Hi guys new to the forum. I just picked up 79 z28. Its absolutely imaculate. Unforutanatly its a bone stock 350 w/ 4 speed but has 3.73 gears. Supposedly a stock 12 bolt rear end. I also have an 86 mustang drag car. This is the first chevy I've bought with intent of modifying. This is going to be my daily driver to and from work but I want to give it a good amount of power. I was looking a the top end kits on summit. They seem very decently priced, especially when comparing them to ford aftermarket parts(no wonder I'm the only ford at the track). I was wondering what kits would fit on the stock bottom end? Also what kind of transmission is in this car? Its a 4 speed manual, I'm guessing a saginaw? What kind of hp are they rated too? Really what I'm interested in right now is a top end kit. Something on the edge of streetability is what I'm looking for. I only have a 7 mile commute to work so the car really won't be driven that much. I have a toyota tercel and gmc pickup for when it rains. Just wondering what kit you guys would recommend.

 

I think it's rated around 190-210 HP (rated different than today). also I'm pretty sure stock gearing in a stick car was 3.42 and 12 bolts aren't stock, so you got a score on the rearend

 

Well which kit are you looking at? Dual Plane intake manifolds give more torque and a 650 CFM carb would help it breathe easier. I personally went with Flowtech's Afterburner Headers. As far as not to expensive upgrades, new camshaft, higher ratio rockers, new roller lifters. More expensive top end parts would be a pair of Dart's Iron heads at 230 CFM's of flow throught the intake with a 49 cc combustion chamber and a 2.02 intake valve. That'll add some power. Of course the K&N comes naturally. As far as bottom end kits what are you looking for? Rebuild?

 

actually, the 4 speed (saginaw) did come with 3.73s and the car is rated at 175hp 270tq

www.nastyz28.com has some good info

 

i have a 79 z28 and mine came with with the borg warmer t something and its slow. but i like the car i keep asking people why it so slow they said its the rear end i have that its geard in the 2"s

 

That car is a T-10, with a corp. 10-bolt axle.

The axle sucks, so you'll have to ditch that.

My 80 Z was the coolest, until the first Mustang I encountered ate my lunch. The 2nd gen F-body is really heavy. If you're thinking about modding, the first thing I suggest is dropping as much weight as possible.

 

I believe he said he had a 12 bolt which is a plus and didnt come on the car stock. Dont knock the 10 bolt of that era they were actually a pretty stout unit 8.5 inch. The 350 is a good engine if I was to change the heads and planned on using the engine on the street I would stay around the 200cc runner size and keep the compression below 10.5 :1 for pump gas(alum heads). I believe these engines were 2 bolt mains and the cranks were cast that is prob the limiting factor in the bottom end. They can make a lot of power depending on what you wanted to spend$$. I have a 79 berlinetta they weigh about 3600 lbs a few 100 lbs more than the 3rd gen. How much power do you want to make???

 

if you want a good kit buy the holly stemax II kit it comes with fully assemvled aluminum heads, harden push rods, double roller timing chain, street dominator intake, arp head bolts, and a lunati .290/.297 advertised duration and .490/.490 lift cam. they claim with a 750cfm carb, 10.-1 compression and headers it will put 425hp and 425 ft on the motor and if you go to advance auto and sweet talk them they will probly let it go for around $1300 trust me i work there and i bought it for my 77 camaro and that thing will scream

 

I'm building a bullet proof 10 bolt. Jegs also has a horse power tv kit. Not that I'd persosnally but it, but it does give you some ideas where to upgrade.

 

the 79 z28 should of came from fadtory with a 373 gear. 256 and 308 came on the other models. this info was taken from nastyz28 website.

kc