1969 Camaro LSX 427 Project

[gigjr]

Here is my current project. My Dad bought this car for $900 in 1978 in North Carolina on his way to race in the '78 Gator Nationals in Gainesville, FL. The car sat in my Grandmothers garage until he sold it around 1995. I remember being a kid and playing Dukes of Hazzard in it, haha. It's an original SS 350 4 speed car with 28,500 miles that was pretty heavily optioned. The car made it's way around a few owners over the years and was completely disassembled with who knows what intentions. Half of the original equipment is missing and what I do have is beat up but the body is all original and in absolutely great shape. I've kept the car in my sights hoping to be able to buy it back one day and build the car I dreamed of having since I was a kid.

Unfortunately 2021 wasn't too kid to my family. In April we learned my dad had cancer and in May my oldest son passed away tragically. We needed a distraction and something to keep my dad's spirits up so I wasn't taking no for an answer from the current owner and finally got him to sell the car back to me. This car will be built to honor my son, as a goal for my Dad to get through his situation and probably therapy for me. He's jumped into this big time and is the best person to have help me do this. He's a two time NHRA World Champion and is a genius with '69 Camaros.



I've ordered everything Detroit Speed makes for this and with his racing connections we were able to come up with a 427 block and a ton of parts to get us started. I'll try to post a ton of pics along the way and hopefully one day the cancer is gone and we have one bad ass 1969 Camaro.

[gigjr]

Here is my current project. My Dad bought this car for $900 in 1978 in North Carolina on his way to race in the '78 Gator Nationals in Gainesville, FL. The car sat in my Grandmothers garage until he sold it around 1995. I remember being a kid and playing Dukes of Hazzard in it, haha. It's an original SS 350 4 speed car with 28,500 miles that was pretty heavily optioned. The car made it's way around a few owners over the years and was completely disassembled with who knows what intentions. Half of the original equipment is missing and what I do have is beat up but the body is all original and in absolutely great shape. I've kept the car in my sights hoping to be able to buy it back one day and build the car I dreamed of having since I was a kid.

Unfortunately 2021 wasn't too kid to my family. In April we learned my dad had cancer and in May my oldest son passed away tragically. We needed a distraction and something to keep my dad's spirits up so I wasn't taking no for an answer from the current owner and finally got him to sell the car back to me. This car will be built to honor my son, as a goal for my Dad to get through his situation and probably therapy for me. He's jumped into this big time and is the best person to have help me do this. He's a two time NHRA World Champion and is a genius with '69 Camaros.

I've ordered everything Detroit Speed makes for this and with his racing connections we were able to come up with a 427 block and a ton of parts to get us started. I'll try to post a ton of pics along the way and hopefully one day the cancer is gone and we have one bad ass 1969 Camaro.

[Vimes]

My condolences on your son, will look forward to seeing what you do with this.

[TANKMASTERJ]

Looks like a great foundation and a great place to throw angers frustrations and pain from loss. I use my car build as therapy for sure.
I'll be watching your build.
Thanks for sharing your story and my family will pray for your family.
Jason

[MTBSully]

Im am sorry for the loss of your son and wish your dad the best of luck. Looking forward to watching the build progress!

[gigjr]

Thank you for the kind words, it means a lot!
So right now the car is at Craftworks Fabrication having all the Detroit Speed parts installed (Quadralink, subframe connectors, mini tubs, etc), firewall redone and some small detail work completed. Waiting for the subframe to arrive hopefully next week so it can be finished up and brought back home. EJ @ Craftworks is an absolute artist.

[Motown 454]

So sorry to hear of your sons passing, and you fathers illness. Spending time together is some of the best medicine for both of you. I'm going to enjoy seeing it go together. Subscribed!

[Alwhite00]

So sorry for the loss of your son, I can not imagine. My main goal in life is to die before my kids. Good luck with your dad.

69 is looking great. DS stuff is top notch.

[gigjr]

So we've rounded up everything to get going. Took a lot longer that anticipated because just about everything is on back order. But here's the list of what we're going with

427 COPO block
LS9 CNC ported heads
Bullitt custom cam
Callies crank
Compstar Rods
Diamond pistons
ATI Super Damper
Holly mid mount accessory drive
Holly intake
Holly Terminator X Max
4L80 trans with ATI guts

Hopefully if all goes well it will be assembled this weekend.

[gigjr]

Completed the engine earlier in the week. Waiting on the drive accessory from Holly. I was going to powder coat the valve covers but their China junk so they're out. Any recommendations on a nice, clean cover without coil brackets?

[gigjr]

We thought of a bunch of different paces to hide the coils and were close to putting the on the sides of the block like DSE does on their builds but ultimately chose this. The Holly intake has just enough rise to it that you can fit all eight neatly under it. With it being black you can hardly see anything.

[TANKMASTERJ]

Love the hidden coils under the intake

[Jason_Aschle]

Awesome build going on !!!

Definitely sorry for your loss, that's something I can't even fathom. You are certain to do him proud when he looks down upon you and your father creating this beast !!!

[andrewb70]

Sorry about your family situation, and my condolences.

You have a great foundation to build from and it will be awesome.

One thing to consider about the coils. It is nifty and clever to hide them under the intake, except if you have to go troubleshooting the coil wiring. Food for thought.

If I can be of service with the tuning, please keep me in mind.

Andrew

[TUBED]

Nice motor combo. Do you have a takeout GM LS 427 COPO camshaft or know of anyone who might have? Thanks

[gigjr]

Nice motor combo. Do you have a takeout GM LS 427 COPO camshaft or know of anyone who might have? Thanks

No, I don't but if you want I'm sure we can get the part number for you. Let me know.

[gigjr]

I chose the Comp Cams Ls covers. Not crazy about the lettering so I may have them powdercoated for an all black look.
At this point the build is slowing down big time. Everything is months out. Racing season is starting so my friend whose doing the paint and body will be focusing on that until the fall. Just playing the waiting game at this point and doing the little things that can be done.

[TUBED]

No, I don't but if you want I'm sure we can get the part number for you. Let me know.

Thanks for the reply. If you could get the part # for the 2018 -2019 COPO 427 cam that would be great. I believe the 2014-2015 427 cars had the cam with 8773 as the last four digits of the part # Thanks, Gerald

[gigjr]

Brought the car home from Craftworks Fabrication today. EJ installed the DSE Quadralink, mini tubs, sub frame connectors, fuel access panel and exhaust cut outs, mounted the ZL1 Recaro seats, widened the front of the tranny tunnel, smoothed the firewall and made mounting brackets for the Restomod Air and Holly ECU. His work is amazing!

Engine is done and waiting on the Holly accessory drive kit to come in then it's off to the dyno!

Body has to wait until my buddy's racing season is done in October (I hope).

Still waiting on the DSE sub frame and a ton of other parts. I guess we'll probably wire and plumb the entire car over the summer and keep my fingers crossed that everything on back order actually gets produced and shipped.

[gigjr]

We had the car media blasted and found no real surprises except both rear lower quarters. The car only has 28,500 miles and hasn't been driven since 1978 so I can live with that, no rust to speak of! Here's a few pics.