Thinking of building this......
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,892
Likes: 47
From: Helotes TEXAS
Thinking of building this......
I have an itch to build myself a Camaro. Full suspension upgrade, LSx powered with 6-speed, lowered and mini-tubbed to fit some 19x11 or 19x12 wheels.
This would be so much easier to maintain than the Vette.
After it's done, it'll be my DD and possibly let my FRC go up for sale.
This would be so much easier to maintain than the Vette.
After it's done, it'll be my DD and possibly let my FRC go up for sale.
Last edited by Sinister-one; Jan 24, 2015 at 11:41 AM.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,892
Likes: 47
From: Helotes TEXAS
As for what I'm trying to achieve.... A 600 HP+ street car, getting as close to my C5 suspension as possible, same size wheels and tires. Basically a hot little daily driver that is much easier to work on and maintain than my FRC. With a lot of mod pieces available for these fist gen cars (Detroit Speed) should make this a fairly easy project.
The ONE BIG problem I have with FRC is that it's about ready for a new clutch and I can't do this myself over a weekend. I don't understand how the engineers at GM thought it was a good idea / design to have to remove the rearend to swap out the clutch !! That's just asinine ! Removing the entire rear drivetrain for a clutch swap...
Last edited by Sinister-one; Jan 16, 2015 at 10:09 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 147
From: Jasper Alabama
All you need is the adapter plate that holds the the transmission and torque tube assemly. Found one on ebay for $50. Bolted it up to my tranny jack and tackled the job myself one weekend. Had to install a new A4 tranny and upgraded to a 3:42 Z06 differential and stall convertor. In and.out no problem. But do have to say 1st gen Camaro's are easy to work on. Had two of them. Beautiful cars
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 7,774
Likes: 2,251
From: Brighton MI
I have an itch to build myself a Camaro similar to this car. Full suspension upgrade, LSx powered with 6-speed, lowered and mini-tubbed to fit some 19x11 or 19x12 wheels.
This would be so much easier to maintain than the Vette.
After it's done, it'll be my DD and possibly let my FRC go up for sale.
This would be so much easier to maintain than the Vette.
After it's done, it'll be my DD and possibly let my FRC go up for sale.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,892
Likes: 47
From: Helotes TEXAS
Oh yeah..... the ones already done range from $35K to around $45K. I'm not going to pay for something that is "close" to what I want OR pay that kind of money and then "rebuild" it to what I want....
not going to happen.
not going to happen.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,892
Likes: 47
From: Helotes TEXAS
All you need is the adapter plate that holds the the transmission and torque tube assemly. Found one on ebay for $50. Bolted it up to my tranny jack and tackled the job myself one weekend. Had to install a new A4 tranny and upgraded to a 3:42 Z06 differential and stall convertor. In and.out no problem. But do have to say 1st gen Camaro's are easy to work on. Had two of them. Beautiful cars
What does it look like ?
And lastly, what does it do ?
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,943
Likes: 4
From: Lawrenceburg KY
For the extra time and money you spend on that you could pay someone to do clutch jobs on your FRC for you every 5 years for the rest of your life.
This sounds like a congressional bill. "We're going to spend $10 billion to reduce our operating costs by $1 million per year."
This sounds like a congressional bill. "We're going to spend $10 billion to reduce our operating costs by $1 million per year."
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,892
Likes: 47
From: Helotes TEXAS
For the extra time and money you spend on that you could pay someone to do clutch jobs on your FRC for you every 5 years for the rest of your life.
This sounds like a congressional bill. "We're going to spend $10 billion to reduce our operating costs by $1 million per year."
This sounds like a congressional bill. "We're going to spend $10 billion to reduce our operating costs by $1 million per year."
Not even close... this car is going to cost me about $10K - $12K to build. After that, any issues mechanical wise I can pretty much take care of myself.
When the car is done I can sell my FRC and recoupe most of my money that was spent to build the car. All in all the car will have cost me a few grand.
I'm sure you're train of thought is because you pay someone to work on your car....
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 4,260
Likes: 429
From: Houston TX
LMAO !!!
