1967 Camaro street/drag

[Pro Stock John]

This is what I started with, I did a trade + got some cash to me, and picked up this 1967 Camaro that was a pro street car. Bought it near Rockford, car was supposedly from Lisle though I've not come across anyone who knew the car.

As it sat, it had a 502 later crate engine, 8-71 supercharger, T350, and a 9" with 31 spline guts. Has full tubs, ladder bars and a 10 point cage.

[Pro Stock John]

I'm an LS guy, so I already had the motor/blower sold, and as part of the deal we towed the car right when I bought it to a buddy's shop and the driveline was pulled a few hours later.

As purchased the car was sketchy. Wiring harness was garbage, it had drums all the way around and the shocks and suspension was old.

[Pro Stock John]

Buddy welded up the turbo kit, went in about 3 years ago. I then started wiring the car.

Along the way, I pulled the rear end, which is a super narrowed 9" / ladder bar combo. I decided to upgrade the guts from the 31 spline / supposed posi setup to 40 spline and a spool.

[Pro Stock John]

Was making good progress, had plumbed fuel system, gotten the car running, swapped brakes, made new brake lines, swapped shocks, front suspension, 9" guts, seats, shifter, wheels, hood, but then ran into rust under the windshield.

So I moved it from my house on the North side of Chicago to a buddy in Mt. Prospect who fixed it up.

Got it home, have been working through a list of final items which included cooling issues. Car is currently with a buddy who is working on cooling system and will do a final go over of the wiring.

I have driven the car an hour straight but it was running warm the whole time.

Goal is a rowdy cruiser that runs low 8s.

I'd be very interested in a grump lump hood if one comes up, I might even get a set of Cragars for this car.

[69z2x4]

I like it a lot!

[Pro Stock John]

Thanks, it's been a lot of work and have gotten great help from friends.

I love the look of 1st gen Pro Stock cars, so I'm interested in any leads for a Grump lump style hood (bolt-on) and even some driver quality Cragars (15x3.5 fronts, 15x14 4.5 rears), maybe would consider Centerlines too.

[Xplantdad]

Neat build!!

[Pro Stock John]

Thanks! Radiator and rearend had 'Hensley Racing' stickers on them if anyone recalls them. My buddy Al and I discussed what the car's history might be. Some of the work )9", ladder bar, tubs) looks like it was professionally built so the car might have been drag raced or it was just a nice pro street build. Someone later in the car's life added the GM MK IV crate motor and blower setup. Was originally F-F, then red, and now yellow.

[cook_dw]

Cool build. I was on ls1tech for years when I lived in BG, KY and was hot & heavy into LS stuff. I don’t see a CPS on the timing cover so I assume it’s a LS1? What’s the internals? I started to go the same route but never decided on a turbo and ended deciding on a old school tunnel sbc setup.

[Pro Stock John]

Hey Cook, my buddy Tony and I co-founded LS1Tech was a ton of fun.

-5.3 LM7, stock for for now but picked up an LC9 (gen 4 aluminum 5.3) which I have over at Fast Times for forged rods/pistons/crank.
-Stock 799 heads, BTR 660 springs
-Baker Engineering cam, hydraulic
-Holley Hi Ram intake
-Holley Smart coils
-Holley 160 lb injectors
-Shearer a/a intercooler
-Holley Dominator ECU
-FI BW S485/96, bill wheel
-2 fuel pumps, O44 for light cruising and small boost, and Weldon 2345A for big boost

[Pro Stock John]

I should have bought this crusty hood, was for sale in the South suburbs. This is what I'm looking for.

[cook_dw]

Hey Cook, my buddy Tony and I co-founded LS1Tech was a ton of fun.

-5.3 LM7, stock for for now but picked up an LC9 (gen 4 aluminum 5.3) which I have over at Fast Times for forged rods/pistons/crank.
-Stock 799 heads, BTR 660 springs
-Baker Engineering cam, hydraulic
-Holley Hi Ram intake
-Holley Smart coils
-Holley 160 lb injectors
-Shearer a/a intercooler
-Holley Dominator ECU
-FI BW S485/96, bill wheel
-2 fuel pumps, O44 for light cruising and small boost, and Weldon 2345A for big boost


Yep I’m aware of you and Tony and the success you guys had with tech. I followed your 25.2 formula(??? Going off memory and I’m probably misremembering???) you were building at one time but that was around the time I got back into 1st gens and never looked back. Went to several shootouts at beech bend and Memphis back in the early & mid 2000’s. Sounds like a nice setup. Good luck with finding a hood/scoop.

