Project name maybe - Wild Blue?? and a little update

[GeoffP]

So I thought I would put up an update to my 68 Camaro since I finished assembling the LS T56 I bought from a wrecked 02 Z28 tonight. The transmission had been damaged in a wreck and had been sitting at a salvage yard for the last 3-4 years when I bought it because no one had been willing to take a chance on it. It had a bent input shaft, a busted mid plate and a big hole in the side of the main case. I bought a good used case and mid plate and a new input shaft from the Gear Box online. I had been having trouble getting the preload set correctly (wasn't putting enough preload on the main shaft according to a Tremec engineer who was at Good Guys Charlotte). The input shaft was just TOO loose. .003 was just not enough so the engineer said it could tolerate up to .005. I tried to set it at .004 but couldn't find a shim to put it at .004. I had one that set it about halfway between .004 and .005. My gauge didn't have finer increments than thousandths so I don't know what it actually ended up being other than it's within tolerances.

Anyway, all that leads me up to the fact that I've wanted to give my car a "name" other than "The 68" or "the blue car" or whatever else so after giving it some thought I thought maybe Wild Blue fits. It's currently dark blue and it's WILD to drive on the auto-x so the name seems to fit pretty well. Plus, I did a search and didn't find where anyone else was using the name. (let me know if it's already been used - I don't mind coming up with something else).

With that said, the plans for my 68 Camaro are already underway. I sold the LT1 / T56 combo to make room for an LS1 and the above mentioned T56 transmission. I'm building the engine myself and only need main and rod bearings, an oil pan, and engine mounts to get the short block assembled. I haven't decided on the cam yet other than I know I want it to have around 400 HP at the wheels and that I want it to sound like a 60's muscle car. I'm also looking for an LS2 intake setup when the time comes to get it running unless I find a deal before then.

Along the way, I'm going to do some touch up under the hood, paint the front sub frame and just do a good clean up.

The car already has a full Hotchkis TVS (the early TVS) and I installed 12.19 Wilwood brakes and Dynapro 6 piston calipers about 3 years ago. Future planned improvements are to get Ride Tech's Tru Turn system for the front and to change the rear leaf springs to the lower Hotchkis leaf springs. I figure that'll satisfy me for the next couple of years project wise and get the car back on the road in time for next year's auto-x season.

I'm not much of a photographer, but will be glad to post some pictures if anyone is interested. Whew this got long quick!



Thanks for reading and let me know what you think! I'm always open to suggestions and opinions.

[Hotchkis]

So I thought I would put up an update to my 68 Camaro

The car already has a full Hotchkis TVS (the early TVS) and I installed 12.19 Wilwood brakes and Dynapro 6 piston calipers about 3 years ago. Future planned improvements are to get Ride Tech's Tru Turn system for the front and to change the rear leaf springs to the lower Hotchkis leaf springs. I figure that'll satisfy me for the next couple of years project wise and get the car back on the road in time for next year's auto-x season.

I'm not much of a photographer, but will be glad to post some pictures if anyone is interested. Whew this got long quick!

Thanks for reading and let me know what you think! I'm always open to suggestions and opinions.

GeoffP – It sounds like you have a cool project going and that you have the suspension in working order if you’ve been autocrossing it. Thanks for considering Hotchkis suspension products for your Camaro. We hope you get the LS1 going in time for autocrossing next spring. We’d love to see some photos!

[GeoffP]

Thanks! I've had a lot of fun with it over the last 4-5 years. I wouldn't say it's sorted out, but the TVS was a great step in the right direction. My plan is to get the LS running before Run to the Ole South so I've got time to get it sorted and tuned. I'll be sure to get some pictures posted in the next day or two!

[BulldawgMusclecars]

I used Hotchkis spring front and rear on a '67 Camaro we did a few months ago (basically stock otherwise, except for the Tremec 5 speed), and it came out really nice. That is why we chose Hotchkis on Project Dazed and Confused!

Geoff, I'm glad to see your project coming together!

[Hotchkis]

I used Hotchkis spring front and rear on a '67 Camaro we did a few months ago (basically stock otherwise, except for the Tremec 5 speed), and it came out really nice. That is why we chose Hotchkis on Project Dazed and Confused!

Geoff, I'm glad to see your project coming together!

Geoff – That’s great! We’ll keep watching for you pictures.

Joe – Do you have pictures of your ’67? We’re glad our springs worked out well for you.

[GeoffP]

Thanks Joe - I'm glad it is too. I'm finally doing the engine/trans combination like I originally wanted to. I'm glad LS parts have come down in price where they are more affordable!

[BulldawgMusclecars]

Geoff – That’s great! We’ll keep watching for you pictures.

