Offical introduction to my 68 Camaro project.

[Jarcaines]

Well, the time is coming soon! My camaro will be in my garage by the end of the month! I have owned this car since my senior year of high school (1996-7), and it has been sitting since late 1997 at my parents house. Now that I have college out of the way, a career as a graphic designer started, a wife, a house half way across the country, and a baby on the way, it's time to get stated on this thing again!

My dad is towing the car out here the end of September, it should be in my garage on the 27th. He has been working on getting it running again before bringing it out, which includes putting the transmission back in it, rebuilding the carb, etc. While he is at it, I am having him install an AC deleate box to replace the monstocity that was hanging off my firewall.

Here is what the car looks like now:

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/09/2839100133_8710f130cd-1.jpg?v=0
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/09/2839926416_5835e05677-1.jpg?v=0
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/09/2839090637_4067dc605b-1.jpg?v=0
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/09/2839096279_10f1276969-1.jpg?v=0
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/09/2839930154_961a46a57f-1.jpg?v=0

Here is what I plan on doing probably over the next 5 or so years:

Kore 3 C5/6 Disc Brakes - front and rear
Solid Body Bushings
Poly Motor and Trany Mounts
New set of headers
Hotchkis TVS kit + and extra inch drop all around.
These seats:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/09/sca80100051-1.jpg
Some body work and rust removal
Pypes exahust system
And I want to paint it flat black and leave it at that for a while.

Here are the things I would love to do someday, but it will probably be a while before I can put that kind of money into it:

T56 swap
New motor, probably fuel injected.
Rip off the vynal top and clean up the roof underneath
Silver paint with Gun metal rally stipes.

In the end, this is the car I dream of having:

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/09/2852668937_5d2e279f38-1.jpg?v=0

[Part Time]

Congrats!
Are you planning on keeping it running/driving as you work on it?

[Jarcaines]

Congrats!
Are you planning on keeping it running/driving as you work on it?

For the most part, yes.

[rocketrod]

Welcome! Looks like you have a good base to start with. Keep us posted.

[thedugan]

Looks like a mini tub in the rear for those big meats

[Jarcaines]

Looks like a mini tub in the rear for those big meats

Yeah, maybe I should adjust that photo a bit. I am not going to go the mini-tub route. I want the widest rubber you can fit back there without cutting anything up.

[thedugan]

cool. nice project.

[Jarcaines]

She lives again! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7176592@N02/2866612051/in/photostream/)

After 12 years, still sounds great!

[ProdigyCustoms]

Very cool. Look forward to seeing the progress.

[Jarcaines]

Very cool. Look forward to seeing the progress.

Thanks Frank! I am sure you will be the first to know when I start a new phase, with an email looking for deals!

[Jarcaines]

Another video (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7176592@N02/2877311581/in/set-72157607176759966/)

[gordonquixote]

Think outside the box and skip the TT wheels. You can practically buy them at Wal-Mart now.

[Jarcaines]

Think outside the box and skip the TT wheels. You can practically buy them at Wal-Mart now.

Good, they should be affordable then.

I just have always really like the look of them. I like that they have that classic TT look but they are modernized with sleek, swooping lines. I am also on a very limited budget, so the price and avaliblity are nice too.

My goal isn't to be "outside of the box", it's to create the car I want to drive and park in my garage.

[gordonquixote]

True That. Are you going to match the wheel spokes to your paint color?

They do look good on the rendering.

[Jarcaines]

True That. Are you going to match the wheel spokes to your paint color?

They do look good on the rendering.


Thanks man!

I was thinking the rally stripes would be the same as the wheel centers, we'll see.

[Jarcaines]

I promised it would be a SLOW process...

Anyways, in the last few months I installed a tach, an Optimu Battery which will eventually be relocated to the trunk, and I got a good deal on a MegnaFlow exhaust system from a PT.com user.

My next step is installing poly motor and transmission mounts, since one of my stock mounts is collapsed.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/06/3601277992_9e41062873-1.jpg?v=0

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/06/3600456021_082dae31ae-1.jpg?v=0

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/06/3601260002_577013d3e8-1.jpg?v=0

More important then any of these small steps, I have a better idea of what I plan on doing to the car going forward. My first goal is to get it road worthy before the end of August. I need to install an overflow tank, fix a turn single, and I want to get the exhaust installed, then it's time for the inspection.

