92 Camaro

iTrader: (1)

you can't be serious undercoating it with por 15

Thirdgen89GTA

iTrader: (5)

Why not? Explain your reasons?

Its not any different than painting it body color or powder coating it as far as his purposes are concerned.

92 Camaro

iTrader: (1)

It's not meant for it. there's a reason why they make undercoating. if he's going to go through the trouble of applying a protective coating, undercoating would be the smart choice. for 1 it's not right. second, it takes about half an hour for the viscosity to rise. so he's going to have to lay something across the whole length of the car as it drips. and then he'll have the underside looking like an ice cavern.
POR-15 DOES make an undercoating.

Carlos773

iTrader: (3)

I understand your concerns and I did think of it this weekend. I plan to just coat the rusted parts as the K-member, A-arms, Spindles, and LS1 Hubs with the POR-15 I have now.

Also alot of people have coated their underbodys with POR-15. No complaints on their end. As far as the dripping problems, I already semi coated the floors on my 95 Jimmy that were covered in surface rust. No dripping there.

92 Camaro

iTrader: (1)

i think that's a better purpose.

Carlos773

iTrader: (3)

Well my Bushing install went horribly wrong. Like the saying goes, if you want anything done right you gotta do it yourself.

Now I am in need of another A-Arm to disassemble and assemble with new parts. Also gonna be getting a press this week as a little gift for myself.

Other than that I got my hubs all done. Coated with POR and installed new Dorman Studs. Sure does look nice now.

Also on a side note. I debadged my GTP and fixed some scratches it had on the front bumper and side skirt.













Came out awesome. Heated the badge until you can wiggle it. Fishing line it off. 3m Adhesive Remover, Wetsanding with 1500 Grit, 2000 Grit, 3000 Grit, Meguiars Fine Sratch Remover/Polish, Meguiars Liquid Polish and Bam. Super Shiny. The Areas were done by hand, if I had a DA I would of done the whole car..


This is all good practice for later on for the 86.

Carlos773

iTrader: (3)

Well got a few things done to the 86. I spent most of the Thanksgiving break eating and mainly fixing the GTP. Today I actually spent some time on the 86 tonight.

First big thing was that I started coating the floors. Everything went smooth but like everyone says WEAR some damm gloves and a long sleeved shirt. I now have both my hands covered in it since my gloves got a small hole and slowly leaked in there. Most of it is gone though

Anyways quick picture:




They came out perfect. Word of advice though, use their metal ready spray. Makes POR-15 stick and apply way better. I only did the floors for now. I stopped near the lines where the back drain hole is. That section and back will be done when the rear is in the air. Still for the guy saying that coating POR-15 as a undercoating is a bad idea, it is if you don't do all 3 steps.



I also coated the spare a-arm I picked up. Still waiting on getting the press to put in the bushings. No rush though since even if I get them in, I still have to purchase the Koni Yellows for the front.


My garage is a mess from doing all this.





Anyways thats pretty much it, tomorrow I plan to do a touch up job on any spots I missed on the floors. I really want to get the suspension/underbody done so I can start with the interior/engine bay. I have alot of plans for those.

Carlos773

iTrader: (3)

A long update. Its on the floor again!

I bought a press on Saturday to finish off the control arm. It was still a pain but it was still better than using the Ball Joint press. Del-A-Lum bushings went in perfect and so did the Moog Ball Joint. I went and installed everything back together with the Intrax 2' Spring.

I also went ahead and swapped the fronts to the rears. Wheels that is. Since these have the deeper dish in the front than the rears. Also due to my Big Brake upgrade my fronts used to stick out past the fenders. Not anymore! Even with the spacer to clear the caliper.

Anyways some pictures!

Bought the 12 ton Press from Harbor Freight. Nice product but needs a base badly so it stays in place when doing jobs. If you always have a extra set of hands around then its fine. Other than that its well worth the $180. Already put it to use multiple times today.





Control Arm in with Spindle/Strut!




Brakes on..




This is the clearance with Rears in the fronts with Ls1 Brakes and a small spacer. The Spacer is what came on our cars stock, put them to use so the crosslaces don't rub on the LS1 calipers.



Stock cleareance, with the right wheels in place.




The car on the ground!

Carlos773

iTrader: (3)

Some more pictures of the front to rear wheel swap..



Thanks to this the wheels no longer stick out past the fender due to the Ls1 brakes! I might keep the wheels now..




Fronts in the rear. Looks 100x better. The original rears would stick so far in...



Rear Side shot.





