Project "Dirty Silver" 69 Camaro

[Cole]

Hey fellas, I have been a lurker for many years... I have enjoyed the passion and visions shown in this Project Updates section. It is truly amazing.

I use to be a drag/street race guy in my late teens to early 20's. I have owned a 88 Mustang GT w/ Nitrous, and a 94 Cobra full suspension, built 331 w/ a Vortech Supercharger and Nitrous. I hung it all up once the thing called "Family" bit me.

So things have changed, all three kids are here and with no plans of anymore its now time!

I searched high and low for 66-67 Chevelles, 63-70 Novas, 64-65 Falcons, 67-69 Camaros. Many highlights and many epic failures along the search. Then a buddy called and said there was a 69 Camaro on www. Norcal1320.com .Built 383, 12 bolt, older paint. Perfect timing as it was my 30th Birthday right around the corner. Perfect excuse, lol. There in January the journey began!!!

Sight unseen, it was in transit 3 days later and delivered to Vegas where it sat until the beginning of May. All the while I was planning a build sheet and how I could obtain it and stay on budget. WELL as we all know now and I was about to learn"Take that budget, times it by 2 and add 30%) Then the ball started rolling I met with Ron in Socal when I tried to buy his HRE wheels. There the friendship started and the my spreadsheet went out the window because lets face it, it was unrealistic to begin with.

I then narrowed down the suspension with Ron in Socal and Mike from Musclerodz. Full Ridetech Stage 2 setup w/ tru turn, DSE Minitubs and Solid Subframe bushings. Then some Hotchkis swaybars and bolt in subframe connectors. Kore3 was next on the list and the Z51 brake set up front and rear was my final choice. Since Ron's HRE's found a different home he decided to sell me his Forgeline WC3's to make up for it. LOL!!

Then the same buddy that found the 69 mentioned that another buddy in Hemet, California was interested in assisting in the build since I work way to much and have little free time.

That's where Josh from JEP Autoworks stepped in and drove to Vegas to finalize the project scope and trailered it back to its new home for the next few months. At JEP they will be installing all the suspension, mini tubs, narrowing of the rear, brakes, AC, Interior, Stereo system, paint(Dirty Silver) and body.




Here are a few pics, I will update as things change and progress is made.

[tubbed69]

good luck,sounds like a great start with a good plan

[Vegas69]

Sounds like a solid start, where do you plan to spend most of your time behind the wheel? What part of town do you reside? I think Ron tried to introduce us by email.

[waynieZ]

Welcome and you have a nice project going. Keep us posted.

[Cole]

good luck,sounds like a great start with a good plan

Thank you! Your car is something else btw!

Sounds like a solid start, where do you plan to spend most of your time behind the wheel? What part of town do you reside? I think Ron tried to introduce us by email.

Whats up Todd! Amazing car cant say enough about it. I have a feeling that the bug bite is going to grow but at this point it a cruiser with the occasional autox. I am a Henderson local as well off Horizon/95. Yeah I mentioned that live by me and we have causally met through Tyler.

Welcome and you have a nice project going. Keep us posted.

Thanks WaynieZ. Ill keep them coming.

[Vegas69]

I'll have to stop by when you get the car back and take a peak.

[214Chevy]

Cole, welcome to the site bro. Sounds like you're started in the right direction with the car. I'll be watching it come together. Also, as far as hooking up with Ron, you couldn't have befriended a cooler guy. Ron has helped me out on a many of occassions. And that is why this is a great site...it's a family and a great bunch of guys with a plethora of car knowledge.

[waynieZ]

Cole your lucky Todds right there for you to pick his brains.

[Ron in SoCal]

About time dude...:lol:

So I met Cole a few months back and we've had a few conversations since. Hard worker, young entreprenuer, and a family man. Very likeable guy. :cheers:

After penciling out his plans on a napkin (read: tossing the budget out the window), Mike was right there to help supply the parts. Intent for the car is wheels and stance, make it handle, stop and look good. Wholesale drivetrain mods can be phase two.

I got a chance to see the car last weekend. Josh is a competent wrench and Cole's in good hands I think. Josh also has a fresh take on things we don't normally see in this segment of the market, like lightweight/less expensive/easy retrofit power windows. Cole can be the guinea pig on that one... :D

The car was taped up but from what I did see looks very solid. Oh, and BTW Cole ---

:ttiwop:

[mrr1999]

Hey Cole, I work roughly 5 min away from your area. I'm knee deep on my 69 build...sooner or later, I'll actually start the build post for it. Let me know if you want to get together sometime.

...you too, Todd. I live in Southern Highlands. Maybe you can swing by sometime and help me to re-focus. :)

[Vegas69]

I'd be up for taking a look at your project one of these days.

