99 Z28: Revival of the Fittest.

[LS1ow]

Wasnt sure if this should go here, or the projects section. So i figured posting it here would give me motivation to keep it on track as a simple refresh, and not a complete black hole of money.

Heres the details:

1999 Camaro Z28
-94k miles
-LS1/T56
-T-Top
-Black w. Charcoal leather
-Factory ground effects :bertstare:

And the good stuff.

TSP Torquer V2 Cam 232/234 cam
PRC Stage 2.5 heads
Chromemoly pushrods
SLP Lid
160* thermostat
SLP Bellows
LS6 intake
Ported TB
March underdrive pulley
Pacesetter 1 3/4" headers w/ blocked off emissions
TSP ORY
SLP Dual/Dual catback
Racetronix fuel pump kit
30lb injectors
LC-1 wideband
Dynotune digital A/F gauge
Dynotune digital fuel pressure gauge
Poly motor mounts
Koni adjustable shocks
Strano springs
17x9 Black ZR1 wheels up front
17x11 Black ZR1 wheels out back
LT1 Tails :mrgreen:
Black housing marker lights w. switchbacks

Now For the bad stuff

Each bad thing, i plan on addressing and will update with results. As i write this, some of which are already complete.


-The car does nothing when key is in ignition.
-Paint is not of any type of show quality.***
-Needs new slave cylinder
-Passenger window motor will go down. You won't get it to go back up.
-Rear seats are removed (eh, not really a problem for me, but resale could be)
-Sound system is garbage & wiring is hack
-Passenger side kick panel is broke
-The tires need to be replaced at all 4 corners.
-The rear fenders need to be rolled if running 315s like it currently has.
-Driver's side motor mount has a bolt missing on the K member side.
-Driver's side windows switch panel needs to be replaced
-All fluids should be changed at this point.
-The car has a pretty terrible leak.
-Headers have surface rust.
-A/C stopped blowing cold long ago and I never looked into why.


The car also included some extras, some of which have already been sold to cancel out money spend on car.

-Factory 16' wheels w. shot drag radials
-FAST 90/90 intake and TB (sold for $600)
-LS1 Tail Lights (sold for $200)
-OEM slave cylinder
-passenger side window motor

with just those 2 items sold, i own the car for $200. :nick::nick:

Heres some pics of it after i got it backed into my driveway on the trailer, which admittedly to me a few tries, and hosed it off.

Also, the car has been sitting and was sold as non-running, however we were pleasantly surprised when it fired right up after being hooked to jumper cables. Drove her right onto the trailer. 8-)


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[Blackbirdws6]

The purchase was worth it for the dash pad alone.

[LS1ow]

And here are some of the issues on the outside of the car. The paint itself is in pretty bad condition, and theres a lot of scratches and dings, but its a black car that hasnt been washed in 8 years, so lets see what happens.

Dodge Demon wide body fenders:

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48289226381_a04245d709_z.jpg

Paint issues on hood and pass fender:

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48289226101_82fa06d620_z.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48289226311_cbea95f0f0_z.jpg

Fender bowed out, most likely from improper jacking.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48289330897_36858d01da_z.jpg

Scrapes on the front lip:

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48289226571_d10b4919db_z.jpg

[Jersey Mike]

Pissed and happy. Drift King Beggs should make a return.

[LTb1ow]

Rocket bunny kit time!

[ThoR294]

drivetrain alone was worth it lol i wanted to buy it so bad. Can't wait to see progress!

p.s. ya friggen posted it in 67-92 lol

[LS1ow]

drivetrain alone was worth it lol i wanted to buy it so bad. Can't wait to see progress!

p.s. ya friggen posted it in 67-92 lol

wow, im surprised that slipped by jersey mike and didnt get changed already.

[LS1ow]

Now For the bad stuff


-The car does nothing when key is in ignition.
-Paint is not of any type of show quality.
-Needs new slave cylinder
-Passenger window motor will go down. You won't get it to go back up.
-Rear seats are removed (eh, not really a problem for me, but resale could be)
-Sound system is garbage & wiring is hack
-Passenger side kick panel is broke
-The tires need to be replaced at all 4 corners.
-The rear fenders need to be rolled if running 315s like it currently has.
-Driver's side motor mount has a bolt missing on the K member side.
-Driver's side windows switch panel needs to be replaced
-All fluids should be changed at this point.
-Headers have surface rust.
-A/C stopped blowing cold long ago and I never looked into why.




In bold are the 3 items i wanted to tackle first to try to get it road worthy at least.

1.
-The car does nothing when key is in ignition.

honestly, all i did was swap in a new battery from napa. Car fires right up without a damn hiccup. had it idling long enough to get it warm a few times.

2.
-The rear fenders need to be rolled if running 315s like it currently has.

simple, took the fender roller home from work for the night and went at it. This is much more of a pain than i remember, i guess im getting old!