[Pro Stock John]

I sold my '98 Formula back around 2009, got converted to BBC + N20 and got wrecked maybe totaled not sure if the tub got saved.

Before 'Tech I had muscle cars, and when I wanted to go fast again I looked for a 1st gen Camaro that I could modify and that wasn't worth putting back to stock. This '67 from what I can tell has been cut up since the 80s.

I have one lead on a hood, checking to see if it's bolt-on (that's what I need) or pin-on.

[69z2x4]

I know it's going to happen but I hate to see it. There is a lot of work and money put into those cars.

[Pro Stock John]

Eh the wrecked red one I don't own anymore, and that '69 I only pictured because the guy is selling the hood.. But it's pin-on won't work for me.

Still on the hunt fo a bolt-on version of the above hood. I might paint or wrap the car a vintage color.

[Pro Stock John]

The Hairy Banana has had it's wiring gone over, Jay fixed a bunch of stuff, and now it's going to the dyno.

#scared

[Pro Stock John]

'67 is finally a solid driver, hit up a little car show in Norridge (Chicago) last weekend.

[Pro Stock John]

Ended up driving the '67 about 4 hours this past weekend, I might try to run Drag Week next year. I also decided I'll try the local Pro E85 8.90 index class next year. I need to settle on a wheel / tire combo for that. Since they mostly run big tire slicks, I'm thinkin some sort of 29.5 that fits on a 15x14 or 15x15.

I've been hitting it with 14-15 psi, so about 700-800 hp right now.

My punch list went from 0 back to 10 things again.
-swap to different ladder bars
-swap to 295/65 DRs in back
-bolt on side mirrors
-buy rivnut kit
-change wg springs to 7 lb ones
-figure out what lb springs to run in back for the coil overs

[Pro Stock John]

Maybe mine is a day 11 build lol?

I have 7 hours of drive time in the car without issue. Have the car over with a buddy, I needed him to weld a new track locater, I swapped to rod end ladder bars.

I still would love to source some older wheels and a different hood, I like the older 70s look but I can't find a hood.

So recent changes are swapped to 295/65/15 MTs in back, swapped on rod end ladder bars.

[Xplantdad]

nice!!:biggthumpup:

[Pro Stock John]

Thanks she's not show quality but should go mid 8s next year.

[Pro Stock John]

One of you guys suggested I get the NCRS report on the '67:

[Pro Stock John]

I'm working on getting an early 70's style pro stock hood made for the car. I have a thread going in the Day2 group where I did research, but I basically have found a guy who makes new scoops and I'm just waiting for him to get me some measurements (front to rear).

This is the goal.

[Pro Stock John]

Got one

[dykstra]

Awesome! Looking great!

[Pro Stock John]

Ol' 80s pro street car now a LS turbo car with some early 70s pro stock visuals

[Stefano]

Kool car, this should be a lot of fun.

[scuncio]

I'm working on getting an early 70's style pro stock hood made for the car. I have a thread going in the Day2 group where I did research, but I basically have found a guy who makes new scoops and I'm just waiting for him to get me some measurements (front to rear).

This is the goal.

If that picture is your goal, I have a pair of 15x3.5" Super Tricks for the front. I'll make you a great deal.

[Pro Stock John]

Hmmm are they polished?

[chevyman0429]

Hmmm are they polished?

Iv got a set of 15x10 super tricks that are polished that I would sell or trade for a set that isn’t polished !

[scuncio]

Hmmm are they polished?

No, they are satin.

[Pro Stock John]

Thx I'd nerd out for some polished skinnies. I wonder if those could be polished.

[Pro Stock John]

Iv got a set of 15x10 super tricks that are polished that I would sell or trade for a set that isn’t polished !

