 wreklund wrote: |
| Hey "Squeak", we've never met, but I've read many of your posts and thought that you might be able to give me some insight. I take it you are more of a Mopar guy, but you seem to be pretty much a "gear head" and might be able to enlighten me with a GM question. I'm currently building a Revell '69 Camaro and have came across something that kind of puzzles me. I've been a GM auto tech for over 25 years and have a pretty good idea of "what is". While 1969 was a bit before my time, I do however, know that some things just do not add up. I've posted a photo of the steering column from this model. Notice anything odd about this photo?? When was the last time you saw a turn signal lever and a shifter on the same side of the column?? Expecially on a vehicle equipted 4 speed manual trans???? Didn't know that "4 on the tree" (for left handers) was an option in '69....(oops!!) On to my question. I've always dreamed of owning and restoring a '69 Camaro and want to re-create as best I can the real thing as I would build it. I have been a GM auto technician for over 25 years and I am an automatic transmission specialist. I am rather partial to the automatic transmission. I would probably never build a car with a "cumbersome" manual gear-box. What Auto transmissions were offered in 1969? Just the 350 or was the 400 an option? I'd love to "snip" off the column shift lever on this model, flip the steering column over so that the turn signal lever and hazard switch are in their correct postions, remove the grindy, busy 4-speed manual trans and replace it with a very nice "turbo 400" trans from another GM vehicle that I have and scratch build the "slap-shift" console shifter so many of the Camaro's had. Would this be a total butcher job?? Anyone else ever ran into/noticed this before?? Any suggestions??   " border="0" />
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On a Z28, I never saw one with anykind of a column shift (as sure as I say this somebody will have one in their drive way). I've only seen one with an automatic transmission, and it was a 69 1/2 (made in early 1970). Europeans were the only ones I ever saw with a four speed on the column.
If it were me, I think I'd look at doing a beefed up 700R4, and a mild camshaft. The reason for the mild stick is due to the torque converter lockup. Just work better. But another way todo this is to buy a Ramjet 350 crate engine with a 2500 rpm converter. It's basicly a fuel injected crate motor that looks old school, but is really electronic fuel injected. The reason I say go with the 700R4 is just for the overdrive. That's a lot cheaper than buying a Gear Vendors overdrive for it. You can buy all the parts you need to beef it up online, and you probably already know what todo. Another option to think about is a 383" crate motor and the 700R4. Just keep the revs down, and run a mild hydraulic camshaft.. This motor makes lots of torque.
The problem with the Turbo 400 is that they draw a lot of horsepower to drive them when compaired to the 700R4, and you really don't need that much of a transmission. A 350 would work just as well in lighter car with a smaller motor.
Now if I were to do a Camaro clone, it would probably be a four speed car. But I'm still somewhat lazy in my old age. I nice Super T10 is the only way to go here. It makes a Muncie like cheap junk, and the gear ratios are much better suited. I did at one time order a new 1969 Camaro Z28 with the factory cross ram and four wheel disc brakes with the optional off road cam. The car was supposed to have been orange with a black top and black interior (with black accent panels). It came in with a white top and the hounds tooth seat covers. I didn't take it.
What I think I'd do if I had to have a column shift auto would be to check out a Nova steering column to see if the will interchange. Flaming River also makes one, and I've seen it. Way over priced and not really anybetter than a factory column. If the Nova would work, then you've got your turn signal built in as well as the shifter being setup. Keep us posted on what you finally do.
gary