1978 Camaro 2000 C5 Vette Hybrid - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Oneslowz28 · 01-30-2012, 10:55 PM

It has been a looong couple of years and i finally got my baby back on the road. This project has had plenty of its ups and downs, time delays and setbacks but it was all worth it.

I started this project because i wanted to mix two of my favorite cars i have ever owned. I originally took the camaro apart just to do a basic restoration, (which is where everyone gets into trouble) and make a couple of engine and small handling upgrades. Then i got to doing some research and found everyone was upgrading sub-frames and going to C4/C5 suspension components. I tried the C4 route at first to find out the frame i bought was for an earlier Camaro. After scraping that idea i started to let the mind wander and a lot of "what ifs" came up. Then i looked into the measurements for a C5 and found they were extremely close to my 78 Camaro, only difference was 3.5" in wheelbase. Easy to make right!? Not so lucky. After buying a wrecked 2000 Corvette parting it out and finding a local place to build a frame for me everything went smooth. i went and talked to guy about the project everything seemed to go well and then he completely blew me off, never called back never followed up. So i kept searching the dangerous place called the Internet and noticed a few similar pictures found on his website as another semi-local shop. So needless to say i got in contact with them. After a few phone calls and a visit i found out they were the ones that made the frames for the other guy so it was decided to bring it to the horses mouth. After several months i got my car back new frame and torque tube completed. I started to put everything together, wiring, suspension, cooling system etc.... Then it was 1st startup time car ran like crap misfired sputtered couldn't hold a decent idle. Come to find out the computer was mis-tuned causing the problem and to top it off in a 4500 rpm snap the shaft in the TQ tube let go (set back and time delay). The car eventually made it back the the place where the frame and TQ tube was done at and it sat there for 8mo. untouched (major time delay) b/c they were waiting on parts, we all know why it sat. After several phone calls a surprise visit and a couple of threats the car was finished a few weeks later. On the trip home in the trailer the shop neglected to secure the vehicle down properly and came loose hitting the front and back of the trailer luckily only causing minor damage to my car. They took it back fixed what was damaged and made their second successful attempt. So for the past 5mo. i have been working on this car to get it into driving condition to shake test it the rest of the year and tear it all back apart this winter (possibly) to get the paint and body work done.

So without further due here a some pics and a link to the project:
[IMG]http://i822.photobucket.com/albums/zz149/**********/Project%20Cormaro/th_goodcamaro.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i822.photobucket.com/albums/zz149/**********/Project%20Cormaro/th_2000Corvette001.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i822.photobucket.com/albums/zz149/**********/Project%20Cormaro/th_DS****36.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i822.photobucket.com/albums/zz149/**********/Project%20Cormaro/th_DSC00617.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i822.photobucket.com/albums/zz149/**********/Project%20Cormaro/th_PRE-BODYWORK07.jpg[/IMG]

HERE IS A LINK TO THE REST OF THE BUILD:
http://s822.photobucket.com/albums/z...ect%20Cormaro/

Oneslowz28 · 03-08-2012, 04:07 PM

Heads and Cam swap done, so far so good. She runs cant wait till spring hits to drive her again.

Northeast Rod Run · 03-09-2012, 11:48 PM

nice project

shank0668 · 03-10-2012, 10:01 PM

I wanted to get a firebird and do something very similar. I ended up getting a 10th ann trans am so that won't happen.
Sweet project!

Oneslowz28 · 03-11-2012, 09:35 AM

It was hard for me to chop my car up and do this to it. Very low numbered t-top Z28 4spd car. Once shes mechanically sound I will start the body work. Untill then i get to thrash it a little.

Oneslowz28 · 04-01-2012, 10:36 AM

Update: Head and cam package done Car sounds awesome cant wait to drive again. Click the picture for video:

[IMG]http://i822.photobucket.com/albums/zz149/**********/Project%20Cormaro/th_001-3.jpg[/IMG]

76 camaro · 04-25-2012, 09:13 PM

Wow,Great project. Looks like it was worth the wait..

Oneslowz28 · 04-26-2012, 08:58 AM

It has been for sure.

76 camaro · 04-27-2012, 06:17 PM

You should show this one to the boys over at nasty z28. It would draw a lot of interest over there.

BAD436Z28 · 04-28-2012, 10:53 PM

awesome car sounds sweet i love how u have the exhaust routed in the back with both pipes in the middle gives me some good ideas.

Oneslowz28 · 04-30-2012, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 76 camaro

You should show this one to the boys over at nasty z28. It would draw a lot of interest over there.

I have it posted up over there as well.

Oneslowz28 · 04-30-2012, 07:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BAD436Z28

awesome car sounds sweet i love how u have the exhaust routed in the back with both pipes in the middle gives me some good ideas.

If you have the stock fuel system you wont be able to do it. The fuel tank will most certainly be in the way.

80CamaroRS · 05-11-2012, 02:36 PM

Wow this build is Unreal! what was sort of modifications did you have to make to the body to make it fit so well on that frame?

Oneslowz28 · 05-11-2012, 10:11 PM

the body only had to have a section cut out for the tq tube other than that and a few extra holes drilled the body is pretty much stock. the truck was modified to clear the frame which helped in making the mount for the fuel cell easier.

