Starting the build of my ZL1 Clone. The goal is to have the luxury of over 600FWHP, with easy starting, idling, and fuel demands, nestled within an original appearing "frame-off" restored ZL1 clone. The car is at Classic Cars of Mchenry County (http://camarosrestored.com/), being rotisserie restored in its original Lemans Blue. I should have it back within 4 weeks, and the powertrain and interior work will begin. This is the plan, at least initially....

Powertrain
LS7 Dry Sump engine w/5k miles from 07 Z06
Speed Inc LS7 'Driver" Cam
Kooks LS7 1st Gen headers, Dual 3" Stainless Exhaust
This combo has made over 540 RWHP
GTO T56 w/LS7 Clutch
Shiftworks Tailshaft
Gm accessories
The goal is a Factory Appearing Installation, no chrome, polishing, etc
Factory 12 bolt 3.73 Rear End
Spectra EFI Tank w/LS7 Pump Installed, factory feed lines

Appearance
Factory Original Appearing Base model (COPO, ZL1) Paint and trim
Rear Spoiler, Cowl Hood
15x7 Steel Wheels w/Poverty Caps, Painted body color
245 Redline Tires
*May get Wheel Vintiques 17" Steel Wheels w/Poverty caps
Factory Original Appearing Base 711 Interior
Stock dash and gauges
SW Greenline tachometer
Stock floor shift bezel, no console

Suspension/Brakes
I have a few other cars with aftermarket/modified suspension, and since I am not much of a corner carver anyway, and I feel my favorite cars to drive have stock"ish" suspension, i am going with OE front and rear suspension.
Factory Front Disks, rear drums
*May upgrade brakes along w/17" wheels

I am sure there is more I am not remembering at the moment, but that is the gist of it. I will have a build page with pictures up soon.

Thanks, Tom

Sounds like a great build. I'll look foward to seeing the progress (post pictures). I do vote for the steel 17s though. Since you are really not building a recreation why not upgrade the brakes and the wheels/tires as well? Good luck with the build. By the way welcome to the site.

I do vote for the steel 17s though.
Really, the only thing holding me up on the 17's, is that I LOVE redline tires, and as far as I have found, they arent available...

Really, the only thing holding me up on the 17's, is that I LOVE redline tires, and as far as I have found, they arent available...

Absolutely red lines in 17s are available. What color do you want red - blue - gold? Do a search on Diamondback tires.

Here you go http://www.widewhitewalltires.com/pricelist_17.htm

I dont know much about the first gen oe breaks but if you add more power you need to up the breaks as a rule of thumb. Just watching for your safety and the gorgeous car it will be.

Stick some 4.10s in there with the T56. You'll get more use out of 6th on the hwy if you do. Not to mention, it will feel alot faster. I've rode in a lot of ls1 f-bodies with 4.10 gears, and the ones with 3.73s just don't pull as hard through the 1/4 as the 4.10 cars do. Sounds like an awesome project. What diameter header primary are you using? 1 7/8"? That 427 needs some that big to breathe good up top. Lots of good info on the LS7 stuff and LSX based swaps on www.ls1tech.com 's conversion section. Good Luck!!!:thumbsup:

Stick some 4.10s in there with the T56. You'll get more use out of 6th on the hwy if you do. Not to mention, it will feel alot faster. I've rode in a lot of ls1 f-bodies with 4.10 gears, and the ones with 3.73s just don't pull as hard through the 1/4 as the 4.10 cars do. Sounds like an awesome project. What diameter header primary are you using? 1 7/8"? That 427 needs some that big to breathe good up top. Lots of good info on the LS7 stuff and LSX based swaps on www.ls1tech.com (http://www.ls1tech.com) 's conversion section. Good Luck!!!:thumbsup:
Great link to the 17" Redlines!! Guess Brakes are on the list now too.

My shop is a sponsor on LS1tech :)

My 2008 Z06 with this same cam/trans combo, but with 3.42 gears almost requires me to shift into 5th before the 1/4 finish @ 130MPH. Granted, lighter car, slightly shorter tire.

The headers are 1 7/8".

thanks for the kind words...Tom

Build Page is up, not alot of pics yet, but more to come.
http://speedinc.com/ptsc/69_2.cfm

Car is scheduled for paint tomorrow, here are a couple pics from the body shop:
http://speedinc.com/ptsc/artwork/cars/69_2/015s.jpg
http://speedinc.com/ptsc/artwork/cars/69_2/009s.jpg
Things have progressed as planned, which is very refreshing. Usually body shops take double the time they quote me. :)

Couple updated pics...
http://www.speedinc.com/ptsc/artwork/cars/69_2/24.jpg
http://www.speedinc.com/ptsc/artwork/cars/69_2/23.jpg
A Bunch More: http://www.speedinc.com/ptsc/69_2.cfm

sick!:D

Very nice.

