rallymodeller wrote: Okay, okay. Stay with me, here. A crazy idea I have been sitting on for a while, and might be fun (and hilarious). Know how people are always swapping the V12 out of Jag XJs and putting in SBCs? What about doing the reverse? Find a semi-decent Jag V12 and drop it in. Since it's already an auto, the T700 tranny will work just fine. Plus you get the added benefit of having a Camaro that, with the right exhaust, will sound like a Ferrari.
That would be something different. Having driven a '85 XJS V12 coupe several times (TH400 equipped), it is a smooth engine but not very fast. Never impressed me with its power. I driven 4 & 6-cylinders that were quicker. Now if you did it with a BMW or Mercedes V12, that would be fun.
Since I already grew the requisite mullet, I think I'm going to paint it this pale yellow color, add some Cragar S/S mags and...
Drop in an LQ9 6.0L from a Tahoe or Escalade. Hot Rod built one on the cheap that made 426hp.
I'm just not sure how I'm going to make it handle without buying the $5000 Hotchkis suspension kit, and while retaining 15" wheels. I might go 16" wheels, but no bigger. I think wheels bigger than 16s look dumb on cars like this.
Ideas?
PS: I'm the OP. It's my 81 Camaro we're dream-building. Thanks for all the ideas!
M030 wrote: PS: I'm the OP. It's my 81 Camaro we're dream-building. Thanks for all the ideas!
This thread sure did take on a life of its own, huh?
With 400+hp on tap, I sure hope you arrive on some kind of handling improvement...
M030 wrote:Since I already grew the requisite mullet, I think I'm going to paint it this pale yellow color, add some Cragar S/S mags and... Drop in an LQ9 6.0L from a Tahoe or Escalade. Hot Rod built one on the cheap that made 426hp. I'm just not sure how I'm going to make it handle without buying the $5000 Hotchkis suspension kit, and while retaining 15" wheels. I might go 16" wheels, but no bigger. I think wheels bigger than 16s look dumb on cars like this. Ideas? PS: I'm the OP. It's my 81 Camaro we're dream-building. Thanks for all the ideas!
you don't need to spend a ton of money to make it corner and stop... bigger brakes that still allow a 15" wheel are a spindle swap away if you look under a 77-96 Caprice wagon or cop car, with 1LE Camaro rotors if you want to keep the 4.75" wheel bolt pattern.. regarding the springs- chop a set of wagon or Caprice cop car front springs for whatever ride height you want and that should be good to go. grab the steering box from a Caprice cop car. find sway bars and rear springs from a late 70's Z/28 or Trans Am.
the bigger 11" rear drums from a 75-77 A body (Monte carlo, Chevelle, etc) botl right on, or you could get some 98-02 F body rear discs or even from a late 90's/early'00's S10....
all of this stuff bolts right it.. GM was pretty awesome about this stuff..
make or buy some subframe connectors and put in solid body mounts.
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