Week To Wicked Day 2: Getting the Drivetrain into our 1972 Camaro
The Camaro becomes a roller again and gets a brand new, badass, drivetrain!
Steven RuppWriter
Week To Wicked Day 2: Getting the Drivetrain into our 1972 Camaro
The Camaro becomes a roller again and gets a brand new, badass, drivetrain!
Steven RuppWriter
Day 2 started out a bit slow, but by lunch things were really starting to take shape. CPP finished up the subframe connectors and then buttoned up the underside of our 1972 Camaro. The Super Chevy Week To Wicked, Presented by CPP, team then installed the Energy Suspension subframe bushings and finished up the CPP parking brake system. With that done it was time to tackle a critical part of the build, the fuel system. This time around we have a complete, from tank to EFI, system from Holley. Starting at the back of the car we have their EFI ready, powder coated, tank that came fully baffled and set up for the included 255 lph in-tank pump. The hose they sent is their new Pro Lite from Earls. This hose has a soft outer braiding and the inner core is a PTFE material that will work with any fuel and not “soak through” over time and smell like gas. The hose was paired up with their special Earls fittings. The last key player in this was Holley’s new combination fuel filter and regulator. By combining these two commonly-needed items a lot of cash is saved since less fittings are required. The regulator is preset at 59.5 psi and the filter element is easily serviceable.
We then started prepping for the big event, dropping in the Scoggin Dickey Parts Center (SDPC) Chevrolet Performance LS376/515 crate engine. First up was bolting the Holley engine mounts to LS crate engine and then adding Energy Suspension bushings to the factory clam shell frame mounts.
While this was going on the Falken RT-615K+ tires were getting wrapped around our new American Legend Talon two-piece billet wheels. We have to admit, we really loved how the 315/30/18 Falken tires looked on the 18x11-inch rear wheels. With the project now a roller again the CPP crew finished installing their Hydrastop system and getting the brakes bled and ready to go.
Backing up our LS376 is a Performance Automatic 4L70e 4-speed, computer controlled, overdrive transmission. This trans was built to handle the power from our 540 hp crate engine and updated with a host of parts such has high-performance clutches, modified valve body, and more. They even matched the torque converter specifically to our crate engine! In with the transmission was the computer and wiring harness along with a dip stick tube and all the hardware we needed for install.
With the transmission prepped we could go ahead and get the LS engine into the Camaro. Our luck held out as everything lined up pretty easily and just like that, our Camaro had a powerplant. Next up was lifting the Performance Automatic 4L70e into place and getting everything bolted up. We’re also happy to report that the stainless Hooker 1 7/8-inch long tube headers fit perfectly and we had plenty of clearance for our Eddie Motorsports S-Drive Plus 8-rib pulley system.
Tomorrow we’re going to start rewiring the car with a complete kit from Painless, running trans cooler, installing the Frostbite cooling system, finish plumbing in the Hydrastop, and tackle other items on our long, but diminishing, to-do list. We even heard a rumor that our new Golden Star two-inch steel hood might be done over at Best Of Show Coachworks in Escondido, CA, where they were working on color matching it to the Camaro, and be on its way back to our shop!
If you’re behind on the Super Chevy Week To Wicked Presented by CPP project then be sure to click on some of the prior stories below to get caught up and follow along as we try to turn a weak Camaro into something far wickeder in one very short week.
More on our Week to Wicked 1972 Camaro Build!
Week To Wicked 1972 Camaro Build!
Week To Wicked 1972 Camaro: Monday, Day 1
Week To Wicked 1972 Camaro: Day 1, CPP Install and Build Gallery
Week To Wicked 1972 Camaro Day 2: Chassis Wrap Up and Driveline Prep!
Week To Wicked Day 2: Getting the Drivetrain into our 1972 Camaro
Born and raised in Southern California I started as the technical editor for Popular Hot Rodding (PHR) magazine where I learned the business before moving over to work with Nick Licata, at Camaro Performers, as his tech editor. At PHR I built a 1968 Camaro called Bad Penny that was one of the earlier pro-touring cars that actually ran the track hard. We won the first Optima Ultimate Street Car Invitational in 2008 and placed well several other years. At Camaro Performers we started several project cars and did a ton of tech. Eventually I was made editor of Vette magazine for a short time before being slotted to run Super Chevy magazine. Running the brands was fun, but I've always enjoyed being a technical writer more. So after more than 15 years I'm back to writing tech content, this time for the HOT ROD network. I enjoy being with my family, shooting, and working on my latest car, a 1969 Camaro called Tri Tip.
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Born and raised in Southern California I started as the technical editor for Popular Hot Rodding (PHR) magazine where I learned the business before moving over to work with Nick Licata, at Camaro Performers, as his tech editor. At PHR I built a 1968 Camaro called Bad Penny that was one of the earlier pro-touring cars that actually ran the track hard. We won the first Optima Ultimate Street Car Invitational in 2008 and placed well several other years. At Camaro Performers we started several project cars and did a ton of tech. Eventually I was made editor of Vette magazine for a short time before being slotted to run Super Chevy magazine. Running the brands was fun, but I've always enjoyed being a technical writer more. So after more than 15 years I'm back to writing tech content, this time for the HOT ROD network. I enjoy being with my family, shooting, and working on my latest car, a 1969 Camaro called Tri Tip.
Read More