'83 camaro resto

[wretched73]

Figured I'd start my own thread to see if anyone is interested. Yesterday I got the car on jack stands and the hood/fenders/front bumper taken off. Not too much rust underneath so things are looking up. I'll have more pictures up within the week, I was only able to get one crappy cell phone pic

http://img203.imageshack.us/img203/5639/img00016201101091656.th.jpg (http://img203.imageshack.us/i/img00016201101091656.jpg/)

[chrisfrom nj]

good luck with the resto

[WildBillyT]

Figured I'd start my own thread to see if anyone is interested. Yesterday I got the car on jack stands and the hood/fenders/front bumper taken off. Not too much rust underneath so things are looking up. I'll have more pictures up within the week, I was only able to get one crappy cell phone pic

http://img203.imageshack.us/img203/5639/img00016201101091656.th.jpg (http://img203.imageshack.us/i/img00016201101091656.jpg/)

Keep posting up, man. I'd like to see your progress. :nod:

[wretched73]

Thanks guys. My skills are less than on the professional level so progress will be slow but I'll try to get a decent camera so you guys can see what I'm working with

[79T/A]

Keep posting up, man. I'd like to see your progress.

What HE said. I miss my third gen. As a matter of fact, it too was an '83.

[Pampered-Z]

It this going to be a full type resto? Doing it as stock?

[maroman88]

mmmm white third gen! keep us posted and keep at it!

[wretched73]

Not gonna be a full stock resto. My plans are to run the hell out of it. Not sure in exactly what yet . But i do plan on trying out drag, autox, and road courses. Here are some pics I was able to snag of the front end. Hopefully Monday I can rip the interior apart and check out my floor pans

As you guys can tell I dont have a tremendous amount of room to work on the sides of the car so my bad for the crappy pictures. (and yes that sign to the right says nascar, it used to be at flemington speedway)

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w279/terelle737/camaro/134.jpg


http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w279/terelle737/camaro/139.jpg

Drivers side, bottom rear of the fender, needs patch work

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w279/terelle737/camaro/136.jpg

Passenger side isnt too bad, most likely will need some patch work

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w279/terelle737/camaro/141.jpg

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w279/terelle737/camaro/135.jpg

Battery tray is rotted out, but I'm not worried about that

[86ta-adf]

Looks good I just got done restoring my 86 trans am so I know it can be a pain. But your off to a way better start then what i started with . Good luck dude

[LTb1ow]

Looks like a third gen alright.....


:lol:

Good luck, wheres pics of the LS1 swap?
:rofl:

[sweetbmxrider]

Yuck.


http://blogs.hotrod.com/files/2011/01/LSX454R-Crate-Engine-623x692.jpg

duit yo.

[wretched73]

Im goin gen 1 sbc for this build, maybe in the future I'll have the budget for an lsx

[HardcoreZ28]

Can't wait to watch the progress as you bring that baby back to life.

[wretched73]

I'll be sure to post a few pics of the floor pans once I get a chance, they really aren't all that bad but would love some advice on the best way to patch them

[BonzoHansen]

Are you rebuilding the SBC for it?

[LTb1ow]

Are you rebuilding the SBC for it?

i think the correct term is assembling a SBC from a box of assorted parts that somewhat belong in a SBC. :lol:

[wretched73]

i think the correct term is assembling a SBC from a box of assorted parts that somewhat belong in a SBC. :lol:

Sadly this statement is more true than false, I have a 406 sbc block and a set of 210cc AFR heads but what else is going in the motor is still uncertain

[LTb1ow]

So how goes progress?

[wretched73]

No more progress as of now. Started school this week and its kicking my ass already. The snow hasn't aided the process either. :(

[L695speed]

Hey, looks like you are off to a good start. I am doing the same with my 84 TA. Funny enough....we both have almost identical rust problems. I've got rot in front of the door in the same spot, battery tray needs to be replaced. Otherwise I've been shocked at how rot free it is, especially for being a T top car.

I was going to restore mine stock, but then later said the hell with it. The "Final" plan includes C4 front brakes, PBR rears, a 383 stroker backed by a T56. UMI suspension, Pro Kit springs list goes on. The car eventually I want to make it look bone stock, but when one rides in it, hears it or does a double take, you realize theres more to it. I'm in the same spot you are as far as the front clip goes. But I've got a bare shell. Parts everywhere, but all the bad stuff is gone. Need cash and parts.

[wretched73]

Hey, looks like you are off to a good start. I am doing the same with my 84 TA. Funny enough....we both have almost identical rust problems. I've got rot in front of the door in the same spot, battery tray needs to be replaced. Otherwise I've been shocked at how rot free it is, especially for being a T top car.

