SELF BUILT SHOW CARS
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Pottsville arkansas
Car: 1985 Z28
Engine: 305 carberated but building a 383
Transmission: turbo 350
Axle/Gears: 312 posie track
SELF BUILT SHOW CARS
LOOKING FOR PICTURES OF 3RD GEN SHOW CARS BUILT BUY YOU GUYS AND GIRLS. PLEASE BE HONEST I DONT WANT TO SEE PICS DONE BY SOMEONE WHO PAID TO HAVE SOMEONE ELSE DO THE WORK
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 715
Likes: 0
From: Mechanicsville Virginia
Car: 1989 Turbo Trans Am gta
Engine: 383 78mm turbo
Transmission: Th350 rmvb with brake
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt 3.45s
Supreme Member
iTrader: (10)
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,242
Likes: 3
From: Somewhere around the South Side of Chicago just crusin' in one of the Niteriders
Car: 92RS 25th Anniv./88 IROC Z28 Vert
Engine: 305 TBI w/Tpi Air / 305 TPI
Transmission: 700r4/700r4
Axle/Gears: Posi
Re: SELF BUILT SHOW CARS
If you paid for it then it's self built....
Supreme Member
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,342
Likes: 0
From: Queens, NY
Car: 87 IROC Z28
Engine: Custom Forged 355
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 9" 4:11's Detroit Locker
Re: SELF BUILT SHOW CARS
top to bottom done by my two hands, never been to anyone elses shop or anything, full drivetrain full paint full interior and comin in two weeks...full custom built turbo kit....here she is...




Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Pottsville arkansas
Car: 1985 Z28
Engine: 305 carberated but building a 383
Transmission: turbo 350
Axle/Gears: 312 posie track
Re: SELF BUILT SHOW CARS
and to nite rider i respectfuly disagree its only self built when you put your time swet and blood into it im not tring to dis any one if you would rather have someone else do the work then that is your desision but i take alot of pride in saying i did it.....
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Pottsville arkansas
Car: 1985 Z28
Engine: 305 carberated but building a 383
Transmission: turbo 350
Axle/Gears: 312 posie track
Re: SELF BUILT SHOW CARS
why... why not if i want to see work done by a pro builder with every tool known to man and the money to burn ill watch the speed chanal. But what i like seeing is midle class people such as my self who do the best work that they can with what they have in there shops at home in my opinion a self built hotrod that the owner puts there time and effort into is what truely makes a super car... but thats just my opinion
Supreme Member
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,116
Likes: 1
From: Guilford, Connecticut
Car: 1987 Trans Am
Engine: 355
Transmission: t56
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: SELF BUILT SHOW CARS
mines not done yet.. did the body and interior, now I'm swapping in a 5 speed this spring and then a built small block sometime within the next year or so (if all goes as planned). check out my cardomain in my sig.
and I like this thread.. goes well with the whole "built not bought" motto..
and I like this thread.. goes well with the whole "built not bought" motto..
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Pottsville arkansas
Car: 1985 Z28
Engine: 305 carberated but building a 383
Transmission: turbo 350
Axle/Gears: 312 posie track
Re: SELF BUILT SHOW CARS
mines not done yet.. did the body and interior, now I'm swapping in a 5 speed this spring and then a built small block sometime within the next year or so (if all goes as planned). check out my cardomain in my sig.
and I like this thread.. goes well with the whole "built not bought" motto..
and I like this thread.. goes well with the whole "built not bought" motto..
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,305
Likes: 1
From: Corner Brook, NL
Car: 1984 Z28 HT,2006 2500HD
Engine: 5.7L, 6.6Llbz dmax
Transmission: 700R4, 6 speed allison
Axle/Gears: worn out 3.73 posi
Re: SELF BUILT SHOW CARS
mines not done yet either
if you wanna see it go to my car domain the whole thing has been rebuilt by me and my dad. i just wish i had pics of when i started, she was pretty rough
if you wanna see it go to my car domain the whole thing has been rebuilt by me and my dad. i just wish i had pics of when i started, she was pretty rough Supreme Member
iTrader: (5)
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 13,622
Likes: 5
From: Orland Park, IL
Car: 1984 Z28
Engine: SLOW carbed ls
Transmission: TH400 with brake, 8" PTC converter
Axle/Gears: moser 9" 4.11
Senior Member
iTrader: (5)
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,212
Likes: 0
From: Augusta, Ga
Car: 1987 Trans Am
Engine: 355ci L98 soon to be turbo'd
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 2.73 posi
Re: SELF BUILT SHOW CARS
I like this thread too. I have respect for any vehicle according to the hobbie, but I too like to see what us ordinary, not millionare, people can do...
I can't say mine is quite showcar yet, but it will be soon enough. I have a few pics on CarDomain, nothing too recent sadly. I will take and upload some pics soon...
I can't say mine is quite showcar yet, but it will be soon enough. I have a few pics on CarDomain, nothing too recent sadly. I will take and upload some pics soon...
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 715
Likes: 0
From: Mechanicsville Virginia
Car: 1989 Turbo Trans Am gta
Engine: 383 78mm turbo
Transmission: Th350 rmvb with brake
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt 3.45s
Re: SELF BUILT SHOW CARS
why... why not if i want to see work done by a pro builder with every tool known to man and the money to burn ill watch the speed chanal. But what i like seeing is midle class people such as my self who do the best work that they can with what they have in there shops at home in my opinion a self built hotrod that the owner puts there time and effort into is what truely makes a super car... but thats just my opinion
i didnt mean to offend you dude i was just asking if there was a purpose to this or if it was just for giggles?
alot of people on here when they request pics is because they either need some ideas or cant choose between certain options. Or, like myself, sometimes ask stuff for school projects.
Just my .02 cents tho, you cant always generalize. You basecally said that "everyone who has built their own show car is middle class". Most of us, including myself, are middle class. But in most cases being part of a middle class society isnt holding us back from taking it to a shop and having someone else do it. This is a hobby, a toy, in some cases a dream, who needs a showcar to survive?? For most of us its in our blood, ive been around cars since i was a lil baby. I dont do the work myself because i cant afford to take it to a shop but because i really enjoy getting hands greasy on my own whip.
Check out my signature, mine is a work in progress like almost everyone elses. A true showcar is always underconstruction. There is always something you wanna do to it, something you wanna improve, something you wanna replace.
Paying someone to build my car is no fun. i wouldnt even consider it being "my" car, it would be just a car that i bought. I'm sure if i did spent the money on something like that i would find tonnnnnssss of things that i would've done differently on it.
I'm not trying to get on your bad side but i just wanted to clarify my first post.
Senior Member
iTrader: (2)
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 990
Likes: 1
From: Peoria, IL
Car: 1988 Camaro Sport Coupe
Engine: 5.0 305 Carb'd
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.23
Re: SELF BUILT SHOW CARS
a show car is your car in the future fueledsoul. btw how much did you pay for those valve covers? i just bought a set for 100 on ebay. seein if i got a good deal or not.
Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 330
Likes: 0
From: Dyer, In
Car: 91 Camaro RS
Engine: 355 Vortec
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Re: SELF BUILT SHOW CARS
Don't know that I would classify it as a show car (yes it has been to car shows), but its just what my son and I built for our own enjoyment. Completely done by us here in the garage.


Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,924
Likes: 12
From: Minnesota
Car: 84 camaro, 88 trans am, 98 camaro
Engine: Modded , stock, LSX modded
Transmission: 700r4, 700r4, t-56
Axle/Gears: 327, 308, 373
Re: SELF BUILT SHOW CARS
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,924
Likes: 12
From: Minnesota
Car: 84 camaro, 88 trans am, 98 camaro
Engine: Modded , stock, LSX modded
Transmission: 700r4, 700r4, t-56
Axle/Gears: 327, 308, 373
Re: SELF BUILT SHOW CARS
Yea i got mine for around $100 (the tall ones) what set did you end up getting?
Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 487
Likes: 1
From: Chilliwack, B.C., Canada
Car: '88 GTA, '89, '94 Firebird, '84 T/A
Engine: 5.0L TPI (GTA); '89 -2.8; '94 -3.4
Transmission: 5 speed (for all 3),auto for T/A
Axle/Gears: 3.45 (GTA only)
Re: SELF BUILT SHOW CARS
Beautiful cars above!!!! I love the clear hood sections!!!
Regarding the discussion, reminds me of a friend of mine who built a barn and was talking to another person about building a barn. My friend was interested in the details of construction because he did it himself and asked the second person, who was at a loss because he had hired a contractor. And there is nothing wrong with that. Some people enjoy the journey, others enjoy the destination. It's great for either one.
A case in point, I had a machine shop do the machining work on my engine build but I selected the components and did the final assembly and installation myself. The kicker is that 75% of the time, the stereo is off when I'm driving. I just enjoy the sound of the engine and to know that I did it (and I now have over 10,000 km on that build) just makes the smile a little bigger than if I had had someone else do the build and installation.
Doing as much as you can with these cars is where the true satisfaction of the hobby comes into play.
Regarding the discussion, reminds me of a friend of mine who built a barn and was talking to another person about building a barn. My friend was interested in the details of construction because he did it himself and asked the second person, who was at a loss because he had hired a contractor. And there is nothing wrong with that. Some people enjoy the journey, others enjoy the destination. It's great for either one.
A case in point, I had a machine shop do the machining work on my engine build but I selected the components and did the final assembly and installation myself. The kicker is that 75% of the time, the stereo is off when I'm driving. I just enjoy the sound of the engine and to know that I did it (and I now have over 10,000 km on that build) just makes the smile a little bigger than if I had had someone else do the build and installation.
Doing as much as you can with these cars is where the true satisfaction of the hobby comes into play.
Senior Member
iTrader: (2)
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 990
Likes: 1
From: Peoria, IL
Car: 1988 Camaro Sport Coupe
Engine: 5.0 305 Carb'd
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.23
Re: SELF BUILT SHOW CARS
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...%3AIT&viewitem=
got these ones here
alvanwie, did you fix your dash pad corners?
got these ones here
alvanwie, did you fix your dash pad corners?
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,258
Likes: 6
From: O'Fallon, MO
Car: 1991 Z28 convertible built 3/1/1990
Engine: Cammed 6.0L LSX
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: custom Ford 8.8", 4.10 gears
Re: SELF BUILT SHOW CARS
I get bored of posting pictures of my convertible because I'm sure just about everyone here has seen it. It looks pretty close to stock with subtle unique "neat-o" mods here and there that I did myself, such as my custom grill, the LS1 brakes all around, the glass window top, the sound system, the nightshaded tail lights, etc.
I never get tired of showing off my fiance's car though, because that's the one car that had a serious transformation in my very own garage.




I never get tired of showing off my fiance's car though, because that's the one car that had a serious transformation in my very own garage.




Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,924
Likes: 12
From: Minnesota
Car: 84 camaro, 88 trans am, 98 camaro
Engine: Modded , stock, LSX modded
Transmission: 700r4, 700r4, t-56
Axle/Gears: 327, 308, 373
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 5,364
Likes: 51
From: Enschede, Netherlands
Car: 82 TA 87 IZ L98 88 IZ LB9 88 IZ L98
Engine: 5.7TBI 5,7TPI 5.0TPI, 5,7TPI
Transmission: T5, 700R4, T5, 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.08, 3.27, 3.45, 3.27
Re: SELF BUILT SHOW CARS
Is it that low or is that a photoshop? What size wheels?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Pottsville arkansas
Car: 1985 Z28
Engine: 305 carberated but building a 383
Transmission: turbo 350
Axle/Gears: 312 posie track
Re: SELF BUILT SHOW CARS
Dude strait up i love the way you look at it sorry i took your first post wrong i am a middle class yes but i could aford to have moste of the work done but like you i take so much pride in doing it my self... And you are right just because we are middle class dont make us poor. so keep doing what your doing. I didnt realy start this for any real reason other than i love showing my car off to my friends and i want to see what every one else is doing.. but dont worry im not a coppy cat i try to keep stuff uniqe
Senior Member
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 525
Likes: 0
From: Ames, Iowa, USA
Car: 1989 Pontiac Firebird Formula 350
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: 700r4
Re: SELF BUILT SHOW CARS
Here are a few shots of mine. A friend and I have done most of the work together. Check out my sites for everything that I have done and all the shows I have been to.
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/295097
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/715239



http://www.cardomain.com/ride/295097
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/715239



Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 715
Likes: 0
From: Mechanicsville Virginia
Car: 1989 Turbo Trans Am gta
Engine: 383 78mm turbo
Transmission: Th350 rmvb with brake
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt 3.45s
Re: SELF BUILT SHOW CARS
Dude strait up i love the way you look at it sorry i took your first post wrong i am a middle class yes but i could aford to have moste of the work done but like you i take so much pride in doing it my self... And you are right just because we are middle class dont make us poor. so keep doing what your doing. I didnt realy start this for any real reason other than i love showing my car off to my friends and i want to see what every one else is doing.. but dont worry im not a coppy cat i try to keep stuff uniqe




