Mild 79 Z

[Dirtmod08]

I don't plan to spend a bunch of money on this car, nor beat my brains out tearing this all down and look at it for years - I'm going to drive it. It has a variety of mild suspension upgrades as I got the car.
Survivor paint 79Z. Car has had the underside of the tub sandblasted and POR15'd. Powertrain consists of a ZZ4 crate 350 with aluminum heads, Be Cool radiator with electric fans, 200R4 o/d trans, Moser limited slip rear end, 2" drop spindles, Hotchkiss front springs/rear leaf springs/sway bars, bilstien shocks, Wildwood disk brakes all around with a Wildwood master cylinder, AGR steering box.
As I got the car.
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb241/dirtmod08/206224_1013566712238_4034_n_zpsthjwvxct.jpg
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb241/dirtmod08/10888244_10204826770381874_832504515_n_zpsm1u6jeka .jpg
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb241/dirtmod08/10893640_10204827316475526_449294322_n_zps0ztvb3nv .jpg
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb241/dirtmod08/IMG_20150109_201211313_zpsyideuu1t.jpg

[Dirtmod08]

I played around with the car a little, as I had some pristine silver window molding.
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb241/dirtmod08/IMG_20150111_144412466_zps2evu6onz.jpg
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb241/dirtmod08/IMG_20150111_144345394_zpshcookq7v.jpg

[Dirtmod08]

I played around with the shifter as I had found a stock leather shifter knob from a late model camaro. The stock shifter is a ratcheting shifter, and I wouldn't have wanted to remove it. Also found some late model power window switches and made them work rather than reinstalling old style rocker switches.
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb241/dirtmod08/IMG_20150214_170820422_zpsx1xb2clo.jpg

[Dirtmod08]

Today, I put a set of leather seats in the car from a WS6 late model Trans Am. Nothing racy, just more comfortable.
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb241/dirtmod08/IMG_20150214_160119136_zpsf3zeo43q.jpg
Taz claimed the take out seats already.
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb241/dirtmod08/IMG_20150214_145641058_zpseynwavji.jpg

[Dirtmod08]

Oh yea, I found a couple things I didn't like with the air filter and throttle linkage. I moved the springs inward as they seemed to get hung up on the air cleaner base.
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb241/dirtmod08/IMG_20150114_174757226_HDR_zps4szurmfq.jpg
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb241/dirtmod08/IMG_20150115_195655015_HDR_zpsozmxq8ca.jpg

[Dirtmod08]

Found a set of aluminum valve covers and a spun aluminum air cleaner at the roundy round swap meet cheap ($70 for the set).
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb241/dirtmod08/IMG_20150118_152354679_zpsdnuocj4k.jpg
Taz wants to know when we are going for a spin already.
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb241/dirtmod08/IMG_20150204_174346065_zpsouftnuk6.jpg

[Dirtmod08]

Fixed the famous GM steering column wobble.
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb241/dirtmod08/IMG_20150204_165420800_zpsejv0oevj.jpg

[Dirtmod08]

That brings us up to speed with my new toy. I don't know how far I'll go with this car. I would like to do a couple amateur autocross events, but the car has an automatic. Is it even worth trying? Or should I just cruise the car and watch autocross?

[onelapduster]

With those newer seats, I would say why not give it a try. Do it once and see how it goes.

[Dirtmod08]

With those newer seats, I would say why not give it a try. Do it once and see how it goes.

Thanks for the thought. I wasn't sure if guys even tried autocross in an automatic.

[Gscherer78ta]

That brings us up to speed with my new toy. I don't know how far I'll go with this car. I would like to do a couple amateur autocross events, but the car has an automatic. Is it even worth trying? Or should I just cruise the car and watch autocross?

I too have a 2nd gen Fbody and it has an auto as well, while its not ideal, I have had a blast with it so far and don't think the automatic has held me back. I have learned a lot already that I will need to know no matter what transmission I have. Most events I shift into 2nd and leave it there and concentrate on driving

I say go have fun!

[Dirtmod08]

I too have a 2nd gen Fbody and it has an auto as well, while its not ideal, I have had a blast with it so far and don't think the automatic has held me back. I have learned a lot already that I will need to know no matter what transmission I have. Most events I shift into 2nd and leave it there and concentrate on driving

I say go have fun!

