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[Budweasel]

Hello all:

I want to introduce my "new" 68 Camaro. My brother and I recently traveled from St. Louis to North Carolina to pick up this car. Years ago I had the same make/model.

I haven't gone through the car completely yet. I have found some really nice surprises and hope to find more as I dig into it. The previous owner had the car since 2000 and made some significant upgrades. I'll list the interesting facts I have found so far.

489 cid with BG Demon carb and MSD 7AL (small .520 lift hydraulic roller)
Tremec TKO 500 or 600???????????
355 rear gear set with eaton unit
Wilwood disc brakes
Hyraboost
Global West uppers and lowers
Hotchkis anti-sway bars front and rear
BeCool radiator with dual Spal fans
Covans dash
Lots of gauges
Line lock (not connected)
All lights work and hideaway doors operate properly
Long tube headers with 2-1/4" ground clearance (not going to be for long)
3" dual exhaust with "x" crossover routed over rear axle
Loud Flowmaster mufflers
Even louder stereo system

Overall I am very, very pleased with this purchase. The foundation is great and the body is okay enough to allow me to hold off for a couple years. By the way. I have had the car less than one week and the mirrors have been replaced with Morris Classic Concepts mirrors. Much better looking and safer too.

Enough typing. If the pictures work you can see for yourself. If anyone can easily explain how to add photos directly to the post please let me know.



http://s632.photobucket.com/user/Bud...tml?sort=3&o=1

[camcojb]

If you click on the direct link button to the right of your pictures and then paste that link into the image tag (the little yellow box above) then the picture shows directly as above.

[HPIcustoms]

Welcome to the forums.

[WSSix]

welcome. That's a good looking car.

[Justin@EntropyRad]

Looks like it just needs a spirited driver

[BMR Sales]

Welcome!

[Budweasel]

Thanks for the picture posting help Jody. And thanks for the welcome everyone. I'm glad to be here.

Below are some more photos I took while trying to take stock of what I have here. If anyone sees something interesting chime in. The seller didn't get very specific about what modifications were done. So far I have been pleasantly surprised with what I have found. For instance, tonight I just realized there is a AAW kit installed. No wonder all the lights work. LOL

[Budweasel]

I got the car licensed Thursday and took it to work Friday. I am getting more familiar with it and found out it will break the tires loose in third gear if I get too aggressive with the throttle.

I found out some more information on the motor. It is a 489 from M&R Engines. 9.6:1 compression and listed as 575HP and 575FT/LB, may be a tad optimistic. I have chassis dyno sheet from previous owner - 415HP @5,400 and 470LB/FT at 4,000.

On to the questions:


1. This car has Caltracks. I am unfamiliar with them and they seem to be a traction lever designed for straight line performance. Does having traction bars on a car like this seem like a waste? I'm not certain they are set up correctly anyway based on my experience spinning the tires in third.

2. How can I id the transmission. I'm not sure if it is a TKO500 or 600.

3. I want to reduce the noise of exhaust and increase ground clearance. At present the Doug's headers are 2-1/4" from the garage floor. I'll be looking to get short length headers and trade out the Flowmasters for something that can only be heard for two blocks, not 10. The current exhaust is assembled using the collector location as datum or starting point. Can the exhaust be sectioned and rotated to tuck it up higher when I have shorter headers? Or do I need to purchase a whole new system?

4. How can I id the Barry Grant Demon carburetor?

Thank you for any help you can provide.

Cheers!

[WSSix]

Originally Posted by Budweasel

I got the car licensed Thursday and took it to work Friday. I am getting more familiar with it and found out it will break the tires loose in third gear if I get too aggressive with the throttle.

I found out some more information on the motor. It is a 489 from M&R Engines. 9.6:1 compression and listed as 575HP and 575FT/LB, may be a tad optimistic. I have chassis dyno sheet from previous owner - 415HP @5,400 and 470LB/FT at 4,000.

On to the questions:


1. This car has Caltracks. I am unfamiliar with them and they seem to be a traction lever designed for straight line performance. Does having traction bars on a car like this seem like a waste? I'm not certain they are set up correctly anyway based on my experience spinning the tires in third. My understanding is, yes, they are a straight line only device. I'm sure more qualified people can give you a more definitive answer

2. How can I id the transmission. I'm not sure if it is a TKO500 or 600. There should be a tag or a stamping on the side that gives a serial number and other information. My guess is a 600

3. I want to reduce the noise of exhaust and increase ground clearance. At present the Doug's headers are 2-1/4" from the garage floor. I'll be looking to get short length headers and trade out the Flowmasters for something that can only be heard for two blocks, not 10. The current exhaust is assembled using the collector location as datum or starting point. Can the exhaust be sectioned and rotated to tuck it up higher when I have shorter headers? Or do I need to purchase a whole new system?One thing to consider is how close the exhaust is to the body now. Can you even raise it up closer to the body? From there I would research other headers based on how far below the subframe rails the headers hang. I'd imagine you can find people running BBC headers on a 1st gen that can give you a good picture or measurement. From there, you can take a look at exhaust systems and making one work. Pypes Exhaust should have a system for you. I know a lot of 2nd gen owners are happy with their Pypes system. I haven't installed mine yet, but the quality appears good. I would not put shorty headers on there.

4. How can I id the Barry Grant Demon carburetor? Does their website list where their stamping info is? Typically, it's found on the base or the body.

Thank you for any help you can provide.

Cheers!

Congrats on the car being more than you thought it would be.

[Budweasel]

Last night I see coolant on the intake near the thermostat housing. It was late so I drove over to O'Reilly's to pick up a thermostat. This morning I attempt to install the new thermostat and find the old thermostat is wedged into the housing and not flush with the manifold. I pried it out and found it to be a 160 degree stat. After these two abnormalities I figured a ride back to the parts store was justified to pick up a new housing.

I replaced the housing and am now using a 192 degree thermostat based on the parts store employee's suggestion. He said 160 is crazy low for a big block.

I idled car for over a half hour and temp stayed between 185 and just under 200 - plus no leak!

Here is a picture of the spacer I removed that was between the manifold and the thermostat. (Now in trash)