New (budget-oriented) 68' Camaro

[DVE]

Hi All,
I'm going to be putting down a deposit on a solid/rolling 1968 Camaro tomorrow. Any suggestions (especially with the suspension) would be GREATLY appreciated. I'm a college student so this build is going to be somewhat slow and on a very limited budget, so any tips would be a big help. Heres the rough run down of my plans for the car.


- Very minimal body work

- POR15 on underbody / floor

- Paint / Reinstall Interior

- Corvette Disk Brake conversion

- Mild carb'd 350 w/ a T56 (eventually hoping for an LS1, just not currently in the budget)

This is where I have budgeted to, to get it on the road. The suspension will eventually need work (original 6cyl - so it has the mono leaf rears) What are a few budget oriented upgrades I could do that could eventually be upgraded even more when time/money allows?


Thanks All

[CruizinKev]

welcome aboard!

[DVE]

Thanks!

[1971CHEVELLE]

welcome to the site

[BuddyP]

Welcome aboard! Where are you located?

My '68 is (was) a budget build as well. Just keep in mind you may find out solid isn't all that solid.... hopfully it is though. However, while I understand the budget aspect of it, do not skimp on the body work and underside coating and cleanup. These are areas that are too hard to come back around and redo. You may spend more up front in these area's but you'll save more in the long run.

Suspension, motor, interior and such can be bolted and unbolted and swapped out.... paint and sheetmetail can't.

You can do a suspension pretty resonable. Keep stock control arms and do the G-mod to the upper arm, Hotchkis sway and drop springs. Rear you can get a good set of drop springs for around $400. For no more than a grand you can have a decent overall suspension setup. I used the stock arms on mine for now to save some $$ also. Check out my build post and you can see some of the work I did to the front clip/suspension.

[DVE]

Thanks Buddy, I really appreciate words of advice from people that have already gone through what I'm about to start. I just checked out your build and that's going to be an amazing car when it's done.

The 68' I'm looking at only has minimal rust on the windshield channel and the passenger fender, so I wasn't planning on getting the whole body media blasted (and especially because I don't have it in the budget) - but do you think it's that important that I should?

[BuddyP]

Thanks Buddy, I really appreciate words of advice from people that have already gone through what I'm about to start. I just checked out your build and that's going to be an amazing car when it's done.

The 68' I'm looking at only has minimal rust on the windshield channel and the passenger fender, so I wasn't planning on getting the whole body media blasted (and especially because I don't have it in the budget) - but do you think it's that important that I should?
Thanks! I only hope I can get it finished in a resonable amount of time.

You will need to get the shell cleaned up for paint and prep anyway so you will want to get it blasted. If there are any area's on the floor and such that might just look like surface rust, you may be suprised at what the blaster will find. I ended up going from replacing just 1/2 of my floor to replacing the full floor after having blasting it exposed multiple pin holes in the floor. Spend the $$ on the shell/body/paint. All the other items can be swapped out for something better as time and money become available after your build is completed.

I know it's hard to bite the bullet when opening your wallet, but you'll feel good after it's done, and you'll know it was done right.

I have a good chunk of sum in my shell already, mainly due to needing several panels replaced. I could've gotten away with quarter skins but didn't like the idea of having cut outs and metal overlapping metal. But not saying skins are bad. They are very cost effective vs buying full quarters (about $250 cheaper each). Also I went ahead and installed mini tubs... even if I don't use wide tires right away, I know I'd regret it if I didn't do it and would be much costlier if I installed em after the build was finished.

I have a quarter skin for a '68 if interested. I PM'd you about it.

[DVE]

I've searched - but I couldn't find a solid answer.. but does anyone know if a second generation sub frame and/or suspension parts will fit on a first generation? Also will the second gen leafs fit on a first gen?

[Jarcaines]

Hey, welcome! I also have a 68 that I plan on building up on a tight budget. I am working on getting it road worthy right now, and then will do the Pro-Touring transformation over a long period of time, as the money comes, all while keeping it drive-able for the most part.

Here are some threads that have given me some build ideas that you might like:

https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/showthread.php?t=33769
https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/showthread.php?t=68032
https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/showthread.php?t=64986
https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/showthread.php?t=46466

Here is mine, I have just barely started doing anything on it, so it's not going to be much of an inspiration, but shows my starting point: https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/showthread.php?t=47627

Also, check out the "Under $30k Club", this thread gives me a lot of hope that you can build a killer car without breaking the bank. https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/showthread.php?t=47129

[Jarcaines]

I've searched - but I couldn't find a solid answer.. but does anyone know if a second generation sub frame and/or suspension parts will fit on a first generation? Also will the second gen leafs fit on a first gen?

No. The second gen. Nova subframe will fit though, from what I hear.

[BuddyP]

'68-'72 Nova subframe and rear end will swap with 1st gen camaro

[DVE]

What about fitting a 4th Gen suspension? Is that possible? I've found a few links, but everyone I've found so far did a complete body swap - I'm just talking the suspension (A-arms and such)

[98ssnova]

What about fitting a 4th Gen suspension? Is that possible? I've found a few links, but everyone I've found so far did a complete body swap - I'm just talking the suspension (A-arms and such)
That will take alotof fab work the Upper a arms and shock mounts are no where near close the 1 gen stuff

[cheapthrillz]

What about fitting a 4th Gen suspension? Is that possible? I've found a few links, but everyone I've found so far did a complete body swap - I'm just talking the suspension (A-arms and such)

For a budget oriented car, I would stick with leafs (but convert to a multi-leaf) and get some good quality shocks (ie. Bilstein HPS 1000). Do the g-mod in the front and get some good springs and shocks and then use the swaybar to "tune" the front.

Definitely take Buddy's advice and do all the bodywork correctly. That will be something that you won't regret.

Welcome and Good Luck!

[DVE]

Thanks for the replies, a friend had a 4th gen SCCA that he was parting out for cheap. And I didn't know if I could take advantage of any of the suspension components.

Is there a link to the G-Mod?

[cheapthrillz]

Thanks for the replies, a friend had a 4th gen SCCA that he was parting out for cheap. And I didn't know if I could take advantage of any of the suspension components.

Is there a link to the G-Mod?

I can't think of anything on the 4th gens that would work except for the seats and rear brakes.....

G-mod and a lot of other info herehttp: http://www.guldstrand.com also check out this: http://pozziracing.com/

David and his wife Marry are both members here as well.

[DVE]

Well the deal about fell through - I have a question for those familiar with Camaros / Restos.

I know it's hard to give a price with out seeing it, but what would be a fair price on a 1968 Camaro roller?

It needs a fender replaced, and a little rust repair around the front windshield channel. But other then that the body is completely solid. The car is stripped and everything is in boxes to put back together. I'm very interested because it's the first solid body camaro I've found local. But I'm a little intimidated by the scope of the project.

Any suggestions from those that have undertaken that kind of project?

Thanks