Just wanted to post a couple pics of my project. I picked up this 83 Z28 for $400 (saved it from the scrapper) and have been trying to get it road worthy over the last few weeks...I need it for my daily driver. It's a carb'd 305/ 5spd car. I got it with the seats and most of the interior from an 85 IROC and the distributor had been replaced with a non-computer one. I have the original, but I'm not sure why it was replaced. The clutch linkage was messed up so I got the parts to convert it to a hydraulic clutch. I got most of that done, I just need to bleed the hydraulics. It's still on the jack stands because I have to hook up the back brakes. The PO swapped out the stock rear end with one from the same 85 IROC the interior came from. I just bolted on the hood a couple days ago. The hood is a steel goodmark cowl hood I found in a local wrecking yard for $80. I just need to sand down the surface rust and paint it, but it's been too cold for that. Once I get the brakes finished, All I need to do is rebuild a carb I bought for it and then it should be good to go. So far the only real rust I've found is around the T-Tops and I hope to take care of that next year.
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After:

 

Good deal on the car, and the hood too! Can't believe the car was headed to the scrapper.

 

Thanks!!! I can't remember why the PO wanted to scrap it. I do remember him saying if I didn't want it, it was going away. We have been friends with them for a while and they are really cool people...maybe he was wanting to thin the herd down quickly. They are really in to the 2nd gen camaros and had quite a few cars then...maybe that's why. I don't know but I'm glad I got the car.

 

Nice project, thanks for sharing it!

 

Yah man, glad you saved this car.

 

 

Thanks! Got a little more work done to the car over the last few days. I got the back brakes hooked up...mostly. On the axle the brake lines had the metric bubble flare and the rest of the car was the Double flare. So after a lot of trial and error and a few choice words, I finally got a good double flare on the brake lines. All that's left is to hook up the flexible hose to the hard line on the frame. I just have to get the mounting bracket for that straightened out...it got bent a little and I was afraid of it rubbing the other lines in that area. Then I can install the master cylinder (pulled it for the hydraulic clutch conversion) and bleed the brakes and clutch. I think Monday I am going to tackle rebuilding the carburetor and finish off assembling the interior...just have to install the 145mph gage cluster I found for it and bolt the front seat down. Then all I need to do is get it titled and tabbed and I will be driving my first camaro....can't wait.

 

You sound like a young man, babying his first toy! That is nice to see. I like reading post like this, it shows that no matter what the econo is doing, people like you are reaching out to touch and enjoy their dreams! NICE... I really loved the part about the 145 speed-o, just remember this, those bald tires can't handle that high speed. however a blow out at that speed well teach you one thing, CONTORL/DEATH choose! lol....I gave up on having my car as a daily driver a long time ago. so I bought an 08 Superbee and a Z-4 for my daily drive. and finally gave my project to Hawkins to build for me...I work out in Kuwait/Afghan so by the time I get back home and pick up the car, it'll be done with all the mods. LS-1, T-56, 9in rear 4X Disc brakes, body kit. paint, int...ect...Yeah....it'll be screamer, and the best joy of all, I'm moving back to Seattle area in Oct. 2012 when I'm done out here, so come to the car shows and meet me then. I'll have (I think) the hotest T/A 3rd Gen around...

 

Looks like a good project. Good save!

 

Thanks! I got a lesson first hand with bald tires earlier this year. About a year ago I picked up a 92 dodge shadow 2dr for free. The PO said he did nothing (no maintenance or anything) to the car for the 7 years he had it. The front tires were so bad the I slid off the road twice....once while turning in to a parking lot and the second time trying to get to on the shoulder so an ambulance could pass. I was not going very fast at all...I was afraid to really push that car knowing it's history. I only baby my toys if I know they can't handle playing rough...yet....they do get pampered tho.

I didn't know the cluster had a 145mph speedo until I got it home. I was in a rush at the pull a part and grabbed it because my original cluster has a broken temperature gage. I figure I might be able to squeak out a year maybe two on the tires...as soon I have enough $$$ saved up, I'm getting new tires mounted on the stock rims...the tires on the stock rims are even worse than whats on the car.

So for now I'm just going to try and get the car reliable and save up for an eco-beater...like maybe a 4x4 subaru wagon.

In a couple weeks I will be looking at another camaro that the PO was thinking about scrapping out...he needs $$$. I'll post pics of it if/when I buy it.

 

Made some good progress today. The brakes and clutch hydraulics are bled...not too sure about the clutch but I guess I will find out soon enough. The interior is back together and I got the ecm and all its wiring removed. Im gonna top off the tranny tomorrow and finally get it off the jack stands. Then all I have to do is finish rebuilding the carburetor and get the engine running again.

 

Update....it's off the jack stands and is very close to being a driver. Have an issue with the brakes...see my post in the brake section...I think my booster is bad and/or a caliper is stuck. Going to the wrecking yard tomorrow to find a booster and pray that it works. I can't really afford a new one right now. Then all I really need to do is work on the interior. Have to run power to the driver seat and install a stereo for my long commute.

 

It's a daily driver now, the left front brake hose was bad. Going to wire up a stereo and the driver seat soon, but I bought another project that's going to be my main focus now.

It's a 63 chevy 1/2ton that I'm going to finish converting to 4x4.



It belonged to a friend of mine I've known since high school. His Dad bought it when he was 3 and gave it to him in high school. He did a mild restoration on it and then we used that beast for all kinds of camping/fishing trip and stuff. About 5 years ago he started converting it to 4x4 but then got married and life happened.

I picked it up Sunday and am going to use my 83 chevy 4x4 as a donor truck...gonna use the axles and hydroboost. I'm hoping to get it driveable by the end of summer.