New shop project

[Slowhawk]

Picked this up because I just like them. Had one in high school.

1980, 301ci motor,auto

Going to fix the interior with some new seats, head liner, misc parts and a radio.

next will be body mounts,subframe connectors.

Then suspension which I might replace everything or just bushing the stuff, have to see.

Next winter is still up in the air. Either a 402ci LS2 setup with Throttle body to keep scoop or twin turbo 364ci. Still don't know on tranny yet.

[Camaro9969]

Nice i like that. It looks really clean too. Not many build those up so it will be nice to see something different out there!

[Slowhawk]

It's a 20' car. Got it for a decent price and needs work. Most of the stuff it needs I planned on replacing anyways. Suspension ect.

If it was just to keep stock I would of bought one of the $25k one's with less than 40k on them.

[ZFreie]

If that's a 20' car then I have a 50' car LOL

[KLAB]

how is the shell need any metal replacing? my 78 Z needs floors, I'm waiting till after college to start that project. Maybe if you keep it a mild build I'll have some competition hahaha.

[DavidS]

That is a NICE 2nd gen Don!!!

My first car in high school was a 1980 Camaro and I bet they were very similar.

[Z28]

Please whatever you do, get the Year One Snowflake replicas

[Slowhawk]

My detail guy cleaned it up today

[ZFreie]

Tips are strange looking to me for some reason, not saying it looks bad but, just something I can't put my finger on.

[Slowhawk]

They are hanging low and aftermarket. The 2.25 exhaust will get shit canned anyways.

[BigMac76]

That is a NICE 2nd gen Don!!!

My first car in high school was a 1980 Camaro and I bet they were very similar.

That's awesome, so was mine! 1980 base Camaro with the 3.8L 229cid V6 and a Saginaw 3spd behind it. Didn't stay that way for long either though.

Car is looking good, Don. I've always had a special place for second gens since my first one in high school.

[KLAB]

Nick thats how the tips were on those I think thats why they used quad tips again on the 4th gen TA's trying to bring that style back. Camaros had single pointed down like that. I think its hard to do exhaust tips on these cars any other way than that or dumping them. I had two under the bumper and it looked weird...

Don that car is mint nice score. I'm assuming no rot lol.

[Z28]

http://i1079.photobucket.com/albums/w501/stevesfbody/image_zps6a0dd769.jpg (http://s1079.photobucket.com/user/stevesfbody/media/image_zps6a0dd769.jpg.html)

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uOf_6O_bjOQ

[Slowhawk]

The car isn't mint in any way. It's decent.

It's been painted once with a single stage. From what I've seen it need minimul floor work, slight 1/4 work from little bubbles and the trunk hatch has very minor rot at the corner. Pretty much what I'd expect for the price of the car. Looked at others for $4k more that were in worse condition.

It's getting a tune up,oil change,smog delete,egr delete and some clean up under the hood tomorrow. Gonna drive as is for the summer while I think out a plan.

[Formula413]

Nice car, I agree it's a good car to build, most people seem to keep them pretty close to stock.

[DavidS]

Nice car, I agree it's a good car to build, most people seem to keep them pretty close to stock.

For me, close enough to stock would be without a monster size hood, stock dash, and stock looking wheels. But if you added "on the low side, not 1000 hp, but Slowhawk kickass hp" under the hood.....that would be so nice.

[Slowhawk]

I'm thinking 500rwhp would be nice and keep the car stock looking.

[DavidS]

I'm thinking 500rwhp would be nice and keep the car stock looking.
yep. That would be so nice. Stock looking and would kick ass over any stock 1st - 5th gen.

[KLAB]

sounds like a good plan. still is in good condition with that little rot. where was it from?

[ls6monte]

Nice Don.

[Slowhawk]

My son helped with Josh with giving it a tune up, dumping 20lbs of emmision crap and minor engine bay clean up saturday. Would of got more done but the weather sucked.

Has minor rot on some floor and the lower corners have minor bubbling. Inside the the fenders are solid from what we see so far.

The car is far from mint but is a decent looker now.

Next plan is replace all weather strips and start with interior. Front seats need to be re done or replaced. Needs head liner,sail panels and center console. That will make the interior mint.

[DavidS]

Next plan is replace all weather strips and start with interior. Front seats need to be re done or replaced. Needs head liner,sail panels and center console. That will make the interior mint.

