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So now that my life is consumed with checking out the forum daily and looking at all of the amazing builds people are doing or have done, I have decided to start working on mine. I have had the car for just over three years now and have done very minimal work to it, basically cleaned up the carpet and seats. But... that didn't last long since I had to move and it became a storage locker for a little while. Anyways, this car has been in my family since it was purchased from the dealer brand new. It has been sold back and forth between family and close friends and has finally made it into my hands. I have always had my eye on this car and remember how proud I was as a child when my mom owned it.
As far as the build and my plans, I am not completely decided on the route to take. I want to upgrade to a 350 TPI, but at the same time consider bringing it back as a restoration and keeping the original equipment. I plan to include pictures as I go, but figured I would start the thread to kick me into gear and get me going. I look forward to seeing where this car goes!
I love a car with family history. All of Mopars have that, and I would trade them away for anything. And I was able to speak with the original owner of my T/A (I'm only the second owner), so I feel like I know it's whole story too.
The sky is the limit with these cars, either on the resto side, wildly modified, or someplace in between. And yes, this forum is very addicting! I look forward to following your thread.
Hi I just joined the board. I also have a 1985 Z28 305 700R4. At this point it's 100% stock minus new stock exhaust. I have been all over the place with what I want to do with it. It has gone from building a 383 to putting in an LS1 to finally keeping it as stock as possible. All the 60s 70s car owners are all about numbers matching and I have decided that important to me too. 1985 was the first year of the TPI. It may not mean anything to most but I call it unique or a first and important to keep. So at this point from this board and a lot of Google I can give my Z more power and keep the stock look of the TPI. I found a a TPI intake that will bolt to Vortec heads found a couple cam options. Not for sure what to do with that. But good luck with yours!
So now that my life is consumed with checking out the forum daily and looking at all of the amazing builds people are doing or have done, I have decided to start working on mine. I have had the car for just over three years now and have done very minimal work to it, basically cleaned up the carpet and seats. But... that didn't last long since I had to move and it became a storage locker for a little while. Anyways, this car has been in my family since it was purchased from the dealer brand new. It has been sold back and forth between family and close friends and has finally made it into my hands. I have always had my eye on this car and remember how proud I was as a child when my mom owned it.
As far as the build and my plans, I am not completely decided on the route to take. I want to upgrade to a 350 TPI, but at the same time consider bringing it back as a restoration and keeping the original equipment. I plan to include pictures as I go, but figured I would start the thread to kick me into gear and get me going. I look forward to seeing where this car goes!
Get some pics up man. I'm in the same boat as far as direction. I think these cars will be more valuable before too long, but an lsx swap sounds fun.
Thanks for all the support! @uppersub mine is supposed to look like that, blue and everything, but has not retained the paint as it should have. It's a multitude of colors. I will get pictures up in the next day or so. Been busting away at the garage so I can have room to pull and rebuild the 305. Pretty stoked/nervous for that adventure.
@Billgluckman. Thanks I've owned the car since 2001. It's mostly been garaged always car covered and never been driven in the winter.
@ KW1985Z28. I'm in the same boat. I need a work space. Plan on fixing that this summer then on to the build.
You should put up some pics interested to see your ride and follow your build!
@Billgluckman. Thanks I've owned the car since 2001. It's mostly been garaged always car covered and never been driven in the winter.
@ KW1985Z28. I'm in the same boat. I need a work space. Plan on fixing that this summer then on to the build.
You should put up some pics interested to see your ride and follow your build!
Okay guys, time to ask for advice. So tomorrow I will be pulling the camaro out to snap some pictures off and decide what I'm doing first. I purchased all the tools needed to rebuild an engine (calipers, micrometers, dial bore gauge, etc.) But was wondering if I should even rebuild this engine yet or just replace the seals (mainly valve stems. Here is where the confusion sets in, I haven't compression tested it but will be tomorrow. The car starts up immediately and runs smooth, but bluish white smoke comes from the tailpipes. It is also leaking out of the side of the valve covers when warm. Here is the question, should I just refresh the engine and lake the experience of tearing down and rebuilding, or should I just replace the seals of the compression test shows good rings. Cost isn't much difference if no machining is required. What do you guys think.
P.s. this is from a phone, so I may need to elaborate.
Hello Everyone,
As far as the build and my plans, I am not completely decided on the route to take. I want to upgrade to a 350 TPI, but at the same time consider bringing it back as a restoration and keeping the original equipment. I plan to include pictures as I go, but figured I would start the thread to kick me into gear and get me going. I look forward to seeing where this car goes!