I was going to restore mine stock, but then later said the hell with it. The "Final" plan includes C4 front brakes, PBR rears, a 383 stroker backed by a T56. UMI suspension, Pro Kit springs list goes on. The car eventually I want to make it look bone stock, but when one rides in it, hears it or does a double take, you realize theres more to it. I'm in the same spot you are as far as the front clip goes. But I've got a bare shell. Parts everywhere, but all the bad stuff is gone. Need cash and parts.


Yea i'm sailing the same ship. I took the seats/carpet out to see what my floors look like. Surprisingly they are pretty solid. Minimal rot right along the door and s tiny bit of rot under the pedals. I'll try and get some more pics up this week but i need some warmer weather

[wretched73]

So trans/rad/ac condenser is out, also drained coolant and started disconnecting lines for the motor. Hopefully sometime within the next 2 or 3 weeks I can yank the motor and start cleaning up the engine bay and welding up some of the holes I won't be needing. Damn finals and end of the semester projects are holding me up

[WildBillyT]

So trans/rad/ac condenser is out, also drained coolant and started disconnecting lines for the motor. Hopefully sometime within the next 2 or 3 weeks I can yank the motor and start cleaning up the engine bay and welding up some of the holes I won't be needing. Damn finals and end of the semester projects are holding me up

Do you have a good place in Hunterdon County to get rid of old coolant?

[wretched73]

Do you have a good place in Hunterdon County to get rid of old coolant?

My friend works in the lube at Citgo, so he takes all my old fluids. I also give waste oil to my friends shop, they have a waste oil heater, (Three Bridges Automotive). Why do you ask?

[WildBillyT]

My friend works in the lube at Citgo, so he takes all my old fluids. I also give waste oil to my friends shop, they have a waste oil heater, (Three Bridges Automotive). Why do you ask?

Oil I can take care of, that's no biggie. But I don't know where to get rid of used coolant. None of the local auto stores or wherever seem to take it.

[sweetbmxrider]

Oil I can take care of, that's no biggie. But I don't know where to get rid of used coolant. None of the local auto stores or wherever seem to take it.

Weird, my waste oil guy takes antifreeze no problem. Used to have these guys from I believe Planet Earth Recycling take it but stopped getting antifreeze from them.

[wretched73]

He may be able to take my coolant too, just never thought to ask hahah, but WBT i can send my buddy at Citgo a message next time you need to get rid of coolant if you want

[WildBillyT]

He may be able to take my coolant too, just never thought to ask hahah, but WBT i can send my buddy at Citgo a message next time you need to get rid of coolant if you want

LOL. I've got a bucket with no place to go. That's the hypocrisy of some of the environmental rules. I can only get rid of it 2 days a year on hazmat day at the dump? No wonder people pour it down sewers.

[wretched73]

LOL. I've got a bucket with no place to go. That's the hypocrisy of some of the environmental rules. I can only get rid of it 2 days a year on hazmat day at the dump? No wonder people pour it down sewers.

Maybe you should just leave the bucket on the governors doorstep? haha

[sweetbmxrider]

Yeah and make sure you write, "Do not open until such and such date" and make it the day after hazmat collection/disposal.

[L695speed]

Try your county dump. I know up here in Sussex County, the dump and recycling yard, has two spots in the recycling area where you can pour used anti freeze and oil in their respective dumping areas. They're contained and I assume eventually recycled. Just a thought. Though.......I'm sure many of us forget about it and just...well you know.

[wretched73]

Motor is prepped to be dropped outta the car. Hopefully with the nice weather monday i can have it out and have some pictures to show it off. I than plan on cleaning up the engine bay of all the stuff i wont be needing. I also got some new shop lights up so i can see what the hell im doing and so i can get some better pics

[LTb1ow]

Any updates??

[wretched73]

I'm gonna be back at the shop working on it in the next few days, been wrapped up with finals, but I'll take some pics and post some updates ASAP :D

[sweetbmxrider]

Any updates??

[wretched73]

I have some updates I will share once i get a chance, been super busy and I need a camera so i can document and describe the small progress made

[LTb1ow]

Any pics of hood on car?

[wretched73]

Any pics of hood on car?

Just for you.

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w279/terelle737/camaro/th_IMG_0276.jpg (http://s178.photobucket.com/albums/w279/terelle737/camaro/?action=view&current=IMG_0276.jpg)

[wretched73]

Just for you.

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w279/terelle737/camaro/th_IMG_0276.jpg (http://s178.photobucket.com/albums/w279/terelle737/camaro/?action=view&current=IMG_0276.jpg)



BTW, more pics have been added to that album, I am still tearing down. Next step is to clean up the interior wiring mess and patch up the firewall.

