1997 Camaro SGT/A-B
 

We are in the process of a neat build for my dads last race car. He had pretty well everything to put together a 71 LS5 454 engine, 365@355hp. The engine is mainly used parts aside from a new set of Eagle rods he got a deal on. The budget build of about $4k netted us 465HP @ 5500 on Armstrong's dyno, we were quite pleased! He had wanted to build a chevelle to put it in but being a retiree they are out of budget for him, well actually just about anything was but we still had all this gear around. I decided to pay him back for helping me get my first race car about 15 years ago, but running a stocker myself, a second chevelle was out of budget. Sooo onto his second choice I surprised him with a trip to North Carolina for his 65th birthday, to purchase a 97 camaro roller that we would make his last race car from. The combination is a natural Stock GT/A but we plan to run it in B, with a minimum weight of 3365#, and on an index of 11.65

So here we are about a year later finally with enough gear rounded up to make a race car and we've been able to make some good progress.

It was going to cost too much for us to go with a 12 bolt, so having lots of time we resorted a route we used for a few bracket cars. Starting with an 8.5" 10 bolt housing we transferred all the brackets and fabbed the torque arm mount, and added a Moser spool and axle kit, along with Motive 4.10's.

Again cost being an issue, the only specific swap headers I could find were Lemons, no way. After much searching and measuring it was decided a set of Hooker chevelle street headers would do with minimal reworking. The rack posed an issue as the pinion was going to run into the mount and header, but a little more searching paid off. I found that the LS1 cars rack had the pinion laid over tighter to the frame rail which gave us the room we needed. All in all it wasn't a bad swap! The biggest problem and decision we faced was the distributor being under the cowl, and not enough room for it. Well the rulebook stated that any vehicle (key word!) factory equipped with a distributorless ignition could run crank trigger, so thats how we went, and it fits! I'd like to have some more carb clearance as I think it's too close at 1" from cowl, about 1.5" from bottom of hood. But pan is only a 1/4" off the rack so not much we can do there.

Re: 1997 Camaro SGT/A-B
 

K member with mounts and engine installed. Made myself a little cart as well for frame, engine and trans to rest on so that Installation is easy with the hoist

Re: 1997 Camaro SGT/A-B
 

Looking Good Chris, Can't wait to see the finished product.

Re: 1997 Camaro SGT/A-B
 

Do you have some updated photos and build notes?

Re: 1997 Camaro SGT/A-B
 

I realize that you were very clear regarding cost , however , the rearend will most likely be an issue . My personal experience , and that was in a lower class stocker , is that it won't hold up. Do yourself a favor and install a 12 bolt .

Re: 1997 Camaro SGT/A-B
 

X 2 on the 12 bolt...that Big Block is going to scare the hell out of that 8.5.....

Re: 1997 Camaro SGT/A-B
 

The index for GT/A is 10.00 and the National record is 8.81. This is a very fast class. A friend of mine has one of the Setters cars from Canada running in GT/AA pushing 150. Your car would have to run in the 9s to qualify.

Dale

Re: 1997 Camaro SGT/A-B
 

Dale, I believe chipper is running the car in IHRA Stk GT.

Re: 1997 Camaro SGT/A-B
 

Stock GT/A. Thanks. Not too familiar with IHRA.

Chipper: Good luck with the build and keep us posted on your progress.

Dale

Re: 1997 Camaro SGT/A-B
 

That's some nice welding. Would be inclined to agree about the 12 bolt but I'm a Fffffford guy.

Re: 1997 Camaro SGT/A-B
 

We have actually aborted the camaro project and sold off the roller in favor a 71 chevelle that came my way at the right price. I don't fear the 8.5 like you guys seem to, the only issue with them compared to 12 bolt is no pro gear. Up here in the far east of canada the shipping costs alone of getting a 12 bolt housing to us puts them out of the budget for many people. We've put a lot of beatings on 8.5's with good luck, this is about the 12th f body one we've done with great results. Think about it, the 8.5 pinion is same size and spline as 12 bolt, the axles and spool don't know what housing holds them in regardless of make, and the main bearing caps are beefier due to a slightly smaller carrier bearing outside diameter. Thanks for the kind words about the welding.

We will be starting assembly of the chevelle soon so I will start a new post for it, using this same engine combo it will be a natural D/SA combo.

Re: 1997 Camaro SGT/A-B
 

Don't be afraid to post up more Camaro construction pictures if you still have them. thanks ---Trevor