Speedtec builds a 2nd Gen Firebird!

[Ben@SpeedTech]

Our customer Dustin is a video game digital artist by trade and spends his time at work creating dark creatures and characters to do battle with. It's no wonder when he decided to build a g-machine to battle the cones he chose a second gen '73 Firebird, and he wanted it black, ...all black.

Making my job easy, Dustin already created his own rendering for us to work from. In this case we're doing the majority of the heavy work and he'll be finishing the car himself at home. Starting with a car that came from another shop "paint ready", after a deep inspection we all decided the best bet was to start over from scratch to ensure the end result will be as impressive as the magic Dustin creates at work. Follow along as we build this bad 'Bird!

http://i.imgur.com/6tz6cFw.jpg

[Ben@SpeedTech]

Here's what we started with. Up next: minitubs, trans tunnel mods, and media blasting the whole car.

https://i.imgur.com/hdsUpRu.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/A57Gui0.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/rzbii8s.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/I9EnZL8.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/keAGYm9.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/pGEk2Yi.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/g9yTfcE.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/rprJ4Ws.jpg

[WSSix]

So sick! Give us the parts break down so I can drool some more! Wow. Great rendering, too. Good job Dustin.

[gofastwclass]

You have to love "paint ready." How many times have we heard some variation of that phrase?

These cars bring up some memories... should be fun.

[syborg tt]

Incredible rendering and looking forward to watching this build

[Dave Pratt]

Sick is right! That rendering looks pretty wicked...I'll be keeping my eye on this build...very cool

[will69camaro]

Man I can not wait to see the progress on this one. Love early 2nd gen birds.

[214Chevy]

That rendering is so sick. I'll be watching this one too...

[cpd004]

Extreme subframe?

[Ben@SpeedTech]

Thanks everyone!

Yes, this is another ExtReme suspension build. We are really excited at how many ExtRemes are getting out there and really look forward to seeing more of these projects get wrapped up and hit the street and track!

[Josh@Ridetech]

Sweet rendering. Should be a badass car! :D

Am I seeing a promod body in the background?

[Blake Foster]

yes Josh that is a promod body, that I (we) built for a buddy. it only runs in Top Sportsman 7.80 range.

so if anyone needs one we can do that as well.

[Ben@SpeedTech]

Prior to media blasting we wanted to get a little bit of sheetmetal in order. Fat tires are the requirement here so the back end got a fresh minitub.

http://i.imgur.com/lderQFY.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/lrnHLMy.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/jtaAA6v.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/XfueKHd.jpg

[Ben@SpeedTech]

As an option available with our ExtReme subframes and suspensions we now offer this cool pre-fab tunnel cover to clear T56s. It's easy to install and makes for a nice clean upgrade. On the underside we typically seam seal and box line to finish it off.

http://i.imgur.com/LGq7GgB.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/WaGnh8i.jpg

Next up- media blasting.

[GregWeld]

I want to know what kind of shop - that thought that was "paint ready" --- looked ready to START a tear down to me!!

Where's the outrage....


Nice project that will be turned into a great car now that it's in the right shop.

[GEARBOXGARAGE]

Another great project to keep an eye on!

[Blake Foster]

I want to know what kind of shop - that thought that was "paint ready" --- looked ready to START a tear down to me!!

Where's the outrage....


Nice project that will be turned into a great car now that it's in the right shop.

YEA NO KIDDING honestly it had some guide coat on the primer.:headspin: :headspin: and the engine bay had not even been washed. it had mud all over it!!

obviously the shop is :trophy-1302: when it comes to this kind of work. lol
once we media blasted it the car was actually in pretty good shape did a couple lower rear 1/4 patches and that was about all it needed.
but when the customer shipped it here and said it was ready i just laughed. and then gave him the bad news.
it is all good now just :G-Dub:

[gofastwclass]

YEA NO KIDDING honestly it had some guide coat on the primer.:headspin: :headspin: and the engine bay had not even been washed. it had mud all over it!!

That isn't ready to paint from a professional shop? :poke: :underchair: :disgusted:


You guys are doing a bang up job. :)

[V8TV]

Looks like a great project. Love these cars.

"Ready for paint" means "Ready to start over."

It's universal.

[Matt@BOS]

I'm loving the rendering. Looks MEAN, can't wait to see it come together!

[Ben@SpeedTech]

After the sheetmetal mods were completed we epoxy primed it, then hit the underside and trunk with bed liner. At this point it's starting to look like a real car in progress again.

http://i.imgur.com/KU93H4Q.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/enbjNp7.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/wIgGctG.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/djVtKQX.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/sQ7IpRf.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/S0vkmkH.jpg

[Gscherer78ta]

Very Nice!!!! Looking forward to seeing what parts go in this build, may serve as a blueprint for my path!

[syborg tt]

Wow is this car solid !!!

[Goosesdad]

:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[Blake Foster]

Wow is this car solid !!!

building it for a customer Marty
talk to Jay his may be available?

[Ben@SpeedTech]

Moving on to the front suspension install...

