Design my 69 camaro

[CSG]

Since I am new to classic cars I thought it would ne nice to hear some more experienced people's opinions. In the end I want to have a very nice looking, good driving and handling car with decent power. I know I will sell the car at some point so I want to be somewhat cost conscience. I am your typical 43 year old car guy but I was a pro-am road racer and still race off road so I do tend to push cars harder than most. This car will be a street car only but like stated I get a bit frisky when driving.

Car is a 69 Camaro with a carbed, trickflow headed, 383, T400, mini-tub and 9". I am a bit ahead of most guy's starting point as I have a very nice body/paint already. Interior is clean but bland.
Things that I know I want: fuel injection, overdrive, AC, quality large brakes, 18/19 wheels.
For the engine I am thinking of keeping the SBC. Adding FITECH and a LT1 T56 that I already have. I will change the low hanging longtubes out for some mid-lengths.
Suspension: I keep going back & forth but am leaning to a complete ridetech setup to keep cost in check.
Brakes: Thinking about ZL1 setup using LSX concepts brackets. I am a big Brembo fan and don't care that much for Wilwood.
Interior: I don't care for the more modern trends so probably gauges, maybe some Procar seats and a nice headliner?



With keeping in mind that I will sell this eventually what type of input do you have?

[slimjim]

It sounds like you have already thought out the design quite well, some may chime in suggesting an LS but why bother at this stage, will you be mini tubbing it? I have SS brembos that just fit inside my 18 inch wheels, the ZL1's are slightly bigger so you will want to confirm this before buying wheels

[sheck44]

OP ... If your going to sell eventually then I would seriously consider doing an LS swap. Your eventual market for a quasi pro-tour build with a carbed motor will be very limited when compared to one with an LS, and obviously a big value increase as well

Just my 2 cents
Cheers
Steve

[1968CamaroSS_Sam]

I would love to see a picture of how the car sits now. Your plan sounds pretty good. I am a LS fan so I agree with the previous comments. What about safety? Roll cage? Fuel cell? Suspension ideas?

[CSG]

let's see if this works...

[CSG]

Car has the typical stuff right now: Bear 13/11" brakes, tubular front suspension, etc. It also has R&P steering which I am not a fan of.
I do not plan to add any safety items other than 3 point seatbelts.
Car is mini-tubbed already.
I would like to do an LS3 but I feel like a new "hot" swap is probably coming so I will hold off. I have all but a front drive to make the SBC a pretty decent setup.

[kochevy67]

Put an LS in it and you will never look back. Superior in many ways both financially when you sell and satisfying when you are behind the wheel.

[Bugzilla]

Skip the LS. Go straight to the LT. They are the future.

[USAZR1]

Car has the typical stuff right now: Bear 13/11" brakes

Does your Baer 13" front brakes use the C4 PBR calipers? Are you going to change everything out, for something newer?

[CSG]

I am not familiar with c4 brakes but they are the common PBR dual piston caliper.

[USAZR1]

Sounds like you now have Baer's older 13" Track kit, on front. If you decide you want to sell it, please keep me in mind.

[CSG]

Sounds like you now have Baer's older 13" Track kit, on front. If you decide you want to sell it, please keep me in mind.

I will.

You guys are killing me, I had talked myself out of a LS swap!!!
Realistically, I don't plan to do it at this time. Like most of you, life gets in the way of me working on the car. Work, coach 2 youth teams & race/maintain 2 race vehicles keeps my time limited. As such I want to keep the car driving as much as possible so my plan is to break it into smaller projects over time.

My planned schedule is:
1. Improve the steering
2. Install the Fitech kit as the carb is not well tuned and I hate tuning carbs.
3. Get the stance/wheels better suited to my taste. This one scope creeps as if I am buying expensive wheels then I want to take advantage of my mini tub. The current leaf spring setup limits this so it will have to go as well. While all that's off I might as well upgrade the brakes.
4. Install AC. I live in south Louisiana so it is pretty miserable without it.
5. Do at least some mild interior work.
6. Install something with overdrive.

If I make it that far before selling then I will look into an engine swap. That's the plan anyway but you guys understand how the hobby is driven more by emotion then anything else se who knows...

[CSG]

Guys, I have been getting quotes and doing spreadsheet breakdowns.

Option 1:
Speedtech Extreme sub and TA
OR DSE sub and quadralink

Option 2:
Full build around stock front sub

Option 1 costs about $3500 more than option 2 on my car with the components I already have. Question for you guys is resell value. My opinion is a full sub car will be worth more than $3500 more than a stock sub car with all else being equal. I know I would easily pay $3500 more for the same car if it had a full sub. You guys agree?

[andrewb70]

Scope creep...LOL

Andrew

[CSG]

No kidding! been looking at LS's as well...

[sandiegocamaro]

I will.