3.
-The tires need to be replaced at all 4 corners.

This was half true. The 315s that were on the car when picked up were completely shot. Dry rotted even in the middle of the tread, and the sidewalls chunked and torn up from the non rolled fenders. Also, in my excitment to get the car out of view of the owner as fast as possible before any minds were changed, i somehow manage to run the straps for the rear wheels right ontop of the valve stems on both sides. :nick: ripping both of them out.

As for it being half true, the 315s were on the ZR1 wheels. which the matching fronts were off the car and must have been kept either off the ground or in stowage totes, bc yes they are old by the DOT, but they are not dry rotted at all, and are ready for action.

For the rears, i planned on tossing on some low end rubber just to get the car going, but wanted to keep 315s for dat arse. butttt, i hopped on my tirerack account and saw the Toyo R888rs were on clearance for $15 more than the crap tires.....

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48413007211_46d9ff14f9_z.jpg

while i had the wheels at work being done, i checked out the brakes and painted the calipers red. did i want to do red? no. will some highschool kid that wants to buy the car from me want red? yes.

Pads have a ton of life on them, and rotors are great other than the rust. So im gunna give her a few spirited stops and then decide if i should do them. Most likely a yes, but i wasnt doing brakes with the car on jackstands on a trailer anyway.

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[ThoR294]

lol wow just a battery. lucky ass! if this wasn't a catfish i probably would have bought it 1000%

[Blackbirdws6]

I would have splashed a Brembo sticker on those calipers for some extra resale.

[LS1ow]

I would have splashed a Brembo sticker on those calipers for some extra resale.

i actually ordered replica 5th gen Z28 stickers for the calipers and they were to big for the 4th gen caliper lmao

[Joey D]

Probably one of, if the not the best deal ive ever seen. Ive had 27 cars and 10 4th gens. Im amazed and jealous.

[LS1ow]

-Paint is not of any type of show quality.

Now this isnt completely fixed, the paint is still thrashed, but that "peeling clear coat" on the hood and the fender, ended up just being some kind of adhesive/sapp. A mircofiber and some detail spray got it to this. The hood is completely clear. As you can see in the pic the fender still has some blems. But much better than what it was. Im going to get some goo-gone or similar to get the hard bits.

Also, Dodge widebody fenders removed.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48422202272_03cc70c5b5_z.jpg

[Blackbirdws6]

I'm curious what a proper paint correction would do for her.

[sweetbmxrider]

Come over to BLS HQ for srs cherries.

What a nice pal!

[LS1ow]

I'm curious what a proper paint correction would do for her.

Do you have a key drop or should I just leave them on the tire?

[Blackbirdws6]

Do you have a key drop or should I just leave them on the tire?

Just leave me the keys and signed title. I'll get it taken care of. :cheers:

[LS1ow]

not really one of the main issues with the car, but the lights on this thing has seen better days. so a replacement set were ordered as soon as the car came home lol

Along with the lights, a opted for a black billet style grill to give the front end a little more life.

Grill installed:

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48422080646_2d441e7e78_z.jpg

Headlamps in!

(depo housings, LED Lows, Yellow LED Highs) as well as some yellow LED fogs.

no were near as good light output as my retros, or as much as anything BLS has ever even glanced at, but whatever. lol

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While doing this, i came across another problem with the car... the multifunction switch on the column is shot. Wiper functions all work, but no blinkers or high beams. sigh.

[sweetbmxrider]

Are you sure its the switch and not something else like a flasher and a relay or fuse?

[LS1ow]

Are you sure its the switch and not something else like a flasher and a relay or fuse?

The stalk doesn’t ever “click” for the blinkers for the highs. There’s no feedback

[Blackbirdws6]

The stalk doesn’t ever “click” for the blinkers for the highs. There’s no feedback

That's a fun part to replace but not too terrible.

Headlights look a lot better! You tossing in yellow highs brings me back to my G8 days.

[LS1ow]

That's a fun part to replace but not too terrible.

Headlights look a lot better! You tossing in yellow highs brings me back to my G8 days.

i always liked that look. Everything i drive gets yellow highs.\


Current debate is replace the switch or let it ride and pretend its a BMW.

[V]

Find someone with extra/spare columns and swap switch out.

[LS1ow]

Find someone with extra/spare columns and swap switch out.

what i really want to do is swap the column from my blue car into this car, and get one of the lightweight columns for the blue car. :mrgreen:

[LS1ow]

also swapped the front wheels to the ZR1s, and pulled the lip kit off.


https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48422080901_69080624d2_z.jpg

much better i think. I strongly dislike the ground effects.

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[Blackbirdws6]

Looks a lot better. Splash some tint on her please.

[LS1ow]

Looks a lot better. lemme see some 3rd gear street drifting my man

dont threaten me with a good time.