Thats all for now. I plan to get the driver control arm done next week. I plan to Yank the rear out and get the Intrax in as well. I also need to grease everything up on the side I finished and get the sway bar bolted up.


Feels nice working on the 86 for once. Still I am being very patient since I have a long time before Spring.

karl's-92'-z28

iTrader: (5)

So front rims in back & back rims in front? Also what did you use & what did you use to strip & polish them?

Carlos773

iTrader: (3)

Yes sir. I am really liking the wheels now. I wanted to ditch them since they sticked past the front fenders. Now with the switch its flush. Its also given it a pretty good stance.

As for what I did to the wheels, the front is basically just clear coat stripped. With Oreillys Aircraft stripper it would remove the factory clear coat and leave that behind. A perfect almost mirror shine, yet there is still some imperfections. The rear wheel you see there had alot more that needed to be sanded so I went ahead and did it, I stopped at 600 grit. Still the front looks complete to most people. Yet I still plan to give it a sanding pass to get it perfect and completely strip the laces and paint them gloss black.

I plan to finish them when my interior is finished. Right now its Suspension>Interior>Exterior.

karl's-92'-z28

iTrader: (5)

Niice, what size spacers are using in the front? What are gonna strip the laces with? I bought a set of black crosslaces for $70, kinda rough, but they work. Lip is curbed rash so I gotta sand them down.

Carlos773

iTrader: (3)

You know the stock spacers that came on the rear of our thirdgens? Mainly 91-92 Camaros with Drum brakes? I assume their 0.25~. This spacer is needed to clear the ls1 caliper for Crosslaces. Here is a picture of them installed.




As far as updates, I originally was gonna just install the rear springs and lower her back down...




But I decided to yank the 9 bolt and inspect it for any issues from the few test drives I gave it this past summer.




I did find some issues. For one the passenger side caliper is still leaking brake fluid. This might be the problem I am having with soft brake pedal. Another is that somehow the passenger side shock is seized onto the 9 bolt. It will have to be cut off.

I have alot of parts to get on. I got Koni Yellows replacing the GR2s. Intrax Springs to replace the Moogs, Replacing the Fuel filter and undercoating as well as cleaning up the 9 bolt.

Good news is that I have officially paid off the GTP. So my funds are now free again to work on the 86. Although its Christmas season so it might be slow. Still very stoaked since I have pretty much nothing left and might have the car ready for paint early Feb.

karl's-92'-z28

iTrader: (5)

Ahhh, i wouldnt know about the spacers, my cars have rear discs..., its coming along nicely. Gives me motivation to work in mines. But its a lil hard, cuase its my dd ryte now.

Carlos773

iTrader: (3)

Thanks, I really have not worked on her in a while. Last start up was almost 4 weeks ago. I currently have the **** in the air with the rear end out. I decided to give the rear a good coating with POR-15. I will then be scrapping off most of the stock undercoating off the car and doing it over with POR-15 as well. I know all the problem areas are under that factory coating so that has to come off and be treated.

I plan to bolt everything back up including the exhaust. Then she is being driven out of the garage to make room for the GTP since it needs some fixing too. Getting mad wheel hop from it and its my daily so its getting most of the attention this weekend.

Carlos773

iTrader: (3)

Well this was a hell of a weekend. 2 days of getting the 86 back together to move it out of the garage for 30 mins to fix my GTP. Well atleast the 86 is back on the ground.

My father made a very good purchase for us which kept me warm in the garage and very happy. Its a Custom wood burning stove and is very well made, my neighbor told us about it and how cheap the guy was letting it go. It even lined up to our Chimney for the garage.



It kept my garage near 55F according to the thermometer. If you are about 10ft~ it will warm you up good.


Anyways the 86 got put back on the ground. I originally was just planning to swap in the Intrax springs but I yanked the 9 bolt and gave it a check through (Cones looked good) and a POR-15 coating and a Fluid flush. I then reinstalled everything and threw in the Intrax springs. I forgot to take pictures of it outside but did when I put it back inside. The LT1 runs like a top, even after not being started for 2 months it fired up in less than a second. Very pleased with it although everything is basically new Ignition wise and the Fuel Injectors will probably be sent out for cleaning.

Anyways I took some shots of it in the garage. The driver front still has a Moog 5662 spring. I still need to prep and finish my spare a-arm and get it installed.




Here is a picture I liked. It is just wanting to come out and play.