You guys are killing me, I had talked myself out of a LS swap!!!
Realistically, I don't plan to do it at this time. Like most of you, life gets in the way of me working on the car. Work, coach 2 youth teams & race/maintain 2 race vehicles keeps my time limited. As such I want to keep the car driving as much as possible so my plan is to break it into smaller projects over time.

My planned schedule is:
1. Improve the steering
2. Install the Fitech kit as the carb is not well tuned and I hate tuning carbs.
3. Get the stance/wheels better suited to my taste. This one scope creeps as if I am buying expensive wheels then I want to take advantage of my mini tub. The current leaf spring setup limits this so it will have to go as well. While all that's off I might as well upgrade the brakes.
4. Install AC. I live in south Louisiana so it is pretty miserable without it.
5. Do at least some mild interior work.
6. Install something with overdrive.

If I make it that far before selling then I will look into an engine swap. That's the plan anyway but you guys understand how the hobby is driven more by emotion then anything else se who knows...

1. What rack and pinion do you have that you don't like and why don't you like it?
2. I'm considering the FiTech for my LS1 instead of rewiring and reprogramming the factory computer.
3. All your taste
4. The biggest AC players are Vintage Air and Classic Auto Air... a newer player is RestoMod Air.
- Lived in Pascagoula MS for a few years so I know what you mean.
5. TMI has nice bolsters if you want to give it a more PT look / feel. They also have a one piece headliner.
6. If you kept the SBC, have you considered GV on your T400?

[CSG]

1. The R&P was on the car when I purchased it so I have little info. It is a manual Flaming River rack front mounted. Due to the stock crossmember and front mount it has very steep u-joint angles. Issues are: VERY hard to turn, only 20 degrees of turn per side (each way) and bumpsteer issues.

2. Fitech install was super easy, but I have not started the car with it.

3. I understand

4. Yes, A/C is pretty mandatory here.

5. I have looked at the TMI stuff. I like it but I don't love it so not sure I want to pay for it.

6. I have & have not dismissed that option. I do already have a T56 though.

I did not mention but during the FiTech install I found a stripped bolt in the head. In removing the headers for a Helicoil repair I found that all 8 plugs had more oil on them then I feel comfortable with. Compression is OK and the oil filter had no signs of metal in it. I really try to make the very most out of what I have (within budget) so I am going to pull the engine and either go completely through it or let the scope creep...

[CSG]

A little update:

I did some soul searching and had to agree with some of you guys about doing an LS swap. So, I sold the 383 and the T400. As of now I have purchased a DSE sub, quadralink and their sub frame connectors. All the front sheet metal is off the car and I am stripping undercoat from inside the trunk & bottom of car.

My plan is:
LS3 with F-body front drive (according to DSE this fits including the compressor) and a low profile pan. Mast or Holley I guess? I have seen mention of DSE mounts to move the engine back 1" so I am going to investigate this.
TR-6060 with that shifter relocation bracket that someone linked a while back and Bowler tunnel cover. Hoping to use the Clayton billet pedals.
Hooker Blackheart headers and exhaust for DSE equipped cars.
C6 Z06 brakes front and rear. Have to research brackets for mounting the rear to my 9".
I have a full set of Autometer Ultralights out of a car I parted so I plan to use those in one of the custom dash inserts.
Some brand of clipped corner fuel tank that will accept a factory fuel pump assembly off a late model GM.

If anyone has input please bring it. This build will stretch my comfortable play money limits so I hope to not make any mistakes.

[DT69Cam]

Another fan "GO LS" and don't look back.

[csouth]

A little update:

I did some soul searching and had to agree with some of you guys about doing an LS swap. So, I sold the 383 and the T400. As of now I have purchased a DSE sub, quadralink and their sub frame connectors. All the front sheet metal is off the car and I am stripping undercoat from inside the trunk & bottom of car.

My plan is:
LS3 with F-body front drive (according to DSE this fits including the compressor) and a low profile pan. Mast or Holley I guess? I have seen mention of DSE mounts to move the engine back 1" so I am going to investigate this.
TR-6060 with that shifter relocation bracket that someone linked a while back and Bowler tunnel cover. Hoping to use the Clayton billet pedals.
Hooker Blackheart headers and exhaust for DSE equipped cars.
C6 Z06 brakes front and rear. Have to research brackets for mounting the rear to my 9".
I have a full set of Autometer Ultralights out of a car I parted so I plan to use those in one of the custom dash inserts.
Some brand of clipped corner fuel tank that will accept a factory fuel pump assembly off a late model GM.

If anyone has input please bring it. This build will stretch my comfortable play money limits so I hope to not make any mistakes.

I think the Ricks estomRod tank has the clipped corners. I know that it is setup for the late model fuel assembly.

Kore 3 will have the brackets for the z06 calipers on 9".