Newbie going try to make a pro touring 1970 Z28
 

Well I have been a long time stalker on the site but can finally make a build thread. I purchased this car today pretty good starter or best one could find. I want to make this a pro touring car with a ls swap. So here we go hope to have it done in one year. Love the site and am thankful to look at everyone's great builds to give me the motivation to try to do the same.


I will take some better pics of the car tomorrow when it is light. By the time got it home was starting to get dark.

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By the way any help you can give me on my other thread I put up is appreciated. Thanks here is the link https://lateral-g.net/forums/show...130#post625130

Congrats on your purchase. Post up some detailed pictures if you can.

Regarding your swap, make a plan and stick to it. That way you can have controls on your budget. Also, any plans on the suspensions/brakes, or other upgrades? If so, set realistic goals for the car (track car/cruiser/bone stock other than LS swap) and stick to it.

Good luck.

I have the car at my friends shop when I get back in town will definitely post better pics. I want the car for a cruiser only so just want a stock ls3 with bolt ons only. Just typical pro touring look big brakes, big wheels, ls powered, thinking of coil overs in the rear, and mini tubbed. Have a 35k budget so have 23k this year. Then more the next year so thinking power plant, brakes, suspension, and interior this year. Next year mini tub and complete paint job with new wheels. I figure will have 50 - 60k in this car when it is done but know can easily have way more depending.

That's a lot to accomplish when we only have 1.5 week left this year.:poke:

Just messing with you man. Good luck and keep us posted.

Congrats on the purchase! Looks like a nice starting point! Heck, I would love to drive just like that for awhile!

Welcome and nice looking car to start with:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Sweet ride!! good luck to you in this en-devour, lemme know if you have any questions....

Looks like a real good car to start with! In for the build

This is a project I'd like to do, so I'll be tagging along to learn what I can.

Thanks everyone man how the hell you do pick something with all the good ways to find stuff and great parts. HAHA

Finally got xmas over and got it out of the shop to take some pictures. It has a long way to go but sure am excited about actually having my own street car. HAHA

By the way anyone play pool leagues like bca or apa? Just curious any pool playing members.

I even took some advice from one of the members and asked for a book for xmas. Lol
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Great looking car!

Thanks for the kind words looking at all the awesome builds on this site sure does not compare. I cannot wait till make some head way on it know it takes time.

Wow what a nice car to start with. That's is gonna be a sweet ride. Im hooked!!!!

I moved this reply over from your original thread with minor edits


Here is my advise.

There is nothing wrong with the small block as is the small block engine hase worked for years leave it and enjoy it.

Start with these modification first.

Suspension
1. fix the stuff that is bad and then install new upper & lower control arms.
a. Look at Speed Tech, Ride Tech & DSE bolt on stuff for your stock subframe.


Brakes
1. Just call Tobin at Kore3 and be done.
2. DSE Brake Booster with Kore3 brakes feels like factory brakes

Wheels & Tires
1. You can fit a 255 up front with no issue's a 265 & 275 with minor rub
2. You can fit a 275 in the rear with no issue's on stock wheel tubs.
3. With a 285 or 295 you are limited to how low you can go.
4. 26" height is what you are looking for

Interior
1. If you leave the small block and current transmission all of your guages will work just fine. If you start to change stuff then you are going to have to start planning with this stuff. So my suggestion to save you money is to just leave the small block.

2. Seats - Buy a nice set of seats or just have the one's in the car recovered or maybe they will clean up.

3. Replace the Carpet and install some DEI sound deadening under the carpet and behind the door panel. Quieting the car on the inside makes it more pleasurable to drive.

4. Nothing feels better then a nice Steering Wheel so swap it out. It may even make you feel like a kid again.


Then enjoy the car for a little bit before you spend 10 grand on the swap. Heck you may find out you hate driving old cars. If you find out you love the car then and only then plan for the LS swap. My suggestion would be Speed Inc in Illinois they are fast and do great work.

..... and the last thing I will add. Don't take the car apart as you may loose interest in the car as most builds take huge amounts of money and time.

Baby steps - is the way to build a car especially if this is your first.

Step 1.

Get the current car running and driving

Step 2.

Steering, Suspension and Brakes

Step 3.

Creature Comforts (interior)

Step 4.

Wheels & Tires because your current one's will look good for now.