Its good to have it on the ground and moveable. I am also talking to a friend of my dad's who had his 04 Yukon wrecked (Was hit by a Semi, Son cut him off) by his son and is currently going through the insurance. I originally asked him to buy it back and I will pay what the insurance will require to keep it but I think it was too late for that. Now I just asked him to ask what Yard it will be headed to. I plan to go and yank the 6.0 since it only has 54k. If everything goes as planned the 86 will be going LSX.

Awesome-X

Lookin good! You should put a squirrel fan around that stove, it'll do wonders. That's what we use to heat our garage.

Carlos773

iTrader: (3)

You see the fan behind it? My father used some brackets I had laying around from my trans cooler that I did not use and made that dual fan hang from under the shelf there. Still without the fans it still does its job pretty well. The only problem is finding wood to throw in it.

Man looking at those pictures made me realize that my garage needs to be cleaned up badly.

Awesome-X

Yeah I see that lol. I live out in BFE and wood is about all we have anywhere -.- that and corn and coal all of which burn!

karl's-92'-z28

iTrader: (5)

Dam if i was closer i.would buy your LT1....hhahahaha

Carlos773

iTrader: (3)

Ha I was thinking about yanking it actually and selling it and starting over with LSX but now that some things have popped up with my GTP. Looks like the 86 will be getting put together since it might head out and be driven and in snow possibly...

I started having problems with the GTP tranny about a month ago, suddenly after leaving for work the car would hesitate to get going when cold, felt like it was in neutral but you can feel that its trying to get moving. After much messing around with I saw that once it was fully warmed up the car had no problems. There was no missing gears or any slipping besides when it was cold. Then on Thursday of this week after getting ready to leave from work, I noticed that there was no engagement when going from Neutral to Drive. Gave it some gas and nothing. Felt like it was in neutral. Same with 3rd. I found out it engages in 2nd and 1st. 2nd is driveable if the car is warmed up. Otherwise 1st is the gear of choice. Then you can manually shift into 2nd, 3rd and 4th with no problems.. After much research looks like the common wear problems caught up with me. Inner surface of the input clutch piston and forward apply band.

Called up a shop that is well known in the Grand prix forums and got a quote of nearly 2 grand for a complete rebuild/overhaul and said they are not willing to just fix those problems and ignore everything else since most likely theres more problems inside. I bought the GTP recently (2 months ago) and it cost me $3300. Add in close to $1000 in repairs it needed (Lower control Arms, Cv axles, Wheel bearings, Motor/Tranny mounts, brakes, etc). I just can't force myself to count my losses on it. Getting another vehicle will cost around what is needed to fix it.

I need to think about this but point is, The 86 is getting a test drive again this weekend and seeing if anything besides exhaust needs to be done to have it as an option to drive if the GTP goes under the knife.

Also if anyone near me has stock exhaust laying around (Manifolds & Y-Pipe), let me know, I might just slap on a stock exhaust for now to get it on the road.

Carlos773

iTrader: (3)

Enjoy, took some pictures while I took it out to fix the GTP. No major updates to report.

Awesome-X

Lookin great...makes me wish I'd have kept the Formula I had...

Carlos773

iTrader: (3)

Thanks, still need to finish the driver side A-arm and get the intrax spring on. You can see how much higher it sits than the passenger. Just too damm lazy to do it and now I have to swap the trans on the GTP this weekend.

I plan to do the a-arm next then start on the interior. Gonna yank everything out and clean everything. One thing I look forward to is getting rid of the dummy lights gauges.

I will report when anything is done. So far its just driving it in and out the garage to work on other cars.

Carlos773

iTrader: (3)

Well I decided to make a drastic change to the 86 for the exterior....

Gonna be doing a 91-92 nose swap this weekend. I already have a yard nearby with everything I need for the swap. It won't cost that much to see if I like it and If I don't then selling it for a profit would be the other win.

Pictures up this weekend hopefully/

karl's-92'-z28

iTrader: (5)

Niiiice......did you see TPI-Formula350 nose swap?

CharlesDeCapua

Very good idea to put an LT1 in her. LT1s are very good engines.

Carlos773

iTrader: (3)

I did, I like. His car looks to be the same color as mine as well. Even running the same wheels. Kinda freaky. I picked up the nose today in the morning. Got all I needed for right under $80. Non GFX nose, Headlights, bumper support with honey comb and some wiring.

It will have to wait until probably sunday. GTP needs tranny swap.

