[4Birdman]

Hey guys, since so many of you have helped out, I want to keep you guys updated.

The Gen III 5.3L engine should be here soon, National Parts Depot was kind enough to offer a spot on one of their trucks for our engine to get it to NC from Cali. I need a lot of parts for it still, like the accessory brackets, throttle body, coils, etc. Basically right now it is a shortblock, heads are in my garage, and an intake donated by a guy in Carolina F-body Club. My friend Joel at HRT is doing the work on it, but I need the parts to put it together. Painless has also donated the wiring, cam, and engine management system. Mike at Sulski Performance has graciously donated the tuning. 8)

We've also found the car, but we're about $700 short. I'm trying to work a deal with the guy to hold it for me, though. He came off the price about $1300 to get it close to what we had so far, so I'd really like to grab this one. It is a 68 that has a solid body, but needs some rust repair on the rear quarters and some other small spots. It is a project car, but with the way people are coming together for this project it'll be an amazing car when we're done! I'm hoping to have someone go look at it soon so we can have it shipped from Il back to it's new home in NC.

I'm working on securing the brakes now (LS1 brakes all around) with some donated rotors from RotorsOnline.com and some calipers that my friend Russ gave me (after I rebuild those 200k monsters!) and my friend CE had donated the master cylinder, booster, and part. valve.

So that's where we're at right now, it is coming together nicely, just need a few more bucks to secure the car. I'm gonna have a meeting with my family this weekend and see if we can come up with the other $700, I don't see that being a problem.

[nnolan]

A gen 3 5.3? Is that an LS motor?

[Olath Deis]

It says on the website that it's a 327. No idea how much horsepower or if it's an LS. Gen III is considered LS-based engines, I do believe.

[4Birdman]

Yep, it is an LS based engine. It is out of a 2005 Chevy truck. I'm not sure how much horsepower we'll get yet, but the heads will be redone and it will have a more aggressive cam in it. Should be a pretty stout motor.

[noahTHEpurdy]

LS based engines are available in 5.3L, 5.7L, and 6.0L of displacement currently.

[Rusty]

noahTHEpurdy, on Jun 29 2007, 02:13 PM, said:

LS based engines are available in 5.3L, 5.7L, and 6.0L of displacement currently.

And 7.0L too.

[84z]

i'm pretty sure truck L seris motors aren't a LS motor. the heads are dirren't but still the same design. i think it's a LQ9 or 3 somthing like that. just a FYI. cause i've herd you can' put truck L heads on a LSx motor.

[4Birdman]

Nope, they are the same. You can use the truck heads, done it before. :B):

I have some truck 5.3L heads we're redoing for them anyway. :rockon22:

Oh, and the guy who was "holding the car for me" and "was glad to help on a great cause" sold the car out from under me. http://www.firebirdn...tyle_emoticons/default/veryangry.gif

This post has been edited by 4Birdman: 02 July 2007 - 03:18 PM

[4Birdman]

Special thanks to Twist Machine! They donated a set of their core support bars and one of their cowl induction billet trim plates. These things are amazing, top notch quality and they look great! As a mechanical designer by profession, I must say these are some fine looking pieces. :31trophysign:

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l201/Birdman79/Patriot%20Dream%20Camaro/IMG_4882.jpg
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l201/Birdman79/Patriot%20Dream%20Camaro/IMG_4881.jpg
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l201/Birdman79/Patriot%20Dream%20Camaro/IMG_4880.jpg
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l201/Birdman79/Patriot%20Dream%20Camaro/IMG_4879.jpg

[4Birdman]

5.3L heads that we had sitting on the shelf in the shop heading over tomorrow to HRT Performance to be reworked
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l201/Birdman79/Patriot%20Dream%20Camaro/05.jpg

[4Birdman]

Got the brake booster! Complete LS1 brake setup here we come.

