1980 z28

[rusty428cj]

When this first came in we thought we could do a quick paint job, update the suspension and brakes make it a roller so the customer could install a GM crate engine. The owner bought it sight unseen but had it inspected. At first it looked great.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/01/DSCN6111_zpsfbf68b1c-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/rusty428cj/media/Nicks%201980%20Z28/DSCN6111_zpsfbf68b1c.jpg.html)

We removed the rear bumper and found this.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/01/DSCN6179_zps25393360-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/rusty428cj/media/Nicks%201980%20Z28/DSCN6179_zps25393360.jpg.html)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/01/DSCN6180_zps8b89dc3f-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/rusty428cj/media/Nicks%201980%20Z28/DSCN6180_zps8b89dc3f.jpg.html)

Cut out the first layer of rust

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/01/DSCN6401_zps6097f373-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/rusty428cj/media/Nicks%201980%20Z28/DSCN6401_zps6097f373.jpg.html)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/01/DSCN6405_zpsa5a1bc8e-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/rusty428cj/media/Nicks%201980%20Z28/DSCN6405_zpsa5a1bc8e.jpg.html)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/01/DSCN6407_zpsc50f4c39-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/rusty428cj/media/Nicks%201980%20Z28/DSCN6407_zpsc50f4c39.jpg.html)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/01/DSCN6409_zps1a300482-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/rusty428cj/media/Nicks%201980%20Z28/DSCN6409_zps1a300482.jpg.html)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/01/DSCN6461_zps1ba0b01a-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/rusty428cj/media/Nicks%201980%20Z28/DSCN6461_zps1ba0b01a.jpg.html)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/01/DSCN6464_zps0bac873d-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/rusty428cj/media/Nicks%201980%20Z28/DSCN6464_zps0bac873d.jpg.html)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/01/DSCN6489_zps7c8490f1-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/rusty428cj/media/Nicks%201980%20Z28/DSCN6489_zps7c8490f1.jpg.html)

[mitch_04]

Just picked up one of these, I'll be following this!

[rusty428cj]

One of the first things we did was install Global West subframe connectors

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/01/DSCN6220_zpsd2f3a14f-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/rusty428cj/media/Nicks%201980%20Z28/DSCN6220_zpsd2f3a14f.jpg.html)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/01/DSCN6235_zps316006de-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/rusty428cj/media/Nicks%201980%20Z28/DSCN6235_zps316006de.jpg.html)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/01/DSCN6242_zpsd67951c9-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/rusty428cj/media/Nicks%201980%20Z28/DSCN6242_zpsd67951c9.jpg.html)

[rusty428cj]

The T-top channel had rust that Brian had to cut out and fabricate patches

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/01/DSCN6521_zpsb3bda6d3-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/rusty428cj/media/Nicks%201980%20Z28/DSCN6521_zpsb3bda6d3.jpg.html)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/01/DSCN6683_zpse7907f90-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/rusty428cj/media/Nicks%201980%20Z28/DSCN6683_zpse7907f90.jpg.html)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/01/DSCN6688_zps1b2ce84c-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/rusty428cj/media/Nicks%201980%20Z28/DSCN6688_zps1b2ce84c.jpg.html)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/01/DSCN6702_zpse2bf2a86-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/rusty428cj/media/Nicks%201980%20Z28/DSCN6702_zpse2bf2a86.jpg.html)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/01/DSCN6714_zpsbe937290-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/rusty428cj/media/Nicks%201980%20Z28/DSCN6714_zpsbe937290.jpg.html)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/01/DSCN6706_zps86f7947f-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/rusty428cj/media/Nicks%201980%20Z28/DSCN6706_zps86f7947f.jpg.html)

[warpedoak]

Wow, those repairs look great!

[rusty428cj]

The owner ordered a DSE roll bar made for a 1980 Camaro.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/01/DSCN6463_zpsabfba9ce-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/rusty428cj/media/Nicks%201980%20Z28/DSCN6463_zpsabfba9ce.jpg.html)

Sanded and epoxy primed

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/01/DSCN6511_zps9dba3ed3-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/rusty428cj/media/Nicks%201980%20Z28/DSCN6511_zps9dba3ed3.jpg.html)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/01/DSCN6512_zps36e2e23f-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/rusty428cj/media/Nicks%201980%20Z28/DSCN6512_zps36e2e23f.jpg.html)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/01/DSCN6493_zps51e63443-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/rusty428cj/media/Nicks%201980%20Z28/DSCN6493_zps51e63443.jpg.html)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/01/DSCN6498_zpsd5ae8194-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/rusty428cj/media/Nicks%201980%20Z28/DSCN6498_zpsd5ae8194.jpg.html)

