69 LS7 DSE

[colorado80439]

Just wanted to preface this with thanks and gratitude to this site and everyone involved. Certainly has helped to fill in the gaps with ideas, inspiration and support. Hopefully someone else can learn from my experiences along the way.

Original pics from an ad in Craigslist, the car was in San Jose and spent all its life in California and I was looking for a shell. Purchased the car in March of 2019.

[colorado80439]

I had met Craig at Kennedy Coachworks https://www.ctw-ltd.com/ before I started the project, it's difficult to find someone available to do his level of work. Took the car to to his shop form picking it up in San Jose. I knew the driver quarter needed to be replaced, most of the interior was out of the car when I purchased it so I could pull up the carpet and see the floor was all original paint, I took a bondo magnet detector with me when I purchased the car and it looked pretty good, the guy selling the car thought I was nuts looking the car over with a magnet but you never know whats lurking under the paint or in this case primer. It was interesting to see what we had after media blasting the car

[camcojb]

Looks like a great project!

[Spiffav8]

Nice car to start with!

:captain:

[colorado80439]

Disassembly

[colorado80439]

Back from media blasting and on the frame table, we knew the drivers quarter was coming off, there was a couple crappy repairs, dings etc, but no rust

[Spiffav8]

Not bad! Nice to see it isn't full on rust.

:captain:

[colorado80439]

DSE frame and a host of other parts from DSE came, awesome quality and as we found moving forward with the project the fit is better than expected

[colorado80439]

The right side quarter has some previous damage repair but definitely fixable

[colorado80439]

Fitting the DSE subframe to the front end

[colorado80439]

I sourced an NOS left side quarter panel from Camaro Central, they are great to work with, high regards.
We found hidden damage under the quarter that had been reskinned, the outer wheel well had been repaired which made it impossible to fit the new quarter.
(Thinking a tire blow out or an axle let loose)
So I did some research and found a Sherman outer wheel well.
From what I could find Sherman was stamping parts in the US or North America a while ago and I was able to source one from Camaro Specialities, It was cheap and fit like a glove so did the NOS quarter.

[Jimbo1367]

Man that’s a clean car. What did you paint the inside of the quarter panel (looks white) with?

Thanks,
Jim

[colorado80439]

Man that’s a clean car. What did you paint the inside of the quarter panel (looks white) with?

Thanks,
Jim

Hey Jim, it's just a 2 part epoxy primer, it looks white in the pic but its actually light gray
THX

[colorado80439]

The lower tail light panel was riddled with small dents so we decided to use a patch panel, surprised how clean the galvanized structure was underneath

[Jimbo1367]

Hey Jim, it's just a 2 part epoxy primer, it looks white in the pic but its actually light gray
THX

Thanks. I’m glad to see you paint it with epoxy paint

[colorado80439]

moving on to the right quarter

[colorado80439]

A couple more of the right quarter

[waynieZ]

Wow! nice work straightening those panels.

[colorado80439]

Wow! nice work straightening those panels.

Yeah, Craig at Kennedy Coachworks has skills

[colorado80439]

The doors

[Jimbo1367]

Colorado80439;
Does epoxy primer let in moisture like regular primer or isn’t it as porous?

Thanks,
Jimbo

[dhutton]

Colorado80439;
Does epoxy primer let in moisture like regular primer or isn’t it as porous?

Thanks,
Jimbo

Quality epoxy is not porous and when properly applied it will block moisture.

Don

[colorado80439]

Tubs and Quadralink

[camcojb]

Very nice work. :thumbsup:

[Musclerodz]

Colorado80439;
Does epoxy primer let in moisture like regular primer or isn’t it as porous?

Thanks,
Jimbo
PPG DP90 will. Its not what it used to be. If left exposed it will last about 6 months before rust starts to show.

[dhutton]

PPG DP90 will. Its not what it used to be. If left exposed it will last about 6 months before rust starts to show.

I quit using DPLF many years ago. Overpriced junk imho. SPI epoxy is all I use. Better product for less cost than DP.

Don

[Jimbo1367]

dhutton,
What’s DPLF ? Sorry, lol. Does the SPI have any problems with solvent or water Bourne paints? What do you put down for a sealer?

Thanks for any info you can provide.

Jimbo

[dhutton]

DPLF is the new lead free version of DP. It was never the same once they took the lead out. It can’t be sanded and the price is outrageous for what it is.

Epoxy can be used with any solvent or waterborne paint.

For sealer I use reduced SPI epoxy. There is a lot of information in the tech sheet on their website.

