Z/28 454 Upgrades

Here are some of the things I have done to the Z since I moved. I have stock piled some parts and been able to make some quality upgrades, at bargan prices. The list provided is to give anyone attempting to do the work themselves an idea of what you can or cannot do. It's only limited by your skills or ability.

I have to give you some basic advice, before you start on your project, or improvements, please plan it out and be patient! Good prices are out there to be found and if you do the work yourself you can save a great deal of money and increase your satisfaction.

I don't have an unlimited budget and offset my expenses by selling parts that I no longer need. If you've got parts that you won't be using or need, sell 'em. You'll free up cash and much needed space. Why save a part from projects past?

As far as the upgrade and improvements, many of them were done over a weekend. It is a real pleasure to be able to start the Z without any special or odd rituals.

Improvements Here are the parts, sources and effect on the veh.

Part Source Upgrade Cost Result
The Z/28 Mechanic Dude friend The Z was on borrowed time and the dude was planning to rip out the 454 and drop it in a Datsun 260. I came up with the cash, and the rest is history. The test was run at 4,500 ft, 95 degrees temp, 28 percent humidity on a deserted old roadway. The timing was set at 34 degrees to prevent any detentation or knocking. The wheel spin from the low end torque was incredible! No matter how it was launched, the tires would just haze and hook up in 3rd gear. Next time I'll work on tire pressures and launch points at the strip where traction should be somewhat better. The drive train is the venerable S-T10 spinning a 3.42 posi. $1,000.00 15.10 @ 96 mph
Holley Carb On-line ad I picked up a used Holley 3310-2 competition model for only $12.00; I think shipping was $8.00. So, it needed a kit, which was another $25.00. The person selling it advertised it as a 650 cfm vacuum secondary carb. Who am I to argue? The whole ball of wax was only $45.00. Throw in a new fuel filter and carb stub for an even $7.00. Finally, my hard starting and erratic idling days are over. $52.00 No test performed yet!
Mr. Gasket adapter E-Bay The factory manifold weighs a ton and has the quadrajet pattern on it. Unless I was into wasting time swaping a manifold with peanut ports heads on the block, the flow reversion would kill any performance gains. The adapter would at least allow more upper rpm and the Holley would bolt on with minor hassels. However, the carb sits 1 inch higher and the aircleaner moved up because of the higher profile of the Holley Carb. Murphy strikes! $13.00 No test performed yet!
Accell Coil E-Bay HEI Intensifier, an easy way to cure those low voltage blues and provide a hot spark all the way up to 7,000 RPM. A sweet deal, from one of my favorite sources! Brand new, in the package, for only $30.00, including shipping. $30.00 No test performed yet!
Lakewood Traction E-Bay Chrome traction bars. Yeah, I know the chrome doesn't make it any quicker, but considering the price, only $17.00, plus $13.00 for a new set of mounting hardware from my local parts store, $30.00 is still real cheap. I haven't mounted them yet until I can get a chance to make some runs without them and then mount them to see if they do make a difference in traction. $30.00 No test performed yet!
Steel Brake Lines Parts store I made hard, 3/8" fuel lines from 6' feet of steel brake lines and picked up a brass t-fitting to join the lines together. I had the tubing bender, pipe cutter, wire hanger and imagination. Now if I only had the patience to make this work. Well, after having to go to the parts store to buy another 4' feet, after cutting the freaking lines from the rear bowl of the carb to the t-junction either too long or short, I got it right! No runs, drips or spills. I used the hanger to first show the path needed from the carb junction to the fuel filter. The pipe bender worked perfectly, leaving smooth, flowing lines from the carb to the fuel pump. The hardest and longest part of the upgrades to date. If you do this fabrication make sure you have all of the tools needed and the space and time to do it right. Your life could depend on this upgrade! If it leaks, fire could come, destroying your project! $20.00 No test performed yet!
