Build Thread: 95 Z28 Convertible

[will.i.am]

So this past Saturday a buddy and I took a drive up to reading to pick up this:

http://imageshack.us/a/img202/9021/img20130112134955.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/202/img20130112134955.jpg/)

It's a 95 convertible chasis with an 8 point cage and SFC's. Has nothing in it, no engine, trans, rear, interior, bare minimum wiring.

Getting it loaded onto the trailer was pretty interesting:

http://imageshack.us/a/img831/2092/img20130112092813.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/831/img20130112092813.jpg/)

http://imageshack.us/a/img19/9274/img20130112092810.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/19/img20130112092810.jpg/)

And what she'll be replacing:

http://imageshack.us/a/img407/6711/img20130113155632.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/407/img20130113155632.jpg/)

http://imageshack.us/a/img89/2538/img20130113155643.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/89/img20130113155643.jpg/)

http://imageshack.us/a/img820/5031/img20130113155652.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/820/img20130113155652.jpg/)

...She's uhh... seen better days. :(

So the plan is:
Swap everything over: LT1, T56, 3.42 rear

While it's out it will be getting:
-Pacesetter long tubes
-New NGK plugs and AC Delco wires
-Walbro 255 fuel pump with hotwire kit
-ABS delete and line lock
-A good amount of weight reduction

Already done:
-AC delete
-AIR delete
-GMMG Exhaust

I'm open to any other suggestions on stuff I should do while it's out, or any comments about anything really :)

[popo8]

LOL... damn.. I was actually talking to the guy about specs on the cage to see if I could get it and fit it in my car.. I liked the idea of it coming from a vert, and not it interfering with the ttop holders in the hatch....

You guys were literally 10 minutes from me when you picked that up....

[will.i.am]

LOL... damn.. I was actually talking to the guy about specs on the cage to see if I could get it and fit it in my car.. I liked the idea of it coming from a vert, and not it interfering with the ttop holders in the hatch....

You guys were literally 10 minutes from me when you picked that up....

The cage and the price being what it was is what sold me on it. Normally I'm not a fan of verts, but this one just looks amazing with the top down and the cage showing. I can't wait to get this thing up and running

I thought there was somebody on here that was close to Reading! It was pretty amusing us getting it on to the trailer, as nobody there was particularly big or a heavy lifter. Probably could have used an extra pair of hands lol

[NuckinFutz93]

That vert looks like it is going to make a tasty ride. I'll be following along on your build. How about a side shot with the top down?

[will.i.am]

That vert looks like it is going to make a tasty ride. I'll be following along on your build. How about a side shot with the top down?

Will do, have to wait until this weekend as it's 40 miles away from me ;)

[NuckinFutz93]

Will do, have to wait until this weekend as it's 40 miles away from me ;)

I know how that is, except my yellow car, everything else is either 47 miles or 72 miles away.

[CamaroZGuy]

looks like it will be a cool vert when its done.

[will.i.am]

looks like it will be a cool vert when its done.

I like your intake in your profile pic, is that powdercoated?

And this weekend's update: It's in the garage. It got too cold to do anything else and unfortunately the garage isn't heated. Baby steps, right?

Pics:

Top down side shot:
http://imageshack.us/a/img705/6055/img20130119163805.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/705/img20130119163805.jpg/)

Getting it off the trailer:
http://imageshack.us/a/img577/7543/img20130119161517.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/577/img20130119161517.jpg/)


Maybe more next week. I'm trying to decide where to start, my thoughts were remove the interior from the old one and start with the wiring. Any suggestions?

[NuckinFutz93]

I think it would be alot easier to wire without everything in the way.

I like the profile of the cage.

[FastVert]

http://imageshack.us/a/img98/7835/1324236410182.jpg White verts with matching cages are def cool! ;)

14712

[popo8]

http://imageshack.us/a/img98/7835/1324236410182.jpg


That looks soooo good!

[FastVert]

Thanks PoPo! That was my first ever attempt at a photo shoot, I wish it would've had the Ram Air Hood on it when I took the picture.

[popo8]

Thanks PoPo! That was my first ever attempt at a photo shoot, I wish it would've had the Ram Air Hood on it when I took the picture.