Carlos773

iTrader: (3)

I really hate this waiting game. Heres the update on whats going on. The GTP trans decided to start acting up. First it had Forward cold issues which was a worn inner surface of the input clutch piston. No problem, just have to wait until the car is warmed up. Then went the fordward band went. No problem just have to start to drive it in 2nd or 1st then manually shift up. Then it started slipping heavily in 1st and completely slips in 3rd when given over 50% throttle. Then on the 13th (Ha ironic) 1st just completely slipped and the car would not go anywhere. I then started calling around and ended up talking to one of my dad's friends who works at a local yard and said he will bring a tranny for me since he remembers a few SC'd 3800s in his yard.

Fast forward abit and he brought me a 4t65e but ended up being a non hd. GTP's use a Heavy duty 4t65e which uses a different differential and completely different passenger side axle. He insisted it was from a SC'd 3800 and then brought up a lame story how one of the other workers probably just grabbed the first one he saw. He said he will call me when he finds the few he saw and well that was last week. He called my dad a few days ago and said he might have found one and will bring it this sunday.

Lets see how that goes, I really need to get the GTP fixed and out of the garage. I am just fed up with it to be honest. $3300 purchase, over $800 invested (New CV's, Bearings, Control Arms, Brakes, AGX struts, etc) not including the tranny cost replacement. That being said, its technically sold now. My uncle brought it up jokingly that he will take it off my hands if I am really that fed up with it. I threw out the price and he accepted only after the new tranny is in and the car is up and running. That being said, that money will hopefully bring in another Third Gen to the fleet to replace the GTP but for now the GTP sits in the garage while the 86 is outside..





As far as the 86 goes. I plan to stock pile up alot of goodies for when it goes back in the garage. So far I have purchased a set of Hooker 2055's from Five7kid that look good, Shaved Air and opened up collectors. This will most likely be going to a Cutout with the Aerochamber in my garage. I have been looking at Gmmg but its all in the air if I am not satisfied with the Hooker.

I have also been deciding on wheels. So far I am still on C5 DD from OE. Originally I wanted the 17x9.5 all around Black with Polished Lip but I seem to have now have a liking for the 17x9.5 Front and 18x10.5 Rears in the Polished version. They just look amazing imo




I plan to start making alot of progress in the next few weeks.

Awesome-X

Sucks that the trans you got the first time wasn't the right one. Hopefully next time he'll pull the correct one. I really like that 4th gen, though. I might have to start looking for something like that lol.

Carlos773

iTrader: (3)

I know but He came through today! Came home and my dad told me to go check out whats in the garage. I went to go find another 4t65E (This makes the 4th, Yes 4) and this one is a HD (Pass axle fit fine).

I will get it installed this Saturday and get the 86 back where it belongs.

Awesome-X

I'm having lots of car problems, too. My MR2 turbo has a bad valve, my Camaro has a bad starter, and just today my Geo decided that it should drop it's compression in cyl 1 from 110 to 30

Carlos773

iTrader: (3)

That sucks, the GTP is the only thing giving us problems. All our other 4 cars are running perfect...

Carlos773

iTrader: (3)

Well been a while since I updated but alot of things have been done.

For one, the GTP is fixed. Replaced the transmission last week and had it all done but looks like I missed some things. Finished everything on Saturday and it runs better than ever, pulls harder than before which makes me think what ratio the old rebuilt 4t65e that I blew had. Had a hiccup and one of the cooler line blew but it was fixed. I replaced the line with a small patch of cooler hose I had laying around from the 86. Hopefully it lasts until I stick a trans cooler similar to what I installed on the 86.

As far as the 86 goes, Installed the Hooker 2055s that I bought from Five7kid. These had Air removed, collectors opened up and Jet Hot coated. I had a 02 bung welded onto the Y pipe right after the merge and slapped them on. Hopefully I get no leaks like I did with the Hedman 68469s. I also went ahead and ordered a Dynomax 3' Cutout Y. Should make fun times when I get bored of hearing my Hooker Aerochamber.

Also went ahead and dropped the driver side suspension to get in the Intrax Spring, Moog Ball Joint and Global West Bushings to finish off the driver side like I did to the passenger. I got everything off but my 12 ton Harbor Freight Press decided to crap out and now I have to see if its a simple refill and bleed or if the Bottle jack needs to be replaced.

The interior is also getting messed with, got the seats and carpet out and cleaned everything and came out amazing. Cluster came out as well since I will be doing Autometer gauges. The price hurt my wallet but I got all the gauges I needed/wanted. Its gonna be much cleaner than running the triple gauge pod pillar and tach mounted in a cup.

