[Josh69]

Ron, in hindsight I wish I would have done the minitubs to start with. I initially was just planning to finish the bodywork and do a quick paintjob and interior, and drive it. So the first thing we did was the outer wheelhouses and the quarters. It wasn't until about 6 months into the bodywork phaze that I decided to go this route. I wish I had done it at the time, but I was trying to be budget concious, at least initially. Also, for some reason I was convinced that an 18x10 was good enough. In person they look great, but in pics they do tend to look a bit skinny. Especially after seeing all the tubbed cars online. However, in person alot of people think it is tubbed due to the dish on the rims. Standing over it gives a much different perspective than the low wide angle camera shots do.

Another thing I considered is that I want to learn to weld myself someday, and figured that would be a good place to start with assistance of course. Maybe by then my budget would allow a 4-link as well.

The TKO went right in. The crossmember worked perfectly and that was my only real concern, I'm not sure if it's a Firebird specific part or not, but everything lined up well using Kieslers Firebird kit. I found a nice original bellhousing and used that since the dial-out was ideal and with my attempt at budget awareness, I couldn't justify a blow-proof bellhousing with the hp level and intended usage. The pedals will be an issue if you are converting an automatic as I mentioned earlier. I would recommend finding a used set from someplace like Frank's Pontiac Parts. If you already have pedals you are in good shape.

Since I was also using a Chevrolet style 12 bolt and pinion yoke, I measured for the driveshaft after the install rather than having them ship me the standard Camaro shaft. I was the first customer to do that, so we weren't sure how close it would be. It turns out the Camaro shaft will work just fine. The measurement is the same.