Thread: 1971 Camaro RS

Tweet

Originally Posted by Mike P

That T10 should have really nice gear splits for the 71. What gear ratio are you looking at for the rear end?
.

I'm thinking about 3.42s or maybe 3.08s because I do plan to drive it on the high way quite a bit. I haven't put much thought in that part yet.

Originally Posted by Hotrod46

Love the car. The split bumpers have always been my favorite Camaros. If I was looking for another project, that's what I would look for. I'm subscribing to this one.

Sent you a PM by the way.

Mike, I have the same feeling on the Camaros as you. The split bumper ones just do it for me.

Tell you what Ryan, I'll take the car back north again, you send me the parts, I'll put it together, then bring the car back when I grow tired of driving it. We both win. lol

Originally Posted by 53 Chevy5

Tell you what Ryan, I'll take the car back north again, you send me the parts, I'll put it together, then bring the car back when I grow tired of driving it. We both win. lol

Nice try. The build is 90% of the fun for me. Haha

This weekend I managed to buy a front spoiler and a radiator cover from a nice guy off CL. He has a really sweet Z/28. Man oh man, talk about inspiration.

Thanks for the update.. OH, and pics too!

I was scrolling down your thread, lets just say your lucky you took a pic of your inspiration

I wasn't going to post anything on this until I had it driving but I guess I'll start sharing again.

I got the 5.3 and Super T10 put in. I had a little issue getting it placed where I wanted it because these pre 72 cars have 2 different types of engine mount stands. The engine adapters/mounts I got were designed for 1st gen Camaros. I cut my stock engine stands down and made them work. I have the trans in the stock location. I lucked out and powerglide, TH350, and 4 speed all use the same trans cross member. I found a drive shaft on flebay from a super T10 car. I had to get a conversion u joint to get it to work. I found out the early 2nd gens have a smaller u joint than the 74 ups. Later I'll change the pinion yoke to a larger one.

You can see the truck intake barely sticks over the top of the fenders. The alternator was really close and I probably could have cut the hood bracing to get it to fit.

I put my front spoiler on it to see what mods need to be made to get it on. I also found a RS emblem I liked and will be adding to the grill. The next big project was to install solid interlocking body bushings and sub frame connectors. I sourced them from global west. I got a surprise when I went to put the front left radiator support mount in. The mount was ripped off the support and the sheet metal was resting on the frame. I drilled out the old spot welds, added some other holes, and welded it back on the core support. This thing should be good and solid now.

When I was prepping to remove the interior for welding the sub frame connectors in, I noticed the back window looked like it had been leaking. I removed the top piece of trim and I literally pushed it out. I had a friend come remove the windshield.

I'm pretty sure neither piece of glass has been out of the car, ever. You can see who ever painted the car masked off the trim, got into it with the sander, and shot it with it on. Not a big deal. I was just nervous there would be rust holes under the glass from these leaking. I was surprised to see the windshield butyl tape still had a great seal and was not leaking.

I put the sub frame connectors in and of course couldn't leave well enough alone. They bolt on the back of the sub frame and are also pinched by the rear bushing. I wanted this more solid so I welded them on. On the rear they weld to the frame rail at the curve up below the trunk floor. That again wasn't good enough so I welded the connector to the floor, and then used some SS 1/8" I had and made filler pieces. I welded these to the connector and to the frame/floor to give even more strength. So now they are connected about to 20" of the frame rail and floor besides the manufacturer's mounting.

I thefted some wheels and tires from a project to use on this for now....... The front coils had 2 spacers per side so I removed them to see if the front end would go down a little. I don't think it made any difference yet. Eventually I will replace all the springs with customworks 2g auto cross lowering springs.

The next project was to remove the ugly of the LS truck engine. Or, at least give it a good attempt.

I cut off all the stuff I do not need, and used these pieces to fill in the holes I created. I plastic welded it all back together. I think it looks so much better even without the top being body worked. This would have allowed the stock hood to be used although I still had the alternator issue.

I was going to go with LSsimple brackets so I could retain my truck ps pump and alt. Well, I came across a sweet deal on a sweet hood so now there is no need to worry about not running the truck accessories.

This is a Harwood pro-touring hood for 70-81 Camaros. They don't sell them with the scoop anymore but the guy who handled the ebay sales was nice enough to give me the part number for the scoop. It is from a 2011 or so Z06 Corvette. I got one and put it in. I was nervous about cutting into this thing!

The 2nd to last pic is a sideways pic showing how much clearance there is between the truck alternator and the bottom side of the hood. The last pic shows how much you loose off the top of the truck intake after you cut all the stuff off of it.

Here's another pic of the rh fender looking across. The next thing was to add a spoiler to the rear. Even though the low spoiler was only a 1970 option, I prefer the look and went this route. I had been wondering how much mud was in this dent on the Rh tail light panel so I popped it out. Yeah buddy. I'm betting I'll find a lot of surprises when I go to do the body work on this old girl. I'll pull what I can with my stud gun and hammer and dolly what I can get to. I finally found some good measurements online and drilled the holes and mounted the spoiler.

The 2nd to last pic is of the scoop in the hood. The last pic is showing under the hood. I have my radiator hoses figured out. Now to get a clutch pedal put in and build a z bar retaining ball mount. This weekend my front and rear glass is being put in. I'm on the hunt for some trim pieces because mine were not all that nice.

I got some 3rd gen Camaro tan cloth seats and I have adapted them to work in this. The car came with a so so tan cloth rear seat and I am going to clean it up and run it for now.

WOW, you have been busy! 8-)

And it's looking good. Curious choice on the T-10.. maybe??? Why not a 5 speed? Great choice on the wheels & tires ,love it!

Bad dent in the rear tho... what would have made that one??? weird.

Originally Posted by 34_40

WOW, you have been busy! 8-)

And it's looking good. Curious choice on the T-10.. maybe??? Why not a 5 speed? Great choice on the wheels & tires ,love it!

Bad dent in the rear tho... what would have made that one??? weird.

I got a sweet deal on the T-10. I almost got a 5 speed from him but it was literally $2k more. So really the reason is cost and I can live without OD with 3.07 gears. Cause that is what this rear end is. Open of course. That will change later on.

The dent, I'm thinking mail box/post? There are 2, one on either side of the license plate but the one on the left isn't bad at all.

Yep, a lot of progress. I thought maybe I had missed some posts, but then saw that all were posted today. I like the smoothed out truck intake.

You're very lucky, as you already know, because these cars are notorious for rusting out around the rear window. Looks like you got a good un'.

I think you'll be happy with the T10 an the 3.07 gears. The low 1st gear and gear splits make it pretty fun to drive for not having the extra gear.


.