Here's a comparison of old and busted up and new and ready to rock and roll. Upgrading to the ExtReme subframe gives this car the best street/ autoX geometry available, ExtReme AFX spindles, splined sway bar, more clearance for 315mm tires, Sweet rack and pinion steering, and autoX valved coilovers. Narrowed frame rails yield 30+ deg of steering angle so Dustin can handle all track situations and quickly grabbing that last close parking space at the grocery store. The goodies don't stop there, this car features Ron Sutton enhanced set of StopTech 6 piston 14" brakes, specifically designed for mutli-purpose use like Dustin's sweet Firebird.

http://i.imgur.com/vXWCbse.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/uANbdud.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/AvjexTh.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/AIHKwmf.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/aRB6cv5.jpg

[Ben@SpeedTech]

... and this is why we do this!

https://i.imgur.com/y1UzzKg.jpg

[Ben@SpeedTech]

As you can see in the rendering, Dustin is a 3D artist, and sometimes 3D car renderings show amazing finishes that may not be that realistic. Well, we liked the way Dustin created his car's 3D surface so we did our best to match it. ;) First shots of the mile deep paint...

https://i.imgur.com/E3Rzmzy.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/fp9VGJi.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/Knp7W7P.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/96A2OYZ.jpg

[SSLance]

Looks great so far! I did NOT see that color of caliper in the catalog last time I looked... :D

[Firebirdsteve]

Gonna be awesome!!!

[Ben@SpeedTech]

Thanks!

Dustin's Firebird has the looks and backing that up it needed a reliable streetable and comfortable engine that could lay it down when the go pedal was pushed hard. As with many builds we do at our shop we installed the ultra reliable 525 hp LS3 GM crate engine. For this much smooth running power with a warranty this engine is a fantastic value.

https://i.imgur.com/zb55dE3.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/76HcEhz.jpg

[Ben@SpeedTech]

This is where we're at with the build at this point. We have just a few more small things to do to it and then it's going back home to him. Dustin's a get his hands dirty true motorhead and had us take care of what he couldn't so that he could take it from there and wrap up the build in his garage at home. As he gets things assembled and all dialed in we'll follow up with the final pics. It all has turned out so nice and we're glad we've had the chance to help Dustin build his dream car. Stay tuned for more!

https://i.imgur.com/bNVDZ0A.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/ZRhXN0Z.jpg

[YAMATHUMP]

I just love 2nd gen Birds and you guys nailed this one. The stance is just right, and it looks like it means business. I cant wait to see more updates as he finishes it up.

[WSSix]

Can you run less offset on the front wheels, or would that cause fender clearance issues?

Car looks awesome. Hope it doesn't take Dustin too long to finish.

[Ben@SpeedTech]

Yes. One of our shop techs told me Dustin didn't realize they would be that far offset when he ordered them, there's too much pad on the back of the center. Nick Relampagos' "70 ZL1" Camaro also runs this ExtReme subframe set up with a 315 up front. There is a range of BS you can use, you have to factor in brake caliper clearance and whether you want to modify the outer lip area of the inner wheel tub at all if you want a deeper look. On average it's about 8" or so for an 11" wheel and a 315 tire to avoid outer lip area interference. In the second gen we've also fit 335s with some inner wheel tub mods.

https://i.imgur.com/CjN3N62.jpg

[WSSix]

Thanks Ben. The red one has better looking rims in my opinion. I appreciate the response and information

[Ben@SpeedTech]

No problem. If you have any more specific questions, Jay our sales manager is building a pretty wicked 73 Camaro for himself, also equipped with an ExtReme subframe. He's always happy to share insight and what options are. Our number is 435.628.4300.

[glassman]

I believe you have to run inner fender mods with the 315's as well, Nick did (the Anvil ones).

I'd like to see some fiberglass or something on the market for these, as i too at some point will be doing this subframe, but will need new inners...

I know you guys have em for first gens (camaros) but, would really like to know what was done on that beautiful light blue 2nd gen (Ironworks one) for inners

[WSSix]

I'm just going to cut my inners apart when I roll the fender lips so I can fit the 275s on the front. I figure who cares about a 79TA. There were over 100k built, lol.

[Blake Foster]

I believe you have to run inner fender mods with the 315's as well, Nick did (the Anvil ones).

I'd like to see some fiberglass or something on the market for these, as i too at some point will be doing this subframe, but will need new inners...

I know you guys have em for first gens (camaros) but, would really like to know what was done on that beautiful light blue 2nd gen (Ironworks one) for inners

don't know if anything has been done on the blue IW Camaro i know he sold it so maybe down the road.

We have talked about doing inners for the 2 gen but there are of course a couple different shapes the Camaro and the FB are different.

[Blake Foster]

I'm just going to cut my inners apart when I roll the fender lips so I can fit the 275s on the front. I figure who cares about a 79TA. There were over 100k built, lol.

we went down that road on the one in the shop and they are so formed that it was going to be alot of work to make them look good. so we did a set of Anvil inners but they also needed to be cut and modified to fit the 315

a 275 will fit with out any mods to the inner

[4mul8ion]

Wow. Loving it. I can't wait to see more.