bkypes
02-26-2015, 11:26 AM
It's almost time fellas. I've had my '79 Z28 since I was 15 years old and I finally make enough money to feel good about doing a build now and restoration. I've been going through the forums and trying to price everything out and set a budget. The only factor I can't price in is labor. Since I'm not a savvy with this type of thing and I live in California while my car is stored back in Michigan, I'm planning on hiring someone I know back there to do the work for me and then take a road trip back out to Cali or have it shipped.
Here's what my thoughts are: I want a car that's fuel efficient, like 22mpg or so (anything is better than 10mpg's though haha), has maybe 500-550hp and works well as a daily driver but can handle the canyons out here well and it needs to be able to pass CA emissions testing. I really love what Hot Rod did here (http://www.hotrod.com/cars/project-vehicles/hrdp-1101-project-1979-chevrolet-camaro-z28/), but I don't have the extra cash for a LS3. Will an LS1 swap work for that or am I going to need to step my game up and go with an LS3?
I've found plenty of LS1 engines with transmissions on eBay but I'm not quite sure what the best option is for having a build done. Since I'm not doing it myself, am I better off buying an engine and tranny with all the components or buying everything separately. From those of you who have done it separately, would you say the savings were worth the time you spent looking?
Along with that, I'll be upgrading the suspension, upgrading front disk brakes and converting the rear to disk as well.
I was thinking Hotchkis (http://www.hotchkis.net/product/tvs-total-vehicle-suspension-system-small-block-70-81-camaro-70-73-firebird/?mk=47&yr=1979&md=432&sm=450) suspension would work well, but if anyone has suggestions within $400 of their cost that would be worth the money, I'd love to hear.
For brakes, it doesn't seem like there are a lot of options. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
I'm thinking I'd like to get started on the drivetrain by the end of March and hopefully have that finished along with suspension and brakes by the end of May.
Here's what my thoughts are: I want a car that's fuel efficient, like 22mpg or so (anything is better than 10mpg's though haha), has maybe 500-550hp and works well as a daily driver but can handle the canyons out here well and it needs to be able to pass CA emissions testing. I really love what Hot Rod did here (http://www.hotrod.com/cars/project-vehicles/hrdp-1101-project-1979-chevrolet-camaro-z28/), but I don't have the extra cash for a LS3. Will an LS1 swap work for that or am I going to need to step my game up and go with an LS3?
I've found plenty of LS1 engines with transmissions on eBay but I'm not quite sure what the best option is for having a build done. Since I'm not doing it myself, am I better off buying an engine and tranny with all the components or buying everything separately. From those of you who have done it separately, would you say the savings were worth the time you spent looking?
Along with that, I'll be upgrading the suspension, upgrading front disk brakes and converting the rear to disk as well.
I was thinking Hotchkis (http://www.hotchkis.net/product/tvs-total-vehicle-suspension-system-small-block-70-81-camaro-70-73-firebird/?mk=47&yr=1979&md=432&sm=450) suspension would work well, but if anyone has suggestions within $400 of their cost that would be worth the money, I'd love to hear.
For brakes, it doesn't seem like there are a lot of options. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
I'm thinking I'd like to get started on the drivetrain by the end of March and hopefully have that finished along with suspension and brakes by the end of May.