Project car; 1973 Camaro Z28 clone

[Thursty]

Very cool! That's always been my favorite year Camaro. I can't wait to see how it turns out.

 

[Greg]

That'll be a slick car Greg, can't wait to watch the progress! I always loved the 70.5-73 Camaro's myself, but haven't ever owned one. In HS I had a '66 Mustang and my cousin had a '67 Camaro SS. I just started building my sons first car with him, '67 Cougar, it's really throwing my memory back to high school and making me long for another muscle car myself. I'd have to part with my Triumph though, and I don't think I'm ready for that.
Good lookin car man, keep us updated!

Thanks Wade! It's going to be slow progress, that's for sure! The Cougar you're building for your son sounds like a great project to share together!

Very cool! That's always been my favorite year Camaro. I can't wait to see how it turns out.

Thanks Mike! I'm excited too... Just be kind if I get caught doing something dumb in Moab.

 

[LT.]

Everytime I see a resto mod car I am always so torn on what pieces I would use. New modern drive train is easier to find and makes the vehicle easier to drive. But, I always feel like they don't make drive trains like they used to. I am always drawn to the cars with older technology in them. Big blocks, blown small blocks, turboed small blocks and the like. For some reason I feel as though keeping it old school does more for the cars personality and it shows maybe a bit more fortitude for the builder as well. Just my opinion which doesn't add up to a hill of beans.

I have always wanted to build a blown alcohol big block. No reason and it's not like I have a place for it but, just thought it would be fun. Any kind of an overdriven tranny would be great. First, decide on what motor you want. Settle on horsepower and torque numbers and find a tranny, with the features you want, and make sure it can handle it. I am giddy with anticipation to see what you end up with.

You know what you are doing more than most folks. I am sure whatever you decide is going to be killer. Once you decide to go whatever way you go, don't look back. Don't wish you had done differently. You will make the right choice the first time. Never a doubt.

Please keep this thread updated. Way to much interest to let it sit idle for too long.

LT.

 

[STAG]

Powdercoated late model 'vette wheels would look perfect on it. And I think a supercharger would fit this build about right (;

Remember, the key to streak-free flat black is 50% overlap!

And who ends a story with "and then we saw a cop"?! Ha a few sentences is always required after that statement.

 

[I Lean]

Not that it really matters much, but have you seen the Roadkill episode where they swap the motor in a '67 Camaro during a trade show? They replaced a supercharged big block with an LS7. End result was a very drivable car that got much better mileage driving cross-country, that also was quite a bit faster in the 1/4 mile. They pulled something like a 10.1 with the LS, compared to a best of 10.62 with the blown big block. 6MPG before, 17MPG after.

 

[sixstringsteve]

You should read Shop Class as soul craft. The author has a story similar to yours.

good read!

 

[idahoyj]

one word, CRAWLMARO!

 

[UNSTUCK]

Ha! Do a google search for Sunbeam Alpine with any Ford motor you want. How many results does it come up with? Now search for a Alpine with an LS motor. How many can you find finished?

No this isn't about ford vs chevy. This is more about what hasn't been done before. I'll start a build thread...

 

[UNSTUCK]

Had this car been a Tiger it would have remained a Tiger. This one is just a dime-a-dozen Alpine and not worth anything compared to a Tiger. That makes it the perfect car for this kind of build. It has become affectionately know as the "Liger". A little Napoleon Dynamite for you.

 

[Greg]

Everytime I see a resto mod car I am always so torn on what pieces I would use. New modern drive train is easier to find and makes the vehicle easier to drive. But, I always feel like they don't make drive trains like they used to. I am always drawn to the cars with older technology in them. Big blocks, blown small blocks, turboed small blocks and the like. For some reason I feel as though keeping it old school does more for the cars personality and it shows maybe a bit more fortitude for the builder as well. Just my opinion which doesn't add up to a hill of beans.

I have always wanted to build a blown alcohol big block. No reason and it's not like I have a place for it but, just thought it would be fun. Any kind of an overdriven tranny would be great. First, decide on what motor you want. Settle on horsepower and torque numbers and find a tranny, with the features you want, and make sure it can handle it. I am giddy with anticipation to see what you end up with.

You know what you are doing more than most folks. I am sure whatever you decide is going to be killer. Once you decide to go whatever way you go, don't look back. Don't wish you had done differently. You will make the right choice the first time. Never a doubt.

Please keep this thread updated. Way to much interest to let it sit idle for too long.

LT.

Hey Rob! Great input and I know where you're coming from with the older, historical engine versus late-model tech. I have a pretty good plan as you read, but I can't afford the LSx right off the bat so the standard SBC will have to do the job for a few years. I know them very well and like them, it wouldn't be hard to get 400 HP out of it if I wanted to spend a little money on the old-school engine. For now, I want to eventually just get it running and driving.

Powdercoated late model 'vette wheels would look perfect on it. And I think a supercharger would fit this build about right (;

Remember, the key to streak-free flat black is 50% overlap!

