You could save some cash by using the stock brakes, just use good pads and rotors up front. Then you dont have to spend so much on bigger wheels to clear your aftermarket set.

Just thinking out loud.....:D

This forum is great and it's the people that make it that way. Thanks for the offline discussion Eric, it was very helpful.

As I mentioned, one of the most important items will be wheels and stance - nothing old school here. I think a plan is developing: Used 5.3 truck motor with it's auto trans and the right gearing can be mild enough to give good fuel economy and still be respectable. If I recall correctly, the chassis has already been rebuilt with poly bushings and new springs front and rear so my thoughts are maybe lower the rear with lowering blocks and cut the front springs to get the stance and upgrade with heavy sway bars. My 13" brakes all around surrounded by a set of off the shelf 18's. While it may not be autocross competitive, it should be a lot of fun for a 16 year old and stay well within budget. With this set up, upgrading motor and suspension down the road could be done in stages.

What do ya think fellas?

It was good talking to you too.
I think your plan sounds good! The overdrive auto and injected 5.3 should be a lot of fun and still get decent mpg. And like you said, upgrades down the road are easy to do as the budget allows.

I would like to do the same thing with my son when he gets older, I think you have very cool idea. Sounds like you have a pretty good plan...I'm sure that will be a good time.

I agree with you on a lot of kids having little or no work ethic today, to busy playing video games or whatever else. It kills me how I hear about some kid complaining because he is bored, yet he is old enough to work and doesn't work because everything is given to him. I was in Lowe's last weekend with my 3yr old son and he was pretending to drive the lawn tractors and looking at tools, etc; then a guy probably in his late 60's made a comment to me as he saw me grin about my son. The guy said, "don't let him get hooked on those video games, teach him how to use a hammer and nail"...I told him absolutely and I agreed with him. My son would live outside if we let him...lol.

Gene - This is a cool venture to get your son involved in hot rodding. We have to pass the torch to the younger generation. Good luck on the build.

Eric - Thanks for throwing our name in there and we appreciate the kind words.

Man, I hate to burst your bubble but I thought the same thing when my boy was three. "Oh, he loves tractors, cars, outdoors, trucks....he's going to be all boy, all man, be with me in my hobby shop........." but it didn't go as I thought it would. It started out as planned but things changed after a couple years in school. Kids are just so influenced by what their friends are playing that you can't stop it. It's such a tech world for kids that it's all they talk about. A kid without some form of it today feels like an outsider, and as parents we don't want that either.... and the rest leads to where I'm at now.

So I've been trying to maintain a good balance in other ways. I went to Hunters Safety Training with him and bought him a .22. We've had much enjoyment target shooting together, we got a couple cheap radio controlled airplanes and fly them (and crash them) together, the occasional golf game..... But most importantly, I take him to car shows with me. I've found I get more of a car connection with him if I ask him what cars he likes and have him tell me why. Then once I started encouraging his interest, it really took off.

Maybe he'll end up a gearhead but maybe not. I'm good with it either way.....but if he does end up with the same hp itch that I've always had then..:woot: :woot:

I hope the best for you and your son as well!!

Thanks much. I've got all the Hotchkis goodies on my Skylark which will see pavement this coming spring. As far as my son's Firebird, I think it will too but way down the road, when he is old enough to afford it. Besides, by that time you guys will have a whole new design anyway!! :thumbsup:

Gene

Hey Gene,
Any luck finding the info we spoke about? Trans swap, LS swap stuff.

Haven't looked into it further yet. Getting the Firebird home this weekend. Lot's of other things going on but I've got plenty of great leads!!!

Thanks again.

Oh yeah, it's this weekend that's right! You know you have to give us pictures now right? Haha!

Might as well toss in some pictures of the Skylark too!:D