1971 Rs/ss

[Bnsixx]

Next, after the hinge pillar sheetmetal came the floor pans. I had a hard time finding the correct extensions to go far enough up the firewall so I bought a pair for a 69 camaro and modified them. I know, I cheated...lol.

[Bnsixx]

I also had a hard time finding a replacement weatherstrip lip inside the trunk, so again I purchased one for a 1st gen and modified it. After a few hours with a die grinder and welder, it came out pretty good. Then, finally some finish work, epoxy and splatter paint in the trunk.

[Bnsixx]

With the rear done for now, it was time to move to the front half. I completely blew apart the front end, had everything sand blasted and cleaned. Everything was primed with epoxy, and topcoated black. The front end was treated to all poly bushings from Energy Suspension. I replaced all of the brake and fuel lines with stainless steel pieces and added a new booster after painting the firewall and cowl the final color. I settled on the most violent yellow I could find. It blinds you in the sun, very cool... Anyway, I did not originally intend on adding A/C, but after researching a number of cars on this site, and Mary Pozzi's Camaro I decided to go for the Vintage Air kit with the hidden hose option, which meant filling the heater box hole on the firewall. The rework was worth it...

[Bnsixx]

Also added at this time was a Hotchkis TVS kit, also inspired by Mary Pozzi's Camaro. If anyone hasn't seen her car, check it out, it is awesome to see a 2nd gen Camaro be so competitive in Autocross and look so good doing it.

Also came new door shells. I had planned to re-skin the originals, but they were just too weak around the lower hinge mount. I was afraid of them sagging over time so I popped for new shells. Luckily I live only a few hours from the National Parts Depot location in Ocala FL, so I was able to save a ton on shipping on all of the sheetmetal I bought.

I then turned my focus to the rear end. I built a 3.73 posi and converted to SSBC discs. I added the Trick Flow diff cover th strengthed the 10 bolt as much as possible.

[Bnsixx]

Next, it was tome to bodywork the quarters, rockers, roof and door jambs, and the addition of Hotchkis frame ties. Sorry I don't have more pics of this stage. I took alot of the pictures of this stage with my phone and photobucket doesn't seem to like the. I will post some soon. The sheetmetal came out pretty good, so I really didn't have a ton of bodywork to do.

This basically brings the project up to date. 2 days ago, I finished the brakes and dropped it on the ground for the first time in a year and a half. It is a rolling chassis!

Tomorrow I pick up the motor and trans, another huge milestone. I am going with a 400 bored and stroked to 421. AFR heads, full roller valvetrain, 520/540 lift cam, all forged rotating assy., single plane intake. Should be close to 600 horse. I will post the rest of the specs when I get them. The trans shop found a crack in the bell housing of the original turbo 350, so I am going with a 700R4. Overdrive will be nice...

Anyway, thanks to everyone here that has responded to my project. This site has been invaluable in providing information so far.

[Jas0n]

WOW! great project, awesome work, beautiful car! I can't wait to see what comes with the motor and trans!

[COPO]

Just went through the posts. Outstanding work!!!!

[Bnsixx]

Quick update, Finally got the motor and trans from the machine shop last weekend. The motor was built by Machinist Guru and all around great guy Gregg Vanaman , in Lecanto Fl. 352-628-6080. Here are some more of the specs:

400 block bored and stroked to 421ci
Forged Eagle crank
Forged Callies Rods
SRP 16cc dish pistons
M55HV oil pump
Comp Cams roller cam, 1.050 base circle, intake .520 lift 236 duration at
.050, exhaust .540 lift 242 duration at .050
1.6 comp magnum rockers (.555/.576 lalve lift)
Milodon stroker 7 qt pan
AFR 1036 195cc heads
AFR stud girdle, 7/16 rocker studs
Victor jr intake



Had to paint it to match the car.



Added Proform chrome valvecovers...



Also got the 700R4 back from the transmission shop and treated it to a paint job as well. It's built with the heavy duty sprag, eagle clutches and a whole bunch of other stuff to make it survive behind the 421. It's wired so the torque converter only locks up in overdrive. Special thanks to Jimmy and Larry at Citrus Transmission in Homosassa FL.

[harbone66]

fantastic work!

[Bnsixx]

Next week I'll drop the motor and trans in and relocate the crossmember to accomodate the 700R4. Today I moved it outside to turn it around and start work on the front end. This is the first time it's seen the sun in 2 years! Hard to believe I've been at it that long already. I got my long term project!




Back inside and ready for more work!

[Jas0n]

great work and paint job on the motor and trans!

[POS71RS]

Wow! You've done an incredible amount of work on her! I had to re-scroll up when I was looking at your firewall progression... saw a nice box, new core.. then suddenly NOTHING... Nice work!

How did you get your roof skin creased above the door glass? That was a bit of frustration for me.

[Jim Stokkeland]

Verrrryyy Niiiccceee work!!!

[Bnsixx]

Thanks everyone for the kind words. It's been a work in progress, luckily I am blessed with an understanding wife!

On the roof skin, I first applied a bead of 3M 8115 Panel Bonding Adhesive to the crimp area, then before it cured I used a door skin hammer and dolly, followed by a crimping tool for door skins. It has a pinch roller that is driven br a 3/8" ratchet. It crimps the door skin as it goes. It worked good on the roof skin, but I couldn't get close enough to the end by the sail panel with it, so I just used a hammer and dolly to finish the job.

[Da_Raabi]

All I can say is wow, thats a lot of sheetmetal work! Just a thought... could you have built a new car from all those pieces? Just kidding!! Great work!