I forgot this pic, just love the view from this angle. I am also kicking around the idea of a custom glass/carbon trunk lid and wing combo. I am so disappointed in the quality of the wing. Also the lid is aftermarket junk and after hours of trying to make it straight it just isn't.
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...s/DSC01363.jpg

oh yeah, funny thing, well not really, We only had to move the car accross the street to the show, here was the rundown of my day friday. Worked until 4:30 am in the morning, slept for 2 hours, had 3 hours of sleep each night on average last week, anyway....got to the shop to put the windows in the doors only to find that I didn't have the window track for the passenger quarter window, it was at my home shop. Decided to forget it,..Running late...got the windows in, fenders on and hood on, then front end...when we were rolling it on to the car dolly I was straightening the wheel as it was being pushed, forgot about the fender to tire clearance and just about lost my hand... still swollen and numb....then the dolly wouldn't swivel right and when we turned it, the fender of the dolly nailed the door on passenger side and dented it. (notice I have no passenger side pics....) I have a friend who does paintless dent repair, so no problem. We decided to load it on my trailer....pushed it up and the front subframe got stuck on the tailer, everytime we loaded it or unloaded it. OH yeah tents. We put up two 12 x 12 tents the night before, they were both destroyed that night by high winds. We managed to get one good one out of the two and bought another. When we got the car there the wind picked up again and ripped one leg off its welded base and almost demolished the car, thankfully someone was there to grab the supports. We took the tents down and then my very expensive full color banner got ripped up.....I called my brother who was coming to see the car for the first time and said " bring some turkey". He showed up handed me some cash for the 20 hour day I just put in, and a bottle of 101. All is well that ends well.

That is one bad a$$ bird. :bow:

Sponsors?
 

I was thinking about next year and showing our car, hopefully sema and realized everyone seems to get sponsors. As a newbie I wondered if I could get some tips on getting them. Thanks.

Ok, haven't posted for a while...been busy with a new restoration project. I have some updates and a tip that may be new to some. My friend told me about it and it works great....Liquid Guide coat. There are many different ways to guide coat panels but the spray methods are most popular, there are also the dust on kinds. I have tried them and this is by far the cheapest and best method. Simply take acetone and pour some dark colored basecoat toner in the can, not much. just a little to color it. Then shake it up. Pour on a microfiber cloth and stain away. the acetone evaporates too quickly to hurt hardened 2k primers and epoxy, I don't know that I would try it over self etch or spray bomb primers that aren't harded. This goes on like stain and gets into the areas a spray mist can't. It will show up very small sand scratches left over that spray and dust methods won't. Since it is a liquid it get into every pore. I highly recommend it for cost and worth. Here are some pics.

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...9firebird2.jpg
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...irebird3-1.jpg
After Sanding some.
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...9firebird4.jpg

Here is the update:
I have the engine...06' GTO LS2
I will have to get accessory drive kit for it to clear frame.
Also, frame painted and back on car with suspension installed waiting engine.

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...irebird8-1.jpg

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...firebird10.jpg

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...rebird12-1.jpg

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...firebird17.jpg

This is one crazy build thread to try to follow, but still some interesting ideas in here. Just waiting to see how that frontend looks when completed

I know what you mean, The plans for the car have changed so much from the beginning and I haven't had control of most of it. Also, I am not getting near my hourly rate for the work and I have to put other paying work ahead while I have it or my shop won't stay open, so....That is all I can do.

Subframe looks great!:thumbsup::cheers:

I like the nose, that's pretty clean, well done!

Haven't posted for a while...been busy with another restoration. The valve covers will go, I am mounting coils some where else. We are thinking about an aftermarket intake and some other upgrades....what about the professional performance intake? anyone know how they are. Here is the progress pics.

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...100_4824-1.jpg
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...100_4825-1.jpg
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...100_4826-1.jpg
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...100_4829-1.jpg
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...s/100_4828.jpg

It looks great. What color did you use on the trans?

Very nice. Speedtech frame is looking great. I have subframe envy now :yes:

Looking great. Very nice.:thumbsup:

Thanks.....The color is the same as is on the tail panel (tail panel has a little more gold pearl/flake), oil pan and the subframe.....Honda color called Magnesium metallic or something, Just mixed it up from a color a custom color a friend had, he Honda color was real close to it. We were going for a magnesium (goldish) silver....If I don't go with an aftermarket intake, I will Be painting the intake the same color.

updates
 

Back at it for now...
Inside in all dynomatted, power window regulators in, wired up door and trunk poppers. Bulkhead for a/c fitted, starting the brake and engine details.
We are using a hydra booster from astrovan for power. All stock calipers for the front: corvette, back 85 cady. Lines are all polished stainless.
Here are the pics.

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...rcustoms11.jpg
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...rcustoms10.jpg
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...irdCustom1.jpg
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...irdCustom2.jpg
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...irdCustom3.jpg
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...irdCustom5.jpg
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...irdCustom8.jpg
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...irdCustom9.jpg
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...irdCustom6.jpg

Wow, looking good.

