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View Full Version : 1968 Camaro 498 RS/SS



PRO2RER
07-28-2008, 07:50 PM
Hi everyone-

Just wanted to say hello and introduce my car. It's an original big block Camaro that came with a non-matching numbers 396, M21 4 speed and 3.08 12 bolt posi. It also had no paperwork, which made it fair game for a little pro-touring fun. All mods are bolt-ons just in case it becomes worth too much money to keep playing with.

The car came from Alta Loma, CA, which is near San Bernardino. Dry and great for keeping these kinds of cars alive. When I found it, the seller had tried to make it stock, but I believe in driveability and power. The old engine was sold and a 4 bolt 1990 454 Mark IV 4 bolt block located and machined for the build. The internals are all Eagle forged and the heads are RHS aluminum rectangle port. The cam is by Comp and is an XR294HR, which sounds big, but is very well behaved in an engine of this size. Headers are 2" jet-coated Hooker Comps. I used a steel Lakewood bellhousing and Centerforce dual friction clutch. The transmission is a TKO 500 that was cyrogenically treated by MMR to be able to withstand up to 750 hp and 750 ft lbs. of torque. The rear is now a 3.55 limited slip with Cal Trac bars, Koni shocks and DSE 3" drop leaf springs. The front suspension uses Global West arms, G-Force tall spindles and a QA1 coilover conversion. The power steering box is by DSE.

The body is 100% stock, including the SS hood which actually closes despite the big block. The interior is the factory deluxe, with the guage package and Tic-Toc-Tach. The original air conditioning was removed to make room for the thicker deck aluminum heads and large headers and the suitcase converted to retain the heat, vents and defrost functions. All glass and trim was replaced after the body was blocked to bare metal and built back up. Lemans Blue is the original color and the interior was changed to all black from black and ivory.

The car spent almost two years in paint at Burke's in Long Beach, CA. The engine was built by Vellios Performance in Lawndale, CA and probably makes 575 to 600 hp.

Photos are in the PT Garage if anyone wants to go take a look.

78trans
07-28-2008, 07:58 PM
:postpics:

PRO2RER
07-28-2008, 08:04 PM
Would if I could figure out how! Any tips?

Young Gun
07-28-2008, 08:09 PM
imageshack.us

you can upload pictures there

NOT A TA
07-28-2008, 08:25 PM
Welcome! Sounds like a nice build you've got going. My first street car was a 68, now have a 67 RS SS Conv. among other toys.

PRO2RER
07-28-2008, 10:01 PM
:postpics:



Got it figured out! See the attachments above.

78trans
07-29-2008, 06:00 PM
nice car wish i could afford a camaro.

sunkistcamaro
07-29-2008, 06:54 PM
Welcome to the site!
Nice ride!!

Rickys S/C Z28
07-29-2008, 07:12 PM
Wow great looking car!!!!

PRO2RER
07-29-2008, 10:33 PM
Thanks everybody! I have to admit that I've been lurking awhile and got most of my ideas from this site. I know a lot of guys like either the 67-68's, or the 69's, or the Gen Two's, but I like them all! I just happened to find this '68 before I found something else I liked and ran with it. I'd love to do a Retrotek EFI setup, but I am still REELING from what I've spent already. The cool thing is that this car is nice, but not too nice to drive. I'm going with a Retro Sound stereo next, but need to find a way to fit some speakers in the front with the big block A/C heater inside. Guess I'll go hang out the audio forum for awhile!

JEFFTATE
07-30-2008, 04:41 AM
Very Nice !
Nice paint !

tones2SS
07-30-2008, 09:28 AM
VERY NICE LOOKING CAR!!!
And by the equipment stated above, she must be a mean machine!:naughty:

whytry
07-30-2008, 02:12 PM
alright another BBC here!!!!! Woohoo!!

Welcome to the site!! If you don't mind cutting the door panels you can fit a nice set of Polk audio compnents in there and not have to worry about the window hitting the speaker magnet or the speaker sticking out to far...

4086D9
07-31-2008, 12:27 PM
Nice ride! I wanna do a 496 or 540 next in my car....have you had it to the strip yet??

Chevrolaine
07-31-2008, 07:56 PM
That things beautiful! My favorite color/stripe combo on the first gens.:eek:

professor-patrick
08-07-2008, 06:28 PM
Very nice!!!!

QWK-SS
08-08-2008, 04:16 AM
Awesome looking Camaro!

And welcome to the forum from another newbie!

CliffS
08-08-2008, 11:55 AM
Sweet car!! Nice license plate!

tony byram
08-08-2008, 04:12 PM
Love the color and stripes, just a clean beautiful car. Like how the wheel centers are grey too, what type of intake did you run to get that 454 to fit under the stock hood?:cool:

WILWAXU
08-08-2008, 07:15 PM
Great looking car!

What wheels are those?

PRO2RER
08-15-2008, 08:16 AM
Nice ride! I wanna do a 496 or 540 next in my car....have you had it to the strip yet??

No track time yet...Pretty sure it would go deep 11's though.

PRO2RER
08-15-2008, 08:18 AM
Sweet car!! Nice license plate!

Ha-ha! Thanks! For some reason I knew you guys would get it!

PRO2RER
08-15-2008, 08:23 AM
Great looking car!

What wheels are those?

Coddington Sultans with the old school lip.

PRO2RER
08-15-2008, 08:30 AM
Love the color and stripes, just a clean beautiful car. Like how the wheel centers are grey too, what type of intake did you run to get that 454 to fit under the stock hood?:cool:

It's an original style Performer RPM and a big drop base air cleaner, which works great. I also went to solid motor mounts to keep things from moving around too much. Between the tight a/c top and 2" headers, there is just enough clearance. And they said it couldn't be done - Ha!