Phase I done, Phase II-interior almost done, and now Phase III-drivetrain (454 LSX!)
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From: Springfield, Oregon
Car: 85 Z28, 88 GTA, 68 Cutlass S
Engine: 305TPI X2 ;), Chevy 250
Transmission: T5, 700R4, powerslide >:(
Axle/Gears: posi, and posi w/discs :D.
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 773
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From: Raleigh, NC
Car: 1988 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Vert
Engine: 5.0L TPI
Transmission: 5-Speed
Axle/Gears: 3.08
*subscribe*
I wish I had a place like Vintage near me!
Congratulations on all your achievements thus far!
$11k sounds very reasonable for all the work that is going into the car. I'm looking to take on a project similar to this and it's going to be hard to find a committed shop to partner with.
I wish I had a place like Vintage near me!
Congratulations on all your achievements thus far!
$11k sounds very reasonable for all the work that is going into the car. I'm looking to take on a project similar to this and it's going to be hard to find a committed shop to partner with.
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From: Nashville, TN
Car: 91 Z28
Engine: Lt1
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 3.70 auburn pro 9"
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Posts: 12,212
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From: Bertram (outside Austin), TX
Car: 87 GTA
Engine: L98
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: Dana M78 3.27 posi
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Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 888
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From: Houston, TX
Car: '87+'02 Z28
Engine: 454 LSX
Transmission: T-56, Viper output shaft
Axle/Gears: Strage 12-bolt 3.73:1
A quick update for you guys....I was in the process of dropping the stock K-member; removed the wheels, springs, sway bar end links and then I started looking for my metric, deep-impact sockets and I can't find them!!! So, now I am looking for the nearest Sears Hardware to go buy those needed impact sockets. Why couldn't GM be consistent with standard or metric throughout the whole build of these cars? Minor set back, no big deal it's not like I have 6 days (Overhaulin') to build this thing.
I was planning on having the new tubular K-member in tonight, but that ain't gonna happen. As usual, I will post pics once it's in.
I was planning on having the new tubular K-member in tonight, but that ain't gonna happen. As usual, I will post pics once it's in.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 888
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From: Houston, TX
Car: '87+'02 Z28
Engine: 454 LSX
Transmission: T-56, Viper output shaft
Axle/Gears: Strage 12-bolt 3.73:1
I finally have a few updated pics of the new headlights. They are xenon projector low beams with HID high beams. When I first put them in they looked quite different from stock to say the least but I am starting to get use to the new look. I purchased them from www.brightheadlights.com if you are interested.
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,086
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Car: 2012 Corvette
Engine: LS3
Transmission: TR6060
Wow I didn't know anyone made real projectors for our cars! That's sweet! Although I'm not sure I like that it sticks out so much. I bought some H4 housings off eBay I'm using my HIDs in and they work great surprisingly. You should get the projector for the high beam too so they look the same.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 888
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From: Houston, TX
Car: '87+'02 Z28
Engine: 454 LSX
Transmission: T-56, Viper output shaft
Axle/Gears: Strage 12-bolt 3.73:1
Now, on to the front suspension; new Spohn K-member and other freshly painted parts. I am re-using the stock IROC sway bar, cause that thing is big enough as well as the stock steering brace "factory wonder bar".
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 888
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From: Houston, TX
Car: '87+'02 Z28
Engine: 454 LSX
Transmission: T-56, Viper output shaft
Axle/Gears: Strage 12-bolt 3.73:1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 888
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From: Houston, TX
Car: '87+'02 Z28
Engine: 454 LSX
Transmission: T-56, Viper output shaft
Axle/Gears: Strage 12-bolt 3.73:1
The release date for the LSX block is mid to the end of the month and I am still trying to touch base with Callies on their Magnum crank which should be ready soon as well. Texas Speed & Performance will hopefully soon have their "massaged" LS7 heads ready. So, I am still in waiting mode!
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 529
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From: Bartlesville, OK
Car: 2011 Cummins HO
Engine: 350 HSR
Transmission: T-56
Axle/Gears: 3.43
Sweet new pictures Neil! That K member looks good. I really like the lights, but you are right. It takes a bit to get used to them! I can imagine they are great as far as night viewing! Very sweet, I hope they are as good as when the M3's were!
