesome.

One thing to consider about the coils. It is nifty and clever to hide them under the intake, except if you have to go troubleshooting the coil wiring. Food for thought.

If I can be of service with the tuning, please keep me in mind.

Andrew

[TUBED]

Nice motor combo. Do you have a takeout GM LS 427 COPO camshaft or know of anyone who might have? Thanks

[gigjr]

Nice motor combo. Do you have a takeout GM LS 427 COPO camshaft or know of anyone who might have? Thanks
No, I don't but if you want I'm sure we can get the part number for you. Let me know.

[gigjr]

I chose the Comp Cams Ls covers. Not crazy about the lettering so I may have them powdercoated for an all black look.
At this point the build is slowing down big time. Everything is months out. Racing season is starting so my friend whose doing the paint and body will be focusing on that until the fall. Just playing the waiting game at this point and doing the little things that can be done.

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[TUBED]

No, I don't but if you want I'm sure we can get the part number for you. Let me know.

Thanks for the reply. If you could get the part # for the 2018 -2019 COPO 427 cam that would be great. I believe the 2014-2015 427 cars had the cam with 8773 as the last four digits of the part # Thanks, Gerald

[gigjr]

Brought the car home from Craftworks Fabrication today. EJ installed the DSE Quadralink, mini tubs, sub frame connectors, fuel access panel and exhaust cut outs, mounted the ZL1 Recaro seats, widened the front of the tranny tunnel, smoothed the firewall and made mounting brackets for the Restomod Air and Holly ECU. His work is amazing!

Engine is done and waiting on the Holly accessory drive kit to come in then it's off to the dyno!

Body has to wait until my buddy's racing season is done in October (I hope).

Still waiting on the DSE sub frame and a ton of other parts. I guess we'll probably wire and plumb the entire car over the summer and keep my fingers crossed that everything on back order actually gets produced and shipped.





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[gigjr]

We had the car media blasted and found no real surprises except both rear lower quarters. The car only has 28,500 miles and hasn't been driven since 1978 so I can live with that, no rust to speak of! Here's a few pics.

[gigjr]

Well, looks like I spoke too soon. After we really dug into we found a bunch of rust. It's going to be cheaper to replace the panels than try to repair them. Heading out tomorrow to pick up the new sheetmetal.
On the bright side the DSE sub frame is at the powder coaters and should arrive here by mid June.

[JFStAmour]

Oof, unfortunate about the rust, but the rest is looking great!

[Motown 454]

The engine look killer in black. glad blasting went well.

[gigjr]

Here's an update on what's been happening the last couple of months.
The car is at AMD's installation center in GA getting new quarters, roof and a sail panel. Hopefully that's all it needs and it will be back sometime around October.
We put the DSE subframe in and the engine is ON the firewall so when it gets back we're going to have to clearance it at least 1 1/2" to fit the Holly harness and give some breathing room.
Got the rear seat frame cut to clear the mini tubs.
We went to Goodguys in Columbus to check thing out and ended up buying a set of Forgeline GA3C wheels - 19x12 & 18x10. They are gonna look so bad ass!
The rear end is completely assembled and ready to go.
Finally got the sub frame and while we're waiting for the car to get back we are going to mock up a firewall and build the complete front end.
Next Sunday we're heading to the dyno to see what we built. I'd be very happy if this thing can hit 600 HP.
IF all goes well the car should be off to paint and body some time in November. If I get it back by May-June I'd be happy but that's probably dreaming.

[TANKMASTERJ]

Well your progress is coming.wish I would have done the amd install center for the metal. Bet it would be alot cheaper than what I did.
Keep it up
Jason

[gigjr]

Here's a few pics

[gigjr]

Well your progress is coming.wish I would have done the amd install center for the metal. Bet it would be alot cheaper than what I did.
Keep it up
Jason
Thanks! I feel like I took 10 steps up a hill and it turned into a mountain, haha.

[TANKMASTERJ]

I don't think you can really scoot the LS engine any closer lol!

[Jimbo1367]

Sorry for your loss. The Camaro looks like a lot of top shelf parts are gonna make this a bad ass ride.

[Vimes]

That engine is way, way too close to the firewall. Imagine having to change that one sensor between the block and the firewall. You'll have to pull the engine to do a 15 minute sensor swap. And, as close as that sensor is, any engine twist at all that pulls the engine back on that side will break that sensor at worst and gouge the paint behind it at best.

I understand the desire to move the weight back to the rear, but in this case you either need to move the engine forward or alter the firewall. At this stage of your build, altering the firewall would probably be easiest since it looks like you've got all the mounts and exhaust clearance to the frame worked out. That engine/trans/subframe setup looks pretty good as it is.

[gigjr]

Got some good news today - Erin at AMD called and the car should be done by Friday. Evidently the car was in much better shape than anticipated and only needed the quarters and roof because it was cheaper to replace than repair. Great news! I really wasn't expecting the car to be back before the end of September. All the work to mock up the firewall was wasted, haha. We're going to spend a couple of days in Ashville on the way down then pick it up. Kill two birds with one stone - take the girlfriend for a get away and pick up the car. So AMD has a you tube channel showing their metal work and used the car on this weeks episode. Jubee is a beast with the sheet metal and a really cool guy to talk to as well. Laid out everything for me and makes it look too easy. Erin is his wife and runs the shop, couldn't ask for two nicer people to deal with. aMAYSing Metal Works is their channel, here's the link to the: https://youtu.be/-JYPzB0FUUI
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[andrewb70]

Pushing the engine way up against the firewall sounds like a great idea, until a few years down the road you have to remove the transmission for a clutch or hydraulic TOB replacement.