And who ends a story with "and then we saw a cop"?! Ha a few sentences is always required after that statement.

Supercharger would be cool, but really not needed... I'm not building a drag racer, but much more of a road car.

I don't want to incriminate myself... but the cop saw us, turned around and... well... neither of us got pulled over.

Not that it really matters much, but have you seen the Roadkill episode where they swap the motor in a '67 Camaro during a trade show? They replaced a supercharged big block with an LS7. End result was a very drivable car that got much better mileage driving cross-country, that also was quite a bit faster in the 1/4 mile. They pulled something like a 10.1 with the LS, compared to a best of 10.62 with the blown big block. 6MPG before, 17MPG after.

I haven't seen it, was that the yellow Junkyard Camaro? I don't doubt a blown big block was getting 6 MPG... pretty amazing the LS7 almost tripled the mileage! Wonder what axle ratio they're running. IIRC, my '71 was getting around 16-18 MPG with 3.08's and no OD... as long as I kept my foot out of it. The reliability factor of a newer, fuel injected engine is a huge draw but I think a decently built, carb'd SBC can hold it's own pretty well.

I can't wait to see this thread progress, Greg! I'm not big into those cars but I can appreciate them, for sure. A buddy in college had (still has) three of them all a bit later than yours (I think). The beater of the three was a turbo car - that thing was fun. He got rid of a bunch of smog stuff and did some engine work, man, what a blast. He's got a 76 or whatever the anniversary car is, which is pretty special, I think, too. It looked like the Bandit's car. It looked new (but had a bunch of gremlins). It's been a while since we've been in touch but I'm betting that thing is a rocket, now. He's got a super duty car, too. I don't know the age of that one except it was his baby. He didn't drive that one, it was 'nearly finished' in school. That one was his first.

Sounds like he has a nice collection! Super Duty, eh? Bet that's worth some money!

one word, CRAWLMARO!

Two Words... F*&K NO!

Sorry, but I'm no hillbilly redneck. There's no way I'd even consider taking an American Classic and hacking it up into a mini-monster truck with a Camaro body.

 

[I Lean]

I haven't seen it, was that the yellow Junkyard Camaro? I don't doubt a blown big block was getting 6 MPG... pretty amazing the LS7 almost tripled the mileage! Wonder what axle ratio they're running. IIRC, my '71 was getting around 16-18 MPG with 3.08's and no OD... as long as I kept my foot out of it. The reliability factor of a newer, fuel injected engine is a huge draw but I think a decently built, carb'd SBC can hold it's own pretty well.

It was the yellow one, not sure where it came from originally. They swapped rear-end gears to 4.57's to take advantage of the 7000RPM redline of the LS7. :greg: 4L70 trans, so pretty deep overdrive...

 

[Greg]

It was the yellow one, not sure where it came from originally. They swapped rear-end gears to 4.57's to take advantage of the 7000RPM redline of the LS7. :greg: 4L70 trans, so pretty deep overdrive...

Probably the same car I'm thinking of, Hot Rod magazine saved the car from the crusher... that's what it was called, the Crusher Camaro. They built it up numerous times with different engines & transmissions... very neat car.

Wow... LS7 and 4L70E trans!! Sounds like a killer combo. :freak:

 

[I Lean]

Probably the same car I'm thinking of, Hot Rod magazine saved the car from the crusher... that's what it was called, the Crusher Camaro. They built it up numerous times with different engines & transmissions... very neat car.

Wow... LS7 and 4L70E trans!! Sounds like a killer combo. :freak:

Yep, Crusher Camaro is the one.

 

[Greg]

I'm betting so. This guy was like a Firebird/Camaro encyclopedia. His life was consumed with those cars. He wouldn't buy a new pair of boots if his toes were sticking out of them and he was $100 away from some special part he needed.

His dad was a nut, too, maybe worse. He had a clapped-out Yenko car, not sure what, and that was his pride and joy.

Anyway, enough side-tracking... What's the first order of business on this project?

Yenko car... good hell!! :freak:

First order of business, spend some quality time at the pressure washer. Some of the nooks & crannies have leaves and other foreign gunk hidden deep down, plus some grease needs to be blasted away here & there on the car. Then get into the shop, tear out the remaining interior and see what the floor looks like under the carpet. After that, I'll start soaking any body/suspension/misc bolts that need to come off with PB Blaster.

Next, I'm not sure if I want to strip the many layers of paint myself with aircraft stripper and a DA, or strip the car down even further and send the remaining body off to be soda blasted. I will probably just use the aircraft stripper and the DA, since it's cheaper and I can handle that work myself.

I don't mind taking the doors off, but taking the windshield and rear window out are huge steps... where does it end!? Leave the dashboard and factory wiring in it or remove them too? Honestly, I'm a bit scared to take it that far... but that would be the right way to do it and I could replace the window seals too, which is very wise. Both the windshield and rear window are in good shape, they're worth keeping to reuse. I think that's what I'll do... pull all the windows, replace all seals after the paint is on.

