BOTTLEDZ28

iTrader: (9)

Hey folks. Figured I would start a build thread for a new thirdgen I just picked up. Some of you may have been reading the thread I started in the classifieds feedback section pertaining to the sale transaction with this car but for those that havent, you can click this link to get an idea of what I went through with this car within the first 3 days of taking possession of it.

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/clas...xperience.html


Now that that is out of the way lets get started with this build thread. I have been searching for a 91-92 white hardtop Z28 for a LONG time and finally got one. Its not perfect but it will be a work in progress. The car has 58K miles on it with a 350TPI/A4 combo. It is 99% loaded with all the factory options. I think the only thing it doesnt have is the factory CD player.


These are pics from the previous owner













Plans for this car will be:

Weld S71 wheels with Nitto tires 17x8 and 17x9.5




White face gauges.

Eibach lowering springs( Pro Kit)

Founders Performance LCAs and adjustable track bar

Founders Performance fabricated strut mounts

Founders Performance LCA relocation brackets

UMI steering brace

member Formula1LEs HD power window harness

C6 51 front brake kit with Baer brakes from bigbrakeupgrade.com

drum to 13" rear disc conversion with new OEM 1LE brakes and Baer rotors

tinted windows 20%

full exhaust (havent figured out what I want yet)

smoked turn signal and marker lens' up front

HUMount radio installation trim kit




90% of those parts are already sitting on my bench. I have to do some unexpected repairs before I go mess with upgrades.
windshield needs to be replaced as well as the hatch motor and heater core.

Stay tuned for a LOT more pics and updates.

BOTTLEDZ28

iTrader: (9)

First mod done was the Macewen white faced gauges. I think they look good with the car being white.

DynoDave43

iTrader: (11)

Looks a lot like my '91 RS...Arctic White, white 16" wheels...very handsome.

Sorry to read about all the surprises when you bought it.

BOTTLEDZ28

iTrader: (9)

Few more mods I did last night. Smoked marker and turn signal lens' OEM ones were cloudy and had moisture in them. These look a lot better during the day outside against the white paint.










I also HAD to repaint the blister inserts since 99% of the black paint was missing and it was bothering me. I'm willing to bet that the paint came off when Maaco pulled the masking tape off of them. This is just temporary since I don't care for how they turned out (spray paint I had sitting around in the cold garage). I plan on replacing the inserts with something else at a later date. Its not perfect but 1000 times better than what they first looked like.

BOTTLEDZ28

iTrader: (9)

I had a chance to rebuild the hatch motor today using parts from TDS. Everything went well for most part but I need new hatch struts and a new battery so I cant sign off on this repair until both of those things are replaced. Battery is at 20% now so he hatch motor is slow.









Notice the yellowish goo around the motor housing... It is epoxy that helps to reinforce the plastic housing.


hatch motor parts come from http://www.top-downsolutions.com/

BOTTLEDZ28

iTrader: (9)

Also got some new parts in today!! Weld RTS wheels and C6 brakes.






brakes come from www.bigbrakeupgrade.com I HIGHLY recommend using Scott for yor brake needs. He went above and beyond to help me figure out what would be best for me.

Tibo

iTrader: (15)

If you haven't put the tires on those wheels yet you should really consider doing a 9.5" wheel up front. Will you be keeping the engine and transmission original? It took me a while to find my white convertible, too. It's also a 91 Z.

BOTTLEDZ28

iTrader: (9)

I went with the 8" wide wheel up front for a few reasons. First, I didnt want a deeper lip on the front wheels versus the rears. Second, I dont want to run spacers. Third, I dont drive the car enough to justify the more expensive tire and wheel up front. Plus, the roads in New England suck and I have had a lot of cars with wide front wheels and the cars just track in all the ruts.

Another reason was the lack of a high pad design WITH an offset that would work for me. Weld, just didnt have it so I went with the 17x8 in a high pad design to clear the C6 Z51 brakes.

As of right now, the drivetrain will remain stock unless a disc rear with 3.73s falls into my lap.

Tibo

iTrader: (15)

Going to repaint it yourself? You had mentioned in another post you had an ample amount of body experience.

sid 91RS

nice looking ride.

Zane M

iTrader: (1)

Good looking car!

BOTTLEDZ28

iTrader: (9)

I wont. I currently do not have the facility nor the time to take on a project of that magnitude. There are a few shops in town I would trust to take car of painting the car to my standards.

BOTTLEDZ28

iTrader: (9)

I had a chance to get a few more things done on the car this weekend.