Last edited by noboostnogo; Feb 12, 2009 at 10:42 PM.
Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 330
Likes: 0
From: Dyer, In
Car: 91 Camaro RS
Engine: 355 Vortec
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Pottsville arkansas
Car: 1985 Z28
Engine: 305 carberated but building a 383
Transmission: turbo 350
Axle/Gears: 312 posie track
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Pottsville arkansas
Car: 1985 Z28
Engine: 305 carberated but building a 383
Transmission: turbo 350
Axle/Gears: 312 posie track
Re: SELF BUILT SHOW CARS
O YA THE PAINT IS CALLED FAST BLUE BY DUPONT CROMA BASE
Supreme Member
iTrader: (28)
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,564
Likes: 2
From: ocklawaha FL.
Car: 81z-28,89gta,91z-28 03 1500
Engine: 355,L98vette tpi,327
Transmission: TH350/700R4/700r4/4l80E
Axle/Gears: 3;73/3;27/2;73/3;73
Re: SELF BUILT SHOW CARS
Well,heres a few pics of my car.Completely built by my 2 hands only!




lots more pics located in sig of the GTA.These are just a couple of before/after shots.
Granted,my car is not nearly as nice as some others(charged350)for one has 1 slick ride!
But,my car is def. built for me by me!
Hope my 91-z turns out this nice!




lots more pics located in sig of the GTA.These are just a couple of before/after shots.
Granted,my car is not nearly as nice as some others(charged350)for one has 1 slick ride!
But,my car is def. built for me by me!
Hope my 91-z turns out this nice!
Member
iTrader: (2)
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 432
Likes: 17
From: Dover, De U.S.
Car: 1991 Z-28/ '94 Impala SS
Engine: 355 TPI/ 350 LT-1
Transmission: T-56 in both
Axle/Gears: 3.73 / 4.56
Re: SELF BUILT SHOW CARS
1991 Z-28 pretty much self built, 355 HSR, Auto to M6 swap, leather interior, all done by owner, except for paint, and then I stripped all the body work off of it and shipped it to the paint shop on a roll-back.
Mike

Mike


Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: Austin, TX
Car: 1983 Z-28, Black w/ Silver Stripes
Engine: LT1 350
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 3.27 9 bolt posi discs
Re: SELF BUILT SHOW CARS
Here's my little project, good ole Black Betty
before...

after... and totally built by my own 2 hands


~JAKE
before...

after... and totally built by my own 2 hands


~JAKE
Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 254
Likes: 0
From: Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri
Car: 1987 Pontiac GTA Trans Am
Engine: Basic Stroked SBC..383
Transmission: PerformaBuilt 700R4 3000 Stall
Axle/Gears: Moser 9in. 3:70s
Re: SELF BUILT SHOW CARS
First pic is the day I got the turd. Then I did a small resto, new paint, intetior. Drove it like that until I got out of high school..now its apart again, cage, motor, every inch other than underside of car is being painted..All done by my dad and I. I do the paint and body work..hes the go fast man..last pic is after body work and primed geting ready to for paint..painted it factory red..then changed my mined about 3 months later..now its 2001 SOM
Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 254
Likes: 0
From: Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri
Car: 1987 Pontiac GTA Trans Am
Engine: Basic Stroked SBC..383
Transmission: PerformaBuilt 700R4 3000 Stall
Axle/Gears: Moser 9in. 3:70s
Re: SELF BUILT SHOW CARS
Few at car shows..next to my dads 68 bird at Street Machine Nationals is Springfield, MO. Then one of a few of us at our hotel waiting to go on the crusing through town..the white mustang won 1st place in peoples choice in 06..the pictures are from 07..but odd..new car but hes a buddy of ours so we were happy for him but kinda lame..thow wheels and stripes and you win at one of the bigger car shows in Missouri!
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 12,812
Likes: 110
From: Central NJ
Car: 86 Trans Am
Engine: 408 stroker sbc
Transmission: TKO600
Axle/Gears: Moser full floater m9, 3:70 trutrac
Re: SELF BUILT SHOW CARS
i didnt paint it, but i did pretty much everything else.
I like the phrase "pro-touring" as well for most cars here. A show car is usually a car built only for show and is really not practical for normal use, if it even runs!


