Project Frankenbird - 1968 Pontiac Firebird

[Rick D]

Brain just a thought here but are you using the front suspension from the BMW?? If you plan on using the whole setup I would find a donor car and cut out the whole floor and work back from there? Not sure if the wheel base or track width lines up? Even if the the firebird is wider it would be easier to split the BMW setup down the middle and build a tunnel for trans and drive shaft?? Just been thinking of some of the ways I would start.

[bdahlg68]

Originally Posted by Rick D

Brain just a thought here but are you using the front suspension from the BMW?? If you plan on using the whole setup I would find a donor car and cut out the whole floor and work back from there? Not sure if the wheel base or track width lines up? Even if the the firebird is wider it would be easier to split the BMW setup down the middle and build a tunnel for trans and drive shaft?? Just been thinking of some of the ways I would start.

This is what I want to do. The front suspension will be far more complex to integrate as it is a Mac Strut on the BMW. The line of what to steal from the BMW and what not is very fuzzy at this point. The track widths are actually within an acceptable variance that can be managed by wheel offsets. Plus I need to offload my JRS front suspension to move forward on the BMW front suspension.....

[Rick D]

Is the E9X platform the M3 series? Or just any 3 series?

[bdahlg68]

Originally Posted by Rick D

Is the E9X platform the M3 series? Or just any 3 series?

E9x is all encompassing (coupe, sedan, wagon, convertible) regular and M3 versions. Obviously all variants have their unique parts. Chassis is pretty common though except for M3 which has uinique subframe, control arms / toe link, and tunable parts.

[bdahlg68]

Finally starting to make progress again. Picked up the needed tools and steel to do what I want to do and started on the chassis table.

First thing I addresses was lighting. I typically only get to work in the garage after 8 or 8:30 at night, so the 3 standard bulbs weren't cutting it. I replaced 2 of the sockets with flush mount 2 bulb T5HO fixtures. Nice improvement.



Then I had been looking at a Quincy 3.5 hp compressor for a long time. Finally bit the bullet. Should be plenty for me. Not wired up yet, but hope to have that wrapped up soon. Hoping it's quiet enough (rated at 76 db).



Then I pieced together the MIG / plasma / cart from Eastwood as they each went on sale. Boy, gas MIG is wayyyyyy better than flux core. Pretty much no spatter whatsoever. I have not tried the plasma yet as I need the compressor hooked up first and need to install a dryer.



Lastly I ordered about 750 lbs of steel to build a chassis table and frame rails. Chassis table is underway. With some helpful tips I'm pretty happy with the levelness / straightness so far. Just tacked together for now and moved out of the way until I get some more time to work on it.



That 69 T/A hood motivates me every time I see it. Hoping to have the chassis table wrapped up in another week or two. Then I'm going to have a beer party to get the car on it!

[bdahlg68]

Just about finished with the chassis table. Need to weld on the supports for the leveling feet and 2 more casters. After a final level and flat check I will weld it all up, clean it up, and maybe paint it before putting it to use.

[Rick D]

Nice table, is it big enough to have the complete chassis on it at once or just the shell?