MoonlitMechanic

I wanted to make a build thread for my 1999 Camaro Z28. I have mostly been building imports in the past, you can see my previous builds here: https://ls1tech.com/forums/introduct...ro-thread.html

I picked up this car for less than $5k, which was about $3k less than I saw other cars in this shape going for. Here are the pictures from the original ad I bought the car from of my 1999 Chevy Camaro Z28 (6-Speed, 140k miles):





Gotta love the truck with flames in the background lol.

The car was completely stock with the exception of a very poorly-fitted Hooker Aerochamber catback exhaust and tint (that I will get around to replacing later, not a priority).

The first things I did to the car were rear wheel bearings, tie rod ends, transmission mount, speakers, headliner, visors, LT1 taillights (the originals were cracked anyways), black front turn signals and a black billet grill. Here are some pictures after that first round of mods:









Next on the list was to try to polish the headlights and do the whistler mod. That attempt failed miserably as the headlight covers were too far gone, so I got some Depo black housing headlights:



Got the tailpipes redone at a local shop with a mandrel bender, and put on some single 2.5" inlet, 4.5" exit Jeg's exhaust tips:



Then, I had the misfortune to get a flat on a rear tire at the bead. I was going to buy some cheap used tires, but my fiance surprised me and said my wedding gift for later this year was a track day at VIR! So that was my ticket to get this car to the next level. Got some Koni Yellows and Strano Springs, put the front springs on the lower perch, and did the heater hose mod to the rear springs. After Koni's and lowering springs:



Next, I went through and changed fluids, and sealed all leaks. New oil pan gasket (not a fun job on an on these cars), new rear diff gasket, Motul brake fluid and clutch fluid, new trans fluid, etc. Also changed the brakes out for Centric premium rotors and Stoptech pads. Deciding on wheels was a difficult decision. I originally bought some C6 Corvette Z06 Spyder wheels, but decided I wanted something smaller than a 19x12 on the rear. Sold that set, and went with 18x9.5" ESR SR04 wheels (5x120, +35 offset) with Nitto NT555 tires in 245/40/18; went through Unleashed Wheels, the guy there was super helpful. When I went to fit these up, I noticed there was no way the brakes would clear these wheels, so went and got some generic 5-lug 5/16s spacers from the parts store (temporary solution, ordered some custom hubcentric spacers and extended lugs). Went with 245 tires because with this low of an offset, the 275's would not fit. I know most people would recommend at least 275s for the track, but at the same time, this will be my first track day, and I want to see how the car handles on stock width tires so I can notice the improvement when I go wider in the future.

Here is my first fitment:





And after rolling the rear fenders and mounting the wheels:









This is probably gonna be how it stays for a while, until I get the green light to spend again from the wife-to-be. Stay tuned....

Full Mod List:

Engine:
-Free Ram Air Mod
-Colorado Speed 8.5mm Ignition Wires
-Hooker Aerochamber Catback Exhaust w/ 4.5" Jeg's exhaust tips

Suspension:
-Koni Sport Shocks
-Strano Springs (lower perch and HH mod)
-18"x9.5" ESR SR04 Wheels (5x120mm lug pattern, +35 offset)
-Nitto NT555 245/40/18 Tires
-7mm spacers
-ARP Extended Lug Studs
-Muteki SR48 Open Lug Nuts

Exterior:
-LT1 Taillights
-Black front turn signals
-Black housing Depo headlights
-Black billet grille

Interior:
-Infinity Kappa 62.9i speakers front
-Rockford Fosgate R14x2 speakers in hatch
-Recovered headliner
-New sunvisors

2JAWZ

iTrader: (1)

So far Id say you are doing a great job. The drop, wheels and headlights did wonders already. Will be waiting to see more**

Captain Slow

this.

not a fan of the exhaust tips.

mangid

I like what you're doing so far, but those exhaust tips are comically huge

JDEP162

Dam all that looks familiar lol. I bought the same car in same condition basicly. Uve done a good job making it more stylish and badass. Only thing I don't like is the tips, maybe from other angles they're better, but hey it ain't my car lol. Good work.

Majestic9C1

iTrader: (19)

Looks good except for the Grapefruit shooters at the rear.. some Corsa clone tips would look eleventy billion times better..

2JAWZ

iTrader: (1)

And because of growing on you,, you will see more monster tips pop up*

SCott5

iTrader: (40)

Agree. Looks good except those tips but your car your choice. What's next on the list?

MoonlitMechanic

Lol I knew when I put on those tips they wouldnt be for everyone. Yes, they are comically huge. I came from the import world where its not uncommon to see a Toyota Supra rocking a 5" exhaust, and came to admire that style. I know I'm not putting down horsepower in the 4-digits or anything, but I do like the look. I wouldnt mind going with a smaller quad tip, just really didnt like the hooker quad tips, they were a little too small for my taste.

My buddy saw them for the first time and told me my car belongs in Cruisin' USA lol

MoonlitMechanic

Well, I promised they wife-to-be no engine mods until at least a year from now. So for the time being, I will continue with little resto here and there, like fix the rear passenger quarter panel dent, and get the tint redone, and get small stuff like an SLP Lid and new floor mats. Once the wife gives the go-ahead, I plan to do headers, cam and intake manifold, or hopefully the guy making the cathedral port adapter plates figures out how to make the LSA blower fit under the hood of an FBody and I wont have to worry about an intake manifold

SCott5

iTrader: (40)

There is a guy putting a lsa motor under a stock camaro cowl in the forced induction section. It's okay about the tips I have a single 5in exhaust that comes out of my front passenger side fender

2JAWZ

iTrader: (1)

Never let a woman stop your passion! If she does now she will the rest of your life** And SCott5 has an awesome car with that exhaust! Breaking the norm isn't soo bad after all*

MoonlitMechanic

Lol I'm not worried about her stopping it, it's just that I keep using credit cards to do it and need to get my finances straightened out. If I had the money to do it, she wouldn't care. But this time I got the approval to use my credit card one last time since she bought me the track day at VIR.

MoonlitMechanic

Link please?

and are you single turbo?

madmike9396

iTrader: (29)

That car looks a lot better. Great job

MoonlitMechanic

Thanks man