You see a lot of people that restore muscle cars and build the engine back to stock specifications. I know that it is important to have numbers matching blocks, heads, etc, but is it viewed as ok in restoration circles to port the heads, swap a bigger cam, use bulletproof internals, and so on? My feelings are that as long as the numbers matching pieces are there, it doesn't matter if you use a differnt cam or do other modifications that don't affect the external appearance or get rid of important pieces that help verify the cars identity. Why should you use a cam profile that is 30 years old, when cam technology has come so far? Mods like these only help driveability and make the car more enjoyable. I'm just trying to understand the mentality of someone that will take a car and put it back exactly the way it was made originally even though modern technology can make it so much more enjoyable. I can understand that with very rare cars, but when you see someone build a six cylinder 69 camaro to stock specifications, I think why? Put a big block in there and enjoy it.

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82 Camaro:
350, Erson cam, ported heads, Crane Hi-6 ignition, Accel supercoil, Comp Cams 1.6:1 rocker arms, Turbo 350 tranny with 2500 stall.

 

AMEN

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LONG LIVE THE MUSCLE CAR!!!!! MAY ITS REIGN NEVER END

1983Z28 350w/ edelbrock performer RPM power package with 64cc aluminum heads, dynomax shorty headers, 700R-4 with shift kit, 750cfm carb, edelbrock 3" exhaust system, ASCD SS hood, 16" IROC rims.

future mods:
completely done over suspension, black paint with flames, Hurst shifter, dakota digital gauge package, procharger supercharger.

 

Because in the hardcore definition of "restore", you're putting it as close to the way it came the day it rollled out of the factory as possible. The closer you get, the more complete the restoration. Being able to come closer than someone else gives just one type of thrill available from the automotive world.

You can certainly take that route if you want. It's your car. My advice is when you come to the point you think of a question like that, to block out everyone and everything except you and your car, and come back to the reason you tinker with it in the first place. In other words: f*** what everyone else thinks.

my two cents

 

My opinion:
I don't see anything "wrong" with using aftermarket parts as long as you cannot see or tell they are not original. So as far as internals are concerned, it will not detract to use aftermarket parts. No-no's would include headers, high-rise intake, etc. -- parts that would deduct point value in a car show.

I used to restore Mopars -- Challengers actually, and enter them into car shows. As long as it's numbers matching with all correct hoses, clamps, battery, etc., points cannot be deducted. After all, you're never required to start the car at car shows -- no one will hear that 3/4 race cam!!!

My Z28 convertible is one of the rarest third gens, if not the rarest. So it's very important to me to keep it (looking) original. When it comes time to rebuild my engine, I plan on an aftermarket cam, rockers, etc. I've been running 3.42's that replaced the stock 3.08's years ago. These parts will not diminish the value of the car, as long as it looks original, it shouldn't decrease the value of the car.

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Willie

Supercharged 1987 305 IROC-Z, Daily-Driver, Emissions-Legal.
Paxton (6-psig): 12.57 @ 111 mph.
Paxton (6-psig) & 50-hp nitrous: 12.04 @ 114 mph.
ATI D1SC (10-psig): ?

http://willie.camaro-firebird.org/

1987 "20th Anniversary Commemorative Edition" Z28 Convertible -- Super Chevy Show Class Winner, 1998.

[This message has been edited by Willie (edited March 25, 2001).]

 

I don't have an older car that I'm working on now, but I asked this question out of curiosity. When I am able to pick up an old muscle car, either a 69 camaro or 70 chevelle, I plan on modding the hell out of it and driving it unless I score an extremely rare car such a real Z28. In that case, I will keep the apearance as stock as possible, but it will have a better cam, gears and other internal mods.

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82 Camaro:
350, Erson cam, ported heads, Crane Hi-6 ignition, Accel supercoil, Comp Cams 1.6:1 rocker arms, Turbo 350 tranny with 2500 stall.

 

To me, it boils down to preference. Many people restore cars to stock-original condition because they want to re-create what they had. To me, an all original car should be all original, even internals. That's the only way to truely recreate the original feeling and personality of the car. If I'm building it strictly as a show car, what the hell does it matter if it's got an extra 50 horsepower or not? If I'm building it as a car that's going to get more than show usage, then I want to have modern conveniences, as well as modern mechanical upgrades. If that's the case, I may as well make performance changes regardless of whether visual underhood appearance is altered or not. Basically it boils down to doing whatever will make the car the way you want it.

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The IROC Homepage
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View the restoration of an 85 IROC</A>
"I didn't know a bored out Ford could go so slow" -Shenandoah