Well I bought this car in September of 2003 from a guy in Garden City Kansas. It a beat down 454 in it that ended up needing everything new except the crank and head castings and a lt1 t-56 behind it that was also in need of a rebuild.

Here are a few pics of when i bought it!
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/BLUE72CAMARO/Camaro%20pics/drake0001.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/BLUE72CAMARO/Camaro%20pics/camaro.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/BLUE72CAMARO/Camaro%20pics/i-7_B.jpg

The interior - who loves imitation suede!!! NOT ME!
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/BLUE72CAMARO/Camaro%20pics/interior.jpg

Heres the old motor got to love the detail the previous owner went thru on it huh?
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/BLUE72CAMARO/Camaro%20pics/i-4_B.jpg

Well after about of month of owning the car i blew the ring gear up in the rear end do the drive shaft being to long and bottoming out in the tranny!

So next came the tear down to rebuild the motor and rearend. That is where things got out of hand and here is what I ended up being left with! The first thing that was done to improve the car was the coating the front subframe w/ por 15.

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/BLUE72CAMARO/Camaro%20pics/Picture002.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/BLUE72CAMARO/Camaro%20pics/Picture001.jpg

Next came upgrading the front suspension and brakes.

Heres the list of parts that make it up now. All new Moog steering components, global west upper control arms, reinforced factory lower control arms, agr 12:1 ratio steering box, qa1 coilovers, McGaughy's 2" drop spindles, and wilwood 12.19 brakes later upgraded to drilled and slotted rotors!

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/BLUE72CAMARO/Camaro%20pics/frontsuspension2.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/BLUE72CAMARO/Camaro%20pics/frontsuspension1.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/BLUE72CAMARO/Camaro%20pics/BRAKES.jpg

Then the next order of business was that faulty rearend that brought the car to its knees!

Here it is all rebuilt and ready to go in. It has an Eaton posi, 3:73 gears, Moser axles, Strange billet bearing caps, Strange 1350 yoke, ultimate 10 rear end bracing cover, and wilwood 12.19 discs with internal drum parking brakes(also upgraded to drilled and slotted later on)

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/BLUE72CAMARO/Camaro%20pics/100_0946.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/BLUE72CAMARO/Camaro%20pics/100_0947.jpg

Here it is installed on a set of hotchkis leafs w/ delalum bushings and a set of caltracs!

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/BLUE72CAMARO/Camaro%20pics/100_0970.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/BLUE72CAMARO/Camaro%20pics/100_0969.jpg

One problem with the rear suspension was the wilwood discs would not work with the factory lower shock mount on the drivers side!

Factory position = no room
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/BLUE72CAMARO/Camaro%20pics/100_0974.jpg

Modified mount

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/BLUE72CAMARO/Camaro%20pics/100_1013.jpg

and installed

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/BLUE72CAMARO/Camaro%20pics/100_1015.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/BLUE72CAMARO/Camaro%20pics/100_1016.jpg

Next I put the wheels and tires on and set her back down for the first time in around 2 years.

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/BLUE72CAMARO/Camaro%20pics/100_0967.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/BLUE72CAMARO/Camaro%20pics/100_0967.jpg

Some where while all that happened the motor under went a little bit of a transformation as well if you noticed in the background!

It was rebuilt if you can call it that since the only original parts out of the original motor are the crank, rods, and head castings!

Its parts list is pretty basic, it is a .060 over 454 with stock crank and rods, forged speed pro 9.5:1 pistons, open chamber ovals ported and polished w/ 2.19/1.88 valves, comp hydraulic roller cam and lifters, comp pro magnum rockers, and a old school edelbrock intake(later replaced w/ rpm air gap do to crack in old intake) topped w/ a 850 mighty demon.

Here she is when she came home from her dyno runs where it made 498 hp and 505 ft/lbs which were on a very bad day for dynoing w/ 100% humidity plus motor should make more power with the new intake as well!

