73 Camaro Z/28 Type LT (Massive scope creep inside)
 

It would appear that I have been a lurker on Lateral-G for nearly ten years, yet I only have two posts. I think it is finally time to put together a build thread.

This was the summary of what I intended to do nearly 5 years ago.

Well, thanks to an err in judgment, my 100% original interior was burnt to a crisp (not my fault, and yes I got a nice check from the shops insurance co.). Instead of just throwing a new interior in, I am taking the opportunity to improve several things that just make sense to do at this point in time. The interior will need to be completely resprayed, the area behind the seat is pretty charred. So... Before that gets done, I am going to modify everything that would require the floor to be cut up.

My punch list of items...

• Keisler or CC5S TKO-600 swap
• Finally make my LS1 e brake functional
• Rip the front end off and weld in a proper firewall block off plate. Install a VA bulkhead and finally finish my A/C install.
• If I am really feeling gutsy (more funding related than anything), get my Lateral Dynamics coil over brackets installed up front with new upper and lower control arms.
• Move the battery out back.
• Once all this is done, I will get the interior resprayed and install fresh carpet, new headliner, etc...
• Already completed are my DSE SFC's. I took the car to G Force Designs for that work.

Some pics:

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_twPWJ59W1wU/SF...0/DSC_8914.JPG


BMR A/C delete plate currently installed:

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_twPWJ59W1wU/SO...0/DSC_9738.JPG


Some of the interior damage:

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_twPWJ59W1wU/Sp...0/DSC_0305.JPG
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_twPWJ59W1wU/Sp...0/DSC_0306.JPG
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_twPWJ59W1wU/Sp...0/DSC_0307.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_twPWJ59W1wU/Sp...0/DSC_0311.JPG

Scope creep began pretty much immediately upon dis-assembly.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-j...0/DSC_0387.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-4...0/DSC_0397.JPG

Firewall filling and smoothing begins:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-0...0/DSC_0587.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-a...0/DSC_0588.JPG

Speedtech coilover brackets installed:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-a...0/DSC_1879.JPG

Stripped and ready for paint

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-2.../firewall1.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-c...0/DSC_3350.JPG

Front suspension begins going together.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-A...0/DSC_3511.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-9...0/DSC_3519.JPG


Time to get ready for work... Will post more later...

Look's like the start of a great project!!!!

I didn't include this in the original post, but there was a also a fender bender the day of the fire. Just rubbing salt into the wound. Not my fault either and was well compensated by the offenders insurance company... :(

I was completely overwhelmed and saddened by this, so there aren't a ton of pics, but here is the car on the way to the shop to be mended. The door, quarter and right wheel were effected.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_...background.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-9...02887324_n.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-R...77122875_n.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-_...38976047_n.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-n...44107967_n.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-u...67772540_n.jpg

AND.... FIXED

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-d...0/DSC_3697.JPG

Thanks a bunch!!! She is a lot farther along than those pics. I am trying to add what I can to this post as I get a few minutes here and there.

Ok, this next step is where the project goes off the deep end.

I purchased a DSE mini tub kit from a friend. At the same time, I bought a new (to me) MIG welder to replace the old Lincoln I had which had some serious issues. The cutting began... Got the passenger side tub in nice and tidy.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-8...-56_981-1a.jpg

Then work intervened (I am a field service engineer in the Power Generation industry) and I spent the next few months on the road. As much as I hate traveling, the :G-Dub: aspect of it is nice. Due to that and the fact I wasn't home, I sent the car back to G Force to finish the mini tub install... At the same time, I ordered a QuadraLink kit from DSE and 9", along with a 4 point roll bar, and Wilwood rear brakes to match the fronts.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-d...7_34F74197.jpg

In addition, the car was put on a rotisserie and the underside was stripped to reveal some of the cleanest sheetmetal the shop had ever seen. I had to pinch myself when I saw it. Not even a pinhole anywhere. The factory red oxide primer visible underneath undercoating that was painted on at some point too.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3...e%2520Pic1.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-u...e%2520Pic2.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-7...e%2520Pic3.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-w...0/DSC_6165.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-I...0/DSC_6166.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-L...0/DSC_6173.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-d...0/DSC_6174.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-w...0/DSC_6180.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-I...0/DSC_6182.JPG

Ok, back to this...

