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1980 Z-28; Project Trailer Trash Treasure

Well since my dad and I have geared up and started working on his Camaro project again (he dubbed "Trailer Trash Treasure") I figured I would go ahead and post up a build thread on it.
The car is a 1980 Camaro Z-28 that I bought for him about 8 months ago (he used to own one in the 80's). I painted it the color of his old car and now we are working on building the engine for it. It will have a 5.3l LM7 out of an 04 Tahoe. Plans for the engine include and LS6 cam, LS6 intake, a set of 317 heads milled .030 off an LQ4 (w/LS6 springs), and flat top 4.8l pistons all over a stock bottom end. We are hoping to just about double the factory 190hp with this combo. It will have a 4L60E out of a 2001 Camaro behind it with a little stall in the converter. The idea is to have a factory appearing 80 Z-28 with modern drivability and power. Let us know what you guys think of the car and the progress so far. All criticism is more than welcome!

The day I got it;
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/j.../14July092.jpg
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/j...14July0915.jpg
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/j.../14July094.jpg
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/j.../14July095.jpg
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/j.../14July097.jpg

So far so good. I like your plan for it. (and the color too).
I am curious though, can you use the heads off a 6.0 on a 5.3 saflely? I ask because I thought the valves would hit the cylinder walls since the 5.3 has a smaller bore. Or am I confused? (and that is OFTEN:D )

Quote:

Originally Posted by 70rs (Post 280350)

yes, you can use up to a 2.00" valve safely on a smaller 4.8 or 5.3. Its only when you upgrade to the larger valves in like the L92 heads that there are clearance issues. You have to have at least a 4" bore to run those heads.

Looking good Brian the paint is sweet as always and should be a good engine when you are done. But please dont leave your pistons on the concrete no good can come of that:cheers:

Quote:

Originally Posted by 98ssnova (Post 280356)

Looking good Brian the paint is sweet as always and should be a good engine when you are done. But please dont leave your pistons on the concrete no good can come of that:cheers:

lol thanks man, ill be sure to pick them up before they get stepped on!

Good work Brian. I like the color.:thumbsup:

Here's what I think, I think that you are a awesome son and that your dad should be very proud of you. Excellent work man. Love those 80s Camaros they take be back to high school!

Quote:

Originally Posted by 69x22 (Post 280456)

Here's what I think, I think that you are a awesome son and that your dad should be very proud of you. Excellent work man. Love those 80s Camaros they take be back to high school!

thank you very much, I really appreciate that. He is very appreciative of the car and the work Ive put into it so far, he was pretty happy when I surprised him with it. :)

Got some parts in today....
Clevite Rod and Main Bearings ($69.85/$17.60)
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/j...8/SDC10790.jpg
ARP Rod Bolts ($69.95)
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/j...8/SDC10791.jpg
LS6 Valve Springs ($56.95)
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/j...8/SDC10792.jpg

317 heads assembled with LS6 springs.
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/j...8/SDC10795.jpg

Moving right along buddy.:thumbsup:

WOW Brian!! That cleaned up really nice! Looking forward to seeing that go in the Camaro.:cheers:

Quote:

Originally Posted by 70rs (Post 281057)

WOW Brian!! That cleaned up really nice! Looking forward to seeing that go in the Camaro.:cheers:

Thanks Eric, its coming along. Hopefully we will have it between the frame rails soon!

^^^^^ that one in the middle is backwards.:_paranoid

Quote:

Originally Posted by 70rs (Post 281139)

^^^^^ that one in the middle is backwards.:_paranoid

what the bearing?

Quote:

Originally Posted by 70TWO NOVA (Post 281143)

what the bearing?

Yeah.

But I was just messing with ya. :D But you looked didn't you?:lol:

Quote:

Originally Posted by 70rs (Post 281145)

Yeah.

But I was just messing with ya. :D But you looked didn't you?:lol:

you definitely got me, I was staring at the pics trying to figure out what I did wrong lol

Quote:

Originally Posted by 70TWO NOVA (Post 281160)

you definitely got me, I was staring at the pics trying to figure out what I did wrong lol

:rofl: Just playing. :D

Good to see the motor going back together. :thumbsup:

I ordered a set of Speed Pro 4.8 flat tops from Summit. Long story short they only sent me one of the 8 I ordered and upon calling them I find out that they only have 6 more in stock and dont plan on ordering anymore since they arent a commonly ordered item. I would have to wait (alot longer than I want) to get the last piston so I have to find another source (easier said than done since most only offer sets lol) that will sell me the final piston I need.

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/j...8/HPIM1341.jpg

some updates after tracking down the elusive 4.8 Speed Pro flat tops....
Speed Pro Rings STD ($113.79)
Speed Pro 4.8L Flat tops ($188.34)
*having pistons intalled on rods ($35.00)*
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/j...May1020104.jpg
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/j...May1020105.jpg
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/j.../May102010.jpg
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/j...May1020108.jpg
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/j...May1020107.jpg

Love this.

Shows how much can be done with hard work and perseverence.:hail:

Just out of curiousity, how far out of the hole are your pistons at TDC??

Looking great!:thumbsup:

thanks for the comments guys!
Stang's bane; I havent checked it yet but it looks pretty close to even with the deck.

Finished up with buffing out the car with 3M compound, next step is to go over the entire car again with Meguiar's Swirl Remover...
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/j...May1320102.jpg
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/j...May1320104.jpg
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/j...May1320107.jpg

Some parts also arrived today....
LS2 head gaskets ($39.52 x 2)
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/j...May1420109.jpg
TTY head bolt kits ($22.95 x 2)
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/j...May1420105.jpg
Oil Galley "barbell plug" ($6.39)
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/j...May1420103.jpg

That paint's looking good man.