Starting '67 Firebird Project from MD

[Streetsamurai]

Hi everybody, I'm Mike from Bryans Road, MD. My wife Emily and I recently picked up a 1967 Pontiac Firebird Sprint 6. We are currently planning out how to rebuild it. It is rough, but it is a solid base with a lot of potential. We will be doing all the work ourselves and since we are on a bit of a budget, I have been studying up a lot on the amazing DIY things people have come up with here.

For a theme, we are going to go for a mix of WW2 style bomber (Think flying fortress) or mad max interceptor.

The Firebird currently has a Chevy 350/th350 from a 76 Camaro. 4 wheel manual drum brakes, power steering, Camaro 10 bolt rear, single leaf rear springs. I have been told the springs up front were meant for a big block. 15" Z-28 rims.

I am planning on installing 4 wheel LS1 disc brakes, Hotchkis front and rear springs, Gen III steering box, positraction rear end.

I have been torn about the engine. A Chevy 350 is cheap and easy to work with, but there are so many options. An LS1 on a budget might not be possible, and I have a ton of experience with Pontiac motors, but they are heavy. Since it is a Sprint, I have thought about hunting down a Pontiac OHC 6, or even a GMC 4200 DOHC 6. Both motors have the advantage of saving a good bit of weight, though aftermarket parts are not so easy to come by. I would like to install a 5 speed manual transmission.