So my usual build is bare metal, SPI epoxy, filler and/or polyester primer in the epoxy recoat window, epoxy, urethane primer in the epoxy recoat window, and reduced epoxy sealer just before base coat.

Sort of hijacking this thread. :) You can PM me if you have more questions.

Don

[Musclerodz]

DPLF is the new lead free version of DP. It was never the same once they took the lead out. It can’t be sanded and the price is outrageous for what it is.

Epoxy can be used with any solvent or waterborne paint.

For sealer I use reduced SPI epoxy. There is a lot of information in the tech sheet on their website.

So my usual build is bare metal, SPI epoxy, filler and/or polyester primer in the epoxy recoat window, epoxy, urethane primer in the epoxy recoat window, and reduced epoxy sealer just before base coat.

Sort of hijacking this thread. :) You can PM me if you have more questions.

DonI quit using urethane primer years ago because of shrinkage. Get it straight in poly, seal in epoxy and color. It eliminate a step and reduces the amount of material which also helps reduce shrinkage.

[Jimbo1367]

Thanks guys !

Colorado80439,
Sorry about mucking up your thread.

[colorado80439]

Thanks guys !

Colorado80439,
Sorry about mucking up your thread.

Hey Jimbo, no problem thanks for acknowledging!

[colorado80439]

I quit using urethane primer years ago because of shrinkage. Get it straight in poly, seal in epoxy and color. It eliminate a step and reduces the amount of material which also helps reduce shrinkage.

Yes, who wants shrinkage!! LOL

[colorado80439]

Moving forward to the rear!
Fuzzy at Gear Fx , can't say enough

[Jimbo1367]

Yup. It will be quite. Nice

[colorado80439]

Bowler T-56 Mag Stage 2 upgrade, Bowler night stick shifter upgrade, .50 6th gear.

[colorado80439]

It's times like this when I'm inspired with the build, but in reality there is so much more to go!

[colorado80439]

On to that scab on the fender
Found a donor GM fender to make the patch

[Jimbo1367]

Damn. That looks good. What does the back side look like? How long do you think this took just to weld and finish it out?

[colorado80439]

Trying to resize my photos before I post them so they're not so big

[colorado80439]

Damn. That looks good. What does the back side look like? How long do you think this took just to weld and finish it out?

Hey Jimbo, I don't have a pic of the other side maybe I can post one when we blow the car apart for paint

[Jimbo1367]

Man that looks excellent. Ya got skills!

[colorado80439]

More metal finishing

[colorado80439]

Fitting the fender wells to the DSE suspension

[camcojb]

^^^^^ Definitely a skill I do NOT have lol. Looks fantastic.

[colorado80439]

Thanks to Stielow's many post's we decided this to be the preferred dry sump location

[camcojb]

You won't go wrong following Marks advice. :thumbsup:

[Spiffav8]

Nice! Keep posting progress of this please!! Good chance I'll be doing something similar in the future and would like to learn all I can.

:captain:

[colorado80439]

Fitting the fender wells to the DSE suspension

[colorado80439]

Nice! Keep posting progress of this please!! Good chance I'll be doing something similar in the future and would like to learn all I can.

:captain:

That would be great, I know I've learned a thing or 3 from your build, and questions you've helped me with along the way
Thanks

[colorado80439]

Oil tank and filler cap

[WSSix]

That oil fill cap is pretty slick. Will you keep it body color?

[colorado80439]

That oil fill cap is pretty slick. Will you keep it body color?

That's the plan for now

[colorado80439]

Installing the drivetrain for mock up

[colorado80439]

Engine, transmission and rear end are in. Setting drive line angles measuring for the driveshaft, fabricating the tunnel to the Tremec., but first we looked for a trans cross member. We looked for something strong but would allow enough room for a 3 inch exhaust to tuck nicely under the floor. The bottom cross member came from Bowler, the middle Chris Alston and not sure where the top one came from.

[colorado80439]

After test fitting the transmission cross-members we decided to go a different direction and Kennedy fabricated a cross-member that's welded to the floor and rockers. In a discussion with Sled Alley it was suggested to use a rubber transmission mount to avoid vibration issues.

[Jimbo1367]

A DSE crossmember. Nice

[Tempstop]

I was curious about your steering column firewall mount. Could you give me some details?

[camcojb]

:king:

[colorado80439]

I was curious about your steering column firewall mount. Could you give me some details?

It's just an ididit steering column firewall mount. It's been a while but it may be Borgeson product, they make good stuff!
Since then we returned the Ididit column and went with a GM tilt steering column.

