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10-17-2002, 11:45 PM
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#1 | | Moderator
Join Date: Jul 1999 Location: Disneyland, USA
Posts: 8,561
Car: 1991 Camaro Z28 Engine: 350 L98 siamesed runners Transmission: LT1 T56 Axle/Gears: 9-Bolt 4.10 | SoCal Thirdgen Friendly Companies
I'd like to put up a post and make it sticky so everyone knows which companies in SoCal (or maybe elsewhere too) are thirdgen friendly and worth dealing with. Feel free to post your favorite companies, just please make sure you give as much detail and contact info as possible. I'll start with my father's shop  Don Lorentzen
1030 W. Hoover Ave.
Orange, CA 92867
(714) 633-5168
Engine rebuilding, Trans rebuilding, Subframe Connector welding, Exhaust specialist, Rear end specialist, Custom chips, Carb/TBI/TPI. Thomas Cox House of Camaro
(818) 700-7970
Specializing in 82-89 Z28 and Trans Am used and salvage parts IROCZDave Staubli Third Generation USA - Welcome!
Lots of thirdgen Camaro and Firebird info and parts Lon Salgren Top Down Solutions
(626) 369-0040
Specializing in thirdgen f-body convertibles and suspension parts
Classic Industries Classic Industries, Specialists in GM muscle car restoration and performance parts.
18460 Gothard St.
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
(714) 847-6887
Got more?
Last edited by Kevin91Z : 10-28-2006 at 01:12 AM.
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11-10-2002, 08:49 PM
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#3 | | Moderator
Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Hacienda Heights, CA
Posts: 4,344
Car: 90 RS 'Vert, 88 IROC-Z, 88 Firebird Formula (just acquired!) Engine: 305 ci tbi, 305 ci tpi, 305 ci tpi Transmission: WC-T5, WC-T5, 700R4 Axle/Gears: 3.45, 3.27, 3.27 | We've moved the site to it's new server. There are still some glitches in a few php files that prevent you from registering on the web site. But you can still browse it in the meantime. Just e-mail me or phone withyour shopping list to place an order for now. I purchased the equipment to accept credit cards now (Master-Card, VISA & Discover). The old site I posted will be abandoned. Thanks to Colin Opseth for getting my web site up and for hosting it temporarily on his site until we could get it moved. www.top-downsolutions.com
Lon
__________________
90 RS Convertible "cruiser"
88 Firebird Formula "racer"
88 Iroc-Z Resto-Project car "paperweight"
Owner: Top-Down Solutions
web site: www.Top-DownSolutions.com | |
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12-10-2002, 02:14 AM
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#4 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Long Beach, Ca.
Posts: 1,180
Car: base firebird Engine: !LH0 -> tpi 350 Transmission: !700r4 -> t56 Axle/Gears: 3.23 10 bolt, posi | although this guy has mainly fourth gens on his lot, he has alot of connections and did a bunch of bodywork on my 90 'bird when i first got it. also, my dad bought his 91 5.0 transam from him. he is located in sylmar. here is a link to his site www.camaroking.com | |
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12-27-2002, 12:29 AM
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#5 | | Member
Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Torrance, CA, USA
Posts: 186
| 2 requests for our area...
1. brake shops?
2. engine tune-ups?
thanks | |
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12-27-2002, 12:39 AM
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#6 | | Moderator
Join Date: Jul 1999 Location: Disneyland, USA
Posts: 8,561
Car: 1991 Camaro Z28 Engine: 350 L98 siamesed runners Transmission: LT1 T56 Axle/Gears: 9-Bolt 4.10 | pvknight, Dyno Don handles those.  | |
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01-20-2003, 04:59 PM
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#7 | | Member
Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: south cali
Posts: 124
| thanks for the info kevin! you spoke with my dad (steve) about your dad rebuilding my carb. hmm, it's difficult to get a hold of him. did you get my e-mail btw?
Last edited by third jenn : 01-20-2003 at 05:12 PM.
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08-02-2003, 09:48 PM
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#8 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: South of Heaven, North of Hell
Posts: 1,025
Car: 1985 Camaro Engine: LG4 Transmission: 700R4 | For factory original parts in the Orange County area try Guaranty Chevrolet in Santa Ana. (714) 560-4286. Ask for Leonel.
Last edited by Parrydise7 : 01-06-2005 at 11:04 AM.
