1980 Z-28; Project Trailer Trash Treasure

[70TWO NOVA]

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;

[70TWO NOVA]

body/paint;

[70TWO NOVA]

after clear...

[70rs]

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 )

[70TWO NOVA]

the engine stock LM7...

[70TWO NOVA]

Originally Posted by 70rs

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 )

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.

[70TWO NOVA]

a little cleaning...





heads cleaned and milled .030

[98ssnova]

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

[70TWO NOVA]

Originally Posted by 98ssnova

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

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

[tones2SS]

Good work Brian. I like the color.