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Good for you Tu!! People that haven't gone to one of these events have no idea what they're missing out on. It's a blast. You get to drive at whatever level you are comfortable at... How many can say they've driven their car at this track or some other cool place... and most of all you meet great people. What could possibly be better than all of that.
Yes -- you find out what you "need" very quickly... whatever that happens to be. But to me - that's also part of the fun. When you stop improving your car and yourself - what else do you have to do? LOL |
You're right about having fun and meeting great people. I wasn't the fastest one out there, and did not expect to be. Heck I expected to be last. My main thing was having fun, and be able to drive the car at TMS.
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Uploaded a couple of videos from the event.
Autocross Road course. This was the last session, and my fastest lap. |
Awesome pictures and video Tu. It definitely looks like a blast. I'll have to make it out next time. :D
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Minor updates
After the USCA Texas event, I wanted to do a brake upgrade, since I felt the C6 Z51 was just adequate, but not good enough to my liking. So a quick call to Ron Sutton got me this box.
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...pso0e9v9yl.jpg Wilwood Aero6 calipers with BP-10 pads. http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...ps1onq2a0g.jpg Installed in the car. It was a noticeable improvement in braking. http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...pshczejczn.jpg Looks great behind the Formula S6 wheels. http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...ps2irseclc.jpg |
The seats also needed improvement as the Procar seat flexed too much during the TMS event. I ordered up a pair of Recaro Specialist S seats from Dale at Schwartz Performance.
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...psrzkpygv2.jpg Base black nardo/black artista covers http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...pshmc0y7zr.jpg Planted seat brackets. http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...psamdswmqk.jpg Installed in the car. The initial impression was: wow, these seats are awesome. Sure worth the $$$. http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...pspxbllo7u.jpg http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/t...psomyscnux.jpg Now I'm trying to convince my friend that he should put these seats in the Mustang fastback.:G-Dub: 18 days before we leave for Power Tours. We're going to do the leg from Memphis to Baton Rouge. |
Way to play Tu!
Nice upgrades for sure. |
Awesome upgrades!
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Thanks for the compliments. I started to really enjoying the car more and more. Picked the kids up from school the other day in the car, and they loved it. |
Great build! beautiful car!
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67 Firebird - Part 2
So, it's been awhile since the last update.
Since then, quite a bit of life changes. Got divorced, moved to a much smaller space. Spent most of my free time working on buddy's 65 Mustang fastback with DSE suspension/LS swap. He picked up the car the week before Harvey hit Houston in late August, 2017. Good timing on his part. Bird was happy to have the garage space back. https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1769/...7fe76218_z.jpgIMG_0467 After the Mustang was gone, and freed up space in my 2-car garage, I decided to fix a small paint bubble spot that has been there since I had the car painted. I spent the Harvey weekend sanding/spot primered/and color paint the sail panel. https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1787/...643079a0_z.jpgIMG_0324 - Copy https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1826/...a8418659_z.jpgIMG_0327 - Copy https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1768/...41274301_z.jpgIMG_0328 - Copy Then in October took the car to Cruisin the Coast. That trip was cut short due to a hurricane headed straight for MS coast. We stopped for lunch somewhere between Tx & LA and took this picture. https://farm1.staticflickr.com/923/2...d6c41d16_z.jpgIMG_0543 - Copy |
After cruisin the coast, I decided to redo the car, hence part 2. Long term goal is to attend open track days/auto x/USCA events - rather than attending car shows which I find boring.
Plans include: -6 speed swap. I picked up a completed TR6060/DYAD clutch set up from someone converting a 5th-gen Camaro to a drag car. -More power. -Clean up the car wiring, and convert the old style connectors to modern Delphi/GT type connectors. -Convert to PWM fan control. -Coil over conversion/reinforce front sway bar mount. -Stiffed up the sub frame/body. Seal up any gaps. In Oct, the car joined the elite group of "pro-jack stand" group of cars on lat-g. https://farm1.staticflickr.com/842/4...b4a02704_z.jpgIMG_0798 Had the 5.3/4l60e pulled out and sold in short order. https://farm1.staticflickr.com/839/4...c0586228_z.jpgIMG_0802 Good reason to reinforce the sway bar mount. Not sure if that explained the car was somewhat twitchy during the drive to CC. https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1802/...70249bf7_z.jpgDSC_3461 |
Engine bottoned up
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1789/...ed0bdb35_z.jpgDSC_3474 New pilot bushing. https://farm1.staticflickr.com/915/4...f3d5acfb_z.jpgDSC_3503 https://farm1.staticflickr.com/843/4...ddba28a2_z.jpgDSC_3504 McLoed's GM quick disconnect to AN adapter on the clutch slave. https://farm1.staticflickr.com/926/4...e6f28584_z.jpgDSC_3496 Used TR6060 out of 2012 Camaro SS. https://farm1.staticflickr.com/837/4...b9f9f49e_z.jpgDSC_3497 Lined up and installed the Centerforce DYAD clutch https://farm1.staticflickr.com/844/4...f14547a4_z.jpgIMG_0816 Engine/trans mated up. https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1823/...9be4a75c_z.jpgDSC_3505 |
Test fit the engine/trans combo