Joe – Do you have pictures of your ’67? We’re glad our springs worked out well for you.

You can see more here:
http://s813.photobucket.com/albums/z...cotts67camaro/

[GeoffP]

These are from last year's RTTH, but it looks pretty much the same. I don't want to tear it apart to do body work until I can afford to do it right. Until then I'm going to enjoy it as much as possible.

[GeoffP]

A little update - I finally had some time to work on the engine today. I tore it down to the short block to clean everything up and paint a few things. I also cleaned up the windage tray I had and installed it while I had it all apart.





Plus a pic of my finished T56

[GeoffP]

Time for another update - got some bolts for the coils and the throttle body this weekend. I also got a Holley 302-1 oil pan new in the box for $312 which came today.

[GeoffP]

Time for a little update. I painted the bright blue front subframe satin black this weekend. It looks SO much better! I also spent a little time designing a logo for the car...thought it might give me a little motivation! My wife has one of those electronic vinyl cutters so I'm taking advantage of it.

[SparkyRnD]

I like the name! Do you think it'll be on the road by RTOS?

[GeoffP]

Thanks! I really hope it is - I am trying hard to get it there but there's a good bit of expense in between now and then. My wife will have to have an open mind for sure! I also think I've made a decision on a cam - Andrewb70 suggested the LS9 cam. It's definitely the right price and is in the right lift/duration numbers that I want. I'm not thrilled about the centerline of the cam but for ~$130 I can make some accommodations.

[GeoffP]

A little update: I got the 3rd (blue) connector and related wiring going to the pedal, ALDL connector and a couple other connectors to repair my harness today thanks to EFI connection. I also found a new GM Corvette crank pulley for cheap and it came today as well. Plus, I did the final assembly on the short block this weekend. Time to get some gaskets on the way.

[GeoffP]

I just ordered the parts (gaskets) to complete the bottom end of the engine, get the trans mated, etc where I can drop it in the car. Hopefully the next pictures I post will be of the engine/trans bolted together going into the car. In case you're wondering, I'm not planning to install the heads until it's in the car to make it easier to manage since I'll be doing the install by myself. I also got all the engine accessories coming - got all reman or new parts for less than $300.

[GeoffP]

It's coming together slowly - a few parts have arrived everyday for the last two weeks thanks to eBay! I've been shopping good used and second hand new like crazy trying to save where I can so hopefully the engine will be done in time for RTOS. All through I've also managed to snag a great deal on a 4 spoke Grant steering wheel and a set of 1.5" lowering blocks along with engine parts. So far the only item I haven't been able to find at a deal is a decent cam. It looks like I'll be running the stock WS6 LS1 cam I already have. It's the "biggest" of the LS1 cams that came from any production LS1 so I can't complain. Provided I've got everything assembled right and there're no machining mistakes, it should produce in the upper 300's HP'wise. I would love to see anything north of 330 RWHP but will take anything that's better than my LT - it produced at best 300 to the rear wheels I think. While it did run great, it just didn't do "it" for me. I made the mistake of riding in a friend's 02 LS6 'vette several years ago and have been trying to reproduce that acceleration feel in one of my cars. It's a sickness I know but I think most all of you will agree that we all have it at some level. Anyway, I've rambled enough - barring any weirdness the long block will be COMPLETELY assembled this weekend. I hope I will also have time to do the Guldstrand mod Saturday.

Having said ALL OF THIS - I'll close with this: Carl Casanova's 68 Camaro has proven to me that you can have a WORLD CLASS 1st gen Camaro for not a lot of investment (not crazy money like so many guys have invested in their cars) and have it perform right there with a new Camaro. Since I can't currently afford a new one, my goal has been for the last few years to build my 68 into a car that would give me that same wow factor. I think I am nearing my goal - wish me luck!!

[GeoffP]

My headers came today - haven't even pulled them out of the box yet. I ended up getting Hooker's LS swap headers - painted since I couldn't squeeze the extra $100 plus right now. My budget to deadline ratio couldn't stand the extra expense. Hoping to do some more assembly on the engine this weekend!

[BulldawgMusclecars]

Keep up the good work, Geoff!

[GeoffP]

I think we're re-defining "Joe-Touring" ;-) haha!!

[GeoffP]

I got the hole in the side of my new/used Holley oil pan welded up this afternoon by a co-worker so the engine will be complete some time this weekend. Also, thanks to a suggestion by a fellow PT member, I found a guy that will flash my ECM at a great price! This weekend will be all about chassis work most likely...install the 1.5" lowering blocks on the rear, Guldstrand mod for the front and solid subframe bushings. Hopefully I can get all that done this weekend - we'll see! I might even post some current status pictures.