69 Camaro What to do NEXT

[Moseley618]

Hey guys,

I am new to the site. I have been redoing a 69 Camaro that my mom bought new. It started off as a clean up and drive but as you all know... anyway I have had it dipped and the bad metal replaced. Now I need to know what next? Do I need to have all my componets now like motor, trans air and so on so I can mock up. Or should I have the body work done. I only have $24 grand right now. I am also looking for a good shop to do body and paint and other more custom stuff. The car is at my dads in southern Illinois and I live in Springfield MO. Any good shops around these areas. THANKS

[syborg tt]

You alway want to mock everything up.

What are your goals with the car ?

[fesler]

You need to start by making sure the engine, tranny and suspension (aftermarket subframe or sock) will fit, are you going to tub the car or just a nice street look.

How big and wide of a tire you want to fit on it. These are the things you need to think about before you even think about getting near a paint shop.

You need to get all the AC and mounting brakets under the dash as well.

There is a lot of info up here and if you need help with any parts you can get in touch with us. We will get you great deals on all you need to build the car right the first time.

[Moseley618]

I redid the stock subframe got tubular control arms, Hotchkis TVS, Hotchkis subframe connectors, Power Rack

I want the car to have at least 275 18s on the back and 245 18s on the front (I should have bought a new front subframe so I could have ran a LS2 or 3 easliy and bigger tire also should of mini tubbed it when I had the rear quarters replaced I love the 335s out back), I will get a Ididit column, Vintage air, custom interior with buckets front and back and the full length custom console, stroked sbc with Mass Flo brand system (I think don't know much about them but no tuning can't be bad) goal of 500 horse, I will get a TKO 600 from Keisler (I guess) the car was Auto orignally, covan dash insert or DSE, I want the car a Candy Blue that is all I can think of right now

THANKS FOR THE HELP

[rich-allen]

Welcome to the site.

You have a lot of great parts picked out already. You don't need a custom subframe to run any of thew LS based engines. With the help of some motor mount adapters the engine fits like a glove. No cutting needed.

You can have your car mini tubbed for about $1800 - $2200 + the tubs ($350) They say it takes about 60 man hours to install. The shop that did mine took about 40 hours.

A lot of guys are going the LS based engines for different reasons. There extremely reliable, light weight and there computer controlled. Going the LS is much better for a car that sees a lot of driving but you can build a nice SBC for less.

The LS engine requires a computer, you could pin a junk yard harness and ecm for around $800 bucks or like most of the guys here you can spend about $3k for everything ready to plug and play.

Buy yourself a set of ATS spindles for the front, they will allow you to get a big front tire without modifying the frame.
If you don't tub your car your tire width is limited to small. I think volkswagens have wider rear tires than you can in a stock wheel well :D

The parts you listed are some of the best available. You haven't mentioned a rear end for this car. This combined with your choice of brakes will affect wheel size as well.

Your next move should be either buying a crate LS or SBC engine, getting your rear end figured out and buying your front suspension parts.
Buy your transmission, and bell housing while your at it.

These parts all need to be installed and fit properly prior to taking any further steps. I would find yourself some tires like 315's or 335's and do what it takes to make them fit.

I've been doing all of the above for the past two years and I'm probably 4 months away from completion.

Rich

[Moseley618]

Thanks Rich

I checked out the ATS Spindles they are on backorder and expensive. I found a place called Turn key engines and talked to them they have a 510 horse LS2 supposedly with everything to install it except fuel lines and tank for $12,100 is this good for all new stuff. Have you heard of them and are they credible?

Thanks

Kevin

[ProdigyCustoms]

Kevin, that engine is expensive. We can set you up with a LS3 480HP (New GM Motor) for way less then that.

As for what to do, get the body done, get the gaps right, take thorugh primer at least if you don't go all the way and paint it. There is not a lot of mock up required if the right combination of installation parts are choosen. Paint it with the front clip loose (off the car) so you engine / trans installation is simple.

And for your trans, amoung other items, you might want to try us.

[Moseley618]

Frank,

Thank all you guys for taking the time to help a novice.

Where can I get a cheaper LS2 or LS3 Kit to put in my car? The only reason I looked at them is because there kits come with long tube coated headers, wiring harness 5 wire hook up tuned to their mods, fuel pump and fittings, motor mounts for stock subframe, correct for 69 Serp belt system with PS AC all fluids, correct oil pan. I don't know I just read about all the guys spending big dollars on LS swaps. I don't want a junk yard motor because there are no good junk yards around here. Please help me> I would love to get set up for less money!

[Rhino]

If you don't tub your car your tire width is limited to small. I think volkswagens have wider rear tires than you can in a stock wheel well :D


With proper backspacing he should be able to run the 275's he's after without the need to tub the car.

[Stuart Adams]

Mini tub why you have it this stage, IMO. Mini tubbing sets the car apart for me. If you have 24 K to spend, budget 12K in stuff, because it always doubles in price when finished. Good luck.

[MODO Innovations]

If you have 24 K to spend, budget 12K in stuff, because it always doubles in price when finished. Good luck.

This is excellent advice. Sometimes the little things that are not planned for or not realized in the beginning of the project can add up quick.:thumbsup:

[Stuart Adams]

Yeah you just don't realize, by buying one part may mean you need 4 other parts to make the first part work. And when I have it apart I always seem to do extra so I won't have to take many parts off to add one new part, which always costs me more. Adds up quick, at least for me.

[brans72]

mock every little thing you can!!!! ask me how i know so far :rolleyes: i always look for deals to even if you got the $ to spend . i do not have a camaro but mini tub it while you can or you will hate yourself down the road. do alot of research and then buy all you can at once and start mock items up then. if i knew all i did now my build would have gone different but i still have to move forward and learn from my mistake i have made so far. so my .02

[Moseley618]

BOY do I know how things add up quick. The project started 3 years ago when I found a good deal on a 92 Camaro and told my dad. He said just fix up the Camaro you got and drive it. Well I have $15K in it and it is just a shell. Was thinking that the whole project would cost about that. WRONG with my need for everything to be perfect and all of your cars looking sooo good here we are.

Thanks for all the advice

Kevin