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09-08-2003, 02:23 PM
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#9 | | Member
Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Torrance, CA, USA
Posts: 186
| paint shops
A friend of mine is looking to paint his car on a college budget (~$500) He's not looking for perfect finish, just something that looks good and will last him 2-3 years. With that said, anyone have a recommended shop or location among Schiebs, Maaco, and 1Day?  heh, we'll have to settle for one of these guys for now. I've heard quality differs a lot according to the individual branch. | |
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10-11-2003, 08:27 AM
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#10 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Lakewood, ca. USA
Posts: 1,868
| I've heard Maaco is a lot better than Sheib. I don't know about 1 Day. | |
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10-20-2003, 03:59 PM
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#11 | | Member
Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Torrance, CA, USA
Posts: 186
| update: 1Day paint job on my buddie's Accord came out super clean  for $600 with body work & color change (white > silver)
now, although i am now an ex-2-thirdgens owner  anybody know a good driveline shop where i can get my out of balance driveshaft realigned? i can't believe GM took a step back on the 4th gens. my 91 TA was silky smooth up through 115mph with the alum. driveshaft... just makes me miss it more.
translation: need a driveline/suspension shop in the area | |
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11-05-2003, 07:12 PM
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#12 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,414
| Since we are on the paint subject.
Jass Auto Body, Armando Any make any model, color match free estimates Quality Work at Reasonable prices. Cell 714-469-6364
He is real cool. | |
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11-19-2003, 04:03 AM
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#13 | | Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: southern california anaheim
Posts: 24
| jass is expensive!
well i checked out jass, and they quoted me, $1500 just for paint, and $800 more for color change! yikes!!!! and i told them i would install the fender i purchased my self, so no body work had to be done, i thought it was way too much...so i went across the street to maaco, and they quoted me $663.50, for the same thing! but then again i dont know if that sounds right either? they said they would sand it down and paint under the hood and door jambs, the guy answered all of my questions, and understood why i was so skeptical, he said that jass probably quoted me that much, because they didnt want to take my car, i dont know if thats like an industry standard or something, it doesnt sound like good buissness practice, but the macco guy sounded pretty honest, he wasnt pushy at all, he said that they are cheaper in price, because they are huge company and all of their materials are purchased cheaper and they always stay pretty busy, and they have to be competitive, because of so much competition, he said if was not satisfied with job, to take it back no questions asked and that they would fix it!...if any body knows any other good shops with reasonable prices please let me know, i have done all kinds of stuff to my car and i just need the paint job to finish my restoration. thanks.  | |
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11-19-2003, 12:51 PM
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#14 | | Member
Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Torrance, CA, USA
Posts: 186
| i highly recommend 1 Day Paint & Body.
i've been to Earl Schiebs and they do a very poor finishing (wetsand/color buff) job. maaco on the other hand is notorious for cheap paint materials. my friend got a $650 1 Day Paint & Body paint job with minor body/prep work on his accord and it looks awesome. minimal orange peel, good attention to detail, and i think it has a 3 yr warantee. 1 Day's top of the line ~$1200-1500 paint job is also super nice  saw some painted cars in person. '92 Accord paint 1 '92 Accord Paint 2
Last edited by pvknight : 11-19-2003 at 12:57 PM.
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11-19-2003, 05:24 PM
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#15 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: SCV/Leona Valley, CA
Posts: 351
Car: '83 T/A WS6 Engine: carbed 305 Transmission: 700R4 w/ shift kit | Re: jass is expensive!
Quote: Originally posted by primerinstinto
understood why i was so skeptical, he said that jass probably quoted me that much, because they didnt want to take my car, i dont know if thats like an industry standard or something, it doesnt sound like good buissness practice, | Sadly, Thats very possible...when I was driving my moms 78 Blazer and got hit(minor damage, its a big lifted all steel truck) the insurance gave us a list of shops to try and the first one we took it to seemed good, but when the guy came back with the estimate it was like $5k! The damn trucks is not even worth that much! He wanted to replace almost everything on the left side of the truck(fender, door, mirror, molding, lenses, step, etc) and made a big deal about having to fix some rust "or its pointless to paint it" and he "cant be covered for it" etc...we made some suggestions of what would be ok to leave(the dent in the door could be easily pulled out, the door molding was fine, the mirror was fine as was the step, and the rust we dont care about there 2 little spots that have been there for years! etc) My dad realized that this guys really didnt want our business and after looking around it became evident why...all we could see were year 2000+ wrecked cars(and I mean wrecked, brand new rolled jeep liberty, side of a saturn torn off, and a new mercades that they were straightening the frame on) These guys didnt want to take any piddly fender benders that werent going to bring the shop any less than $6k in work...so they scared us off by giving us an outraguse price! So we reported them to the insurance and they had previous complaints so the insurance took them off there list!