[syborg tt]

Those Welds

Wow !!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Goosesdad]

Sweet!!!

[colorado80439]

Kennedy working the gaps

[WSSix]

Looks great! I love seeing cars in raw metal.

[syborg tt]

Wow does that look great

[colorado80439]

Tunnel and center console

[camcojb]

:king:

[Aschle]

Very clean work !!!

Mind sharing what center air vents are being used in the dash ?

Looks nice

[214Chevy]

Some very nice work going on...

[colorado80439]

Very clean work !!!

Mind sharing what center air vents are being used in the dash ?



The center and side air vents are Porsche 911 993, when inverted the center air vent fits the curve of the 75-76 Nova dash pad. Later in the build we scrapped the center air vent for 2 of the side vents mounted just below the dash pad and above the ash tray

[syborg tt]

Looks fantastic and I can't wait to see the final dash.

[Aschle]

Looks fantastic and I can't wait to see the final dash.

Same thoughts here. Definitely nice to see something that breaks from the norm, subtly !!!

[colorado80439]

Brakes and ducting: After significant research we chose AP Racing brakes offered by Essex parts in the US and is a UK based company that has been around since 1920 owned by Brembo S.p.A since 2000. I was discussing brakes with Tobin at Kore3 and he was telling me how impressed he was with the Radi-CAL caliper design. Part #: 13.01.10025 these are 6 piston caliper with 355mm x 72 mm disc front and Part #: 13.01.10059 are 4 piston caliper, 340mm x 28mm disc rear. These are kits offered by Essex parts for the C6 and use a C6 E-brake assembly offered seperately. We also use a brake air duct offered for the C6 and the Stielow method for ducting air through the frame rail. Thanks again to Tobin at Kore3 and Stielow for sharing his previous builds

[camcojb]

Nice parts!! :thumbsup:

[214Chevy]

Nice parts!! :thumbsup:

Yes....super nice!!

[waynieZ]

Sweet looking brake set up!

[colorado80439]

Akrapovic C6 Z06

zZMBDRcC-WE

Turn up the volume

Thanks XcYZ

[colorado80439]

Early in the build process and determined to use the LS7 as the power-plant I found Akrapovic was building exhaust components for the C6 Z06. I've had Akrapovic pipes on a couple of KTM bikes in the past and have always felt there quality and sound was incomparable in the aftermarket

Exhaust:

[colorado80439]

Fitting the 3" exhaust proved to be difficult (it wouldn't be worth it if it wasn't). Keeping clearance from the floor and from being the low point on the car one of the reasons we constructed the transmission support "rocker to rocker" and "in floor" (see previous posts) .
The mufflers are huge, we raised the trunk floor and used a Fuelsafe cell in the trunk.
The mufflers have baffles that we control with Lokar stainless cables and an early Porsche 911 brake lever that has a second lever we used to manually open/close the baffles. Porsche used the lever for heater control

[camcojb]

:cheers:

[Jimbo1367]

T to his build is sick. !!!

[nickcornilsen]

Nice build! The exhaust install is super clean.

Where did you get the hangers?

I also must say I've got a bit of concern that these brackets, which appear to be welded directly to sheetmetal, will rip out... I did something similar on a car and they cracked and pulled out right where the weld washed into the parent sheetmetal.

My input is worth the price paid...

[colorado80439]

Nice build! The exhaust install is super clean.

Where did you get the hangers?

I also must say I've got a bit of concern that these brackets, which appear to be welded directly to sheetmetal, will rip out... I did something similar on a car and they cracked and pulled out right where the weld washed into the parent sheetmetal.

My input is worth the price paid...

Nick,
awesome suggestion, the car is going off for body and paint next week, noticed this last week and totally spaced it, feel free to chime in if you have a better way
Thanks again

[colorado80439]

Where did you get the hangers?

https://deedsengineering.com/products/dog-bone-exhaust-hanger

[andrewb70]

Do you have any concern about the cable liner getting hot from the exhaust and causing the cable to stick?

Andrew

[colorado80439]

Do you have any concern about the cable liner getting hot from the exhaust and causing the cable to stick?

Andrew

We did some R&D with this cable, it routes away from the exhaust quickly when installed, add heat shielding for insurance and I feel there won't be an issue, if there is an issue, always a plan B

[colorado80439]

Front Valance:
We had ordered an aftermarket carbon fiber front valance but wasn't up to the fit and finish we were expecting so Kennedy fabed it out of the original and mounted the engine oil cooler from a C6 Z06

[camcojb]

:king:

[EVIL SS]

Looks great!!! Who's Porsche 356 and is it for sale ?