I also put a brand new Spectra heater core in which was about the biggest PITA job I have done in a while! Once that job was done and I was confident I had no leaks, I parked the car in the garage for the beginning of a few big upgrades!!! Car is jacked up and ready to be wrenched on.

Transmission pan was dropped to replace the filter as well as whatever fluid was lost in the process. I used AcDelco Dextron IV fluid along with an AcDelco filter and Felpro gasket.


Next up was rear suspension upgrades. I put new Founders Performance LCAs and track bar in along with Konis and Eibach springs. I was on the fence about using the stock isolators and decided to just reuse them Hopefully the stance is right when the job is done.

Quick side note here... I bought the Founders Performance LCA relocation brackets and they didn't fit at all!!!! Not too happy about that since I now have to fight with them on Monday about what they're going to do about it. I may just buy the UMI bolt in ones.

jbenge

iTrader: (2)

Too bad you've had to go through all those issues with the purchase. The car has a lot of potential though, those Weld rts wheels will look great and totally change the look of the car. Subscribed, looking forward to watching you fix it up.

BOTTLEDZ28

iTrader: (9)

Well it looks like I will be needing a starter since the OEM one is making terrible noises. Im looking at possibly picking this one up from Summit.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-829100

Tibo

iTrader: (15)

Summit's stuff is either going to be rebranded name brand or chinese. The reviews make it sound like it is chinese with some having good results and others think it's junk. Common for chinese parts to have poor QA. I have had a power master for ten years now, turning over engines between 9.5-11:1. I recommend that brand.

BOTTLEDZ28

iTrader: (9)

Ya I looked into it further and decided that I wanted a starter from a local store. I picked up a starter for a 95 Corvette. Cost me $85 after rebates and a core return. Lifetime warranty. We will see how it goes.

Tibo

iTrader: (15)

Is that one a "mini" starter or just a higher compression starter? I've heard members refer to it.

BOTTLEDZ28

iTrader: (9)

It's supposed to be a high torque mini starter. Ain't going to matter now though because it doesn't fit. The solenoid is up against the oil pan and the wiring isn't long enough to to reach the lugs.
I bought this based off of what other members' we're using. Not sure what the deal is at this point though. I'll post pics in a bit.

I do have an old Autozone Duralast starter for a 305 car that has a lifetime warranty that I could always fall back on but I'd like to use something a bit better if you know what I mean.

BOTTLEDZ28

iTrader: (9)

Here is the pics of the stock oem starter and the one I bought locally for a 1995 Corvette. Like I said, the solenoid is up against the oil pan and the wires are just a hair to short to reach the lugs.

BOTTLEDZ28

iTrader: (9)

BOTTLEDZ28

iTrader: (9)

So its back to the Advance Auto parts tomorrow to return this starter and then take a drive to Autozone to swap this old Duralast starter I had from my last car.

Notice the size difference between the 350 starter and 305 starter... I'll just have to settle for the 305 starter since its free unless I find something worth using tonight on the internet.

BOTTLEDZ28

iTrader: (9)

Slight setback today. I bought a brand new Optima Red Top battery from the local auto parts store last week and it will not hold a charge over 24 hours. Battery has been disconnected for 2 days while I have been doing a corvette starter mod and the battery was at 35% this morning. Build date on the battery is 5/15. I can only assume that its been sitting on the shelf for 10 month discharging. Time to figure out what my next battery will be.

BADNBLK

iTrader: (11)

Congrats on the new project man! I hated my red top. I had to exchange it every year under warranty.

Tibo

iTrader: (15)

If you are relocating the battery you can look into the deep cycle batteries with high cranking amps. I'm putting one in the convertible I'm doing.

jbenge

iTrader: (2)

The newer Optima batteries tend to have a lot of issues, I wouldn't buy one again. They used to be really good, I had one that was over 8 years old when I sold the car and it was still going strong. I'm not an Autozone fan but the Duralast gold batteries are pretty good. I've also had good luck with NAPA batteries too.

marki

Hi,

awesome looking car so far. May I ask what size tires you plan on using on the weld rims? Did you have to modify anything in the wheel wells?

Thanks
Mark

yaj15

iTrader: (3)

I'll follow your build. I almost bought the twin to this car when I was looking at thirdgens. Only difference between the car I looked at and yours was the car I considered buying had a cloth interior. I'm glad your working on it and keeping it on the road!

