70 RSZ28 Camaro 5.3 Turbo Build
03-04-2014, 08:04 PM
#1
Staging Lane
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70 RSZ28 Camaro 5.3 Turbo Build Hello.
Ive been lurking for quite some time just spend all day reading and researching things for my build. my search/post ratio is quite high. But I figure I would start a little spot on the internet for my build.
I received this car back in 2000 from my father. It has been in the family since the early 80's. I got it, bought a 350 and had it running after a year or two of slow working on it as a poor kid. I had it running and was driving it to school for a few months when I was sick of paying for gas. Bought a honda and put in storage (stupid 19yr old me.) A lil over a year ago I was itching and wanted a project and decided to build this thing right and finish it. Still stupid but with a couple more dollars.
I had it towed over to a garage that I could work on it on the weekends and get things going on it. At first I wasnt sure what route the engine would go as the 350 I had in it had less than 1k miles and started right up after sitting for a few years. But I always hated the street manners of a 350 and a 4spd. So after doing months of research I decided on an LS.
I thought I found a good deal on a 5.3 that ended up being a horrible deal and a total rip off. Basically scammed. But I ended up finding a 5.3 alum block and building the engine myself which I was quite happy about. Doing a full engine build and knowing exactly whats in your motor is an awesome feeling.
Now for pics.
On flat bed
Dirty engine bay. Replaced fuel lines and started right up.
Interior stripped. No real rust issues.
Took subframe off for powder coat. But had to wait...
Bolted subframe back in and mocking up motor.
Fresh built 5.3 + T56 bolted together.
Trans in the car
top motor mount
motor mounts done
motor mounts bolted in
tranny mount
made a bad decision
flanges
Got some stuff back from powder coat
turbo mock up
pass header building
driver side header
I ordered vbands and they sent me the wrong ones so waiting for that to get situated. Also ordered radiator today. So once all thats in then hot side piping will be completed and get going on cold side.
Ive been lurking for quite some time just spend all day reading and researching things for my build. my search/post ratio is quite high. But I figure I would start a little spot on the internet for my build.
I received this car back in 2000 from my father. It has been in the family since the early 80's. I got it, bought a 350 and had it running after a year or two of slow working on it as a poor kid. I had it running and was driving it to school for a few months when I was sick of paying for gas. Bought a honda and put in storage (stupid 19yr old me.) A lil over a year ago I was itching and wanted a project and decided to build this thing right and finish it. Still stupid but with a couple more dollars.
I had it towed over to a garage that I could work on it on the weekends and get things going on it. At first I wasnt sure what route the engine would go as the 350 I had in it had less than 1k miles and started right up after sitting for a few years. But I always hated the street manners of a 350 and a 4spd. So after doing months of research I decided on an LS.
I thought I found a good deal on a 5.3 that ended up being a horrible deal and a total rip off. Basically scammed. But I ended up finding a 5.3 alum block and building the engine myself which I was quite happy about. Doing a full engine build and knowing exactly whats in your motor is an awesome feeling.
Now for pics.
On flat bed
Dirty engine bay. Replaced fuel lines and started right up.
Interior stripped. No real rust issues.
Took subframe off for powder coat. But had to wait...
Bolted subframe back in and mocking up motor.
Fresh built 5.3 + T56 bolted together.
Trans in the car
top motor mount
motor mounts done
motor mounts bolted in
tranny mount
made a bad decision
flanges
Got some stuff back from powder coat
turbo mock up
pass header building
driver side header
I ordered vbands and they sent me the wrong ones so waiting for that to get situated. Also ordered radiator today. So once all thats in then hot side piping will be completed and get going on cold side.
03-06-2014, 02:51 AM
#5
TECH Junkie
Sub'd...in for pics. This is already shaping up to be pretty cool!
03-06-2014, 10:37 AM
#6
From the pictures that appears to be a real 70 z28 , no ac , 4 speed car , they are quite valuable in their stock configuration , and are climbing in value . tell me its a clone so I feel better
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03-06-2014, 10:42 PM
#8
Staging Lane
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Thanks. I hope to have it up and running by the end of april. Then body/interior/paint. The further along I go the deeper I get.
Thanks. Gonna try and take photos of all the good stuff
It's not a clone. Sadly, i do not have the original motor or trans. If I did it would be a full oem resto. I could have kept the 350 and the 4spd but the truth is that it doesn't drive that well with that setup. It has bad highway manners. And as I'm building it I actually drive it around I want that 6th speed. Hopefully I don't regret the ls swap in terms of overall value degradation.
The last 5 years I was lucky enough to have a place to store it. Keeping it in a garage was not a priority during the college years. But now it's in a nice warm shop!
Updates: looks like USPS lost my vbands so I had to reorder those in order to get my crossovers welded up on Saturday. Radiator will be in as well. Hopefully I'll be able to mock up the inter cooler and piping this weekend and that ordered.
Updates: looks like USPS lost my vbands so I had to reorder those in order to get my crossovers welded up on Saturday. Radiator will be in as well. Hopefully I'll be able to mock up the inter cooler and piping this weekend and that ordered.
03-10-2014, 12:39 PM
#12
Staging Lane
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Thanks guys.
Wrenched on Saturday and even though it doesnt look like much got done we got all finished. I need to order some more ss piping and then the entire hotside will be done. just want to verify some stuff before its finished. Some photos:
Both headers in.
drivers side header with vbands all attached (on header side at least)
Sexy Full-Race Wastegate. One of my favorite companies.
Wrenched on Saturday and even though it doesnt look like much got done we got all finished. I need to order some more ss piping and then the entire hotside will be done. just want to verify some stuff before its finished. Some photos:
Both headers in.
drivers side header with vbands all attached (on header side at least)
Sexy Full-Race Wastegate. One of my favorite companies.
03-14-2014, 07:12 AM
#14
Teching In
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This is looking like a beautiful build and makes me even more disappointed that my parents didn't give me the opportunity to buy the 72 that they restored a few years back... Keep the updates & pics flowin'!
03-14-2014, 03:45 PM
#16
Staging Lane
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Thanks guys. I am quite excited to get this build done. The plan it to be able to drive it everyday. Not sure if that will happen but I would like it to be that reliable.
Money Gone Update: I ordered downtube materials and intercooler piping materials yesterday from Race Part Solutions. Awesome guys to deal with and they were very helpful with my questions. Hopefully that arrives early next week and everything on the exhaust side is wrapped up.
Once the intercooler piping has arrived and I have a chance to mock it up, I will be ordering a Garret Intercooler core and Tial blowoff valve.
Also thinking of running an oil cooler. If I have space to run it in the nose cone Im gonna order that and get it all plumbed before startup. Then move onto wiring + fuel.
This build is getting expensive fast! "Hoping" to have it started by end of April.
Money Gone Update: I ordered downtube materials and intercooler piping materials yesterday from Race Part Solutions. Awesome guys to deal with and they were very helpful with my questions. Hopefully that arrives early next week and everything on the exhaust side is wrapped up.
Once the intercooler piping has arrived and I have a chance to mock it up, I will be ordering a Garret Intercooler core and Tial blowoff valve.
Also thinking of running an oil cooler. If I have space to run it in the nose cone Im gonna order that and get it all plumbed before startup. Then move onto wiring + fuel.
This build is getting expensive fast! "Hoping" to have it started by end of April.
