grngryoutmyway

iTrader: (1)

So I have had my 92' for over 10 years and it has always been a daily driver and project car at the same time. It was in great shape when I bought it with 38k mi and I have about 120k now. Have always been customizing/upgrading as I could. Well I decided it was time to really get it how I wanted it and finally got a set of wheels and had bout the primer to start to do paint on it (it has mostly factory paint still with the Van Nuys flaking problem).

grngryoutmyway

iTrader: (1)

Then about a week before Christmas as I was out in the rain on my lunch break I hydroplaned on the highway and the car got sideways. Just as I decided I wasn't going to die and the car was almost stopped where I could regain control a youger driver came along and couldn't make it an extra foot over. He took the WHOLE front end off of the car.

grngryoutmyway

iTrader: (1)

So I have spent the last several months arguing with insurance to not total the car and trying to gather up parts to put it back together. The fender rails were tweaked a bit, and the frame horns where totally warked with a small bend in the rail on the right side. I got it back from the frame shop on friday after they fixed all of this and test fitted everything up to make sure it fit right. Since the car was a low production and in great shape I have had previous set backs about making major changes to it. Now that it has been in a wreck it seemed like a great time to make a few changes I had been on the fence about.

grngryoutmyway

iTrader: (1)

After I checked to make sure everything would line up ok I pulled the whole front end back off, pulled the GFX, handles, mirrors, locks etc.. Next weekend I'm going to pull the hatch back off, pull all the glass, and start on finishing the hood. Then I will start sanding the old paint off (no more flakey flakey) and working on body work.

The changes I'm making are mostly obvious from the pics but SS hood, Z wing, custom grill inserts, custom Z polished/body colored emblems, also doing body colored 4th gen handles. Will also do the grill body color again with the polished aluminum bowtie that somehow made it through the wreck....*



*The impact bar was completely off my car with the front GFX still attached. As I was walking to the other drivers car in the pouring rain to make sure everyone was ok (which thankfully everyone was) some D bag stopped, not to make sure we were ok, but to pick it up and throw it a couple lanes over to the side of the road. So I picked it up and put it back in my car! Somehow the Hawks repro GFX is unscaved and the center piece of the grill was still there, though the entire rest of the GM front bumper is in ten million pieces. None of the headlights broke either strangely. Oh and it looks like my SS hood has the same birthday I do, thanks Hawks!


Sorry for all the crappy pics, just taking some progress shots with my phone right now.

!CamaroDave

iTrader: (3)

Dang sorry to hear bout the accident and glad your okay. Looks like you've done a great job putting the car all back together! Looks good!

Rickey_85TA

That really hurts to hear about your accident. But, I like the new SS hood, front bumper and wheels.
I couldn't help but notice my car is next to yours in the first picture I never knew that was your car.
Are you going to make it to G-17?

IROCgiraffe

iTrader: (3)

Is that the ASCD hood?

grngryoutmyway

iTrader: (1)

Yea, I don't post pictures that often on here anymore. I should be ready in plenty of time for G17. Even if I screw something up bad, I'll at least throw it back together so I can drive it down there are park it, I'm not far from the show. Are you coming out again?


The hood is from Hawks Third Gen, from what I have been told they make their own. Fitment looked pretty good, it was a bit short in the front, but I buzzed the bumper back a bit so it should line right up.

All is well that ends well. Thank you for the support!



I did not get as much done this weekend as I hoped, due to only having one day. I got the side windows pulled and the back hatch, spoiler, glass, bumper and GFX pulled off. Worked on the passenger rear quarter a bit, there is some previous bad repair work. It looks like I am going to have to pull the quarter apart to get to the corner by the taillights and take off the spare tire support so I can properly shape it back out. Next weekend I'll be pulling the doors, trimming and filling in the hood, stripping and painting the rear window surround, cleaning all the dirt out of the backs of panels and crevices, and hopefully working on that quarter a little more.

2007xl50

Well gald there is a happy ending so far from a bad situation. Keep up the good work.

grngryoutmyway

iTrader: (1)

Decided to leave the doors on for now, I'm getting short on space. Got the quarter seperated and pulled the spare tire support out to do repairs, and stripped all the old bondo off. Looks like it's time for filler, right?! lol remind me why I paid someone to do that to my car?

Painted the rear window trim so I can get the glass out of the way. Also trimmed the hood and got the filler in there to smooth out the gaps. I'm going to use the kitty hair to fill in the gap between the top of the scoop and the underside of the hood to help with support (hopefully keep it from shaking so much). And I'm debating glassing in a mount for a screen, to help trap water and let it drip down in the open section on the bottom part of the scoop. Any thoughts?

