"It's the last of the V8 Interceptors" - Mad Max

1981 Camaro Z28 - the last year of the second generation Camaro.

I have had this car since new. It has only 58000 kilometres. It was a Canadian Z28 with the rare 350 and 4-speed manual option not available in the States the last year of the 2nd Gen.

This car can truly be considered the last of the 60's era musclecars. The first model came out in 1970, but its design is from the 60's. It has the old school leaf spring suspension and early models were optionally equipped with a big block.

Stock body except for the L88 hood.

Original small block has been swapped out in favour of a 555 cubic inch big block with over 750 horsepower. The rest of the drivetrain has also been replaced - the T10 4-speed was replaced with a Tremec TKO-600 5-speed and the 10-bolt rear axle was replaced with a Moser 9-inch running a 3.75 ratio.

Suspension has 1.31" front and 1" rear Herb Adams VSE sway bars. The upper and lower control arms have been replaced with Global West tubular arms with delalum bushings. Global West Cat 5 leaf springs are used in the rear.

Now I have to upgrade my wheels and tires to handle the power. But I think I'll wear out the current tires first, as they are still pretty new and I would hate to throw them out.

Here is a partial parts list of what has gone into the car:

- pat musi 555 cubic inch chevy big block with:
- accel dfi efi with wide band 02 sensor
- callies magnum crank
- billet specialties tru trac serpentine system
- edelbrock victor pat musi cnc ported aluminum heads
- jesel comp shaft rockers
- merlin iii block
- eagle 4340 h-beam rods with L19 bolts
- dyno: 770 hp @ 6000 rpm, 690 lb ft @ 5300 rpm

- moser 9 inch with detroit tru-trac differential
- lemons 2.25" headers with 4" collectors
- dual random technology series 7000 catalytic converters
- becool rad with dual electric fans
- global west upper and lower delalum front control arms
- global west cat5 L3 rear leaf springs
- torque tech dual 3.5" exhaust with x-pipe
- dual flowmaster 30 series mufflers
- tko-600 5-speed tranny
- mcleod street twin clutch with mcleod aluminum flywheel
- complete aeromotive fuel system with a1000 fuel pump,
dual fuel filters, and regulator

Valve covers off showing the Jesel shaft rockers.

Huge 4" header collectors, McLeod bell housing and Tremec TKO-600 5-speed.

Transmission tunnel had to be notched to clear the new shifter location.

The two rear header tubes go around the outside of the subframe.

3.5" exhaust exiting behind the rear tire. It's going to be tight.

 

The above two pictures show the headers before they were ceramic coated, and show how the

g-brace doesn't fit.

 

Engine in the car.

 

 

 

 

The front subframe crossmember was cracked on both sides.

 

Closeup of the solid motor mounts.