Here is a more finalized version of my long term plans:

FRONT SUSPENSION:
Coils - 600 Lb. with Adjusters
Sway Bar - Hotchkis TVS #80015
Tie Rod Sleeve Ends - Hotchkis TVS #80015
End Link Bushings - Hotchkis TVS #80015
Sway Bar Bushings - Hotchkis TVS #80015
Upper Arms - SPC 94305
UCA Bushings - SPC 94305
Spindles - ATS AFX Tall
LCA Bushings - Global West 1013
Power Steering Box - AGR 292117
Subframe Connectors - Hotchkis 4007
Body Bushings - Global West 800
Shocks - Bilstein BE3-2972

REAR SUSPENSION:
Leafs - Hotchkis TVS #80015
Sway Bar - Hotchkis TVS #80015
Leaf Bushings - Hotchkis TVS #80015
Shocks - Bilstein AK2074

ENGINE COMPARTMENT:
Alum. Radiator - Summit 380456
Headers - FlowTech 31108
Serpentine Belt Drive - GM PP - 12497869

BRAKES:
Front - KORE3 ATS AFX 325mm C5/6
Rear - KORE3 GM 10/12-BOLT, 305mm C5/6

WHEELS/TIRES:
Front - 17x8 Foose Legends (grey center) 245/45/17
Rear - 17x9 Foose Legends (grey center) 275/40/17

There is also plenty of body work and interior work to be done.

Any opinions on these parts or the order I should do it in? This car is going to be a driver and the whole project is going to be very long term as the money comes.

[yellowrallys]

Think outside the box and skip the TT wheels. You can practically buy them at Wal-Mart now.

I'd sell 'em too if I was wal mart, cause they just keep on looking good.

Nice project you have there.

[sik68]

Reaaaaally nice pictures! That tach is looking awesome!

[Jarcaines]

Thanks guys, and thank to the mod who moved my thread. I wasn't sure if I should go ahead and start a second one here or not, this is the perfect solution.

[Jarcaines]

No real updates. Just collecting parts and saving money. I did get a parking brake assembly, overflow catch can, and new passenger side turn signal assembly. All things working towards getting it registered and on the road this summer.

I also bought an unbent, powdercoated subframe from a PT.com member, I am eventual going to get the seems welded and build my front suspension on this new subframe, then pull the whole old sub out and swap the two.

For now, just doing a lot of this:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/05/4593873046_cc812b183a-1.jpg

Also want to thank Hotchkis and the Performance Therapy contest for getting my car $250 closer.

[68firebird]

Congrats on at least getting it road ready. I miss driving mine, its been about 4 years now. I'm choppin at the bit to get her back on all 4 wheels, but cash flow is holding me up right now. Keep the updates coming, whether they are small or not. What kind of seats are those in your first post?

[venturabeachpup]

Great project! ( I love 1st gen camaro's). Five years sounds about rite!
Looking forward with ya!

[Jarcaines]

What kind of seats are those in your first post?

Those are the Procar Rally 1000 seats. Summit has them. (http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SCA-80-1000-51L)
I love the way they look like they belong in the stock 1 gen. interior.

[geberhard]

JR any updats? BTW any mor epics of this car as well? https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/09/2852668937_5d2e279f38-1.jpg?v=0

[Jarcaines]

No real updates. I have gathered some more parts, but been crazy busy. Hopefully I can get it fired up again in the next month or so.

That photo is actually Bad Penny, I just photoshopped it to look like what I have planned for mine :)

[chevymennetti]

I gotts say i love the picture of you and your son , not to mention the magazine you were reeding had Motiv8tr on it which it the camaro that belongs to the owner of this website lol love it.

[Jarcaines]

Told you it would be slow...

After YEARS of not working on the Camaro, I did a little work last weekend and get it ready to send of to Mike's Hot Rod Shop today for some engine and body work. Pretty excited to start actually seeing some progress on this thing.

117793

[camarodude87]

Did you ever install the ls1 brakes front and rear?

[mikey]

No we haven't done the brakes yet. He had it towed to my shop Mikes hot rod shop first step was to get it running again. Got it to run sort of needs a carb rebuild due to sitting for so long and the gaskets shrinking up. While doing that we found a wiring mess easy to find when the wires start smoking and you burn your fingers touching the wires. So in order to get it road worthy we're going to rewire the entire car and fix the carb. Then we're possibly going to do the brakes. He needs bigger wheels so we're trying to decide the best route to accomplish this build. Body and paint are next on the list and due to the uncertainty of what's under the 4+ paint jobs we'll probably get it stripped to bare metal before the brakes get done.

[Jarcaines]

Thanks for the update, Mike!

[Jarcaines]

The goal for "Stage 1" of the build is to get some body work done, get it running again, be able to pass safety inspection, replace the front drums brakes, find some nice/cheap 18" wheels that will accommodate the new discs for the time being. Before any of that could happen though, we had a serious wiring nightmare that needed to be taken care of.

