Mike Eischeid bought this 1970 Camaro Z28 back in March of 2013. While talking with him, we found out the car has been through at least three other owners before he bought it. Apparently it was wrecked more than 30 years ago, and sat under a tarp on property belonging to various people until Mike finally got his hands on it. In all, it took Mike just over five months to get it looking the way you see it here.

When Mike Got It

Most of the front clip was missing, but the rest of the car was able to be saved.

Mike describes the car when he bought as a “1970 Z28 with a four-speed, manual steering, and the original equipment Chevrolet 4.10 Posi rearend.” When he acquired the car, the engine and transmission were long gone. He bought the car from a guy who bought it from another guy (Jeff) back in 1976. When Jeff bought it, the car had a performance-buit 350ci engine and an automatic transmission. However, when Mike bought it, most of the front clip, including the engine and transmission were gone. Fortunately, the rest of the body looked to be in pretty good condition.

Putting a New Heart Into The Beast

The 5.3-liter LS truck engine that Mike had rebuilt and installed.

Instead of trying to match an engine with the numbers on the car, Mike chose to use a 5.3-liter LS engine taken from a truck. He and his friend Bruce Mattison freshened the engine with a GM camshaft, new rings, bearings, etc. The 2008 engine is coupled to a 2010 “drive-by-wire” system, and is also flex fuel compatible.

The engine bay as it looks today.

The choice of fuels is supplied by a Spectra fuel tank and an E85-compatible fuel pump from AEM. Controlling the amount of fuel flowing into the engine is a GM controller. Once the engine and transmission were installed, Mike took it over to 402 Dyno for tuning and the installation of the flex fuel sensor system. Although the engine and its controls “new school,” the transmission is a Muncie M21 Rockcrusher four-speed with a Hurst shifter.

Deep Into Work

There were sheetmetal repairs aplenty to be made.

Whipping the body into shape took a lot of work, and Mike tells us that he received help from the knowledgeable guys at the Gregg Young Chevrolet’s body shop. Notable mention on this part of the project has to go to Brian Swaboda.

Finalizing The Details

Although Mike has never upholstered before, he took on the responsibility and did a great job. The project was a huge endeavor, but now that Mike’s car is complete, he will surely be spending all his free time behind the wheel.