Before installing the roll bar we had to patch a few small holes in the floor and sand followed by a couple coats of epoxy

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/01/DSCN6635_zpsdffbce1a-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/rusty428cj/media/Nicks%201980%20Z28/DSCN6635_zpsdffbce1a.jpg.html)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/01/DSCN6640_zps33e29c01-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/rusty428cj/media/Nicks%201980%20Z28/DSCN6640_zps33e29c01.jpg.html)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/01/DSCN6775_zps86cf7efd-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/rusty428cj/media/Nicks%201980%20Z28/DSCN6775_zps86cf7efd.jpg.html)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/01/DSCN6727_zps32762367-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/rusty428cj/media/Nicks%201980%20Z28/DSCN6727_zps32762367.jpg.html)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/01/DSCN6928_zpsf9c41923-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/rusty428cj/media/Nicks%201980%20Z28/DSCN6928_zpsf9c41923.jpg.html)

[rusty428cj]

The right fender had rust in the brace plus a small spot on the fender. This is what it looked like under the brace.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/01/DSCN6353_zpsd7cb9131-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/rusty428cj/media/Nicks%201980%20Z28/DSCN6353_zpsd7cb9131.jpg.html)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/01/DSCN6356_zpsb1ae4808-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/rusty428cj/media/Nicks%201980%20Z28/DSCN6356_zpsb1ae4808.jpg.html)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/01/DSCN6366_zps73477885-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/rusty428cj/media/Nicks%201980%20Z28/DSCN6366_zps73477885.jpg.html)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/01/DSCN6369_zps824a78eb-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/rusty428cj/media/Nicks%201980%20Z28/DSCN6369_zps824a78eb.jpg.html)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/01/DSCN6370_zps23b92ab4-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/rusty428cj/media/Nicks%201980%20Z28/DSCN6370_zps23b92ab4.jpg.html)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/01/DSCN6374_zps7d69e9ce-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/rusty428cj/media/Nicks%201980%20Z28/DSCN6374_zps7d69e9ce.jpg.html)

The left fender did not have any rust showing but the owner wanted it taken apart and epoxy primed also.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/01/DSCN6375_zpseb95cf74-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/rusty428cj/media/Nicks%201980%20Z28/DSCN6375_zpseb95cf74.jpg.html)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/01/DSCN6376_zps7f848590-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/rusty428cj/media/Nicks%201980%20Z28/DSCN6376_zps7f848590.jpg.html)


https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/01/DSCN6377_zps0097145e-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/rusty428cj/media/Nicks%201980%20Z28/DSCN6377_zps0097145e.jpg.html)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/01/DSCN6662_zpse63024c4-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/rusty428cj/media/Nicks%201980%20Z28/DSCN6662_zpse63024c4.jpg.html)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/01/DSCN6663_zpse7d7a5fb-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/rusty428cj/media/Nicks%201980%20Z28/DSCN6663_zpse7d7a5fb.jpg.html)

[rusty428cj]

As we were taking the front end apart we noticed we had a rust problem where the steering box and sway bar bolted to the frame

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/02/DSCN6431_zpsb1a1f589-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/rusty428cj/media/Nicks%201980%20Z28/DSCN6431_zpsb1a1f589.jpg.html)

Sway bar bolts

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/02/DSCN6435_zps2789aab0-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/rusty428cj/media/Nicks%201980%20Z28/DSCN6435_zps2789aab0.jpg.html)

There was a lot of rust inside the frame

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/02/DSCN6437_zps6938c517-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/rusty428cj/media/Nicks%201980%20Z28/DSCN6437_zps6938c517.jpg.html)

Last Friday a semi delivered this DSE powdercoated assembled hyrdoformed subframe with rack and pinion steering and coilover shocks.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/02/DSCN7291_zps931722d3-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/rusty428cj/media/Nicks%201980%20Z28/DSCN7291_zps931722d3.jpg.html)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/02/DSCN7327_zps02ad801f-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/rusty428cj/media/Nicks%201980%20Z28/DSCN7327_zps02ad801f.jpg.html)

[LUV2XLR8]

did it get dinged in the front end?

[howehot]

We bought a 78 in 86 in Florida. 10 years later the body was still perfect but the rear frame rails were shot. You could poke your finger through above the axle.

[rusty428cj]

did it get dinged in the front end?

