[Project] Brokeass Bird- '68 Firebird

[mikewoods]

Hey Guys- I've got this project thread going on Pro-touring.com and i thought I'd share it over here. Enjoy~


I'm finally starting to collect parts for my build. Though it won't be a high dollar, done in one shot deal- it should be a nice cruiser and occasional track car.


This was the day i brought it home last August:







I like to think I saved this car from its previous owner- Nice wheels, eh? :hammer:The car came equipped with a fake kill switch, $59 walmart CD deck, miscellanious "No Fear" stickers and exhaust tips plasma cut to look like flames...


In other news, if anyone wants a set of chrome 16's with good tires REAL cheap, let me know.





I was able to overlook the cosmetic stuff once I saw the car a bit closer. On to the important stuff Drive line! The car was originally a 350/ 3spd car, but in 2000 the previous owner bought a wrecked 76 T/A and swapped in the 400/ Muncie 4 spd and 10 bolt with 3.55 gears. It has the original Rochester Q-jet carb, Edelbrock Performer intake and a small cam and some head work done. I think the numbers from the '76 400 wer a whopping 176 hp/ 250 ft/lb. Its by no means fast, but the heads/cam work helps and I've gotten the occasional slap on the right arm from my wife in the passenger seat when I turn the tires over shifting from 1st to 2nd.


One afternoon in the garage with a torch (the damn wheel adapters were stuck on the drum brake hubs...) and a heat gun and this is how the car looks now-





Current/ Future plans are:


4 wheel power disc brakes


Year One 17" Rally II wheels with 245/40 fronts and 275/40 rears


Hotchkis 3" drop TVS


DSE Tubular A-arms


LS1 firebird bucket seats


Body color fiberglass bumpers


and some day- full color change repaint

[bri2203]

Looks nice!
Don't paint the bumpers or waste your money on fiberglass bumpers.

[JoeliusZ28]

I honestly love the color it is right now! You increased the value of that car drastically with just the wheel swap. Looks great.

[meissen]

Some day I hope to have one of these...

[mikewoods]

Thanks for the comments guys!

Bri- why do you say that about the bumpers?

Joel- I'm not crazy about the color, Its a little too flashy for me. I was told it was Cadillac STS Blue from the mid 90's. Every time I take it out people say, "I love that purple!"

Brian- I'll let you drive mine if you let me drive yours!

[mikewoods]

Here she sits today





I've started collecting parts for an LS1 four wheel disc brake swap.


I ordered my drum hub/spindle adapter brackets from Rich Hoag- Shoot me a PM if you'd like his info. His price was very reasonable and he was very helpful. He even set me some photos and tips on doing the install.





I picked up a set of Calipers and Brake booster from a 98 T/A. I'm in contact with a guy about picking up backing plates and the Master Cylinder from the same car- I wasn't clear that I wanted the whole she-bang when we spoke the first time, so I'll have to make another trip out to see him soon.





The first thing to do is disassemble and send them off to the powdercoater.




One question I came up with- What is the popular opinion on ABS? I know the purists will say that its not needed if you're a good driver, but since I'll have my family in the car with me quite often, Its something that has crossed my mind. I have an ABS module, but no wheel speed sensors. This car will have an LSx some day and I wondered about adding it then.




Not much of an update, but between work, a 7 month old and another little one on the way my time in the garage is limited.


Cheers fellas!

[JoeliusZ28]

Hmm, doesnt look purple at all in your pictures but if its closer to that shade in person i probably wouldnt like that either.

[b.lee]

Looks nice! I'd leave the bumpers alone too.. looks great as is.

[mikewoods]

Update!

New wheels will be necessary soon. Looking at these



and these



235/45/18 on 18x8 fronts and 255/45/18 on 18x9.5 rear.

[OVRKILL]

need more width....

[Lucky SOB]

need more width....

Theres not a ton of room in the back on a stock 1st gen. I think 9.5" will be a challenge in itself.

[mikewoods]

I'd love to go to a 275 series tire, and I'm sure I could, but I'm not willing to do the work just yet. I'll see how the 255 fits for now. The idea of going with a 9.5 wheel in the rear is to fit a 275 someday.

[JoeliusZ28]

One question I came up with- What is the popular opinion on ABS? I know the purists will say that its not needed if you're a good driver, but since I'll have my family in the car with me quite often, Its something that has crossed my mind. I have an ABS module, but no wheel speed sensors. This car will have an LSx some day and I wondered about adding it then.

As a "driving" purist i will say that ABS is the only driver aid i actually believe in, and its nothing to do with straight line stopping... Its because when braking into corners you will get inner tire lockup without it. You would need split brake pedals like on a tractor to manage that without ABS and thats not practical...

As a side bar to that I also would believe in stability control if there was a way to manage it on the fly... IE press a trigger button when you need it to save your ass, but ive yet to see any car with a setup like that. Theyre usually an invasive full time setup or something that requires 10 seconds of holding a button.... So i prefer to be without it for now.

[meissen]

That 2nd rim looks hot.

[white97z28]

Beautiful car you have Mike! I love 1st gens! Would love to own one some day.