1992 Z-28 A build, from a new car, to the dumps, and back to her glory.
04-27-2012, 12:43 AM
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Car: 1992 Z-28
Engine: 5.7 TPI
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1992 Z-28 A build, from a new car, to the dumps, and back to her glory.
Well I guess it's time to start a build thread. I recently purchased a 1992 Z-28 it was on my list of cars to own before I die. I gave $1500 for the car it has 131,000 miles on it, and all of the original paper work, build sheets, and so on minus the owners manual and window sticker . It was a two owner car, first was a woman named Pam I'm guessing, there was a tag receipt for a tag that said PAMSZ28, and the guy I bought the car from, pretty much ram shacked the car in less than 6 months....
The day I got my car, it had been sitting under a tree for 8 months...
After alot of cleaning and a little touch up paint here and there.
I have a never ending list that only started with a couple of small things. I bought the *car as a daily driver to work to save on gas. (My daily driver at the time was my 1987 K5 Blazer with a 6" lift and 35" tires) The list stated with just getting the two passenger side gfx pieces (that I have yet to find) and driving the hell out of it. The day I drove it home I got pulled over for excessive noise, they guy had put straight exhaust on it with two huge 4" tips. I happened to have a Flowmaster and some chrome rectangle tips that I picked up from a swap meet for a 4th gen, so that is now my temporary exhaust. Along with a set of Headman long tubes that I got from my brother that I have yet to install. I noticed some sloppiness in the handling department and found the sway bar end links had no bushings at all, so I picked up a set of Energy Suspension poly bushings. And this was when I realized how good these cars really handle and drive, and also how much I love this car. So now starts the never ending list. *I have also managed to pull all of the red bulbs he had put in and on the car out. Including the gauge lights, tag, lights, dome and map lights and we cant forget the badass underglow kit that he installed, by using self taping screws on the ground effects.
anyways while all of this little "tinkering" stuff is going on I find this forum, and alot of useful information. And hopefully I can help some of you out while I am here. (I am a regular on almost all of the car audio forums, big part of my life there, I am only in my second year of competing, I finshed 3rd at MECA world finals last year, but I have been doing car audio for 10+ years, so keep an eye out for a stereo build)*
The day I got my car, it had been sitting under a tree for 8 months...
After alot of cleaning and a little touch up paint here and there.
I have a never ending list that only started with a couple of small things. I bought the *car as a daily driver to work to save on gas. (My daily driver at the time was my 1987 K5 Blazer with a 6" lift and 35" tires) The list stated with just getting the two passenger side gfx pieces (that I have yet to find) and driving the hell out of it. The day I drove it home I got pulled over for excessive noise, they guy had put straight exhaust on it with two huge 4" tips. I happened to have a Flowmaster and some chrome rectangle tips that I picked up from a swap meet for a 4th gen, so that is now my temporary exhaust. Along with a set of Headman long tubes that I got from my brother that I have yet to install. I noticed some sloppiness in the handling department and found the sway bar end links had no bushings at all, so I picked up a set of Energy Suspension poly bushings. And this was when I realized how good these cars really handle and drive, and also how much I love this car. So now starts the never ending list. *I have also managed to pull all of the red bulbs he had put in and on the car out. Including the gauge lights, tag, lights, dome and map lights and we cant forget the badass underglow kit that he installed, by using self taping screws on the ground effects.
anyways while all of this little "tinkering" stuff is going on I find this forum, and alot of useful information. And hopefully I can help some of you out while I am here. (I am a regular on almost all of the car audio forums, big part of my life there, I am only in my second year of competing, I finshed 3rd at MECA world finals last year, but I have been doing car audio for 10+ years, so keep an eye out for a stereo build)* 
04-27-2012, 12:54 AM
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Car: 1992 Z-28
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Re: 1992 Z-28 A build, from a new car, to the dumps, and back to her glory.