[sweetbmxrider]

Hell yeah!

[LTb1ow]

Any pics of the slicks/skinnies?

[wretched73]

No, for i have no need for them

[LTb1ow]

Any new engine pics?

[wretched73]

Any new engine pics?

Im waiting on my tuition reimbursement check from work. Than with that money hopefully i can start putting together the motor. I also desperately need a trans.... Once i get the fundz

[LTb1ow]

Im waiting on my tuition reimbursement check from work. Than with that money hopefully i can start putting together the motor. I also desperately need a trans.... Once i get the fundz

Hey same! :rofl:

[wretched73]

My tuition reimbursement check is in the mail so that gave me a little more motivation to get things further underway! I spent yesterday dropping the K member, sway bar, yadda yadda.... Took out the rest of what was left of the interior, steering column and what not. And I even took some pics for all of you!

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w279/terelle737/camaro/th_IMG_0278.jpg (http://s178.photobucket.com/albums/w279/terelle737/camaro/?action=view&current=IMG_0278.jpg)
Front suspension junk on the ground.

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w279/terelle737/camaro/th_IMG_0279.jpg (http://s178.photobucket.com/albums/w279/terelle737/camaro/?action=view&current=IMG_0279.jpg)

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w279/terelle737/camaro/th_IMG_0280.jpg (http://s178.photobucket.com/albums/w279/terelle737/camaro/?action=view&current=IMG_0280.jpg)
Pics of bare engine bay.

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w279/terelle737/camaro/th_IMG_0281.jpg (http://s178.photobucket.com/albums/w279/terelle737/camaro/?action=view&current=IMG_0281.jpg)
Bare interior.

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w279/terelle737/camaro/th_IMG_0282.jpg (http://s178.photobucket.com/albums/w279/terelle737/camaro/?action=view&current=IMG_0282.jpg)
Hole in the floorboard :(

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w279/terelle737/camaro/th_IMG_0287.jpg (http://s178.photobucket.com/albums/w279/terelle737/camaro/?action=view&current=IMG_0287.jpg)
I think my Z Bar is supposed to be attached to that bracket :rofl:

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w279/terelle737/camaro/th_IMG_0288.jpg (http://s178.photobucket.com/albums/w279/terelle737/camaro/?action=view&current=IMG_0288.jpg)
And no it wasn't broken in removal, that was how i found it :shock:

Next step is to weld up all the unneccesary holes in the firewall, and all the holes in the floorboard >< than onto painting the engine bay, followed by bolting up my go slow goodies!

[LTb1ow]

Looking good, but for the love of pop tarts, please hot link your pics.

Whats the plan with the engine bay color?

[wretched73]

Engine bay will just be black, gonna use POR15. And if I didn't fail at life and knew hot to hot link the pics i would ><

[BonzoHansen]

pics are fine thumbnails to me. looks like good progress.

[sweetbmxrider]

Right click, copy image location on big picture.

Are you spraying or brushing the por15?

[BonzoHansen]

I just click on the pics and they open up in photobucket. not sure what the problem here is.

if you spray por15 you nee a good mask. you'll also need to get everything down to bare metal, then etch it with their stuff.

[sweetbmxrider]

Yeah about that whole clicking thing.....

[wretched73]

I was planning on just brushing it, its not a show car so I'm not concerned with it looking like one. As long as it looks clean and keeps the rust away I'll be happy

[BonzoHansen]

I think you will find it will peel off painted surfaces

[wretched73]

Really? Even after proper prep has been done? I haven't used the stuff too much so I honestly don't know

[WildBillyT]

Really? Even after proper prep has been done? I haven't used the stuff too much so I honestly don't know

Proper prep means the surface is rough and with a lot of tooth. Otherwise it will peel.

[wretched73]

Proper prep means the surface is rough and with a lot of tooth. Otherwise it will peel.

Thats what I was referring too. Sanding entire surface than following up with POR15's prepping solutions

[BonzoHansen]

Thats what I was referring too. Sanding entire surface than following up with POR15's prepping solutions

which are used on bare metal. not roughed up paint.

[WildBillyT]

I had the best success on sandblasted surfaces. On bare smooth metal it won't stick, and on bare metal w/metal ready it was marginal at best.

I stopped using it for the most part and just use rustoleum professional now. I inspect the cars enough that rust won't get away from me.

[sweetbmxrider]

I did like the can said and it worked good on my interior.

[BonzoHansen]

I did like the can said and it worked good on my interior.

you mean parts you can't see and don't get much if any abuse?

