68 Camaro Turbo Diesel Conversion/Restoration

[68sscamaro]

Hi,

I'm converting my Camaro to a Turbo Diesel. I can be followed on this webpage: http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=389513

Some may not agree with what I'm doing, however it's something different and I see many benefits to the build.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbNou1lXBck

[lilcraigford]

Funny my Dad mentioned this to me just yesterday. He spent time over on TDIClub while dropping a diesel in a first generation Saturn SL2. I'm sure your project is going to stir up controversy, but in your defense you didn't sacrifice a "perfectly good" Camaro. I'm a sucker for unique stuff, so I'll have to sit down and go through your thread at some point!

[Rick D]

Hi,

I'm converting my Camaro to a Turbo Diesel. I can be followed on this webpage: http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=389513

Some may not agree with what I'm doing, however it's something different and I see many benefits to the build.

Really :lostmarbles: have you taken a look around here?? We don't leave much alone, stock what's that?? Have at it post lots of pictures we love different. :thumbsup: :welcome3:

[OBeer-WAN-Kenobi]

NEAT!

If you aren't going to post photos and stuff here, be sure to at least update us so we can go and check your build thread. :)

[68sscamaro]

Quarter panels came in AMD and front fender put on.

[raustinss]

Well let's state the obvious...weird..but ummm ok...just a question...If you wanted better weight balance,fuel economy and power why not out a ls motor in even a stock ls motor with only 350hp you can very easily get 20-25 mpg depending on if you throw a 6 spd in and what rear end gears you have. Then the car will still have some "pedigree "
Ryan Austin

[ArisESQ]

Interesting engine choice. Any particular reason you went with the Volkswagen motor? I've seen a first gen with a Duramax, but never anything like this.

What do those things weigh, and how much hp and torque are you expecting out of it?

[Vince@Meanstreets]

we need some pictures over here too cowboy

[groovyjay]

Torque is what moves the car and there's plenty of that in those TD's! Keep us posted!

[Tuske427]

I say this is cool. I like different. You'll definitely stand out amongst a crowd of LS equipped camaros (and firebirds). I do agree with the other folks, though- post some pics here, too.

[Flash68]

Very cool project man. Thanks for posting.

[68sscamaro]

we need some pictures over here too cowboy

You got it

I say this is cool. I like different. You'll definitely stand out amongst a crowd of LS equipped camaros (and firebirds). I do agree with the other folks, though- post some pics here, too.

http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv88/josht442/20130528_182040_zps3c6dcd44.jpg (http://s672.photobucket.com/user/josht442/media/20130528_182040_zps3c6dcd44.jpg.html)

http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv88/josht442/20130602_131255_zpsea53da46.jpg (http://s672.photobucket.com/user/josht442/media/20130602_131255_zpsea53da46.jpg.html)

http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv88/josht442/20130605_172011_zpsd56fdbf4.jpg (http://s672.photobucket.com/user/josht442/media/20130605_172011_zpsd56fdbf4.jpg.html)

http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv88/josht442/20130606_194224_zpsbd9667ff.jpg (http://s672.photobucket.com/user/josht442/media/20130606_194224_zpsbd9667ff.jpg.html)

http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv88/josht442/20130608_163816_zpsa9bb93c4.jpg (http://s672.photobucket.com/user/josht442/media/20130608_163816_zpsa9bb93c4.jpg.html)

http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv88/josht442/20130704_201836_zps30e19978.jpg (http://s672.photobucket.com/user/josht442/media/20130704_201836_zps30e19978.jpg.html)

http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv88/josht442/20130627_194226_zpsaf4a1bde.jpg (http://s672.photobucket.com/user/josht442/media/20130627_194226_zpsaf4a1bde.jpg.html)

http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv88/josht442/20130702_083545_zps9a4d4399.jpg (http://s672.photobucket.com/user/josht442/media/20130702_083545_zps9a4d4399.jpg.html)

Acme adapter plate for a Toyota/Lexus W series Trans.

http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv88/josht442/20130629_140620_zpsa1652f70.jpg (http://s672.photobucket.com/user/josht442/media/20130629_140620_zpsa1652f70.jpg.html)

http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv88/josht442/20131221_185610.jpg (http://s672.photobucket.com/user/josht442/media/20131221_185610.jpg.html)

Driveshaft made by Mr.Driveshaft in Farmingdale, NJ Great work!

http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv88/josht442/20131228_165425.jpg (http://s672.photobucket.com/user/josht442/media/20131228_165425.jpg.html)

http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv88/josht442/20140118_000646.jpg (http://s672.photobucket.com/user/josht442/media/20140118_000646.jpg.html)

http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv88/josht442/20140118_191638.jpg (http://s672.photobucket.com/user/josht442/media/20140118_191638.jpg.html)

http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv88/josht442/20140118_223834.jpg (http://s672.photobucket.com/user/josht442/media/20140118_223834.jpg.html)

