MY 68 Camaro SS LS2 Build

[majj35]

I purchased this 68 Camaro SS Restomod, back in 2016, when I was in the US. It was restored by the original owner and then was sold to a dealership in Long Island, which I then purchased from.


The dealership did not know all the details and work that was done to the car, I also have little knowledge on classic muscles (my first classic).But I just fell in-love with it.

Below is what the car came with:

• Fully-restored 350ci engine (2,500 miles)
• Holley Carburetor
• 4-speed Muncie
• Hurst shifter
• Classic 15" 3 spoke Steering Wheel
• Classic Instrument G/stock Gauges
• Upgraded brakes (unknown)
• American Racing AR105 Torq Thrust 17x8
• KYB Gas-a-Just Shocks
• Stock front springs w/spacer
• Multi Leaf springs (unknown)
• Pypes X-pipe
• Pypes Stree ProMufflers (Unknown if 2" or 3")
• Cowl Induction Hood (2" i think)
• OER Injection front spoiler
• Detroit Speed Closeout Panel
• Custom 2-tone Paint-job
• Sumitomo HTRZII 235/45/17 & 270/40/17

Last year, I decided to start my LS2 build. I found a good mechanic who was able to find the needed parts and work on it. The build took longer than expected due to usual hiccups and surprises after stripping down a car. The car runs so much better now, much more reliable compared to a carb'd engine choking every mile lol.

Below is what has been Completed so far
Build Goal: Pro-Touring Street
Engine

• LS2 Engine
• Engine Mounts
• Spark plugs
• Fuel injectors, pumps, filters
• Alternator
• Air Filter (K&N)
• Aluminum Radiator - Custom
• Power Steering
• Vintage A/C
• Rear extended exhaust pipes
• Painted LS2 Engine Cover (Holden SS)

Trans

• T56 Magnum 6 speed (Tremec)
• Shifter conversion
• Driveshaft
• Full clutch set (Corvette C6)

Suspension

• StreetGrip Kit (ridetech)
• 1" Lowering block (ridetech)
• 3/8" Coil spacers (Global West)

Interior

• Gauge dash panel (AutoMeter)
• UltraLite Gauges (AutoMeter)
• LS gauge install kit (AutoMeter - the speedo isn't reading right, working on a fix)
• Hurst Shifter Ball (C5 Corvette)
• GT9 Retro Steering wheel (GT Performance)
• Steering wheel Adapter Plate (Summit)
• Eddie Ms Billet Door Lock Knobs

Exterior[*]Oracle 7" Halo Headlights[*]AR105 wheels painted full gloss black[*]Nitto 555 G2 235/45/17 & 245/45/17
[LIST]

Might've missed a few parts there.

For now, I plan to keep my builds in phases (mostly due to budget). I'll be looking into the following next, in stages.

Tires: (Status: DONE)
Suspension: (DONE)

Suspension Adjustments: (Ordered)

• Ridetech 1" Lowering Block kit
• Global West 3/8" Coil Spacers

Interior Upgrades: (Pending install)

• Classic Truck Console: Rally with Dash panel
• TMI Sport R Upholstery
• Billet Shift Lever 10", Grid, Straight, Black
• Hurst Classic Shifter 3/8-16
• Lokar Midnight Series Window Crank

Front Disc Brakes: (Status: Pending)
Goal: To upgrade the front brakes (disc kit or caliper only) for better emergency braking.(e.g. being cut off, or sudden traffic stop). With the LS2 now, it's much harder to brake quickly.

• Either a disc brake kit (Wilwood / Baer)
• Just a caliper upgrade

Thread Started: HERE



Below are some Before/After Photos:


Before






After








Before & After RideTech Street Grip



After adjusting ride height and front rubbing with Lowering blocks and coil spacers

[majj35]

Walkaround video

https://youtu.be/4m1LtPpMolM

[majj35]

Finally found tires, went with Nitto 555 G2 235/45 & 245/45. What a ride difference vs the old Sumitomo's I had on.

[Motown 454]

Nice looking car, you have a great project there good luck with it.

[majj35]

Nice looking car, you have a great project there good luck with it.

Thank you so much

[Gmc427]

not sure if it matters but looks like tierods are back to front,long joint is the inside

[majj35]

not sure if it matters but looks like tierods are back to front,long joint is the inside

in the transmission photo?

[Gmc427]

yep

[majj35]

yep

I’ll have them check it out. Is it any concerning, safety wise, how its currently hooked up?

[majj35]

Update:
street grip kit ordered! Cant wait!

[majj35]

Here it is!!

[Josh@Ridetech]

The car's looking great! You're going to love that new suspension setup.

[majj35]

The car's looking great! You're going to love that new suspension setup.

Thank you! can't wait to drive it

[majj35]

First of all, ride quality and handling compared to previous 11/10 love it. Shocks are very comfortable, hitting bumps doesn't hurt anymore. The Shocks are currently adjusted toward more firm (8 clicks back from Most Firm setting). Highway cruising , and taking fast corners never felt better.

That being said, I do have some callouts. The front does scrape when hitting uneven surface, don't know how bad that is but i like the ride height in front now. (235/45/17).

The rear height is what's bothering me. It's way higher than front and I prefer to even out the ride height. Similar to the photo of the Camaro on RideTechs website. It appears that I have missed out an additional 1" Lowering kit, which doesn't come in the SG kit. I thought the leafs alone give a 2" drop.



For now, I ordered the ridetech 1" lowering blocks in the rear, and Global West 3/8" coil spacers upfront, which should lift the car about 3/4". Hopefully this aligns it well

[majj35]

I FINALLY fixed the issue of ride height and front rubbing. I added 3/8" coils spacers and 1" lowering block. That did the job!! car doesn't rub anymore, and sits perfectly.

[majj35]

This was called out by a member, my outer tie rod ends are slightly hitting the inner wheels. Working on the best solution to factor everything moving forward. This time by doing it right.

This involves: Going with bigger wheels, Disc brake, and steering kits. I'll have to decide what to work on first (safety).

Right now, my main concern are the tie rods, since they are hitting + look old and rusty.

Step 1: Add 1/8" wheel spacers, for now
Step 2: New steering kit - Any advice which to go for? Stick with ridetech?

[majj35]

Moved all build Updates Here! ---> https://www.camaros.net/threads/my-6...ost-1783173375