Was thinking about restoring my 83 Z28 back to it's original white/blue stripes and new base model blue cloth upholstery. Any point to restoring to original condition? Or should I restore to colors of my choice....red with dark grey interior?

Brandon

 

If it an original H.O car, I would take back to stock, otherwise I would restore it how you want.

WooHoo

Tom

 

Here's a pic found at Hawks of how it was new. Take a peek at the white one. It was an LU5 car originally.

Brandon

 

you're the one who has to see it and drive it everyday. and you're also gonna be the one to pay for it (unless you have a secret i don't know about ) so do it how you want it. if other people tell you to do it some other way, tell them to pay for it and then you'll do it their way

 

long rant:

You have to decide what you want to do with it in the long term future. Some people just want transportation, others want a totally clean original car. Do you want to pass it down to someone, or do you just want a temporary fun car, etc.?

Personally I'm all about 100% originality whenever possible, so you already know what I'm gonna say.. 100% originality is a great thing!.

Every day there are people modding out their cars. sooner or later there will be no original cars to look at. It'll be like "remember back when camaros had stripes?" "what? stripes? nah, just paint that sucker solid black with a 350 and mags like I did, it's more bad-***." They will all look the same, mix-&-match special.

About two thirds of the thirdgens I see for sale already are mix-&-match with haphazard random non-descript invalid parts everywhere, and their owners are totally oblivious and they pass on the misinformation when they sell. Look at this: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...&category=6427
this is a typical example of a car that gets no respect but just bad luck.. It says "88 GTA - ALL ORIGINAL", doesn't it? Sure.. let me go buy that car, since it's all original.. just one little problem though-- those taillights are wrong for 88 since they are 91-92 only.. they get swapped onto an 88 GTA and we're supposed to sit back and believe it's still "ALL ORIGINAL" .. uh huh. A little too much cocaine consumption. At least he has enough sense to mention it. 99.99% of sellers do not. It boggles the mind. and this is a typical example. Whoever wins that car will be misinformed from the getgo, then if he ever sees an 88GTA with the correct taillights, he will think they are wrong and he'll go looking for a set of those 91-92 ones instead, etc. typical thirdgen mix-n-match who-cares-what-year-it-came-from mentality that breeds on itself..

for every mix&match car, there is another mix%match car since it was stripped of its parts, so every time you see something like that, TWO cars are affected.. in this case the other car to lose any hope of being original again is the 92 GTA he took the lights from.. of which they only made a few hundred.

This phenomenon is nowhere near as bad with other car lines, but with the F-body, especially 2nd gen and mostly thirdgen, it's totally out of control! A real shame.. there are so MANY thirdgens out there, I agree. but so FEW original examples. Read the recent thread called "Car Dealer Knowledge ?" for another very typical example of a rare car totally disrespected and turned into a mix&match.

So if you want my opinion, go the higher road. Research the car's past to find out how it was when it was new, and then literally restore it to 100% stock, especially the small detail stuff like born-to-lose fabrics and plastics. That's what I would do.

gt

 

I have mixed feelings. It's not like it was an ultra-rare car, so I'd say do it how you like. On the other hand, although the cars aren't ultra-rare, I can't think of a more uncommon and surprising sight as seeing an early thirdgen in 100% stock trim. If it was mine, I wouldn't keep it stock for the sake of maintaining its originality so much as I would for the sake of having something unique by doing so.

 

I defintely see your point Jim85IROC & kiss! It has been a seriously long time since a thirdgen has been seen in stock trim by me. The previous owner started the un-original process on my Z28. My car is a former LU5 car. The crossfire/emissions equipment was removed by the pevious owner in favor for an Edelbrock 550 carb/performer intake. There lot's more damage than this! Someone posted earlier saying "It's my car, I bought and I'm the one who has to look at it". I see their point as well. I have wanted a 82-84 Z28 since I was 15. Now at 30, got my first one! My car, at the moment, is white with blue interior. I see my car with a candy apple red paint and a chromed 355 under the hood. But I can't do it to her. That would be almost raping her. Just the other day, I was in the process of removing the dash (the Z28 could be a nice dono car will all the damage) to swap in my Iron Duke car. Got in the Z to unscrew the first bolts. Couldn't do it! The Iron Duke car needs just as much work. That car is a whole different story, so I won't get into that. But I asked myself, what has this car (the Z) done to me to deserve this? Nothing! She starts right up everyday and gets me from A to B every time. She is the one I would trust for a nice trip, not the Iron Duke. Enough of that! The Z needs a tremendous about of work, rusted floorpans, needs emissions equipment, new doors, weatherstripping, etc. That's the reasoning behind a good donor car for the Iron Duke.

