Project "Chariot of Awesome II"

[AvatarofAwesome]

Back in March, I picked up a 1979 Z28 in pretty good condition, but had to store it at a friend's house since I was still in an apartment. Here are some pics from when I dropped it off (the blue SUV in the background is mine, and thank God it had a winch).
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/06/Camaro4-2.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/06/Camaro1-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/06/Camaro2-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/06/Camaro3-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/06/Camaro5-2.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/06/Camaro6-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/06/Camaro7-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/06/Camaro9-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/06/Camaro10-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/06/Camaro11-1.jpg
Fast forward to 2 weeks ago, and we moved into a (rental) house, with a garage. http://www.nastyz28.com/forum/showthread.php?t=216137 I meant to start last weekend, but it just didn't happen. Instead, we painted the kitchen. This weekend though, I got a chance to work on the Z for the first time, and I'll still get the living room and dining room painted, and work 16 hours of overtime!

As for the direction I'm going with the car, I think the term "Luxury Touring" would be the most accurate. I know I'm going with an LS/T56 combo, but past that, I'm still struggling between the matrure and child sides. I'd love a tire smoking ricockulously powerful beast, but then I remember how much I like my CTS-V, the more mature, understated performance that happens to come with something called "comfort". I think in the end, I will bench mark the CTS-V for the handling / ride balance and ammenaties. Besides, as much as I want to, I'll probably never get to the track comptetitively. I just need to face facts and not go crazy on parts.

Continued next post........................

[AvatarofAwesome]

Saturday
So far, I've got the hood and hinges off, the tail lights off, the headlights out, and almost have the front bumper off. It's time for some spaghetti though. Oh, and some pictures of my little helper, Samson (age 2 1/2). :D :bowtie:

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/06/IMG_3669-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/06/IMG_3670-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/06/IMG_3671-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/06/IMG_3680-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/06/IMG_3672-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/06/IMG_3676-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/06/IMG_3677-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/06/IMG_3678-1.jpg

[AvatarofAwesome]

Sunday
I've gotten the front bumper off and the trunk off, and kind of vaccumed some trash up. I got bored with that quick though. I found some more cancer where the battery sat. :mad: Then there's the cancer at the trunk, and in front of the driver's side rear wheel. On the brighter side, the cowl area looks good so far, and I've gotten more work done.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/06/IMG_3681-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/06/IMG_3682-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/06/IMG_3683-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/06/IMG_3684-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/06/IMG_3687-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/06/IMG_3685-1.jpg

[Bill Howell]

I love this year camaro. I had a buddy back in 81 that had a new one with a four speed. Great looking body style, I even like the factory stripes. Great to see your son helping too, he will remember that forever.

[cobragt]

You don't need to go nuts with it to run autocross, Tighten up the suspension, Look for a used set of 17" BMW wheels, ( lug pattern is the same as GM) bigger brakes. You don't need 5 or 600 HP to go out and have some fun and that is the point, having fun. I've got an 85 302 in my 78 cobra stock 225 HP engine and it will roast the tires threw 3 outa 5 gears and chirp 4th. Really no need to go nuts. Any ideas on color yet?

[AvatarofAwesome]

You don't need to go nuts with it to run autocross, Tighten up the suspension, Look for a used set of 17" BMW wheels, ( lug pattern is the same as GM) bigger brakes. You don't need 5 or 600 HP to go out and have some fun and that is the point, having fun. I've got an 85 302 in my 78 cobra stock 225 HP engine and it will roast the tires threw 3 outa 5 gears and chirp 4th. Really no need to go nuts. Any ideas on color yet?
It's true that I don't need crazy suspension and power upgrades to go autocrossing, but they are upgrades that I want just for me. The transmission is dead. The motor runs, but I'd be surprised if it made a whole 100hp. The whole car is going to be torn down, and if it's already in pieces, I'm going to go ahead and throw the parts that I want at it. I just can't justify buying or spending money on parts that won't be on the finished product; I'm already going to be pushing the limits my wife's good graces. Also, I probably won't be able to do much racing beyond the odd track day or something because of time. Between school and work, I've got nothing right now, and I don't see the 60 hour work weeks ending anytime soon, even when I'm not in school. It'll get better someday though.

As for color, I haven't decided yet, but am considering Black Rose Metallic from the 92-94 Corvettes. If not that, then it will probably be a dark blue or dark grey unless my son demands that it be yellow or red. He's just too damn hard to say no to sometimes. I personally want a deep purpleish color of some sort. I need to get the design out of my head and on paper, and then have someone with some talent do their thing to help me finalize it. I haven't looked into how much that costs though.

On an unrelated note, I wish I had put "1979 Z28" somewhere in the title.

[Bullockracing]

Just me, but I love the CTS-V for the great combination of haulassery and refinement. I'd be building the project car as something to fill a different role. A lot of time and dough could be spent and it still might not live up to what the Cadillac engineers came up with. It could be done, though, and I love projects either way!!!