History / RestorationGot a question about Third Gen (1982-1992) Camaro or Firebird history? Where can I find these original parts? What is this option or RPO code? Those questions, answers, and more!
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Do not use POR15 for undercoating. It's designed to work on rough or porous surfaces like rusty or sandblasted parts. On bare smooth metal or over paint it will not stock, it'll peel off in no time.
It's funny that you are now saying that too because I went to my local paint shop to pick some up and they told me the same thing. I instead got a quart of some SEM black chassis paint which is designed to be applied over painted surfaces or bare metal, and can be put over rust as well. Thanks for the info too!
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__________________ 1986 Trans Am, 2005 5.3 LM7 engine, LS6 intake manifold, cam, LS6 clutch assembly, T56 transmission w/ Hurst pro billet shifter, 95 TA 4.10 posi rear with heavy duty cover.
-Coming soon....dyno sheets!
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Im not sure I agree with the Por15 thing... I use that stuff on EVERYTHING that isnt exposed. I coated my floors on the inside, I painted my raw spohn SFCs, my crossmember is painted in it, along with countless brackets.
I also used it on my rock rails on my off-road jeep. I regularily land the jeep on those bars and drag them across rocks. I can honestly say, the Por15 seems to hold up really well even then. yes it gets scraped off, but the surrounding areas have stayed fine. I just slather some more on before it starts to rust.
Perhaps the surfaces weren't prepped good enough those times where it failed or peeled off? That stuff is really tough... I swear by it for just about everything. It seems to chemically bond to metal, rusty or not.
Just my experience/observation/.02 cents about it.
J.
__________________
ARE shortblock, Ross custom boost pistons, arp rod bolts, ARE ported oil pump,
MTI 2e 5.3L ported heads milled .030 with double springs,
228/224 113+1 Comp XE-R, Cloyes adjustable timing chain, LS6 valley cover,
fast 90mm intake, NW 90mm throttle body, SVO 30lb injectors, 85mm MAF,
ASP underdrive pulley, 160* t-stat, stainless LT headers 1.75" primaries
Heres a new update: I decided against POR15 and the SEM rust preventitive in favor of some good ole Herculiner. I heard a lot of people were using it as an undercoat and loved it, including twin turbo on the boards here (thanks for the idea!). I am really happy i did too because it looks awesome and is rock solid. Heres some pics. . .
Old crap chipped out of fenderwell....you DO NOT want to do this...it sucks!!
Nice new herculiner. This is after the second coat.
It gives it such a nice finished look because it meets up with the paint line and you would never know the car was ever white!!
Thats only the pass side for now. Removing the old stuff is very time consuming without a lift, so I will be working on the drivers side and tranny tunnel in the next week.
__________________ 1986 Trans Am, 2005 5.3 LM7 engine, LS6 intake manifold, cam, LS6 clutch assembly, T56 transmission w/ Hurst pro billet shifter, 95 TA 4.10 posi rear with heavy duty cover.
-Coming soon....dyno sheets!
You really did strip everything, the only way to go further is to remove the subframe. Looks good, keep it up!
__________________ Online Drag Racing -------Reaction Time Tester! Red 1982 Trans Am MSE Hooker 1 5/8 primaries, 3 inches back, 3:73s
Red 1990 Formula with ZZ4 motor, Hooker 2055s, American Thunder catback
Black 1991 GTA with 3 inch Flowmaster Catback system
Black 2002 WS6 Bone Stock
You really did strip everything, the only way to go further is to remove the subframe. Looks good, keep it up!
I've never done any projects like this. I have pulled motors and trannys and done swaps but nothing like this. It will be quite the learning experience for me though, and I'm hoping everything comes out how I want it!
Thanks for the compliment!
__________________ 1986 Trans Am, 2005 5.3 LM7 engine, LS6 intake manifold, cam, LS6 clutch assembly, T56 transmission w/ Hurst pro billet shifter, 95 TA 4.10 posi rear with heavy duty cover.
-Coming soon....dyno sheets!
Been a while since I've posted progress on here. I've been so lazy because of the cold weather moving in, and I also met a girl! (I know, I know) I don't have new pics yet but I have all the rest of the undercoat scraped off of the drivers side, and the first coat of herculiner is on there. I plan on doing the second coat in the next day or so and I'll be sure to get some new pics up for you!
__________________ 1986 Trans Am, 2005 5.3 LM7 engine, LS6 intake manifold, cam, LS6 clutch assembly, T56 transmission w/ Hurst pro billet shifter, 95 TA 4.10 posi rear with heavy duty cover.
-Coming soon....dyno sheets!
Let me offer some advice re: the engine/trans switch you're planning,
which may not be that insightful given you say you have experience
in that area.
Given that you're switching engine/trans type, some fabrication
will be needed -- duh...
Consider getting the basic install done, before to much more paint
work is done, so as to minimize the effect of alterations on what
you've already accomplished -- like installing the clutch cyl & linkage
in that fabulous looking firewall, shifter in the floor-pan etc.
If that is already in your (apparently very thorough) plan, than
indulge me as a senile old fart.
Let me offer some advice re: the engine/trans switch you're planning,
which may not be that insightful given you say you have experience
in that area.
Given that you're switching engine/trans type, some fabrication
will be needed -- duh...