No front end damage just rust

[rusty428cj]

Painted the original color

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/02/DSCN7323_zps81f0ea3a-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/rusty428cj/media/Nicks%201980%20Z28/DSCN7323_zps81f0ea3a.jpg.html)

Brian wet sanded and buffed the body

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/02/DSCN7335_zps694e0013-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/rusty428cj/media/Nicks%201980%20Z28/DSCN7335_zps694e0013.jpg.html)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/02/DSCN7336_zpsa8d22af5-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/rusty428cj/media/Nicks%201980%20Z28/DSCN7336_zpsa8d22af5.jpg.html)

Unpacking the DSE front subframe assembly

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/02/DSCN7339_zpsbd776a80-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/rusty428cj/media/Nicks%201980%20Z28/DSCN7339_zpsbd776a80.jpg.html)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/02/DSCN7342_zps9fd4a0b9-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/rusty428cj/media/Nicks%201980%20Z28/DSCN7342_zps9fd4a0b9.jpg.html)

Subfame installed

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/02/DSCN7345_zps20b0f245-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/rusty428cj/media/Nicks%201980%20Z28/DSCN7345_zps20b0f245.jpg.html)

14" 6 piston Baer brakes

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/02/DSCN7348_zpsab6c0213-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/rusty428cj/media/Nicks%201980%20Z28/DSCN7348_zpsab6c0213.jpg.html)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/02/DSCN7353_zps34244523-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/rusty428cj/media/Nicks%201980%20Z28/DSCN7353_zps34244523.jpg.html)

[94BlownZ]

I love these cars. My first car was a 1979.....the things I did in that car! Love your work so far.

[opnwide]

Now you need to buy those 17" YearOne wheels and some sticky rubber and hit the track! I would've done the DSE subframe connectors, though.

Nice T-top repair.

[rusty428cj]

Now you need to buy those 17" YearOne wheels and some sticky rubber and hit the track! I would've done the DSE subframe connectors, though.

Nice T-top repair.

The subframe connectors were done before we found out the subframe had rust. This started out he just wanted a quick paint job and a little suspension and brake upgrade. As you can see things changed.

He has those wheels but they don't clear the brakes need 18".

[SSLance]

Love these cars...I call them the Disco Camaros...

Hate that you had to find all of that hidden rust though. The pics of the steering and sway bar bolts made me shudder...

Keep up the good work, it's gonna be a great car when you are done. What's going back in for an engine\trans combo?

[woodside783]

dont see many of these

[rusty428cj]

We finished wet sanding and buffing now fitting the Z28 decals

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/05/DSCN8195_zpsd46dfc1a-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/rusty428cj/media/Nicks%201980%20Z28/DSCN8195_zpsd46dfc1a.jpg.html)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/05/DSCN8198_zps6ae46363-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/rusty428cj/media/Nicks%201980%20Z28/DSCN8198_zps6ae46363.jpg.html)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/05/DSCN8206_zps3a4c767c-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/rusty428cj/media/Nicks%201980%20Z28/DSCN8206_zps3a4c767c.jpg.html)

Fenders, hood and nose lined up

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/05/DSCN8273_zps36078939-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/rusty428cj/media/Nicks%201980%20Z28/DSCN8273_zps36078939.jpg.html)

[rusty428cj]

We are finished except for installing the windshield and back glass molding that the owner has. He will finish putting it together. I'm not sure what he is going to do with the rear suspension.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/06/DSCN8280_zpsf19d943c-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/rusty428cj/media/Nicks%201980%20Z28/DSCN8280_zpsf19d943c.jpg.html)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/06/DSCN8281_zps5ee7caa5-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/rusty428cj/media/Nicks%201980%20Z28/DSCN8281_zps5ee7caa5.jpg.html)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/06/DSCN8283_zpsb55c0573-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/rusty428cj/media/Nicks%201980%20Z28/DSCN8283_zpsb55c0573.jpg.html)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/06/DSCN8285_zpsb17e6221-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/rusty428cj/media/Nicks%201980%20Z28/DSCN8285_zpsb17e6221.jpg.html)

[opnwide]

Nice result. I hope the owner keeps us updated.

[rusty428cj]

Going home

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/06/DSCN8316_zpsb008628a-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/rusty428cj/media/Nicks%201980%20Z28/DSCN8316_zpsb008628a.jpg.html)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/06/DSCN8319_zpsab3da789-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/rusty428cj/media/Nicks%201980%20Z28/DSCN8319_zpsab3da789.jpg.html)

[CampbellshotrodsAZ]

That car looks pretty freaking cool! Hopefully we can see the final product one way or another on here....

[ACONLP]

Love the build. father had a 1980 Z four speed car that he bought new. what you're doing will be my next build