There's no need to build another museum queen, build it fun to drive. The TPI 305 was an option, so putting a TPI 350 in it would still look correct. I would trade the 15x7s for the '85-'87-style 16x8s, I would do 1LE brakes, I would do a 3.42:1 rear axle for a TPI 350, whether you go T5 or 700R-4. I'd definitely get some new rear springs, the rear should never sit lower than the front.
If you're going to open up the 305, you may as well just get an '87-up 350 to start with, you can put your #416 heads on that, those come with dished pistons, almost never have ring ridges, and take roller lifters. Elgin's 1136 cam from CompetitionProducts is a good starting point, at 60% the cost of any other new HR cam.
@cosmick I am decided on putting in a 350 in the future, but for the time being cannot afford the swap or the upgrades. I just want the car back on the road. The 305 still runs strong and I figure I can use it for the experience of tearing down until I can afford to upgrade (it smokes, might just be valve stem seals). While a 350 rebuild may cost the same I've priced out the costs to swap out the ecm and other components and I don't have that extra cash for now. Thanks for the input and I will be following that path in the future.
Here are some pics. Ignore the "graffiti", I was 18 and moving so I figured I'd draw as much attention as possible. The black was the previous owner. He thought spraying it with black primer would stop the rust and paint from chipping. He did not do any prep work and oversprayed everything. I have my work set out for me.
Good luck bringing it back. Ive always heard those 85 TPI cars were some of the fastest 305s. I may would just rebuild it or upgrade it just a lil and let it look stock.
Hey KW,
If the car runs I wouldn't put any money into it. Your going to put a 350 in it anyway don't waste the cash. If you want to do something put your money into the brakes or door and t-top seals. Do the compression test. See what happepens there. Is the oil running out of it (more then a quart in an oil change)? If so maybe do some gaskets. But if you pull engine to do it I would wait. If it ain't broke don't fix it!
I'm like a kid in a candy store. I'm very indecisive. I pulled the 305 today to clean it up and have decided if it is within specs then I will just re-ring it and give it some fresh gaskets/bearings. I may just add some bolt on power and keep it stock as far as engine goes. The condition of the engine will help me decide. For now it is out and on a stand waiting for my attention. Fingers crossed that it's all good. Broke a few bolts (starter neg and exhaust bolts) so they may be pushing me for more new parts. Lol I will add some pics later today. Thanks for the input everyone, it is much appreciated.
I'm like a kid in a candy store. I'm very indecisive. I pulled the 305 today to clean it up and have decided if it is within specs then I will just re-ring it and give it some fresh gaskets/bearings. I may just add some bolt on power and keep it stock as far as engine goes. The condition of the engine will help me decide. For now it is out and on a stand waiting for my attention. Fingers crossed that it's all good. Broke a few bolts (starter neg and exhaust bolts) so they may be pushing me for more new parts. Lol I will add some pics later today. Thanks for the input everyone, it is much appreciated.
I picked up a good running rollor cam 350 for around $300(maybe $350, can't remember) recently. Not trying to change your mind but just letting you know it wouldn't cost a whole lot more to throw in some more cubes and keep the stock appearance.
I have rode in a 305 car with a small cam, headers, and 3.73's that was pretty peppy. If you just want something fun to drive I can't blame you for sticking with the 5.0.
Alright guys, so here is my game plan as of now. I will be determining whether or not the 305 can be rebuild without a ton of machining. I so I am going to pick up a kit from summit to rebuild it. After that I will pick up some headers since I broke the bolts on the passenger side manifold (Hooker 2055's and y pipe are what I am stuck on, but don't know whether ceramic or painted are my route to take). Then I will grab a mini starter (broke one of the bolts coming off the starter trying to remove the wires). I will end up getting the rest of the exhaust system when I have the chance. Priority is to get the car up and running before too much more. I will also need to rebuild the transmission I believe, it has leaked for quite awhile and shifts rough (may just be really low on fluid, who knows). Once all is running well I will worry about paint and other aspects of the car that need work. I pay for everything by donating plasma lol so it may take awhile to have enough for everything. One step at a time.
When it comes to the rebuild I will take some pictures as I go and get them up here. Thank you again for all advise and comments.
Wow it has already been forever and not much has been done with the car. Work and school have once again consumed my life, but I am going to put forth some extra effort to get things going. I initially was going to work on just getting it back onto the street, but I still am not solid on what I really want as far as engine goes. I am going to start working on the body work and removing any and all rust before I get too excited about streeting it again. Sorry for such a long absence, I hope to get better at updates and what not.
01-23-2016, 02:05 AM