BOTTLEDZ28

iTrader: (9)

tires for the front will be 245/45/17 and the rears will be 275/40/17. Nothing modified in the wheel wells to get them to fit

BOTTLEDZ28

iTrader: (9)

Got a few more things done on the car this weekend. Front suspension was removed from the car and replaced with a few small upgrades. I put new bushings and ball joints in the A arms and finally got my C6 Z51 brakes installed along with the Konis and the springs.

marki

Thanks. Cant wait to see pics of the wheels and tires on the car. Sorry forgot to ask what back spacing did you get for the wheels?

Thanks
Mark

yaj15

iTrader: (3)

What springs did you use?

BOTTLEDZ28

iTrader: (9)

Im running the Eibach Pro kit.

BOTTLEDZ28

iTrader: (9)

Im exhaust shopping right now. Looking for a catback setup. Im leaning towards the Magnaflow kit. I just dont like the 1990s tips

91chevyz28

I thought I saw a SLP TOTL exhaust in the background in one of the pictures above. What about using that exhaust?

BOTTLEDZ28

iTrader: (9)

Because as good as it may sound, it looks goofy from behind the car and I just cant deal with two pipes on the left side of the car. I just bought the Magnaflow cat back for $473. Not bad considering its $590 everywhere else.

91chevyz28

I had the TOTL installed last year, I'm still getting use to the 2 pipes on the one side. Yeah that is a good price on the Magnaflow. Are you thinking of selling the TOTL?

gsmarcano

Nice, I need a source for those new turn signal lenses.

BOTTLEDZ28

iTrader: (9)

China., I mean ebay.

DynoDave43

iTrader: (11)

Who did you buy your Magnaflow through?

BOTTLEDZ28

iTrader: (9)

eBay

Fingers crossed it comes in and it's complete. Itnwas literally $100 cheaper than any other vendor out there. I'm ditching the tailpipes and going with the B&B quad tips I have now. I can't stand big 3" 1990s chrome/polished tips.

Tibo

iTrader: (15)

Plus they scrape on almost every speed bump and curb or angled drive. Taught me just to dump them after the rear axle.

DynoDave43

iTrader: (11)

Good deal. If the transaction goes well, I'll IM you for the sellers name.

I'd like to find a way to run a factory-style tail pipe with their system.

BOTTLEDZ28

iTrader: (9)

I had a B&B Tri Flo catback from a 4th gen on my last car (1991 Z) and I loved the tips. The muffler was invaded by mice when I had it in storage so in the trash it went. I saved the tips and will try to use them with the Magnaflow. I will most likely have to buy two new tailpipes to get them to work. I dont want to cut up the Magnaflow ones. I may be able to sell them to someone and make some of my money back.

BOTTLEDZ28

iTrader: (9)

I got a few more things done on the car this weekend. I put the TA cover on as well as the steering brace and bushings.

BOTTLEDZ28

iTrader: (9)

Ive put 4 miles on this car since taking delivery of it and this is the pile of parts I have already removed from it. Some of these parts needed to be replaced while others were a want more than a need. Either way, the car should drive and perform a LOT better now as well as be a lot more reliable.

marki

Hi.

Can you please tell me what backspacing you used for the wheels? Looking for wheels for my 92.

Thanks
Mark

BOTTLEDZ28

iTrader: (9)

fronts are 17x8 with a 4.7" backspacing. high pad design

rears are 17x9.5 with a 5.8" backspacing medium pad design

crazynights

iTrader: (3)

That is looking great!!!

BOTTLEDZ28

iTrader: (9)

here is yet another update on the car. I had a chance to install the Magnaflow catback system on the car over the last couple days. I had intentions of saving what I thought was the OEM exhaust but found out it had been replaced at some point with total junk. Whoever did the install needs to quit working on cars because they suck. Over the axle pipe (2.5" dia.) was smashed in with a hammer to gain clearance. Not sure why someone felt the need to smash a 2.5" pipe when I was able to fit a 3" pipe up there without any problem.

Anyway, old system was cut out and tossed in the scrap pile. I needed to make my own 3" adapter pipe to get the system to bolt up to the ypipe. Basically just used a 16" length of S.S. tubing and slipped it over what was coming off the ypipe.

I also wanted to use the B&B tips I had lying around from my last car. The tailpipes/tips that come with the Magnaflow kit look like crap and its not 1995 anymore. In order to use the B&B tips, I had to buy a pair of Walker tailpipes from Summit. A couple cuts and a trip to the muffler shop to have the ends expanded and on they went.

Here is a few pics of the system mocked up to the car for now.