"Brand new" 1975 Camaro LT

Well, when my sister turned 16 my dad bought a rather junky 1975 Camaro Type LT for around $2,500. Over the years the car went from her, to my dad, then to my sister's husband. Well, I will turn 16 in 3 months, and yesterday my Dad gave me this beautiful vehicle. So, all the money I had been saving for a car will now be used on parts and insurance. The car went from a basically stock setup to ending up now with a midnight blue paint job, a new crate 350 c.i. small block, a rebuilt trans., new carb, intake manifold, distributor, plugs & plub wires, exaust and headers, and much more. The only thing is I need to fix the interior up and stereo. Here is my main few questions:

1) Would it be worth it to install a 396 or 406 small block or just stroke the 350?
2) How hard is it to install an entirely new interior? (Price and installation)
3) Where can I find factory shifters? The one my brother-in-law had is a Hurst ratchet, but I don't really like it and would like an original.

-- Thanks for the help

I would say no with the BBC, if that motor is brand new.. whats the point. Just build it up it will be way cheaper to do that.

Also for the interior its extreamly easy to install that stuff... well the dash is a bit of a POS, but can be done if u need it done. everything else eather bolts / screws or snaps into place, and if u get everything it would take a good afternoon to completly reinstall everything other then the dash.

Take a look at this website http://www.moementumcamaro.com/ there awesome for interior and resto parts

i've got a factory shifter out of a 76 Type LT make me and offer plus shipping. i'd put a big block in it, thats what i am going to do with my 77 LT

I'd leave the engine, it's new... and it has all the intake and exhaust already set up for you. You can get plenty of power out of that 350...
Spend your money on the interior, and maybe new heads and cam if you want more power... what kinda gears does it have?

Original rear-end

got one of them too. where do u live?

Atlanta GA area

Original rear-end

Okay, so you probably have 2.56, 2.73, or 3.08 gears which aren't real good for performance. I suggest getting a better cam and some nice 3.42 or 3.55 gears out back.

As far as interior restoration, have you checked out Year One (http://www.yearone.com) or NPD (http://www.npdlink.com)?

All my interior parts are gonna be from www.moementumcamaro.com except for the dash which I could only find at my local Year One.

No 16 year old should be turned loose with a car like that. Anyway I'd search on www.nastyz28.com on the Moementum deal before ordering a bunch of stuff.

I have been driving since I was 12 anyways. And I first learned to drive in a 1994 Z28 that I still have. Don't worry, I know what I'm doin ;)

i agree, i was 17 when i first got my 77 on the road, and glad i did. it helped me learn how to act and not to act on the road, sometimes the hard way, sometimes not, and its nice to have all that power just to pass. (yea the **** right) just be careful, (i know u will :rolleyes: and dont act too stupid.)
good car, hope u got power steering, i took mine off, and got big popeye arms from it. hope u have fun, and if u need any parts, or have any questions, let me know, email is n2077camaro@aol.com -Bill

Yah, I got my '76 when I was 18...or was it 17.. somewhere around there. Point of the story, I'm still here :D I did learn a lot though, and I'm on my third engine now.... and I've sunk twice as much into my car then I'll ever get out of it. Just be careful with that car, especially with the rear you have right now.. since its really easy to get to really high speeds.

Hey 75,
If you're thinking about a new rear end, go with 3.73's. They came stock on the 1977 1/2 Z-28.

I have been driving since I was 12 anyways. And I first learned to drive in a 1994 Z28 that I still have. Don't worry, I know what I'm doin ;)
:lol:

Famous last words...

I got my '77 when I was 16 too. It was/is slow, but fast enough to get me from point A to B which was all that mattered. If I were you, Id concentrate my money on getting the car up to snuff body and interior wise before worrying about the motor. Put in a nice stereo, maybe a sub, fix up all the body rust if there is any etc.

Then, performance wise, if you dont have a rear sway bar, I'd highly reccomend getting one of those. After that, just put an exhaust under the car that you like and drive it. Kids will think its fast just because its a mid 70s Camaro with exhaust under it. Kids at my school thought my car was bad, but little did they know itd probably run a 16.xx quarter mile. I just never raced anyone. :)

When you get older and have more money, itll be much easier to play with the car and do what you want... it was for me atleast. Also realize that the more you modify the engine, the less reliable the car will most likely become, so I hope you have some back up transportation.

So yeah, my reccomendation would be get the car into good shape and enjoy it until you have something else to drive, then modify it. Whatever you choose though, have fun and be safe! :)

Well, I sat down with my dad and decided (in order) this is what had to be done:

1) new steering box
2) KYB gas-a-just shocks all the way around to replace the leaky air shocks
3) interior
4) body (get all that bondo off)
5) stereo
6) re-wiring the engine (new tubes and wires)

It's already got true dual 2-chamber Flowmasters on it with Hooker Headers (long tube) and no cats. Just need some tips on those bad boys :)

Ya, mine only has *estimated* 250 hp. Very little, but I do hope to drop a 396 in it when i turn 18 and get a second car for everyday driving.