Better Grow a Mullet! 73 Camaro - base model getting some mods.

[grendel]

I am relatively new to this board, but not modding cars or trucks. Fabrication's in my blood. I've also wanted a second gen Camaro. There's something about a car that is as old as you are. When I first registered, I thought I would build a 1st Gen Firebird, but a sale of that chassis changed all that. Fast forward to last week and I acquired a 73 Camaro (one year younger than I am) with a 383 topped by a Weiand 177 blower and followed by a 4 speed manual. Seems like a refuge from the 70's with it's 14" Cragars, cherry bomb exhaust and rusty headers. Suspension is stock and tired, as is the steering. She floats a good bit down the road, but looks 20ft decent doing it. The body work on it leaves a little to be desired, but not too bad. My oldest daughter likes the color, so it she will stay pull me over red. Also like the tan interior but also like black. Since someone removed the HVAC, we have the solution for that, but still need a lot of dash pieces to keep the squeaks at bay.




I talked with my friend Darren at Ride Tech about this car. We've collaborated on a few other projects like my 67 GMC with a 1623hp GMPP LSX on air ride.




I gave him the direction that I wanted this car to handle well enough to make me vomit. This is what he came up with: Ride Tech Level 3 Coil Over system, front and rear using stock spindles/knuckles ( I am surprised by the stock suspension specs) Delphi 600 steering box by Borgeson Stock sub frames (still thinking about this one. Front's ugly) Pro Forged steering components (still thinking about a rack and pinion - installed one on my 67 GMC with a custom cross member) Ride Tech Tiger Cage with door bars Came with sub frame connectors Moser 9" rear Bear 6S brakes front and rear (black calipers) DSE Mini Tubs



Other things I am doing: Detroked LS2. Remember the old DZ302 that wound to the heavens, made good power and made you giggle as you rowed through the gears? Yeah, we're doing a modern over square tribute. I got a screaming deal on a Callies MagnumXL crank with a 3.185 stroke... yep, you read it right. Add a set of AFR Mongoose heads, old skool dual quad carbs with a bit of magic, let Lunati go nuts with cam and valve train specs and we should have a light weight motor with about 550rwhp. If it's not enough, everything's forged and high end, we can throw a NO2 shot on it for giggles.




Trans will at least be a six speed, but researching late model transmissions with more throws on the shifter.

Always had good luck with Entropy Radiator, so going with one of theirs.

American Auto Wire's getting the nod for wiring.

Dakota Digital gauges should keep everything in check.

295's in the front, 355's in the rear should make everything fun.

Plan is to to be done with it by spring. In parts acquisition mode, planning mode's done.

Since my wife cracked jokes on Facebook that I can't leave anything alone, I had to pull out the Boyd Coddginton Junk Yard Dog's in 17's and 18's while I wait for suspension and other parts to get here. They look ok on the car and got rid of the spin everywhere 14's....

The 70's called, they wanted their vibe-o-riffic Cragars with "unilug" (who thought of one hole for two lug sizes, anyway?) bolt pattern back.

Y'all probably want to see pictures. Wow, first time writing bookishly for a post. All that said, opinions wanted. Would like to hear about subframes that use stock-like A-arms but look better, better knuckles/spindles, etc.

Thoughts?

[grendel]

I swear, I used paragraphs, punctuation and grammar there. WTH?

I got some of it fixed...

[srh3trinity]

No need for a mullet with a 73. I really like the idea of a destroked engine. I have thought about doing that too. Wonder what sounds it would make at 8500-9000 rpm?

[grendel]

No opinions on sub frames or suspension? I am really looking for an aftermarket front sub frame that uses Gen 2 Camaro geometry so I can stick with Ride Tech.

[ADiCarlo]

No opinions on sub frames or suspension? I am really looking for an aftermarket front sub frame that uses Gen 2 Camaro geometry so I can stick with Ride Tech.

I think that leaves you with speedtech. I believe there sub is stock mounting locations with a gulstrand mod for first gen.. not sure about second.

[grendel]

I think that leaves you with speedtech. I believe there sub is stock mounting locations with a gulstrand mod for first gen.. not sure about second.

Sadly, they don't make one, as in at-all for a second gen.

[grendel]

Now ordering a ton of carbon fiber to lighten up the front end. Between that and the aluminum motor sans blower I should get about 50/50 weight distribution.

[grendel]

and I think we found solution to better handling.

[grendel]

Just in parts collection mode: Radiator, brakes, guages, motor, transmission, etc. All on the way to me.

Interestingly enough I got this very cheaply...

[srh3trinity]

5th Gen rear? Interested to see how well that will fit. You have some nice brake options with the Brembo's and consumables like rotors shouldn't break the bank. What is the width hub to hub?

[grendel]

5th Gen rear? Interested to see how well that will fit. You have some nice brake options with the Brembo's and consumables like rotors shouldn't break the bank. What is the width hub to hub?

Not sure it's going in yet, but it is what Art Morrison and a few others are using. It's from a 2013 ZL1. 62.5" WMS to WMS

[bonecrrusher]

What diff you going to use?

[grendel]

I have a few choices. Ford 9" with four link/watts bar/panhard bar or this suspension with a stock center or 9" center kit.

[grendel]

Whoops... the interior fell out.

Actually, prepping it for TR6060 install with DSE mini tubs. Heading out to the suspension builder soon.

[grendel]

So, after a lot of conversation and planning with a bunch of fabricators and manufacturers, I've decided to work with Scott Mock. His mandrel bent front sub frame, with C6 suspension. He will install the 5th gen Camaro rear suspension with links to his front frame, modify the trans tunnel, install DSE mini tubs and mock up all the steering, engine mounts and trans too. Should be fun. I am driving it out to him on the 1st.

[sixt8nova]

what are you gong to do with the drive train from the car? that would be a fun combo to have in my chevelle wagon.

[grendel]

what are you gong to do with the drive train from the car? that would be a fun combo to have in my chevelle wagon.

I am not sure, I have a few projects it could go into, but at the same time, it could be for sale.

[srh3trinity]

My subframe came from Scott and my car is now in the mock up phase. I like the idea of having IRS so I will be watching. Mine is getting a ridetech and 9 inch floater, but depending on the fab work, you potentially could come out around the same if you got the IRS for cheap enough.

[grendel]

My subframe came from Scott and my car is now in the mock up phase. I like the idea of having IRS so I will be watching. Mine is getting a ridetech and 9 inch floater, but depending on the fab work, you potentially could come out around the same if you got the IRS for cheap enough.

Exactly. This will be less expensive, as most would cry if they knew what I spent on the rear end. I also have two Caddy rear sets to play with in other cars.

[grendel]

and we're getting closer to having a bad arse, 6 speed manual trans: