Need Help....68 Camaro

[Travis104]

Hello,
I came across this website as I was searching for parts, and have always loved the look of a pro-touring car. A little back story, I got a 68 Camaro (327, 4 speed, numbers matching) as a 21st birthday present, and it needed some work. Funds were kind of limited while I was in college and I got what I needed, and upgraded wheels/tires to get it road worth so I would be able to drive the car. After a few years of working on it, I lost interest and had a couple F-body trans ams, then a 5th gen 45th anniversary Camaro, and then last September I purchased a 2013 ZL1 Camaro. A couple weeks ago I took this car on the Bandit Run that started in Carlisle at the GM nationals. While there, looking at all of the first gen Camaro's and the car shows I have been too, then coming home to see my poor 68 covered in dust sitting in the corner, I have decided this needs to be my next project. I just need some help and some direction...


Good:

Car has original 327. The bottom end has been rebuilt, has long tube hearders, electronic ignition, high rise alum intake. Stock otherwise

4 speed Saginaw trans (could be a bad...lol)

10 bolt rear with 3.31 gears I believe (not original to car)

Interior is in pretty good shape overall

New quarters, fenders, hood, trunk lid, spoiler, and fender ext,

BAD:

Have a short somewhere, and I want to replace all the wiring

Floor pans and trunk pan were replaced, but would like to get the install cleaned up some

Right rear frame rail was replaced, and left rear has been plated.

4 wheel drum brakes

Clutch and Flywheel need replaced

Wiring needs replaced

Bushings need replaced


My goal for the car is to have a nice, good handling car. I am looking at Hotchkis at their TVS system 3 inch drop. I want to upgrade to 4 wheel disc (Where is a good place to get a complete kit?) I would like to get some power out of the 327...I know I want to add a cam to it, but not sure if I want to bore it out or not? Will the Saginaw trans be reliable? I have never had an issue with it, but want it to be able to handle some abuse. What would be a good rear end ratio? I want to convert the rear to posi trac.

I know this is kind of a long first post, but looking for a good direction to go. I have previously ordered some parts from rick's first gen Camaro's and the parts weren't of good quality, however this had been a long time ago. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Travis

[67CamNKC]

Do you have a budget in mind?

I would recommend the American Auto Wire classic update harness (Link HERE) So far my install has been a breeze with lots of options for future adds (elec options).

LS1 Camaro (1998-2002) Brake conversion for front and rear is a good inexpensive conversion that gets nice size disc brakes on front and rear. THere are usually several for sale here or people parting out cars over on ls1tech.com (also local salvage yards). Wilwood also makes nice kits, just depends on budget.

Hotchkis TVS is a good all around kit. Plus if/when you decide to upgrade from there, always lots of members looking for their stuff.

327 is a good engine. A cam/lifter upgrade will make a nice difference (a set of heads would be the next step, but $$$$). If you want to go further than that and want to keep your #'s matching engine safe, I would pull it, but it in a bag and store it. Consider a 5.3 LS conversion for good/great power and good gas mileage combo.

The saginaw is decent and can also be rebuilt fairly cheap. T56 6 speeds trans can be had from LT1 camaro cars to bolt your engine.

Since the current tranny is a 4spd, your gear needs to be kept numerically low so highways aren't a killer. 2.73, 3.08, 3.30 rearend gears are pretty common.

Lots of experience on this board to help and Welcome!

[Travis104]

Thanks for the response.

I don't really have a budget in mind, just want to do it right this time. Is there a link to what I would need for the ls1 brake conversion? Also, I'm guessing the power booster and everything would work?

[67CamNKC]

Lots of questions with answers in the disc brake section, but I didn't find many with the whole conversion. Here's one to start with (67-69 camaro is the same):

https://www.pro-touring.com/threads/...ake+conversion

The booster and master assm can be used as well ( I am doing this). However it's not a direct bolt and the booster needs to be modified (not hard). If you don't want to modify, you can go with a bolt on booster with a 1" bore to duplicate the bore of the factory MC. Lots of questions on this in there disc brake topic too.

[BMR Sales]

Welcome Travis, there are a Bunch of choices out there for you. A lot of good people here to point you in the right direction.

T.C.