1970 Z28 Rally Sport (Page 2 of 2)
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I love 2nd gens 😎😎😎 Among other projects, I had a 73 Firebird Formula for about 20 years that I was going to restore someday. Finally sold it because I couldn't see myself ever getting around to it. My neighbor has a 2nd Gen camaro that was his brother's, original owner |
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She’s in the assembly stage now. It’s a sloooow process. There’s some shops out there I guess that knock stuff out much quicker but this one doesn’t get into a big hurry. Probably for the best. The original Winters intake had some pitting so that involved some in depth repair. Not easy to fix that and have it come out factory. The 4-speed had a lot of moisture in it and the input shaft was toast. They had to weld it up and then machine it back to spec. |
SETEC ASTRONOMY
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While we wait for the glacial progress with the Z, I’ll add some updates to the “other” 1970 Camaro. The motor was built in the early 2000s with parts that aren’t made anymore. In some cases by companies that don’t exist any more. It’s a race fuel only, 4500 stall, reverse manual valve body TH400, 4.88 gear race car that I put a license plate on and drive on the street. It’s ridiculous. Kills plugs after two or three outings. Goes through a $800 drum of VP110 like Posty goes through Bud Light. Cantankerous as hell. If it’s leaned out enough to handle traffic it leans out up top. If it’s right up top it will fumigate your ass putting around town. Decided to make it more fun to drive, sooooo…ordered a Shafiroff Racing 540ci/730hp big block. Pump gas, hydraulic lifters. No more setting valves, no more drums of fuel. Still a lot of power for a street car. Changing to a Hughes billet 3000 stall converter and yanking the Dana 60 to swap to 4.10 gears. Probably a Richmond set as they make a gear kit that will fit a 4.56 and higher carrier. With the 33x18.50x15 tires it should be just right. I’ll post the progress here if there’s interest. Attached File Attached File Attached File |
SETEC ASTRONOMY
Oh My!  It will be stunning. My sister had a 72 split bumper RS we bought from an aunt who couldn't afford it anymore. It was a 350/2bb/auto and would run off and hide from my 75 LT with a 350/4bb/auto. The 75 was the bastard child of the entire V8 Camaro line, so there is that. The 72 was faster, handled better, and got better mileage, but no one really cared about mileage then. The mandate for the 5 mph bumpers ruined the lines of that generation of Camaros. 
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Politicians Prefer Unarmed Peasants
Caddyshack
Some men are morally opposed to violence. They are protected by men who are not.
Caddyshack
Some men are morally opposed to violence. They are protected by men who are not.
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Originally Posted By Gopher: Oh My! It will be stunning. My sister had a 72 split bumper RS we bought from an aunt who couldn't afford it anymore. It was a 350/2bb/auto and would run off and hide from my 75 LT with a 350/4bb/auto. The 75 was the bastard child of the entire V8 Camaro line, so there is that. The 72 was faster, handled better, and got better mileage, but no one really cared about mileage then. The mandate for the 5 mph bumpers ruined the lines of that generation of Camaros. We dirt trackers loved those exposed aluminum 74-77 bumpers. They were tough and light and we used them all up I think. A guy I hung out with in high school had an old black 76 with a 383 stroker. Fucking lightning bolt of a car. Nothing would touch it. |
SETEC ASTRONOMY
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Got the axle out. Gonna take it to a shop Monday morning for them the re-gear it. I was thinking 4.10 but I really want around 1,000rpm drop at 65-70. So I’ll probably do 3.73. Dana 60a are f’in heavy Attached File Attached File |
SETEC ASTRONOMY
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Got the Dana back. Dropped from 4.88 to 3.73. Also swapped from a posi unit to a TrueTrac. It should be in this weekend. Attached File |
SETEC ASTRONOMY
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ALSO…..public service announcement. The headlights here are from Holley. Yes, that Holley. Look almost like OG bulbs but are LED. Plug right in. Really bright. I know people want up to date lighting but those modern looking bug eye lights have no place on a classic car in my humble opinion Attached File |
SETEC ASTRONOMY
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All assembled and ready to stuff in the car.. Attached File Attached File Attached File |
SETEC ASTRONOMY
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Originally Posted By HRJ: ALSO…..public service announcement. The headlights here are from Holley. Yes, that Holley. Look almost like OG bulbs but are LED. Plug right in. Really bright. I know people want up to date lighting but those modern looking bug eye lights have no place on a classic car in my humble opinion https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/337680/IMG_0860_jpeg-3759400.JPG Amen! Got a link for the bulbs? |
Politicians Prefer Unarmed Peasants
Caddyshack
Some men are morally opposed to violence. They are protected by men who are not.
Caddyshack
Some men are morally opposed to violence. They are protected by men who are not.
