WS6 Formula V8 Z34 Lumina Re-body

**red99ws6** · 12-18-2007, 01:54 PM

very impressed. i think alot more people would do this sort of thing if they were brave enough to try. the only other project like this that i can think of is a late model cavalier that was converted to rear wheel drive with an ls1. it wasnt on an f-body chassis like yours though. they kept the j-body and swapped the drivetrain. not as simple as just a swap but you get the idea

**Nestromo** · 12-22-2007, 04:27 AM

So what is on the title? Is it going to be a Lumina or a Firebird? I bet you could go either way with it. Oh, and we are going to need an update on this, buddy. Don't be slackin on the pictures.

**Z34LS1** · 12-22-2007, 07:48 PM

Hey Nestromo I never Slack on Pictures...lol
The Car will be titled as a Z34 Lumina(Cheaper on Insurance Plus the WS6 was a Salvage Title). My Son and I were kinda wondering what we were gonna call it. I mean it's not a Z34 because it lost it's 3.4 ltr. Does that make it a Z57 now? Or is it a WS6 Lumina? Anyone got a good Idea? The WS6 Title said it was a Formula GTA, we're thinking Formula Z34???

O.K....... Here is the Update!

Time for an Update:

The day started with cutting out the rusted lower section of the rear drivers Quarter and putting a Patch in it's place:

Here is the Patch welded into place, the black water lines are from running the Shrinking disk and quenching the top section of the Quarter:

Next it was on to the Rippled Roof:

Around the roof Supports the Sheet Metal really raised. These areas had to be knocked down. I used the Dutch Slapper, and supported the Roof from the underside with a simple support:

SUPPORT:

I'm not proud of the Warpage to the Roof but after learning so much here and at the different Metal Meets over the past 5 years I wasn't Intimidated:

Here is the same Profile two pictures above after knocking the High Spots down and running the Shrinking disk for about an hour. An Hour is not very long, the results are fast but there is a lot of start and stop so time passes quickly:

Here is another shot from a different angle. Here you'll notice a lot of the affected area that was wavy before is now gone. Bad thing is I have a few areas that were to thin and need to be touched back up:

A Couple more shots:

There is a lot more Shrinking to do as well as some patch work on a couple of seems that split, but the results are Very Satisfying. We Started Tacking the Passenger Side Quarter in Place Next BUT ran out of 02.
Here is the butt clamps holding it in place after a few Tacks:

I think that's it for a Few Days, Christmas is coming! I Hope you all Enjoy the Holidays.
__________________

Joe Andrews

www.hoosierpattern.com

**predator** · 12-22-2007, 08:07 PM

lumina z57... definately...

-me

**Nestromo** · 12-22-2007, 11:48 PM

Originally Posted by predator

lumina z57... definately...

-me

Agreed.

**35thAnniZ28** · 12-23-2007, 12:25 AM

wow

**Z34LS1** · 12-29-2007, 01:33 PM

Z57 was my first thought as well. We'll have to wait and see.
Here is an Update:

Had the Drivers Door on this morning, got some mods to do to the Inside Door Panel to fit, But the Door Opened and Closed perfectly. I ran the shrinking disk for about 5 hours on the Drivers Quarter, my hands are still torqueing to the right. I was pleased with my results, but there were still a few spots I could not get to come flush. The bodyline down the center of the panel gave me fits, I think it will require a tad bit of grinding and filler to set it just right. I got a few pictures, one shows the Semi Completed Quarter(at least as far as I'm concerned

), the other shows the side ground effects. Note the 6.4 Inches I took from the car now needs to come from the ground effects.
Short Post tonight, Tony Stewarts racing Outlaws in Fort Wayne, at the Colisium tonight.

Anyone got some suggestions on the Ground Effects? There Flexible, Urethane?
Thanks for any Any Help, Happy New Year!
__________________

Joe Andrews

**casperss** · 12-31-2007, 02:23 PM

OMG thats awsome.

**predator** · 01-01-2008, 06:29 AM

still wondering what your gonna do with that window...

thats what im really curious about...

-me

**pinky93** · 01-01-2008, 07:23 AM

This is cool as hell!! Talk about a sleeper..... people who KNOW cars are going to do serious double takes at the stop lights!!

Great job and thanks so much for sharing your progress, I will be a loyal reader of this thread moving forward!!

**Z34LS1** · 01-01-2008, 05:38 PM

Hi Guys and Thanks for the Great Replies!

predatorstill wondering what your gonna do with that window...

thats what im really curious about...

O.K. this is how you make a Custom Window:

Lexan Sheet can be purchased from a number of sources but "Alro" is a local supplier and one of the Biggest so I'm going with them. Lexan is available in many thicknesses, 3/16ths is what I need. It can be purchased with a protective Sheeting as well. I bought two Rear windows from another 2 Door Lumina, next I have to remove the Seals with a Box Cutter Style Knife. The Lexan is easily cut with a Band Saw, or a jig saw with a fine tooth blade if your careful.
The new Lexan Window needs to be slightly larger than the Glass panel. Next the Clean Glass panel goes into an oven at 375 degrees, Bahe for 15 to 20 minutes(checking along the way). The Lexan will actually start to melt(soften), as it does this it conforms to the Original Glass Windows "Form". After the Lexan Forms the new shape turn off the Oven and let cool Slowly. Once Cooled the edges need to be belt sanded to fit Window Seal that has been cut to fit the smaller window pocket in the Seal.

I learned all of this through the www.metalmeet.com site, that site is Full of Guys that do Custom Work. It's a Great community, very similar to this one.

**cdz28** · 01-01-2008, 08:30 PM

WOW!!!! Keep posting the pics. I'm really interested to see how this ends up.

**Nestromo** · 01-01-2008, 10:25 PM

Cool. I was wondering about the window too.

**qwk93ta** · 01-02-2008, 02:45 AM

Very nice, I want more pictures!!!

**predator** · 01-02-2008, 04:24 AM

cool... will everything with the door windo and the rear window line up properly and look right since youve done all the trimming?

-me

**Nestromo** · 01-02-2008, 05:03 AM

Are you going to put this thing on the scales when you are done? I'm really curious about what it is going to weigh.

**TransAm11973** · 01-02-2008, 06:39 AM

i just dont get it? why not just sell the lumina and buy another f-body. Just seems to be a waste of time to me. Dont get me wrong, I totally respect your abilities to do what your doing, but I just dont get why a lumina or why do this at all?

**predator** · 01-02-2008, 09:08 AM

y not is a more appropriate question

-me

**Nestromo** · 01-02-2008, 01:45 PM

Originally Posted by TransAm11973

i just dont get it? why not just sell the lumina and buy another f-body. Just seems to be a waste of time to me. Dont get me wrong, I totally respect your abilities to do what your doing, but I just dont get why a lumina or why do this at all?

Well, some people just never get it. Don't feel bad. Why don't you post up an ad that says "1992 Z34 Lumina Want to trade for LS1 F-Body". Bet you will get a lot of responses that look like this==>

**TransAm11973** · 01-02-2008, 02:03 PM

i say rip off that lumina body and at least get a custom hot rod body on there. an old chevy or something, wouldnt that be cool. You could make that thinkg custom, you got the skills