Later,
Brandon

 

Sounds like you need to bring the MAC card and spend a couple of extra days near the third gen Nationals. There are quite a few J/t around that could contribute parts to get it right.

 

Where are the Nationals? Be a happy man once $ starts to come in again.

Brandon

 

Go to the Regional board that says Third Gen Nationals '03. All the info you need...

 

I think early 80's 3rd gens look awesome in their original state. The picture you have looks great, but if you're not a fan of white with blue stripes, I see no harm in another color combo. As stated earlier you have to pay for it and look at it.

Kizz,

I totally agree with you on the "lets paint it all black, throw on some cragars, and drop a 350 in from my couisins van" syndrome. But I dont see the problem in adding touches and cues from other years in the same line. As long as you keep the original parts and make sure to inform future buyers(although most buyers of these cars are savvy enough to spot differences), its a fun way to be creative with your car without being tacky.

For example, I have a Formula that I added TA tailights to because I thought the stock ones were boring. I also replaced my hood block off plate and 5.0 decals with ones from an 84 TA. My wheels were getting dull, so I bought new black GTA wheels...etc.
I'm obviously not trying to pass this car off as something its not, I just wanted to add what I felt were better features form other years or pkgs.

I think originality within the same "blood lines" is an interesting alternative...as long as its not overboard.

 

A stock looking white 84 Z28 looks damn good---I haven't seen one, especialy one in nice shape for a long, long time

 

yes stock z28 loof great, i look at mine every day and it blows my mind, the car is from 1984 and it look so freakin cool. i would adress some of the suspensin problem though old stuff isnt all that wonderful.

 

:hail: to the car above!

 

:hail:WOW man, nice car, I'm getting an 84 camaro just like that one, yours and mine are the only ones that ive seen with the gold trim:hail:

 

blackgold84 :
Awesome car man !

84 Challenge, hope you restore it to original. Looking at the photo of the white one you attached above, that's the way to go. As blackgold demonstrated, you need not customize your car to enjoy it. Besides if you ever decide to sell it, there will be a long list of guys interested. The beauty of these early 3rd gens is in their simplicity of design.
Back in 1990, I had my eye on an 83 Z28, white with tri-colored stripes and burgandy interior. Problem was my buddy was too slow in rebuilding the engine and I stumbled upon a Pace Car and bought it. I don't regret it, but still would love that white one today.
I agree with Kiss, as I sense that we're both "purists". Restore it close original and forget the expansive changes. I for one would be more interested in admiring an original like blackgold's than another custom job. The early 3rd gens are rare and beautiful cars and unfortunately quickly becoming extint originals.

Pacer

 

Another question....in the resto process, return to CFI or do TPI? I'm looking for a little ooomph, will the CFI cut the cake? How friendly is the CFI with mods like: cam, ported heads, headers, etc.?

Brandon

 

The only reason I am keeping my one Pace Car Crossfire Injection, is because I am keeping it 100% stock. If I was modifying it at all, the Crossfire would go bye bye. You can mod them, but they will never run as good as other setups. I really would not go to all the work of a TPI swap if you are using stock parts, as that setup falls on its face by 5000 RPM. Go with an aftermarket EFI setup such as a LT1 setup, or Stealthram, ect..

Good luck and keep us posted..

Tom

 

LT1 will work on a 305? My 5.0 runs pretty good as it is. I need the emissions to be legal here. So a new intake setup will be needed. Was thinking of some head work, a new cam and headers as well. Would like to spend the least on the engine, so $ can be spent where needed most. I don't need a 300hp engine to be happy with my car. Maybe I should return to crossfire.

Brandon

 

I did not even think about your engine being a 305. I have heard of it on a 305, but not sure of the results. If you think your 305 runs good, just leave it be. Later when you get bored with the performance, you can upgrade to something else then.