In the end we got the truck fixed(and detailed) for about $1,500 TOTAL and the paint was great(custom color my dad had made 17years ago was matched perfectly!) all it needed was new molding on the fender, new turn lense, dent pulled out and painted!
Ta-da! all better! 
I also suggest 1 Day, thats were we had our truck originally painted and it came out great and has lasted! | |
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11-19-2003, 07:44 PM
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#16 | | Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: southern california anaheim
Posts: 24
| cont...paint and body
well thanks for the pics guys, that accord looks pretty good, and the blazer does too! i'm gonna go check 1 day out, although it sucks to see that these places try to take advantage of poeple, i cant believe how dishonest they are, it's been so difficult to restore my firebird, from trying to get it running to figuring out why the hell it surged on my me to finding wheels and t top bags and mirror light switches, and now i have to deal with these idiots! but i got this far, and i look forward to posting new pics of the finished project, well thanks alot for your help guys if there is any other suggestions about paint and body than let me know, thanks for your time guys.~jorge | |
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11-19-2003, 07:55 PM
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#17 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: California
Posts: 1,153
Car: 1988 Camaro Convertible Engine: 355 Transmission: 700r4 | Ok difference between jass and maaco
Jass
Strip paint, strip parts from car that would prevent from looking professional, primer, block, primer, block, coat, sand, coat, sand, coat, clear, color sand clear...
Maaco
Light sand, masking tape, cheap paint
THAT's the difference
If you think $2,300 is expensive for paint you haven't asked around. Go ask any other company, $5k is the average...
Get it done right, or don't get it at all and by the way I am having them do my car...
If you think Maaco or 1 day paint and body are restoring your bird, dude you are mistaken. That's the cheap way of getting some minor damage "covered" up... Ill get some pictures of a Maaco paint job from my camaro. It was originally a maui blue convertible. Previous owner took it to maaco, they barely scuffed up the previous paint than proceeded to paint the new coat and now it chips all over the place. I stripped my car interior and drivetrain and I am letting them take it down to bare metal. I am paying more than you, but I know I am getting a good job... Not a "1 day" job. Think about it. How does 1 day or Maaco correctly paint a car in one day? THEY DONT
Last edited by Jstcrzyengh : 11-19-2003 at 08:00 PM.
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11-19-2003, 07:57 PM
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#18 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,414
| Did I say he was cheap? I said affordable, Of course Maaco is going to be real friendly to you after you told them you just got this estimate they want you to come there. You can't even compare the 2. | |
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11-19-2003, 08:17 PM
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#19 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,414
| He told you that Jass probably didn't want to take your car? I bet I could just show up there any time and throw him my keys and he would have it painted in a week. You can't even compare the 2 places like I said before. I just showed up there last week for my front fascia to be painted and I asked could you take it off right now, he said sure he had someone take it off and it was done 2 days later. I just show up not even knowing it's ready and ask and he said it's ready to go and they slap it back on. Im giving the option to every one to go see him if they want a nice affordable paint job that they are going to be happy with and appreciate the price, b/c like Jstcrzyengh"James says there is a lot of places out there that are really expensive. And if you want a nicer paint job than Jass Id tell you to go to Pete Santini in H.B his price just for one fender on my Flamed camaro was 1,200 bucks Just one fender repainted.
My paint job cost over 10k and 10 years later it still looked great. What will a Maaco paint job look like in 10 years, So don't forget you get what you pay for, it's your choice. | |
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07-27-2004, 07:48 PM
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#20 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Tujunga, CA
Posts: 278
Car: 1986 IROC-Z Engine: LB9 5.0L Transmission: 700R4 | For any of you guys needing work done at a machine shop, I'd recommend Bob's Automotive Machine Shop in La Cresenta, CA. He's honest and does excellent work -- he has a lot of clients in the racing field, and the shop's been around for somewhere over 30 years IIRC. He's also very familiar with the SBCs, big-block Chevys, GM V6s, etc.
(818) 248-2887
3621 Foothill Blvd, La Crescenta, CA
I don't have the area code on me, but he's about a quarter of a block west on Foothill from Dunsmore Ave, on the north side of the street.