Four link installed, mini tubs complete, chassis repainted.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-o...e%2520Pic7.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-J...Pic%252010.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-e...Pic%252012.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-u...Pic%252013.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-y...Pic%252014.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-R...0/DSC_6397.JPG

Gotta love the tire fitment of the old 9.5's with the narrowed rear and mini tubs. They are swimming back there.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-1...-07-52_580.jpg

What's going in the back? 12" wheels by 20"?

Love the project. Will be following along.

Thanks! 18"x12". I prefer meatier tires. I already have the wheels and they are already mounted on the car with 335/30-18's. I will post the rest of the pics in the next day or so to show the current status.

That is a lot of work!!!! Looks good so far....did you install the DSE rear or did G-force?

The car is looking good nice to see you posting over here.

Looks good.

Do you still have the old set of 17" wheels?

G-Force installed the rear, roll bar and painted the underside.

A friend and I are responsible for the front suspension fab.

My dad and I painted the firewall and subframe in my garage.

Thanks Wayne!

They were sold a while ago. I still need to order the new fronts, but that isn't top priority at the moment.

Some random pics from the recent reassembly process.

Motor/trans dropped in

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-D...-51-37_364.jpg

Lug nut selection... You guys feel free to comment on which you'd prefer as I would love your input. The hub pad on the wheels is rather thick. The lug nut on the right is longer than a standard open ended unit. The one on the left is an off the shelf piece from race shop.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Q...0/DSC_3491.JPG

Custom bracket made to hold prop valve and clutch reservoir

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-G...0/DSC_4309.JPG

Prop valve and front brakes plumbed

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-U...-07-21_651.jpg

Battery Mount installed

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-M...0/P7030026.JPG

One rear tire sitting next to tires for my Subaru

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-l...2-14-43_15.jpg


Tire fitment tool for determining proper offset for rears

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-f...0/DSC_6407.JPG

Wheels mounted!!!

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-l...-53-20_500.jpg

Those wheels and tires look sweet!

Thanks! For now, I am sticking with the vintage SCCA Trans Am theme. May end up with track rubber later on and if that is the case, I am getting something light. However, I will still keep the Minilite reps for the street.

Ok, almost to the end of the most current pics.

Here are the wheels mounted. The back of the car is overexposed in some of these to attempt to expose the wheels (needed another flash :( ).

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-k...0/DSC_7109.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-K...0/DSC_7128.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-C...0/DSC_7115.JPG

It is funny, with no contrast in this pic, the 335's look kinda narrow.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-q...0/DSC_7120.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-f...0/DSC_7127.JPG

More random pics

G Braces mocked up and mounting holes drilled

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-M...0/DSC_6446.JPG

Anvil deep inner fenders

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-l...210_181442.jpg

You can see the ceramic coated stainless works headers in these pics too

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-P...218_182348.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-J...218_182335.jpg

Couple pre incident pics...

Day the car came home from the previous (and original) owner

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-C...0/P1010014.JPG

Just before the all of the bad stuff happened to the car

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-l...0/DSC_9726.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Y...0/DSC_8915.JPG

Couple more random shots as I browse through my Picasa

Rear brake line fab

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-o...9_9A404688.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-k...7_51AB5D6E.jpg

Looks great! I love the rim choice. I also prefer the longer lug nuts. I'm glad to see you keeping the SBC. What are the plans for it or is it done?

The current small block had a mild rebuild a bit ago. Running plenty of cam, ported and polished heads with smaller combustion chambers, and some 1.6 rockers that were originally installed long before I owned the car. I may install some more modern roller tipped rockers before I put it all back together.

