Replacement build thread. 1999 firebird.

[hoogiesngrinderz]

It's possible to drill and tap the center for the abs sensor, but does the carrier have the reluctor ring on it? Should have stuck with a 3 channel rear end

[zeeman]

On the z28 rearend, the hole is already there. I don't think its a reluctor, there's a gear but it doesnt look the same as the 6 cyl. So the other wheel sensors wont work? This rearend is the one I saved from my z 28 donor. Can I install the reluctor from the 6 cyl rearend onto the the other one? Whats the easiest solution, other than a different rearend? If it makes a difference the hole is already in the rearend for the sensor and bolt. It has a plate covering it. Maybe its already set up? Ill post pics tonight.

[C2YT]

Ill tell you what, this thing is coming together quickly. Glad to see that you are making great progress Joe
1

[zeeman]

Thanks John. I wasn't really sure if anyone was actually reading this thread. lol.


ok here are some pics. first the 6 banger rearend.


You can see the reluctor inside the hole
now the rear end from the z 28



Even though its wider than the first one, it is exactly the same depth. I think this might work.


Don't worry the sway bar is just sitting on top of the rear end its not installed wrong. And , No, I don't know why the pics are posted twice.

[DanDalessandro]

I am reading this joe. I'm not smart enough to give any answers [emoji38] I can turn a wrench for you if ya need

[hoogiesngrinderz]

Looks like somebody converted a 3 channel rear to a 4 channel, which is the easier of the two conversions. I have not seen a stock 4 channel rear able to take a sensor in the center, not from the factory anyways.

Anyway, you're good to go. Put the sensor in and swap the brake lines around. You could even swap the backing plates and axles, sometimes people want the 4 channel plates and axles with the reluctor rings on them.

[Atrus]

Keep up with the progress updates! I don't have anything to add so I don't say much, but I read this every time it comes up to the top

[zeeman]

Sweet! Thanks Mike, nice when things work out.

Thanks to you too Kevin.

[zeeman]

alrighty, seats, console and carpet removed tonight. the carpet is gross, needs to be scrubbed. Plus it has a bunch of cig. burns .....so do the seats.... Luckily I have another set right here, handy. Man, dirt road driven cars... the amount of filth is just unbelievable. dust and dirt on everything. Fuel pump is on the way!

[zeeman]

Looks like somebody converted a 3 channel rear to a 4 channel, which is the easier of the two conversions. I have not seen a stock 4 channel rear able to take a sensor in the center, not from the factory anyways.

Anyway, you're good to go. Put the sensor in and swap the brake lines around. You could even swap the backing plates and axles, sometimes people want the 4 channel plates and axles with the reluctor rings on them.

Ive been thinking this over. I may swap the axels and plates over so I have them for the Z28. I would like to upgrade the brakes eventually. And this would be the easiest time to do it.

[zeeman]

fuel pump showed up today. I pieced together a console from parts I have laying around. Sunday should be the day I drop the tank and swap in the new pump. I still need to figure out the regulator. I may need to add in the corvette reg or find a 98 Camaro style system

[zeeman]

Well wrong again..... I did the fuel pump today, Saturday, cuz I got up late and missed my bike ride with the club. Dropped the tank, pulled the sender , replaced the factory pump with a Walboro 255 , reinstalled the sender and then remembered I should have taken some pictures. ffs I fail at documenting.

So, it looks like tomorrow, Sunday, is going to be axel/backing plate, swap day and maybe rear end install day too.

[zeeman]

I neglected to say thanks to NastyZ ,Brandon , for a nice radiator. [MENTION=4266]NastyZ[/MENTION] .Brandon is building a very nice car, and doing one hell of a job. Look for his build thread.
Thanks again man!

[zeeman]

Holy shi..... That was a long day. I swapped axels and backing plates to make the rear end a true 3 channel. I cleaned and painted stuff as I went. That shits gotta stop. Anyway, its back under the car, control arms are attached.
Turns out its a 3 channel lt rear end. Not a big deal to me, just more work to make it fit correctly. Some of the bracketry is different. No biggy, itll all work out.

[zeeman]

A good day today! I found some nice carpet, and interior plastics for not a kings ransom. (Reasonably priced) I also made a set of trans am door panels this week I had a set of t/a panels with a weird color light grey, but the pod was graphite. So I removed the map pocket from the panels that match my seats, and added the map pocket/ speaker pod from the t/a panels.
20150912_154921.jpg
Donor
20150912_165818.jpg
Subject
20150912_191116.jpg
finished product. I used my soldering iron to melt the plastic "rivets" and to do a bunch of repair work.

When faced with $80.00 a panel that wouldnt match my interior I become real resourceful, real quick.


Wouldnt you know it.... I bought the exact set of door panels I made this week, at the pick and pull today. I mean exact ,identical. For thirty bucks. What the hell