1969 Camaro Transforms From Big Block to Supercharged LT4 V8 at V8 Speed & Resto Shop

[oestek]

Note that this Camaro has an RS grille and hidden headlights, so we’ll have to address the light mechanism as we go.





We made an aluminum bracket to mount the tank retaining clamp.








The tank is barely visible peeking into the passenger front wheel tub.







The tank will receive protective coating on the lower half.

[cbpldc]

Nice work on that Firewall!

Chris

[oestek]

Nice work on that Firewall!

Chris

Thank you Sir! I'll pass the compliment along to the team!

[chiva]

Wow, you guys are amazing fabricators!!!!

[oestek]

Wow, you guys are amazing fabricators!!!!

Thank you!!

- - - Updated - - -

Meanwhile, the crew did some bodywork on the custom firewall and prepped it for paint. A gray coat of epoxy provides corrosion protection.



It didn’t need much, but we skim-coated the panel with Evercoat Ultra filler and blocked it flat as can be.





After filler, the panel was sprayed with a polyester filler, and block sanded some more.



The polyester is blocked until flat, removing any sanding scratches or marks left from the previous steps. It is sanded to 220 grit, and then brought back to the booth for some 2k high-build primer and more block sanding.



The seams were also sealed to prevent corrosion.





After the primer was sanded to 600 grit, Jeff sprays a satin black urethane on the firewall.



Once the paint dried, the satin finish was revealed.

[Martin71RS]

excellent work!!

[oestek]

excellent work!!

Thank you Martin!!

[oestek]

Once the firewall was cured, the mechanic shop took over with the final install of all the goodies.



The Detroit Speed subframe and suspension was cleaned up amd the new firewall protected as the LT4 was set in place.









Looking pretty good up there.

[camaro69boy]

Looks great, Kevin. Glad to see another big block to LT4 swap!

[oestek]

The team begins to install the various systems on the car and LT4.

Engine wiring is routed low through the bulkhead plate made in our metal shop.






The Ultimate Headers are exhaust artwork, with cast stainless flanges and stainless tubes. The ARP hardware squeezes MLS gaskets, and the headers utilize 1 ⅞” stainless tubes. These are Jet-Hot coated satin black.



Detroit Speed subframe leaves plenty of room for headers.



They sure are pretty.

[oestek]

Detroit Speed wiper motor provides a bit of room in addition to delay wiper action.



battery lives in trunk out of the way.



Water pump is tapped for temp sensor.







Engine ECM lives on driver side of firewall inside of fender.



Engine power center will live on passenger side.





Radiator core support set back in place.

[oestek]

Superchargers create a lot of heat, so the cooling system needs to be effective. The LT4 will be keeping its cool thanks to a C&R Racing radiator and supercharger heat exchanger. These are bred from C&R’s F1 racing program and offer many innovations for performance and strength.

The heat exchanger is designed for the Camaro’s grille opening size.



Pins on the bottom of the heat exchanger locate it in the mount, which uses rubber bushings to protect against vibration harm.



Mounting “shelf” with rubber bushings.



A rubber padded top mount slips between the stock Camaro support and vertical bracing.



Note the 4 mounting tabs and screws, those are for mounting a Vintage Air condenser core to the front of the heat exchanger. These are provided by C&R.

[oestek]

On the back side, the radiator is mounted to the core support.



A high fin and tube per inch count increases surface area for better cooling, and the tubes are actually extruded for strength. These are shots of a cutaway:



C&R builds these tube cores to withstand pressure of 100 psi in F1 racing, a pressure they won’t ever see in a street car like this, but they withstand “ballooning” and potential cracking and bursting like rolled tubes.



They’ve also added reinforcements to the structure to keep the tanks and cores from separating and leaking.



The driver side incorporates an engine oil cooler, and the twin Spal fans are visible here.



Passenger side connections for engine coolant. Aluminum bracketry bolts to the stock Camaro radiator support locations.



Here, the Vintage Air A/C condenser core has been added to the front of the heat exchanger.

[ryeguy2006a]

That's awesome that you were able to retain the stock hood latch! Seems like many people ditch them in order to get the space needed. Nicely done!

[oestek]

Thanks! The real challenge is fitting the RS headlights with the oil reservoir... more to come on that!

[oestek]

Things are coming together on the LT4 swap.



Supercharger coolant pump is mounted low on the subframe.



One fender in place, power module shown in foreground. The supercharger is removed to install some fittings.



Inside in LT4 supercharger. “Bricks” on sides are heat exchanger / intercooler coils.

[oestek]

The top of the LT4 sans blower. Insulating foam protects the fuel lines below.



Injector pump and internal fuel rails for the direct injection system.



Installing fittings for the coolant system.



Bottom side of stock LT4 supercharger “hat”.



Blower base back in place.



And the “hat” back on the supercharger, held down by ARP bolts!

[wfo guy]

I enjoyed the look at the intake side of the engine. Coming along very nicely.

[vstol]

looks great

[minendrews68]

Man, seeing these pictures makes me want to sell my house and have Kevin do my Camaro!! I don't think my wife and kids would totally agree with me on this though.