rrenegademaster

iTrader: (5)

I was one of the lucky individuals to have had my car since before I even had a driver's license. That car is a 1969 Camaro Coupe that I've had for 10 years. Originally came with a turd of a 350 and a 2 speed powerglide, it was more of a facade of a muscle car than an actual performer. It was fun cruising it all through high school while all of my peers were driving hand me down Mazda's or beat up pick up trucks. Using my college financial aid I transplanted the old powertrain with a hot & built 355 and a TH350 with a shift kit that I assembled in my garage in 2004. I only put about 6000 miles on that setup through 2010, when the opportunity of a lifetime fell on my lap. A young neighbor told me that his uncle wrecked his older brother's Camaro while drunk driving on a busy interstate. At first the offer to purchase a smashed up fourth gen wasn't very appealing, then the young gentleman mentioned his uncle recently replaced the clutch. First thing that popped into my mind when hearing that magical word was "6 SPEED!!!!" I took him up on the offer and bought an entire 2001 Z28 for a price no one would believe, although it looked like it had fallen face first from a skydive without a parachute. I didn't care, it was like opening a cracker jack box, you know there's a prize inside! Low and behold, the block had gone through some serious trauma and to my dismay, a long, deep crack through the back of the block put a halt to the whole show. Thankfully, the internet is an abyss of resources for used parts and I picked up a short block from a 2002 Corvette that suffered flood damage in the bay area of Texas. Here are updated pictures of my Projekt Wrekt taken over this past weekend. Enjoy!

boostin05blacksti

Nice man what are the specs on the wheels..I love the way this is going..keep up the good work.

rrenegademaster

iTrader: (5)

They're actually 17x8s all around w/ 4.5in backspacing. 235/40s in front, 255/40s in rear but I'm changing out the rear wheels to a 17x9 here pretty soon to tuck in the tires a little better and run a 275/40.

boostin05blacksti

Nice, I have the same wheels for my 67 and I believe they are 17x8's up front and 17x9's in the rear dont remember the back spacing. I have a 225/40 up front and a 275/40 in the rear..but I have never actually had them on the car so its nice to see the same wheel mounted..Looks good...

vetteboy99

Lovin this. keep us up with pics.

Transamman25

iTrader: (1)

this should be one awesome ride when your done

Jimbo1367

Did you paint yer engine? If so, what brand and color?
thanks,
Jim

rrenegademaster

iTrader: (5)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmBQKjCXH0c

I finally got the motor running after acquiring it nearly a year ago. I pulled my old smallblock out on Valentine's Day this year and it took me 6 months to scavange for parts and save money for more parts but it finally powers on. It roared to life on the first try too....

Verz

iTrader: (21)

sounds good man and congrats on getting it running. Pull up your shorts haha

kokamo

iTrader: (1)

Good job man! Sounds and looks awesome! Idle that sucker down man!....sounds like it's fixin to run away!

If you get a chance sometime, you should bring her up to one of the Austin meets.

If you need anything or have any questions, let me know....I have been thru this before with my 69, but I went FI.....

DCx

iTrader: (12)

hey man nice work. i have a carbed ls1/t56 as well. i got one question tho. why is your belt routed like that? you are running f-body accessories right? it should be routed differently.

bonecrrusher

iTrader: (1)

That radiator hose & belt is scarey....

Oh and vote for pedro! LOL nice shirt!

Eric Fischer

iTrader: (8)

Nice work!

What headers and motor mounts are you using?

FU2

Schweet ! Nothing as schweet as a 69-73 LS swap !

rrenegademaster

iTrader: (5)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwE29sOaGG0

billyflantos

iTrader: (6)

can you hook the ls power steering pump up to the factory 69 camaro steering box with no problems?

rrenegademaster

iTrader: (5)

I'm using some no name brand motor plates from ebay. Real thick plated black steel with some nice mounting hardware and a 1.5 inch set back for under $50. I have them mounted on moroso solid mounts and I noticed they fit better when flipped upside down. Bolts fit right thru the mounting plates on the frame without any modification, just need some patience with an engine lift and hydraulic floor jack underneath with a mallet to pound the bolts thru. It's a tricky matter but I manuvered it to fit and there's plenty of clearance next to the firewall, even with a throttle rod assembly from the firewall to the carb.

zamora7

iTrader: (4)

Damn, that's nice. I'm doing a similar swap, except mine is a 1980 Trans Am. LS1/T56 FTMW. Hopefully I can start buying some more stuff for it. By the way, where in SA do you live?

Your belt looks funny the way its routed, is everything running fine?

How did you get the motor to start without having to press the clutch pedal?

rrenegademaster

iTrader: (5)

I did have to get a custom made hose done by a local hydraulic hose supply place. I took them both pressure lines, the old line from my old sbc 350 and the new ls1 pressure line to get them frankensteined together. The fitting from the old line that goes to the steering box was retained and the new ls1 pump line fitting (hard tube that curves around the back of the pump & reservoir) was used and they made me a small hose with fittings that adapted the old school & new school pieces together. Not too shabby for around $60.

rrenegademaster

iTrader: (5)

My error with belt routing. Corrected it now but it did seem to work and even charge my alternator when I had it installed wrong.

I converted the car from automatic to manual transmission and I didn't use a neutral safety switch. I wired up the starter to the ignition and that was that.

I live in the north side of SA and I also belong to Texas Bowties First Gen Camaro Club. We meet at Ancira Chevrolet every 3rd Thursday of the month if you would ever like to stop by and talk cars.