The Hood almost* fits, intake is about an inch too high

http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv88/josht442/20140124_172618.jpg (http://s672.photobucket.com/user/josht442/media/20140124_172618.jpg.html)

[68sscamaro]

This build has taken about 5 months from first photo,

The full build can be seen on the TDI Club site

http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv88/josht442/20140207_120345.jpg (http://s672.photobucket.com/user/josht442/media/20140207_120345.jpg.html)

AMD quarters

http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv88/josht442/20140207_195844.jpg (http://s672.photobucket.com/user/josht442/media/20140207_195844.jpg.html)

http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv88/josht442/20140207_195857.jpg (http://s672.photobucket.com/user/josht442/media/20140207_195857.jpg.html)

[68sscamaro]

Well let's state the obvious...weird..but ummm ok...just a question...If you wanted better weight balance,fuel economy and power why not out a ls motor in even a stock ls motor with only 350hp you can very easily get 20-25 mpg depending on if you throw a 6 spd in and what rear end gears you have. Then the car will still have some "pedigree "
Ryan Austin

Ryan,

I usually like to do something different, than what everyone else has. 68 Camaro's are becoming harder to find. It's my favorite body style in regards to choosing this specific car. Diesels have always interested me, in that they can have better fuel economy than what gas engines are putting out now. They can handle more types of fuels, such as Bio-Diesel (In case there was a shortage of petroleum), and also something Ive been wanting to try for years, which is turning plastic waste into diesel ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbNou1lXBck) <Something along the lines of that, can make a gallon of diesel for less than a dollar if configured correctly and help reduce landfill's filling up with unnecessary trash. A Diesel sounds bad-ass, and in a Camaro (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBaFenp-MWA). Mazda also came out with their Skyactiv-D technology, which is basically a reduced compression ratio, with an injector assist to start. They are cleaner and pollute less. Also don't require any special emissions devices to meet standards. They've been used in I believe Lemans or something like that with 500 horsepower and can rev to what a gas powered car can. So VW may not be the only engine in this car, well see. Diesels generally have a much longer service life. This will be a "conversation piece". Some have said to put a stack out of the hood like a tractor, but I refuse to mess up the car that much.

Interesting engine choice. Any particular reason you went with the Volkswagen motor? I've seen a first gen with a Duramax, but never anything like this.

What do those things weigh, and how much hp and torque are you expecting out of it?

Weight of an ALH TDI engine is 365 lb, I removed the A/C compressor from mine, so more in the ball park of 350

Let's go with a base 68 Camaro with a chevy 350 weighed 3,105 lb

A VW Jetta weighs roughly 3,000 lb so the same as a base camaro

A Chevy 350 engine weight in at around 600lb

An Ls1 weighs 430 lb

Right now the power output is 90 Horsepower @ 3750 RPM and
155 ft/lb torque @ 1900 RPM

Heres a list of quarter mile times that other TDI's have done : http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=270105
Look for ALH engines that's what I have

They can make more than 300 hp and an extreme amount of torque. Right I'm looking to drive it and see how it feels, no racing.

[68sscamaro]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXv5dord8tc&feature=youtube_gdata_player

[Windsor GTO]

:popcorn2: I remember a mustang with a V8 turbo diesel some years back. 30ish mpg and 9 second time slips were the norm.
I will watch this it is just cool....

[RDuke]

Duramax in a Chevelle a few years ago at Sema:

http://image.dieselpowermag.com/f/9106664/0709dp_02_z+1970_chevy_chevelle_duramax+duramax_en gine.jpg

http://www.motivemag.com/Content/uploads/1/sema3.jpg

[Windsor GTO]

That Chevelle is Bad A$$

[68sscamaro]

http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv88/josht442/a6054520-bec7-400b-a024-4d69981a172a.jpg

Its getting there. Front end alignment done, drives much better. Getting bucket seats this weekend

[rallystyle]

if gm had made the duramax 4.5 lmk diesel.

here is a 69 Camaro
http://www.dieselpowermag.com/features/chevy/1102dp_1969_cummins_powered_chevy_camaro/

[gnx7]

That is certainly thinking out of the box. While it may not be a fast swap.... it will certainly get pretty good fuel economy. I hope that your 5th gear is tall.. or you run 3.08's out back ;)

Problem with a Cummins swap is the weight and they are so damn tall. Duramax would've been cool.... The ALH will be a trip to drive.

I gotta give you props for doing all the body work and rust removal/repair. I would've run in the other direction and not looked back.
My built LS7 gets low 20's on the highway driving like Ms. Daisy.