Once you get into the 78-81 models you will have a harder time finding parts. OEM will not make parts until they have a 10,000 backorder qty. Many of the upgrades you may want to do (brighter tail lights, etc., etc..) may not be an option. I have a 78 Z28 and have over $25,000 into it and I still have not touched the interior or body.

 

Holy cow! Must be one heck of a drive train to be that deep and still need body and interior work!

 

Almost everything underneath is brand new. It's a 350 but, it still puts over 300 to the ground. When we did that we had to put a new transmission to handle it and then we did a 10 bolt rear end so power could get to the ground. When all that was being done it was easy for me to beat it with a money stick. Times have changed.

 

See now, I would have not gone to the 350 in this day and age... I am going with EFI and the right build and am told by the Engine guy that I will have at least 400 to 450 at the crank and at least 350-400 at the tires... (5 or 6 speed Man)... Factory Idle (or close to it) A sleeper motor... Better to hunt Fox bodies in!!! Should be a wild ride... The motor core is $1200, the rebuild is $500 plus... Tranny is $1800.. My Drive shaft guy is Awsome and will hit me up for $200 with a custom built Drive shaft... still thinking about the rearend. Luckly the wife Loves me and Loves fast a$$ cars!

 

Yeah but he spent 25K to get 300 to the ground!

 

I guess I'm still not sure how to get to $25k? I put $1300 into my engine for a complete build, $350 to build the TH350, another $100 into a B&M shifter, $1200 in the 10 bolt, $600 into all new suspension w/springs front and rear. All new bushings in suspension and frame. Another $220 into the Lakewoods. Didn't change the swaybars as they were already good, but maybe I could have sunk another $21k into new swaybars?

 

Pay Chip Foose to do it!

 

Why pay, when he'll do it in seven days for free! Of course he wont paint it the way me or my insider tell him, 'cause he's way smarter about what looks good than we are!

 

yeah but I have a designer WD-40 can at the house!!! LOL

 

I was out of the country when I started this car, so I had to pay a mechanic to do all the work. But, start pricing new engine and all the accompaniments and add new tranny and rear end and everything else that goes with it. It adds up rather quick. Leaf springs for it were around $500 alone. And once you take a car away from stock equipment it'll mean the little things will nickel and dime you to death along the way. I love it and wish I could finish it correctly, just have a baby on the way and can't have the same hobbies anymore.