Oh, I ordered some 2" wheel spacers that should be here tomorrow..... Hmmmm.... Along with new parking, marker, and headlights....
04-27-2012, 04:40 AM
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Car: 88 Formula 350
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Re: 1992 Z-28 A build, from a new car, to the dumps, and back to her glory.
Since you bought some 2" wheel spacers, I can only assume that you are putting a different set of wheels (possibly 4th gen/vette wheels)...
By the way, looks like a good budget DD... Have fun with it! These cars handle great!
By the way, looks like a good budget DD... Have fun with it! These cars handle great!
04-27-2012, 09:14 AM
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Car: 1992 Z-28
Engine: 5.7 TPI
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Re: 1992 Z-28 A build, from a new car, to the dumps, and back to her glory.
New parking and marker lights installed.
Some used fog lights put in, along with some custom zip tie work until I get my bumper cover.
New E36 Depo gen 5 headlights.
The new wheels.
Waiting on the wheel spacers.
Some used fog lights put in, along with some custom zip tie work until I get my bumper cover.
New E36 Depo gen 5 headlights.
The new wheels.
Waiting on the wheel spacers.
04-27-2012, 09:23 AM
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Car: 1992 Z-28
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Re: 1992 Z-28 A build, from a new car, to the dumps, and back to her glory.
Also yesterday I did a smog delete on the car. Im not sure if anyone has done it this way but I saved myself about $100 and opted to not get the smog delete pulley. I used a 975K6 belt.
I went around the alternator, power steering, water pump, then the crank. Instead of power steering crank and then water pump.
I went around the alternator, power steering, water pump, then the crank. Instead of power steering crank and then water pump.
04-27-2012, 09:27 AM
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Car: 1992 Z-28
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Re: 1992 Z-28 A build, from a new car, to the dumps, and back to her glory.
04-27-2012, 12:28 PM
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Re: 1992 Z-28 A build, from a new car, to the dumps, and back to her glory.
new wheels are on!
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04-27-2012, 12:43 PM
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Car: 87 IROC
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Re: 1992 Z-28 A build, from a new car, to the dumps, and back to her glory.
Nice, but you need a new camera. Where did you get the clear side markers?
04-27-2012, 01:23 PM
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Car: 1992 Z-28
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Re: 1992 Z-28 A build, from a new car, to the dumps, and back to her glory.
Thanks, these were taken with my Iphone4, I broke the glass on the back and the camera lens poped out, there is a ton of dust on the lens that I can't get off. I got all of the clear lights on eBay, it was all four, Depo brand, for like $60 if I remember right.
04-27-2012, 01:30 PM
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Car: 1984 Camaro Z28 Clone
Engine: Bored .030, vortec sbc350
Transmission: Built T5 WC
Axle/Gears: 1999 Torsen 4:10 Locker
Re: 1992 Z-28 A build, from a new car, to the dumps, and back to her glory.
Interested to see those headlights in... i am going to do the legitament BMW E36 EURO headlight switch eventually.
04-28-2012, 03:47 PM
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Re: 1992 Z-28 A build, from a new car, to the dumps, and back to her glory.
Nice DD, those are the exact rims Im looking for. Just sand & polish them up & they will look awsome. White Z28's look amazing with those wheels no matter what year. Too bad mines is black!!!!
04-28-2012, 04:22 PM
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Car: 1986 z28
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Axle/Gears: stock 4th gen 3.23
Re: 1992 Z-28 A build, from a new car, to the dumps, and back to her glory.
Try not to get water in the parking lamps Cause water settled in mine and turned black......but They look good......I also have the same wheels except I have black painted center caps.....your starter project is in a lot better condition then mine was and these cars are great daily drivers.....the gas mileage on my car is good when I don't get on it....the built 700r4 in my car with the megashifter is actually really fun
04-28-2012, 04:55 PM
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Re: 1992 Z-28 A build, from a new car, to the dumps, and back to her glory.