What he does, according to his bizcard:
Valve Grinding
Head Resurfacing
Magnaflux Inspecting
Valve Guide Replacing
Engine Cylinder Boring
Wrist Pins Fitting or Replacing
Hot Tank Service
Glass Blasting
Engine Balancing
Porting and Polishing
Press Work
Engine Rebuilding
Heliarc Welding
Complete Blueprinting
Starters & Alternators
Generator Repairing
Flywheel Grinding
Broken Bolt removal
Disc & drum turning | |
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08-12-2004, 12:21 PM
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#21 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 5,099
Car: 1992 Camaro RS Engine: NX fed 5.7 LS1 Transmission: 6-speed | Re: SoCal Thirdgen Friendly Companies
Quote: Originally posted by Kevin91Z
Valencia Chevrolet
http://www.valenciachevy.com/
(661) 259-2820
Speak to Greg in the Parts Dept and mention the club.
| So i know this is 2 years old....
However, I just got off the phone with them, there is no Greg in the Parts Dept, does he still work there?
__________________ More Pictures of my Car... 
LS1, T56, 125 shot of NX, Shaved Door Handles, Antenna and side body molding, Custom Fender Vents, ASCD SS Hood, Trenz Billet Grill, 5% Limo Tint, 19" Zenetti Five, Cross Drilled Rotors, DropZone lowering springs, Kenny Brown STB, Spohn SFC, Spohn Panhard Bar, Hotchkis LCA's, Spohn LCA Re-Location brackets, Spohn Wonderbar, 4th Gen gas tank, 4th Gen rear, Projector one-piece headlights and 1 kick *** spoiler out back...... "Told her to hop in the coupe, blew her mind when she couldn't find the door handles....."
I would have bought a honda if i wanted to drive sensibly.....
373.5 RWHP
430.1 RWTQ | |
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08-12-2004, 12:31 PM
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#22 | | Member
Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: North Hollywood, Ca MRZ28HO - 1294 Posts Registered: Jul 1999
Posts: 362
Car: 2001 Camaro SS Engine: Factory Stock LS1 Transmission: Stalled 4L60E Axle/Gears: 10-bolt/3.73 | Nope, I don't think he does ... you want to talk to Mike Teeman, he is in charge of the parts dept. I don't know if he knows about the club, he does know me though.
__________________ George P. Lara
2001 Camaro SS #0391 | 2002 CCSB 4x4 HPTuners for '98-'02 F-Bodies & '99-'02 Trucks Jenibella Racing Crew Chief
1998 Camaro Z28: 9.94 @ 137, 1.45 Stock Short Block
New Iron 408 N/A setup finally DONE!!! New times coming soon  | |
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08-12-2004, 04:57 PM
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#23 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 5,099
Car: 1992 Camaro RS Engine: NX fed 5.7 LS1 Transmission: 6-speed | Quote: Originally posted by 12secSS
Nope, I don't think he does ... you want to talk to Mike Teeman, he is in charge of the parts dept. I don't know if he knows about the club, he does know me though. | Any reservations about me calling him and mentioning your name in an attempt to get some help with my parts problem? | |
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08-12-2004, 05:00 PM
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#24 | | Member
Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: North Hollywood, Ca MRZ28HO - 1294 Posts Registered: Jul 1999
Posts: 362
Car: 2001 Camaro SS Engine: Factory Stock LS1 Transmission: Stalled 4L60E Axle/Gears: 10-bolt/3.73 | Uhm, yeah go right ahead, that's why I posted about myself knowing him. Be sure to mention that I am from Jenibella Racing. | |
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09-08-2005, 04:43 PM
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#25 | | Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Hemet, CA
Posts: 4
Car: 1988 Base Camaro Engine: 305 TBI Transmission: Automatic | Thanks for the info Kevin. I just emailed your Dad for a quote on my 96 z28 and my 88 Camaro. | |
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10-22-2005, 07:24 AM
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#26 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: La Mirada, California
Posts: 578
Car: 1991 Camaro RS Engine: L98 350 TPI Transmission: 700R4 Axle/Gears: Stock 2.73 Open - Drum | anyone here know any good places to go to get an lt1/l98 swap done? my rs is very very sick, and so is the transmission... Also, what would the approx labor costs be on something like that?
thanks in advance for your help
-Tim- | |
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10-22-2005, 11:55 AM
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#27 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: South of Heaven, North of Hell
Posts: 1,025
Car: 1985 Camaro Engine: LG4 Transmission: 700R4 | Dyno Don in Anaheim. No idea on the cost. | |
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03-05-2006, 02:37 AM
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#28 | | Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 12
Car: 89 camaro Engine: 305 tbi Transmission: Stick!! | I had mine done at one day came out good! | |
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