1974 Camaro Z28
Discussion
DodgyGeezer said:
your car, your choice. And I heartily applaud you for that mindset!
I genuinely appreciate that. This thread for me is just a place I can put down thoughts, document the build and archive the images. It's not intended to be a 'build by committee' PH pool car. There's genuinely no ego involved, but this car is for my enjoyment and ultimately its my money and time that builds the thing. Also for the repeated comments about the ignition system - just to clarify I am still chasing an ignition problem. I don't think the carb is causing the misfire, I'm just trying to get the car running right and half of that issue is currently the carb.
Jhonno said:
Noting comments about the carb.. I had a (very) mild 305 (cam and exhaust) on a 600 Edlebrock and I had to jet it back as small as I could and it still over fueled slightly, so I would definitely concur that a 750 was well OTT for this..
Working out the maths with the engine I should really be at around a 650CFM (which is the 1406 that Rick loaned me and did work notably better). The 750 should and does work, but the hesitation I'm getting when I stab the throttle will hopefully be more manageable with the new jets/metering rods/springs. I've got the kit to do this but I'll be honest the Camaro has taken a bit of a back seat with other things going on. The lads in the shop have been on a bit of a shopping spree...
In the haul was a Chevelle Malibu (with a spare shell), 440 Charger, Bronco (Mad Max extra) and a C4 Corvette.
As you can see, they need a bit of work...
The Chevelle is probably the easiest project. It also shares the 350 from my Camaro which has made diagnosing issues on both much simpler. We've since got the Chevelle running which is a great sign.
We've got the 440 from the Charger out and apart and managed to free the crank off and get the pistons/rods out. More pics on that at a later date.
So the Camaro...
I've had the carb off and the 1406 on. It did run better, but the issue was still there so it's a good way to test that I don't strictly have a carb issue.
The Chevelle project brought in Ben from Engine Data Analysis, a local engine whisperer who builds Chevrolet race engines for drag and marine use. He brought with him an MSD that we could use to diagnose the RPC billet distributor on mine as being the cause of the misfire or not. Josh kindly also changed the plugs for me while I was away. The MSD didn't change anything, so with the plugs in and Ben sorting the timing the misfire seems to be cured!
The car idles and runs better than it ever has, but the bogging down with a sharp stab is still there so I'll try out the calibration kit as mentioned above. The other great thing about having the Chevelle there is I get to toy around with the parts that are on it
Not for keeps, but worth it to see what I can get away with (without spacers too). The car was also in a music video at the weekend so more pics to come of that soon.
Not any real updates, the car is still sat parked in the garage with the diff making some very unhealthy noises and a real ride-height issue (5 inches lower on the rear left!). I'm taking a proper look this week to see what parts are needed and then getting them ordered.
In the mean-time though, the music video the car was in last month has gone live.
Watch on YouTube here
Some screen-grabs for those who don't want to watch the video:
Nice for the club to get some exposure too and a fun night in for the lads.
In the mean-time though, the music video the car was in last month has gone live.
Watch on YouTube here
Some screen-grabs for those who don't want to watch the video:
Nice for the club to get some exposure too and a fun night in for the lads.
DodgyGeezer said:
Just saw saw another black Camaro music video, is this yours getting in the spotlights again?
I wish, that one definitely got better screen time than mine did!So, an overdue update.
The car has been under the knife again. Truth be told, since the trip down to C&M the car hasn't really been drivable, so the jobs list included:
- Rebuild, re-shim and reseal LSD
- Replace 3.73 gears with 3.42 (hopefully make it a little more compliant with UK motorway speeds)
- Polybush the ARB and leaf-springs
- Powder-coat anything that comes off
- Laser align the axle/diff
The results:
The bushes and reseating the front/offside spring has sorted out the ride-height. There are still a few little bits to do:
- New battery (which it turns out is causing the hesitation)
- New power steering pump/pulley (slight leak)
- New brake cylinder (slight leak)
I'll get better photos soon.
Ben Lowden said:
Stunning! Apologies for dragging you down to C&M and causing all of your issues... 
Glad to see it coming along though!
Hah, it was a good test for the car in the state it was in, its just a shame it didn't pass that test Glad to see it coming along though! Should be better than ever soon though, then I can start getting some video of it. Bobberoo said:
Love seeing your updates!!
Mr lestat said:
Looking good
Thank you very kindly chaps 
Ben Lowden said:
We're on standby to help with that bit
Looking forward to that!Oneball said:
Does that mean the battery has fixed your running issues?
The truth is I don't know for sure yet as I haven't driven the car any real distance and I wasn't there when the lads were testing the coil/spark etc. The general consensus on the night is that swapping the battery out made a huge difference and stopped the hesitation, so I'll put that to the test once the car is back. Currently the splitter is being trimmed by an inch or so as it's now too low.
Mr lestat said:
Looking at the last pic, have you not fitted the metal front spoiler yet ?
