HICKL

I have a 76 280 (all stock) and am trying to decide whether to go sbc or hop up my L6. Without going turbo, how much HP can be achieved in my stock motor through cams, headers, pistons etc. I am afraid I may spend $2000 or more on hop up parts and still have 175hp or less. Any advice? Or, how available are turbo's and are do used ones last? Thanks Slow and confused.

Jim, glance back at my original post and see that suspension and wheels are stock (I'm not trying to be a smart---, but I did cover that up front) I have learned from past posts. Anyway, I peeked under there last night and it looked like the bushings in the lower control arms maybe broken. I am sure my struts are tired. I will jack it up tonight and start prying stuff around and see what shows up. Thanks for all the tips. Jeff

I think the car is bone stock, I was not "fixed up" at all when I got it. I have some pics at the office I can e-mail you guys tomorrow. I don't know how to post a pic other than that. I would except help in that area as well. My struts and springs may be just totally shot, The rear end dips pretty hard on excelleration. I also get a "clunk" on excell and decel sometimes. Don't know if its drivetrain or suspension. Like I said, this is the first time I have had the car on the road so I haven't had much time to research.

Ouch! Drove my 76 280 for the first time, Looks good, runs ok, rides rough as heck. Every little bump I hit feels like the rear rims are hitting a 1 foot tall curb. Motor and all drivetrain stock, even wheels. Where do I start. It literally jars the heck out of me, made my lower back hurt! Please help, car too pretty to hurt soo bad. Jeff

I meant 4.25

Where did you mount your 4-4 1/2" mid/tweets?

My 76 280 has quite a bit of slop in steering. Keeping with a budget, I want to go after worst parts first. (stock car, no racing...yet)I can see that I need outer tie rods. Does this car have inner tie rods? Do they typically wear as bad as outers? What is Inner tie rod? Looked in VB catalog and did not see listing for inner tie rod for this year. Please help, I have never worked on a rack and pinion front end. Jeff

My 76 280 is running rich. Has been sitting up for a while. Stumbles off idle, runs ok in the higher RPMs. If I warm it up and clear it out it runs better, but next day will will be rough again. Where do I start? Boot between airflow meter and manifold had crack. I taped it up real good but need to replace it. I think it is sealed for now though. Please help.

Can I borrow your manual for a year or two? Just kidding, thanks for the input. Jeff

Yeah, I have one switch in that "double wide spot" that is a mystery to me! Somebody out there knows! Please help help us all!

Maybee, my there is no antena on the car so I can't really tell. That still leaves one other "factory looking" toggle switch that is unknown.

I bought my z out of a body shop so have never driven it. Just got it painted and am putting interior together. I can't figure out what all the switches are for in my center console. One is rear window defrost, one is flashers. There one more next to those and there is a aftermarket toggle switch on the side of the console (by my right knee. It is a 2 way switch and it looks to be plugged into a factory harness. What the heck are these switches for? By the way, it is a 76 280. Thanks for your help Jeff

Thanks guys. This group never fails.

Anybody know off hand what the thread is on the wheel studs? I need to pick up some lug nuts today but didn't measure this morning. I think its a 12mm but not sure of the thread pitch. Thanks Jeff

Did anybody have any luck with Summit. I too called and was told that they had 2 left that were $99.00 ea and that they could order 2 more but those would be something like $190.00 each.(I didn't right down the exact amount). Seems kinda rediculous to not get a good deal on discontinued stuff. Jeff

Thanks guys. Jeff

I have a rubber (or whatever there made of) air dam that I need to paint. I am using PPG concept on the car. Can I paint it just like the rest of the body or will it crack off because of the flex? It is not primed or anything. Please advise best procedure. Thanks Jeff Hickl

FAST240, What is the backspacing on your 16" wheels? I called Weld and they have them but the 16" had a 4.5" back spacing. Will that clear stock suspension? The 15" has 3.5" back spacing but I want 16"s! Thanks Jeff Hickl

What is the correct bolt pattern, 4 X 4, 4 x 4.5? Please advise. I want some draglites too! Jeff

I've got a 76 280 and of course my seat bottoms are torn. Victoria sells the "original" looking seat covers for around $300.00. Anybody done this? Are they worth a crap? Or, is there a particular seat from a newer car that bolts up nicely? Thanks for your help Jeff

I am building a 76 280 and will probably go with 16" wheels. I have stock suspension. How wide of a rim can I use and what is the offset? Also, what tire size works well? Lastly, anybody got this perfect combo or something reasonably close for sale? He He! Thanks Jeff

Thanks a bunch RacerX. One more question. Can I change primers now and put the primer you recomended on top of the stuff I was using or will it defeat the purpose. I am actually out of primer and need to buy some more so I could change now. Jeff

Surfacer. I was told by my local PPG salesman to use the DZ3 laquer primer because epoxy primers were not "high fill". I have been spraying and block sanding with the DZ3.

But we digress Dodge Viper Yellow is the current color of choice. Don't use laquer primer??? Ooops, its covered with it! Is it too late, should I put a match to the whole project? Just kidding. I appreciate you guys input, this is not my first paint job, just the first one I cared about! Jeff

Yeah, I know black shows everything, do you use a black primer or a laquer finish paint or what? My ignorance is astounding