I've used por15 with success many times and will use it again. however I have found it's limitations. that stuff likes bare steel with lots of bite. I also found it gets harder over time. most of the scratches on my LCAs are from the first few weeks of use, they were much harder to scratch after 6 months.

a-arms are pure por15. frame is por, etch primer while the por15 is tacky, rustoleum semigloss black.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v359/SIBLY/My77Z28/th_IMG_1666Small-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v359/SIBLY/My77Z28/?action=view&current=IMG_1666Small-1.jpg)

[wretched73]

Good to know. I'll just nut up and take it all to bare metal the best I can. I may be able to blast it so I'll hope for that. In the mean time I took the grinder to my floorboard so you guys can better see the rot. It was already repaired once by someone putting fiberglass over it which is why it is hard to notice in earlier pictures.

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w279/terelle737/camaro/th_IMG_0293.jpg (http://s178.photobucket.com/albums/w279/terelle737/camaro/?action=view&current=IMG_0293.jpg)

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w279/terelle737/camaro/th_IMG_0291.jpg (http://s178.photobucket.com/albums/w279/terelle737/camaro/?action=view&current=IMG_0291.jpg)

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w279/terelle737/camaro/th_IMG_0289.jpg (http://s178.photobucket.com/albums/w279/terelle737/camaro/?action=view&current=IMG_0289.jpg)

[sweetbmxrider]

you mean parts you can't see and don't get much if any abuse?

I don't have carpet, just a hot black floor. It looks ok for what it is.

[BonzoHansen]

I don't have carpet, just a hot black floor. It looks ok for what it is.

cool. I was just trying to make the point about abuse it will take. but no carpet it is taking it pretty good!

[sweetbmxrider]

Yeah prep is definitely key but I agree with what you guys are saying mostly. I'll eventually carpet over it but for now it looks ok.

[jam01]

were did you get that car from?

[wretched73]

I got it from a guy in PA in '07

[jam01]

i was curios, i sold my 83 z a few years back. i saw you mentioned the fiberglass on the floorboard, it reminded me of mine. then i looked through your pics and realized it wasnt.
besides the hole, mine was in good shape, new engine, trans i was in the process of getting it ready for paint when **** happened i sold it on ebay for under 900. good luck with the project.

[LTb1ow]

How goes progress?

[wretched73]

Funny you say that, I need some engineering knowledge and some ideas. I want to cut out most of the radiator support along with the upper piece that ties the upper piece that connnects the outsides of the car together. Since I'm going to be utilizing an after market radiator and won't have an a/c condenser there I figure I can fab up something cleaner/simpler. Just looking to see if anyone has any ideas on how to piece it together

[LTb1ow]

Funny you say that, I need some engineering knowledge and some ideas. I want to cut out most of the radiator support along with the upper piece that ties the upper piece that connnects the outsides of the car together. Since I'm going to be utilizing an after market radiator and won't have an a/c condenser there I figure I can fab up something cleaner/simpler. Just looking to see if anyone has any ideas on how to piece it together

If a third gen is anything like a 4th gen, its pretty easy if you are good with a cutter and welder.

Cut the center out, weld on some flat steel to the old frame then run a bar or square stock across. Pretty popular with guys who do a front mount turbo.

[wretched73]

If a third gen is anything like a 4th gen, its pretty easy if you are good with a cutter and welder.

Cut the center out, weld on some flat steel to the old frame then run a bar or square stock across. Pretty popular with guys who do a front mount turbo.

Got any pictures handy that you could post up?

[LTb1ow]

http://a678.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/104/l_5c8019acb92080a2fa7d5364140ff91d.jpg

You cut the upper rad support, weld plates to the cuts, and then attach a cross piece of your choice.

Look though this thread..
http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/forced-induction/695288-those-who-moved-radiator-up-verticle-here-2.html

[wretched73]

The idea in my head wasn't just to replace the rad support itself but that whole upper support, when I get a moment I will post up a little sketch of what I want to accomplish. As for updates, just got a tiny welder to borrow from my buddy so I can patch up the firewall from all those nasty holes from the A/C and Heater core and what not up there.

Another thing I want to fabricate is something where the wiper motors go to get more air into my cowl hood. I won't be using wipers so I figured all that space up there could be better utilized and making cutting it up and making room for more air to flow smoothly under the cowl sounds like a good idea

[sweetbmxrider]

You should ask baddest434 for pics of his underhood with his air cleaner setup. From the sounds of it, he had something similar to what you wanna do.

[LTb1ow]

Any pics or sketches?

[wretched73]

hopefully i'll have pics of the welded firewall up within the week and im working on some sketches as we speak

[LTb1ow]

Where dem pics at?