Custom Works 71 Z28 being reborn

[ks71z28]

Long before Custom Works came about, well 1990, I purchased a 1971 Camaro. It was a pile of junk, to say the least. Over the years the car has evolved and changed based on things like Budget, time, parts availability, testing, racing, and new ideas. The car has been going through a major transformation over the past 18 months, brought on by an engine failure. The entire suspension set up reflects our most current GT suspension parts. The brakes have been upgraded to our new "Big Brake" kits front and rear, and the EFI system has been revamped via Carbon fiber intake plenum, and Latest Holley HP EFI controller. Here is a brief timeline of the car and its most current changes. Enjoy, its been a hell of a 20 year journey for me!

this is the car after I got it home and found the motor had a huge crack in the side of the block
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/10/firstpicture-1.jpg

this is a picture from about 1996, check out the early "pro-touring" Cues the car had already seen a bit of autocross action and the Sliver State Classic inspried me to do a 10 point roll cage.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/10/durham-1.jpg

Here is the 71 Z28 in its last event before the motor went away in 6/09
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/10/IMG_0222-1.jpg

Here is the engine compartment prior to tear down
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/10/IMG_0032-1.jpg

Many of you may recognize this photo, as Anvil used it in their ads in many of the Car mags over the last year. Also note the wheels have changed on the car in every picture, 20 years and 6 different sets of wheels!
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/10/IMG_0258-1.jpg

Here is the new long block assembled. All that we reused from the old motor was the block and the AFR 195 head castings. A new Eagle lightweight rotating assembley was installed, and the the heads were upgrades to manley 2.05 valves, comp beehive springs, a slightly larger 234/238 .585" hyd roller cam, 10.25:1 Compression. With an aluminum flywheel and the new rotating assembley we were able to remove 30 pounds of rotational weight!
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/10/longblock-1.jpg

Here is the motor all mocked up with the Carbon fiber intake and valve covers
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/10/photo-2.jpg

The engine bay and subframe were thoroughly prepped to house the new motor. Hot Rod Black by SEM was used, all holes on the firewall were welded, and smoothed.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/10/IMG_0879-1.jpg

Alas the motor is in! Still awaiting the engine harness to get fired up.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/10/IMG_0888-1.jpg

All was not well, the pan had to be clearanced for the headers, which was done long before the engine was installed, but... the headers still could not be slipped in the car with the pan on the motor. After many hours or cursing, and trial the headers were installed, but not after engine was jacked off mounts, pan was removed, as well as oil pump, that sucked! what a close fit
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/10/IMG_0881-1.jpg

Here is the new "Big Brake" kit we developed while putting the car together. Prior we had our C5 brakes on the car, which worked very well, but this set up will really handle the track abuse.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/10/IMG_0575-1.jpg

The rear brakes got upgraded too! Matching billet rear calipers were used on the rear. Also you can see the new composite rear leafsprings
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/10/IMG_0865-1.jpg

More to come as progress continues, thanks for looking

[MrQuick]

welcome back Keith,

It has been along time. Car is looking great. I love the intake tube.


Hope to see more progress.

Vince

[ks71z28]

We just finished a new designer radiator cover. It is clean and smooth, unlike the stoke piece. Below is a picture installed with a Anvil closeout panel, but was designed to be used with out their panel in mind. I actually slid it under the closeout panel. It looks like a different color in one of the photos, but it is from the flash, and the difference in the angle of the 2 parts. This cover obviously isn't designed to be used with a shroud, and made to fit those custom radiators with electric fans.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/12/webshot-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/12/wanvilcloseoutpanel-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/12/photo27-1.jpg

[bonecrrusher]

Cool - like the progress over the years and the cf parts.

I'm just as bad - I have 3 sets of wheel for my Vette and I've only had it 3 years!

[ks71z28]

Cool - like the progress over the years and the cf parts.

I'm just as bad - I have 3 sets of wheel for my Vette and I've only had it 3 years!

I guess wheels are like shoes for women!

The running list of carbon fiber parts that we did over the years in order

1 Radiator cover- old style

2 Ralley Sport Nose piece

3 Trunk lid

4 Bumpers

5 Flat style hood w/Anvil

6 New style RS nose

7 Datsun 240z triple carb air box

8 Holley Stealth Ram upper plenum

9 Radiator Cover New design

We also develop products for other companies. We developed a womens specific bicycle seat, and we are working on a 69 Charger front spoiler and side skirts. We have several new products in the que as well

[musclecarmatt]

very nice ride man!