Thx but won't fit my car. I'm runnin 15x12 1.5 backspace wheels in back.

[scuncio]

Thx I'd nerd out for some polished skinnies. I wonder if those could be polished.

For sure, I think that would be straightforward if you removed the through-bolts.

[Pro Stock John]

Thanks but Imma hold off.

If nobody gets serious on buying these Cragars I'll look for some front tires and swap 'em on and see how they look.

[DW31S]

Couple things…
Name that car “Rowdy from Dowdy”!
As for polishing satin Super Tricks, I’ve done them and figured out what and what does not work. First of all, they need to be separated and all hardware removed. Before you split the fronts/backs mark them and the center lug hole plates so they go back together as originally constructed. Once they’re apart, clean all factory sealant. Then liberally coat the front half with Easy Off oven cleaner and let it sit in the sun (if possible) for 15-20 minutes. Hose down/wipe clean and then repeat. Once ALL the clear anodizing is removed then you can start polishing. Basically, polish them as you would wet sand buff paint. I usually start with 600 and finish with 2.000. Then buff a couple times with Mother’s. Lastly, I do a final coat by hand with Diamond metal polish/sealant. Once the polishing is to your liking, reassembly is next. I always use clear silicone on the lug plate rings where they meet the wheel disc and then install new hardware (which I have if anyone needs it). Once they’re back together, run a nice bead of silicone around the joint where the front/back parts of the wheel meet. I let this sit for a day, and then lay another bead over that one (a little wider) and then let that sit for a day. Finally, they are done. This procedure is a royal pain in the ass, but it works. I’ve never needed tubes in front or rears after this process.

[Pro Stock John]

Thanks for info. I bought a set of Cragar SST, chrome I would say, back in 1991. I really liked those.

[Pro Stock John]

Had a good season with my modern day 2 lol...

Next season I'll slap on a fresh set of tires in back and hit GLD. I'd like to run 8's with the current mill.

The new engine is an LC9 will be all forged including the crank and I'll also be using a set of TFS as cast 220s. I might swap a 91mm turbo on it too that will eventually happen. With this new engine I'll be looking to run 7.90s in a cruisable car.

[Xplantdad]

Very cool!
:beers:

[Crush]

7.90 s!!!!! Wow that would be crazy fun on the street. Let’s hear a video of it running!

[Pro Stock John]

Let me see if I can load up a video to Youtube.

A buddy of mine and I are obsessed with the idea of having a a true street car that runs 7.90, he has a very nice '69 Camaro that he did all the work on. He's been 8.6@157 so far.

I drove mine all over Chicago this year, put about 12 street hours on it.

Kevin's car (started out as a rough roller):

[Crush]

Let me see if I can load up a video to Youtube.

A buddy of mine and I are obsessed with the idea of having a a true street car that runs 7.90, he has a very nice '69 Camaro that he did all the work on. He's been 8.6@157 so far.

I drove mine all over Chicago this year, put about 12 street hours on it.

Kevin's car (started out as a rough roller):

Looks like my old Camaro?!

[Pro Stock John]

His starting point:

[Crush]

His starting point:

Nope that’s not it, the blue fooled me. What’s he running?

[Pro Stock John]

He's been 8.61@157, similar combo to mine (turbo ls).

I'm a fan of Tony Karamitsos' '69 Camaro too, he runs true street classes in the Midwest. SBC with a big turbo.

[Pro Stock John]

So moving along, I plan to wrap or partially paint the car in 2023.

Car is a '67, originally F-F paint, and that blue is fine but I don't feel a burning need to go back to it. Car was then red and is now some sort of yellow.

A local painter friend of mine thinks he can match the paint, his confidence impresses me but I am pessimistic. I will see where that goes.

If it's not possible, might wrap it butternut yellow it's a color I keep coming back to. I don't want to do white because everybody copies the Grump cars.

[Pro Stock John]

I'm closer to wrapping my '67.

I'm going to have to stay with my current hood and I actually came across a car with the same hood that is painted up '68 style.

I was kicking around trying an L88 hood but I really doubt it will work with my intake.

[L78_Nova]

Bulging the center of the L-88 hood to clear might be cool.
But I like the Sunoco hood also.
G

[Pro Stock John]

Thanks for the interest!