Also debating leaving the spare tire out. I am eventually going to bag it and would like a small hidden sub, so to have room for both of these I need the rear quarters emptied. It will just be a show/fun car from now on, but I worry about running around town sans spare.


Next weekend I hope to finish up with the hood filling and sand it down, get the fenders straightened out and filled in.. might just start sanding the existing paint off though. I will only have one day again with the holiday.

86WS6

iTrader: (1)

OUCH!, Jordan, That's painful to look at.

Sure glad no one was injured.

It looks like you know what you're doing. Can't wait to see your car when it is complete.

Johnny Blaze

iTrader: (15)

What brand and size are the wheels?

grngryoutmyway

iTrader: (1)

Charles, looks can be decieving huh? Needless to say I can't wait to see it complete myself, thank you for the support.

Johnny, they are iForged Aero's 18x8, and 18x11 I believe.

Johnny Blaze

iTrader: (15)

Wheels and stance look killer!

grngryoutmyway

iTrader: (1)

Johnny- Thanks, I have probably changed the stance a half dozen times over the years. I like where it is now, but I'd like to bag it so I can drop it down for shows and also raise it up a little higher for parking lots etc..


I got the edge of the underside of the hood done this weekend, and got my glass un taped and put away safely. The kitty hair is a bear to take down, I had to hit it with an angle grinder and a low grit 2" roloc green corps disk. I had some 3M two part plastic repair epoxy (flexible) that I used kinda like glaze to fill the smaller crevices etc after the rough sand. It might still be a little wavy since this stuff was too hard to take down block sanding (I hit that with the DA and 220) but being on the underside of the hood I doubt it will be noticable even with the hood up. Just need to finish the scoop part of the hood and then a few coats of high build and block sand the whole hood it just like the rest of the car. But there is no bondo/putty anywhere on the hood so there shouldn't be any cracking from filling in the gaps, everything is flexible.

Next weekend I need to clean up all my mess I made this weekend (FG sanding dust all over everything). Do the final rough finish on the hood scoop part. Then I'm thinking hammer and dolly on the fenders and quarter, and if there is time either start welding holes/quarters back up or bondo big dips.

1bad91Z

iTrader: (1)

I hope you are sticking with the factory color... When repainting, black headlight buckets would be a nice touch. Good luck!

86WS6

iTrader: (1)

Jordan, your car will turn out fine. It sounds like you have the hood repaired perfect. The quarter panel would scare the h*** out of me, but you seem to be getting it straightened out. If a few points don't come out exactly like you want it to, it will be a learning experience. You can always go back and tweak it a little here and there until you get it where you want it.

At least you are saving a nice thirdgen from the wrecking yard... It deserves better than getting parted out.

What were the production numbers for your car?

TooSweet

Agreed. Those wheels look absolutely perfect on that car. Very nice

RSFreak

Those wheels are sick!!! Beautiful car man!

grngryoutmyway

iTrader: (1)

Yes, I am sticking with the green grey metallic. I think it will look great with the changes too, I love how darker metallic colors look with sharp turns ie cyber grey C6. My paint guy added a little pearl to make it pop a bit, but you won't be able to tell a huge difference. The buckets and grill will be body color like they were before... easy change later on if I change my mind though.

Charles, again thank you. Not stressing about the build at all, just nit picky, I'm sure you understand It will be a learning experience for sure. I have done most all the things I am doing before, just not all together at the same time. The biggest thing is budgeting time which I am trying to keep track of here to help me, gotta get it done before the gathering!
They made about 2500 cars in this color which was the lowest number for 92' after this it will kinda loose the "collector" value, but it is not going anywhere so I don't care. I debated picking up a B4C in this same color that was a local police car instead of fixing this one, but I came to the conclusion that I have too much sentimental attachment and would fix this one even if I got another.


Thank you guys for the motivation, hopefully it will be back, better than ever before too long.

86WS6

iTrader: (1)

Jordan, I like that color also. In addition to the color, the 92 Camaro is one of the best thirdgen body styles.

The Nit Picky part of it makes perfect sense to most car guys. I am worse than Nit Picky, actually Obsessive Compulsive about stuff, so what you are saying makes perfect sense. Your sense of needing to do a good job is why I am sure that your car will turn out well.

As for enjoying the car after you have it repaired, my thoughts are that you should relax and have loads of fun with it. Car people get attached to their rides, and it is understandable that you want to save it. By the time you get it finished , you will have turned just about every fastener on the car, so in a way you are making the car your own creation. That's pretty cool. Not everyone can do that kind of work, and do it correctly.

