Operation Phoenix, Military Firebird :)
 

Gang,

I wanted to share this build as it is a pretty cool story of people coming together to help out a fellow bird-head kicking some butt for all of us!
This thread will also give the opportunity for Stephen and his fellow soldier mates to check out the progress on his bird while away :)

Stephen’s wife, Cathy, rocks and has been a huge driving force behind all of this (plus putting up with a bunch of greasy grown man devouring her awesome lasagna )

** Stephen, if any info below is classified do let me know and I will remove :)

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Stephen is a very, very cool guy, and through years of hard work on his cars whenever he had a chance, he got months back his Firebird from paint; inside of it a very built 455 engine was dropped in, new interior, and several goodies. Like many of us getting a project almost done, he could almost taste it!

But unfortunately, only a few days before he is about to get deployed again, the new built engine blew up - keep in mind the engine was built and also sat through Stephen's many deployments. He was heartbroken and enough to make a (BIG!) man cry! The BAFGFB (Bay Area First Gen Firebirds in the San Francisco Bay Area) gang came together and helped doing a swap on another 455 after he left, and through a few get togethers got her back running and ready for Stephen to tie up the last loose ends as soon as he is back and drive her with a ear to ear grin!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...psefd1175e.jpg

The gang met first in May, braved a light storm and did part one of the swap. Part two happened later, finishing up the accessories install, some electrical, cooling and other ends. Stephen was in our thoughts throughout the action, and able to join in a bit as well and hear the engine roar, even if far away!

Before:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ps9b95dc24.jpg

Rithik is crazy about cars and help lens us a big hand ("new" engine paint prep):

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...psf0de6e0f.jpg

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More pics :)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ps4295d347.jpg

This does not look good

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...psd4bad42d.jpg

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there goes the neighborhood
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ps5c813e42.jpg

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a little rain to make things more interesting :
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all right who parked on the lawn!?! :rules:

looking good.

Vince pshhhhh lol do not tell his neighbors :) That is Rich's ride, very clean and strong 69 bird. The red bird is Bob, also very sweet and tracked ride!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ps43b51197.jpg

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I was honored to be part of the group helping Stephen, so we all can not wait until he is back and does a commemorative burn-out (on the lawn or not :D) when he is back from his deployment.

And this was pretty cool:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ps3537d16a.jpg

and for kicks "poster" from the second get together ;)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ps117cea5d.jpg

Good job you guys.

Nice write up! Keep the updates coming. I'm in.

Very cool!!