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/BLUE72CAMARO/Camaro%20pics/motor006.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/BLUE72CAMARO/Camaro%20pics/motor004.jpg

Now back to the car, it was time for body work for the following reasons!

rotted out quarters and trunk extensions w/ patch panels screwed over the top!:(
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/BLUE72CAMARO/Camaro%20pics/driverinidequarter.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/BLUE72CAMARO/Camaro%20pics/passengerinsidequarter.jpg

and a dented up tail panel for exhaust clearance!:(
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/BLUE72CAMARO/Camaro%20pics/tailpanel3.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/BLUE72CAMARO/Camaro%20pics/tailpanel2.jpg

So next it was off to the media blasters to get down to metal!
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/BLUE72CAMARO/Camaro%20pics/100_1073.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/BLUE72CAMARO/Camaro%20pics/100_1075.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/BLUE72CAMARO/Camaro%20pics/100_1079.jpg

The only good news from the blasters, the roof was solid!
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/BLUE72CAMARO/Camaro%20pics/100_1081.jpg

Next it was off to the body shop to get fresh metal
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/BLUE72CAMARO/Camaro%20pics/100_1151.jpg
Here are the two layers of quarter panel
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/BLUE72CAMARO/Camaro%20pics/100_1141.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/BLUE72CAMARO/Camaro%20pics/100_1156.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/BLUE72CAMARO/Camaro%20pics/100_1155.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/BLUE72CAMARO/Camaro%20pics/100_1154.jpg

Total list of new metal at this point, both full quarters, outer wheel houses, trunk extensions, floor pans, and tail panel

Then came primer and painting the firewall and door jams!
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/BLUE72CAMARO/Camaro%20pics/100_1165.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/BLUE72CAMARO/Camaro%20pics/100_1221.jpg

So then it came back home to get the motor and trans put back in. The trans was sent to t56rebuilds for a rebuild and severall upgrades before hand though!

Heres the motor all dressed up and ready to go in the hole!
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/BLUE72CAMARO/Camaro%20pics/100_1228.jpg

Here she is with the motor and tranny in the hole!
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/BLUE72CAMARO/Camaro%20pics/100_1318.jpg

Started adding some other parts to the firewall, heres the wiper pump after a fresh coat of paint and a custom washer pump block off plate!
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/BLUE72CAMARO/Camaro%20pics/100_1339.jpg

Next came the core support, air conditioning plumbing and be cool radiator setup along with some powder coating of the valve covers, air breather, and upper radiator mount by geoman

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/BLUE72CAMARO/Camaro%20pics/100_1473.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/BLUE72CAMARO/Camaro%20pics/100_1475.jpg

So at this point I thought I was ready for front sheetmetal so off to the body shop it went

Ready to go back!
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/BLUE72CAMARO/Camaro%20pics/100_1474.jpg

At the body shop it was fitted with new goodmark fenders, inner fenders, and hood!

Here it is all fitted up and ready to come home for some more work!

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/BLUE72CAMARO/Camaro%20pics/100_1562.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/BLUE72CAMARO/Camaro%20pics/100_1561.jpg

Great build! Gotta love it when a plan comes together.

So the next goal was to get it all plumbed up, wired, and fired!!!

Here is the hydraboost unit with wilwood 1 1/8" bore tandom master getting plumbed in!
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/BLUE72CAMARO/Camaro%20pics/100_1579.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/BLUE72CAMARO/Camaro%20pics/100_1578.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/BLUE72CAMARO/Camaro%20pics/100_1581.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/BLUE72CAMARO/Camaro%20pics/100_1580.jpg

Here are a few pics of the car with the new wheels and all the plumbing completed!

The rear with the new sumped repo tank and -12 fuel line
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/BLUE72CAMARO/Camaro%20pics/100_1608.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/BLUE72CAMARO/Camaro%20pics/100_1605.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/BLUE72CAMARO/Camaro%20pics/100_1606.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/BLUE72CAMARO/Camaro%20pics/100_1604.jpg

And last but not least I finally fired it up the first part of december 07!

Heres a short clip of it!
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/BLUE72CAMARO/Camaro%20pics/th_100_1621.jpg (http://s32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/BLUE72CAMARO/Camaro%20pics/?action=view&current=100_1621.flv)

Unfortunately on the 21st of december I was involved a pretty serious truck wreck in which I shattered my right ankle. So progress has been 0 since then but I am hoping to get back to work on it soon!

Nice!

Love the rims...are those AR rebels? Also what kind of gauges are those?

Haven't seen the "new" pics with it assembled... it sure looks purty!!!!

