Project Frankenbird - 1968 Pontiac Firebird

[GregWeld]

Yep! You want an EPOXY primer on bare metal....


I second the PPG DP90 (which is just a color number - the 90 says it's black)...

[bdahlg68]

Originally Posted by 65_LS1_T56

What's next? How about some pics, we all love pics.

You know what's next! Just waiting on a rear framerail design and a BMW E90 rear axle module or 2.....

pics coming up.....

[bdahlg68]

Originally Posted by Heartlandrods

PPG DP90 Epoxy primer is what you want after blasting. Will seal everything and you can bodywork right over it!

Originally Posted by GregWeld

Yep! You want an EPOXY primer on bare metal....


I second the PPG DP90 (which is just a color number - the 90 says it's black)...

so do i need to go back down to bare metal before putting on the DP90 or can it just go over the kem khromic?? this is just for the inner structure as all the external panels are new.

[GregWeld]

That's a chemical question -- I'd ask PPG if they're compatible.

[65_LS1_T56]

Originally Posted by bdahlg68

You know what's next! Just waiting on a rear framerail design and a BMW E90 rear axle module or 2.....

pics coming up.....

I wasn't gonna say anything

[bdahlg68]

Sorry for the über-crappy Crackberry picture, but front suspension is mock-fitted to car using Global West solid mounts. Bumper is mocked up to subframe more to get it out of the way than anything....



rear suspension direction has changed... development under way. hope to make some progress by spring...

[DIGI-TAILS]

looks your progressing!!! Good Luck!!!

[sunoco67]

Any more progress???

[bdahlg68]

Originally Posted by sunoco67

Any more progress???

Lots of progress... in my head anyway! Not too much accomplished on the car. Been having neighbor problems in my condo so I'm avoiding making too much noise. Plus my wife and I just bought a house (with an additional garage spot too). Also the garage will have 20amp dedicated outlet and 220. This will definitely help my welding options. Said house however has dampened my car budget significantly for the time being.

About those welding options, I'm significantly reconsidering suspension directions front and rear. Depends a bit on getting some design data and taking it on with a buddy from there. Basically means going full length frame rails and bolt in chassis modules. The IRS products on the market are excellent, but seem also very costly. Not that I can do it better, but I am not going for full race duds. For less cost, I'm thinking I can do it on my own with a very different starting point (famous last words, right?) and get exactly what I want. Excellent dynamics, great responsiveness for braking and steering, light weight (and closer to 50/50 weight I hope), and still have a good ride and street manners. And maybe, just maybe be successful in introducing a product. We'll see.

The following are still planned:
1.) fully adjustable coilovers
2.) big brakes (maybe even 15" front rotors)
3.) IRS
4.) Limited slip rear diff
5.) lots of aluminum bits (including an aluminum front subframe)
6.) ABS and maybe stability control (and maybe some other electronic goodies like rain sensing wipers)

Like I said, lots of ideas in my head. I guess that's the downfall of working in the OE chassis industry - my mind is wandering through lots of "opportunities."

[Ron in SoCal]

^ love your vision. Can't wait to see it....