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I know it's been a while since I've updated this thread, but it isn't for lack of progress on the car! Although I haven't taken nearly enough pictures, the following post should give a good update.
After the paint cured, it was time to start reassembly. Lights, trim, anything left over that needed to be bolted on got put on, including interior. I didn't take any pictures of the install, really. The wife and I worked together to reupholster the panels with a nice suede material. Everything but the door panels is in at this point.
It seemed to be a one step forward, two steps back battle until about a month ago. Every time I would work on the car, something else would break. I broke the bearings in the steering column, and both the front and back glass. Fortunately, I had a fiberglass hood I traded a buddy for a spare hatch, but the front glass cost me out of pocket.
So, I've always hated the Z28 style grills for the early thirdgen Camaros, plus I hate the price that classic wants for them. I decided to make my own on the cheap. I had some sheet metal leftover from the floor repair, and a buddy who works on a NASCAR team hooked me up with some 1/8 grill mesh (not the cheap home depot crap). I cut out a trim piece just big enough to cover the mounting tabs, and made the mesh fit behind it. The initial idea was to paint it white to match the car, but the nose is warped some, and I couldn't make it fit flush. The gaps really stick out against the white, so I ended up painting them black. I still need to finish mounting the fog lights behind them, but I think they look pretty slick.
So once most of the rest of the car was together, I started driving it around some. Mostly in my neighborhood, to the store, or the two mile drive in to work. This car had some SERIOUS bottom end hiccups. I played with the quadrajet for a while, but I decided to go a different route. I'm not a hardcore "keep everything stock BECAUSE" kind of guy, so it was time for a change. I had a Holley DP sitting in my garage, so I rebuilt it and mounted it up! I also got an MSD streetfire HEI distributor since the stock distributor for my car had no weights or vacuum advance. The car has seriously woken up! As much as an LG4 can, I would assume. Either way, I'm a lot happier now than I was.
As it stands now, the interior is 90% done, but not done enough for the car show I'm planning on taking it to this coming Saturday. The main missing link is the door panels. I bought used ones off a friend for next to nothing because they got wet and got warped. Not a huge problem because I don't mind reworking old pieces.
First thing i did was remove all the backing insulation and cardboard. All that remained was the fabric itself.
Step two was the biggest part: getting the big wrinkles out. I set the panels on my driveway, soaked them with water, and covered them with plywood and heavy weights. Overnight woud have probably been OK, but I let each one sit for a few days.
Next I got whatever litle wrinkles that were still left in it smoothed out with an iron.
Once the panel is smooth, I put 3m headliner adhesive down and pressed on the panel.
All that's left is wrapping the outer trim piece at the bottom and putting the clips in.
Wow... Just wow... Incredible it is with the amount of time, effort and I would not doubt...money that you have put in it. I've spent the last 45 minutes going through this post not comprehending what was being done. Miraculous job with anything and everything. Just out of curiosity, were have you acquired this insanely huge amount of information to confidently start a project such as this all by yourself. I have a 1989 Camaro Iroc-z28 that has been sitting in an uncovered storage lot for about five years and want nothing more than to start it as a project car. Just have to wait a little while longer. Beautiful car. Hope it comes out to be everything you imagined. As of now, I'm subscribing.
This project has been a fun one for me with a lot of ups and downs. The whole project as it sits today has cost me under $5,000. That includes the cost of buying both cars as well as all the work over the years. There are lots of ways to save money and still have a decent result, provided you do the work yourself.
To answer your question: I have been working on cars since I was 12. I started helping my dad with his little projects during the summers when I was a kid. We fixed up his old tractors, his boat, etc. I took auto shop in high school, and then spent a few years working on NASCAR teams and small independent shops. Everything else is just me having the ***** to dive into something I've never done before. I've got lots of support when I need help, too. Lots of buddies in the auto industry that are willing to answer my questions, as well as lots of thirdgen buddies here and on facebook.
Don't think you're going to be that crew on TV that puts a car together in a week. It just doesn't happen like that! There's never a wrong time to start working on your car. Be patient, research whatever project you're about to tackle, and start with small stuff. The little things over time have been what has gotten this project so far. Remember, I got this car in May of last year, and I've still got lots to do.
The car came out great. It looks great in white and at its ride height. Did you lower the front at all? I know my car has a much bigger front fender gap than yours does.
Also, how hard was it to paint the whole car? I kind of want to paint mine myself
Suspension is completely stock! I think turning the wheels is tricking your mind into thinking it's lowered some. Painting the car wasn't bad, just extremely time consuming.
I just went through this whole thread and thank my lucky stars for finding my '90 T/A for $1200. With 59k miles. And no rust. And a perfect body. With a new interior. And a fresh 9 bolt posi rear with 3.73 gears out of a low mileage 85 Z28. Ok, so it has a 700r4 and a 305 TPI, but it could be worse!
Wow! Man you have done a great job! And thank you for your service to our great country. You guys are real heroes and the reason we can keep living the American dream.
11-08-2015, 10:37 PM