[$Mike70Z-28]

nice AAAAAAA ++++++

[DanTheMan661]

This is absolutely BEAUTIFUL, i have a 74' Firebird formula 400 that i am looking to put in a 94 Camaro z28 SS engine in. since you have the same subframe did you have to have to get motor mount adapters or and mods to make your engine fit? any tips or anything i need to know before i go buy the engine and attempt this?

[Rod]

Car is looking great Keith! build on my brother!

[ks71z28]

This is absolutely BEAUTIFUL, i have a 74' Firebird formula 400 that i am looking to put in a 94 Camaro z28 SS engine in. since you have the same subframe did you have to have to get motor mount adapters or and mods to make your engine fit? any tips or anything i need to know before i go buy the engine and attempt this?

Dan,

the motor is NOT an LT1, but an LT1 swap is pretty easy to bolt in, the electronics and fuel system are the big deal. In our shop we do lots of engine swaps, and are doing an LT1 swap as we speak, maybe we can help you out

[ks71z28]

Thanks Rodney,

the car is coming back to life slowly, customer stuff comes first. See you in march for the goodguys for sure!

[LeighP]

Nice work, your 2nd gen looks great.

[Rod]

Thanks Rodney,

the car is coming back to life slowly, customer stuff comes first. See you in march for the goodguys for sure!

whhhaaatttt!!!!!!! you will bring out the car in March!!! awesome!!! :woot:

[ks71z28]

I will likely bring the car running or not!

[ks71z28]

Here is an update. We have completed the coilover conversion, and used our car as the test vehicle. All went really well, and the conversion was really straight forward and we feel anyone with good welding and fab skills could install our kit successfully. The coilover kit uses AFCO double adj coilovers, which are the finest quality out there. The set up also shaved about 15 pounds per corner! Coilover conversion kit will be available in about 5-6 weeks, call us if you have any questions

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/04/IMG_0966-1.jpg
While we were at it we designed a front cradle to stiffen the subframe. It is constructed from 1 5/8 chromoly tubing, .084" wall. It weighs about the same as our G-braces, but much more effective. We also integrated a plate that sandwiches between the two master cylinders to keep the firewall from flexing when the brakes are applied.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/04/IMG_0944-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/04/IMG_0945-1.jpg

[jeffandre]

Keith,
Any cost yet for the engine cage setup? It will work perfectly for my 71 as I already have the dual master setup installed...

If I get it, I can consider modifying my G-braces to work on my 92 Toyota pickup!

[ks71z28]

Keith,
Any cost yet for the engine cage setup? It will work perfectly for my 71 as I already have the dual master setup installed...

If I get it, I can consider modifying my G-braces to work on my 92 Toyota pickup!

That part is a one off deal, but if you can get the car up here we can build another. It is chro-mo tubing, anf the disconnects at the front of the frame made this an expensive part to build, but really worth it. It is being powder coated today I will update the pics when it is installed

[DYNODANNY]

The camaro is really looking good, good job.

[dropit69]

got a question in one pic you have spc upper control arms..in next you have a set of tubulars.?...did you like the spc arms?..im looking for new set for mine and was thinking of them..

[MARBIL]

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h231/ks71z28/My%2071%20Z28/IMG_0258.jpg
I love the wheels, are they minilights?? kind of what I am thinking for my firebird

[THE TECH]

Lotta nice parts!

[ks71z28]

here are some new shots of the front suspension and our new brake kit
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/04/IMG_0979-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/04/IMG_0975-1.jpg
here is our one off engine cradle all powder coated and installed
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/04/IMG_0974-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/04/IMG_0970-1.jpg

[Motown 454]

Very Nice! The car looks great.

[musclecarmatt]

that engine cradle looks badass!

[LeighP]

Nice work on the cradle...looks great!

[TomT]

Great car...I especially like all the carbon fiber parts!

[ks71z28]

Here are some new shots of the engine compartment, with the new Holley HP EFI controlling the LS coils on a conventional small block chevy. Oh yeah the upper intake was made by us, the base is a Holley Stealth Ram
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/04/IMG_0988-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/04/IMG_0986-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/04/IMG_0987-1.jpg

[Orange Crush]

Do you have the 2G Bar installed on this Camaro? If so, could we see some pics? Thanks.