[colorado80439]

Looks great!!! Who's Porsche 356 and is it for sale ?

Sent you a PM thanks

[F'in mine]

Impressive work going on the front valance, nice pathway for cooling the brakes.
Are you going to incorporate the signal lights in the headlights or do you have something else planned? In for more updates.

[linenoise]

I am a colorado guy too. up north in Thornton area. If your name is your zip your in the mountains looks like? awesome to be up there with a nice garage working cars. thats the life man.

[colorado80439]

Close out panel

[syborg tt]

Looks incredible and seriously I can't wait to see more pictures

[colorado80439]

Ultra Carbon, we used an uncut flat hood from Ultra Carbon and cut it for the correct gap, we are also using their front and rear spoiler. Planning to fit the pieces, get them flat, clear coat and matte clear wrap them. Ring Brothers hood hinges were used which took a little massaging and have interchangeable hydraulic springs to use the steel cowl induction hood or the CF flat hood

[syborg tt]

What an incredible car and project !!!!

[214Chevy]

Everything's looking so nice.

[Spiffav8]

The metal work on this is on point. That last picture should be a poster.

:captain:

[colorado80439]

Firewall

[colorado80439]

Firewall 2

[camcojb]

:king:

[CHJNCSU]

Amazing work!

[syborg tt]

I love all of the work you guys did on the firewall and still kept it looking like an original firewall. I should also add that I went back to the beginning and went through all of the old post. Looking forward to seeing what colors you choose for the car and what the final interior will look like.

[colorado80439]

Bumper tuck & fit before chrome, Kennedy welded on some rear bumperettes which are usually bolted on also removed and smoothed over the carriage bolts.
Difficult to finding good chromers today. I ended up sending them to "The Finishing Touch" in Chicago. Mark at the finishing touch is a GREAT guy to deal with, small shop awesome people working there with a focus on custom quality old school craftsmanship, I delivered the bumpers myself and got the tour. Results to come!

[colorado80439]

I love all of the work you guys did on the firewall and still kept it looking like an original firewall. I should also add that I went back to the beginning and went through all of the old post. Looking forward to seeing what colors you choose for the car and what the final interior will look like.

Thanks man, at this point it has been a 4 year project, finding the right people such as Craig Kennedy at Kennedy Coachworks, Nate Swift doing the body and paint, Mark at The Finishing Touch for chrome and Nick Bruch @ Norse by Northwest interior is a lot of the fun and frustration for me. All the while making friends and respecting the craftsmanship along the way. These craftsman are all small, some one man businesses, doing awesome work. As Kennedy would tell you I've changed (or maybe lost) my mind with several concepts and ideas, bought a lot of parts and sent a lot back as this project has morphed. Finding wheels that look great on a 69 Camaro was difficult, kind of surprised no one has chimed in to ask what they are, although they look much better in person than most of the photos show. Paint color has been an ongoing 4 year decision making process silver looks good one day, blue the next .... keeps me entertained..... onward and upward!

[WSSix]

I guess I've been busier than I thought and have missed a bunch of updates. The car is coming along nicely. I agree with Marty on the firewall. I love it.

What wheels are those? They look great on the car. Will you keep the current finish? It's a good, classic finish.

[syborg tt]

I understand completely as it is so hard not to change your mind 1,000 times building these car. After building the truck I decided to scale the build on the Camaro way down and have three versions in my head so I can continue you to modify the car over the winters and not feel the need for another project.

You car looks incredible and the wheel choice is perfect. I am certain once you pic the final color of the car I am certain you will then wonder what colors should I paint the wheels. Then what colors should I use in the engine bay and then then OMG the interior. Okay, that was fun and I may have just lost my mind a little.

I am looking forward to seeing your progression as it is so well though out and it is so well executed.


Thanks man, at this point it has been a 4 year project, finding the right people such as Craig Kennedy at Kennedy Coachworks, Nate Swift doing the body and paint, Mark at The Finishing Touch for chrome and Nick Bruch @ Norse by Northwest interior is a lot of the fun and frustration for me. All the while making friends and respecting the craftsmanship along the way. These craftsman are all small, some one man businesses, doing awesome work. As Kennedy would tell you I've changed (or maybe lost) my mind with several concepts and ideas, bought a lot of parts and sent a lot back as this project has morphed. Finding wheels that look great on a 69 Camaro was difficult, kind of surprised no one has chimed in to ask what they are, although they look much better in person than most of the photos show. Paint color has been an ongoing 4 year decision making process silver looks good one day, blue the next .... keeps me entertained..... onward and upward!

