I would like some advice. The 69 Camaro in my sig was owned by a good friend. It was a driving and good car, pretty strong (high 12s on engine in the 1/4), then it got stolen. It was recovered after the engine, trans and wheels were stripped. Luckily they did not burn or destroy the body. He lost interest in it, so I traded him a 95 Formula M6 convert for it. I stripped out the interior, wiring harness, etc and set it to the body shop. Therear had considerable rust, so I had it all replaced with all new sheet metal, almost everything from the door jambs back, plus a new hood, front valance panel, floorboard on driver side, etc.
The question I have is this. The car will be back just before Christmas and I need advice on new drivetrain. My desire for this car is a real strong street car, with no racing, street or track. It originally was a low compression, basic A/C car so there are no concerns about keeping it real stock. It will look very stock on outside and inside. It will be Cortez silver with black comfortweave interior, black hockey stripe and semi-gloss black taillight panel. Front spoiler and rear spoiler. I am not putting A/C back in it. If it is too hot to be inside, then it is too hot for the car to be out of the garage, I will drive one of the Mustangs. The Camaro will be very pampered, I am sacrificing vacations and working all the OT I can for it.
I have a good small block from which I could build my own motor, which does have interest for me. But I also think and LT1 or LS1 would be good from the relative ease of driving with the fuel injection and comp controls. I do kind of want to stick with automatic trans.
Anyway, any advice you all have would be appreciated, especially if you have redone one of these 1st gens.
Hopefully I will have it done, and paid for, before the 5th gen comes out.
Bret

 

I think your going to have to decide this one! Because it appears this isn't going to be a "back to stock" resto., your engine options are unlimited.
I believe the easiest way to acheve your goal would be with a BBC. Cheapest would probably be a 454ci. If you have unlimited funds a 572ci. would be fun. If on the other hand you want the modern convenience of fuel injection, I think the LS1 would be the way to go, and there would be plenty of room to reinstall the a/c.

 

A complete LT1 or LSx engine/trans/computer combo would be great for that car, IMO.

 

LS1 with a th350.

 

I have a 69 also that I put a LT1 with the 4l60e trans in and I am very happy with it.

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i1...o/100_4843.jpg
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i1...o/000_0308.jpg
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i1...o/000_0307.jpg
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i1...o/000_0305.jpg

 

If you like EFI, I would defiantly suggest a LT1 engine and running gear.

If you like Carb, I would go with a 454.

I personally would go with a 454 due to the fact that I hate all the wiring cluttering up the engine bay.