Schwartz Performance 1972 Vega

[jeff s]

Kind of a lower buck customer project.
It's getting an LS engine and a lot of suspension work.
We got a complete 38,000 mile aluminum 5.3 from a Buick Ranier for $700.
The rear end is a 3.42 posi 8.5 inch 10 bolt from an S10 2wd 5 spd 4.3 which is the same width as the original Vega unit and it has disc brakes.
We're calling it the "Flying Turd"

[marc_b]

project flying turd. A little diffrent from what most people call there projects. should be a cool build to watch. don't see to many vegas with the protouring bug.

[Ron S]

Love the Vegas.Jeff, is it me ,or does the rear wheel opening look too far forward on these cars (kind of looks like an altered wheelbase gasser) That is probably the only body style I would add wheelbase to. Ron

[Taman]

I had a 76 Vega. I always wanted to put a V8 into it. It was a 18k mile rust free California car. That car is going to be a blast to drive.

[MCMLXIX]

very cool... You need to swap the tail lights for some 96 ZR-1 taillights.... same basic shape, would be a sublte upgrade

[JEFFTATE]

Vegas and Monzas rule.
I'd love to have one of those small cars..

[jon72vega]

That will be COOL!

[Chevrolaine]

Love Vega's but ewwww, that's a coupe!!

[capjr]

Love Vega's but ewwww, that's a coupe!!
Thats what makes it cool NOT a Hatch or wagon or panel something diff :)

[jeff s]

Love Vega's but ewwww, that's a coupe!!
Yea, I 'm not real hot on the coupe body, but this one in rust free, 44,000 original miles with a mint interior, save for seats.

[Kenova]

Please tell me you have a build thread for this thing.
Especially for the suspension!
This one is mine.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/11/CIMG3999-1.jpg
Ken

[80 MONZTA]

Nice, I will be watching this for sure. I can't wait to see what you do with the susspension as well.

[Tony_SS]

subscribed!

[SamHatco]

We're calling it the "Flying Turd"


Ooooooh.... I don't about the name. If I were paying someone to build my car and he calls it a turd, I think my feelings would be hurt. I would probably say "Vega? Great car, love Vegas, how much do you want to spend?"

Sam

[Flyntrd]

Love this, cant wait to see how it turns out.

[Kenova]

Please tell me you have a build thread for this thing.
Ken

:banghead: What was I thinking!?
This IS the project thread. :hand:

Ken

[rixtrix1]

This is going to be good, Jeff. $700 for that engine is fantastic. Makes me wish I still had my '74 GT bought new. Keep it coming, please.

[carguy502]

Awesome pick-up on that motor. this will be a thread to watch.

[MonzaRacer]

both 77s the yellow one is gone, wrecked by a blown front tire, blue one in progress,,,,.
The yellow one had a tight 355 in it, th350 and 3.42 s10 rear on swing arm suspension.
I am working on a triangulated 4 link, and air ride for H bodies. Still need to work up how to get ShockWaves in the front.
I have Bob Gumms adapters on front of mine these let S10/Gbody spindles to fit 2nd gen Hbodies ball joints. I also have a die being made to open up stock control arms, and plans for a weld in ball joint adapter so S10 lower joint can be added to lowers.
But for uppers Marcus at SC&C will be making me a set of SPC control arms and then will use stock S10 joints.
My intentions are to up grade from first gen s10 spindles to 2000-up Blazer ZQ8 spindles then upgrading to Corvette brakes after I get a set of 17 in wheels.
Lee Abel
AFTERMARKET PERFORMANCE

[jeff s]

Painted it today, pics soon

[jeff s]

Painting the engine tomorrow

[Kenova]

What colour is that Jeff? Is it a factory colour or a custom blend.

Ken

[crystalss]

Looking forward to this build...My first car was a 72 vega I swapped in a 267 SBC. The joy of a 16year old!
Love to see more pics.

[jeff s]

What colour is that Jeff? Is it a factory colour or a custom blend.

Ken
Factory color, but with PPG DBC we had to scan the color to come up with the formula.

[jeff s]

Here's some more in process shots. Window trim back on.

[jeff s]

painted and dressed up engine.

[jeff s]

I got the s10 spindles, brakes and 8.5 rear end in there.

[jon72vega]

Looking Good, Jeff !!!

[CruizinKev]

nice :twothumbs

[John Wright]

That will be a really slick toy when you get all of that together...I always loved those lil V-8 vegas.

[z06fromhell]

nice, different, but nice.

[jeff s]

got these Superlite wheels

[Ratty 46]

Hey Jeff ..... kewl ride .... but ...... don't you usually do all the cutting & trimming then paint when its done??

You sir must be very confident.

Keep us posted.

Ratty 46

[RJ66]

Looking good Jeff, I had the Pontiac version of that in high school but not as cool.



Randy(D&Z Customs LLC.)
[email protected]
1-262-347-9741

[jeff s]

Trans wouldnt fit after locating the engine where i wanted it.

[showa]

Love the small car/ V8 builds...And it's a sweet Vega...:1st:

[jeff s]

Should have this done in a few weeks.

