1966ponyguy
2/4/2008 7:02:20 AM
Ok, I've been on the Ford side for several years now, but my step-son wants a Camaro, since I love hot rods, (notice I said hot rods, not Fords, Chevy, Dodge, ect) and I have been looking for a way to get him involved in cars, I jumped on the chance. Found him a 70 with a solid rolling body, but other wise stripped. Not doing any real Chevy work in ages, a few questions for the bow tie experts. I am trying to let him run with the project, I have a well equiped shop, and lots of automotive experience, but hoping he will do most of the work with more instructions than hands on from me. At the present time, he has a couple of years before he gets his lic. so, time is on our side. Nothing wild, just a nice small block:
Question 1: He likes the Corvette Z05 type wheels, 17's front, 18's back. how much of a bear is it to run these rims on a 70? Looks like to me they have almost 0 backspacing which, just from eyeballing, is going to really put the fronts deep into the wheel wells. I know I could run spacers, but really don't like wheel spacers.
Question 2: I have found a wrecked 96 model that I can have the interior out of. I have seen several Camaro's that are using late model seats. How much trouble is it to use the late model seats, I'm most worried about the back?
Question 3: How much trouble is installing a T5 trans into a 70 as far as trans mount hydra clutch setup, and shifter location?
Question 4: I have started doing some research on Camaro's. From what I have read, looks like the 70 - 81 is the same platform, where can I find a list of what will and what will not interchange?
Thanks in advance, as I have used forums many times in the past and have found them to be a great place to share ideals and knowledge.
619Camaro
2/4/2008 4:33:01 PM
For the rims I would stick with 17's all the way around. I just like it better.
You can go with 17 x 9.5 all the way around. I went with 9.5 in the back and 8 in the front. Backspacing for some thing like that would be 5 1/2 in the back and anywhere from 4 3/4 to 5 in the front. It should fit perfectly and you wont have to resort to hammer time.
72ponyeater
2/5/2008 8:13:20 AM
There is a company called American Touring Specialties in Las Vegas that has a great manual conversion kit for second gen Camaros. Their website is t56kit.com. I have a 72 that has a t56 in it and the kit made the swap a breeze. They don't include the pedals, but you can get those on Ebay cheap enough.