I just picked up a 1978 Z28 off a friend, all original. Frame is in solid shape, a little rust, a few dents and rust spots on the body. I wanted to start the project off with tires, rims, exhaust, and suspension modifications and then when she's put up for the winter I'll fix the rust and clean up the body for a spring paint job. Any suggestions on what to put into it? I wat to keep it somewhat original but I'm definitely looking to build a car for the drag strip.

 

I would start at the rear end and tranny. It sounds wierd but if you snap an axe or hurt the tranny you just have a lawn ornament. Oh yah welcome, come on in.

 

Well I'd figure out what engine you want before deciding on what trans or rearend you want. Depending on the cubic inches and HP of the engine, the tranny and rearend may need to be stronger to handle it.
I'm biased towards cubic inches, and personally think that the way to go is big blocks, but a small block 350 is a very reasonable way to start if economics determine the HP of your car. There's not much you can build any cheaper than a small block Chevy, so that would be my choice if the budget was limited.

 

Well I'm undecided on engine and trans still. I'm thinking to maintain the classic nature of the car I might work with the orginal 350 that's in the car and just replace the 3 speed automatic with a higher performance one. What I think I want to do long term though is a 454 and rebuild the car with a vertical shift manual trans. For the time being until I can rebuild the engine in my daily driver (a 97 Saturn SC2) I need to get the Camaro in a bit better shape. I need tires but I want to replace the suspension so I can get my allignments done too. I think I want a slightly lower ride height but I need a stiff enough suspension to keep me from bottoming out. I've seen several mentions of Koni and Eibach but I need some suggestions. I've always driven small cars and never had anything like this to work on and need help figuring things out.

 

Well as far a suspension I have to be bias toward protouring f-body. Only because I have a ton of parts from them.

 

If I went with pro-touring, would the comp kit with adjustable shocks and both sway bar kits be pretty much everything I need to redo the entire suspension?

 

The comp kit is what I have, but I'm not sure exactly what comes in it. I think the g bars, frame connectors, and solid body mounts are another kit. Then I added control arms, tie rods, center link, billet sleeves, and steering box. I think the frame connector kit is a good start though. If you have the cash then do the suspension too. From what I was told my car will be on par with a new Z06. That is saying something for a 30 year old car.

 

Alright thanks, I think I have enough info to get started, I just gotta rebuild the engine in my daily driver so I can get started and stop putting miles on my baby lol.

 

You can also look into Hotchkis and Bilstein setups. Hotchkis has a full setup for 1400 that's pretty nice. I've ridden in a couple with that and it really makes a difference.

 

The Hotchkis TVS is a good set up too. I would have went with that if I had not come across PTFB. I just wanted to give my money to a smaller outfit. They are all American made parts too. I don't know about Hotchkis.