I also bought a MOPAR style hood scoop but I think for now I'm going to just focus on wrapping the car and replicating the '67 style nose stripe. I would love to run a more vintage looking wheel but they are heavy, don't fit a 5/8 stud (rear) and I don't want to run old wheels into the mid 8s.

A local racer to me has the look I'm going for, I told him I won't do black lol.

[cook_dw]

That was the look I wanted to do with my old 69. Paint it Frost Green again (original color), turbo'd LS. It would have been fun but reality and the opportunity to trade for my fathers 68 L78 from my brother altered plans.

[Pro Stock John]

Yeah I had no problem turning this old drag / pro street car into a drag and drive style car, wasn't anything special trim tag wise.

But I also like gennie rare GM muscle cars I'll probably buy a newish COPO or an L78 car once I move out of the city.

[Stefano]

He's been 8.61@157, similar combo to mine (turbo ls).

I'm a fan of Tony Karamitsos' '69 Camaro too, he runs true street classes in the Midwest. SBC with a big turbo.

That is one bad ass Street car! Tony runs the Johnny Lightning Auto World Program and works hand in hand with Bob @ MCACN. He has had his Camaro there on display.

[Pro Stock John]

Yeah Tony's car is great, he's been a frequent winner of True Street events.

[Pro Stock John]

I'm thinking seriously about wrapping my '67 like this car that I will share, but I''d replicate the '67 style wrap-around nose stripe. I don't come across too many folks running the same Glasstek hood as me so I was pretty excited to find this car with the hood and painted butternut.

I looked into running more of a day 2 style hood (scoop) and even bought a pro stock scoop but I can always revisit that in the future.

[Keith Seymore]

He's been 8.61@157, similar combo to mine (turbo ls).

I'm a fan of Tony Karamitsos' '69 Camaro too, he runs true street classes in the Midwest. SBC with a big turbo.

That is one bad ass Street car! Tony runs the Johnny Lightning Auto World Program and works hand in hand with Bob @ MCACN. He has had his Camaro there on display.

I recognize those guys.

I'm really surprised I'm not in the background of that photo.

K

[Pro Stock John]

Nice where was that taken Keith?

[Keith Seymore]

I believe the circle track is "Chicagoland Speedway" (aka Joliet); the winner's circle photo is World Wide Technology Raceway (East St Louis/Madison ILL).

K

[Pro Stock John]

Very cool, I used to crew for 2 different buddies running NMCA heads up classes, good times.

[Keith Seymore]

Very cool, I used to crew for 2 different buddies running NMCA heads up classes, good times.

That's cool. Who did you work with?

I started with the NMCA in 1994. I go all the way back to Danny Scott, Scott Hocking and the like. Use to hang out with Nick Scavo, Chuck Samuel, Bill Travato, Eric Van Berkum and such.

K

[dykstra]

That's cool. Who did you work with?

I started with the NMCA in 1994. I go all the way back to Danny Scott, Scott Hocking and the like. Use to hang out with Nick Scavo, Chuck Samuel, Bill Travato, Eric Van Berkum and such.

K

Boy, those names bring back memories! I believe Ron Mroz used to run with those guys too? He had a beautiful beige ‘65 real healthy small block Chevelle that ran extremely fast for how it looked. Major sleeper

[Pro Stock John]

My buddies ran the LSX series, 315 Drag Radial. I helped Andy Essary starting around 2013 and then Anthony Manna, both Chicago area guys. Class started out in the 7.80's, went 1/8th, and by the end of the field was running mid 4.20s to mid 4.30s.

I've had other friends who run Xstreme Street, Nitrous Pro Street, X275.

I won't be running any classes in this car, getting it out for the first time this year. I hope to get down to into the 5.40's within 40 passes. :)

Edit: I'm friends with Bill Trovato and Eric. Bill runs Xstreme Street.

[cook_dw]

Years ago I had a very, very small part helping when Jesse Coulter ('91 red L98 Camaro) started running Drag Radial class before we parted ways. I guess he's gone on to win several championships. Those were fun & frustrating times. I'm not sure I'd be willing to do it over again.