[Blackbirdws6]

dont threaten me with a good time.

My GoPro is charged. Threatening!!!!

[The_Bishop]

I am seriously jelly of your apparently endless time/monies for multiple projects. Car's progressing nicely.

[MDSheds_SS]

When is the burnout video? Are your feet fast enough for all three pedals?

[LS1ow]

I am seriously jelly of your apparently endless time/monies for multiple projects. Car's progressing nicely.

amazon parts and late(very sweaty) nights. No kids help too!

When is the burnout video? Are your feet fast enough for all three pedals?

fast enough, yes. Thin enough i dont hit atleast 2 of them at once, no.

[MyFirstZ]

the front and side valence goes for good money to if you remove them.

Would just have to tack up the holes on the rocker when you are done.

nice buy though, mike was telling me about it

[LS1ow]

the front and side valence goes for good money to if you remove them.

Would just have to tack up the holes on the rocker when you are done.

nice buy though, mike was telling me about it

I posted them for sale here and tech and havent gotten any bites !

[LS1ow]

Tossed on some KirkEvil Underground Designs grand sport stripes and chugga chugga'd to lowes for some hardware for the blue car during the weekend.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48434960252_60f9b77dec_z.jpg

leaving Lowes i decided to head up rt17 a bit and see if the hand carwash was packed, it wasnt. $8 later, we have its first legit wash in prob 6 years it seems.

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[WildBillyT]

You gotta be ****ing with us. No way is that the same car.

[BonzoHansen]

so pissed you treed me on that car. lol

[WildBillyT]

so pissed you treed me on that car. lol

Me too and I would have been woefully unprepared for another car

[Blackbirdws6]

Not bad, not bad at all!

[wretched73]

So much salt

[MDSheds_SS]

I would get a nice set of air bags for the back, a trailer hitch and tow the blue car around. #Black-N-Blue

[LS1ow]

You gotta be ****ing with us. No way is that the same car.

same car i promise. Looking to get it actually detailed/polished this coming week, should clean up even nicer.

so pissed you treed me on that car. lol

My phone did not leave my had after i PM'd the dude my number, mid hibachi dinner may i add. I gave him my number and told him call me when i can get it, i dont need to see it, i have cash in hand. He texted me the next morning at about 11am and i was at his house by 11:30, no joke. He only lived a few miles up rt17 from me.

Not bad, not bad at all!

need to teach me your ways of further cherry.

So much salt

https://media.gq.com/photos/5ad52641eb75a50913fd96ad/16:9/w_1280,c_limit/Real-Life-Diet-Salt-Bae-April-2018-041618.jpg

I would get a nice set of air bags for the back, a trailer hitch and tow the blue car around. #Black-N-Blue

tow my heavy ass blue car? :mrgreen: my ram can barely handle it. 8-)

[LTb1ow]

tow my heavy ass blue car? :mrgreen: my ram can barely handle it. 8-)

Well... it's a dodge.

:bertstare:

[LS1ow]

Well... it's a dodge.

:bertstare:

ill see you at racewarz

[Blackbirdws6]

Well... it's a dodge.

:bertstare:

https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/meme/images/1/1d/Yt655563971_a663674241_z.jpg/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/310?cb=20150712012656

[sweetbmxrider]

http://www.fullredneck.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Funny-Dodge-Meme-7.jpg

[ThoR294]

not bad for a catfish

[Joey D]

I forgot to ask. Hows the interior? He said something about it being moldy or something.

[LS1ow]

I forgot to ask. Hows the interior? He said something about it being moldy or something.

i actually planned on updating the thread with that later lol

the interior is by no means terrible, it does need a nice cleaning.

-The front seats are in pretty good condition, no bolster rip. .
-The car doesn't have any rear seats, which im in the process of getting some. -The dash/console/door panels need a cleaning but nothing crazy, a wipe down with some cleaner and a micro fiber will prob suffice.
-The shift boot is pretty gnarly, maybe a replacement is better option here.
-DS Door panel switch keeps popping out, nbd, easy fix.
-Pass kick panel doesnt stay clipped in, again not the biggest deal.
-Dash pad is in 1 piece :nod:

As for the mold/mildew, yes. When i first took the car home it was terrible. I bought the adams polishes odor bomb and it helped a ton. you leave it in the car sealed up for 24 hours with it in the car and it gets rid of the smells. I was surprised how well it worked actually.

[LS1ow]

yesterday was shop night at work so i was able to bring the car in and get some stuff done and check out the belly of this thing.

I was super curious as to how bad the rust was on the car, and i got my answer.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48495149547_75f11433dd_z.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48495149537_9b85b53f89_z.jpg

not terrible for what i was expecting. Do not have any after photos, but i hit it with a wire wheel and then used VHT rust converter. Sadly shop night time is limited, so i did not have time to hit it with undercoat. But i will most likely do that next shop night.

