1973 Camaro project

[ULTM8Z]

Just need to make sure to burp the system adequately. I typically let mine run with the cap off the radiator for a good 10-15 min after reaching full temp to make sure all the air is out.

[jaybee]

Thanks for the update, that's coming out really nice.

[c4racer2]

killer looking Camaro!!

[tsmitty999]

Few New updates on the car so I was still having overheating issues after bleeding the air out of the cooling system. I changed the electric fans to spal 12” 1226cfm . I also switch the intake tube to an anvil auto carbon fiber intake tube. I was trying to get rid of the aluminum one thinking it was get Heat soaked. After change in those 2 thing it went from 235 f to 210-215f with the ac going. Another thing i also did was the radiator overflow tank hose kept blowing off when it got hot spitting out coolant. so I fixed that. Also changed engine closeout panel to anvil auto And a front splitter with cable splitter rods support struts and a carbon fiber wicker bill for the rear. also I start adding some custom trunk panels I still need to wrap them in vinyl. I have a new ride tech 4 link for the rear but I haven’t had a lot of time to install it yet. Been busy with work and other things on the car.

[tsmitty999]

[ULTM8Z]

215F is nothing for a LS. I know in the old days people used to consider that "overheating" with the small block Chevy's. Even now, with my 383 Gen1 SBC, if the temps start getting close to 200, I'll still get a tad bit nervous even though I know that's nothing either. Old habits...

But I think the LS engines are designed to run at those higher temperatures.

That said, your aluminum shroud may not be the greatest for moving air through at high speed... trying to shove a lot air at ~60mph through those relatively small fan openings. If you build up pressure in the shroud, it'll cause a restriction on trying to get more air through the radiator. I've seen where people (and factory shrouds) have moveable flaps in the shroud that will open when the incoming air pushes against them, thereby allowing more area for the air to get through.

Another possibility is that at low speed or at idle, the fans aren't powerful enough. ~1200 CFM per fan I take it? The two speed Ford Taurus fan I'm running will reportedly move ~2500 CFM on the low speed and ~4000-4500 CFM on the high speed. When the temp hits the high speed threshold, you can watch the temperature drop like a rock down to the low speed threshold.

I may try to hit Bob's Big Boy again on the 21st if the weather is good (supposed to rain like crazy this weekend). Bring the car so we can check this beast out in person!

[Josh@Ridetech]

Awesome build. You've done an extremely good job, very clean work.

[Kmart78]

Nice car! Are the rear seats TMI covers? Are you mini tubbed, and if so, did you alter the panel to fit or did it stretch enough to cover it?

[tsmitty999]

215F is nothing for a LS. I know in the old days people used to consider that "overheating" with the small block Chevy's. Even now, with my 383 Gen1 SBC, if the temps start getting close to 200, I'll still get a tad bit nervous even though I know that's nothing either. Old habits...

But I think the LS engines are designed to run at those higher temperatures.

That said, your aluminum shroud may not be the greatest for moving air through at high speed... trying to shove a lot air at ~60mph through those relatively small fan openings. If you build up pressure in the shroud, it'll cause a restriction on trying to get more air through the radiator. I've seen where people (and factory shrouds) have moveable flaps in the shroud that will open when the incoming air pushes against them, thereby allowing more area for the air to get through.

Another possibility is that at low speed or at idle, the fans aren't powerful enough. ~1200 CFM per fan I take it? The two speed Ford Taurus fan I'm running will reportedly move ~2500 CFM on the low speed and ~4000-4500 CFM on the high speed. When the temp hits the high speed threshold, you can watch the temperature drop like a rock down to the low speed threshold.

I may try to hit Bob's Big Boy again on the 21st if the weather is good (supposed to rain like crazy this weekend). Bring the car so we can check this beast out in person!

yeah its been doing better but. i haven't driven it in about a month and half, but the weather is cooling down so i don't think it will overheating should be a issue. one thing it kept doing was when it would get above 225 it would blow off the overflow tank hose off and boil the radiator fluid out the overflow . but i did fix that. i still haven't been to bobs on friday night. i don"t think i"m gonna go this Friday with the rain.

[tsmitty999]

Awesome build. You've done an extremely good job, very clean work.

Thank you it’s been a lot work and a lot of time. I still have a brand new ride tech 4link I still need to install. Just need time to work on it. Do you guys still make the tigar cage?

[tsmitty999]

Nice car! Are the rear seats TMI covers? Are you mini tubbed, and if so, did you alter the panel to fit or did it stretch enough to cover it?

yes it is a tmi cover. no i didnt mini tub it. i think you cut and narrow the frame, and take the the cover and just stretch it over it. but id check with tmi.

[tsmitty999]

Finished the trunk panels

[tsmitty999]

New update got new front suspension from ride tech for Black Friday though summit racing. Upper and lower a arms/ control arms, coil overs and front sway bar. I still need to change the inner tie rods and outer tie rods but Man I got to say what an upgrade the ride tech is over the hotchkis. It some much smoother and lot stiffer and overall more comfortable ride. I still need to install the ride tech 4 link but it been raining here in LA the last few weeks.

[erok]

Beautiful car! That color looks so good on it

[Josh@Ridetech]

Very nice! Thanks for the good words as well. We do our best to make these cars drive the way we think they should

[tsmitty999]

Hello everyone I thought I give everyone one a update on the car over the past 9 month’s. Back in march I started have fuel pressure issue. After a few days of troubleshooting i end up getting rid of the corvette fuel regulator/ filter and installed a regular regulator and filter. I upgraded to a bigger fuel pump and e85 rated pump. I also upgraded the fuel line from an6 to ptfe an8 lines.
And unrelated to the fuel problem I then switch the car over to dbw throttle body and pedal.

This was a few months ago and I can’t remember why but I had to remove the radiator shroud from the radiator for some reason and when I did the shroud had rubbed a hole in the radiator and when I removed it start leaking and I ended up replacing the radiator. I end up getting a summit racing one because it had the exact same measurement and look exactly the same as my old champion radiator and cheaper.
I also got some carbon fiber goodies all from anvil auto . I got blade style side skirts, front wheel tubs and new tail lights
I also relocated the battery to the trunk of the car.

I still have future plans with the car I want more power I’ve been looking at blue print 605hp ls or building a mildly a ls3 or ls2 to get around 550hp - 600hp crank or trying and finding a ls7 dry sump. I kinda don’t know what would be the better option.
I’ve also am tossing the idea in keeping the 5.3L putting a bigger cam and heads and getting a magnuson or wipple supercharger and changing to a cowl hood or a carbon fiber hood.

[tsmitty999]

[ULTM8Z]

When are you bringing that beast to Bob's? Lol... so I can check it out in person.