[Pro Stock John]

Cool, was he running the LSX Real Street class? He currently runs the NMCA Xtreme Street class, very similar though he made the move to a blower. I've hung out with him a lot over the years, sharp guy.

[cook_dw]

I honestly can’t remember very early it was a 408 iron block with a nitrous plate.

[Pro Stock John]

Dang... early days I don't even remember when Jesse ran nitrous.

[cook_dw]

1st LSx event in Memphis was his first race (not first first but first with that setup) iirc. 2007 or 8 was the 1st race with a LS engine.

[Pro Stock John]

Good times I was at all those races.

[Pro Stock John]

Pic I took at Memphis, All Motor class.

[cook_dw]

IIRC it was a bracket class not all motor. But still it was fun while it lasted.

[Pro Stock John]

I vaguely recall Jesse was nitrous before turbo, that was kind of the scene back then, turbo combos were still getting figured out.

The first organized LS race was held in 2000 by GMHTP Magazine, Johnny Hunkins pulled it together. Then in 2001 Chris Endres and I held a race at Beech Bend. Then starting in 2003 we pulled together a 3-race series in partnership with Thunder Racing.

Prior to 2006 I had talks with the organizers of the LSX Series (Chevrolet Performance, NMCA) and I was brought in to help with rules and class structure, and facilitated dialogue with the racers.

I did the same thing for Holley LS Fest and I'm still a consultant for them.

But I digress, I think once I wrap the car it will look a bit more Day 2, right now I'm Day 100 lol.

[Pro Stock John]

@turbobird would love to see some pics of your car.

I got the car out last month first time ever, went 12.4 and on my 4th pass went 9.30s. Later went 6.04@123 in the 1/8 maybe a high 9.2x pass.

I am redoing some of the front suspension for next season to rid the car of the current death wobble at high speeds.

[turbo69bird]

This is my turbo charged bird pretty much locked myself in the garage w my buddy Chris for 48 hrs built the whole set up w the goal of running 9s and went 10.00 right off the trailer . That was carberator and no. Inter-cooled w water meth and a diesel turbo.
I sized the turbo this way.
455 cid x 6000rpm is the same air flow as 900cid and 3000 rpm !
Bingo Detroit diesel turbo works!
Everyone said it wouldn’t even make it down the track. I did a forum on a Pontiac site teaching guys how to build it and I had guys in New Zealand. Iceland , Australia all over the place w my basic designed set up on theirs cars. Put it together last long block version in about late 2005 and changed it up top to fuel injection- Intercooler and a ceramic ball bearing turbo - right before the HPP race at englishtown 2009 (which I won BTW ) it’s still together running without even a spark plug change. Still has gen 7 DFI on it and one of Jason betwardas old turbos I got from a buddy who worked at turbo people . Which I’m proud To own jason was the best of the best!

Car is set up at 11 psi and clicks off 9.70 at 146 off the foot brake. On 93 octane .

Every nut bolt weld even the paint on this car that GM didn’t put there I put there w my own two hands . No one worked on this car not one piece was subbed out
Or bought complete. Welded the cage, narrowed the rear , did the body I even made the original set of headers for it myself from a couple sets of 3 tubes I had kicking around . I later copied them in stainless.

[Pro Stock John]

Very cool! Ladder bar right? Diag track locator?

My 2024 goal is 8.50/5.40. Once it runs that I'll fix up the exterior, has to earn it. :)

I street drive the car all summer.

[turbo69bird]

Yeah I’m ladder bar and diagonal link. I’d prefer a watts or a pan hard bar personally especially for street use the diagonal link will bind like carzy on the street I’ve snapped mine twice just plain beat it to death on the street.


https://youtu.be/_iScK0gqvzc?si=C1_nzQk0j4hXSlhb


Doesn’t look like it but had nasty tire shake on this burnout on the street and snapped it right after. .

https://youtu.be/AbYnvJggx_o?si=DwDW-ASOjWMhODPN
(Idk what my kids saying in this one she’s really little) but I snapped the diagonal link on this run
It’s a spring rate issue as the Moroso truck springs settled differently it hits the bump stops differently and violently when I lift and this causes a dynamic waddle that loads and unloads the already beat up diagonal link.
It just needs to be fixed but there’s always 47 more important things on the list ahead of it.

