1971 Camaro LS3 build

[redsoxsstink]

My father and I got this project last fall as a roller with great paint. We had plans to do big block and a 4 speed in it. We built a mild 454 for it and purchased a m20. literally as we were getting done with the build and getting ready to drop it in, a LS3 came our way. So now we are going that route, LS3 carb, t56, and vintage air to turn it in to a real nice cruiser. I really wanted this plant for my IROC but my dad wanted something to race me with so he got it.

We slide in a GM ASA cam in the LS and are running a Holley 750 on top with a Holley carb intake, other than that stock valve train. For an oil pan we are using a CTSV pan, which should provide enough clearance. The t56 is on order, we plan to run a LS7 clutch in in with factory GM hydraulics (Bonzo i have been reading over your thread on Nasty for this swap). The car started off as a stick car so the pedals are already there. A 8.5in 10 bolt will be out back with 3.73, when that blows we plan to do 4.10s or higher. For an exhaust we are going with long tubes to GM performance mufflers out the back.

For wheels we have some gunmetal with polished lip torque thrust style 17x7 and 17x8 wrapped in BFG sport com IIs.

The interior had some funky 2 tone orange and black interior, so we will be doing fresh black carpet and redoing the seats. To go with the modern drive-train we will be wiring up all autometer guages. A sounds system if any hasnt been thought about yet.

Since pictures are the real reason you clicked this here are some. I dont have alot but will be posting more.

[sweetbmxrider]

Very cool. Are the stripes pearl?

[redsoxsstink]

Originally Posted by sweetbmxrider

Very cool. Are the stripes pearl?

nah, they are kinda just there, just a different shade of orange

[Blackbirdws6]

Should be a nice project. When do you plan on getting it done.

[redsoxsstink]

Originally Posted by Blackbirdws6

Should be a nice project. When do you plan on getting it done.

Hopefully before May 19th, I want to take it to Cruising OCMD

[6spdg37s]

nice i like it !

[stoney2677]

Where in thee hell did you find such a nice roller? Reminds me of mine except waaaay nicer.

[aps63]

My 2 favorite Camaro's. Cars look great.
Did you paint the LS3 or just blast everything.
Looks awesome!!!!!

[Jersey Mike]

How does a LS3 just "come your way." Looking forward to this one!

[redsoxsstink]

Originally Posted by stoney2677

Where in thee hell did you find such a nice roller? Reminds me of mine except waaaay nicer.

drove out to the baltimore area to get it

Originally Posted by aps63

My 2 favorite Camaro's. Cars look great.
Did you paint the LS3 or just blast everything.
Looks awesome!!!!!

we put in in the parts washer for a hour or too and then sprayed it with VHT engine paint

Originally Posted by Jersey Mike

How does a LS3 just "come your way." Looking forward to this one!

someone was parting out a car and we got a good deal on it

[B4C]

Originally Posted by redsoxsstink

drove out to the baltimore area to get it

I think that I saw it on craigslist. I never understood doing all the work to ls swap and leaving the carb on it. To each their own.

[redsoxsstink]

Originally Posted by B4C

I think that I saw it on craigslist. I never understood doing all the work to ls swap and leaving the carb on it. To each their own.

It's really not that much work to get the engine in the car. At this point in time though it is saving us roughly 1000 bucks when you factor in electronics, intake, fuel systems etc. I would have liked to do fuel injectiob. Possible might happen down the road.

[Punkmaster 98]

This car is gonna be a beast

[xrelapse13]

looks like a nice project, may i ask why the ASA cam? Much better options out there.

[redsoxsstink]

Originally Posted by xrelapse13

looks like a nice project, may i ask why the ASA cam? Much better options out there.

Mainly because we can retain all the factory valve train components since it is not a very high lift cam at all. GM sells their ls3 crate with the asa and it makes around 530 crank hp which is perfect for this application.

[redsoxsstink]

Some updates.. turns out the vendor we were going through for the t56 was a fraud, we cant find a t56 we like right now for a decent price so we are going back with the Muncie we were originally going to use for the big block.

Also we dropped the engine and long tubes in today along with some other minor things.

[BonzoHansen]

how are you handling the clutch?

[redsoxsstink]

Originally Posted by BonzoHansen

how are you handling the clutch?

going to stick with the z-bar. We will be making the necessary brackets to mount it on the block/bellhousing.

[xrelapse13]

Originally Posted by redsoxsstink

Mainly because we can retain all the factory valve train components since it is not a very high lift cam at all. GM sells their ls3 crate with the asa and it makes around 530 crank hp which is perfect for this application.

Fair enough, was just curious cause it actually has a lower valve lift than a stock LS3 cam but with longer duration and a 110 LSA.

[redsoxsstink]

After getting screwed on a few t56s we finally got one... This one being by far the best one yet. Its a t56 magnum, per the seller... has 18 miles on it. This is unverified but he gave us all the components that came from his 69 Camaro when he had the trans in there and everything looks great so i am going to believe him.

After doing some quick measurements, it looks like the shifter is going to come through the stock shifter hole with very little or no trimming when it is "reverse" mounted on the trans which is great. We are still fiddling with the motor mounts at this point to get it sitting right in the bay. But after that the trans is going in, fuel/brake lines, wiring gauges and first fire.

[TaKid455]

Hydraulic setup is fairly easy to do. I run that on my builds. Canned the bulky mechanical setup.

[WildBillyT]

Originally Posted by TaKid455

Hydraulic setup is fairly easy to do. I run that on my builds. Canned the bulky mechanical setup.

I stayed mechanical with the T56/6023-PB and kind of regret it. Wish I had kept the hydraulics.

[redsoxsstink]

We are going hydraulic now. Was gonna do mechanical on the muncie but hydraulic on the t56.

[WildBillyT]

Good move, IMO.

[TaKid455]

run a remote bleeder. Speedway sells a kit. Get the firewall bracket for the Fbody or Tick master. Several examples on the market. You can make one but they arent too expensive. Be sure to get the pedal to m/c geometry correct or within acceptable parameters.