RS/SS - to transform it or keep it stock?

[califconstruct]

If you had an RS/SS - original camaro, with all its original parts, would you convert it into a Pro-touring type car?

Front/Rear Suspension
Engine swap, 500hp. - and keep the original in the corner.
keep the interior stock. - deluxe
18'sx11's at the rear. 18's front.

looking for a little feedback.

Thanks Art

[green 69]

You could do everything on your list including brakes but I don't think I would mini tub it for the 18x11. I would use a size that works in the stock wheel wells,18x9 or 9.5 maybe. It looks like a great car so I wouldn't do anything to it that you couldn't unbolt to put back to stock.

Brian

[214Chevy]

That's a loaded question. It depends on your taste and style. If you were a senior in high school and a 67 RS/SS was your first car or a car your dad bought back then and you've wanted one ever since then, then you may want to keep it stock. If you're on a budget and the car is nice and it will only take $2k-$3k to get it in top running shape, then keep it stock. Now, on the other hand, if you're like me and could care less about stock, then pro-tour it. I love the idea of a 500 hp engine with 18x11's in the rear with some nice 3-piece wheels and a 5 or 6 speed tranny rumbling down the freeway. But, all of that comes at a larger budget too. So, it's entirely up to you. I will end it with this, that is a nice looking first Gen you have there to me.

[SuperSport]

Bolt on, bolt off Danielson. :thumbsup:

[Bucketlist2012]

It is personal taste..

I modified a number's matching car that I have owned for 28 years.

No tubs or fuel cell, so everything is bolt on...But I love the braking and handling and looks of my car now..

Just yesterday a punk in an Audi thought he would ride my A$$ going into some turns coming off the freeway..

He thought I would have to slow down....I sped up...Left him in the dust...Never going over the 65 mph speed limit...I just did it in the turns...:thumbsup:

[Track Junky]

If I had a super clean RS/SS and wanted a PT car I would sell the RS/SS to someone who appreciates that type of thing. It would be a shame to cut up a TRUE matching numbers car.

[Flash68]

Art, doesn't this car already have a botched mini tub job that needs repairing? I thought I read that...

[WSSix]

I'm with Gae on this one. It's only original once. Getting another car opens you up to not being constrained to bolt on or easily removable parts. Besides, once you do modify it, even with parts that can be removed, the car is no different than a non original car with the same changes.

[jeff71]

Maybe keep it and do something like this....


http://www.rushforthwheels.com/gallery_photos/0000/0538/100_0822.JPG

or

http://www.rushforthwheels.com/gallery_photos/0000/0546/100_0782.JPG

[Bucketlist2012]

Maybe keep it and do something like this....


http://www.rushforthwheels.com/gallery_photos/0000/0538/100_0822.JPG

or

http://www.rushforthwheels.com/gallery_photos/0000/0546/100_0782.JPG

Bingo, we have a winner...:thumbsup:

That is what I am talking about...I saw those cars and more on the website..

For me, that is it...But again, it is only my opinion, and my opinion only works for me...

I will keep my car for life, then someone else can do whatever they want..

Whatever you each decide...They are cool cars no matter what..:cheers: :lateral:

[califconstruct]

The car does have a the DSE mini-tub kit. I am just getting re-directed into not setting it up for PT. In reading all your comments, and the fact that I already mini-rubbed it, I am leaning to giving the car the suspension it deserves to have, and or should have had from the factory.

I do plan to keep the car for as long as I am on this earth. Just got directed on another path, and became unsure of what to do.

I do think I will put the stock 350 motor in and wake it up a little.

It's a bit of a struggle to do the right thing.

Art

[califconstruct]

Maybe keep it and do something like this....


http://www.rushforthwheels.com/gallery_photos/0000/0538/100_0822.JPG

or

http://www.rushforthwheels.com/gallery_photos/0000/0546/100_0782.JPG



Sweet! I like that!

