crafty_z28

Hey guys, I've been creeping this site ever since I had my '82 Z/28 after graduating and Leaving my hometown for the Canadian forces.
I figured it's about time that I post of a kind of build diary for the current one seeing that I'm a bit more determined to finish this one the right way.

Basically, like the title says, it's an '86 Z/28 hardtop, 327(yea i know...), auto. I bought it after selling my Eclipse Spyder GSX (yep, AWD swap), I got it cheap, but in pretty rough shape, really it still kind of is... I got it not running, stinky old interior, bald tires on old crappy wheels. I already got it running, drove it around for a few days before the tranny blew out, went to replace it with a th300... realized it was too short. so instead of just fixing the issue, I ordered a Painless chassis harness, and started to strip the car down.

The plan is to strip the car down to a rolling chassis, re-do the interior/chassis harness, prep for paint/paint the car. refresh the motor and go from there. Eventually I'll end up going for the GM Performance LS3 E-Rod system, and 4th gen rear end. Pics will come soon!!!!

Javier87z28

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crafty_z28

well.. as promised, Pictures!! I'll start off with the car as it was after I got it running the first time, and gave it a good cut polish.
And before anyone says anything, yes it has the sport coupe bumper on it. the car was in a front end bump, the kid could only find this bumper I guess.. But I kinda like it. any thoughts on keeping it? or should I find a proper matching bumper and lip?

crafty_z28

and some progress pictures. sofar, the entire chassis wiring harness, and the v8 tbi harness is out as well. all the interior, minus the rear carpet is out, both bumpers, and fenders are off. So it's slowly coming along. Lol I hope nobody expects this to go very fast. I'll try my best to keep things up to date. I hope that next time I get back from work (I have a camp job in the North West Territories) I can get the chassis stripped down to metal, get a good etch primer on it, and do the minor body work that's needed. This Z is pretty far from origional, so I might as well finish it the way I want too. Haha I bet the only thing origional on this car is the shell and rear end...


the red is the test area I decided to do so I can tell if I liked that color. the car was Red from factory, But I'm looking at going with the Victory Red off the new Camaro.


I've learnt from other threads to keep some things for the painless harness kit. I'll try to make it as detailed as possible when mine comes in

LivinLarge

I really like the sport coupe front bumper!! Hpe did you tint the tail light? Covers? Vht?

crafty_z28

thanks! I like it too, I think it would look better with a different grill and lip tho at least. And the tails are done with VHT. The RCMP here are pretty picky about tinted lights and windows, specially on black cars, so it's only two coats VHT, a wet sand, three clear coats, and more wet sanding lol

Here's my friend's Blue DC5, same deal, two coats of VHT, still needs a good cut and buff tho... He's been too busy to let me finish it off..

Richboll

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crafty_z28

well, went to the shop today to pick up my Painless harness. I have to say, I'm pretty impressed. Deff give them two thumbs up! they give you quite the booklet, so I'll be spending the night reading that, tomorrow I'll start running the wiring. I'll take lots of notes for people, and do up some diagrams.
'Till then... PICS!!


my buddy (who owns the shop lol) thought he was funny, considering I've done a good part of his wiring.

crafty_z28

Well, sorry for the slow timing. Been in the zone trying to finish as much as I can. I got the harness all run out, carpet and dash are back in. She's all ready to go to the shop, found some goodies at pick 'n pull. Well, as promised, Pics!!!

The rats nest of figuring out where crap goes lol

the proper pigtail for signals (they give you two types)

everything somewhat placed

Did a little swap


Carpet in went black this time to simmer down on the red


I even put the Z/28 Decal from my old '82 on the dash

to the dump! lol

crafty_z28

Here's how the car stands as of now:


Woot! found a correct bumper for the car!!!


I'm headed back to work tomorrow so the Z is gunna sit under cover for three weeks, after that it's going to the shop where I have access to a hoist and air. Going to grind off the paint down to the metal, grind off the drip sill, primer the car, drop the th300 and sell it , pick up my Muncie, and get started on the motor rebuild. big plans for sure