Consider getting the basic install done, before to much more paint
work is done, so as to minimize the effect of alterations on what
you've already accomplished -- like installing the clutch cyl & linkage
in that fabulous looking firewall, shifter in the floor-pan etc.
If that is already in your (apparently very thorough) plan, than
indulge me as a senile old fart.
And keep up the great work.
Thanks for the advice! Through my screw ups I made in the past and all the knowledge I learned from that, the tranny tunnel has already been cut for the T56 as well as the hole in the fire wall for the clutch linkage. I will also be getting a new K-member which will allow the 5.3 to "bolt in." I am hoping this time around that I think about my actions 100 times, and then do it once! And thank you very much for the compliments!!
__________________ 1986 Trans Am, 2005 5.3 LM7 engine, LS6 intake manifold, cam, LS6 clutch assembly, T56 transmission w/ Hurst pro billet shifter, 95 TA 4.10 posi rear with heavy duty cover.
-Coming soon....dyno sheets!
Looks great. Just make sure "she" knows about this extensive project and that it was there first :-p
Oh she surely knows LOL and I made it a point to let her know that my funding is currently very dedicated to this car. She does her own brakes, oil, and maintenece on her car and even told me she'd help me whenever I wanted her to on mine. Thats why I like her so much!!
__________________ 1986 Trans Am, 2005 5.3 LM7 engine, LS6 intake manifold, cam, LS6 clutch assembly, T56 transmission w/ Hurst pro billet shifter, 95 TA 4.10 posi rear with heavy duty cover.
-Coming soon....dyno sheets!
Finally some new pics! Got a chance to strip the drivers side fenderwell and coat it with some Herculiner. Also did under the radiator panel and touched up a few light spots on the pass side. Sorry for the crappy pics...my garage is so dark!
__________________ 1986 Trans Am, 2005 5.3 LM7 engine, LS6 intake manifold, cam, LS6 clutch assembly, T56 transmission w/ Hurst pro billet shifter, 95 TA 4.10 posi rear with heavy duty cover.
-Coming soon....dyno sheets!
I also yanked out the exhaust, rear axle assy, and gas tank in preparation for the herculiner and the LS1 F-body gas tank. I recently had a change of heart on the engine set up and while I'm still going with the 5.3 and T56, I need the LS1 tank with some dual 255 LPH pumps for the new idea.........
And theres where she sits now.....sad and waiting for the day I can driver her again!
__________________ 1986 Trans Am, 2005 5.3 LM7 engine, LS6 intake manifold, cam, LS6 clutch assembly, T56 transmission w/ Hurst pro billet shifter, 95 TA 4.10 posi rear with heavy duty cover.
-Coming soon....dyno sheets!
looks good. As far as I can tell the stuff that I have been using Chassis Saver is just like Por 15. I had almost the whole bottom of my car coated before I figured out that it peels off bare steel. It all started when I tryed to put some seam seal on it. The seam seal does not stick to the Chassis Saver so I started grinding it out of the seams and it started to just flake off where I painted over bare steel, that had not been sanded. Now I have a big mess. I wish i would have just epoxyed the bottom of the car and I would probably be done with the bottom of the car by now.
Did you put any type of seam seal back in the wheel wells?
looks good. As far as I can tell the stuff that I have been using Chassis Saver is just like Por 15. I had almost the whole bottom of my car coated before I figured out that it peels off bare steel. It all started when I tryed to put some seam seal on it. The seam seal does not stick to the Chassis Saver so I started grinding it out of the seams and it started to just flake off where I painted over bare steel, that had not been sanded. Now I have a big mess. I wish i would have just epoxyed the bottom of the car and I would probably be done with the bottom of the car by now.
Did you put any type of seam seal back in the wheel wells?
That's too bad! And especially being under the car! As far as the seam sealer, I did not replace what was in the fenderwells but I didn't scrape it completely out of the seams before the herculiner. The herculiner is also thick, and designed to seal up smaller seams by itself so it works really well for the application. I also don't ever plan on driving the car in the rain after this so I figured it would be ok! Best of luck with yours too!
__________________ 1986 Trans Am, 2005 5.3 LM7 engine, LS6 intake manifold, cam, LS6 clutch assembly, T56 transmission w/ Hurst pro billet shifter, 95 TA 4.10 posi rear with heavy duty cover.
-Coming soon....dyno sheets!
incredible work youre doing there. I used to work in a body shop sometimes shooting cars but not too often. I have my dad's 86 firebird i inherited from him id like to re paint it but dont have the facilities. I am subscribing to this thread. Lots i can learn from it.
That's too bad! And especially being under the car! As far as the seam sealer, I did not replace what was in the fenderwells but I didn't scrape it completely out of the seams before the herculiner. The herculiner is also thick, and designed to seal up smaller seams by itself so it works really well for the application. I also don't ever plan on driving the car in the rain after this so I figured it would be ok! Best of luck with yours too!
Its bad....but the car is in a rotisserie so its easily accessible
1986 Trans Am, 2005 5.3 LM7 engine, LS6 intake manifold, cam, LS6 clutch assembly, T56 transmission w/ Hurst pro billet shifter, 95 TA 4.10 posi rear with heavy duty cover. 