i seriously need new pics...... come on spring!!!!
I like the phrase "pro-touring" as well for most cars here. A show car is usually a car built only for show and is really not practical for normal use, if it even runs!


i seriously need new pics...... come on spring!!!!
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Pottsville arkansas
Car: 1985 Z28
Engine: 305 carberated but building a 383
Transmission: turbo 350
Axle/Gears: 312 posie track
Re: SELF BUILT SHOW CARS
cars are looking good thanks to every one who has posted on the thread..
sorry my pics are so small i cant figure out how to post them biger and i would like to know how yall make the flyers at the bottom of yalls postings.
sorry my pics are so small i cant figure out how to post them biger and i would like to know how yall make the flyers at the bottom of yalls postings.
Re: SELF BUILT SHOW CARS
So if you dont possess the skills or the tools to build your own hot rod.. its not really a hot rod?
Come on.. This thread is for the technical people.
I am a wheel man.. Not a wrench turner. So sue me
Come on.. This thread is for the technical people.
I am a wheel man.. Not a wrench turner. So sue me
Senior Member
iTrader: (5)
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,212
Likes: 0
From: Augusta, Ga
Car: 1987 Trans Am
Engine: 355ci L98 soon to be turbo'd
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 2.73 posi
Re: SELF BUILT SHOW CARS
What I don't like is people that claim they build their cars because they just "blueprinted" or dreamed it... NOT actually buy the parts, take a weekend to install, tighten bolts etc... Paying someone else to build your idea doesn't qualify as you building the car... Not referring to anyone specific here... When I go to McDonalds I don't claim I made my own burger...
Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 330
Likes: 1
From: Melbourne Australia
Car: 88 GTA
Engine: Ls1
Transmission: 4L60E
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt 3.27
Re: SELF BUILT SHOW CARS
LOL! Nice one. But I have to say, don't look down on those that pay someone to do the work, where do you draw the line? I do everything on my cars, and if I don't know how I learn. But I don't plan to build an engine for it, I want to fit an LSx, so I will buy one ready tp go, have I still built the car then? I don't know if I will paint the car myself when the time comes, I haven't done a whole car before and I don't want the sort of results I would likely get with my first paintjob. I plan to do all the strip down and surface prep, but sometimes it is a good thing to use professionals, very few peopel can do everything on a car well.
Senior Member
iTrader: (5)
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,212
Likes: 0
From: Augusta, Ga
Car: 1987 Trans Am
Engine: 355ci L98 soon to be turbo'd
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 2.73 posi
Re: SELF BUILT SHOW CARS
I don't look down on them, I just don't believe its right for someone to claim they built a car when in reality they have never popped the hood. Now, by "built a car" I don't mean physically welding a frame and machining an engine, I mean getting your hands dirty with grease, changing out your spark plugs, replacing water pumps and such. I know not everyone has the resources to work on their cars (I currently live in an apartment and don't have a garage). I personally have never replaced an engine and plan to in the future but I am putting together a turbo settup on my own and plan to install it on my own, not take it to a shop to do the work for me...simply put, people shouldn't take credit for their mechanic's work, even if they paid them...
Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 330
Likes: 1
From: Melbourne Australia
Car: 88 GTA
Engine: Ls1
Transmission: 4L60E
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt 3.27
Re: SELF BUILT SHOW CARS
True enough mate, and to those who don't know how, none of us was born with the knowledge, just have a go and ask questions.
Oh and this is one of my favorite cars on here (even if it's not a 'bird), great job Sickness. Tell me about the airbags, are they hard to fit, how did they effect the handling and/or ride? Where did you put the tank?
Oh and this is one of my favorite cars on here (even if it's not a 'bird), great job Sickness. Tell me about the airbags, are they hard to fit, how did they effect the handling and/or ride? Where did you put the tank?
Supreme Member
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,116
Likes: 1
From: Guilford, Connecticut
Car: 1987 Trans Am
Engine: 355
Transmission: t56
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: SELF BUILT SHOW CARS
but I honestly don't look down on those people but I do personally feel that everybody should atleast do their own tune ups and maintenance (provided they have a space to do it).. the people who bring their cars in just to have their windshield wipers replaced are the ones who annoy me, along with the ones who bring cars in just to change light bulbs...



