[Jay Hilliard]

WELCOME TO THE MADNESS! Glad you posted the project. You have some good guys there in Vegas and will help you spend your $$.

Sounds like you have a good plan going forward and post some pics!

[Cole]

Thanks guys! More to come as I just got a sets of pics.

[waynieZ]

:thumbsup:

[Cole]

Spoke to Tobin @ Kore3 today and the Z51's are to ship tomorrow. Super Stoked!

Josh at JEP has removed the motor and trans so he can start the dis-assembly of the front subframe. To follow is the install of a DSE firewall plate and Vintage Air. :thumbsup: His plans are to have it back together as a roller by the end of next week.:hail:

Here are a few pics of the mini tubs and motor removal.


:lateral:

[Cole]

Hey Fellas!! The car is coming to together..

I splurged, and purchased a magnum t56 which I received within 2 weeks. :D A Big Props to American Power train...:hail:

Josh @ JEP has the sub frame powder coated, and the firewall smoothed out. The firewall went a little longer than expected, due to the last guy hammering on it to clear an HEI distributor. Josh also added some color to the firewall.

Dirty Silver is coming to life!

The Vintage AC has been installed... Things went smooth, except the previous owner had cut the dash for the 3 gauge pod set up. ERRR :mad: O-well Josh was able to patch the dash so we are in good shape. He plans to hide the AC lines through the front wheel wells the best he can.

Mini tubs are completed. Need to finish the Ride tech 4 link and send the rear out to be shortened..

The Kore3 brakes came in as scheduled. The z51's are pretty sweet. Thanks Tobin!!!

Josh started the install of the newly powder coated sub frame, along with the upper and lower Ride tech control arms, spindles and Kore3 brakes.:thumbsup:

Need some help from you guys now, the budget is getting very tight and I am in limbo on the interior, seats and gauges.. Any suggestions?

Thanks:lateral:

[Rick D]

Lookin good Cole, should be a very nice cruiser when it's finished! :thumbsup:

[Cole]

Lookin good Cole, should be a very nice cruiser when it's finished! :thumbsup:

Thanks Rick. Any suggestions on my interior,etc????

[Rick D]

Thanks Rick. Any suggestions on my interior,etc????

Well mine will be mostly stock looking, stock door panels, stock dash with DSE insert. New updated seats, not sure on roll bar yet if any it will be a 4 point for the belts. New car type carpet think BMW/MB. I'm not a big fan of all the custom interior's, don't get me wrong I think they look cool but just think of all the gray tweed that went into all the Pro-Street cars :yes: Looked great for the first couple of years but now the first thing I think of when I see that is welcome to the 80's :lol: There is just something about the 69 interior that just keeps looking good and not dated for a 40 year old car. Does that make any sense?

Disclaimer: Not bashing any one with a new custom interior or tweed. It's just not for me :cheers:

P.S love the Gage's in the dash very 70's

[Cole]

Thanks for the reply..

Yeah those gauges are straight 70's, good thing the AC vent goes there.

[Cole]

Update:

The 450hp 383 sbc & the Magnum T56 are installed.

The X-Factor crossmember is incredible. It also allows for some monster pipes to pass by.

Ridetech's Coilovers are on and their Truturn cleared the Hooker Headers.:hail:

DSE Minitubs are seam sealed.

Progress is going well.:woot:

[Musclerodz]

Don't know how I missed this thread, but looking like your making good progress Cole. Welcome to the dark side. :thumbsup:

[Rick D]

Looking great Cole, you should be driving it in know time :thumbsup:

[Cole]

Don't know how I missed this thread, but looking like your making good progress Cole. Welcome to the dark side. :thumbsup:

Hey Mike, thanks for warm welcome..... The flood gates have sure opened.
I plan to give ya a call in the next couple weeks.

Looking great Cole, you should be driving it in know time :thumbsup:

Hot August Nights is where JEP plans to debut it.. 4 weeks or so.

[Vegas69]

It's starting to look like a car. :unibrow:

[Cole]

Things are progressing.

The 4 link is in, the rear is getting shortened, the front wheels were test fitted, and the paint has been laid down.

Next 2 weeks the dynamat, undercoating, soft-seal kit, interior, GTS II's, Thunder Classic gauges, exhaust and rear will be completed..

Enjoy the pics

[Musclerodz]

Looks great!

[Spiffav8]

Looking good!

:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[Flash68]

This thing is moving fast. :thumbsup:

[JEP Autoworks]

This thing is moving fast. :thumbsup:

Thanks!

A lot of hard work here at the shop.. Still getting it done, but also making sure the attention to detail is there along with quality control..