01-30-2012, 10:55 PM	#1
Oneslowz28 Account Suspended Drives: 2012 Camaro ZL1 #1265 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: McHenry, IL Posts: 595	1978 Camaro 2000 C5 Vette Hybrid It has been a looong couple of years and i finally got my baby back on the road. This project has had plenty of its ups and downs, time delays and setbacks but it was all worth it. I started this project because i wanted to mix two of my favorite cars i have ever owned. I originally took the camaro apart just to do a basic restoration, (which is where everyone gets into trouble) and make a couple of engine and small handling upgrades. Then i got to doing some research and found everyone was upgrading sub-frames and going to C4/C5 suspension components. I tried the C4 route at first to find out the frame i bought was for an earlier Camaro. After scraping that idea i started to let the mind wander and a lot of "what ifs" came up. Then i looked into the measurements for a C5 and found they were extremely close to my 78 Camaro, only difference was 3.5" in wheelbase. Easy to make right!? Not so lucky. After buying a wrecked 2000 Corvette parting it out and finding a local place to build a frame for me everything went smooth. i went and talked to guy about the project everything seemed to go well and then he completely blew me off, never called back never followed up. So i kept searching the dangerous place called the Internet and noticed a few similar pictures found on his website as another semi-local shop. So needless to say i got in contact with them. After a few phone calls and a visit i found out they were the ones that made the frames for the other guy so it was decided to bring it to the horses mouth. After several months i got my car back new frame and torque tube completed. I started to put everything together, wiring, suspension, cooling system etc.... Then it was 1st startup time car ran like crap misfired sputtered couldn't hold a decent idle. Come to find out the computer was mis-tuned causing the problem and to top it off in a 4500 rpm snap the shaft in the TQ tube let go (set back and time delay). The car eventually made it back the the place where the frame and TQ tube was done at and it sat there for 8mo. untouched (major time delay) b/c they were waiting on parts, we all know why it sat. After several phone calls a surprise visit and a couple of threats the car was finished a few weeks later. On the trip home in the trailer the shop neglected to secure the vehicle down properly and came loose hitting the front and back of the trailer luckily only causing minor damage to my car. They took it back fixed what was damaged and made their second successful attempt. So for the past 5mo. i have been working on this car to get it into driving condition to shake test it the rest of the year and tear it all back apart this winter (possibly) to get the paint and body work done. So without further due here a some pics and a link to the project: [IMG]http://i822.photobucket.com/albums/zz149/********/Project%20Cormaro/th_goodcamaro.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i822.photobucket.com/albums/zz149/******/Project%20Cormaro/th_2000Corvette001.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i822.photobucket.com/albums/zz149/******/Project%20Cormaro/th_DS36.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i822.photobucket.com/albums/zz149/******/Project%20Cormaro/th_DSC00617.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i822.photobucket.com/albums/zz149/********/Project%20Cormaro/th_PRE-BODYWORK07.jpg[/IMG] HERE IS A LINK TO THE REST OF THE BUILD: http://s822.photobucket.com/albums/z...ect%20Cormaro/

03-09-2012, 11:48 PM	#3
Northeast Rod Run Drives: 1969 Camaro Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: New England Posts: 585	nice project __________________ http://www.northeastrodrun.com/

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03-08-2012, 04:07 PM	#2
Oneslowz28 Account Suspended Drives: 2012 Camaro ZL1 #1265 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: McHenry, IL Posts: 595	Heads and Cam swap done, so far so good. She runs cant wait till spring hits to drive her again.

03-10-2012, 10:01 PM	#4
shank0668 Drives: '14 LML/'06 LJ/'76 Trans Am Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 8,438 View My Garage	I wanted to get a firebird and do something very similar. I ended up getting a 10th ann trans am so that won't happen. Sweet project!

03-11-2012, 09:35 AM	#5
Oneslowz28 Account Suspended Drives: 2012 Camaro ZL1 #1265 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: McHenry, IL Posts: 595	It was hard for me to chop my car up and do this to it. Very low numbered t-top Z28 4spd car. Once shes mechanically sound I will start the body work. Untill then i get to thrash it a little.

04-01-2012, 10:36 AM	#6
Oneslowz28 Account Suspended Drives: 2012 Camaro ZL1 #1265 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: McHenry, IL Posts: 595	Update: Head and cam package done Car sounds awesome cant wait to drive again. Click the picture for video: [IMG]http://i822.photobucket.com/albums/zz149/**********/Project%20Cormaro/th_001-3.jpg[/IMG]

04-25-2012, 09:13 PM	#7
76 camaro Drives: 1976 camaro sport coupe Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: United States Posts: 7	Wow,Great project. Looks like it was worth the wait..

04-26-2012, 08:58 AM	#8
Oneslowz28 Account Suspended Drives: 2012 Camaro ZL1 #1265 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: McHenry, IL Posts: 595	It has been for sure.

04-27-2012, 06:17 PM	#9
76 camaro Drives: 1976 camaro sport coupe Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: United States Posts: 7	You should show this one to the boys over at nasty z28. It would draw a lot of interest over there.

04-28-2012, 10:53 PM	#10
BAD436Z28 Drives: hugger orange 80 camaro,needs total Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: grandrapids, mi Posts: 146	awesome car sounds sweet i love how u have the exhaust routed in the back with both pipes in the middle gives me some good ideas.

05-11-2012, 02:36 PM	#13
80CamaroRS Drives: 1980 Camaro RS, 1999 Chev Silverado Join Date: May 2012 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 2	Wow this build is Unreal! what was sort of modifications did you have to make to the body to make it fit so well on that frame?

05-11-2012, 10:11 PM	#14
Oneslowz28 Account Suspended Drives: 2012 Camaro ZL1 #1265 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: McHenry, IL Posts: 595	the body only had to have a section cut out for the tq tube other than that and a few extra holes drilled the body is pretty much stock. the truck was modified to clear the frame which helped in making the mount for the fuel cell easier.