Thanks for the info. On dirt, the car is set up for direct drive with a low gear to get up to speed - essentially a two speed manual trans. Anyway, I quit driving a few years ago, and think it would be fun to autocross. I just don't want to look like a Dip**** showing up in an auto car if it is totally useless to try. Sounds like I stand a chance at having some fun. :)

[grendel]

Why not a manual valve body in this auto then?

[Dirtmod08]

Why not a manual valve body in this auto then?

That's a good idea. The trans is a 200R4 from bowtie performance, but, actually, I have a few other transmissions laying around that I could do that to. I have a good 400 turbo, 4L60e, and a 700r4 that I would consider doing that to. Not a big deal to swap one into the car for a while. I would assume the 400 turbo would be the best candidate.

[grendel]

That's a good idea. The trans is a 200R4 from bowtie performance, but, actually, I have a few other transmissions laying around that I could do that to. I have a good 400 turbo, 4L60e, and a 700r4 that I would consider doing that to. Not a big deal to swap one into the car for a while. I would assume the 400 turbo would be the best candidate.

700R4 has a better first gear than a th400. TransGo shift kits are cheap.

Run a big cooler.

[WSSix]

Nice looking car. You can autox an auto. As suggested, shift into 2nd manually and leave it there. Knew a guy who did this with his LT1 4th gen.

[Justin@EntropyRad]

That brings us up to speed with my new toy. I don't know how far I'll go with this car. I would like to do a couple amateur autocross events, but the car has an automatic. Is it even worth trying? Or should I just cruise the car and watch autocross?

Best way to get some seat time where you can feel how it rotates so you dont lose it next time you're getting froggy with it.

[Dirtmod08]

Best way to get some seat time where you can feel how it rotates so you dont lose it next time you're getting froggy with it.

I have a four speed Camaro with very poor suspension that actually has a much better seat-of-the-pants feel to it than this car does. It will take a little getting used to this car as it feels like the threshold may be a finer line with it's setup. Maybe it's just the automatic that is driving me crazy about the feel of it.

[SSLance]

I like the rubber bumper cars, seems to be more and more of them making it into this type of arena. I say take it out and let er eat and see what happens.

I autocrossed for a year and a half with my 200R4, it worked fine. It would tend to puke fluid out the vent line if I got real frogy with it but it never let me down.

One trick to autocrosssing with an auto trans is to learn to left foot brake and modulate between the brake and gas smoothly to help with the transitions between the two.

[Dirtmod08]

Little update: I've been working on a gauge panel to replace the plastic factory gauges.
I'm not too content with the way my gauge panel is at this point. I've done everything I could to salvage the stock bezel so far, but the holes are all breaking out and the thing is shaky.
I've decided to put a set of aftermarket gauges in the car. I don't want to put the gauges on a flat plate, I want to make them look like they may have been stock - I really like the way the stock gauges are in a tunnel.
So - I've decided to fabricate my own panel from steel. I'd like to make tunnels to countersink the gauges, mount the vents and switches in the stock locations - as if they were meant to be.
It's going to be something to get things looking correct. I'm sure I'll have to bodywork and paint the thing, but I might as well start sometime. If any of you have noticed, the small gauge holes in the stock bezel are egg shaped and not just circles cut out (to accomplish the angle the gauge faces) - this should be a real treat, lol.
Not too sure I want the lighter, and have no idea what the light panel above that is. Not too fond of the light switch knob either. But I think the bezel needs that raised edge to look right.
Any examples of some higher end work? I don't want it to end up looking like a sheetmetal drag car panel.
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb241/dirtmod08/IMG_20150308_200811139_HDR_zpskkiycdj9.jpg

[Dirtmod08]

I actually only wanted to make this part - but I want the gauges sunk into a tunnel like they are stock.
http://www.maxchevy.com/departments/newproducts/images/1)-79-81CamCovan-new.jpg

[Dirtmod08]

Well, I got my "blank slate" done tonight, 16 ga. Mild steel plate, don't want my gauges wobbling around in the dash. I'll just have to take my time figuring out exactly what I am going to do. The goal here is to make it look better than stock.
https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/320xq90/r/923/KrtQyi.jpg

[Dirtmod08]

OK, spent a little more time on this. Bought a few hole saw blades this morning.
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb241/dirtmod08/IMG_20160130_153632245_HDR_zpsdb4drq9q.jpg
Stopped by the local trucker shop and bought a tailpipe coupling.
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb241/dirtmod08/IMG_20160130_153650693_zpsvekyklx0.jpg
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb241/dirtmod08/IMG_20160130_153657919_zpsgsnfz5dn.jpg
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb241/dirtmod08/IMG_20160130_154716867_zpsrvs4xckt.jpg
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb241/dirtmod08/IMG_20160130_155315503_zps9xek7o9o.jpg
Welded the buckets in, have a ton of grinding to do.
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb241/dirtmod08/IMG_20160130_174104886_zpsyhnrrf9f.jpg