Thank you.

Fired it up friday night, with open headers, all seems good. Now just need to bring it to the shop and install the 3" stainless exhaust, make the PCV lines, and dynotune it.

http://www.speedinc.com/uploads/DSC03123.JPG
http://www.speedinc.com/uploads/DSC03114.JPG
http://www.speedinc.com/uploads/DSC03110.JPG

JMHO
Fuel rail covers like this might help tone it down a bit under the hood if that is the look you are going for. I think they would look even better on yours minus the logos.
http://www.smokinvette.com/corvettephotos/data/511/medium/Engine_shot.jpg

Beautiful car! I love the stock appearance. You sure about drum in the rear? Fast cars need to stop fast also?

Beautiful car! I love the stock appearance. You sure about drum in the rear? Fast cars need to stop fast also?
For sure...this car went from original condition, then rotisserie restored, then the mechanical, wiring, and interior in only 14 weeks. I wanted it ready for our Speed Inc open house. Probably will end up changing the wheels to replica 17" wheels w/same dog dish caps, and upgrading the brakes.

http://www.speedinc.com/uploads/DSC03144.JPG
http://www.speedinc.com/uploads/DSC03139.JPG
http://www.speedinc.com/uploads/DSC03108.JPG

WE need to cut a coil out of it to get the height right, but the things sounds just like it should, deep, fairly quiet, with a nice lope.

Cool project. It's going to seriously roast those tires. lol :hurray:

What kind of power did it put down with that cam/headers/tune?

It has one of our LS7 grinds. It made 515RWHP yesterday through full exhaust. Similar cams in Z06's have made 540-550 RWHP, but they have a muffler bypass under wide-open-throttle, and I am running 3 chamber mufflers.

Out of curiousity, how much timing are you running in your LS7?

Very nice :thumbsup:

Out of curiousity, how much timing are you running in your LS7?

23deg @peak torque 26deg @peak horsepower

Man that is one cool looking 69.

Awesome car! Love the mix of stock and custom!

23deg @peak torque 26deg @peak horsepower

Cool, that's where I'm running my LS7 as well. Are you going to take it to the track and see what it will run?

Who knows...probably not.

Awesome build, I agree on the brakes. I always wanted to do that but with a Yenko clone, that way I could run TT2's in 17", but since finances wont allow me to buy and build a coupe, I have to get by with my LS7, T56 RS/SS vert:yes: NON YENKO clone:(
ETA, I do have my 17" TT 2's

Probably will end up changing the wheels to replica 17" wheels w/same dog dish caps, and upgrading the brakes.

WE need to cut a coil out of it to get the height right, but the things sounds just like it should, deep, fairly quiet, with a nice lope.

I think 17" dog dish with Diamondback red lines would great with the lowered ride height. The car is outstanding! I look foward to seeing the pictures.

http://www.speedinc.com/uploads/DSC03146.JPG

Was going to build a pro-touring '55 Chevy, but after seeing your car Tom, doing a '69 Camaro in similar style seems way cooler. :thumbsup:

well, thanks, I am flattered, we should have some road time on it this weekend I hope.

FWIW, I am starting on an LS3 COPO clone in the upcoming weeks. Havent chosen a color yet, but the car was Frost Green originally, and leaning towards keeping it that way.

well, thanks, I am flattered, we should have some road time on it this weekend I hope.

You've got a captive audience for that update. :cool:

FWIW, I am starting on an LS3 COPO clone in the upcoming weeks. Havent chosen a color yet, but the car was Frost Green originally, and leaning towards keeping it that way.

Interesting. You probably have seen some automakers bring back a similar shade in recent models and it looks good IMO.

Very cool build! I love the color.:yes:
Old school looks with modern day technology. GREAT JOB!:beers:

Great project concept Camaro turned out real nice

this car turned out Lovely!! am I correct -its on E-bay now? wish i had the coin. like Buehler said "if you have the means, I highly recomend picking one up" :yes:

Gasp!!! Absolutely gorgeous - it's perfect motivation. Thanks for sharing the pictures!

now thats a sweet ride, i agree with the 410's, friend of mine has a t56 and it loved the 410's...keep the pics coming