Once the paint is stripped off, next up is replacement panels... new roof and quarter panels. I hate to say it, but I'll probably pay a professional to take care of installing those. I want them done right and I just don't have the skill or patience. I can handle replacing the front fenders!

Once the body is cancer-free, then I'll work on reassembly, body work and sealed primer. I'm guessing it'll take me at least a year or so just to get to this point.

From there, it'll be about the interior, suspension, brakes and drivetrain... one step at a time, as I can afford it.

 

[SnwMnkys]

You thought of just picking up a 5.3 and stroking it? They seem to be a lot more readily available than the 6.0

Ive been itching to get my 71 Mustang convertible on the road. I just dont have the skill to do body work to restore it.

 

[blznnp]

awesome, those camaro's can look way nice when done right (which really doesn't take much to make them look good). I love having my camaro with modern drivetrain and suspension. I will be getting my new rear suspension hopefully by next week. Its nice though to have the old classic look with new modern LS engine. You will love it once its done. Can't wait to see the build

 

[thefirstzukman]

Oh the good old Super Shops Days... I actually remember that Camero.... I'm not responsible enough even at 41 to own anything very fast. Here is the last one, a 70 Chevelle with a 468 in it, stage 3 ported oval heads monster cam and a 175 shot of nos hidden under the air filter.. too much body work for me, it was a fun $1500 beater with about $7k in motor. Maybe one day Ill grow up..

 

[Bart]

I really dig the project Greg. Working with the UVU car show has me jonesing for a muscle car but I know I can't handle 2 projects and my Jeep is finally getting to the stage of being able to start the fun part of the build. One day I will own a muscle car of some kind. Keep the updates coming.

 

[LT.]

Hey Rob! Great input and I know where you're coming from with the older, historical engine versus late-model tech. I have a pretty good plan as you read, but I can't afford the LSx right off the bat so the standard SBC will have to do the job for a few years. I know them very well and like them, it wouldn't be hard to get 400 HP out of it if I wanted to spend a little money on the old-school engine. For now, I want to eventually just get it running and drivupercharger would be cool, but really not needed... I'm not building a drag racer, but much more of a road car.

That crusher camero has a heck of a story behind it. I have a small block 434 chevy kicking around. It was so close to the corrected 700 hp mark but, I never did break that mark. Motor is just so cantankerous and I ended up messing with it everytime. I really like the ideas you have had in the past and can't wait to see what you end up with in this car.

I think the old small block is the right step. Keep the updates coming, please.

LT.

 

[Greg]

You thought of just picking up a 5.3 and stroking it? They seem to be a lot more readily available than the 6.0

Ive been itching to get my 71 Mustang convertible on the road. I just dont have the skill to do body work to restore it.

I really haven't, I think I can find a 6.0 easy enough when the time comes... I really didn't want to tear down the LSx engine beyond a better cam and car oil pan. I'm hoping I can find a clean, lower-mileage engine and drop it in, change the cam & rockers, add headers and a tune to see 450+ HP.

I bet you could figure out the body work... get Erik to help you!

awesome, those camaro's can look way nice when done right (which really doesn't take much to make them look good). I love having my camaro with modern drivetrain and suspension. I will be getting my new rear suspension hopefully by next week. Its nice though to have the old classic look with new modern LS engine. You will love it once its done. Can't wait to see the build

It'll be quite awhile, I have a long road ahead of me!

Oh the good old Super Shops Days... I actually remember that Camero.... I'm not responsible enough even at 41 to own anything very fast. Here is the last one, a 70 Chevelle with a 468 in it, stage 3 ported oval heads monster cam and a 175 shot of nos hidden under the air filter.. too much body work for me, it was a fun $1500 beater with about $7k in motor. Maybe one day Ill grow up..
View attachment 96255

Do you really? How funny... I wish I was still connected to the guys I worked with, we had some good times.

Glad I never ran into your Chevelle while cruising! Sounds like it was silly-fast. Gotta love a beater car that's a big time sleeper!

I really dig the project Greg. Working with the UVU car show has me jonesing for a muscle car but I know I can't handle 2 projects and my Jeep is finally getting to the stage of being able to start the fun part of the build. One day I will own a muscle car of some kind. Keep the updates coming.

Appreciate it Bart! I'd love to see your take on a muscle car, I sure it would be incredible!

That crusher camero has a heck of a story behind it. I have a small block 434 chevy kicking around. It was so close to the corrected 700 hp mark but, I never did break that mark. Motor is just so cantankerous and I ended up messing with it everytime. I really like the ideas you have had in the past and can't wait to see what you end up with in this car.

I think the old small block is the right step. Keep the updates coming, please.

LT.

Holy hell... normally aspirated? That's impressive... I'd love to hear the list of components! :freak: I love bench racing and hearing what other people have done.