Good eyes - the splitter was with the guys being trimmed by 2" as it was too low now the ride-height has been sorted. Being honest, I prefer how it looks now its smaller too, it looks much more OEM. That said, I did pick up a pair of 205/55 tyres to drop the front end back down 2" but while it looks amazing, it's far too impractical so I've stuck with the 235/60s. I think I'll put some beefier tyres on the back to get the rake I want. Maybe.I was trying to get the car back together in time for the Ravenworks anniversary open day - an informal get together to celebrate the lads being in business. The last two weeks has been brutal as the club has pitched in to finish cars, build engines and tidy the shop up ready for visitors. My car was arguably the easiest thing to finish, with only a bit of tidying up to do and the splitter to put back on. Painting the fuel tank was a must as it made all the new diff work look untidy.
With the splitter back on and the car clean, I headed down to RW with a quick stop somewhere quiet on the way. I've got to admit, I'm in love with the way the car looks at the moment.
As the clubs/shops biggest joint project, she was put front and centre for people to see.
Amber managed to get most of the attention as always - deservedly so.
The shop scrubbed up really well too. We put a variety of engines out on display and the girls sorted out some balloons.
We even had cake!
We all invited a few friends, the idea being this would probably be a low-key milestone that we could celebrate together. I don't think any of us really expected the day to go how it did!
Of all the multiple thousand+ bhp things Ben builds, he came down on a 40s tractor
One guy even brought down a jet engine! It didn't last very long (I've got more photos of that) but it was a phenomenal thing to see.
The recurring theme of the day was people commenting on how much of a community we've built, which is amazing to hear. When the gates closed at 1600 and we all went elsewhere, people still stayed chatting among themselves with people they'd never met before. I guess we'll have to actually plan the next one
Not a huge update - but Rick got his Mustang back on the road so we went through to STG to pick Bens Mustang 2 up and get that back on the road too. With us were Josh in his bridge-ported RX8 and Jack in his MKV Supra. While I was there I booked in for a custom exhaust making so I should have more updates on that next month. Great excuse for a few pics - as ever they're from my phone though
Both the Mustang engines were built by Ben (who runs EDA). Needless to say both cars are rowdy!
Both the Mustang engines were built by Ben (who runs EDA). Needless to say both cars are rowdy!
Thanks! I'm not sold on the look of the wheels to be honest, so I'm having the OE Enkeis powder-coated in the same bronze. I don't know why they're all so ropey, maybe because they're cheap and reliable so the temptation is there to just keep driving it? Mine has the usual UV faded pink paint but I try to stay on top of it. I think she looks good for 134k miles though!
Thanks all
In other news, the car has gone for it's new exhaust system building so I'm a bit giddy to get it back!
AmgMercedes said:
Funny how the Camaro doesn’t look that big compared to the Suzuki. In the 70’s there was a guy who lived near us had a white Trans am and it always seemed huge compared to Capris etc
Looking great
I always remember them seeming huge as a kid, but the truth is in modern traffic it's a very average sized car (albeit comparatively oddly proportioned with a long front and short back). The Suzuki is tiny though, so the Camaro is about half the height but twice the length. We've got a Chevelle Malibu in the group that I always thought looked like a small coupe in photos but it's actually longer than a Volvo estate!Looking great
Turn7 said:
I dont know what you do in PP for pics, they are all amazing.
Such atmospheric shots, they all put in the mind of the old game "The Getwaway"
Thank you, I really appreciate that. I suspect most of the 'look' is in the colour grading. I really like cinematic colours/tones and most of that inspiration probably comes from films/games.Such atmospheric shots, they all put in the mind of the old game "The Getwaway"
In other news, the car has gone for it's new exhaust system building so I'm a bit giddy to get it back!
Just got the car back from STG having had the exhaust done and I am over the moon with the work Shane has done. He really is an artist!
My exhaust has always been a bit of a let down. It sounds alright, but it's obvious that someone made it out of some left-over steel they had and then tried a cheap ceramic coat to hide it. So after a good chat with Shane about what I wanted, he took the car away and went to work. This is what he came up with:
If you're not sure what you're looking at, essentially the blue part highlighted is the main exhaust system. The gases pass through a H-pipe and into two silencers in much the same way it did before, although with a much more refined sound. With the flick of a switch though, the diverter valves open and the gas exits through unrestricted side-pipes.
It sounds incredible. Here is a cold start video (so excuse the chugging) showing the difference between the two - the throttle is barely being tickled in this. Driving home with the windows down and the side-exits open was insane.
Click here because I'm too stupid to embed this
To his credit,Shane has put a lot of effort in making the exits follow the lines of the car and it shows. All of this exhaust is made from scratch!
My exhaust has always been a bit of a let down. It sounds alright, but it's obvious that someone made it out of some left-over steel they had and then tried a cheap ceramic coat to hide it. So after a good chat with Shane about what I wanted, he took the car away and went to work. This is what he came up with:
If you're not sure what you're looking at, essentially the blue part highlighted is the main exhaust system. The gases pass through a H-pipe and into two silencers in much the same way it did before, although with a much more refined sound. With the flick of a switch though, the diverter valves open and the gas exits through unrestricted side-pipes.
It sounds incredible. Here is a cold start video (so excuse the chugging) showing the difference between the two - the throttle is barely being tickled in this. Driving home with the windows down and the side-exits open was insane.
Click here because I'm too stupid to embed this
To his credit,Shane has put a lot of effort in making the exits follow the lines of the car and it shows. All of this exhaust is made from scratch!
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