We are going to show you exactly how we build this car. From when we picked it up as a used car, to when we put the final screw in it and took it to it's first show.

When we bought this project car, it was a running car, kind of. The engine needed to be tuned and adjusted and most of the interior was removed including the stock dash, carpet, rear seats, and more. The rear suspension really needed help, and the body needs a lot of work.

This isn't a bad project car though. The engine and transmission are good. We made some adjustments to the timing curve, timing advance, idle mix, and other small adjustments here and there, and the engine runs like a beast. We will have dyno numbers soon. The engine actually only has about 1000 miles on it. There is a lot of slack in the rear end though, so we are going to show you how to fix that, as well as other components of the rear axle and suspension soon.

We just installed a Covans Classic dash panel and gauges

Check out the co-owner

Photo from original owner

Illustration of finished project by Sean Stratton

Engine:

• GM 350 Block, Bored & Stroked to 384ci
• 400 HP, 450TQ  5.7 L V8 Engine
• Eagle Rotating Assembly - Stroker Kit
  5140 steel SIR 5.7" rods
  Std/Std Cast Steel Crank
  Keith Black Hypereutectic Pistons - Inverted Dome @ -18cc
  Compression Ration: 9.7:1 With 64cc heads (8.7:1 With 76cc heads)
  4.040" Bore (Stock 350 Bore + 0.040 over), 3.750" Stroke, 5.7" Rods
• Comp Cams Magnum 280H Camshaft - CS 280H-10
  Grind # 12-212-2
  2000-6000 RPM
  Advertised Duration 280/280 ?
  Duration @ .050 230/230 ?
  Valve Lift .480/.480 With 1.5 Rockers
  Valve Lift .512/.512 With 1.6 Rockers
  Lobe Separation Angle 110.0
• Vortec Heads
  Intake Valves: 1.94” 11/32" Valve Stem
  Exhaust Valves: 1.50”
  Vortec Heads Can Be Machined To Max. 2.02” Intake, 1.60” Exhaust.
  Intake Runner Volume: 170cc
  Combustion Chamber Volume: 64cc
  Valve spring Seat: 1.300” Outer Diameter, 0.850” Inner Dictate
  Viton Rubber Positive Seals, Total 0.450” Retainer-To-Seal Clearance
  Max. Valve Lift: 0.420” which allows 0.030” retainer-to-seal (stock)
• Holley 750CFM Double Pumper Carburetor
• '98 Chevy Tahoe Custom Serpentine Belt System

Transmission:

• GM TH350 3-Speed Automatic Transmission
• B&M 2500RPM Stall Converter
• Hurst Shifter

Rear End:

• GM 8.5" 10 bolt Rear End our of a 1979 Pontiac Trans Am
• Richmond 3.42:1 Gears
• Detroit Powertrax Locker

Interior:

• Covans Classic Custom Dash Panel
  FEATURED PRODUCT
  www.covansclassic.com
• Auto Meter Gauges
• JEGS Plastic Racing Seats
• JEGS Seat Covers & Sliding Seat Brackets
• Aftermarket Dash Pad
• Original Rear Bench Seat

Wheels & Tires:

• Keystone Rims
• Stock Tires

Exterior:

• Stock

Exhaust:

• Headman Headers
• Dual 2.5" Exhaust
• Borla 2.5" Mufflers 

Fuel:

• Holley Blue Electric Fuel Pump
• High Performance Fuel Filter
• Fuel Cell, 16 Gallons

• Stock Manual Steering Box
• Stock Steering Column

Brakes:

• Stock Front Drum Brakes
• Stock Rear Drum Brakes

Electrical:

• MSD Digital 6+ Ignition Box
• MSD Pro Billet Distributor
• MSD Coil

Cooling:

• Radiator from '88 Grand Prix, 6cyl Turbo Car
• Single 16" S Style Electric Fan

Chassis & Suspension:

• Stock Front Sub Frame
• Aftermarket front Coil Springs and Shocks
• 5-Leaf Rear Leaf Spring Conversion
• Lakewood Ladder Bar