We got a lead on the car, too! A guy has a 67 and he is building a 68 for his son who is a Marine in Iraq. We have talked about it and they want us to get the car, so we're working out all the details now. :29snick:

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l201/Birdman79/Patriot%20Dream%20Camaro/IMG_4885.jpg

[noahTHEpurdy]

Sounds good bud. I must say this is an awesome thing, and would be even greater to come home to.

[4Birdman]

The engine will be at the machine shop in about two weeks or so, then the rebuild begins. Sold a bunch of Trans Am parts I had sitting on the shelf and bought some stuff for the engine. Got some sweet red anodized aluminum fuel rails with blue AN fittings and braided line.

Also got a set of stock valve covers that I'm going to smooth out and powdercoat wrinkle black, a set of LS1 injectors and clips, LS6 valve springs, and an LS1 Throttle body that I'm going to P&P.

So here's the engine combo that I'm going to go with.

Gen III 5.3L out of a 2005 truck with block painted black, donated by Strictly Performance (shipping by National Parts Depot)
LS1 intake smoothed and powdercoated bare aluminum color
Red anodized fuel rail, LS1 injectors, blue AN fittings, and braided line
Wrinkle black valve covers
LS1 TB powdercoated Super Chrome
Cam included in HI-RPM kit
HI-RPM kit donated by Painless Performance
5.3L heads, 3-angled and milled, LS6 springs, left bare aluminum
LS4 oil pump
Engine and heads will be built and assembled thanks to a donation by HRT Performance.

Can't wait to see this thing built, it's gonna look sexy.

[4Birdman]

Lightning Auto Customs has donated a shift boot for a T56 in a 67 Camaro, along with the plans for the bezel, which I am going to draw up in SolidWorks and have made up. This thing is NICE! They also hooked us up with some vinyl decals. :beer:

Our engine will also be at the terminal next Wednesday, so then the fun begins with that! Big thanks to National Parts Depot for the free ride for our engine on one of their trucks cross-country!

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l201/Birdman79/Patriot%20Dream%20Camaro/IMG_4980.jpg
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l201/Birdman79/Patriot%20Dream%20Camaro/IMG_4976.jpg

[Zippy]

Dang, Bryan. I cant wait to see it come together. :beer:

[4Birdman]

I can't either man! AutoTwirler has donated a rotisserie, so this is gonna be an amazing car.

We've found a 67 Camaro and are awaiting the final word on our offer. The guy's son is in Iraq as well and he wants his approval before it is gone. We are the only one he is talking to about the car, so he said they'll work with us to get us the car. :beer:

[Jeff85]

Olath Deis, on Jun 29 2007, 03:01 PM, said:

It says on the website that it's a 327. No idea how much horsepower or if it's an LS. Gen III is considered LS-based engines, I do believe.

325HP, its used in the new avalanches

[4Birdman]

SPEC Stage 2 clutch and Billet steel flywheel graciously donated by SPEC Clutch!

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l201/Birdman79/Patriot%20Dream%20Camaro/IMG_5019.jpg

It is down to the wire here guys and there is still no car. Something always seems to happen when we find a car, and it is getting down to the wire. PLEASE keep your eye out for a 67 or 68 for $2500 or less. The last one a guy I know bought the car out from under me, knowing what I needed the car for. :30tens:

[4Birdman]

Made a deal on a car! The guy is going to install the floorboards for us before we go get it. Should be picking it up at the beginning of September. Grabbed it off of the pro-touring.com board. Can't wait to get this thing in the shop!

He's done more work since these pictures, but at least it gives you an idea!
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t91/aussiebj/newrideheight4.jpg
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t91/aussiebj/newrideheight.jpg

And the before shot:
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t91/aussiebj/68camaro.jpg

We also got our engine in today. Strictly Performance donated the engine and NPD had it delivered to us on one of their trucks. Heading to HRT Performance this week to start the rebuild.
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l201/Birdman79/Patriot%20Dream%20Camaro/IMG_5042.jpg

[4Birdman]

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l201/Birdman79/Patriot%20Dream%20Camaro/render.jpg

A rendering of the finished product thanks to Hermance Design!