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 888
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
Car: '87+'02 Z28
Engine: 454 LSX
Transmission: T-56, Viper output shaft
Axle/Gears: Strage 12-bolt 3.73:1
A few more photos......another view of the headlights and the Dynamat Dynapad that is going on the firewall and the footwell portion of the floorpan. It will add a little weight but worth it by keeping the heat and sound down.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 888
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
Car: '87+'02 Z28
Engine: 454 LSX
Transmission: T-56, Viper output shaft
Axle/Gears: Strage 12-bolt 3.73:1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 888
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
Car: '87+'02 Z28
Engine: 454 LSX
Transmission: T-56, Viper output shaft
Axle/Gears: Strage 12-bolt 3.73:1
Sorry Ricco, I used a rattle can.
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I bought the lights from Bruce Chandler at www.BRIGHTHEADLIGHTS.com
My kit is the HID-XP4656.
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My kit is the HID-XP4656.
Last edited by Neil; Mar 5, 2007 at 10:24 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 888
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
Car: '87+'02 Z28
Engine: 454 LSX
Transmission: T-56, Viper output shaft
Axle/Gears: Strage 12-bolt 3.73:1
At this point I just want to get the car on the ground and start working on the interior, hopefully by the end of the week. Maybe later, after the car is running, i'll buy some really stout aftermarket sway bar and wonder bar. I gotta leave something later to play with, right! 
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I paid $975 for the set.

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I paid $975 for the set.
Last edited by Neil; Mar 5, 2007 at 10:40 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
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From: Hammond IN
Car: 1989 RS convertible
Engine: 305 TBI LO3
Transmission: TH-700-R4
Axle/Gears: stock axles 3.73 LSD
those headlights are fricken amazing on your car neil. i cant see paying that much for them though but i guess thats what your going for is the best of everything. haha
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 529
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From: Bartlesville, OK
Car: 2011 Cummins HO
Engine: 350 HSR
Transmission: T-56
Axle/Gears: 3.43
I did little prep on my springs, pretty much b/c i forgot when i was prepping the other pieces - i did give them a bit of a going over with a grinder to remove all the flaky stuff.. On the other pieces i did, i treated them the same as you do for POR-15.. removed all the loose rust, cleaned with marine clean and coated with metal ready.. then paint :-)
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 888
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
Car: '87+'02 Z28
Engine: 454 LSX
Transmission: T-56, Viper output shaft
Axle/Gears: Strage 12-bolt 3.73:1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 888
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
Car: '87+'02 Z28
Engine: 454 LSX
Transmission: T-56, Viper output shaft
Axle/Gears: Strage 12-bolt 3.73:1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 888
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
Car: '87+'02 Z28
Engine: 454 LSX
Transmission: T-56, Viper output shaft
Axle/Gears: Strage 12-bolt 3.73:1
Well, tomorrow I will start re-assembly of the front end and hopefully have the car back on the ground tomorrow night. I just received the BMR A-arms which look pretty strong and I took a few photos to share. I am sure someone will ask so i'll address this question now...why did I go with a Spohn K-member and BMR A-arms? Well, I didn't want to wait 4-6 weeks for Spohn's A-arms, that guy is just damn busy, good for him though!
I also bought new nuts and bolts for pretty much the whole front end, I figure might as well do it now since the original bolts were 20 years old! I just finished painting them and I will allow them to dry overnight. So, that's all I have for now........
I also bought new nuts and bolts for pretty much the whole front end, I figure might as well do it now since the original bolts were 20 years old! I just finished painting them and I will allow them to dry overnight. So, that's all I have for now........
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From: Palos Hills, IL USA
Car: 1992 25th Anniversary Z28
Engine: 6.3L - 383
Transmission: 700R4; Vig 3200
Well, tomorrow I will start re-assembly of the front end and hopefully have the car back on the ground tomorrow night. I just received the BMR A-arms which look pretty strong and I took a few photos to share. I am sure someone will ask so i'll address this question now...why did I go with a Spohn K-member and BMR A-arms? Well, I didn't want to wait 4-6 weeks for Spohn's A-arms, that guy is just damn busy, good for him though!
I also bought new nuts and bolts for pretty much the whole front end, I figure might as well do it now since the original bolts were 20 years old! I just finished painting them and I will allow them to dry overnight. So, that's all I have for now........
I also bought new nuts and bolts for pretty much the whole front end, I figure might as well do it now since the original bolts were 20 years old! I just finished painting them and I will allow them to dry overnight. So, that's all I have for now........
BTW...excellent job on the car!
- Joel
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 314
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From: Mesquite, Texas
Car: 1992 Chevrolet RS Camaro
Engine: 305 TBI
Transmission: WC T5 conversion
Axle/Gears: Debatable . . .
Dude those headlights are sick. They are a good chunk of change but hawt. Do you have the model number handy?
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,779
Likes: 2
From: any clime or place...
Car: 1987 Camaro SC, 1999 Z28
Engine: GMPP 350HO, LS1
Transmission: Built 700r4/EDGE 3200, T56
Axle/Gears: 3.42 Eaton 7.625, 3.42 Zexel Torsen
I bought the lights from Bruce Chandler at www.BRIGHTHEADLIGHTS.com
My kit is the HID-XP4656.
My kit is the HID-XP4656.
Car just keeps getting better and better Neil!
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Posts: 2,025
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From: Evansville,IN,USA
Car: 89' T/A, 00' Firehawk
Engine: 406 Roller
Transmission: TH700R4 w/2800 stall
Axle/Gears: 3.23 Posi
I was told that you have to use the BMR A-arms with their k member and could use the spohn a arms with either the stock k member or the spohn piece. How long did it take you to get your k member. I ordered mine the end of january. Awesome car man.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 888
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
Car: '87+'02 Z28
Engine: 454 LSX
Transmission: T-56, Viper output shaft
Axle/Gears: Strage 12-bolt 3.73:1
The BMR A-arms do work with the Spohn K-member (and it took me 6 weeks to get the k-member after I placed the order). I have them installed and i'll take some pics tomorrow and post them. I painted the steering brace mounting brackets as well as more bolts, I should have the car back on the ground tomorrow night, finally !!!! Then, the interior work will officially begin on Tuesday! Posting pics of this build really helps me keep on track and stick to my "deadlines" and it's going to help me get this car finished!
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Posts: 4,627
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From: Houston Area
Car: Faster
Engine: Than
Transmission: You!
Hey, I'll be up in your neck of the woods tomorrow. Maybe we'll round up Scott and grab Chilis again. I'll give you a ring when I get close to Dallas.
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 527
Likes: 5
From: Albany NY
Car: 84 Trans AM (sold), 87 IROC, 09 C6
Engine: Lt1 in IROC
Transmission: 5 speeds
Axle/Gears: Moser 12 bolt tru tracker 3.42
Neil- I am curious as to how heavy those tubular control arms are in comparison to the factory ones. I know the stock ones weight a ton. Thanks Pat
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 690
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From: Minneapolis, MN
Car: 1989 Camaro RS
Engine: ZZ4 350
Transmission: T-5
Axle/Gears: BW 9-bolt w/3.73
After going throught this thread for 2 hours I can honestly say this is the hottest project I've seen on this board yet! WOW!
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Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,648
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From: Olean NY USA
Car: 1985 Camaro Z28/1989 Pontiac Trans Am GTA
Engine: 305 tpi/350tpi
Transmission: 700r4
Re: Phase I complete, now Phase II IROC restoration - on to the interior!
I can't believe that the last post was on 03-14-2007? Whats going on w/ this thing....
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From: Houston Area
Car: Faster
Engine: Than
Transmission: You!
Re: Phase I complete, now Phase II IROC restoration - on to the interior!
We've scrapped this project and decided to build a 1983 Toyota Corolla. 
Check Corolla.org for updates......

Check Corolla.org for updates......



