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Kit car with donor Camaro. How to determine What Camaro??
I bought a Kit car with donor Camaro. How to determine What Camaro do I have? I think it is a 1980 Camaro.
I have glass fuses that may mean it is earlier than 1981. The engine has been swapped with a ZZ3 350 Crate engine. Has 350 Turbo Trans with overdrive.
Is there a frame number that could tell me the year and which Camaro I have? If so where would that number on the frame. Apparently it did have a V8 2 bbl. Now a 350 ZZ3 Crate with fuel injection.
For grins, this is my Kit Car. 1934 Mercedes-Benz 500K.
All Camaros are unibody. I think your car used all the drivetrain and possibly the suspension components, as there is no such thing as a frame in those cars, except for the front subframe, which MIGHT have been used.
Gen I Camaros ran from 67 to 69 model years
Gen 2 from 70 to 81.
Gen 3 from 82 to 92
All Camaros are unibody. I think your car used all the drivetrain and possibly the suspension components, as there is no such thing as a frame in those cars, except for the front subframe, which MIGHT have been used.
Gen I Camaros ran from 67 to 69 model years
Gen 2 from 70 to 81.
Gen 3 from 82 to 92
Thank you, obviously I am not up on Camaros! So I must have another frame? Sadly enough as the previous owner has passed on and did not leave information. Maybe I have a 2nd generation. Will put it up on my lift and see what I can find. I do have leaf springs and solid axle in the rear.
Is there a number stamped into the subframe? If so, where would that be?
Some clues between 1st and 2nd Gen:
1st put the steering box behind the linkage, 2nd has the box in front
1st has the same axle width as 67-69 and 68-79 Nova/X-body clones, 2nd is 1 inch wider
As has been said if the kit body is sitting on a full perimeter frame it isn't from an F body. Odds are if it's GM it's a 78-88 midsize. That can be determined by wheelbase and track width. There will be numbers in the area of the rear axle arch exact position depends on the year and make. However if it is using an F body or X body subframe it will be almost impossible to completely identify it. Track width is the main way however to get it into a year range 68 to 74 X body and 70 to 74 F body used a smaller frame to body mount bushing setup. 75 and up used a larger diameter bolt therefore the sleeve through the bushing and frame had a slightly larger hole. I'm old and working off memory here so I don't have the exact specs in my head anymore.
I'm a little confused. Are you saying you think the current car is on a camaro frame? I'm pretty sure that kit car comes with the supplier (Heritage?) frame. It might use some camaro suspension, drivetrain pieces, but doubt any american car frame would work with the body kit.
Definitely take some pics of the underside. Would be curious the bolt pattern on the rear end, the rear control arms, the steering (front or rear steer)..
I'm a little confused. Are you saying you think the current car is on a camaro frame? I'm pretty sure that kit car comes with the supplier (Heritage?) frame. It might use some camaro suspension, drivetrain pieces, but doubt any american car frame would work with the body kit.
The original kit was from Heritage. However I can't find any Heritage company information. Possibly I have copious notes that came with the car. However the 2nd owner modified the front suspension as it (originally) the front wheels were set too far forward. See pic. Second pick shows the 2nd owner moving the front suspension back 4 1/2 inches.
The 2nd owner died of sepsis in a hospital. My car came from his estate. He was only 56 and certainly was not passing on and did not leave notes, behind!
Originally the engine was from a 1980 Camaro (2bbl V8) the second owner replaced it with a 1980 Crate 350 and installed the FiTech Fuel Injection. I noticed that the rear suspension is leaf springs with a solid rear axle. I read that Camaro had double coil springs on the rear.
The 2nd owner was much more interested in appearance. He added a Mercedes grill and Mercedes emblems. It seems to be much more show and go. I would like it more "GO"? But I will live with it for now.
I think you have a very good track.
I really appreciate all your comments from other member here as well. I will keep monitoring this thread. But you may know that Georgia, in particularly, had a serious cold weather and I have frozen pipes and then a flood from burst pipes/ I am deeply involved in our damage control. Please keep responding and in about a week I can get on the details you have, and hopefully keep posting your kind replies. After front suspension moved back, 4 1/2 inches, side trim added and also tail lights.
The 1st and 2nd generation Camaro's are leaf sprung live axles in the rear. 3rd and 4th generations are coil sprung live axles with panhard bars. 5th and 6th generations are independent rear suspensions.
Seeing as the basis to this point has been a 1980 Camaro my guess is that's a 1980 vintage 8.5" GM 10 bolt rear axle in the car. Deciphering the axle codes will be the proof you need. They are generally located on the front passenger side axle tube. Have those welds checked on that relocated front suspension for safety.
The frame on the Heritage 500Ks is purpose-built while most of the running gear and suspension bits were sourced from the Chevy Camaro. This one has but 16,000 sun-only miles and sports an automatic transmission, A/C, and power windows and locks. Dayton wires set off the whitewalls, and overall the car looks to be in fine shape both inside and out.
Look closely at the frame before you do much for big power, IIRC those were vary similar to the original benz frame, they didn't make much power back then and the tires didn't get near as much traction...
12-27-2022, 08:43 PM
Kit car with donor Camaro. How to determine What Camaro?? 
