From Zero to Hero Before/AFter and progressing !!!

**5abivt** · 05-23-2009, 12:50 AM

Here's a short story on the progress with the new (used) Z28 I picked up. Special thanks to Manny at E.C.P and Rob for spending the hours last night working on my car. While threatening to sidetrack this thread with good stuff about them I'll keep it short and give a big THANKS !:thumbs:

enjoy !

Long story short I picked up an 01 z28 with 190k km on it 2 weeks ago...

First day at home

Never had any TLC obviously.

After some TLC and simple green help

Job #1. Brakes. they were siezed and rusted beyond (my) belief.

Fresh GM parts and some caliper paint later..

had to do something about the rusted exhaust.

A can of caliper paint and a pad of sandpaper and 15 minutes later (bad pic sorry)

Brief history. I love white wheels. these were machined y2ks I had from 2000-02 or so on the 93 c4 I have. I miss them dearly.

Me on my 03 600. i love white wheels.

had to get an 04 after the redesign. Picked up a 750 but oh god... black wheels.....

Fire the guy at suzuki who did this. too lazy to clean your wheels? black sucks.

**5abivt** · 05-23-2009, 12:51 AM

Did I mention I like white wheels?

this is more like it. Straight from the dealership onto the stands. I was too embarassed to ride it with black wheels.

Worked as a dinner plate sometimes

Eat off the chain if you like. wd-40d and wiped clean after every ride ( as well as the bike). Give you an idea how anal I can be I'd rather change the chain every month than grease the dam thing and get my wheels dirty !!:crazy:

Wheels I chose for the Z !! Scored a deal of my FAVOURITE corvette wheels growing up. the zr1 5 spoke in 18" !! I would give a limb to have zr1 5 spokes in 19 inchers on the vette ! they were unfinished.. which worked for me because I already had a theme laid out

Fresh out of the oven !! Did I mention I like white wheels?

In the sun. I love it !

Makeover Day ! Right before the sportline springs, kyB Shocks and wheels/tire swap. BIG thanks Manny you guys were awesome and I'm insanely happy !!

Honestly wish I had tinted windows I was embarassed to drive this thing looking like a 4x4.:leaving:

AND FINALLY !!! The AFter Pics !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:lurk:

She's incredibly dirty as they have been paving the sidewalk and my street at the new home so no wash in a week and covered in dust. I can't wait to zaino this sucker.

I Love it !!

Now I can feel proud to have a sexy car beside my sexy c4 !

Next up ! Ordered my license plate (5ABI Z) to match my vette (5ABI VT) Whisper mod (paint in the headlights white), find black lug nut caps, Long tubes/ full exhaust, sub frame connectors, strut brace, adjustable panhard (god who named this thing) bar the list goes on....

**zmg00camaross** · 05-23-2009, 01:58 AM

I like those wheels painted white I don't think it would look good on any other colored car

**pajeff02** · 05-23-2009, 03:24 AM

Huge improvement! Nice detail work and clean up. Although I am not a fan of white wheels -- it works.

**Danger731** · 05-23-2009, 04:29 AM

great job !

**Y2KPewterSS** · 05-23-2009, 05:51 AM

You have brought that Camaro back to life for sure, nice work.

**chuckie669** · 05-23-2009, 02:39 PM

Your a hero for bringing that car back. I've never seen an engine bay so dirty. Find any squirrels?

**cammed goat** · 05-23-2009, 05:54 PM

**ls1camino** · 05-23-2009, 06:20 PM

That engine bay cleaned up nicely...may I ask what you used?

**zero_proto** · 05-23-2009, 06:37 PM

looks nice, nice work

**thearborbarber** · 05-23-2009, 06:43 PM

Freakin awesome!

**jknelms** · 05-23-2009, 06:44 PM

Dang, that is nice. I never was fond of white rims...but they look great on....everything you have!

**5abivt** · 05-23-2009, 06:47 PM

Thanks so much guys

I used simple green on the engine mixed 1:1 with water. sprayed it all over the place, scrubbed with a few different size brushes and hosed off with no water pressure. easy as that.

**jknelms** · 05-23-2009, 06:49 PM

are those year one rims on the corvette in the last photo? i like those.

**Y2KPewterSS** · 05-23-2009, 06:56 PM

I have noticed in several of your pics lots of rust. Have you inspected the undercarriage for rust yet? What you have done so far has been great, I hope you keep all your work documented with pictures on here.

**third_shift|studios** · 05-23-2009, 07:24 PM

Originally Posted by 5abivt

Thanks so much guys

I used simple green on the engine mixed 1:1 with water. sprayed it all over the place, scrubbed with a few different size brushes and hosed off with no water pressure. easy as that.

I honestly thought it was steam cleaned!

**5abivt** · 05-23-2009, 07:34 PM

Originally Posted by Y2KPewterSS

I have noticed in several of your pics lots of rust. Have you inspected the undercarriage for rust yet? What you have done so far has been great, I hope you keep all your work documented with pictures on here.

There is rust on the undercarriage. The car was driven year round in the snow too for the last 8 years. I'm planning on trying to clean alot of the surface rust and having it oil sprayed.

jknelms - the wheels are Iforged

**Mr. Luos** · 05-23-2009, 08:37 PM

Did you paint the surface area of the rotors as well?
Or is it just the pic?

Car looks a TON better. Congrats!

**5abivt** · 05-24-2009, 12:29 AM

Originally Posted by Mr. Luos

Did you paint the surface area of the rotors as well?
Or is it just the pic?

Car looks a TON better. Congrats!

Thanks ! and yes I did paint the rotor surface as well although It was mostly over spray. I tried not to directly spray the pad area. it wiped off after 1-2 stops and she stops and this way there's no 'rust' rings as I call them; something I refused to have on any vehicle no matter what it is.

here's a closer shot of the wheel/rotor surface area.