Love the rims...are those AR rebels? Also what kind of gauges are those?

No they are billet specalties qualifiers on the wheels and Ultra Lite II gauges from auto meter!

i have the regular ultra lights....after seeing those I wish I would have done the upgrade...the backlighting is so much nicer looking =( .haha. Good stuff.

Hope it's ready for the Easter Car Show in Forest Park.Looks like it'll Go,Stop and Turn great!

man That Look Great ...you Re All Inspiring Me To Try Harder .post Updates Cant Wait To See The Finished Product .

Definitely a looker.................keep up the good work!

how much would you say you paid for the blasting baremetal sessions on the body panels? as an estimate? I plan to take my smaller parts to blast on my own, but the big stuff will be done by someone else like you did

oh and it looks FANTASSTIC. thanks for posting such a detailed outline of your project.. bigblock was right.. definately inspiring.

Looking good! Love that color!!

how much would you say you paid for the blasting baremetal sessions on the body panels? as an estimate? I plan to take my smaller parts to blast on my own, but the big stuff will be done by someone else like you did

oh and it looks FANTASSTIC. thanks for posting such a detailed outline of your project.. bigblock was right.. definately inspiring.


If I remember right it only cost me around $400 to have the car media blasted, but that was just the quarters, roof, doors, tail, one front fender, and header panels. The bottom of the car was done the old fashion wire wheel way!

Great looking car matt, that red really sets it off, it looks great!

nice to put a car to your username. i like the little touches like painting the upper cowl black so you dont have a red dash.

awesome work. im lovin' the projects forum, its really taken off and must be one of the busiest places in the whole site now?

looks good matt

looks good matt

Well with any luck it may make it to a few shows this fall! Have to see how the whole bum leg thing pans out first though!

Nice looking Matt!!!!! Keep up the good work.

nice work!, everything looks good!

Very nice car. Lots and lots of work done on it.

Looks really good.

'Looks great Matt, I love big block Camaros!!

John

looking good Matt, I cant wait to get mine done & go cruise with you. I just got it home friday so construction of mine is now underway...

I actually don't like seeing you build around that motor.... :(
That motor is about the best looker around.

I actually don't like seeing you build around that motor.... :(
That motor is about the best looker around.

Not sure I understand what you mean on that one, but I did get ahead of myself with building the motor. I wasnt planning to do as extreme of a resto on the rest of the car when i built the motor, so it ended up setting on the engine stand for a lot longer than I would have liked! And dont worry I already have plans for that motors replacement, either big cubes or 496 with a procharger but thats a few years down the road at least!

Not sure I understand what you mean on that one, but I did get ahead of myself with building the motor. I wasnt planning to do as extreme of a resto on the rest of the car when i built the motor, so it ended up setting on the engine stand for a lot longer than I would have liked! And dont worry I already have plans for that motors replacement, either big cubes or 496 with a procharger but thats a few years down the road at least!

just saying that dressed up engine was such a gem that I'd hate to see it hidden by sheetmetal.
I hate red... but that red you have on the firewall is friggin awesome!

just saying that dressed up engine was such a gem that I'd hate to see it hidden by sheetmetal.
I hate red... but that red you have on the firewall is friggin awesome!

Gotcha, got to hide it to drive it so I dont mind tucking it away!

Funny part is I dont like red either but I found the model on the right walking thru walmart one day and loved how it looked. So guess what my car is getting painted like, plus its different than all the common colors for these cars!

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/BLUE72CAMARO/Misc/100_1306.jpg

Holy crap, I thought it looked good before but now...man,thats gonna look killer when its done! Is the candy apple red? Love the wheels and the altitude change as well.


KEEP IT UP! :bowtie:

you gonna keep the white stripes?.. Silver?...
Flat white?!..

Got rat, it is a ppg vibrance series paint but it is a candy!

pos yeah I am gonna keep the white stripes. I dont care for flat paints unless the whole car is painted with it so its gots to be shiney!

Man that thing is sweet ! Tons of work have gone into it. Great job posting the pics of the rebuild. Sorry to hear about your accident, hope you recover quickly.

That is awesome Matt!!

A true inspiration!!

Keep going Matt!!! Looks great so far!

any updates!! im dyin to see the finished product

matt lets see some pics

matt lets see some pics+1....Matt, are ya able to get to get out there and climb around the car with that injured wheel?