|
Originally Posted By Gopher: Amen! Got a link for the bulbs? Here you go! Holley LED lights |
SETEC ASTRONOMY
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OP that car is amazing. Huge kudos to the love (and ton of cash) you have put into it. I hope you enjoy it in spades. Now for the obligatory negative comment from a rando on the internet: If you're gonna build RACE CAR, find a body and chassis that is already fucked-with, and which may have the further blot of not even having a good title. Preferably one already configured as a RACE CAR. A RACE CAR is basically a destructible (you WILL wreck if you race) off-road vehicle. Race it and wreck it. Gut it and replace it. You don't ever want to do that with a survivor original. |
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They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety. - Benjamin Franklin, 1775
They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety. - Benjamin Franklin, 1775
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Originally Posted By W_E_G: OP that car is amazing. Huge kudos to the love (and ton of cash) you have put into it. I hope you enjoy it in spades. Now for the obligatory negative comment from a rando on the internet: If you're gonna build RACE CAR, find a body and chassis that is already fucked-with, and which may have the further blot of not even having a good title. Preferably one already configured as a RACE CAR. A RACE CAR is basically a destructible (you WILL wreck if you race) off-road vehicle. Race it and wreck it. Gut it and replace it. You don't ever want to do that with a survivor original. Two different cars. - The blue car is the super original numbers matching one. - The red car, I bought it as a race car and have been transitioning it for street duty. I just included the red car because it’s so long between blue car updates. |
SETEC ASTRONOMY
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that blue 1970.5 Z-28 RS was one of the cars I lusted for, you have done a wonderful job on the resto I had a 69 Z-28 in high school(early 1980's) I wish I still had it, I actually delivered pizza's in it, and could always find someone to race at night, was the most fun of any job I ever had. |
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Axle is in. My helper supervised. Attached File New billet Hughes torque converter arrived. About 1500 less stall. Should be much better on the road. Attached File |
SETEC ASTRONOMY
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More blue car updates. Subframe is done, LT-1 is complete and back (ignore the sheet metal valve covers). Attached File Attached File Attached File Attached File |
SETEC ASTRONOMY
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Anyone watch Mecum yesterday? Had some nice ‘70-‘73 Camaros roll across the stage. Had an ugly green RS/Z-28 with a vinyl top that topped out at $60k. Blue Z like OP’s was up there at something like $150k or higher. I cannot imagine dumping a shit ton of cash into a restoration of a car with a color or options no one wants. If he had built that ugly green car into a restomod with a pro street chassis and a desirable color it would have brought what the blue car brought or more. |
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I have to admit I’m becoming a bit impatient with the blue car. I sent the car to Joey in April 2022. Now, the paint is done, engine, transmission axle etc. many interior and wiring parts are in place, along with the carpet. In two weeks the car is supposed to be moved in and all assembled. I know it takes time to do this stuff but man 4 years and it’s still a shell. A pretty shell, but a shell. I really want to make MCACN in November… Anyway, the 540 Ultrastreet that the red car is waiting on is almost here. Probably next week. It was supposed to be a 540, anyway. Ended up a 565. Turns out the blocks for the 540 were taking longer than expected so they upgraded me a few cubic inches. Still pump gas, just a bit more compression and I guess the valves get unshrouded a smidge more. Should make a little more than the 540 Ultrastreet. Also, the red car got a buddy to hang out with. ‘66 fastback Mustang, big tire car. My friend has been converting the front end over to a AJE k-member and New Edge suspension/knuckle/brake parts. Flaming River rack and adjustable coilovers. The inner fender shock towers have been replaced with aftermarket ones that make way for proper headers. We have a 630hp pump gas 427 Windsor coming for it. We already have the TH400 and converter. Headers will probably have to be custom built.. EDIT - forgot to mention the Aerospace Components rotors, hubs, calipers and master. Oh, and I bought a Quickjack and it’s bad ass. It’ll lift the krautrockets and the domestic stuff too. Just over 2K for 6,000 lb capacity. I love it! Attached File Attached File Attached File Attached File |
SETEC ASTRONOMY
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Yessir there’s a decent amount of room. I wanna pinch myself sometimes, especially thinking how we ran a race operation in a 1 car garage with no climate control in SE TX. Trying to get the car on jackstands with barely any room to pump the jack lol. The floor was broomed concrete. Fucking suuuuucked. And our setup was better than my buddy that had to fix/maintain his garbage in his driveway ‘cause he didn’t have a garage. Definitely blessed. |
SETEC ASTRONOMY
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Originally Posted By HRJ: Yessir there's a decent amount of room. I wanna pinch myself sometimes, especially thinking how we ran a race operation in a 1 car garage with no climate control in SE TX. Trying to get the car on jackstands with barely any room to pump the jack lol. The floor was broomed concrete. Fucking suuuuucked. And our setup was better than my buddy that had to fix/maintain his garbage in his driveway 'cause he didn't have a garage. Definitely blessed. 
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Originally Posted By HRJ: Thanks Randall! Not shabby for a 13'r, I guess lol Hope you are doing well. I'm sure you are still yanking the front tires of something on the weekends still running the Goat? Nope, sold it two years ago. I'm 70, retired and working on an "exit strategy"  Attached File |
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Both motors arrived at once for the red cars. Attached File Attached File |
SETEC ASTRONOMY
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Originally Posted By HRJ: GM - check RWD - check LS - check  Glad to see you're still gettin it ETA - was that pic at Pine Valley? Originally Posted By HRJ: Both motors arrived at once for the red cars. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/337680/IMG_1924_jpeg-3816784.JPG https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/337680/IMG_1928_jpeg-3816785.JPG |
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It’s a bit compromised for street duty. I like driving it to work and around town. Smaller volume intake with a 4150 carb instead of a Dominator and compression low enough to run on pump gas. Still makes 730/722 n/a. Plate kit should give it a decent jolt. Aaaand she’s in. Still have some tinkering to do. The 2 1/8 to 3 1/2 Lemon’s headers are awesome but my brake lines need to be re-routed and my starter doesn’t fit anymore. Have some fuel line things to work out too. Attached File Attached File |
SETEC ASTRONOMY
Pesky starters. I eventually had to put a high torque starter in the GTO. It "fit" but it didn't. I had to take it apart, slip everything behind the headers & reassemble. I'm sure you're aware there's several mini starters available for bbc. Good luck. Make sure and post a start up video |