[syborg tt]

Opps, I forgot

This Hood is Sick !!!!

https://lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=79892&stc=1&d=1677174052

[CHJNCSU]

Amazing build. I can't wait to see the finished car!

[colorado80439]

I was lucky enough to find the real "Nate Swift" after searching and visiting with painters over the past 4 years. Nate knows more about the chemistry of primers, sealers, fillers and paint than I ever want to know. I've seen him in past videos with Jon Kosmoski of House of Kolors and now Nate's painting mostly classic European just finishing a 63 Maserati 3500GT Spyder Vignale and did the paint and body on this Pebble Beach award winning 64 ATS GTS. I really like the fact that he has a paint bank of Glasurit

[colorado80439]

Nate is stoked to do some American Muscle as a change up from Euro metal

[camcojb]

:king:

[colorado80439]

LS7 dry sump came from a donor C6 Z06 with 4K miles, a service manager at a Chevy dealer acquired the engine for a build that wasn't happening, so I purchased it from him

[colorado80439]

I liked what Katech has to offer for the LS7, plenty of R & D verifing their cam and valve spring combinations as well as diagnose valve train issues using a spintron. So I pulled the heads and sent them to Katech for their "LS7 fix" including porting, bronze valve guides, Ti/Mo intake valves and new LS7 exhaust valves, and PSI springs set for their Torquer cam among other items

[colorado80439]

The Block was bored .005 and honed, bearing alignments checked etc.

[colorado80439]

We used a set of Mahle power pack pistons, balanced the rotating assembly, replaced the lifters, all bearings and bolts

[colorado80439]

Hand filed the rings, HD timing chain, new oil pump. The bottom end is stock GM except the Mahle pistons.

[colorado80439]

Based on Katech's torquer cams I had Comp cams grind a cam with 114 LSA. I felt the 110 torquer was a little too aggressive and Katech's 116 LSA not enough

[colorado80439]

Final head assembly with installation of a CHE trunnion set

[camcojb]

Nice parts. :thankyou:

[syborg tt]

That is going to be a bad ass motor

[colorado80439]

Setting up the Dyno

[colorado80439]

600 @ 5252

[Tinker]

Looks like it has a torque "line" instead of a curve. That will be a blast to drive!

[colorado80439]

Looks like it has a torque "line" instead of a curve. That will be a blast to drive!

No doubt, can't wait to get it on the road, it's been way to long!
Thanks

[colorado80439]

Using Drive Junky's front drive system it's a beautiful piece. Great components used on this front drive, Jones steering pump, Edelbrock water pump, Sanyo A/C compressor, Powermaster 165A alt., severe duty idler pulleys. I've included a pic from Drive Junk's website to show the amount of belt wrap on the power steering pump pulley, big concern for me choosing this system.

Also found this video from Kyle Tucker to be informative when using a Mustang II rack and pinion (such as Detroit Speed) fine tuning and flow control of the PS pump. Always looking for less drivablity issues during the shake down period

nCewi5sK93U

[colorado80439]

Months into body work, slow progress

[syborg tt]

Building a car takes way longer then we hope. However looking at the pictures has to feel great and it looks awesome !

ps Sometimes months turn into years (( Ask me how I know ))

[colorado80439]

Building a car takes way longer then we hope. However looking at the pictures has to feel great and it looks awesome !

ps Sometimes months turn into years (( Ask me how I know ))

Yup 4 1/2 years at this point

[syborg tt]

Yup 4 1/2 years at this point

With the build of my current car I broke it down into multiple version based on time and budget. I am currently working on the 2nd version and I have a 3rd version in my head. What I mean by version is build idea's and stuff I want to do to the car. I learned this after building the Syborg TT truck as it was a ton of money and time, both of which I don't have to seem much of.

After doing the 57 for my dad and the Truck I learned I no longer want shiny paint. I am a huge fan of Boris and the guys at Street Machinery in Ohio. Make sure you build a car that you won't be afraid to drive or lean on.

[68454RS]

Make sure you build a car that you won't be afraid to drive or lean on.

Exactly why my Camaro isn't getting paint or body work anytime soon.

[colorado80439]

Make sure you build a car that you won't be afraid to drive or lean on.

Too late! I'm still gonna drive the wheels off it!

[colorado80439]

2 years in paint and body, no good excuses but the outcome will be exceptional, it will be sprayed next Monday

[Dave Pratt]

Just went through your entire build...this thing is a beast.I really like the front valance you've built...killer! The LS-7 with that exhaust must sound incredible.Great build...