So this LT1 build has completely gotten on my nerves. So much piecing together and part sourcing has had to be done that, I have gotten to the point of disliking any work done on this engine, and I'm sure some of you can commiserate. The car has sat, lacking an engine and transmission, both of which were removed with months ago, and could use some body work. I don't see much rust, but then again, the original paint has not been stripped. The body looks straight, but since the car is several colors (some panels were taken from a tan car, while the rest is silver) it doesn't have the look many desire.
My eventual plan is to strip the whole body, and get it blasted, rust coated, primed and painted. the eventual look will be very similar to the Porsche 911 GT3 RS (including orange powder coated wheels and roll bar):
My current debate is whether to stop on the engine for the time being, change things up a bit and focus on the body. The only thing holding me back from this is any fittment that may be necessary after paint has been laid down. After going over the JTR conversion manual and spending a fair amount of time on this website, I have gathered that there shouldn't be any pounding/cutting/welding/bolting/other actions that should screw up the paint on the engine bay, but that brings me to the subject of this long winded post.
Would any of you advise against doing the body work first, and finishing the engine while it's in the shop, or should I get the motor finished, fitted, and running, then RIP everything out, strip the car and THEN do all the body work, followed by RE-installing everything.
More info about the project outline: 1975 280Z, 1995 LT1 motor (pretty much stock, rebuilt, bored .030 over with Sanderson Block Hugger headers), 1995 T56, JTR conversion plates, 2.5" dual exhaust both exiting on the left, complete rewire. It's a pretty basic conversion, i just want it to be a head turner, so no corners will be cut.
Thanks,
Ramsey