As for collectability, we don't live in a perfect world. It is a shame that your car was damaged, but no reason that it can't provide many years of enjoyment for you and your family.

2007xl50

Looks like it's coming along man, I just did my hatch window trim this past weekend on my RS and what a differance it mad. I will be working on my 1/4's soon as well as other body work. I have not even had my RS that long and i'm attched to it, turned down a good offer for it this past weekend like a dumb a**

Lmancha96

Cars is looking good

Ed1LE

iTrader: (39)

Wheels and stance are perfect! Car is coming back together nicely! My brother had an RS that color, always liked it. Keep up the good work!

Luke3920

Glad your'e ok man! And also that the care is saveable. I sure wish mine was. Look forward to seeing it and you at the gathering!

86WS6

iTrader: (1)

Luke, post that pic of your car.

grngryoutmyway

iTrader: (1)

Yea post the pic Luke! Glad your OK too. Mine was pretty bad I can only imagine yours after your saved it once already. Can't wait til the show, just gotta get it back together! Can't wait to see your new project together either, next year for sure?


Charles, agreed. No sense in spending all that time/money on something to stress out and not enjoy it. I used to be a lot worse about stuff, but let a few things go on the car since it was a DD and would get a little abuse. This car will never be over the top, I've seen too many $60k+ car restos that never leave the garage.



Some more decent progress this weekend. Hood and both front fenders are ready for primer/blocking and probably a few small bondo spots on the fenders. Hammered on the bad quarter for about on hour (until my wife said she was ready to kill me) and got most of the edge back on the backside of the quarter and the real bad divots out. The bottom of it was not knocked out enough and had probably 3/8" of putty in it. Big problem was the it could be pushed in/out since it was not knocked out right and the bondo had cracked (actually before the body shop painted it). Probably another hour or so and it will be ready to weld back together. So I think next weekend I will finish that up and weld it back along with welding the spoiler and antenna holes up. Hopefully start sanding on the body as well. I'm taking a couple half days since the wife and kid are home for spring break.. but something tells me I'll be in the garage most of the time.

Quick picture of the underside of the hood the greener area on the top is the kitty hair that filled in a 1x1/8" gap all the way around the hood. The grey on the edges is the flexible putty I used as a glaze and on the inside is the primer from the factory andg with a few spots where I burned through it which was inevitable with that much sanding.

Lmancha96

Keep up the good work man your car is going to look sick once you get it repainted. Are you sticking with the stock color? Hope you do so I can see what mine will look like with the SS hood lol..

grngryoutmyway

iTrader: (1)

Thanks man. Yes I am staying with the same color, I don't remember seeing another with an SS hood, or the Z spoiler for that matter, but I'm sure it will look great.

Some more good progress this weekend. A few odds and ends primed and ready for paint. Etch primed the fenders. Got the quarter shaped back out and cut out the pieces to fill the holes from the old spoiler and radio antenna.. went to weld them in and.. poof! no sheilding gas! Taped up the rest of the car instead to keep dust out and got about half of it sanded down to Ecoat. Bad news is the one small rust spot I knew about by the taillights was almost all the way through so I cut it out and will weld a patch panel (only like a 1"x"1" spot) good news is so far that is the only rust the car has.

So next weekend weld everything up, grinding, finish sanding, etch prime any bare spots, get it taped up for high build and possibly bondo work if I have time. Getting... closer
Gonna get everything straight with the panels on, pull the doors and do the gaps then back together to check everything, tape again and then hopefully ready for BC/CC.

Buggy Disaster

iTrader: (1)

Wow man. That sucks. I'm glad you didn't get hurt and that the car is quickly getting rebuilt.

The hood and z28 spoiler was a good touch!

I hope to see it at G-17!

grngryoutmyway

iTrader: (1)

I keep forgetting to take pics, but I will get some up. Got everything stripped down, all spoiler holes welded up, antenna hole welded up, quarter welded back on and everything ground down smooth.

Next weekend change wheels, finish rolling the quarters, etch prime bare spots, bondo, smooth gas door, and high build primer everything.

Weekend after that sand down bondo, remove doors, paint gaps, engine bay, inner fenders, and odds n ends. Change door hinge pins to the greasable ones while the doors are off.

Next weekend finish work spray all BC CC on the car

Then I have one last weekend for all assembly and possible wet sanding...