We ordered a kit from American Autowire.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/12/23457503831_dd2f0d774e_c-1.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/BJRQDe)

Mike went to work pulling out the old harness...
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/12/23513869276_0679f43b33_c-1.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/BPQJ8f)

...and rewiring under the hood.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/12/23244196050_06ca92d93a_c-1.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/Bq1zES)

While the dash is all tore apart for the harness, we decided to paint and restore the dash, so that will be the next project.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/12/23171983669_294751e8ca_c-1.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/BiCtrP)

[mikey]

We finally got time and got back on it. Got the dash painted Sunday evening. I'll post some pics shortly we'd originally decided to go with flat black. Started looking at a sprint car that I'd painted and decided that wasn't going to cut it. I ended up mixing in a little coarse metallic looks excellent.

[Jarcaines]

...

[Jarcaines]

Mike has been working hard on the wiring harness install. In the process we painted the dash, steering column, and gauge cluster. Also had to install a new alternator to work with the AW harness. Here are some picture from the last few months of work.

134372
Routing the AW harness.

[134373
Painting the dash. Can't really tell in the pictures but it's a matte black with some metal flake, adds a nice touch.

134374
Glove box door ready to go!

134375
134376
Putting the dash back together with new vents, knobs, and bezels.

134377
Painting the gauge cluster to match the dash.

[Dalpilot]

Ahhhh, Wiring. Keep up the good work.

[Jarcaines]

A couple more dash and wiring pics.

134427

134428

[Motown 454]

Gauge carrier came out nice. Not looking forward to doing my wiring. It looks good.

[Jarcaines]

Thanks! Mike (Mikey) is doing mine for me. Not something I wanted to try and tackle.

[Robcookz]

Well, the time is coming soon! My camaro will be in my garage by the end of the month! I have owned this car since my senior year of high school (1996-7), and it has been sitting since late 1997 at my parents house. Now that I have college out of the way, a career as a graphic designer started, a wife, a house half way across the country, and a baby on the way, it's time to get stated on this thing again!

My dad is towing the car out here the end of September, it should be in my garage on the 27th. He has been working on getting it running again before bringing it out, which includes putting the transmission back in it, rebuilding the carb, etc. While he is at it, I am having him install an AC deleate box to replace the monstocity that was hanging off my firewall.

Here is what the car looks like now:

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/09/2839100133_8710f130cd-1.jpg?v=0
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/09/2839926416_5835e05677-1.jpg?v=0
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/09/2839090637_4067dc605b-1.jpg?v=0
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/09/2839096279_10f1276969-1.jpg?v=0
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/09/2839930154_961a46a57f-1.jpg?v=0

Here is what I plan on doing probably over the next 5 or so years:

Kore 3 C5/6 Disc Brakes - front and rear
Solid Body Bushings
Poly Motor and Trany Mounts
New set of headers
Hotchkis TVS kit + and extra inch drop all around.
These seats:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/09/sca80100051-1.jpg
Some body work and rust removal
Pypes exahust system
And I want to paint it flat black and leave it at that for a while.

Here are the things I would love to do someday, but it will probably be a while before I can put that kind of money into it:

T56 swap
New motor, probably fuel injected.
Rip off the vynal top and clean up the roof underneath
Silver paint with Gun metal rally stipes.

In the end, this is the car I dream of having:

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/09/2852668937_5d2e279f38-1.jpg?v=0
Any idea what rims are on the 68 in the dream photo? Love them

[jamminj007]

Any idea what rims are on the 68 in the dream photo? Love them

Looks like Coy's

[Jarcaines]

It's been a while since I updated!

Shortly after my last post my car was transferred over to The RestoMod Store in Kansas City. They worked with my small budget and took their time working on the few small things I could afford over the last 2 years. In the meantime we moved from Kansas City, MO to Tacoma, WA. Just went out in June and picked her up to bring it to the Northwest.

Here is a short recap of the work that has been done over the last 2 years:

1. 4th gen. disc brakes (front and rear) and new master cylinder.
2. Alco 550 lb. springs and bucket adjusters up front.
3. Hotchkis steering rebuild kit.
4. Hotchkis dropped leaf springs.
5. Installed Megnaflow exhaust system.
6. Relocated battery to the trunk.
7. Removed vinyl top.
8. Small areas of rust repair. We were very happy to see how solid the car was under the vinyl! Tail panel was the only new panel needed.
9. Body work and primed.
10. New Headliner, door panels, and dash pad.
11. 3 point seatbelts all around. Morris Classics kit in the rear.
12. 18" Rocket - Attack Hypershot wheels and Nitto tires.

While loading her on the trailer at the shop the high pressure hose (50 year old rubber) on the power steering pump blew out so she is home to Tacoma but I'm back under the hood. I'll post up some pictures better of it outside in the next few weeks when I get the hose swapped out. We are nowhere near "done" but a lot further along than it's ever been.