FEATURE OF THE MONTH SPONSORED BY OPTIMA BATTERIES

Rob gathered up the car, brought it home, and enlisted the help of his more-than-willing cousin Jose Toledo to accompany him in the two-year process. The duo got busy, starting with the rear suspension and fitted in a Detroit Speed QUADRALink system out back. They tubbed the inner fenders to accommodate the 19×12 Asanti wheels and massive Nitto 345 rubber. Detroit Speed shocks confirm an aggressive performance ride, while the Wilwood 13-inch rotors and four-piston calipers handle stopping duties.

Up front, they bolted in a Detroit Speed hydroformed subframe complete with Detroit Speed C5 spindles and tubular control arms along with a pair of QA1 coilover shocks. Once again Wilwood binders got the call, with six-piston calipers gripping the 13-inch rotors. A Wilwood tandem brake booster provide Rob the desired pedal feel for aggressive stopping power, and a Saginaw 700 steering box offer precise lateral decisions.

After the first go round of the build Rob armed the Camaro with a 396ci big-block, but after a while he decided to go with reliability over brawn, so he swapped out the Rat motor for a Chevrolet Performance hot cam 376ci LS3 crate engine. He wanted it pretty, too, so for more flair and functionality he bolted on a March LS Pro-Trac accessory drive system. A Spectre cold-air intake inhales massive amounts of atmosphere, while spent fuel exits via Patriot headers and a 2½-inch stainless exhaust system slightly subdued by a pair of MagnaFlow mufflers.

A Centerforce clutch ensures smooth gear transitions of the American Powertrain–prepped TREMEC TKO 600 five-speed trans. A rebuilt 10-bolt rearend loaded with Moser 28-spline axles gets power to the ground, but Rob’s inner voice (and cousin Toledo’s real voice) tells him to keep feeding the piggy bank as that feeble rearend is a clutch-dump away from refusing further abuse.

The control room abides by a performance scene, with driver comfort taking priority. The front seats were pilfered from a 2006 GTO for a cushy ride, while a Grant steering wheel fits the bill and an American Powertrain shifter calls the shots. AutoMeter Pro-Comp gauges keep Rob informed on the car’s vital stats, while a Classic Air A/C ensures the climate stays in check.

Rob tells us the most exciting point in the build was seeing the car come out of the PM Auto Body paint booth. The Matrix Edge Satin Silver lit up Rob’s eyes as the PM crew had smoothed the body to a glass-like finish and set the gaps to perfectly accentuate the car’s new pigment. The clan at Mara Polishing and Plating tied it all together by performing their magic on the bumpers and related shiny bits. No doubt this Pro Touring Camaro makes a solid statement while heading down the road.

Rob and Toledo put two solid years into to the build, which was accompanied by plenty of sweat and a bit of drama, but when it was all said and done they were overcome with the feeling of accomplishment.

Would they have done anything different if given a chance? “Nope, we’d not change a thing,” Rob remarks “We’d do it just like we did. Unfortunately, it’s not completely done yet—we just can’t leave good enough alone.”

Yep, we know how that goes.

Bodywork and Paint: Jay at PM Auto Body, Paterson, New Jersey
Paint: Matrix Systems Satin Silver
Hood: 2-inch steel cowl
Grille: Stock
Bumpers: OE, Mara Polishing and Plating, Newark, New Jersey