Not even close... this car is going to cost me about $10K - $12K to build. After that, any issues mechanical wise I can pretty much take care of myself.
When the car is done I can sell my FRC and recoupe most of my money that was spent to build the car. All in all the car will have cost me a few grand.
I'm sure you're train of thought is because you pay someone to work on your car....
Not even close... this car is going to cost me about $10K - $12K to build. After that, any issues mechanical wise I can pretty much take care of myself.
When the car is done I can sell my FRC and recoupe most of my money that was spent to build the car. All in all the car will have cost me a few grand.
I'm sure you're train of thought is because you pay someone to work on your car....
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 4,260
Likes: 429
From: Houston TX
How are you planning to pull this off exactly? Do you already own a first gen or will you have to source one? A clean one isn't cheap and restoring a cheap one is expensive and time consuming. Just the wheels you described will cost a ton. Not to mention the suspension mods to run then will cost you a pretty penny. I wish the best of luck to you but you are talking about a major project and there is no way it can be done for your budget. Even with a realistic budget, you often end up having to double it before the car is complete.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 147
From: Jasper Alabama
Here is a link for the adapter. Just bolt it to a floor type transmission jack if you don't have a car lift and you'll be able to.complete the job. This balances the transmission and torque tube assembly for removal and install. This is the exact adapter plate the dealership uses. You can find the procedure to do the job on the tech forum or google. Also Youtube should have some helpful videos.
Check out this item I found on eBay: http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item...069510&alt=web
Check out this item I found on eBay: http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item...069510&alt=web
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,892
Likes: 47
From: Helotes TEXAS
How are you planning to pull this off exactly? Do you already own a first gen or will you have to source one? A clean one isn't cheap and restoring a cheap one is expensive and time consuming. Just the wheels you described will cost a ton. Not to mention the suspension mods to run then will cost you a pretty penny. I wish the best of luck to you but you are talking about a major project and there is no way it can be done for your budget. Even with a realistic budget, you often end up having to double it before the car is complete.
YES I already have a 1st gen Camaro sitting in my garage. I've had this car to over 12 years. Life got in the way of my plans and now the time has come. Mine is a very clean body only needing a few pieces and interior.
As for the wheels... Vette wheels in those sizes are CHEAP !! Less than $800 for a complete set.
Remeber, it's not what you know BUT WHO YOU KNOW !! I have plenty of friends that have certain skills I don't and are more than happy to help me out ! I buy the pieces beer and BBQ.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 4,260
Likes: 429
From: Houston TX
As I SAID.... oh ye of little faith...
YES I already have a 1st gen Camaro sitting in my garage. I've had this car to over 12 years. Life got in the way of my plans and now the time has come. Mine is a very clean body only needing a few pieces and interior.
As for the wheels... Vette wheels in those sizes are CHEAP !! Less than $800 for a complete set.
Remeber, it's not what you know BUT WHO YOU KNOW !! I have plenty of friends that have certain skills I don't and are more than happy to help me out ! I buy the pieces beer and BBQ.
YES I already have a 1st gen Camaro sitting in my garage. I've had this car to over 12 years. Life got in the way of my plans and now the time has come. Mine is a very clean body only needing a few pieces and interior.
As for the wheels... Vette wheels in those sizes are CHEAP !! Less than $800 for a complete set.
Remeber, it's not what you know BUT WHO YOU KNOW !! I have plenty of friends that have certain skills I don't and are more than happy to help me out ! I buy the pieces beer and BBQ.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,892
Likes: 47
From: Helotes TEXAS
naysayers..... 
Posted to share my plans for a 68 Camaro build and this is what i get.... wow, just wow....
Thanks for all the support !!
Posted to share my plans for a 68 Camaro build and this is what i get.... wow, just wow....
Thanks for all the support !!
Last edited by Sinister-one; Jan 16, 2015 at 03:02 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3,473
Likes: 691
From: West Virginia
I think most of us just think you will end up spending a lot more. Projects like this tend to grow. Resto mod Camaros like this can easily eat up $30 in parts - LSX unit, T56, new suspension/subframe/steering up front, new brakes, etc. A decent LSX crate motor is north of $10k for starters.