Ok, here is the latest...We have been hard at work getting wiring all figured out. Decided not to use painless and go with factory wiring and computer. Have it all ran and ready for power. Ignition all all that is done, shortened and removed all unwanted wires and repinned the computer connectors accordingly. We have to have the computers flashed and soon we will be ready to start it up. My brother decided to change the cam, rockers, intake and have the heads ported. (of course after I painted everything) We had a guy that does it for Lingenfelter do it and it should have awesome flow, he cleaned up the intake as well inside. The flow numbers are 317 at 600 lift? max. whatever that means, I am not an engine guy, but my brother said that is awesome.
The cam is a comp cam 54-444-11:

Cam Style Hydraulic roller tappet
Basic Operating RPM Range 2,000-7,000
Intake Duration at 050 inch Lift 224
Exhaust Duration at 050 inch Lift 230
Duration at 050 inch Lift 224 int./230 exh.
Advertised Intake Duration 273
Advertised Exhaust Duration 279
Advertised Duration 274 int./279 exh.

Harland Sharp 1.7 roller rockers
Profesional products typhoon intake (ported)
GM performance Roller lifters.

Heres some pics:
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...ercustoms3.jpg
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...rcustoms10.jpg
The fuel rails came adonized red, so we made a bath of lye and water and stripped them, then I polished them out to match the covers. I got the intake based on looks more than performance. These were the coolest covers I have seen and they only go with this fuel rail and intake so....I wanted the only shiney bits on the car to be the top of the engine, everything else will be black or silver. I still need to do something with the throttle body and we will be getting a billet oil cap too.
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...rcustoms12.jpg

I used this cool carbon fiber vinyl to cover the instrument panel. It actually has texture to it. I Stripped off the wood grain and the silver outlines and applied it. I Also cut out some pieces for the fuel rail covers that say "Rare Breed" for the top shelf 101 proof Wild Turkey the car is named after, and since Pontiac is now a rare breed....
The console will go up in front of the area all cut up for the radio and air controls, We have a vintage air magnum kit and billet controls.
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...rcustoms19.jpg
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...rcustoms21.jpg
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...rcustoms22.jpg
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...ercustoms2.jpg
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...rcustoms14.jpg
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...rcustoms13.jpg
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...rcustoms15.jpg
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...rcustoms18.jpg

The power brake booster is a hydra unit out of an 99 astro van and we got the SSBC billet master cylinder with the built in distribution. The top matches the fuel rail covers. Sorry I didn't snap a pic with the tape off. We hid the computer like so....
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...ercustoms6.jpg

Still looking good!! Can't wait for the finished product. You wouldn't want to reproduce that front end would you?

Damn! That motor is sexy :unibrow:

Thanks, I do plan on reproducing the front end. I will be back to work finalizing it soon. And then the first piece goes on and we will be figuring out fitment and how to mount it...after that, I will make some to sell. I will keep the updates coming as we progress. I would really like to have this at the good guy Columbus show. we will see.

Nice job guys. The dash came out awesome and that engine looks great. I love the intake.:thumbsup:

some updates: We got our radiator, had to mod it a bit to mount and work with what we have, Also not pictured, we modified the gas tank.
We installed the parking brake cable, modified the mounts on the frame so we can use all stock parts and they work with the cady calipers.

Also, I started on the interior...the seats are out of a 2001 camaro. Funny thing was the rear seat wasn't working out the way I hoped cause of the detroit speed 4 link bar mounts, I was planning on using the bottoms of the 01 camaro but they are just foam...anyway, my brother was turning his junker in for scrap and I had a last minute thought to check his back seat. Crazy thing that this 87 honda civic could have almost the exact measurement across the rear seat as the Firebird....like an inch shorter, 1/2 inch on each side, actually perfect..and the height sitting on the link pockets was perfect with the back tray....Also since I have to move the seat forward to clear the 4 link pockets I grabbed the wheel well covers out of the honda and cut the part I needed out. We cut the seat in half and shortened each half by 5 inches to make two seats with room for a waterfall console in the middle, we can use the foam, just cut the middle out and they both fold down leaving room behind for our amps to mount. I also really like the look of the headrests. anyway the pics tell the story.

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...ercustoms6.jpg
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...ercustoms8.jpg
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...rcustoms28.jpg
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...ercustoms9.jpg
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...ercustoms3.jpg
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...ercustoms4.jpg
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...rcustoms24.jpg
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...rcustoms15.jpg
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...rcustoms11.jpg
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...rcustoms12.jpg
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...rcustoms13.jpg
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...rcustoms14.jpg
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...rcustoms10.jpg
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...rcustoms16.jpg
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...rcustoms18.jpg
[IMG]http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii283/zingercustoms

continued....
Oh yeah, the guys from the hardcore Pontiac forum are going to slit my throat for the honda seats....LOL the ls2 was bad enough!
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...rcustoms21.jpg
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...rcustoms23.jpg
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...rcustoms22.jpg
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...rcustoms27.jpg

No throat slitting here. I say that's pretty crafty that you were able to resolve the back seats and you did it without spending much $$. Pretty cool, imo.

well i will be updating with pics soon, but for now we got the bird up a running strong, hope to do a shake down tomorrow if the weather holds and doen't rain. We went with Spintech oval exuast with xpipe. sounds awsome, I will post a youtube video of it running. Got everything to start the center console and dash build. And just about ready to get the front nose piece finished and pull a mold.....later

Are you thinking about selling front noses?

