NewKindOfClown

Some people have griped because I post in the Comanche build thread about the work I do on my Camaro, but others have shown interest in the car. I decided to start a separate thread for the Camaro for a few reasons. I can more easily keep track of my modifications/maintenance if they are separate. If I ever sell one or need an insurance claim, I can show the vehicle's build thread for documentation of value. And finally, people can follow the build(s) they care about, and I won't have to listen to them gripe

Now I realize this is a Chevy build thread on a Jeep site, but it is in "Other Vehicle Tech," and there should be plenty. I will happily discuss mods I've done as well as mods that you lovely people recommend. I'm learning as I go just like I did with the XJ, and you're invited along for the ride.

With all that said, I'm going to start over and post the background info as well as what I've done to the car so far.


EDIT (8 Oct 2012):

NewKindOfClown

I bought the Camaro on 15 August 2010. I got ripped off pretty bad on eBay while I was stationed in Germany. This thing was supposed to be street/strip ready with lots of mods, and I paid $5500 for it. My dad picked it up for me while I was away, and we found that the PO blew a piston/fused the block/trashed the head, transmission was shot, tires dryrotted, injectors clogged, and it was repainted so poorly that I honestly wish he'd gone to MAACO.
So, after nearly 2 years, it has a new 350 crate from Summit, new injectors, replacement 700r4, new tires, and I'll be adding Digi-tails LED taillights (video at the bottom of the post), a Wonderbar and SubFrame Connectors real soon. Oh, and it doesn't have a radio, so the 7 hour drive should be fun with my full 3" Flowmaster exhaust

Pictures are from the PO. The one next to my old XJ is the only pic I took.





Those are the only pictures I have right now, and my dad won't send me any more cause he's a jerk! The good news is the car has 32k original miles, and it hasn't touched the road since '97.

Taillights:
Full LED grids for running lights, brakes, turn signals, hazards, reverse lights. They have a dipswitch so you can turn the sweeping motion on/off to make it a normal solid light. It's a $300 kit, but it's as plug-and-play as you can get with an LED conversion. I like the look, but I see it as a matter of safety. I don't want two years of work and nearly $10k to go down the drain cause someone didn't see my brake lights.
Digi-tails LED tail lights from Spaghetti Engineering:

NewKindOfClown

Haven't posted in a few weeks, but I went home and got the Camaro. The shakedown run in the car was the drive from Cleveland to Frederick (400 miles overnight). No major problems, but I'm still working out the little issues before I start buying 'wants' again. I put a Kenwood KDC-X896 eXcelon head unit and new Pioneer 6x9s in the Camaro while I was home because it didn't have a radio in it, and I wasn't gonna drive 8 hours without one.

I just ordered a flush-mounting plate from HU Mount, and my priorities are a new windshield, a Wonderbar, and those Digitails LED taillights.

ragged1

I love these cars! My first car was an 88 z28, man I miss that car.

NewKindOfClown

This concludes my copy/pasted posts.

I've done little things so far. I installed the radio and speakers immediately. I've replaced 8 of my 10 front lights (factory fogs are still there), and gone to all clear lenses. I ran a can of Seafoam through the gas tank, flushed my brake fluid because it was black (thanks for the help, Green2000), and took off the taillight covers.

Earlier this week:
This was all shoved under my dash in the fuse panel area.


This pile includes what is pictured above. The rest of the wires in this pile were tucked under the carpet. Most of the wires I pulled out still had power.


As of last night, I got the last of my chrome bulbs in (silver bulb/amber light) so my clear markers look clean. I also nearly finished the install of my radio flush mount kit, but I'll need to dremel some plastic in the dash because my radio is so long. I'll post pics as soon as it's finished. And today when I got home from work, my Spohn SFCs were leaning against my door. My TDS Wonderbar is on its way from California.

sycoglitch

That is one badass camaro. Also the xj is sick. That was the one before your MJ?

NewKindOfClown

Thanks, man. I figured you'd be one of the first over here

Yep, that XJ was lifted 1 Feb, and I hit a deer and rolled it twice on 27 Feb (pictures). But in that time, I got to drive it home when I took leave, and my friends and I had a lot of fun. That picture was taken when the Camaro didn't have a motor and the hood wasn't bolted on.

Here are some recent pictures:

sycoglitch

Well for starters least you have the MJ now and nothing beats having one. Round here they are beyond rare. And def when I get a driveway I want to get possibly a coupe to build up

dukie564

gaaaaaaaaaaaay

sycoglitch

So I haven't seen dukie in a while and when he pops up he starts trouble lol

NewKindOfClown

Finished installing my HU Mount flush kit. Had to do dremel a bit in the dash, but I'm very happy with it.

Before:


After:






Not a bad way to spend $80.

Turbo X_J

If your going for an agreed upon value insurance policy, you want those details and values spelled out in writing ahead of time. Trying to negoiate after the fact, puts you in a really bad position. Any of the biggies will have you begging for wholesale blue book. You could try Haggerty, Grundy, Leland West, but I think they only do classic/exotics pre 1978. Best of luck.

NewKindOfClown

I'm in the army, so I take advantage of USAA. They determine value of a comparable vehicle at the time of the claim. Any major changes will be reported to them, but my policy doesn't change for the little things. Thanks, though.

Basslicks

aaaaaaaaaand I'm subbbed..... but you knew that was gonna happen lol

looks great man... can't wait till next year when I get mine.

joker_86z28

Love third gens, lookin good man, keep up the good work