Here are some more pics of the bottom of the car.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48495149532_bcc381dc17_z.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48494982456_89188c075e_z.jpg

in addition to the rust and scan of the belly. I did the oil change and a coolant drain + refill.

With the car back on the ground to fill the oil and coolant, i hooked up the AC machine to give it a charge. Sadly, the AC issue on the car is more than just it needing a recharge. The compressor doesnt kick on it all. Swapped the relay for the horn and the AC compressor, and the horn works with both relays. So i assume the compressor is shot. Any other tests to run prior to potential compressor swap?

Will grab pics later, but i also swapped the map lighting and cluster lighting from Johnny Tran Blue LEDs to regular white ones. Half the cluster lights were out anyway so it needed to be tended to. I think the cluster may have an issue, as one of the lights i swapped in took a bit longer to turn on, and then turned off after a second or 2. I will pull the cluster again maybe today and double check it is seated correctly. Of coarse its the one that lights the tac too.


TL;DR
-Rust fix
-Oil/Coolant Change
-AC Compressor Doesnt kick, send halp.
-Blue cheese dressing good- blue LEDs bad.

[sweetbmxrider]

I would make sure you are getting power and ground at the compressor clutch. Could be something stupid like a bad pressure switch. If compressor cycles and the high and low side are showing equal pressures, yo **** is shot.

[Blackbirdws6]

Man that rust is terrible. I'll give you $500 to take this off your hands. It's only going to get worse.

[LS1ow]

Man that rust is terrible. I'll give you $500 to take this off your hands. It's only going to get worse.

https://media.tenor.com/images/336753d55e17e7c231cae892c0303261/tenor.png

[Blackbirdws6]

https://cdn.geekwire.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/williamshatner.png

Bday is coming up.... just saying

[LS1ow]

oh ya, i also fixed the fender issue while i had the car up on the lift. Just removed the 2 bolts that hold it to the faux pinch weld, and bent it back with
some vice grips.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48519384912_7b7f901718_z.jpg

put another 50 miles or so on it this weekend, so far so good.

[Blackbirdws6]

Nice work!

[LS1ow]

taking another step towards resale here...

The car has no speakers in the sail panels. The factory plug looks to be there, but seems like a pretty big plug to me for a speaker. but who knows, can someone verify what the stock speaker connector looks like? Id check my blue car, but it doesn't have them. lol

Is there any "drop in" speakers available? I dont want to spend a ton of money, and dont need any crazy sound system. a factory style replacement would suffice fine.

[sweetbmxrider]

Yeah I think they are the larger connector. You can cut them off and put spades on them and any old speaker would work.

[Blackbirdws6]

As Adam said, those can be cut and you can use a normal universal speaker connector. Some perhaps useful info here as well.

https://www.crutchfield.com/S-9DNiW5loWGV/learn/1997-2002-chevrolet-camaro.html

[3.4 grape of wrath]

Car looks great. Nice work.

[LS1ow]

Car has been sold!

[LTb1ow]

Congrats man, glad you (hopefully) did well

[Joey D]

Did it sell from ls1tech or somewhere else?

[LS1ow]

Did it sell from ls1tech or somewhere else?

Craigslist !

[Joey D]

Craigslist !

Nice. Cant get myself to pony up the $5 it costs now

[LS1ow]

Nice. Cant get myself to pony up the $5 it costs now

i know ! wtf! I was surprised by that.

[LS1ow]

Well, got sent a screenshot from our resident sausage and peppers master...

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48962431242_f9a3841a7b_c.jpg

heres a zoomed in look..

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48962248321_89b1931dd7_c.jpg

now the guy that has the part out for sale isnt the person i sold it to. So i sent him a message to try to get some info. He didnt really want to tell me anything at first, but then i told him how i sold the car less than a month ago. Apparently the kid i sold it to wrecked it this past sunday, and orginally hit up the guy that has it for sale now for a new front clip. (guy who has it posted now appears to be the long island version of V with how much fbody **** he has) The guy ended up offering to buy the car as a whole instead of selling a front clip. The kid took the offer. Im not sure how much it was exactly, as the current owner would only tell me "Less than 3k"

What a financial blow for the kid i sold it to man. I assume hes not a millionaire, so to lose out that much money to anyone is a big set back. He seemed like a nice and honest working kid that just wanted to get into a fast car(has a TBSS as well) However, this was foreshadowed as when he came to purchase the car he had to bring a buddy to drive it home to NY, as he didnt know how to drive stick...

[sweetbmxrider]

Can you crop the photos? They are unbearable to look at.

In other news, would have lasted longer with a hydro-brake :rip:

[LTb1ow]

Just needs a RSM tube front end and a bumper.

[PolarBear]

Can you crop the photos? They are unbearable to look at.

A million times, THIS ^^^^