I don't know what level you're going to Don or what guys you already have, but for upholstery work in CT, this guy can't be beat for the quality of the work he does:

Interior Motives (which is a fairly common name for a lot of different interior companies)
105 Windermere Avenue # 1
Ellington, CT 06029

CONTACT NAME: Charles Uzanas
PHONE: (860) 871-9274

[Slowhawk]

Thanks. So far we fixed all the gauges. Ordered the weather strip kit headliner and misc interior screws.
Next will be solid body mounts and weld in subframe connectors.

[Grovlet]

I don't know what level you're going to Don or what guys you already have, but for upholstery work in CT, this guy can't be beat for the quality of the work he does:

Interior Motives (which is a fairly common name for a lot of different interior companies)
105 Windermere Avenue # 1
Ellington, CT 06029

CONTACT NAME: Charles Uzanas
PHONE: (860) 871-9274

I was just getting back around to reviewing interior shops to fix my Headliner & busted leather seats... Now I have another shop to call!!

Thanks!!

And Back on Topic - Nice Looking T/A - Back in the day my buddy had a 79 with a built up 403! Always had a soft spot for those era T/As - Looking forward to a nice driver build log to follow:sCh_elmodance:

[DavidS]

I was just getting back around to reviewing interior shops to fix my Headliner & busted leather seats... Now I have another shop to call!!

Thanks!!

And Back on Topic - Nice Looking T/A - Back in the day my buddy had a 79 with a built up 403! Always had a soft spot for those era T/As - Looking forward to a nice driver build log to follow:sCh_elmodance:

He's a one-man show Eric but does real nice work. Get a quote and remember that you usually get what you pay for.

[DavidS]

Always had a soft spot for those era T/As - Looking forward to a nice driver build log to follow
I'm guessing that Don's going beyond a nice driver build. LOL.

[Slowhawk]

It won't be mint but the track is reliable, drive anywhere type of setup.

After driving it a few days- solid body mounts and subframes just went to the top of the list. LOL

[camarokid91]

http://image.hotrod.com/f/featuredvehicles/9312699/hrdp_0708_10_z%2B1977_pontiac_firebird_trans_am_ba ndit_edition%2B18_inch_billet_snowflake_wheels.jpg

I love those cars with modern 18" version of the factory wheels.

[Slowhawk]

Was looking at the 17's but that will be one of the last parts to buy.

[KLAB]

It won't be mint but the track is reliable, drive anywhere type of setup.

After driving it a few days- solid body mounts and subframes just went to the top of the list. LOL

Yeah what is a good option for body mounts on those? I tore mine out the 78 and replaced them with new rubber way back. But is solid the way to go or do they have poly?

[Slowhawk]

I'm going to do solid aluminum and weld in subframe connector's, possibly through the floor.

Next plan is to pull the front frame off. Sand it, smooth and paint. Toss the motor. Fix the floor as needed. Then put it back together with new control arms, coil overs ect. This way the frame/floors will be done. Of course I don't really want to start this till I have more parts ready.

[smokinss]

Sweet. Once its done you will just need a cowboy hat and a mullet and you are all set! Yeehaww

[LSX-Nation]

What did that thing put down for power?

[snowking]

What did that thing put down for power?
Like 52hp to the wheels

[LSX-Nation]

i heard it was 53

[Slowhawk]

Well, been a while but the project is going somewhere now.
Got the new floors welded in, so interior is pretty much all set for now.
Later this week we are pulling the 301/tranny setup, nose ect. Then we will clean up the front subframe.
Parts I have so far to go in.
rebuild ls6 shortblock
rebuilt 6 speed tranny
arh headers.
BP automotive engine harness
Still making up my mind on which heads to run.Probably some ported stockers. Just looking for 400-430rwhp;.

[DavidS]

That sounds very nice!!!

If you have any pics along the way, please post them up.

[Slowhawk]

I have some pics. Everytime we start on this we get delayed with shop work.
Customers come first. My car gets built on spare time.

[LSX-Nation]

Id like to see some pictures as well. Maybe with winter coming you will have some free time.

[Slowhawk]

Should have the motor mock up tomorrow.

[Slowhawk]

Lacking in pictures but here are some. Replaced some sheet metal, built a H/C LS and 6 speed. Installed the control arms and coil overs with 4th gen master.

[frankzlt1]

That's some really nice work, going to be a nice handling car when it's done. What are you putting in for a rear.

[Slowhawk]

I have the stock 10 bolt here but waiting to see if I can swing a S60 into it. Then run 01 Camaro rear brake/ e brake setup.

[LSX-Nation]

progress looking good.

[Slowhawk]

Well, my C5 brakes,spindle's came in. Just waiting on the S60 rear, then it's going back up. Looks like a nive C5 Vette blower setup will fit nicely.

[KLAB]

how was the window / dash cowl area any rot there?