'78 Z28 - Pro Touring Or Bust

[PFZ28]

Hello everyone, it's been a while. No good reason for the gap, just been busy. As I predicted in the last post, the brakes all ended up going back to Summit Racing, lol. I learned that cross-drilled rotors end up cracking under hard braking (think autocross), so I returned them and the pads too. We'll get back to that later.

I think I'm going to tackle weatherstripping next. Getting mentally prepared to drop a load of cash on the T-Top seals from Steele Rubber. Like $650. I know I can get them cheaper, but these are the best. Might as well try to just do this job once.

 

[PFZ28]

Wow, been 3 years since I posted anything. I am definitely a slacker.

Over the years, I've made a little progress here and there on the Z. Feeling like getting started again in earnest. It definitely needs a paint job soon. I've made a small step toward working on that, more later.

Let's see, what have I done?

* Pulled the engine and did a top-end rebuild. Ported the heads, added a new camshaft, better springs, better lifters, new oil pump. Added an oil pan baffle so the LS1 won't oil starve in corners.
* Put the engine back in! Definitely notice a top-end difference with the new cam, even though I went for a smooth-idle kind. I'll go dig up the cam specs here in a bit.
* Speaking of corners, I found a rebuilt Posi rear end and put it in. No more 1-tire fire!
* Replaced the T-Top seals. Do they still leak? Check.
* Replaced the front rotors, pads, and brake lines.
* Replaced the fuel lines I initially installed with the LS1. The old ones were cracking - not a confidence builder! New fuel line is mostly aluminum.

That small step I mentioned... I have a new garage door that hugs the ceiling up at the 10 foot level. This means I can put the Z on the lift and raise it almost to the ceiling while still maintaining the ability to open and close the door. Now I can raise the lift when I want to park the Boxster, and lower it when I want to do bodywork. It's like having a 3 car garage!

3 Car Garage by pfz28, on Flickr

 

[TheFastForester]

A PF siting! Glad you are back and getting cracking on the Z again. Keep us posted and hopefully sooner than 2026 .
We recently got the shop done at our new digs near Berthoud, I reminded the builder to make one pad in the shop thicker (6") so if I decided to go with a 2-post lift I'd be set. I remember you drilling yours, but don't remember the thickness you found. Just remember it was plenty good, and looks to be with that set up you have!

 

[PFZ28]

Hey TFF, wow great to hear from you! It's like getting the band back together again. Your shop sounds awesome! Great idea on the 6" pad, that should work. Yes, I remember that I got a concrete saw with a 12" blade. I cut all the way to the hub, and then looked inside the cut. I hadn't even breached the bottom of the pad, so I decided it would be okay. Not sure exactly the depth of the blade, but at least 5.5". Been almost 4 years, no floor cracking.

 

[PFZ28]

Just achieved a desire I've had almost as long as I've had this car... personalized plate! Been thinking about it forever. Found out HAYWIRE was available, and well, that's a fairly descriptive word for a project car I've been working on for 13 years!

HAYWIRE by pfz28, on Flickr

 

[Patstuff28]

We had a rock band in Canada back in the 80’s go by the name of Haywire. There seems to be a second generation F-body in one of their videos.

 

[PFZ28]

No way! Looked at the vid briefly and didn't see it but I'll look again. Love it when the 2nd Gens get some screen time. Reminded me of the black one in Beverly Hills Cop II

 

[QUAKE_WARS]

Cool build thread. Since 2010. You have came a long way!

 

[PFZ28]

Thanks, Quake_Wars! Sometimes I'm amazed at all the work that's gone into it. I've been saving the body/paint/interior for the last, which has worked out well. Never had to be gentle or keep things clean. It's pretty much always been running and driving too, except for the times I've had the engine out. I'm proud of that.

 

[PFZ28]

We had an amazing trip to Italy in June. One of the highlights was meeting Jas0n and his family! Here we are together in Anguillara Sabazia. We had lunch together, toured a castle, and had Frozen Yogurt! I will remember that day forever!

Camaro Brothers by pfz28, on Flickr