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68 rag camaro wrapped around an 04 GTO/LS1 man
Stripped down my 68 camaro convertible all the way after patching the quarters, floor and trunk years back(bought the running car for $1600 in 1990). This past year have replaced both quarters, fixed inside quarters, rear top deck structure, prepped the rest. Frame rails, shock mounts all very good.
Got a salvage complete wrecked 04 GTO-LS1/6-speed this past spring($1700 total thru IAA), stripped most of it and removed the dash, all wiring, cut out the floor and began retrofitting into the 68. Course the later dashes are deeper but similar widths between pillars and by measurements the GTO firewall protrudes in about 8-9 inches from stock firewall. Less cabin space and will end up with no rear floor space but the big uplift is using the massive AC/heat unit, entire dash, column, pedals, both masters and all electrics incorporating modern options.
Away goes the old kick panel doors and window cranks won't be visible so motors are a must.
Using the GTO floor will have to be lower as the floor to window base is 1-2 " taller, floor width is wider by about 8 inches so hacking/channeling is necessary to utilize the GTO seats(minus the headrests).
Referencing is based off of the 68 windshield-the GTO upper dash to floor is about 1-2 inches taller in GTO so the floor out of the GTO will be 'sunk' a bit without sacrificing much sub frame height/body. The wiper motor and arms are higher than the cowl panel so I may ‘tilt’ the cowl panel and beveling the sides to clear the wipers creating a hideaway windshield base. Shape the GTO curved portion to meet into the original cowl surface so the grill header will sit. Will blend the donor dash and cowl areas(proper supports even utilizing the galvanized tunnel brackets from the GTO) and will give me 'space' between the original firewall and deepened firewall for the cable cruise, CB/fuse block(both were mounted on the GTO pass wheel well) and ample space for the brake and clutch masters. See how can incorporate the side vents as the GTO plumbed into upper door fronts and blasted out of doors. More engine clearance and radiator/fan/condenser space utilizing most from the GTO(recovery tank, washer bottle). Engine/trans will sit
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Dash meet to A pillar shall require proper end drips and closeouts with strength
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Photo partly shows at top what is needed to integrate to 68. My pillars had rot is what you see missing. The car body rough but seen a lot worse.
The GTO dash overlay housing the cluster, switches, air/temp controls etc was suspended in urethane with 2 4" long bolts onto inner fender structure and 2 short bolts horizontally securing the dash ends to inner fender(see in left photo the long bolt of drive side). Shall reuse bolts cutting to length but can't use urethane and don't need to. See in photo that ugly yellow piece is from the pass kick steel inner support is being reused into 68. Pass side the BCM mounts.
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Dash meet to A pillar shall require proper end drips and closeouts with strength
Frankenstein connecting drip support repair pieces integrating the GTO dash to the 68 cowl for the one side and make dup's for other side.
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Under dash, end drip supports, dash carrier mocked up
Depending where you decide to cut into original dash can determine what you can save sparing the extra bridging and water run offs. On the top surface of original dash I cut out all the well(you have to)and stopped at the inside vertical seams, maintaining strength on each side where the outer and inner cowl join. The GTO dash was then measured width wise had to add to the drip edges of it in order for water to extend outward/sides into the gutter. First two photos underneath two pieces each side(guess if you have better jigs and skills just one). Third photo can see a mock-up.
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Better pic of dash mock-up.
The rear of hood has to meet all same location as original and so later on because of the raised GTO cowl with wiper assembly have to create a raised custom sill plate.
Plan to possibly start from scratch or modify the original camaro piece raising it..etc. I knew all this before deciding as obvious concerns in the beginning.
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Tacked the dash and tunnel floor positioning
The master cap clears fine under my opening. May be odd to say but this GTO dash and floor was meant for these cars as sure you have to modify but if your creative this stuff is fun creating a modern car from a complete donor car without having to chase down all kinds of items. Plan to use the GTO motor cradle as it's bolted through framing at four points and when I slide the sub-frame under shall find out the position. Bolted to the rear of GTO carrier is the rack and hope to use that too. Window motors could be a challenge but shall see.
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checking floor to sub-frame clearance. Homemade sub-frame to anchor extenders
I had the connectors fully bolted in the car before dismantling the 68 fall 2017
and now fitting in the front floor half clamped I drilled a pilot hole for the caged nut to be welded on top.
Fortunately the 68 subframe meets the GTO floor reinforcement area.
Speaking of 'getting lucky with sizing' the 4 bolt engine cradle of the GTO is almost dead center
under the 68 subframe depending where I end up modifying and mounting.
Just lengths so far the motor/trans will sit behind the rear of the crossmember 2-3 inches and may be lucky enough to
retain the front sump and use the GTO rack unit. The rack is 2" too wide on either side then to correct side tie rod lengths.
If not room for rack then a rear sump is needed. Shall see...
can
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Checking seat and door space.
The door manual window crank will not have space to swing it
so of course I knew in beginning and planned to go with
power windows/locks anyway, no problem with door latch.
May incorporate the door latches and power lock mechanisms.
But to transfer window supports & lift motor may be:rolleyes: wishful thinking ..shall see.
Appears I will use the GTO floor frame stubs where I cut the floor about mid-way through shifter hole the framing supports
continued on the second floor a few inches and curve upward tying into the side to side supports which are in line with camaro
subframe ends and probably fabricate joiners-about 10", negating full sub connectors.
Surprising some of the dimensions are compatible with the older bodys.
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