Project F...bird - suicidal Firebird 68 vert!

[68firebird]

definitely need pics. I love pics!! even if its just parts, LOL.

[geberhard]

Rene, lol, thanks seeing your project definitely gets me motivated to keep on going. Same here, my little ones are tired of pretending driving on the car and making bruum bruum sound and they want to go for a drive on this car

I am working on a side subframe and suspension right now. I am modifying the subframe enough to run air suspension, plus going with Global upper control arms and a few more tricks. Basically will tear up the front subframe that is there and roll it out, and pop the other one in.

For kicks, (Pontiac purists please forgive me)I ended up deciding going in a LS1 direction on Lolla even though I have a nice 400 Pontiac and 4 speed Muncie I as planning to put in. I have another Firebird project I am keeping Pontiac 400 power, so should appease the Pontiac Gods  For my plans on the car, just make sense right now, plus the powertrain will be close to zero cost as I have been parting the donor out and recovering the investment. My buddies have just followed the same direction on a few cars (69 Firebird, 67 camaro, 70’s Nova etc), and the outcome was great. I am VERY surprised more people are not doing something similar here to keep projects more within budget. After all a free LS1 and tranny are hard to beat 

It has been a hard back and forth decision, but a lighter alum block, fuel injection, greta performance along with good fuel economy and high and easy mod performance options (cheaper to modify an LS1 than the Poncho engine), along with a manual 6 speed will do the trick.

Here is a pic of the donor….



You have been warned……










Not easy on the eyes………












DONK!!!!





Don’t be hatin!!!! 











It is a 2K Z28 Camaro Ls1 T56 6 speed. The engine and tranny definitely need some dignity. On the plus side, there are extra parts I am putting to good use on the swap, including radiator and fans, and LS1 big brakes. I am swapping in a LS7 clutch, and the engine will undergo some “minor” mods, goal is to stay in the 400HP powerband and keep the car very streetable still Wish me luck a the madness to remove the engine is about to get started

Gui

[Tuske427]

you'll be glad you're pulling it from a running car, as you can see where the parts go, keep track of fasteners, etc. It sure makes it easier to put it back together.

And, FWIW, I too will be getting the same heat from the Pontiac Purists, but it's worth it as the LS engines really are that great.

Did the donor car come with the 4th "IROC" style rim?

[1transam]

Yeah swaps are easy, just gotta have the time to take it apart.... good luck!~

[geberhard]

Thanks, yep need to chop that maro quickly so hoping to make some headway this week Wife will motivate me to get it done lol

[1transam]

Originally Posted by geberhard

Thanks, yep need to chop that maro quickly so hoping to make some headway this week Wife will motivate me to get it done lol

gotta love the wife pushing you LOL!

[geberhard]

her motivation motivates me, lol Plus she wants to drive the vert soon, hahah !:0

[68firebird]

I would love to put an LS in. how much did you shell out for the donor car?

[geberhard]

You can find them here in the $2000 and up range, depending on mileage and powertrain. Verts and manual t56 are pretty hard to come by, in fact not much luck finding ls1's with T56 around here. I am getting contacted by several people on my ads as far as just selling the tranny even though I say on the ad tranny and engine are not for sale

I just spoke with a buddy that did his 69 recently (Mac) and rather than modifying harness etc, he was able to use and modify the stock column, so major savings on the swap, plus tilt, cruise control, will have ABS, etc etc. He modified the dash to fit his Firebird and looks really good!

[boogyman]

hey is dat black bird tubbed out..wat r da size of da rims u have..n dats how i wanted to do mine..black it all out..nice bird...