Please don't do E36 headlights. They don't fit, weren't built for the car, and look horrible. Hands down one of the top 5 worst inhumanities people do to these cars. Nothing worse than a part not contoured to fit a car.
If you want an E36, buy one.
If you want an E36, buy one.
04-29-2012, 06:29 PM
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Re: 1992 Z-28 A build, from a new car, to the dumps, and back to her glory.
I will try the belt setup, I was going to get the delete pulley but if I don't need to why bother, thanks for the info brother
04-29-2012, 07:26 PM
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Car: 1991 Camaro Z28
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: 700r4
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Re: 1992 Z-28 A build, from a new car, to the dumps, and back to her glory.
I agree. just get the normal headlights that are meant for the car. circular lights wont look right wen every other light on the car is rectangular. otherwise it doesnt look so bad.
04-30-2012, 02:40 AM
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Car: 1992 Z-28
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Re: 1992 Z-28 A build, from a new car, to the dumps, and back to her glory.
Try not to get water in the parking lamps Cause water settled in mine and turned black......but They look good......I also have the same wheels except I have black painted center caps.....your starter project is in a lot better condition then mine was and these cars are great daily drivers.....the gas mileage on my car is good when I don't get on it....the built 700r4 in my car with the megashifter is actually really fun
04-30-2012, 02:47 AM
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Car: 1992 Z-28
Engine: 5.7 TPI
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Re: 1992 Z-28 A build, from a new car, to the dumps, and back to her glory.
I don't want a E36. To me this is a performance upgrade. That is why i am going to do it. I drive alot! I mean alot! And that includes night time driving. I like to see where i am going and what is on the road in front of me. Sealed beam headlights do not do that, and the H4 conversions are usually junk housings that blind other drivers. I want my headlights to perform as well as the rest of the car. There is nothing like a good set of HID projectors. And I don't know when the last time you tried to fit a quality projector in a 4x6" housing but it is near impossible. I have done it on my K5.
04-30-2012, 02:49 AM
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Car: 1992 Z-28
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Re: 1992 Z-28 A build, from a new car, to the dumps, and back to her glory.
It was really easy, plus you get alot better belt wrap on all of your pulleys except the alternator, it stays the same. I will do a write up when I get some time later this week.
04-30-2012, 02:52 AM
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Car: 1992 Z-28
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Re: 1992 Z-28 A build, from a new car, to the dumps, and back to her glory.
The actual housing is rectangular. Although I feel the same way about the ram air and ss hoods. They just don't fit the lines of the car. But as I stated in an earlier post this is a performance upgrade for me. I'm not doing it to look cool or anything, just to see better at night.
04-30-2012, 08:45 AM
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Car: '83 Z-28
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Re: 1992 Z-28 A build, from a new car, to the dumps, and back to her glory.
Its great to see stuff like this. Awesome that you saved that Z-28. One reason that I'll never sell mine is what you typed about the guy almost ruining that car in 6 months. I would hate myself if that ever happened to mine.
Great job, keep it up!
Great job, keep it up!
04-30-2012, 11:23 AM
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Car: 1992 Z28
Engine: 305
Transmission: 5 speed
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Re: 1992 Z-28 A build, from a new car, to the dumps, and back to her glory.
It is amazing how these cars can go downhill so fast but they are 20 years old. Good to see that some are able to be saved. Interested in seeing how the lights turn out. I thought I wanted the 35th wheels but I think I'll keep looking.
05-05-2012, 10:03 AM
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Re: 1992 Z-28 A build, from a new car, to the dumps, and back to her glory.
So the Camaro got put on hold for a little while, I have been finishing up on my Blazer.
05-22-2012, 03:22 PM
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Car: 1992 Z-28
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Re: 1992 Z-28 A build, from a new car, to the dumps, and back to her glory.
Picked up a new to me hood from a friend of mine. Not the one I want but it will do for now.