I have made a decision to yank the intake I already installed to swap it for a Holley HP EFI multipoint setup.

Long term, I am contemplating either an LS swap or putting SB2.2 heads on a Gen I small block to make a high RPM screamer.

IN RE to the lug nuts, I like the longer ones too. I am leaning towards them, except I wish they were bulge seat. I might make my own...

She looks purdy!!

Thanks!

Sounds like a good plan. There are a couple SB2s on this site. Preston and Dave(Flash68). The LS engines are great. There is no denying that fact. I just like seeing people building the older engines up. I'm seriously contemplating building my LT1. I'll keep it simple though since I'm not looking to break the bank or make ridiculous power. Keep up the good work

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-K...0/DSC_7128.JPG

Is that a 2005 Legacy Wagon Garnet Red Pearl in the background?

HA. Yeah, it sure is. GT Wagon with a manual trans at that.

She is my daily for now. I am likely going to get a truck soon and turn the Legacy into a bit more of a toy. The engine has 150K miles on it and I would like to build a new one for her and shoot for around 400 to the wheels.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-h...-36-36_570.jpg

What wheel fitment tool is that you are using?

This one:

http://wheelworksinc.com/

Someone over at Pro-Touring.com loans it out for a very small fee.

Nick,

Do you know if the 18" wheels will clear c6 z06 brakes? Looks like you have Wilwood brakes up front.

I do not know the answer to this, but if Tobin still has the test fit templates on his page, I will gladly check the rears now (and the fronts when I receive them).

When I had the 17's, I test fit for the C5 brakes and the fronts were going to need a spacer. Hell, I even had hubcentric spacers machined and anodized. The rears cleared without issue.

Spacers (which I still have and are basically paperweights):

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9...0/DSC_0433.JPG

Thanks Nick. Tobin still has the template on his site. I'm for interested in knowing the clearance for the front (C5 and C6 z06 brake packages).

How thick are the spacers?

Very nice car,all your work looks very well done,nice job with everything so far:trophy-1302:

I am having a brain fart at the moment and do not remember how thick they are. I will measure them when I get home. All of my personal files are home as well, so I do not have access to the drawing at this second.

Stay tuned! I will add that info tonight.

Thank you for the kind comments!!!

You weren't joking about scope creep. Some people say it like it is a bad thing. Looking great!

LMAO. Yeah, I started with plans to do a 5 speed swap and bolt on suspension upgrades. That was it. I am glad that it went this way however. I have done a ton of wrenching and maintenance over the years on various cars, but this is the first time I have ever delved into a complete restoration/modification project. I have learned a ton a long they way just through the experience.

Now I need to get her running this summer! I am going to start wiring the car up here shortly. I just have two things that need to fall in place first.

• Painting the under side of the carbon inner fenders (Which I really wanted to do myself, but could never get the damn garage warm enough to lay down paint). They are currently getting sprayed by a local shop.
• Receiving my accessory drive parts back from hardcoating. I switched to a short water pump and corvette brackets so as to be able to run a passenger side A/C compressor with my Vintage Air setup.*See note below

* This also turned into a fiasco. LOL. Nothing can be easy. I purchased a Billet Specialties bracket to run the Sanden style compressor with the Vintage Air setup. Well... This uses the two top holes in the cylinder head. As you can probably guess, the front passenger side cylinder head did not have both of these holes. We milled jigs that referenced off another hole to drill the cylinder head while on the car. This wasn't difficult, but just another complication along the way. I spent a few bucks in drill bushings from McMaster and used scrap aluminum for the jigs. Job done. Now I am just waiting for my pulleys and that bracket to get back from the coatings shop.

The spacers were machined to 0.25" thick. They measure 0.2535" with the anodizing.

Nick

Thanks Nick.

Looking forward to new updates.

400hp at the wheels on the Subaru engine is 3/4 of the price for your LS swap in the Camaro. Reason why I sold my STi. Got fed up with everything.