[ks71z28]

Do you have the 2G Bar installed on this Camaro? If so, could we see some pics? Thanks.
the 2g bar is installed, there are pics on our site at the bottom of the chassis bracing tab

[ks71z28]

We got the engine fired up. I have to say that even though this engine is very complex with the coil on plug ignition and such, the Holley HP EFI system, really made life easy. We have been using this system and are authorized Holley installers for about a year and a half. The Holley set up is way better than any system we have ever tuned, bar none! If you are running an LS motor or a small block chevy, getting it going is not nearly as difficult as it once was. Self tuning feature is great. bellow is a video of the first run
Click on picture for video!
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/07/th_newmotor-1.jpg (http://s65.photobucket.com/albums/h231/ks71z28/engine/?action=view&current=newmotor.mp4)

[ks71z28]

while the car was on the lift we took some shots
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/07/Picture278-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/07/Picture280-1.jpg

[Jeff70]

Sounds good Keith any plans to hit the track soon?

[John Wright]

Keith,
No SFCs on this car?

[ks71z28]

Sounds good Keith any plans to hit the track soon?
Waiting to get about 500 miles on motor, but a possible leaking head gasket may slow things up a bit. Likely by end of summer. We still need to sort a lot of things out with the suspension, as it is all new stuff. Preliminary drives have shown the car feels very good!

[ks71z28]

Keith,
No SFCs on this car?

Funny you ask, seeing we sell the best fitting ones on the market! The care has an 8 point cage, and the front bracing, as well as our 2G bar. Subframe connectors aren't needed

[ks71z28]

We finally got enough miles on our new motor to really torture the rest of the car. The car worked well, but thanks to the adjustability of our shocks, sway bars, and brake bias we were able to get the car to turn lap times close to what we hoped for. All went well, except for an axle seal the completely came out of the end of the axle tube. Never seen that before. It dumped a lot of gear oil on the left rear brake, causing a large amount of smoke and making a mess. All in all it went well. here is a video of a lap around Thunder Hill raceway

http://www.youtube.com/embed/1F9hgL9OEVg?hl=en&fs=1

Keith
www.customworksperformance.net

[Motown 454]

Nice run and great video.

[ndm68]

very nice.......go wildcats

[Rod]

car looks great Keith!!! I have a question about a few of the parts, I will give you a call during the week

[ks71z28]

Rod, see you at Goodguys

[MrQuick]

Rod, see you at Goodguys

You gonna come down again for Thanksgiving weekend? We should have a BBQ this time.

[ks71z28]

You gonna come down again for Thanksgiving weekend? We should have a BBQ this time.
Maybe, remind me as it gets closer

[johnj]

wow man, great work! The car looks the nuts!

[ks71z28]

such a good feeling to have the car back on the track
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/329863_2207936770763_1617765792_2268284_-1.jpg

[ks71z28]

here are shots of me testing our new set up

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/329863_2207936770763_1617765792_2268284_-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/201197a113-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/201197a12-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/201197a27-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/09/201197a106-1.jpg

[makoshark]

What color blue is your camaro?

[ks71z28]

What color blue is your camaro?
it is a Dupont fleet color. If you call our shop during business hours I can give you a paint code. I have had the car 22 years, and changed everything ten times, except the color!

[PonchoJohn]

Hey Keith,
Long time, no see! I don't know how I missed this thread, but your car is looking way bitchin'!
When are you running at Pleasanton next? Maybe we can meet up again.
C-ya,
John

[ks71z28]

Hey Keith,
Long time, no see! I don't know how I missed this thread, but your car is looking way bitchin'!
When are you running at Pleasanton next? Maybe we can meet up again.
C-ya,
John


John,

If the weather holds out we will be at Pleasanton. We just finished the Run to the Coast. If you go over to NastyZ we posted some video and pictures. Hope to see you this weekend

Keith

[MrQuick]

looks like another boat show....

[solarguy09]

What a sweet 1971 Z/z8...

I hope to see you at an event this summer..

[PonchoJohn]

looks like another boat show....

Bummer... well, I guess I'll aim for the June show. Oh well, the weather will be nicer in early June :)