Andrew

[gigjr]

Here's the latest updates - Day 1 on the dyno was a long one getting things sorted out. Once we got things figured out it made 572 HP. I'll be back at it in a couple weeks for day 2 which we'll use the Holly Terminator to fine tune things. My buddy insists he'll get it to 600 with some work, we'll see.
I picked up the car from AMD over the weekend and hope to start working on it tomorrow. I should have a couple of months before the body guy is ready for it so I'm going to put the DSE sub frame back in it with the engine and trans so we can clearance the firewall. More to come soon.201618201617201616201615

[gigjr]

Here's a few pics of the subframe with most of the front end mocked-up. We're trying to be as clean and hide as much as possible. 20562920562820563020563120563220563320563420563520 5636

[gigjr]

Here are some of the Restomod AC unit. I'm hoping nothing can be seen once the car is assembled except for the lines heading to the compressor.205638205637205639205640205641205642205 643205644

[gigjr]

Here are some of the body. It's unbelievable how much work is needed on the new sheet metal to make it work. As you can see the area around the windshield and the top corners of the trunk are horrible and this is AMD premium stuff.205646205645205647205648205649205650205651

[CSG]

Very nice work. I am glad I popped in this post as I should be routing A/C lines this weekend & I am going to steal this routing method.

[Threepointtwo]

Beautiful work. I absolutely love the coils mounted under the intake. I am going to see if I can do that.

[TANKMASTERJ]

Really does look like a great starting point after media blasting. And if my little LS7 with a cam and heads and 700hp is as rowdy as it is your LSX 427 is going to be plenty of handful.
Great progress on your build

[gigjr]

Went out to see the progress with the body this week and it's coming along pretty well. After making the decision to use the original fenders and doors and after some gap work the panels fit together A LOT better. There's still work to be done with the deck lid but it's a million miles better now. If all goes well it should be put on the rotisserie (no idea if I spelled that correctly) next week.

I'm going to go Torch Red with black Z28 stripes with a mostly stock appearance outside. So I have a question that I'd like to get a few opinions on. The engine and all sheet metal will be black but I'm starting to question that. One idea that I'm playing around with would be painting the entire engine red with a flat or satin finish and leaving everything else black. I'm not sold on that for a variety of reasons but one is it may look dated at some point, plus keeping it clean will be a pain in the ass. I have a third gen that is painted red everywhere and I never drive it because the mess that comes along with it. Another thought is a red firewall with everything else remaining black. I have to make a decision in the next several weeks and keep flip-flopping. Any ideas will be appreciated.

[gigjr]

Avoided disaster today. I guess the rocker broke on the dyno, that explains some of the issues we were having. Thank God no damage anywhere! After the engine made 586 HP I was kinda bummed, I really thought 625 should have been the low end but that number ain't bad on seven cylinders!

If all goes smooth I should have the shell back by the end of the month, then the real fun begins putting everything together.


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[gigjr]

11 months later we have color (Torch Red)! The Z28 stripes (black) will be laid out and painted this weekend with three more coats of clear then wet sand and buff. If all goes well I should have the car back by Thanksgiving. I think I took it out there the day or so after Thanksgiving last year.

[gigjr]

Finally! If all goes well I'll be bringing it home Saturday.

[thumper877]

Looks beautiful. That is a bright red for sure.

[gigjr]

Looks beautiful. That is a bright red for sure.
Thank you!

[gigjr]

Finally brought it home today, about a week shy of a year. We should have the sub frame and rear end in on Saturday, then dyna mat the whole car. After that we'll wire everything. That should keep us busy for a while.

My dad and I built my third gen when I graduated high school in that exact spot, and 36 years later, we'll do this one. I still have that car, but it's a hell of a lot different now. I'll see if I have a pic that I can post. 210622210623

[Vjjack03]

Nice.

[gigjr]

Found a few. Then vs. now

[cad]

Great progress!

[gigjr]

Here's a few more pics. Got a ton of work done so far. For the most part the car is wired and plumbed. We've tried to hide as much as we could, brake lines and gas lines are run inside each rocker, tranny lines are inside the sub frame, AC lines are tucked as far right and run out of the inner fender down below and coils are hidden underneath the intake. I'll get pics of the fuel and brake lines soon.

Working on fitting the Fesler consol and dash at the moment.

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[gigjr]

I figured I would have been done with this by now but I have a ton going on. Checking boxes but getting nothing completed. I went to the triple Crown in Nashville and got enthused again so maybe I'll spend a little more time with this. Here's some pics of what we've been up to. Fesler pieces for the interior are fitted and need upholstered, after that we'll just go over everything and finish it up. I feel like we're about 90% done but the little detail things are taking forever.

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[1968driver]

holy smokes, are those 375/35 tires :) they are MASSIVE!!!! Beautiful color had torch red on my 68 many years ago with painted white stripes.

[gigjr]

holy smokes, are those 375/35 tires :) they are MASSIVE!!!! Beautiful color had torch red on my 68 many years ago with painted white stripes.

The rears are 335/30 19s. 345s will fit but Nitto doesn't make them

[andrewb70]

Nice build.

Andrew