Late second generation camaro front clip Question

[DreamRyder1963]

A co-worker and I are discussing the possibilities of a late second generation camaro. He is wanting to buy one but he really prefers the look of the early spilt bumper second gen. Is it possible to swap the front clips on the second gen camaro?

[BonzoHansen]

You need the whole front clip. Fenders, nose, brackets, rad support, lights, wires, etc. Iirc hood and inner fenders are more or less the same.

Then you'll still have the wrong back window, wrong tail lights and reduced resale value. Fwiw.

[1976CamaroGuy]

BonzoHansen is correct, for me the fact that the front and rear end are miss-matched would bug me.

Honestly I would take a nice clean 78-81, lowered on big wheels, with an LS engine swap over a car frankensteined together any day.

Plus the money and time your buddy would save on trying to source 70-73 parts can be put back into the car other ways. Like paint, engine, or audio

[CampbellshotrodsAZ]

The 78-81's are gaining in popularity, and a well done version would be worth more than one oddball pieced together with an early steel front clip. Hybrids like that don't go over too well in the real world. Just being honest, better than this realization years down the road. You can still find a good early 2nd gen project if you're patient. I know I've seen quite a few in the last couple years.

[DreamRyder1963]

Thanks for the responses. Looks like I won that discussion.

[1976CamaroGuy]

Just to prove my reasoning, here's a members z28 at nastyz28







I'd take that over this any day

[g-machine]

Consider this as well - the front of the 78-81 Camaro was modeled after the 70-3 front with full bumper. Look at them side by side and you'll see it. The grille opening size, the bumper wrap around in front cover, the head light and markers...

[DreamRyder1963]

If it was me, I would just build the Camaro with which ever front clip it has. I love the way the E-Rod Camaro Hot Rod Magizine built a few years back turned out.