Great idea's I appreciate all feedback and help for sure. This will be my first build so anything will help.

Can't wait to see how this build goes! Happy to see growing popularity of second-gen Camaros here. :D
That is fantastic advice. I've wondered myself if I'd really enjoy driving all the old cars that -- in theory -- I really love. Haven't had the opportunity yet but this is something to keep in mind for sure.

I'm loving the Hugger Orange. It just suits the car perfectly.
I've always thought that Hugger Orange 1st & 2nd Gen's with a white interior was one of the best color combo's.

Is your intent to keep it orange?

Man I like it but have always wanted a silver car with black stripes. So will just have to see when that time comes.

Trust me paint it last.


Marty-MJ
www.garagescene.net

Marty that's some great advise and couldn't agree with you more.

Maybe I missed it. Is that an original hugger orange z28 split bumper? Very desirable car if so!

Syborg nailed it. My advice mimics his. Keep is running as much as you can during the build. It will keep interest up.
DEFINITELY paint it last.

Doing all the labor yourself? If so the $35k seems about spot on. That's about what I had in parts doing a similar project, bought a nice, restored running 72 w/ a 355 and changed every single part until it's a pro-touring setup w an LSA supercharged LS lol. I got burnt on labor for the stuff I didn't do myself going multiple times over budget due to a variety of things out of my control.

My advice, be very specific w/ vendors on what fits and how, even reputable ones can be totally wrong and not want to admit it, costing you a ton of time (or labor $). I specifically had this issue w/ custom works who is very big in the second gen world (all over Nasty z28). Same thing w/ Hurst Driveline, they both made things right but not after I paid God knows how much extra in labor trouble shooting "bolt in" parts they sent which were flat out the wrong part that had to go back.

I like the orange and white stripes also. Remember some of these guys have been working on pro-touring cars for years. Myself included, although I am now finished.

One step at a time...


Roger

Marty's advice is great! I completely agree about going with Kore3 brakes and SpeedTech suspension. I'm biased or experienced. You decide. Whose control arms are on the car now? They may be good and worth keeping.

Here's my honest opinion about the car. It looks great until you open the hood. There is so much just thrown into the engine bay with no real thought. This is a good thing. It means you have a good running car with loads of potential. With only a little bit of change and some elbow grease you can have a great looking car. Even better, it won't cost you a lot so you can save your money and spend it later on modifications but it will have a substantial impact on how the car looks.

You can do simple things like paint the inner fenders and hood hinges maybe. How's the under side of the hood look? Clean up the wiring and brake lines. Absolutely no color coded crimp connectors like that yellow one on the wiper motor. Get an electric fan on there. Change the radiator hoses to ones that fit and look good. Those valve covers are fantastic and expensive. I'd keep them because I personally like them. Get the headers recoated and get rid of the cheap chrome dipstick or anything else that's auto parts store chrome simply to be one more chromed part under the hood. Is the battery mounted correctly? Get the cables changed out to better looking and fitting ones.

These are all ideas that I pulled out from a glance at the car. The point is not to pick on it and show you all that's wrong. It's to show you all that's just waiting to be changed and will make the car look great. You just have to decide what direction you want to go before you start. Having a consistent theme or look makes a world of difference no matter what your tastes are. If you'll notice, all high end builds or builds in general that turn heads hold a theme or style throughout the entire car.

So I'd concentrate on maximizing what you've got so you can enjoy driving the car. After all, it's a running driving car now. Save you money and collect the parts as you go. Build in stages with a game plan and stick to it. This will allow you to have a lot of fun with the car while sticking to a budget.

Good luck! You've got a great looking car to start with.

Considering the amount in my budget that is a gaurantee. LOL

That is the plan.



Thanks

I am paying for labor which sure eats the budget. Met with the mechanic last night and here is what we are doing so far.

Painless wiring harness will eliminate and rewire all those goofy wires
Needed power steering pump
Needed new air compressor all vintage stuff other than that was good
Ididit steering column
MSD atomic fuel system
New gas tank and set up for new fuel system
New battery
New radiator
New inner fenders
New billet specialties hood hinges with the gas shock
New Hood latch
Car has a 4l80 e so going get a converter for it.

Bought SW rims even though was not ready but will be eventually for wheels some time. HAHA

Where we stand now.

Sounds great. Nice score on SW's rims. I love those rims and might have a set one day.

