1968 Camaro 498 RS/SS

[PRO2RER]

Hi everyone-

Just wanted to say hello and introduce my car. It's an original big block Camaro that came with a non-matching numbers 396, M21 4 speed and 3.08 12 bolt posi. It also had no paperwork, which made it fair game for a little pro-touring fun. All mods are bolt-ons just in case it becomes worth too much money to keep playing with.

The car came from Alta Loma, CA, which is near San Bernardino. Dry and great for keeping these kinds of cars alive. When I found it, the seller had tried to make it stock, but I believe in driveability and power. The old engine was sold and a 4 bolt 1990 454 Mark IV 4 bolt block located and machined for the build. The internals are all Eagle forged and the heads are RHS aluminum rectangle port. The cam is by Comp and is an XR294HR, which sounds big, but is very well behaved in an engine of this size. Headers are 2" jet-coated Hooker Comps. I used a steel Lakewood bellhousing and Centerforce dual friction clutch. The transmission is a TKO 500 that was cyrogenically treated by MMR to be able to withstand up to 750 hp and 750 ft lbs. of torque. The rear is now a 3.55 limited slip with Cal Trac bars, Koni shocks and DSE 3" drop leaf springs. The front suspension uses Global West arms, G-Force tall spindles and a QA1 coilover conversion. The power steering box is by DSE.

The body is 100% stock, including the SS hood which actually closes despite the big block. The interior is the factory deluxe, with the guage package and Tic-Toc-Tach. The original air conditioning was removed to make room for the thicker deck aluminum heads and large headers and the suitcase converted to retain the heat, vents and defrost functions. All glass and trim was replaced after the body was blocked to bare metal and built back up. Lemans Blue is the original color and the interior was changed to all black from black and ivory.

The car spent almost two years in paint at Burke's in Long Beach, CA. The engine was built by Vellios Performance in Lawndale, CA and probably makes 575 to 600 hp.

Photos are in the PT Garage if anyone wants to go take a look.

[78trans]

[PRO2RER]

Would if I could figure out how! Any tips?

[Young Gun]

imageshack.us

you can upload pictures there

[NOT A TA]

Welcome! Sounds like a nice build you've got going. My first street car was a 68, now have a 67 RS SS Conv. among other toys.

[PRO2RER]

Got it figured out! See the attachments above.

[78trans]

nice car wish i could afford a camaro.

[sunkistcamaro]

Welcome to the site!
Nice ride!!

[Rickys S/C Z28]

Wow great looking car!!!!

[PRO2RER]

Thanks everybody! I have to admit that I've been lurking awhile and got most of my ideas from this site. I know a lot of guys like either the 67-68's, or the 69's, or the Gen Two's, but I like them all! I just happened to find this '68 before I found something else I liked and ran with it. I'd love to do a Retrotek EFI setup, but I am still REELING from what I've spent already. The cool thing is that this car is nice, but not too nice to drive. I'm going with a Retro Sound stereo next, but need to find a way to fit some speakers in the front with the big block A/C heater inside. Guess I'll go hang out the audio forum for awhile!

[JEFFTATE]

Very Nice !
Nice paint !

[tones2SS]

VERY NICE LOOKING CAR!!!
And by the equipment stated above, she must be a mean machine!

[whytry]

alright another BBC here!!!!! Woohoo!!

Welcome to the site!! If you don't mind cutting the door panels you can fit a nice set of Polk audio compnents in there and not have to worry about the window hitting the speaker magnet or the speaker sticking out to far...

[4086D9]

Nice ride! I wanna do a 496 or 540 next in my car....have you had it to the strip yet??

[Chevrolaine]

That things beautiful! My favorite color/stripe combo on the first gens.

[professor-patrick]

Very nice!!!!

[QWK-SS]

Awesome looking Camaro!

And welcome to the forum from another newbie!

[CliffS]

Sweet car!! Nice license plate!

[tony byram]

Love the color and stripes, just a clean beautiful car. Like how the wheel centers are grey too, what type of intake did you run to get that 454 to fit under the stock hood?

[WILWAXU]

Great looking car!

What wheels are those?