Tom

 

I agree with Tom,

If the motor is fine than concentrate on the restoration first.
I'm also considering buying another car worthy of restoration.
My approach will be to work on the body + interior first as I enjoy the car.
I won't touch a good engine before the rest is done.

I've seen tons of cars including F-bodies that had great engine set-ups while the rest of the car was neglected. Too many guys fall into the trap of spending $ on power and nothing on the rest. I'm not implying you would do that of course. You wouldn't be on the Restoration board otherwise.

Ron

 

Guys...the only reason some engine work is needed, the emissions junk is gone. It's running a Edelbrock 550 carb/performer intake combo. That ain't exactly legal here, unless a "special" inspection can be performed. But I'll definitely confirm whether it's a 305 or 350 in the next day or so.

Brandon

 

Here are some not so recent pics of her.

 

1.

 

2.

 

3.

 

stay stock it will be cooler in 10 years when the car is stock

 

Or how about parting her out (due to all the rust) and using the $ for a nice crate engine for my 84 Iron Duke (not a spec of rust on this one)?

Brandon

 

I'm restoring my Recaro T/A in it's original condition.But i'm gonna make some changes with the car.I'm planning on dropping a 350 and to get a more recent tranny.I'm gonna keep everything else stock and working, including the bulge hood, carb etc.Original '84 recaro's doesn't have the front grills but i like the way car looks with that grill and ground effect combination.And maybe just maybe i might get a second set of rims in the future.I'm not sure about what to do with the stripes also.If i want to have those i have to paint them myself or design and print on a computer.But i would prefer the look without the stripes.It really depends what you want to do with your car.If you are stock freak keep it stock, if you want to make profit, then again keep it stock if you're gonna keep the car lifetime go ahead and add some personal touches.It's your car choose a path that you'll enjoy.

 

wasnt that car on ebay about 2 months ago?

 

Yes it was.

 

My suggestion to you is to modify it untill you are happy with it BUT do not do anything irreversible, like cutting off the top and installing a soft top or something. Something like adding headers, or maybe a hurst shifter is no big deal because if you do someday want to do a 100pt resto, you can always re-install the old manifolds or the factory shifter.

I'm going to be modifying my '83 HO, but i will not do anything irreversible.... just in case i decide to restore it some day.

 

I suggest you build it how you want and have fun. It's always easier to keep things original and typically less expensive too. However, having said that, my real suggestion is you keep it stock appearing and swap in a 400 hp small block with a 3500stall th350 and 4.10 gears

 

Above all else do what will make you happiest.

Personally I like Rancid 87's idea!

 

Thanks for all your replies..guys! Looks like the car is too rusted to restore. The sidewall that's connected to the drivers floor pan is rusted right through. That's something I ain't messing with. I'm not really saddened as this car makes an EXCELLENT parts car for my SC. :rockon:

Brandon

 

Build it BAD!!

 

My sentiments exactly, hence the reason my matching numbers, full history, 2 previous woman owners, 86 s/c (305) has only recieved;

Flowmaster 80 series with chrome tips
Edlebrock open element air filter
Heratige stripes (being fitted, professionaly, this week)
GTS tail light covers

Due to receve a grant steering wheel soon, maybe a shifter, and fourth gen seats.

I have kept all of the origional parts, and I reckon the car could be put back to standard in 3 hours.

 

Too bad you decided against it...my friend and I are going through an '83 H.O. Z28, and we both determined long ago it will be way more of a sight to see a clean, ORIGINAL early 3rd gen. Like Kizz said, why have just another 350, Cragar rimmed F bod? BORING...not to mention un-original.

I don't care how rusty it is, I'd rather have a nice Cross-Fire '83 Z than a 350 swapped 4 cylinder F bod...just my .02...

 

My buddy has an 82 cross fire Z completely restored. He gets very close to dropping a hand grenade in the engine compartment all the time. He left it stock appearing and ported the heads and intake. It also has a .480 (or something close to that) compucam. which has made tuning a freakin' nightmare. He also transplanted in a T5 (the car was an auto). Good luck with the 83 Crossfire---you'll need it.

BTW Turbo City has been a big help to my friend so look them up if you have problems.