New HZ build thread

Great over-all combo. Can't beat an injected 304 in our old beasties. They do everything so nicely. Go the Z....cool cars.

So I'm getting to that point in a project where you start to lose a lot of time due to staring and drooling... hehe

It's so rewarding to see the picture you had in your head for years actually coming to life...

So stoked to see it at this stage. Well done mate.

I know you've still got some work ahead but man I cannot wait to see those panels when they're cut and buffed!

Almost ready for a drive around the block...add milk crate lol

Looks good dude!

I've been hating the idle air bypass noise every time I move the car around so I've jumped into getting the air box sorted out, even though I don't have inner guards mounted yet! Anyway I got a 3.5 inch stainless bend, some step up silicone joiners as the TB and air box size is actually 3.25inch which I couldn't get in pipe, it was either 3 inch of 3.5. I wasn't about to choke the already asthmatic air inlet, so 3.5 inch it is...

I cut up to get the desired path, unfortunately one 90 deg pipe wasn't quite enough bends. I probs needed another 45. I decided to just cut some pie sections.

I knew I was going to finish it in wrinkle black because I don't really want to draw attention to the air inlet and airbox. Unfortunately with the right side entry on the manifold, the air inlet on these things ruins any chance of symmetry on the engine package.

So with the wrinkle black planned, I was hoping to grind down the welds on the pie cut sections and hide them as much as possible. I guess to the untrained eye I've probably achieved that. This is perhaps something I'll re-design after the car is on the road.

Anyway it came up pretty good for now. I'm happy enough.

If that had inner guards I'd be looking for rear mount turbo after looking at that inlet pipe.

Very tidy, nice to see it done properly instead of just a pod filter hanging off the side

Now you need to make a simple CAI by getting the LH quad headlight surround replaced by a fabricated fine mesh one!

I'm contemplating a hole under the airbox to bring air in from inside the wheel tub

Very tidy, nice to see it done properly instead of just a pod filter hanging off the side

One of my guys in my car club threatened me, if I put a stupid Pod filter off the side he would, and I quote:  "Burn the f'cking car to the ground" 

it was a strong but reasonable request, I had to oblige

Edited by SHEEL, 08 March 2024 - 08:16 PM.

Small update, the car is featured in the "In The Build" section of Street Machine this month (April 2024)

pretty happy about that!

Hopefully I can get a full feature one day...

good stuff  

Congratulations on the Street Machine bit mate! Very awesome and love your words that accompany it.

Well done mate. Brings back memories of my HZ Kingswood SL sedan I bought used in 1985. Was in the Delforce Daihatsu car yard across from Warners Bay High, I was walking home from school and test drove it. Back then a kid in year 11 or year 12 could walk in and test drive a 5.0L manual Holden. It was Madeira Red with 63V trim, L31 M21. Only 7 years old, I was the second owner. Had all teh standard 7 year old 308/5.0L Holden issues - Quadrajet, cam, head gaskets, water pump etc. Would have been much nicer as an injected 5.0L.

Nice!!!

Always surreal to see your own car in a magazine.

That’s awesome, I’ve had cars I’ve painted in mags and thought it was cool but your own is next level. Cheers

Update time!

I've been slogging away on getting all the front end panels completed. 

Firstly I wanted to hide a wiper washer reservoir under the guard. So I sourced an aftermarket black alloy one. I've cut, welded, drilled and tapped a 3mm angle steel piece. You can see the finished product mounted but I still need to take it out one more time to finish painting where it mounts. I've raptor lined the tubs and didn't want to have the liner under the bracket.

I also wanted to smooth over the dish / relief where the Heater / AC blower normally is so I cut up a spare inner tub to donate a radiused section to glue in.

It became apparent when working on these guards that Holden didn't give much priority to them from factory, they really were considered a "mud guard" and the pressing is really rough. So many ripples and crinkles needed working out. I spent many hours dollying them and put a little bog in to finish off. 

I've also done the top side of the bonnet. I had a really good donor off a WB statesman with only a few minor dings. I didn't really take any progress pics, just the finished product. I still need to do the underside in the next week or 2 then I need to paint the hinges and catch in gloss black before that can go on the car.

enjoy the pics

more...

looking good, nice work.

paint looks    for a "backyard job"

Rippa

Beautiful car. I would even swap my HQ for that...