V-8 Camry with narrowed 9-inch? I know... LOL!

[hairball]

I'm getting this wild idea for a project for next year...

IF I end up getting that wagon I've been looking at, I'll have an extra car. But I'll also have a lot of extra money because my parents' estate is settling very soon. I'll have a nice little nest egg and nothing to do with it. So I got this crazy idea. I love my Camry so much, I want to keep it for as long as I can. Not only body style, but comfort. It really is a nice car to drive.

So, I'm thinking MAYBE to start a project in my garage for next summer:

Get a 289 and C-4 tranny and a 9-inch rear end. (Sorry, I'm a Ford fan, and have been since I was a kid. I've owned more Fords than any other car in the 37 years having my drivers license!)

So, I'm thinking rather than go all out and stuff a big block into a Camry, maybe a small block. A 289 and C-4. Then have a 9-inch rear end narrowed. NO TUBS, just enough to fit some nice 60's or 50's under the back. No interior sheet metal or roll cage. Just a simple street machine. Since the 90 Camry already has 5-lug fronts with a VERY popular bolt pattern, it should be easy to find some Welds or Centerlines.

So, without laughing too hard, how does this sound for a project? Small block V-8 with automatic tranny and a narrowed 9-inch (or even an 8-inch will work.) ? Sounds like I've been smoking some cook herbs, I'm guessing. But I know it can be done. And I want a project car. Since I'll already have the car, I just need the project!

This will ONLY happen if/when I buy another car. Even if it's not that wagon with 20,000 original miles, I'm going to buy SOMETHING else.

Okay.. NOW you can laugh!

[hairball]

I know a lot of you are laughing or shaking your heads and wondering what kind of drugs I'm on, and telling yourself it's not possible. But I've seen cars a LOT smaller than a Camry with V-8's in them as well as the 81 Corolla (pictures below) that has a BIG BLOCK Chevy engine in it and a narrowed 9-inch rear end. It IS possible, just quite a project. I just want to be "cool and different" and do something others don't normally do. I'll have all the money needed and the time. Will just have to invest in some more tools and I'll be ready to go. I just want to do as little cutting as I have to. I'll have to cut a bit of the floor board to fit the tranny, I know. So keep shaking your heads while I keep making my crazy plans.

[hairball]

so... if you can fit a BUILT big block into a Corolla, there is no reason a STOCK small block won't fit in a Camry. Well, I keep hoping!

[white90dx]

Some problems I can think of:

Steering rack has to be relocated for a RWD drivetrain, which requires new hubs, etc.

Opening up the tunnel where the trans goes will require a new heater core, etc.

4-link in the back would requre 'adjustment' around the rear seats, probably meaning you would loose them.

Gas tank needs to be relocated...

Anyway, it is all doable stuff, but just keep in mind most of the necessary changes make it much less desireable for a daily driver (or even a weekend street car) than you might think.

Now... if you really want a RWD V8 Toyota, go get yourself a Cressida (they look VERY similar) and do the swap - its already an I6, RWD and you'd have all the room you need (and no need to swap out the rear end - its STRONG!)

-Charlie

[hairball]

Hey, thanks!

Never thought of a Cressida. Or heck, a Supra for that matter. I was just thinking about using what I have but I'm sure I could get a rolling chassis of either for cheap.

Yeah, after seeing a V-8 Pro/Street Corolla, my life long dreams began. But I still haven't won a lottery!

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll look into a RWD Toyota body.

[hairball]

Originally Posted by white90dx

Some problems I can think of:

Steering rack has to be relocated for a RWD drivetrain, which requires new hubs, etc.

Opening up the tunnel where the trans goes will require a new heater core, etc.

4-link in the back would requre 'adjustment' around the rear seats, probably meaning you would loose them.

Gas tank needs to be relocated...

My ideas:
1. No problem on different hubs. Would probably go with the infamous Pinto Rack & Pinion, used in more street machines than I can begin to count.
2. Heater core? Who needs heat? It would only be driven on sunny days.
3. Lose rear seat? Good! Then everyone wouldn't want a ride!
3. Gas tank would become fuel cell in trunk next to battery.

But yeah, I was thinking seriously how cool it would be to keep the "sleeper" look and not do a bunch of tubbing. And rather than have some rumbling engine that draws crowds all over town, keeping it stock. And as big of tires as I can squeeze without much narrowing of the rear end or any tire sticking out (THAT is ghetto!).

Check this one out. A stock 5.0 out of a Mustang GT, stuffed into a Honda Accord and no wheel tubs, only slight narrowing. This car was so cool. (I would have went with a narrower front tire if it were my car.) The biggest reason it caught my eye? I was at the ALL FORD DRAGS!!!

[white90dx]

Originally Posted by hairball

My ideas:
1. No problem on different hubs. Would probably go with the infamous Pinto Rack & Pinion, used in more street machines than I can begin to count.

If you were sticking with the Camry, I would research swapping over RWD mid-eighties Corolla hubs and steering (its front/low mounted). Sadly though, those are 4x100...

Anyways, its fun to dream.

-Charlie

[Sturdavj]

Not sure how extensive your talking about…….

I have been involved with similar projects.

In the one that’s closest to your project we removed the floor pan, constructed a tube frame, and a used suspension parts from a GM front clip. Had the rear end built to fit the allavible space, (at Dutchman's in Portland). Hung the four link off the tube frame. Constructed the replacement floor plan complete with shaft tunnel and enough room for the scatter shield.

Judging from your photo of the Honda and it's roll cage I am thinking they may have done something similar

[hairball]

How ironic that you're in Oregon (Portland area by chance?). Both those cars in the above pics are from Oregon! Not sure where the Honda owner lives but that picture was shot at Woodburn. And the guy with the yellow Corolla owns a towing company in Boring. You might have seen both these cars at one time. (I lived in Vancouver for a year or so.)

Yeah, it seems like a lot of work, but would be worth it all. However, my little dream has pretty much come to a screeching halt. I was supposed to get a huge check soon, but just found out that it's been changed to less than half of what it was supposed to be, so I'll probably have to keep fantasizing. After I spend $1500 on my new car audio stuff and $1600 for new tires and wheels for my Seville, money is going to get slim.