Alright well this is the only new picture I have to share. I did get to start walking last Wednesday and have began physical therapy as well.

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/BLUE72CAMARO/Misc/x-ray.jpg

The only thing that has gotten done on the car lately is I have started to take the hydraulics for the clutch back off to try and figure out why I cant get the clutch to disengage.

Matt, did you use washers on the pressure plate bolts?

Matt, did you use washers on the pressure plate bolts?

I wonder if the doctor used washers on those screws? :eek: :eek:

Matt, I got some pics like that! Keep up the spirit you get better in no time!

John I dont remember I assembled it exactly as it was delivered to me from McLeod. I am just praying that it is just the hydraulics, here is a pic of the Mcleod twin disc when I installed it on the motor.

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/BLUE72CAMARO/Camaro%20pics/100_1297.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/BLUE72CAMARO/Camaro%20pics/100_1298.jpg

I wonder if the doctor used washers on those screws? :eek: :eek:

Yes sir, you can see them on the picture in full size!

Matt the reason that I was asking is I replaced the clutch, pressureplate, and TO bearing in my 88 crewcab with a hydraulic setup....I put it back exactly like it came apart. It had lock washers under the heads of the pressure plate bolts, so I used the same bolts/washers...for the life of me, I could not get the disc to disengage....after a week of frustration and bleeding the hydraulics I took it to a tranny guy here in town.....he said he knew what the problem was and he'd call me when he got it fixed....I was barely back in my seat here at work when the phone rang and he told me to come pick it up that he had it ready. All he did was take the washers out....he said the new disc must hace been just a smigit larger in diameter than the stock one and it was barely hitting those washers.

Oh wait...you have the LT1 style T-56 setup...clutch is nothing like what I had...nevermind.

Oh wait...you have the LT1 style T-56 setup...clutch is nothing like what I had...nevermind.

Yup $1200 worth of clutch and flywheel setting there!:whine:

Mine disengages enough that the car doesnt move but not enought that you can put it in gear with the car running!:(

Yup $1200 worth of clutch and flywheel setting there!:whine:

Mine disengages enough that the car doesnt move but not enought that you can put it in gear with the car running!:(

Mine did the exact same thing when the clutch pushrod for the pedal bent. Mine bent because the clutch fork hit the pressure plate - which is apparently very common. I clearanced the clutch fork and changed the clutch rod to steel and have not had any problems since.

http://media.motortopia.com/files/141/album_t56_swap/467211f27f104/tn_full_100_4806.jpg
http://media.motortopia.com/files/141/album_t56_swap/46721204eba1a/tn_full_100_4814.jpg

http://www.motortopia.com/album/view/p/cars/t/vehicle/v/182/a/5978/i/t56_swap/pp/2#album

After another look I see your pressure plate is also much thicker than mine. It's definitely worth taking a look. You might even be able to see though the slave cyl hole in the bellhousing without removing the trans.

Definitely worth looking at Woody! Thanks!

My pedal movement seems awful short and this would explain that as well since it would stop the pedal from moving any more when the fork hits! I will check this out tonight!

Do you have to pull the trans to get the pivot and arm off? Man i hope not!

Definitely worth looking at Woody! Thanks!

My pedal movement seems awful short and this would explain that as well since it would stop the pedal from moving any more when the fork hits! I will check this out tonight!

Do you have to pull the trans to get the pivot and arm off? Man i hope not!

You might be able to, I never tried. That removable piece of the bellhousing for the slave mounting is probably just for that purpose.

I pulled the whole trans off to try and figure out what the hell was wrong and it became pretty obvious real quick.

Well I just checked mine out thru the hole where the throw out arm goes thru the bell housing and no dice! All the paint is still perfect on my pressure plate so I am guessing I still got something screwed up with my hydraulics!

Well cured the clutch and got it working for now! The bracket for ats did not have the correct angle on it for using the stock hole in the clutch pedal and the misalignment was causing the rod of the master cylinder to bind on the housing! Now i just have to come up with a stop for the clutch.

Also here are a couple videos of it I took tonight before it went in the trailer to be stored until the shed at the new house gets concrete.

Backing out of the shed for the last time and a lap around the building its set in for 4 1/2 years now!