[Track Junky]

The car does have a the DSE mini-tub kit. I am just getting re-directed into not setting it up for PT. In reading all your comments, and the fact that I already mini-rubbed it, I am leaning to giving the car the suspension it deserves to have, and or should have had from the factory.

I do plan to keep the car for as long as I am on this earth. Just got directed on another path, and became unsure of what to do.

I do think I will put the stock 350 motor in and wake it up a little.

It's a bit of a struggle to do the right thing.

Art

Ahh the truth comes out.......may as well open the flood gates and go all in now.

[intocarss]

Bolt on, bolt off Danielson. :thumbsup:

:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[TheJDMan]

I have owned my 68 SS for 40 years and after a complete suspension upgrade the handling finally matches the body styling. I love being able to hang with a Z06 through a set of twisties.

http://hayes-ent.com/steve/images/Camaro/camaro%20001.jpg

[Bucketlist2012]

I have owned my 68 SS for 40 years and after a complete suspension upgrade the handling finally matches the body styling. I love being able to hang with a Z06 through a set of twisties.

http://hayes-ent.com/steve/images/Camaro/camaro%20001.jpg

Amen brother....Your ride looks and handles way better than the designer's ever dreamed about...:hail: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

30 years....sweet...I have been rolling the same car since 1983, and only last month did I finish with the upgrades...

[214Chevy]

I have owned my 68 SS for 40 years and after a complete suspension upgrade the handling finally matches the body styling. I love being able to hang with a Z06 through a set of twisties.

http://hayes-ent.com/steve/images/Camaro/camaro%20001.jpg

JDMan, your car is beautiful bro. I had that exact color scheme in my head for my next project...my 68 C10. I was trying to see what a lighter blue with grey/charcoal centers would look like. Thanks for putting it into an exact hard copy for me to see. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[Flash68]

The car does have a the DSE mini-tub kit. I am just getting re-directed into not setting it up for PT. In reading all your comments, and the fact that I already mini-rubbed it, I am leaning to giving the car the suspension it deserves to have, and or should have had from the factory.

I do plan to keep the car for as long as I am on this earth. Just got directed on another path, and became unsure of what to do.

I do think I will put the stock 350 motor in and wake it up a little.

It's a bit of a struggle to do the right thing.

Art

Yeah, now that these guys know you've already got a mini tub in it, I think they will change their minds about preserving originality. :thumbsup:

[sokoloka]

Improve on what's already awesome - make it yours!

[intocarss]

If you had an RS/SS - original camaro, with all its original parts, would you convert it into a Pro-touring type car?

Do you ever plan on selling this car as a #'s matching all orig Camaro? Are you happier driving it in it's present state, Are you a #'s matching guru? If not go for it!! I think a true RS/SS PT car will have a little more class to it

Front/Rear Suspension

Front a arms swaybars and shocks can all be put back to stock, Same with the rear as long as you leave it a leaf spring.

Engine swap, 500hp. - and keep the original in the corner.

:thumbsup:


keep the interior stock. - deluxe

Would be a little more unique then some of the PT cars.


18'sx11's at the rear. 18's front.

Stock wheels can be reinstalled

Once you Mini Tubbed it it lost it's status as an all orig car

Every Camaro I ever owned and modified was an SS, RS or Z/28.. I think it adds clout

[Den69RS96]

If you decide to start swaping parts, just keep all the orginal parts and store them away. I think an original RS/SS is worth much more with the original parts and a mini tub vs RS/SS with a non mataching drivetrain and aftermarket suspension and mini tub. If you keep the stock parts, they could always be put back on.

[onevoice]

I have had the exact same issue with my 68. My dad bought it new and I have grown up with it. Thats me in the pictures in 1969, and it's hard to tell in the picture, but pop had already swapped for bigger ralley wheels. Showroom floor stock is a fantasy that is attainable, but only if you only want to take it to shows and not spend your time driving. I just figure I will never sell it, so the only one I have to satisfy is me. I did minitub it, and it has big brakes and suspension, and is now solid black.