First thing is to clean up everything that you already have on the car. You are mentioning billet hood hinges, steering column etc. You already have those things that are currently working on your car. Upgrade parts last, replace bad parts first.
I would clean everything up in your car, replace the rubber floor mats as the rubber looks cheesy and Replace the steering wheel. Now your interior looks better than most of them out there

After that address the inner fenders and wiring at the same time. Route the wires behind the fenders for a cleaner look. If you have access you can then paint the subframe while your at it, address suspension issues etc

You won't learn how to fix your car if you don't try. Thats how most of us started. I now know every stinking wire on my car

Thanks alot

I work 60 -70 hours a week and have a five year old involved in gymnastics. If had to do work on the car it would never get done and would not want to post those pics either. lol I respect people who can do all that work there self and can feel proud of it. I am just not that type of person really wish I was but am in no hurry for this car to be done want it done right and way it is if need more time to save money that is the way it is.

My shop is going make all new a/c hoses and make the wiring look super neat and clean. I bought a NRG steering wheel and quick release with the new column. I am going to dynamat and replace all the carpet with new floor mats but just not worried about that until that happens. Trying figure out which front seats to go with looking at cerullo, tmi, or 05/06 gto seats. Will tackle that once car is done with this shop and is mini tubbed.

Will keep everyone posted once some progress is made waiting on parts to come in and couple things before anything will be done. Guessing month to six weeks from now fuel system, wiring, and a/c should be completed but will see and will post pics when it is.

Well stopped by the shop yesterday doing the work on my car. It is coming along so far say the least. HAHA I have the motor at the machine shop being repaired from the flat cam that did some damage. Having a hydraulic roller cam installed and everything redone. While the motor is out have the transmission at the transmission shop being refreshed just cause bought a used car might as well and having them installing a yank 3200 converter in the 4l80e I ordered from Yank.

Since no motor and transmission went ahead had the subframe taking off to send to get repowder coated. I also sent the spindles, springs, and few other things to get powder coated as well.

Had the shop take all the interior out since going to rewire the whole car with a painless wiring kit and install all new dynomat. Soon as subframe comes back and other parts will go to mini tubber to get that done and going have him smooth out the firewall since the redneck just cut a huge whole for the vintage air.

Making progress trying have car done before Hot rod power tour that is my goal but will just have to see.

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Great project thanks for posting.

Making progress so far.

Regarding the seats, make sure to try and sit in the ones on your list. That way you can see how well it fits your frame, and see how comfortable it is to you. I went thru 4 sets of seats, including the stockers, before I sucked it up and splurged on a set of Recaros. One of the best things I bought for the car.

Just my $0.02

Thanks for the kind words.

Thanks for that advice. Yah seats have been one of the last things on my mind with all the other issues have faced. LOL I do know that this probably should of been my first priority.

Nice build there! Great meeting you at the car show the other night and talking about your build. I think you are in the right direction. Really like where this is going!

-Kenny

Kore3 brakes and SpeedTech suspension. I'm biased too...

AND you saved yourself a few years work and $$$ with a nice clean car...
Welcome!

Thanks brother loved your car man is so sick. Thanks for the kind words and was really nice to meet you as well.

Thanks brother!

Well car has been at a stand still but is about to be back to rolling here soon. Just got the subframe and some parts from the powder coater. They are going put the subrame back on the car with the front suspension so can take it to the minitubber so can fit the wheels I bought from SW on it. I cannot wait to see the wheels on this car. LOL My motor just got back from the machine shop, transmission is just waiting on the yank 3200 converter which should be here any day, and soon as car is back from mini tubber car will be completely rewired with a painless wiring kit then put back together.

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By the way I bought these Fiske from SW he has to be one of the nicest guys you ever meet. Extremely helpful for a noob like me. haha Went to his shop and all you can do is drool. He had ferrari's, lambo's, mercedes, road race style porche's, older pick up trucks super clean with 1000 hp twin turbo motors, multiple old trans am's, zr1 corvette, and many many more of the coolest cars you ever want to see. Just going to his shop checking out his customers cars and his cars was a experience I will never forget in its self.

wow, that is a nice looking wheel!

Those look awesome! I bet your excited to get cranking on the car. I would be!!

:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Thanks brother!

Thanks man and yes cannot wait to finally drive it. LOL