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1825/...7af9d6ca_z.jpg[url=https://flic.kr/p/LHp9Rm] https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1827/...2ef2f598_z.jpg[url=https://flic.kr/p/Kcc8tc] Have it set at the desired angle (roughly 3.4 deg down), with trans tunnel removed. https://farm1.staticflickr.com/916/4...b3fbaa9a_z.jpg[url=https://flic.kr/p/27KHvYQ] https://farm1.staticflickr.com/918/2...d33e264d_z.jpg[url=https://flic.kr/p/LHp9mo] https://farm1.staticflickr.com/918/4...8bd28c21_z.jpg[url=https://flic.kr/p/28LMPWE] Quick shot of the MGW shifter/adaptor, and a shot of it mounted. [url=https://flic.kr/p/27KHvRL]https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1765/...b3b008e2_z.jpg [url=https://flic.kr/p/28LPPDw]https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1767/...fa607b25_z.jpg |
Made a trans mount that ties in the floor board/rockers, similar to DSE/others on the board.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1763/...40791ef1_z.jpg https://farm1.staticflickr.com/915/2...15e7b202_z.jpg https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1824/...cf4e1cdb_z.jpg https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1802/...acf120c2_z.jpg Test fit with the 5th-gen console/seat in place. https://farm1.staticflickr.com/914/2...0653db04_z.jpg https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1784/...35497cea_z.jpg https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1790/...2c4f0ae2_z.jpg |
Welded up the trans tunnel/shifter hole; and welded in the mounting brackets for the console.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/837/2...63849007_z.jpg https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1764/...262487d5_z.jpg https://farm1.staticflickr.com/846/2...7f3b565b_z.jpg Purchased a Ridetech 4-link from a forum member, and got it welded in place. https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1807/...521b5b3c_z.jpg https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1766/...63f079ea_z.jpg https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1768/...6beff70d_z.jpg https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1825/...12bfd339_z.jpg https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1801/...99fd720b_z.jpg After the engine/trans sat in place, I worked with Ron Sutton in upgrading the suspension - front and rear coil overs/monster sway bar from Ridetech https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1825/...649a9c08_z.jpg https://farm1.staticflickr.com/835/2...6d95de8c_z.jpg https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1781/...33a88406_z.jpg https://farm1.staticflickr.com/841/4...c8aa6185_z.jpg https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1830/...55edf083_z.jpg Got to have purple springs. https://farm1.staticflickr.com/926/4...5eb42085_z.jpg https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1786/...78ec3e67_z.jpg |
Also got the McLeod's hydraulic clutch conversions mocked up. I didn't take pictures but I welded a bracket to mount the safety neutral switch (which I will use the old brake switch - going thru a relay)
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1821/...493a855f_z.jpg https://farm1.staticflickr.com/840/4...79567ded_z.jpg With the mechanical stuff sorted out, I turned to clean up the wiring under dash. https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1823/...3dab7da7_z.jpg Added connectors to switches/gauges/lighting so that I can easily remove them later - here's one of many connectors. https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1781/...f4211466_z.jpg I had a Tanks Inc fuel tank, but during the USCA event, I had to keep it half full to maintain the fuel inside the baffle. So, I sprung for the new (at the time) Rick's restomod tank with 5th-gen pump/corner pick up. https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1806/...fa36030e_z.jpg https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1803/...995aa789_z.jpg Added GT280 connector to the fuel pump leads. https://farm1.staticflickr.com/835/4...9cffd1ea_z.jpg |
Took advantage of the Holley sale during the Christmas holiday, and ordered all my Holley EFI stuff (ECU/wiring)
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/927/2...7b35a19d_z.jpg https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1765/...55c70995_z.jpg Reworked the Holley harness https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1785/...310d1320_z.jpg Random shot of the engine in place https://farm1.staticflickr.com/840/2...8906f914_z.jpg Driveshaft with adapter https://farm1.staticflickr.com/841/2...75ff48d1_z.jpg I relocated the AC compressor to the bottom pass side of the engine (stock LS2) location to make room for the engine down bars, so a mini compressor/brackets are need. Also, a new belt is necessary. Measured for drive belt; and the part number for the drive belt used. https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1810/...e3eb9b97_z.jpg https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1810/...c70651e1_z.jpg |
I had to add about 1" of spacers (provided by Ron Sutton) to relocate the sway bar to clear the balancer and the AC tensioner.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1830/...bf90f50f_z.jpg Added oil cooler/thermostat, and changed out the AC lines to EZ-clip hoses. https://farm1.staticflickr.com/916/2...630fdea7_z.jpg Put back the interior, and mounted the console for good. I added 2 new gauges to the console - oil temp gauge and fuel pressure. https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1806/...c7660abe_z.jpg https://farm1.staticflickr.com/927/4...c4e66106_z.jpg Had to cut down the temp sensor probe in order to fit into the Earl's oil cooler adapter. https://farm1.staticflickr.com/926/4...a345119c_z.jpg https://farm1.staticflickr.com/921/4...35a3fda7_z.jpg |
Switched to Speedtech solid body mounts, and had a buddy bend up engine down bars using 1-5/8" tubing.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1762/...b53b9796_z.jpg https://farm1.staticflickr.com/839/4...47a0171f_z.jpg https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1763/...4f7575e9_z.jpg |
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