[TGVettes]

This is another build I would love to do. I had a Candy apple Red 71 Vega Hatchback back in the 80's
Even though pretty much everything broke multiple times on that car I actually miss it.

Tonny

[jeff s]

Here's some more pics with Superlite wheels, engine bay seam welded, BeCool rad etc

[shortrack]

are you bracing the rest of the chassis....?

[TGVettes]

Whats the wheel and tire size?

[Taman]

Got to love little cars with V-8 engines. I had a 76 in High School. California car with 18k miles. Wish I still had that car. Nice Vega project Jeff.

[TGVettes]

After seeing this project I'm definitely on the hunt for one.

[ChevelleNV]

this makes me miss my Vega Wagon I had when I was 18, we stuffed a 3.8 V6 buick in it. :)

[John Wright]

Those old skool style mini-lites look right at home on that Vega...very neat

[JJEH]

Nice Vega... there are really rare here in Germany...

[a73formula]

I've been waiting to see one of these. I had a 71 mustard yellow wagon in high school and wish i still had it to do an ls1 swap. Whats the weight difference on the ls1 and 4 cylinder?

[jeff s]

I've been waiting to see one of these. I had a 71 mustard yellow wagon in high school and wish i still had it to do an ls1 swap. Whats the weight difference on the ls1 and 4 cylinder?
100 lbs more than the stock alum block, cast iron head 4 banger.

[jeff s]

Whats the wheel and tire size?
15x7 and 15x8 with 225/50x15's on both ends.

[Steve1968LS2]

I love Vegas.. would love to build one but they are hard to find out here.. or you find them and they've already been Pro-Streeted out.

Nice project!

[Jim Nilsen]

I just bought a Vega friday for $1.29 !!!!!

It was a very cool looking YELLOW one with a front air dam and rear spoiler and black stripes that look great.

It's a HOT WHEELS:lol:

[TGVettes]

Jeff,
Is the S10 spindles/brakes a bolton on the Vega suspension?

Tonny

[wedgehead]

I just found a 73 guy wants 200 for it. Going to get it monday.

[TGVettes]

I'll get a 71-73 as soon as I see one worth buying.
I want a hatchback though

Tonny

[Roger M]

There was a mid-engined hatchback Vega back in the late 70s/early 80s that appeared in HR or CC. Was very well thought out. I'm surprised there aren't more PT themed Vegas/Astres/Monzas out there.

Cool project Jeff. Looking forward to seeing the finished product.

[COPO-RAT]

What kind of suspension mods did you do?

[jeff s]

Addco sway bars, S10 spindles, Flaming river quick ratio box, and a few other tricks.
Engine installed yesterday, more pics soon.

[SicMonte]

i love the fact that Jeff builds cars that are out of the box....when we doing my car ???

[Kenova]

....... Flaming river quick ratio box,
Was this a rebuilt Vega box, or one of the newer GM boxes? If it's one of the newer ones, did it bolt in without any mods?

Ken

[jeff s]

New Vega type box, with billet top cover

[Protour_Pinto]

What ever happened with this car? Any specs on the finished product?

[MonzaRacer]

He was racing it and wound up wrecking it but for a basic LSx 5.3 swap it was pretty impressive.

[howehot]

The Vega was being raced but not by Jeff. I was told the story when they were building my G-body chassis. I'll let someone else tell it, not sure if it's public knowledge.

[cobragt]

There was something about it in Popular Hot Rodding a few months back. Sounded like the car was no more.

[howehot]

Hit so hard the doors wouldn't open.

[Kenova]

It's sad. If it had been another '69 Camaro it would have been fixed by now. Unfortunately the Vega is considered a throw-away car, just as they were in the '70s.

Ken

[Tony_SS]

Perfect time for Jeff to pick up an EcoVette build!

[jeff s]

EcoVette? What's that?

[carguy502]

It was an Ecotec powered Chevette. It was never finished and the owner sold the motor for an EcoVega build.

https://www.pro-touring.com/showthread.php?35479-Project-Chevette-Turbocharged-Ecotec&highlight=Ecovette

Do it, Jeff!!!

[Tony_SS]

EcoVette? What's that?

What carguy said!! I was stoked about that build until it went nowhere...

[Bowtie racing]

I got the s10 spindles, brakes and 8.5 rear end in there.

Jeff, sorry drag this up from archives, but can you tell me more about S-10 axle swap. Did you change the axle mountin brackets? Or was the mounting points on the body altered?

[Boosted Falcon]

Jeff, fun project. Years ago I had a SBC powered Vega and was looking around for one before I started the Falcon project. Those little cars are hard to fine in decent shape.

[Schwartz Performance]

Jeff, sorry drag this up from archives, but can you tell me more about S-10 axle swap. Did you change the axle mountin brackets? Or was the mounting points on the body altered?

The LCA's were factory brackets
The uppers were custom brackets to make a triangulated 4 link.

-Dale

[Bowtie racing]

The LCA's were factory brackets
The uppers were custom brackets to make a triangulated 4 link.

-Dale


Thank you Dave!