05-22-2012, 10:10 PM
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Car: '90 Camaro
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Re: 1992 Z-28 A build, from a new car, to the dumps, and back to her glory.
same exact hood i got but currently doin a lil glass work to it.its not the hood i want either its a lil too big and too big for a lil 305. makes me feel like a r i c e r.
01-19-2013, 11:02 AM
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Car: 1992 Z-28
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Re: 1992 Z-28 A build, from a new car, to the dumps, and back to her glory.
Ahh, some bad news and some good. The trans went out on me in July. The car sat parked as I bought a ragged out 4th gen z28 with a ls1 and 4l60. I traded my 87 K5 for it. Terriable move but I had to have something better on gas to make the 1 hour drive to work everyday. Anyways. Gonna upload some pictures of the K5 and new car. As well as the 92's progress.
01-19-2013, 12:31 PM
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Car: 1992 Z-28
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Re: 1992 Z-28 A build, from a new car, to the dumps, and back to her glory.
Motor and trans out
Stripping all the parts off
Stripping all the parts off
01-19-2013, 12:36 PM
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Car: 1992 Z-28
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Re: 1992 Z-28 A build, from a new car, to the dumps, and back to her glory.
The K5 and 4th gen
This car is ragged out interior is completly trashed everything rattles it shakes bad abouve 60mph and the rearend is roaring terriably
This car is ragged out interior is completly trashed everything rattles it shakes bad abouve 60mph and the rearend is roaring terriably
01-19-2013, 02:01 PM
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01-19-2013, 02:10 PM
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Re: 1992 Z-28 A build, from a new car, to the dumps, and back to her glory.
Those wheels look great on there! I was against them when you posted until I saw them installed.
01-19-2013, 04:04 PM
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Car: 1992 Z-28
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Re: 1992 Z-28 A build, from a new car, to the dumps, and back to her glory.
Headlight swap
Stripping the paint
Stripping the paint
01-19-2013, 05:15 PM
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Re: 1992 Z-28 A build, from a new car, to the dumps, and back to her glory.
Put the dash, door panels, center console, motor, trans & rear end from the 4th into the 3rd!!!!!!
01-19-2013, 05:26 PM
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Re: 1992 Z-28 A build, from a new car, to the dumps, and back to her glory.
Maybe the seats. If I can find some red seat covers to match the factory red interior. I dont think the dash and stuff look good in a third gen.
01-19-2013, 05:31 PM
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Re: 1992 Z-28 A build, from a new car, to the dumps, and back to her glory.
First and second coat pf rust defender primer.
01-20-2013, 06:15 PM
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Re: 1992 Z-28 A build, from a new car, to the dumps, and back to her glory.
Engine bay is ready for primer tomorrow morning.
01-20-2013, 07:19 PM
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Car: 1992 Chevrolet Camaro Z28
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Axle/Gears: 3.23:1 Positraction
Re: 1992 Z-28 A build, from a new car, to the dumps, and back to her glory.
FEED ME MORE !! 
01-20-2013, 08:09 PM
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Re: 1992 Z-28 A build, from a new car, to the dumps, and back to her glory.
Should I post new new wheels? They are here.
01-21-2013, 06:08 PM
#49
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Re: 1992 Z-28 A build, from a new car, to the dumps, and back to her glory.
New wheels tires and hood.
18x9.5 with 275/35/18 on the front and 19x10 with 295/30/19 out back
18x9.5 with 275/35/18 on the front and 19x10 with 295/30/19 out back
01-21-2013, 06:58 PM
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Engine: 355 Super Charged
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Axle/Gears: 4th gen 342
Re: 1992 Z-28 A build, from a new car, to the dumps, and back to her glory.
Looking good Bro, just a quick note, I have been in the business for over 30 years please wear a mask no matter what you are spraying. Take it from a guy who now has asthma, you only have one set of lungs, peace