By they way,

My name is Josh and I own (mostly pay the bills) JEP Autoworks.

[JEP Autoworks]

Looks great!

Thanks Mike.

[Ron in SoCal]

Thanks!

A lot of hard work here at the shop.. Still getting it done, but also making sure the attention to detail is there along with quality control..


By they way,

My name is Josh and I own (mostly pay the bills) JEP Autoworks.


About time you showed up here Josh! Car's looking good Sir...:cheers:

[JEP Autoworks]

lol.. Just been busy, you know, building a Camaro and such..

As a matter of fact, just got back from dropping parts off at the rear end guy..

There just never seems to be enough hours in the day.:(

[tmadden]

Man I love silver. The car is looking great! Good luck!

[Cole]

Update: Well the car didnt make Hot August or Sema but it is back on
track. I had a trans issue that deferred the project until recently
when Todd(Vegas69) shed light on it. Thanks again, Todd.

The car has been completely painted and assembled. Suspension and
rearend has been installed. Fuel lines, pump and tank have been
installed. Wheels and tires are mounted.

Since I bought the car with the motor in it I wanted to hear it run as this would control my budget. It fired right up.:hail:

American Powertrain sent me there new X-Factor crossmember. Pretty wild!

Now on to the e-brake, dash painting, and interior.

[Rick D]

Looks great Cole, let's see some shots with the wheels??? :cheers:

[Cole]

Looks great Cole, let's see some shots with the wheels??? :cheers:

Rick, not to sure you should be viewing this thread as you're sending your car down the river. Dont want ya to get seller's remorse... LOL :unibrow:

[Ron in SoCal]

Looks real good Cole. :thumbsup:

[KPC67]

missed this thread before.
X2 on Ron's statement.

[Vegas69]

I like it....:thumbsup:

[Al Moreno]

Wow, great job! Congrats :thumbsup:

[Richio1]

Yeah looks awesome Cole. Great to see it back on track and close to completion.

[DFRESH]

Sweet! Get it done for RTTC in February-- You and Ron can break them in properly!

Doug

[tmadden]

Me too.

[Cole]

Looks real good Cole. :thumbsup:

missed this thread before.
X2 on Ron's statement.

I like it....:thumbsup:


Thank you for your compliments! The end of the road is near....

[Cole]

Yeah looks awesome Cole. Great to see it back on track and close to completion.


I have been following your thread as well. Amazing build.

[Cole]

Sweet! Get it done for RTTC in February-- You and Ron can break them in properly!

Doug

Me too.


Doug, you should be ready by then as well.

Tmadden,are you planning on making it? Nice ride btw

[Cole]

Mini Update: painted the rear tailpanel, started on painting the dash.

[WSSix]

I like that. From the factory, the big blocks had gloss black on the tail panel, correct?

[hifi875]

I like that. From the factory, the big blocks had gloss black on the tail panel, correct?

Flat I think

[hifi875]

Nice ride!!! Great color!!!

[Cole]

I like that. From the factory, the big blocks had gloss black on the tail panel, correct?

Pretty sure its flat, Mine is Hot Rod Satin.

[JEP Autoworks]

Well, its almost done.. :snapout: ;)

Here are a couple of pictures at ride height

http://sphotos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/485561_661922837167281_1449050758_n.jpg

http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/971853_661924680500430_35391817_n.jpg

I'm in the middle of finishing up all the nick knacks. Should have it on the dyno Mon/tues to calibrate the speedo and do some final tuning!

Just finishing up putting the interior in it and deciding all the little details (there are many!)

http://sphotos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/954761_661922630500635_462367715_n.jpg

http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/480125_661922237167341_1379370929_n.jpg

http://sphotos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/935400_649001648459400_815488375_n.jpg

http://sphotos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/947377_649001645126067_2059948113_n.jpg

http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc1/405802_649000961792802_654398665_n.jpg

http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/7813_661929830499915_1361865287_n.jpg

Thats all for now, I'll get some more pics of the build and such when I get some free time! Hoping to have all the custom stereo stuff fabricated next week and back to Cole a week from Wednesday!

[Vortech404]

Car looks fantastic! Did I miss the wheel and tire sizes? Didn't see them posted.
Those are my favorite wheel.
You have to be happy with how it's turning out.

John

[Ron in SoCal]

Delete

[glr0212]

Car looks fantastic! Did I miss the wheel and tire sizes? Didn't see them posted.
Those are my favorite wheel.
You have to be happy with how it's turning out.

John

and backspacing porfavor!

[tmadden]

I am considering it heavily. I really wanna get involved

[Ron in SoCal]

Car looks fantastic! Did I miss the wheel and tire sizes? Didn't see them posted.
Those are my favorite wheel.
You have to be happy with how it's turning out.