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/BLUE72CAMARO/Camaro%20pics/th_100_1682.jpg (http://s32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/BLUE72CAMARO/Camaro%20pics/?action=view&current=100_1682.flv)

Couple of revs from in the car

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/BLUE72CAMARO/Camaro%20pics/th_100_1683.jpg (http://s32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/BLUE72CAMARO/Camaro%20pics/?action=view&current=100_1683.flv)

A few revs from outside the car

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/BLUE72CAMARO/Camaro%20pics/th_100_1686.jpg (http://s32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/BLUE72CAMARO/Camaro%20pics/?action=view&current=100_1686.flv)

Hopefully I will get it to the shop to get exhaust put on it in the next couple weeks!

sounds purty evil Matt;)
and must say... cam has a really sweet cackle to it:crazy:
big woots bro!

Sounds good Matt...it's good to see it move on it's own.

Yeah I am hoping a full exhaust will make it sound a lot better. It sounds good at times but then has a real rythmic lope at other times kind of like an mercruiser boat motor!:screwup: Not exactly what I was looking for!

John it was great to drive it under its own power again even if it was just a couple hot laps around the yard! It did some pretty nice donuts on the grass to but I couldnt hold the camera and do that at the same time!:confused:

Woot!...now go get that ankle taken care of today, so you can get back at it and finish that baby up:D

sounds wicked!!

Looks awesome man, heck of alot of work

sounds great too!

John it was great to drive it under its own power again even if it was just a couple hot laps around the yard! It did some pretty nice donuts on the grass to but I couldnt hold the camera and do that at the same time!:confused:[/QUOTE]


and we dont even get pics of the yard? what a tease! looks great so far! dont quit now!

and we dont even get pics of the yard? what a tease! looks great so far! dont quit now!

NOt much to take pictures of! THe tires didnt grip enough to tear the yard up any! It was like driving it on ice!

NOt much to take pictures of! THe tires didnt grip enough to tear the yard up any! It was like driving it on ice!

lucky you... was that what the nextel beep was about? LOL'z:crazy:

lucky you... was that what the nextel beep was about? LOL'z:crazy:

Nah that was one of my buddies just beepin me to see what was up when he got off work!

this car is killer!!!!!!!

ttt - So guys I have been telling to go here for pics of my car can find it easier!

Anything new going on Matt?

Anything new going on Matt?

No not at all! Work is a little sketchy right now and I am going to have to have a second round of surgeries on my ankle so it is staying in the trailer. Hopefully by the time I am up and going again the 24 x 24 addition will be on the shed with my lift setup in it! I do need to get it out of the trailer and get an exhaust clip for the thread, it sounds a lot tamer now with the 3" super 44's on it.

whats up matt,did you get er painted? you still have that dash part? hope your surg go well.

I am going to have to have a second round of surgeries on my ankle.Man, that stinks. Post up that vid, love to hear the new exhaust.

whats up matt,did you get er painted? you still have that dash part? hope your surg go well.

Hey Randy, No i didnt get it painted yet! If I ever get things turned around with my ankle and job security that will be the next thing to get done! I think I have the dash peice somewhere but it is stacked with all the rest of the camaro stuff in the loft of the shed right now so I dont have a clue where it is!

Wow. She is gorgeous and all the work you did to it is amazing. You must be very proud. Great job.

Wow. She is gorgeous and all the work you did to it is amazing. You must be very proud. Great job.

Thanks, it will be gorgeous wants it gets finished if that ever happens!

Why did you put such a mild cam in it??? ROFL

It really isnt all that wild of a cam. I think it is around .580 lift, the carb was way out of wack on the idle when I took those videos!

Well after months of saying i would get a video of the car with the exhaust on it here it is finally.

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/BLUE72CAMARO/Camaro%20pics/th_100_2065.jpg (http://s32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/BLUE72CAMARO/Camaro%20pics/?action=view&current=100_2065.flv)

It is dual 3" with flowmaster super 44's dumped in front of the rear axle.

Unfortunately this will be the last time the car sees daylight for some time since I go in for reconstruction of my ankle again on Thursday and will be down and out for at least 2 months!

nice

LOL...starts out with the birds chirping and springtime sounds, then after it cranks, the dogs start barking.....LOL


Sounds good Matt.