Yes, I will be making more to sell. I will also make a mold for the headlight housing so I can sell complete with headlights and fog lights and wiring etc... I am hoping to be back at work on that in the next few weeks.

Small update for now, just finished the tail pipe section, it will get black ceramic powder coat like the headers.... we used oval pipe with x-pipe and spintech mufflers. we cut out the gas tank for the pipes to go where I wanted them to...crazy its been like 5 years since I designed this part in my head and it turned out just the way I wanted it to. I have to clean up the welds but you actually won't see them. I am making a two piece heat shield out of aluminum that goes up between the tank and pipes and then under with a nice water jet finish piece with a vented look that will be an extra detail for the rear view of the car. The heat shield and the ceramic coat should keep the exhaust pretty cool to the tank. Also only the middle two pipes are actually functioning as tail pipes, I welded nice curved baffles in right where they attach to keep them seperated and the flow smooth. That way the outside pipes won't blacken the yellow too much.

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...s/100_6156.jpg
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...s/100_6159.jpg
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...s/100_6155.jpg

Nice build!!! :thumbsup:

Wow, that exhaust set up is insane! Im diggin' it. Nice build :thumbsup:

very nice, your attention to detail is awsome, along with your work and craftmanship!!!

we are in the process of finishing our front end and making bucks for the headlamp buckets.....oh and started the center console build.

added some detail shapes to the front nose.

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...s/100_6186.jpg
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...s/100_6187.jpg
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...s/100_6188.jpg

Headlamps start with a Jetta JDM lamp assembly, add one saw and some fiberglass resin, wool and mdf and you have a start...., I will be using all the bulbs and halos out of them.
I just cut the parts out that I wanted to use and placed them on the mdf board and then set them in place and stretched wool fabric and wet it down with resin then alot of sanding and high build primer to get smooth.
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...s/100_6190.jpg
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...s/100_6191.jpg
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...s/100_6196.jpg
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...s/100_6200.jpg

I am using Pro Sport gauges, really cool led , tinted gauges, check em out on u tube...this is the beginning of the pod in the center console
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...s/100_6203.jpg
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...s/100_6206.jpg
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...s/100_6207.jpg
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...s/100_6209.jpg
I will update more later.....

Just caught up with this thread and I am amazed with your build, great work! This has inspired me to get off this dang machine and get out to the garage and get something done.:hail:

Its been a while. I have had some other projects to finish up, I just can't pay the bills working on the firebird, really stinks....I have a lot of things kinda going with it and just wanted to update the forum.

We made our own interior panels for the rear quarter area, as well as our own door panels based off the stock delux but altered a little to clear the ride tech tiger cage we installed. Also has a little more detail and a speaker hole. We made molds and that is what you see pictured, I haven't built a part yet, that is up next. I did build the rear molds and pulled some nice parts off them. Thanks to Terry for all the help in teaching me and helping with the molds and parts.
The center console is its own crazy build, some parts will be painted and others wrapped. I am building a vacuum forming table that if it works right will allow me to do dash repairs and such, but for this I am covering the door panels and rear panels in a near match to the new camaro door vinyl. it should add a nice modern look. The top of the console you see in the pictures is all mocked up and filled for a mold we made to make a quick light weight part.

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...s/100_6344.jpg
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...s/100_6351.jpg
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...s/100_6666.jpg
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...s/100_6717.jpg
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...s/100_6728.jpg
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...s/100_6727.jpg
Top of Console
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...s/100_6729.jpg
rear quarter panel
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...s/100_6350.jpg
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...s/100_6349.jpg
Finished part off our mold
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...s/100_6725.jpg

We got the mold made for the front end and our first piece pulled out and currently working to fit and finish it for paint, we had to mock up mounts for the headlights and fog lights and grill.

We got the mold made for the front end and our first piece pulled out and currently working to fit and finish it for paint, we had to mock up mounts for the headlights and fog lights and grill.
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...s/100_6688.jpg
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...s/100_6700.jpg
all boxed up and ready to pull the mold out
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...s/100_6719.jpg


Here are some pics of the console in progress
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...s/100_6737.jpg
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...s/100_6682.jpg
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/i...s/100_6679.jpg

Wow awesome stuff! Nice work.

Small musical slide show of build I did for trade show.

HERE

you make resin work look so easy!! :thumbsup:

Really like how resourceful you are, using other materials.

Very impressive.:thumbsup: