69 Camaro LS2/4L70E install

[GeoffP]

Looks great! I've had mine on the road for awhile too. I thought I'd let you know the links are really only noisy at low speeds. I've been driving mine back and forth to work the last week or so and I have gotten where I really don't notice the link noise but my wife does! I might end up buying some urethane bushed links to swap out when I'm not autocrossing the car just so my wife will enjoy riding in the car too!

[Zoomin]

Looks real nice! Refreshing to see someone running the SS hood for a change.

What's the next phase?

[rocketrod]

Looks great! I've had mine on the road for awhile too. I thought I'd let you know the links are really only noisy at low speeds. I've been driving mine back and forth to work the last week or so and I have gotten where I really don't notice the link noise but my wife does! I might end up buying some urethane bushed links to swap out when I'm not autocrossing the car just so my wife will enjoy riding in the car too!

I ended up selling my ridetech setup for what I paid for it. Nothing wrong with it, but I was in this never ending upgrade phase and I just wanted to drive the car this year and get the bugs worked out of it... How do you like the ridetech setup?

Looks real nice! Refreshing to see someone running the SS hood for a change.

What's the next phase?

Thanks. The only thing that I could possibly do to the car would be a rear suspension upgrade (4 link) and build the motor, but at the moment the bonestock LS2 is a lot of fun!

[ff5013]

you got my attention at Camaro. LoL!
I really like the way you circle the little things you do and explain them in detail. what are you doing when I get ready to build my 69 Camaro? I need you to come over and help me. LoL!!

[Tango68SS]

Rod,

She looks awesome! Enjoy her for the summer!

TC

[rocketrod]

It's been quite a while since my last post and for the most part I have just been driving the Camaro, but to be honest I have gotten a little bored with it. Then back in April, after renting a C7 Corvette I was seriously thinking about selling the Camaro. I have had the car since 2004 and thought maybe it was time to move onto something new.

Then it happened. I came across a Magnuson TVS 2300 setup and LS3 heads off a 2010 Camaro for sale that sparked my interest. I have always wanted a TVS setup and after some negotiating, we agreed upon terms which included cash, my 243 heads and LS2 intake for his parts.

The engine mods will be split into two phases as I have to have the car running for my son & I to drive to the Holley LS Fest on Sept 11th. The event is a little over 4 weeks away and it is just not possible for me to comfortably install everything.

Here is the plan.

• TVS 2300 running 8psi boost and producing somewhere in the low to mid 500rwhp. I'm looking for longevity here not a max effort build.
• LS3 heads with PAC 1218 springs, new seals and Brian Tooley Racing trunion upgrade
• LS9 cam
• CSTV fuel module
• 4l80e transmission with TransGo kit and 3200-3600 stall
• Caltrac bars and additional rear suspension work
• Install battery disconnect, driveshaft loop and miscellaneous items
• Install Holley EFI setup if I have any $$ left.

Phase 1 - Install LS9 cam, new oil pump, LS3 heads with new valve springs, seals & trunion upgrade, LS3 intake and update the tune. I have already ordered the parts and they should arrive in a few days!

Phase 2 - Install the TVS 2300, CSTV fuel module, 4l80e trans & stall converter, update accesory drive for Camaro spacing, install Caltrac bars and possibly convert over to a Holley EFI setup if the money tree isn't dead by then.

Here is the motor waiting for the new parts. I still need to remove the radiator, grill and finish cleaning the piston tops.


After a quick trip to St Louis to pickup the TVS 2300 and LS3 heads


The maggie after a little bit of cleaning


A quick pic of the C7 I rented. The car was an absolute blast to drive. I put over 400 miles on the car in one day and I consider myself very lucky to only get one speeding ticket.

[Erik Beckett]

I am wondering how your going to install the caltrac bars when you said you purchased a complete Level 2 ridetech kit? Did you not install the ridetech kit then?

Erik

[rocketrod]

I am wondering how your going to install the caltrac bars when you said you purchased a complete Level 2 ridetech kit? Did you not install the ridetech kit then?

Erik

Shortly after buying the Ridetech setup I got burnt out on spending $$$ on the car and sold the kit. The Caltracs are a cheap, easy and effective way to minimize the tractions issues I'll be up against.

[rin68]

Can't wait to see the blower install Rod!

[Motown 454]

Nice upgrades you have going on there! They should wake it up .

[rocketrod]

I got the motor back together which was a struggle as just about everything that could go wrong did, but I am very happy with the end results. The majority of the parts were purchased through Texas Speed. Here is a rundown of the parts used.

• LS3 Precision Race Components LS3/L92 CNC Cylinder Heads
• Texas Speed LS3 Boost Camshaft: 227/235.639/.646 114LSA
• GM LS9 head gaskets
• ARP Head bolts
• Brian Tooley Racing Trunion upgrade
• 7.40 Chromemoly pushrods
• GM LS7 Lifters
• Rollmaster LS3 Single Roller Timing Set
• Melling high volume oil pump
• Stock LS3 intake

My work hours during this upgrade were pretty hectic, but luckily a local shop, Herring Performance, was able to squeeze me in. I dropped the car off the day before I was leaving for Holley LS Fest. They did an amazing job tuning the motor. I don't have the dyno graph, but the final numbers were 435 rwhp and 437 rwtq! The car is extremely responsive and pulls pretty hard given I still have the stock torque converter and the throttle body I got is not ideal for my setup.

My son and I took the car to Holley LS Fest and the car ran extremely well. I got a couple 1/4 mile runs in and the car performed well. I'll post the timeslips later. There is a lot left in it once I get car sorted out and dialed in, but that will be my winter project.

[KB Camaro]

awesome car and i'd love to here some idle clips of the cam and some drive by clips of the blower whining, if you have time.

[rocketrod]

awesome car and i'd love to here some idle clips of the cam and some drive by clips of the blower whining, if you have time.

I'll see what I can do about some idle clips, but currently the blower is still sitting on the workbench. I need to upgrade the trans, fuel system, etc before I put it on.

[rocketrod]

It's been quite a while since my last update, but I will try to get some pics posted of the latest mode which include:

• ChassisWorks minitubs
• ChassisWorks glink with anti-rollbar
• ChassisWorks Fab 9 ford nine inch, aluminum center section with 3.50 gears
• Forgelines 18x12s and 18x8s
• BFG Rivals
• Baer 6Ps
• Baer Remaster
• AFX spindles
• Raptor bedliner

[rocketrod]

Well it's been a while since I posted an update. I'm getting ready to do some major upgrades, see list below, and thought I'd share. I will be more active on the forum and I'll be posting up a lot parts in the Classifieds soon.

• Speedtech Extreme subframe
• T56 Magnum
• Holley EFI Dominator
• Holley 12.3 Pro Dash
• Recaro seats
• Anvil Auto header, cowl and hood
• Wegner Motorsports accessory drive
• Cam swap
• Detail engine bay

Here is a current pic....well what it looked like before I took the front clip off.