Newbie going try to make a pro touring 1970 Z28

[WSSix]

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.

[Juicypop]

Originally Posted by syborg tt

Trust me paint it last.


Marty-MJ
www.garagescene.net

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

Originally Posted by will69camaro

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.

That is the plan.

Originally Posted by RLJ676

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.

Originally Posted by Roger Poirier

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

Thanks

Originally Posted by WSSix

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.

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.

[WSSix]

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

[pro66tour]

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

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

[Juicypop]

Originally Posted by Intimidator3

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

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

Originally Posted by pro66tour

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!

[Juicypop]

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.







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.

[Tokyo_Torquer]

wow, that is a nice looking wheel!

[Spiffav8]

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

[Juicypop]

Originally Posted by Tokyo_Torquer

wow, that is a nice looking wheel!

Thanks brother!

Originally Posted by Spiffav8

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

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