[Pro Stock John]

I keep an eye on my diag bar.

I talked to a buddy about a panhard bar and a watts link setup.

Lately my buddies are all about running a wishbone.

[turbo69bird]

Here’s another

From long ago the kids you hear in this video are 18 now lol.

https://youtu.be/Yj0Ge3GQbaI?si=UqG0Vw537QVA27Gb

They were probably 3 or 4 I’d guess when this was taken. Took me a while to post them on YT. So they are older than 10 years

[Pro Stock John]

Looks good.

I hope to be ready right when tracks open to run my car.

[turbo69bird]

I keep an eye on my diag bar.

I talked to a buddy about a panhard bar and a watts link setup.

Lately my buddies are all about running a wishbone.

I looked at the wishbone and was told it would have the same tendencies as the diagonal link.

I also can’t stand where my shocks are located because I can’t run the stock tank location . I street the car more than anything these days so I prefer a large tank w a sending unit. IDK what I’ll do w that rear suspension in the future . It’s one of those things where if I’m gonna do surgery to it I would probably go from the 12 bolt to a fab nine, if Im gonna do that maybe go to a diagonal 4 link for the street , if I’m gonna do that go back to a regular tank location . And it just keeps going and going. Where does it end. In the mean tie I’ve been racing the Tesla 😂

[turbo69bird]

I check my diagonal link all the time because the car sits up on the lift most of its time . I never found any indication it was fatigued before I snapped the end links .

[Pro Stock John]

You broke the rod or a heim?

I think if at some point I'm having work done on the back, like changing out the front brackets so I can change the anti-squat, I'd look into thicker diameter diag bar though the one I got came from Chris Alston. I just now there is thicker diameter options I could get customized.

I kicked around changing this car back to leafs but after talking to some friends with quicker leaf spring 1st gens I think it's a step back. Ladder bars are working really well right now though Tin Soldier's 4 link setup looks good too.

I think the issue folks have with wishbones is the slider binding up.

[turbo69bird]

Once I broke the attachment point . This is art Morrison stuff. And once I broke the hiem at the threads . If I remember correctly. It’s been a long time. The rod itself has been fine

[turbo69bird]

A buddy of mine is running 8.30 on stock leafs right now. So idk if it’s a step back. Used to think so but I’ve seen some guys run crazy times on them. These aren’t even split leafs or anything special. Think he still runs the SSM lift bars w them.

Just another fun video

https://youtube.com/shorts/W5MBXrZvMqU?si=bFBfhaoIAPPbo0IW

[Pro Stock John]

Ah so you broke a clevis and a rod end. Definitely gonna keep an eye on those.

My buddy just went 8.20@165 in his '69 Camaro, leafs, caltracs, some other trick stuff done to increase the anti squat so he can hook on a drag radial.

[Pro Stock John]

Forgot to share my PB for 2024. Notes, I was letting off at the 1/8th still getting used to the car going this fast. Run out in the 1/4 would have been around 8.75@160. Plan for 2025 is to run a local 5.30 index class. I'll be swapping out the longblock next year and adding a front steer rack from SRC. I'm trying to get the car to 3000 raceweight (200 driver).

[chevyman0429]

Impressive 8.75 is hauling balls. Excellent

[Pro Stock John]

Thanks, I'd like it run it out once or twice and go 8.50 but I'm very comfortable running 1/8th. I've made 12 passes in it. I drove it to MCACN last year.

[69M22Z]

Awesome!!!

[Pro Stock John]

Bump, 2025 racing season starts up soon.

I'll be super busy in May with family stuff, youngest graduates high school and I have a week long working vacation trip to Istanbul (and Greece).

Meanwhile, I'm doing fluid changes, swapping plugs.

I'm still interested if a bolt-on version of this hood comes up for sale, I know there are versions built on a cowl hood and some with a flat one. Greg W's hood for example:

I don't dislike my current hood but I like the 70's pro stock look the most.

Goal this year is to run 5.30s in the 1/8 for a local series, that's somewhere around 8.20 in the 1/4.