Mike Holleman’s 65 El Camino

Xtremelky

The Build

My main objective when I started this build was to create a no compromise street machine with racecar components and performance. Why an El Camino? Well, I had the car already. It was the first build I did after retiring but the 327 4 speed, stock suspended Elky was just not getting it done for me anymore. I wanted something a little more over the top. I had a 64 Tempest, 64 GTO and a 65 Malibu that could have been the platform for my project. But the Elky just felt right for this particular build. So I acquired an LS2/T56 dropout from a 2005 GTO, hooked up with Jeff Schwartz for the chassis and began my trek toward Pro Touring madness.


The Engine

I went through the 11,000 mile LS2 bottom end looking for any wear or weakness. Ordered a pair of L92 heads and had Richard Parabok port them for the flow numbers we felt we needed. Most of his work was on the exhaust side. Livernois provided their Stage II Cam. An L76 intake was used. The stock ECM was sent to John Spears as well as the harness to be adjusted for my needs.


Exhaust System

We found that Stainless Works headers for a 1st Gen Camaro fit well with the Schwartz Chassis. The back two tubes on the drivers side had to be reworked for steering shaft clearance. Stainless Spintech Sportsman mufflers and custom 2.5 inch SS pipe made up the rest of the short exhaust system. It’s just loud enough.


Suspension

Suspension is Schwartz’s A arms and rear 4 link setup with QA 1 coilovers. Sweet Manufacturing rack and pinion aims the front wheels and a Winters/Currie 9 inch rear with Coleman full floating hubs do the work out back.


Drivetrain

LS7 flywheel and clutch, Pro 5.0 shifter for the T56 and Denny’s 3.5 inch aluminum driveshaft.


Brakes

Wilwood 14” Six piston up front and Wilwood 13” four piston rears. Hydroboost by Hydratech and Wilwoods master.


Fuel system

Rick’s Hot Rod shop built a custom SS fuel tank with in tank Walbro 255 pump.


Rollers

Forgeline ZX3R wheels, 18x8 and 18x10 with 245/40 and 285/40 BFG KDW’s.


Interior

I kept the interior fairly stock. The dash bezel is a carbon fiber piece with SW Maximum Performance gauges. Column is Flaming River SS tilt and a Budnik steering wheel. Seats are Corbeau CR1s. Right now I’m using 3 point seat belts but a custom roll cage is planned and 5 points will be added.


Fire System

Manually activated Safecraft halon unit.


Body And Paint

Body work was done by Claude Steffen. He has done several cars for me over the years and always makes them lazer straight. The front bumper is fiberglass from VFN and the spoiler is a modified piece from OPG. They were made into one by Tom Ray who also custom blended and applied the Red and Gun Metal Imron 5000 paint.



Performance

It handles and stops better than anything I have ever driven. I don’t yet have skid pad numbers nor has it been tested on a road course or autocross. But that will change in the coming months. On the scales it weighed 3368 lbs. full of fuel. Balance was 51.5 front and 48.5 rear. On the dyno it made 445 RWHP and 395 lb ft of torque. It is a total blast to drive.

Thanks for looking.
Mike Holleman
 

 

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