John

and backspacing porfavor!

Wheel/tire sizes in the pics:
18x10, 6.9bs on a 275/35 Toyo r888
18x12. 5.5bs on a 335/30 Toyo r888

Those wheels are mounted on the car with Ridetech's complete True Turn set up. As Cole found out, there is a little rub against the frame rail (possibly the sway bar too) so he needed to replace the inner hoop wiht a 1" smaller size. Track testing is still pending, but it looks like it should work fine.

[navyflyer72]

Wow, nice 69, reminds me on "The Mule", great stance and look, just looks mean, te way a '69 should. Great job!

George

[glr0212]

Ron,

So the front wheels went to 18x9 with 5.9" backspace?

what kind of caster camber is on it?

[Ron in SoCal]

Ron,

So the front wheels went to 18x9 with 5.9" backspace?

what kind of caster camber is on it?

Yes sir, numbers above are correct. We experimented with a small wheel spacer but it was not needed. Camber is -1 degree, caster unknown by me.

[glr0212]

I'm in the process of working out my ridetech system on a 69.

I'm at 18x9.5 with 6.25 BS. I don't have it fully aligned but I am definitely having fender clearance issues.

Great info. Thanks!

[sleepertime]

The car is looking great, Is that an off the shelf part on your emegency brake cable where the two cables connect to the single? or did you fabricate that part?

[cwylie]

I'm in the process of working out my ridetech system on a 69.

I'm at 18x9.5 with 6.25 BS. I don't have it fully aligned but I am definitely having fender clearance issues.

Great info. Thanks!

Where are you having the issues on the inside or outside of the fender?

[JEP Autoworks]

The car is looking great, Is that an off the shelf part on your emegency brake cable where the two cables connect to the single? or did you fabricate that part?

Off the shelf Lokar.

The owner got all the brake stuff from KORE3 - great products

[glr0212]

Where are you having the issues on the inside or outside of the fender?

It tucks in under the outside fender with just an 1/8” to spare. With the car lowered there is no way you can turn the wheel and get any suspension travel without the fender sitting down on the tire.
I have the full ridetech setup and I don’t believe there is any way you can run 5.75” BS on a 10” wheel in a 69. The fender shape just won’t allow it. If you look at the people with this setup on the 67/68 the tire does not sit up inside the fender like it does on a lowered 69.
I’m sitting at 6.25 BS on a 9.5” wheel. Dirty Silver is at 18x9 with 5.9. I may get close with -1.5 or -2.0 camber.
I’m also rubbing the frame when the tire turns. So not only does it not fit it cuts my turning radius as well.
If anybody has a stock subframe with all of the ridetech suspension components and an 18x10 wheel out there I would love to hear from them. If they have it my guess is the are sitting at 6.75” BS or somewhere near there.

[jlwdvm]

I also have the complete Ride Tech front and rear suspension with Tru Turn on my 69 firebird project. I just ordered some Toyo R888's in 275 and 315 (because I will be using Vintage Wheel Works V40's and they only go up to 11"). I am prepared to modify the inner wheel well if needed, but some input on what back spacing worked for you would be great.

[Musclerodz]

It tucks in under the outside fender with just an 1/8” to spare. With the car lowered there is no way you can turn the wheel and get any suspension travel without the fender sitting down on the tire.
I have the full ridetech setup and I don’t believe there is any way you can run 5.75” BS on a 10” wheel in a 69. The fender shape just won’t allow it. If you look at the people with this setup on the 67/68 the tire does not sit up inside the fender like it does on a lowered 69.
I’m sitting at 6.25 BS on a 9.5” wheel. Dirty Silver is at 18x9 with 5.9. I may get close with -1.5 or -2.0 camber.
I’m also rubbing the frame when the tire turns. So not only does it not fit it cuts my turning radius as well.
If anybody has a stock subframe with all of the ridetech suspension components and an 18x10 wheel out there I would love to hear from them. If they have it my guess is the are sitting at 6.75” BS or somewhere near there.

This 69 has 19x10" wheels and does not rub. I do not remember the backspacing but that is not important as long as the wheels are properly fitted to the rear end. I have a better pic of it, but it is on my phone.

https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/554088_639190756121733_1499865353_n.jpg

[glr0212]

Mike,

I was referring to the front wheels.

[Penny]

Update:

I had my name screen name changed. The car took a turn that was unexpected.

Stay tuned for a new thread with a ls swap, interior change, stereo, new wheels, flush glass and a new paint scheme.



Cole Penny

[Doobie52]

Subscribed. In for seeing the "reborn" version of the car! :thumbsup: