Phase I done, Phase II-interior almost done, and now Phase III-drivetrain (454 LSX!)
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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
Re: Phase I complete, now Phase II IROC restoration - on to the interior!
Ok...backing up to the headlight covers...
To quote my good friend Cameron Fry from Ferris Bueller's Day Off:
"It could get wrecked, stolen, scratched, breathed on wrong... a pigeon could sh*t on it! Who knows? "
Hey do you guys know where Neil can get a huge box made of Lexan with holes cut out for the wheels and exhaust? I mean what if a bug hits the windshield or some moron left his sprinklers on too long and made puddles in the street??!!
STOP BEING A CANDYA$$!!!!
No show cars have headlight covers! (this is not a daliy driver...see page 1, post#1) The bikini clad girl in hooker heels will laugh at you before she sprawls over the hood if you put those on.
Question to all the readers...Have any of you EVER had a headlight broken by a rock or some type of road hazzard (excluding animals)?
Seriously though the neon lights for the bottom of the car are sweet! He got pink...
To quote my good friend Cameron Fry from Ferris Bueller's Day Off:
"It could get wrecked, stolen, scratched, breathed on wrong... a pigeon could sh*t on it! Who knows? "
Hey do you guys know where Neil can get a huge box made of Lexan with holes cut out for the wheels and exhaust? I mean what if a bug hits the windshield or some moron left his sprinklers on too long and made puddles in the street??!!
STOP BEING A CANDYA$$!!!!
No show cars have headlight covers! (this is not a daliy driver...see page 1, post#1) The bikini clad girl in hooker heels will laugh at you before she sprawls over the hood if you put those on.Question to all the readers...Have any of you EVER had a headlight broken by a rock or some type of road hazzard (excluding animals)?
Seriously though the neon lights for the bottom of the car are sweet! He got pink...
LOL Go watch your roundy-round races and call me when you figure out how to open the hood of your car. LOL Junior Member
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From: Houston
Car: 2008 Chevy Equinox Sport
Engine: V6 - 263 hp
Transmission: 5-Speed Automatic
Axle/Gears: Factory
Re: Phase I complete, now Phase II IROC restoration - on to the interior!
A. Everyone loves the counter-clockwise circuit.
And what does IROC stand for? Let me clue you in...International Race of Champions...and what's that...they race IROCs on an oval!!!??
<---even he loves the round and round.
B. Why do I need to open the hood? Did they move the gas thingy there?
And what does IROC stand for? Let me clue you in...International Race of Champions...and what's that...they race IROCs on an oval!!!??
<---even he loves the round and round.B. Why do I need to open the hood? Did they move the gas thingy there?
Re: Phase I complete, now Phase II IROC restoration - on to the interior!
roflmao...I would personally suggest the GMMG exhaust system...it sounds amazing...and is what will be going on both of my IROCs when the time comes to replace the exhaust.
Link:http://gmmginc.net/Exhaust/
Link:http://gmmginc.net/Exhaust/
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From: Bellville,Texas
Car: 1985 Iroc-Z
Engine: 440LSX
Transmission: l460e
Axle/Gears: 3.55 Wavetrac
Re: Phase I complete, now Phase II IROC restoration - on to the interior!
Every headlight I have replaced in my 85 and 86 were busted by rocks from driving. I wish I had one that burned out!
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From: Bertram (outside Austin), TX
Car: 87 GTA
Engine: L98
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: Dana M78 3.27 posi
Re: Phase I complete, now Phase II IROC restoration - on to the interior!
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From: Bertram (outside Austin), TX
Car: 87 GTA
Engine: L98
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: Dana M78 3.27 posi
Re: Phase I complete, now Phase II IROC restoration - on to the interior!
A. Everyone loves the counter-clockwise circuit.
And what does IROC stand for? Let me clue you in...International Race of Champions...and what's that...they race IROCs on an oval!!!??
<---even he loves the round and round.
B. Why do I need to open the hood? Did they move the gas thingy there?
And what does IROC stand for? Let me clue you in...International Race of Champions...and what's that...they race IROCs on an oval!!!??
<---even he loves the round and round.B. Why do I need to open the hood? Did they move the gas thingy there?

And I could sworn the International Race of Champions, was a road course, not roundy-round, like the carnival stuff my 5 yr old daughter rides....
Last edited by Stephen; Sep 18, 2007 at 04:37 PM.
Thread Starter
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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
Re: Phase I complete, now Phase II IROC restoration - on to the interior!
Exciting...turn left, turn left, straight...turn left, turn left, straight....You've completed 1 lap, now do that for the next hour.... (where's a : snore : smile, when you need one?)
And I could sworn the International Race of Champions, was a road course, not roundy-round, like the carnival stuff my 5 yr old daughter rides....

And I could sworn the International Race of Champions, was a road course, not roundy-round, like the carnival stuff my 5 yr old daughter rides....

Hey, Neil's Bro......kiss my a$$
, LOL----------
roflmao...I would personally suggest the GMMG exhaust system...it sounds amazing...and is what will be going on both of my IROCs when the time comes to replace the exhaust.
Link:http://gmmginc.net/Exhaust/
Link:http://gmmginc.net/Exhaust/
Last edited by Neil; Sep 18, 2007 at 04:41 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
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From: NJ
Car: 92 Firebird
Engine: 4.8 LR4
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 3.45 9 Bolt
Re: Phase I complete, now Phase II IROC restoration - on to the interior!
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From: Bertram (outside Austin), TX
Car: 87 GTA
Engine: L98
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: Dana M78 3.27 posi
Re: Phase I complete, now Phase II IROC restoration - on to the interior!
I wouldn't exactly call a 2-into-1-into2 a true dual exhaust. The manifolds/headers merge into 1 pipe, go to the back, then split again into 2 mufflers.
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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
Re: Phase I complete, now Phase II IROC restoration - on to the interior!
Oh well, I kinda got excited when I saw the pic with the dual mufflers in it. Can you just order the rear section (and fab up dual intermediate pipes all the way to the mufflers)?
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 4,353
Likes: 308
From: NJ
Car: 92 Firebird
Engine: 4.8 LR4
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 3.45 9 Bolt
Re: Phase I complete, now Phase II IROC restoration - on to the interior!
Re: Phase I complete, now Phase II IROC restoration - on to the interior!
yup...I am in agreement with scooter! I would fab it all myself if I was going to run true duals...which may be what I end up doing in the long run.
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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
Re: Phase I complete, now Phase II IROC restoration - on to the interior!
Thanks guys! For now, i'll stick with the Borla and maybe in a year or so, i'll switch over to duals!
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: college station, texas
Car: numerous
Engine: ls1, others
Transmission: t56, others
Axle/Gears: 3.23 7.6"
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From: Houston
Car: 2008 Chevy Equinox Sport
Engine: V6 - 263 hp
Transmission: 5-Speed Automatic
Axle/Gears: Factory
Re: Phase I complete, now Phase II IROC restoration - on to the interior!
It takes a big man to admit when he is wrong...I am not a big man.
The IROC series back in the day (circa 70's & 80's) did have road courses but in recent years has moved entirely to oval tracks.
Moving on...let's see some more pictures.
The IROC series back in the day (circa 70's & 80's) did have road courses but in recent years has moved entirely to oval tracks.
Moving on...let's see some more pictures.
Re: Phase I complete, now Phase II IROC restoration - on to the interior!
hi neil, i've been reading through this whole thread lastnight and this morning and may i say..... IMMACULATE WORK. I love everything you are doing with this car. Everything, it is my favorite thirdgen i've ever seen. you could easily get this into super chevy magazine. I only wish I had enough money to start a project as great as yours... but i'm only 19 so perhaps one day huh? So inform us on whats going on with the engine. its been awhile for that, how bout more pics? Haha, I'm sorry, but this car is just a beautiful piece of machinery my friend. Thanks for the eyecandy and the ideas. I'll definitly be keeping tabs on this one... can't wait to see the end product! Man... what you have done is amazing, wish i could see it in person. keep up the good work!!!
Re: Phase I complete, now Phase II IROC restoration - on to the interior!
Hey Neil, your post was just too far down the page tonight...this morning...whatever!! So I had to add a comment! Glad to see that new people are picking up the thread and ACTUALLY
----------
oops, hit return...reading it!
Keep up the good work!
----------
oops, hit return...reading it!
Keep up the good work!
Last edited by Vintage Rest; Sep 21, 2007 at 12:03 AM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
Thread Starter
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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
Re: Phase I complete, now Phase II IROC restoration - on to the interior!
The gas tank is in....after 2 trips to the Home Depot and alot of straightening and re-bending of the tank straps. Since Nate's tank (Nast Performance) is not of the exact same physical dimensions as the OE tank, you need to re-bend the straps to accomodate the tank. As you can see from one of the images below, I still need to straighten the flange so the bolt head is parallel to it, currently it is slightly off and the bolt head and washer is making contact with a small area of the strap. The fuel pump should be here during the week and I can then mount the pump & filters and figure out what type of AN fittings I will need (i.e., 180, 135, 90 deg. etc.). I will be running -10 AN feed and -8 AN return ss braided line.
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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
Re: Phase I complete, now Phase II IROC restoration - on to the interior!
more pics....
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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
Re: Phase I complete, now Phase II IROC restoration - on to the interior!
I forgot, here's a pic which shows the sending unit installed as well as another of the tank in the car.
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From: Bertram (outside Austin), TX
Car: 87 GTA
Engine: L98
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: Dana M78 3.27 posi
Re: Phase I complete, now Phase II IROC restoration - on to the interior!
I keep looking at the pictures, and I've pulled tanks, done exhaust...but can't make heads or tails of how that one fits.
Every time I think I have it figured out, I notice another detail, that tells me..."Nope! That won't work either..."
Any chance of something like, a direct, flat, side-on shot, of the car, showing the fit in?
Every time I think I have it figured out, I notice another detail, that tells me..."Nope! That won't work either..."
Any chance of something like, a direct, flat, side-on shot, of the car, showing the fit in?
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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
Re: Phase I complete, now Phase II IROC restoration - on to the interior!
I keep looking at the pictures, and I've pulled tanks, done exhaust...but can't make heads or tails of how that one fits.
Every time I think I have it figured out, I notice another detail, that tells me..."Nope! That won't work either..."
Any chance of something like, a direct, flat, side-on shot, of the car, showing the fit in?
Every time I think I have it figured out, I notice another detail, that tells me..."Nope! That won't work either..."
Any chance of something like, a direct, flat, side-on shot, of the car, showing the fit in?
Joined: Feb 2005
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From: West Warwick RI, postal code: 02893
Car: Building LS3, T56 Z28
Engine: LS3
Transmission: T-56
Axle/Gears: Moser/ 4.11
Re: Phase I complete, now Phase II IROC restoration - on to the interior!
Neil. Tanks looks great. i remember when i was at that step. The thrill of tossing it all together is great. I can't wait till I redo this car in the fashion you are doing yours. Gonna be a few more years. I gotta get outta school first. But anyways, just wanted to chime in and says that it looks great and that I will be attending my first real car show this week. Car isn't done, but close enough I guess. Your brakes make the car look soooo much more aggressive. Thanks again for that great deal. Shooting for first, but we will see.
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From: Houston
Car: 2008 Chevy Equinox Sport
Engine: V6 - 263 hp
Transmission: 5-Speed Automatic
Axle/Gears: Factory
Re: Phase I complete, now Phase II IROC restoration - on to the interior!
MISSING!!! REWARD OFFERED!!!!! NO QUESTIONS ASKED!!!!!
If you have seen Neil's missing car parts please let him know!!! They were last seen leaving the chevy parts department....
If you have seen Neil's missing car parts please let him know!!! They were last seen leaving the chevy parts department....
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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
Re: Phase I complete, now Phase II IROC restoration - on to the interior!
Ok, I am ready for this car to be finished!!! Laying underneath it all weekend.... scraping, sanding, sweating, banging my head on the hard as hell drive shaft loop....and swearing, oh and getting POR-15 paint all over my arms and in my hair....freakin' priceless! I pretty much scraped off a layer of skin to get this crap off!! Why am I doing this again....oh I forgot for that need for speed, my cocaine!
Now, more pics before and during paint.
Now, more pics before and during paint.
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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
Re: Phase I complete, now Phase II IROC restoration - on to the interior!
Close ups of the torque arm/torque arm mounting plate and drive shaft loop.
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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
Re: Phase I complete, now Phase II IROC restoration - on to the interior!
After one coat of POR-15.....
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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
Re: Phase I complete, now Phase II IROC restoration - on to the interior!
Since the powder coating on the Hotchkis subframe connectors was peeling off and exposing rusty metal, I sanded and coated that as well. Also, the fuel pump finally arrived and tonight I will order the ss-braided fuel line and fittings. Hopefully i'll have this installed by next weekend.
The old rusty fuel filter bracket is off and in the trash, just a little rusty don't you think!
The old rusty fuel filter bracket is off and in the trash, just a little rusty don't you think!
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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: Phase I complete, now Phase II IROC restoration - on to the interior!
NeilsBro is just to funny isn't he folks? Neil car is looking better everytime I check in on ya!Lets see that corrolla running!!LOL! Very nice work man good luck with the rest.
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From: Bertram (outside Austin), TX
Car: 87 GTA
Engine: L98
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: Dana M78 3.27 posi
Re: Phase I complete, now Phase II IROC restoration - on to the interior!
I forgot to take another pic tonight, showing the tank installed from a different angle, will do tomorrow. However, Fenton06 was correct, the taller, more angled part of the tank (where the sending unit is) mounts more toward the rear of the car, opposite where the bolts for the straps are. Does this help?
The angle goes towards the rear of the car? But the deep well is vertical.
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From: West Warwick RI, postal code: 02893
Car: Building LS3, T56 Z28
Engine: LS3
Transmission: T-56
Axle/Gears: Moser/ 4.11
Re: Phase I complete, now Phase II IROC restoration - on to the interior!
Neil looks great. Reminds me of my build so much, just not as "perfect" haha. All looks great. I am sure you said this someplace else, but what TQ is that? Looks good and gets the TQ arm away from the tranny. I am sick of spohn's MASSIVE tranny x-member and having it hit my already super low pipes.
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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
Re: Phase I complete, now Phase II IROC restoration - on to the interior!
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Car: Faster
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Re: Phase I complete, now Phase II IROC restoration - on to the interior!
With the kind of torque the new motor should make, I'd be worried about bending the tranny tunnel out of shape with that style torque arm.
Joined: Feb 2005
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From: West Warwick RI, postal code: 02893
Car: Building LS3, T56 Z28
Engine: LS3
Transmission: T-56
Axle/Gears: Moser/ 4.11
Re: Phase I complete, now Phase II IROC restoration - on to the interior!
What TQ arm is that. I only plan on making my 340 RWTQ go up to 400 MAX N/A and about 600 on the spray. Anyone else think that TQ arm can't handle Neil's power?
Maybe the BMR track-pak stuff would have been better.
Maybe the BMR track-pak stuff would have been better.
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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
Re: Phase I complete, now Phase II IROC restoration - on to the interior!
At any rate once I have the exhaust routed and the car running I am going to weld in some boxed steel as cross braces which will tie the torque arm bracket/plate to the subframe connectors.
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,498
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From: West Warwick RI, postal code: 02893
Car: Building LS3, T56 Z28
Engine: LS3
Transmission: T-56
Axle/Gears: Moser/ 4.11
Re: Phase I complete, now Phase II IROC restoration - on to the interior!
That should do it!
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From: Norwalk, CT
Car: 88 IROC-Z/05 Silverado ECSB
Engine: 408 LSX
Transmission: 700-R4 reverse pattern/manual valve
Axle/Gears: 9"/4.11
Re: Phase I complete, now Phase II IROC restoration - on to the interior!
Neil, did you have to prep the underside with metal ready before the POR-15 was applied? Also, did you spray or brush it on under there? Looks AWESOME by the way!
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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
Re: Phase I complete, now Phase II IROC restoration - on to the interior!
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
Re: Phase I complete, now Phase II IROC restoration - on to the interior!
I picked the assembled shortblock up this weekend from Houston and unloaded it late last night. Here are a few pics of it on the stand. To refresh your memory, here are the parts I am using:
Lunati LS1 4.185" stroke Pro Series crank
Lunati Pro Billet Rods 6.125"
JE Pistons 4.125"
Lunati LS1 4.185" stroke Pro Series crank
Lunati Pro Billet Rods 6.125"
JE Pistons 4.125"
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
Re: Phase I complete, now Phase II IROC restoration - on to the interior!
some more......
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
Re: Phase I complete, now Phase II IROC restoration - on to the interior!
couple more..
Re: Phase I complete, now Phase II IROC restoration - on to the interior!
Great to see the that you are close to putting the heart into the amazing ride your are creating. I bet you can't wait to kick that LS over...
Keep up the awesome work.
-Andrew
Keep up the awesome work.
-Andrew
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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: Phase I complete, now Phase II IROC restoration - on to the interior!
Holy crap Neil,looks like you need a garage stretcher to make you some room.I'm just curious about what your favorite part about the car right now is.The rear quarter mod? the custom emblems?the very sound friendly interior?or perhaps the anticipation of hering that sweet motor run in the beast that you have created?
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From: Brooklyn, NY, USA
Car: Trans Am
Engine: 350
Transmission: 700R4
Re: Phase I complete, now Phase II IROC restoration - on to the interior!
Is that a metal dumbbell laying/leaning
on your freshly custom color painted decklid/hatch? I think you have lost it j/k. Engine is awesome as expected. You've set quite a high quality bar for thirdgens.
on your freshly custom color painted decklid/hatch? I think you have lost it j/k. Engine is awesome as expected. You've set quite a high quality bar for thirdgens. 