[Dirtmod08]

More grinding, more welding.
https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/320xq90/r/922/evSNBf.jpg

[Dirtmod08]

Gauges came in today, I've been widdling away at this thing, seems like it takes an hour or so after work every night to get one thing mounted. Got the light switch mounted tonight.
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb241/dirtmod08/IMG_20160204_110407875_zpsxkdstgja.jpg
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb241/dirtmod08/IMG_20160204_193504750_HDR_zpskn7wlwva.jpg
Mounted the light switch deeper in the panel so it doesn't stick out so far. Will still have to do bodywork and paint on this thing. Yes, that's the knob off my 78, I didn't like the dinged up aluminum pie plate 79 knobs, lol. Still have to put in the a/c vents, but not doing the lighter, maybe not the seatbelt light.
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb241/dirtmod08/IMG_20160204_193635627_zpsomxsgg1u.jpg

[Dirtmod08]

Getting more crap mounted, this little stuff is time consuming. And, I just spent $30 at the hardware store for the little hardware I needed - $30, really? On a handful of little bolts and spacers. :screwup:
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb241/dirtmod08/IMG_20160206_020130766_zps9qcti1zp.jpg
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb241/dirtmod08/IMG_20160206_020142934_zpsw4ii8vkd.jpg
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb241/dirtmod08/IMG_20160206_020232624_zpstrzt2qm6.jpg

[Dirtmod08]

This thing ended up being like building a damn sculpture, lol. Still need to make a trim cover for the a/c vents and paint the whole thing.
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb241/dirtmod08/IMG_20160207_240757071_zpsvefzyq75.jpg
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb241/dirtmod08/IMG_20160207_240824044_zpso4ejao7i.jpg

[Dirtmod08]

Still picking away at this thing. You guys are probably getting sick of seeing this thing, I know I am, lol. Put the LED turn signal lights and high beam LED in last night. Used 5/16" chrome bushings 3/4" long with washers welded onto the back for the 5/32" LED's to fit into - in the back of this thing - so the LED's will glow in the chrome tunnel. have no idea what it will look like lit up, but I decided to hide them in holes bored to look like the bolt holes around the edges instead of my other thought of having the chrome edge protrude from the face of the panel.
http://www.edgextremesports.com/store/images/P/195140_Drag_Specialties_Chrome_Steel_Spacer_Kit_5_ 16_X_5_8_X_3_4_Chr_Sp_DS190011.jpg
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb241/dirtmod08/IMG_20160209_190657774_zps0xdbidqx.jpg

[Dirtmod08]

I finally got to try the fit, and they seem to fit fine - relieved. Also finish sanded the panel to 800 grit and scotchbrited it - clear will not stick to it. I'm going to have to send it out to a powdercoater sometime.
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb241/dirtmod08/IMG_20160213_190204485_zpsweytnyju.jpg
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb241/dirtmod08/IMG_20160213_191026918_zpsdefeitjq.jpg

[Dirtmod08]

I'm no metal finisher, I did this on my workbench with basic tools and grinders - so there are a couple pits here and there in the welding. I plan to get this powdercoated sometime after I decide what I want. I am leaning toward a transparent smoke coating. I painted the mounting flanges black for now, and I'm good with that for now.
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb241/dirtmod08/IMG_20160214_171740008_zpsj3hlzk8u.jpg
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb241/dirtmod08/IMG_20160214_175916171_zpsxjrbbbln.jpg
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb241/dirtmod08/IMG_20160214_180110021_zpsbqday8rr.jpg

[Dirtmod08]

The wiring was a real treat. What a mess.
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb241/dirtmod08/IMG_20160214_165947150_zpstkef9uuc.jpg

[Gscherer78ta]

That brings us up to speed with my new toy. I don't know how far I'll go with this car. I would like to do a couple amateur autocross events, but the car has an automatic. Is it even worth trying? Or should I just cruise the car and watch autocross?

I have a '78 TA w/Auto trans and I have a great time autocrossing. My car is mostly a factory car with a few upgrades for sticking around corners, I'm not very fast but I have a great time and I have learned a lot and met some great people. Give it a go and see what you think!

[WSSix]

Good job on the dash!