New Z32 Restoration Project

[stebo0728]

Ok, I am just starting this thread to announce my intent to embark on restoring my now garaged Z32 2+2. I am not that well funded so it will likely take me a while, but I will eventually complete it. Reason it is garaged now is failing hydraulic lifters. I only drove it about 50 or so miles once it started showing audible symptoms (that nasty bottom end knock). Hopefully no irrepairable damage has occured to the major working components. My best case is to rebuild the N/A engine. I have always been a big N/A fan, but if I have to end up springing for a new engine I will probably go ahead and buy a TT clip and just do the swap. Havent decided there for sure. Other than the engine rebuild, here is what else I plan to accomplish:

• I plan to replace the drive shaft with the 1 piece shaft
• Put all new or at worst rebuilt components on the engine, alternator, water pump, oil pump, and etc.
• May go with some new headers
• I will be replacing the A/T with a 5 spd manual.
• I have seen where most people recommend bypassing the EGR valve, so I will most likely do that as well.
• Complete rebuild of engine including all new gaskets and seals, new spark plugs, new sensors, new wiring harness, machining and polishing of all block and header components, new fuel injectors, and of course any new pistons or rods that are worn out of tolerance.
• New heater core and A/C coil
• New exhaust
• Complete overhaul of interior
• New front windshield
• New paint job
• New matching lock cylinders for everyting, including ignition
• New aftermarket stereo system
• Possibly new ECU, I have to research this, I am a huge geek so Id love to be able to interface easily with the engine and play around with it, this would probably be more advantageous with the TT engine than the NA so still undecided here

Basically this list is my first rough draft. I will probably find more things to do, and will probably opt out of some of the afore mentioned items. But I hope to adhere to this as closely as possible. I will do my best to keep this updated as I go. It may take a while to complete as I can go, I basically am starting from the word go, still need to acquire a hoist, and engine stand, and get some better tools. Its no longer my daily driver so I dont have to rush to get it back up so I will take my time and enjoy the process as best I can, its a Z engine so like I said, as best I can. Now I would like to ask for any suggestions, tips from pros, other things I should do while I'm in there that I havent though of, and any other feedback is always appreciated. I will post pics of my progress as I go, and I will start by posting either a video, or audio clip of the engine in its current state with the noise it is making so maybe it will help someone in the future diagnose their problem. Subscribe if you are interested because a daily check may be fruitless as I have to take this step at a time, but....if I run into some extra cash I may kick it up a notch. Thanks again!

[evildky]

these cars are expensive to own maintain and repair, I highly suggest you save your pennies and buy a better example, it'l cost you a LOT less int he end! trust me on this

[stebo0728]

Evil, I understand where you are coming from there, but I have wanted a project for years and now I finally have one, so I am gonna run with it. I like to work with things that are challenging, and I know this will be, which is thrilling in a way. But I am sure once I get going I will be scouring this forum quite regularly

So I dont know WTF happened but some how the battery is now dead so until I can get another battery, I cannot start it up to record the noise its making, and I want to do that before getting started with the tear down for documentation purposes, hopefully it will help someone else later.

I did run into a bit of luck with the hoist and engine stand. A friend at work has one of each collecting dust and vines in his shop, so he is going to let me have them. Woot!

[stebo0728]

A question now, as preparation, should I bypass the EGR valve while im in there? What are the suggestions?

[Oh Em Zee]

do you live in california?

[stebo0728]

No I live in the Atlanta area