Battery and mounting tray Parts store After leaving the keys in the on position for about a month, the battery was a dead player. Another trip to the local parts store for a 810 cca battery and a new steel battery tray w/mounting bolts will ensure it stays put. How many of you are driving around with your battery dangling waiting to smash your radiator or worse during a hard brake or minor crash? I am not taking any chances and am hoping to be able to pass a tech inspection at Woodburn or P.I.R. for play day at the drags. A move to the trunk for increased traction can be a project, too! $62.00 No impact, routine use!
Misc parts Parts store The usual suspects. New heater lines, a total of 8' feet, clamps, new oil and filter. You know the drill. $30.00 No impact, routine use!
Hederman Headers On-line ad Brand new in the box for a 70-72 big block Camaro. I haven't though of putting them on yet because I'm cleaning out the garage to save up for a new exhaust system. There are some affordable, high quality mandrel bent systems out there which, as long as your willing to plum the exhaust, you can save a ton over having a system one offed by a local shop. Not that I'm taking anything away from the local shops, just some of them aren't even close to what these shops are making. Remember, aways check in to the quality of the shop you may choose, because once you're in, your in and a system that can't breathe won't be worth the money spent killing your performance. $70.00 Not installed!
Edelbrock Performer 2-0 E-Bay An aluminum intake for the oval port heads. $111.00 Not installed!
Comp Cams Xtreme Energy XE284H Cam & Lifters E-Bay Gross Valve Lift 0.574 0.578 Duration 284/296, 106 Intake CL IntakeExhaust Duration At 0.05 240 246 Lobe Lift0.338 0.34 Lobe Separation110 PART #CL11-250-3 HYDRAULIC: Street/strip, 2800+ stall, rough idle. 9.5 compression. $78.00 Not installed!
Valves E-Bay New 2.19 intakes and 1.88 exhaust should wake up and head over the stock tiny units. $45.00 Not installed!
SUM-G1464 Vacuum Reserve System Can E-Bay The big cam will kill any real vacuum at low speeds, so I need some back up. $31.00 Not installed!
Roller Rockers E-Bay If you trust any worn out, stamped steel factory rockers, then more power to you. The roller tipped rockers provide smoother operation and a far more accurate lift. $95.00 Not installed!
M/T Drag Slicks Friend 28 X 10 for a 15 inch rim. No more smokey lauches in first, yeah right. ZERO No impact, steel wheel time!
Racing Lap Belt E-Bay 3 inch wide Bob's with quick release latch. Black in color. $14.50 Not installed!
Muffler E-Bay Flowmaster transverse mounted 2.5 dual in/out design. The person included the stainless steel tailpipes with it for free. $80.00 Not installed!
Catalytic Converters E-Bay A pair of Carflow 3 way designed, 2.5 inch, 94100 series. New, from person closing their shop $89.00 for the pair Not installed!
Oil Pan E-Bay A brand new 6 quart low profile unit with pick up. $68.00 Not installed!
Fuel Pump E-Bay A used, chrome, Holley mechanical unit. $20.00 Not installed!
Ignition System E-Bay Crane Cams HI-6R (6000-6400)with built in rev-limiter. $86.00 Not installed!
Spark Plug wires E-Bay Accel Brand 8mm. Cut to lenght and a serious upgrade from the lame auto parts phantom brand wires currently used. $20.00 Not installed!
1,000 lbs engine stand E-Bay A used engine stand for the BBC during it's upcoming rebuild. $40.00 Assembled!
1,500 lbs cherry picker Harbor Freight A brand new cherry picker for a low, low price, brand new from the local store. $89.99 Assembled!

