[Project] Patrick's 1998 Firebird build

[pferris]

I have done a ton of work to this car, not sure why I have never done a build thread. I will have to find a picture of it completely stripped down from a few years back. I had started on preparing the motor for reassembly yesterday, so now is a good time.

Previous mods:

This chassis was previously an auto, it now an ls1/t56 out of a 2000 T/a. It also has the black interior out of the same car.
1 5/8 headers, ORY and a magnamouth catback
ls6 intake
ls6 valley cover
k&n air filter (Mad gainz)
Monster stage 2 clutch with 18lb flywheel
tick master cylinder(I love this thing)
Hand ported tb

Miro 112's
175/35 18's Pilot super sports
all Poly suspention bushings
tubular lca and adjustable phb
Lowered
stb
6LE style ebay seats
And many other things I dont remember currently.

What I am currently doing is a fresh rebuild of the motor, including all new bearings, rings and gaskets.

stock 799 heads
25% udp
1 7/8 headers, with an improved y-pipe
torquer v4 is the new bumpstick
prc .660 dual springs with ti retainers
chromoly push rods
trunion upgrade
ls7 lifters and trays
ls2 chain
melling 10295

I am assuming I will need injectors, I am currently planning on getting 36lb gtp injectors. Tuning will be done by me.

And then a bunch of maintenance things. new water pump, belts, plugs, ac compressor, fluid changes.

And then my drivers side fender has a small crack, I have a replacement one that is silver, so that will need to be painted. I had also painted the hood a couple years ago, and there that is in need of a paint correction.

The car also currently does not have a headunit, looking to install a double din. If anyone can get me a good deal on one, please let me know. I also would like to do LED fog lights, but that is at the bottom of priority currently.

I hope to keep this updated.


Motor pulled a month or two back
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How it currently looks in the garage, Little depressed.
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And a nice photo to Motivate me to get this thing going soon.
firebird_large-6699-3.jpg

[DynoDave]

That's a ton of engine modifications. Where do you suspect you will be at, horsepower-wise?

[pferris]

That's a ton of engine modifications. Where do you suspect you will be at, horsepower-wise?

It did snow ball some, but I planned on porting the heads, budget didn't go as planned. I don't really want to put a number down, because of the high chance of disappoint. I'd say it should be decently into the 400rwhp. I've seen similarish builds around 430whp.

Hoping to break into the 12's. Haha

[pferris]

Ran into the first holdup with the build, I was installing the cam bearings and damaged the front one. Ordered another set from amazon, and they should be here tomorrow but I am regretting not paying the machine shop the ~$60 for bearings to be installed. I have this Thursday and Friday off, so I am expecting to make some progress then.

I also ordered a set of 42lb injectors, got what I think is a really good deal off ebay for them.

[pferris]

Ive done a really good job of keeping this updated. The engine is now in the car, and it is running. Although it appears the thermostat is bad, as it is now opening. Thanks to amazon, a new one should be on my doorstep today.

Motor going together IMG_20160318_143101.jpgIMG_20160318_143121.jpg
I was surprised how smoothly the build went
IMG_20160320_164004.jpg
IMG_20160321_165003.jpg
Fully ghetto oil priming. I didnt want to have to crank the motor with compression with just assembly lube, this actually worked well.
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IMG_20160325_151117.jpg

I had bought a JVC NSX700 from Atrus. I am looking forward to seeing the double din in the car. After a few adjustments to the tune, the car idled fairly well. Need to lean it out a little bit more, but once the car is on the ground and driving tuning will start. The car sounds really good, I will get an exhaust clip with decent audio soon.

I have to change the thermostat, ziptie a few wires, put the center console and some other interior trim back on, finish bleeding the brakes, and then the car can be taken off the lift.

The car will need a deep wash and full detail, but that will have to wait a week or two.

[alone_and_insane]

sub'd!

your build puts mine to shame. You did in about two months what I accomplished in about a year haha

[Atrus]

Agreed! I have yet to install my LS6 intake that's just been sitting around.

JVC should be over to you today. Hope you enjoy it!

[pferris]

sub'd!

your build puts mine to shame. You did in about two months what I accomplished in about a year haha

Haha, its not all that glamorous. I've had it stripped down to a bare block since early December. Although that far from the longest any project has sat.

[Atrus]

Ha, I've had my intake off since Dec...and no progress has been made...

[Atrus]

Curious - what made you think/how did you know you'd need new injectors?

I have my stock 2000 LS1. I am adding an LS6 intake, will be adding full exhaust, and I hope to do a cam (most likely an EPS 222/226). I just assumed my OE injectors would be sufficient. Maybe I need to rethink that.

[pferris]

Curious - what made you think/how did you know you'd need new injectors?

I have my stock 2000 LS1. I am adding an LS6 intake, will be adding full exhaust, and I hope to do a cam (most likely an EPS 222/226). I just assumed my OE injectors would be sufficient. Maybe I need to rethink that.

I was thinking I would need bigger injectors looking at the duty cycle from some prior full bolt on data logs. Admittedly I was running a little rich then. Im running a bigger cam (231/234), 799 heads and plan to rev to probably 6800. Ported heads are probably in the future, although probably a ways off. There was a flash sale thing on ebay where they gave $20 off $100, so the injectors ended up being $100 and at that point I figure why not.

[pferris]

I took the car for a short drive yesterday, there is certainly still an exhaust leak, and the tune leaned out once I got on it. I did put the new headunit in last night, didnt mess with it too much, and am trying to find a good place to put the mic.


IMG_20160331_144114.jpgIMG_20160331_201945.jpg

[alone_and_insane]

you should vinyl wrap that housing or something to match the gloss black of the headunit itself.

[pferris]

you should vinyl wrap that housing or something to match the gloss black of the headunit itself.

Yeah, I was a little suprised by the color. I though it was black. Considering the title in the purchase link said black.. Ill probably end up painting it or something, but Im going to send the ebay seller a message.

[1BADAIR]

Curious - what made you think/how did you know you'd need new injectors?

I have my stock 2000 LS1. I am adding an LS6 intake, will be adding full exhaust, and I hope to do a cam (most likely an EPS 222/226). I just assumed my OE injectors would be sufficient. Maybe I need to rethink that.

2000 have smaller injectors but still were good on my tr224 and headers