And the NEXT weekend is the car show... lets hope I can make it... possible but not looking good lol.

grngryoutmyway

iTrader: (1)

Still somewhat on pace after last weekend, I probably put in 30 hours in 2.5 days. Quarter is all done, all bondo is done, I added a little by where the doors meet the quarters to smooth out that transition, gaps on fenders adjusted, gas door flattened out, I went to spray my high build last night and it was coming out like turd, had to put it wet to get good spread and it sagged in a few spots, also ended my spraying after 1.5 coats when the tip got clogged, had to let the gun soak overnight. Going to get some reducer tonight and bump up the air pressure and hopefully it will agree.

86WS6

iTrader: (1)

Hi Jordan,

Sorry to hear that you are having problems. Maybe new thinner will work and soaking the spray gun will unclog it. Try not to overwork yourself on your days off.

I have no doubts that the end result will be great.

Charles

grngryoutmyway

iTrader: (1)

All good Charles, thanks for your support. Work has to be done or the car wont be ...and if I wasn't busting my butt in the garage my wife would be makin me bust by butt in the yard so it's all good.

Last night went a ton better than Sunday. I finished with my first priming, just need to get some more to do the top of the hood tonight. Had to bump the PSI up to 80, and between cups not coats clean out the tip the cup and run some thinner through the gun. The PSi that high was making it pulse some but it got out the material pretty good. The primer is hard as crap sticks to everthing and sands down pretty good. Car is looking nice and smooth.

You can see my set up, the quarter that was all jacked up and is now all back together welded up and double sealed, need to tame where the quarter folds down a tad but no biggie and you can see the door gap, there is no step at all there now.

grngryoutmyway

iTrader: (1)

Gas door got the finger bump removed so it will be flush with the quarter, and pic of the underside of the hood.

86WS6

iTrader: (1)

You have the quarter panel looking great, and that door gap is perfect!

If you ever get tired of working for NAPA, you can open a body shop.

Buggy Disaster

iTrader: (1)

Looking good man. That gas cap looks great!

grngryoutmyway

iTrader: (1)

Thanks guys. Hood is primed, found a couple oopsie spots on the fenders when I was blocking the primer down so I put a little more putty on them. Tonight I'm gonna sand down the fenders again and re prime them. Hopefully I will have some time to block the hood as well. Tomorrow block block block then fine sand everything out. Then taping up and painting jams etc on Sunday, hopfefully it is not tooo humid. Getting close!

I only work on my own stuff Charles, so I hope I don't end up with enough cars or accidents to do this full time Someone would have to pay me 10x what someone with 100x more talent would charge to do this lol

86WS6

iTrader: (1)

Hey Jordan, How is it going?

grngryoutmyway

iTrader: (1)

Goin good, just busy. Got paint on the underside of hood, deck lid, jams, hinges etc.. Paint and CC look awesome. I got some fish eye on this round, I think from trash in my air, but I have a better filter to use tomorrow for the rest of the car. 95 percent of the prep is done, just have to finish the plastics and do a 3rd check on the rest of the car to make sure I dont have any rough patches. Mostly family stuff today but I should be able to finish up plastic preps today and get up early tomorrow and start bagging the garage and painting everything else.

grngryoutmyway

iTrader: (1)

Sorry, can't see it too well. Plastic prep took way too long. Garage is bagged and ready to spray, wiping the car down tonight and taping up and I should be shooting tomorrow

grngryoutmyway

iTrader: (1)

She's just waitin on me.

Fordvette

Don't make her wait too long

Lmancha96

can not wait!!! TO see paint on this thing!

grngryoutmyway

iTrader: (1)

ME EITHER!! lol everything seems to take longer than I think it should. Got it wiped down and all taped up last night. Just have to get the loose bits arranged so I can spray them filter up the garage doors for some crossflow air, tack rag and wipe it down again and it is ready to go. Maybe tonight, but I'm not holding my breath, tomorrow for sure though.

Buggy Disaster

iTrader: (1)

I have some rattlecans left over from the other day. We can get it back on the road in no time for G17!
Just messin with ya.


Progress looks good!

86WS6

iTrader: (1)

Jordan, we'll help you pull off the masking tape at G-17.

Sorry, couldn't help myself.

grngryoutmyway

iTrader: (1)

Lets pull the tape off Charles!!! Came out really good all things considered. It will need some wet sanding as there are some little nibs and some orange peel, but I was expecting that. The grill had a chemical reaction and I got a sag in the base on the rear bumper so I will have to re do those.. there was a couple small runs in the base on the door not sure I will hit it again or not. I think all the rest is just in the clear and can be sanded out, so all good. yippie!@

Johnny Blaze

iTrader: (15)

Awsome color
turning in to a killer car!

86WS6

iTrader: (1)

That's too cool Jordan!