I also made my decision on wheels, I went with C5 DDs and have them coming in early this week, still have to test fit and see what tires I can fit without having to do alot of modification.


Sorry no pictures, I dropped my phone and cracked the main screen. I needed to upgrade anyways.

Thirdgen89GTA

iTrader: (5)

Your engine will not read correctly if the bung is welded in after the merge. You have at least 1 O2 per bank. The PCM reads both of them. Your fueling on the passenger side bank will be off if the O2 is taking readings from after the Y-pipe merge.

Carlos773

iTrader: (3)

I meant after the header collector to y pipe collector. Like I said it was a tight fit to get the bung welded on the header so I went this route.

Carlos773

iTrader: (3)

Haha love driving the 86. I finished up the 2055 install and no big problems. There is a small leak but its a pin size hole from the air tubes that were deleted. I then installed my Dynomax Cutout which I had to get a few holes welded shut near the welds. Kinda disappointing from Dynomax but it was a simple fix.

The car sounds amazing with open Y pipe. Love the tone. When giving it gas and having the Yank do its job, the car just screams and goes sideways. Needless to say my neighbors had a good show while they were having a cold one.

That brings me to my next dilemma. I love the current sound of the exhaust which is solved by the cutout. So that made me change my mind a bit on what Catback to go with. Currently I have a Hooker Aerochamber system but need the hangers which will make the install really annoying. I might just attempt to get it on and see how it lines up. My other option is buying a quiter Catback. Magnaflow comes to mind. Great sound, flow but those tips...

Any ideas?

Here is a engine bay shot of how it looks currently. Everything needs its polishing so it looks very dull.

karl's-92'-z28

iTrader: (5)

B&B exhaust tips, or GMMG tail pipes. Wheres the nose swap dammit....lmao.....

Carlos773

iTrader: (3)

The nose swap is the last thing on the list to do man lol. Exterior is being done after everything is basically done with Suspension and interior.

I am still undecided on this since I have to find a rear bumper as well which will mean even more $. Might just keep the same nose, sell the formula one for a profit and help it fund a Cam swap.

Carlos773

iTrader: (3)

Haven't updated in a while but alot has happened since then.

I drove it most of this week to work and back. I love it!


Car runs good. Handles amazing, brakes amazing and besides some smoking problems (Valve seals) its awesome. Driving it around and getting compliments left and right and people wanting to test it just makes my hard work worth it.

I still have alot to do but im glad its driveable and reliable. It does have its problems that need to be fixed/looked at, but im happy. All I gotta say for those wanting to swap a LT1, Do it if your on a budget, buy a good torque converter and swap in a Cam and go ape ****. I love this thing.

Anyways enjoy these pictures. Expect me at TGF for sure this year!

Carlos773

iTrader: (3)

Got the gauges on. I like em. One thing is how dim they are at night but I already ordered LED bulbs for em.

Heres a crappy picture.




No other updates besides this, still debating on wheels. Can't decide yet.

tylercamaro

iTrader: (1)

is your dash red?

Carlos773

iTrader: (3)

Yes came factory that way. I didn't spray it if thats what your thinking.

Still need to clean everything up interior wise.

tylercamaro

iTrader: (1)

i want more pics of it, ive never ever seen any dash color except like black and gray

Thirdgen89GTA

iTrader: (5)

You should join us at Cordova on may 20th.

Then again the road America rental is the 28th and 29th of April.

I am most likely going to do a mad blast to get the car ready in time.

Carlos773

iTrader: (3)

Anymore info? Would love to go.

The bird is basically ready. Still need to finish refinishing the wheels and new tires.

Anyways here is a old pic of the interior.

Thirdgen89GTA

iTrader: (5)

Road America info is here: http://roadamerica.mfba.org/

The Cordova rental is a semi private test n tune. It's private but we've never turned anyone away I'll have to check on the pricing and hours. I think it's a full day rental. I usually run a out 10-15 times before I put the keys away for fear of abusing my ride home. The hot lap ming was crowned with nearly 50 back to back runs.

tylercamaro

iTrader: (1)

that had to have been dyed. but simply awesome nonetheless

Carlos773

iTrader: (3)

Its stock, I said the same thing when I saw it but I have seen the same interior a few times at the Junkyard. Doesn't bother me. I won't change it.

Carlos773

iTrader: (3)

Been really busy the past few weeks with work and with the personal life that I have been abusing the Bird. Gave it a good wash and cleaning and went for a mini amateur shoot. Enjoy.

PS. I finished refinishing the Crosslaces and came out pretty good as you can see. They are for sale for $350.