Bolt ons and upgrades!

Click Here

Improvements		Here are the parts, sources and effect on the veh.

Part	Source	Upgrade	Cost	Result
The Z/28	Mechanic Dude friend	The Z was on borrowed time and the dude was planning to rip out the 454 and drop it in a Datsun 260. I came up with the cash, and the rest is history. The test was run at 4,500 ft, 95 degrees temp, 28 percent humidity on a deserted old roadway. The timing was set at 34 degrees to prevent any detentation or knocking. The wheel spin from the low end torque was incredible! No matter how it was launched, the tires would just haze and hook up in 3rd gear. Next time I'll work on tire pressures and launch points at the strip where traction should be somewhat better. The drive train is the venerable S-T10 spinning a 3.42 posi.	$1,000.00	15.10 @ 96 mph
Holley Carb	On-line ad	I picked up a used Holley 3310-2 competition model for only $12.00; I think shipping was $8.00. So, it needed a kit, which was another $25.00. The person selling it advertised it as a 650 cfm vacuum secondary carb. Who am I to argue? The whole ball of wax was only $45.00. Throw in a new fuel filter and carb stub for an even $7.00. Finally, my hard starting and erratic idling days are over.	$52.00	No test performed yet!
Mr. Gasket adapter	E-Bay	The factory manifold weighs a ton and has the quadrajet pattern on it. Unless I was into wasting time swaping a manifold with peanut ports heads on the block, the flow reversion would kill any performance gains. The adapter would at least allow more upper rpm and the Holley would bolt on with minor hassels. However, the carb sits 1 inch higher and the aircleaner moved up because of the higher profile of the Holley Carb. Murphy strikes!	$13.00	No test performed yet!
Accell Coil	E-Bay	HEI Intensifier, an easy way to cure those low voltage blues and provide a hot spark all the way up to 7,000 RPM. A sweet deal, from one of my favorite sources! Brand new, in the package, for only $30.00, including shipping.	$30.00	No test performed yet!
Lakewood Traction	E-Bay	Chrome traction bars. Yeah, I know the chrome doesn't make it any quicker, but considering the price, only $17.00, plus $13.00 for a new set of mounting hardware from my local parts store, $30.00 is still real cheap. I haven't mounted them yet until I can get a chance to make some runs without them and then mount them to see if they do make a difference in traction.	$30.00	No test performed yet!
Steel Brake Lines	Parts store	I made hard, 3/8" fuel lines from 6' feet of steel brake lines and picked up a brass t-fitting to join the lines together. I had the tubing bender, pipe cutter, wire hanger and imagination. Now if I only had the patience to make this work. Well, after having to go to the parts store to buy another 4' feet, after cutting the freaking lines from the rear bowl of the carb to the t-junction either too long or short, I got it right! No runs, drips or spills. I used the hanger to first show the path needed from the carb junction to the fuel filter. The pipe bender worked perfectly, leaving smooth, flowing lines from the carb to the fuel pump. The hardest and longest part of the upgrades to date. If you do this fabrication make sure you have all of the tools needed and the space and time to do it right. Your life could depend on this upgrade! If it leaks, fire could come, destroying your project!	$20.00	No test performed yet!
Battery and mounting tray	Parts store	After leaving the keys in the on position for about a month, the battery was a dead player. Another trip to the local parts store for a 810 cca battery and a new steel battery tray w/mounting bolts will ensure it stays put. How many of you are driving around with your battery dangling waiting to smash your radiator or worse during a hard brake or minor crash? I am not taking any chances and am hoping to be able to pass a tech inspection at Woodburn or P.I.R. for play day at the drags. A move to the trunk for increased traction can be a project, too!	$62.00	No impact, routine use!
Misc parts	Parts store	The usual suspects. New heater lines, a total of 8' feet, clamps, new oil and filter. You know the drill.	$30.00	No impact, routine use!
Hederman Headers	On-line ad	Brand new in the box for a 70-72 big block Camaro. I haven't though of putting them on yet because I'm cleaning out the garage to save up for a new exhaust system. There are some affordable, high quality mandrel bent systems out there which, as long as your willing to plum the exhaust, you can save a ton over having a system one offed by a local shop. Not that I'm taking anything away from the local shops, just some of them aren't even close to what these shops are making. Remember, aways check in to the quality of the shop you may choose, because once you're in, your in and a system that can't breathe won't be worth the money spent killing your performance.	$70.00	Not installed!
Edelbrock Performer 2-0	E-Bay	An aluminum intake for the oval port heads.	$111.00	Not installed!
Comp Cams Xtreme Energy XE284H Cam & Lifters	E-Bay	Gross Valve Lift 0.574 0.578 Duration 284/296, 106 Intake CL IntakeExhaust Duration At 0.05 240 246 Lobe Lift0.338 0.34 Lobe Separation110 PART #CL11-250-3 HYDRAULIC: Street/strip, 2800+ stall, rough idle. 9.5 compression.	$78.00	Not installed!
Valves	E-Bay	New 2.19 intakes and 1.88 exhaust should wake up and head over the stock tiny units.	$45.00	Not installed!
SUM-G1464 Vacuum Reserve System Can	E-Bay	The big cam will kill any real vacuum at low speeds, so I need some back up.	$31.00	Not installed!
Roller Rockers	E-Bay	If you trust any worn out, stamped steel factory rockers, then more power to you. The roller tipped rockers provide smoother operation and a far more accurate lift.	$95.00	Not installed!
M/T Drag Slicks	Friend	28 X 10 for a 15 inch rim. No more smokey lauches in first, yeah right.	ZERO	No impact, steel wheel time!
Racing Lap Belt	E-Bay	3 inch wide Bob's with quick release latch. Black in color.	$14.50	Not installed!
Muffler	E-Bay	Flowmaster transverse mounted 2.5 dual in/out design. The person included the stainless steel tailpipes with it for free.	$80.00	Not installed!
Catalytic Converters	E-Bay	A pair of Carflow 3 way designed, 2.5 inch, 94100 series. New, from person closing their shop	$89.00 for the pair	Not installed!
Oil Pan	E-Bay	A brand new 6 quart low profile unit with pick up.	$68.00	Not installed!
Fuel Pump	E-Bay	A used, chrome, Holley mechanical unit.	$20.00	Not installed!
Ignition System	E-Bay	Crane Cams HI-6R (6000-6400)with built in rev-limiter.	$86.00	Not installed!
Spark Plug wires	E-Bay	Accel Brand 8mm. Cut to lenght and a serious upgrade from the lame auto parts phantom brand wires currently used.	$20.00	Not installed!
1,000 lbs engine stand	E-Bay	A used engine stand for the BBC during it's upcoming rebuild.	$40.00	Assembled!
1,500 lbs cherry picker	Harbor Freight	A brand new cherry picker for a low, low price, brand new from the local store.	$89.99	Assembled!