My pleasure. I love white Fbodies!

[will.i.am]

2.5 months later bump!

http://imageshack.us/a/img707/5430/img20130409191418.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/707/img20130409191418.jpg/)

Got some nice weather today finally, removed most of the interior. Managed to crack my dash pad worse in the process :-(

Also lightened up the dash a bit. I already don't have AC, but I'm also not gonna keep heat either. Ditching the passenger airbag as well.

[popo8]

well step up the game...we got some great weather now.


Larry (Popo8) Co-owner
LTXtech.com

[will.i.am]

well step up the game...we got some great weather now.


Larry (Popo8) Co-owner
LTXtech.com

It's about time too. If it wasn't cold, it was windy...

This weekend we should get a lot more done. I should also have some parts for sale too...

[NuckinFutz93]

Glad to see ya got the weather to get back on it! Aug 31 is coming fast. LOL

[popo8]

yes... get her ready for the shootout


Larry (Popo8) Co-owner
LTXtech.com

[will.i.am]

Hopefully I can make it. Car will most likely be done by then, it'll just be a matter of getting time off and having the money to make it down.

[will.i.am]

Since my car is 40 minues away, I brought my dash home to work on. I broke it up pretty bad getting it out, about 4 different pieces. Any thoughts on how to repair, or what the replacement options are? I was thinking patch it together, then vinyl wrap it.

[Ryan Stout]

Epoxy, cereal box cardboard, sandpaper, vinyl, old credit card, and headliner adhesive.

Use the epoxy and cardboard on the bottom side to hold it together where it's cracked. Then epoxy 'bondo' the topside and sand smooth. Cut vinyl to length of pad. Spray headliner adhesive on and stick the vinyl to it, using a credit card to get the bubbles out. Then trim the vinyl edges, cut out defrost and it'll look great. Did it to mine years ago. Looks so much better than a cracked up dash pad.

[joelster]

I would re-route the front brake lines while everything is out of the way. Run the passenger side front brake line along the firewall and down the fender to the caliper. The reasoning for doing this, is that in the future should you decide to drop the engine/k-member out the bottom, you won't have to disconnect the brake line, and then re-bleed the system. The stock setup runs the brake line along the steering and under the engine.

[bowtiedad_z28]

I would re-route the front brake lines while everything is out of the way. Run the passenger side front brake line along the firewall and down the fender to the caliper. The reasoning for doing this, is that in the future should you decide to drop the engine/k-member out the bottom, you won't have to disconnect the brake line, and then re-bleed the system. The stock setup runs the brake line along the steering and under the engine.

Darnit!!!!! I wish i would have thought of this when i did mine last time.

Cannot wait to see your vert finished. I always liked the looks of the 4th gen vert. I had and still have thought about buying one.

[will.i.am]

Epoxy, cereal box cardboard, sandpaper, vinyl, old credit card, and headliner adhesive.

Use the epoxy and cardboard on the bottom side to hold it together where it's cracked. Then epoxy 'bondo' the topside and sand smooth. Cut vinyl to length of pad. Spray headliner adhesive on and stick the vinyl to it, using a credit card to get the bubbles out. Then trim the vinyl edges, cut out defrost and it'll look great. Did it to mine years ago. Looks so much better than a cracked up dash pad.

I'll probably give this a go sometime this week and post pics of what I end up with. Thanks.


I would re-route the front brake lines while everything is out of the way. Run the passenger side front brake line along the firewall and down the fender to the caliper. The reasoning for doing this, is that in the future should you decide to drop the engine/k-member out the bottom, you won't have to disconnect the brake line, and then re-bleed the system. The stock setup runs the brake line along the steering and under the engine.

That's genius! I also planned on doing the fuel line relocation and wire tuck to clean up the engine bay a bunch while it's all apart.



Finished getting my wiring out of the doors, now I need to get the HVAC out to be able to get to the rest of the wiring.

Also posted a sale thread: Aluminum door panels and manual mirrors (http://ltxtech.com/forums/showthread.php?22753-1LE-Manual-Mirrors-and-Wolfe-Race-Craft-Aluminum-Door-Panels)