questions,ideas or maybe new product idea

[67droptop]

I currently have a third gen camaro that I have had since high school. In the last couple year I stripped it to build into a drag car to run some of NMCA and at the local track. Then they closed our 60+ yr old track to build another dang park. So now I have a shell that either needs to go to the scrapper or be built into something to drive. So the idea is to swap an LS3,T56 into it and make it a nice day driver that I could drive to work and get good mpg. I figure if the new camaro gets 26mpg then this thing should do better as its lighter and more aerodynamic. So in this thought process I started thinking if it was possible to fab up a better front end using the original lower arms and a new spindle and upper a-arm. Trouble is I don't have the fab shop to do it or the mega money to send to RS, Detroit Speed, etc... Is there any information out there to help accomplish this and is it worth it over the factory strut front end? The main thing is maybe getting a better ride and more camber gain to help increase the handling. What spindle would work? How do you figure out the right length upper arm? I realize that the inner fender would have to be cut some, but I think you could brace the upper arm mount into the crossmember. I do feel that in a few years the market for this kind of upgrade would be viable for a business but in the mean time??? any ideas would be welcome.

[marolf101x]

Here's what I'm doing:
http://www.thirdgen.org/techboard/fabrication/600117-third-gen-z06-long.html

Cut the entire front end out and put half a C5 under there.
Thirdgen.org is a pretty good place to find info on the 3rd gen. Not many with completely re-worked suspensions, but good info none-the-less.

Here's a ChumpCar build where they used stock GM parts (Chevelle IIRC):
http://www.thirdgen.org/techboard/fabrication/586356-our-chumpcar-camaro.html

[67droptop]

I have been a member on thirdgen I think since the beginning,great site. I have searched over there and your car is one of two or three that came up. I wonder if you didn't use the vette crossmember if you could get wheels tucked in more, or are the a-arms too wide to use the stock frame?

[marolf101x]

Not sure, I never measured the stock set up. I had my old Z06 laying around, so I had a few cold drinks and started in with the plasma cutter!

We have a 3rd gen bird here, and it's on the list for some development work, but it's a ways down the list at the moment. Still going to be a strut car, but we'll do what we can to make it "right".

I've seen a number of 3rd gens running stock Vette wheels with adapters, so my guess is that they'll fit without too much work.

[67droptop]

Not sure, I never measured the stock set up. I had my old Z06 laying around, so I had a few cold drinks and started in with the plasma cutter!
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That's a bad combo, beer and plasma cutter! I look forward to see what you guys come up with.