The bottom line is that a SS isn't a one of a kind car, and as such, it isn't worth a fortune. Not like modding a ZL1 or COPO Camaro. Still, I did limit mods to mostly easy to reverse items in case MY TASTES change in the future and I want to go stock again. Resale be damned.

Wanting to limit cutting was a main reason I went with a g-link rear suspension, it can be removed and leafs put back in and 99.9% of people that look at a camaro, even a resto, won't notice the it or the minitubs

If you don't have tremendous sentimental value in a car, the price differences between modded and stock are a toss up. It gets increasingly hard to get your money out of heavily modded cars, and it is just as hard to get money out of a restoration. The big money isn't going to happen for anything that gets driven regularly, stock or modified.

[Bucketlist2012]

I have had the exact same issue with my 68. My dad bought it new and I have grown up with it. Thats me in the pictures in 1969. I just figure I will never sell it, so the only one I have to satisfy is me. I did minitub it, and it has big brakes and suspension, and is now solid black.

The bottom line is that a SS isn't a one of a kind car, and as such, it isn't worth a fortune. Not like modding a ZL1 or COPO Camaro. Still, I did limit mods to mostly easy to reverse items in case MY TASTES change in the future and I want to go stock again. Resale be damned.

Wanting to limit cutting was a main reason I went with a g-link rear suspension, it can be removed and leafs put back in and 99.9% of people that look at a camaro, even a resto, won't notice the it or the minitubs

If you don't have tremendous sentimental value in a car, the price differences between modded and stock are a toss up. It gets increasingly hard to get your money out of heavily modded cars, and it is just as hard to get money out of a restoration. The big money isn't going to happen for anything that gets driven regularly, stock or modified.

Your car is super sweet..I agree, no one should modify a COPO ZL-1 or Yenko, but a Z/28 or an SS, man the fun factor is worth it...

It is personal taste and whatever makes a person happy... I am not one to have an all original restored car unless it is a high end Muscle car, L-88, ect...

[califconstruct]

I have had the exact same issue with my 68. My dad bought it new and I have grown up with it. Thats me in the pictures in 1969, and it's hard to tell in the picture, but pop had already swapped for bigger ralley wheels. Showroom floor stock is a fantasy that is attainable, but only if you only want to take it to shows and not spend your time driving. I just figure I will never sell it, so the only one I have to satisfy is me. I did minitub it, and it has big brakes and suspension, and is now solid black.

The bottom line is that a SS isn't a one of a kind car, and as such, it isn't worth a fortune. Not like modding a ZL1 or COPO Camaro. Still, I did limit mods to mostly easy to reverse items in case MY TASTES change in the future and I want to go stock again. Resale be damned.

Wanting to limit cutting was a main reason I went with a g-link rear suspension, it can be removed and leafs put back in and 99.9% of people that look at a camaro, even a resto, won't notice the it or the minitubs

If you don't have tremendous sentimental value in a car, the price differences between modded and stock are a toss up. It gets increasingly hard to get your money out of heavily modded cars, and it is just as hard to get money out of a restoration. The big money isn't going to happen for anything that gets driven regularly, stock or modified.



I like your style. all this feedback, definitely:D eases the frustration. Thank's

[califconstruct]

if you insist on using the original block stroke it and bore it to a 388, some good heads and hydraulic roller and you can make some good hp and tq....


Some People have told me to not mess with the stock motor. Was thinking of porting and polishing the stock double hump heads, give it a hotter cam, intake and Speed demon carb. What are the liabilities in stroking this 350?

[tones2SS]

That's a loaded question. It depends on your taste and style. If you were a senior in high school and a 67 RS/SS was your first car or a car your dad bought back then and you've wanted one ever since then, then you may want to keep it stock. If you're on a budget and the car is nice and it will only take $2k-$3k to get it in top running shape, then keep it stock.

BINGO!!!:thumbsup:
Now, if it is NOT COMPLETELY stock, I say build that sucker to pro-tour!