Noob. - Lateral-g Forums

John Larson · #1 05-01-2007, 08:29 PM

Hi guys,
As you can see my name is John. I have a 1968 Firebird that I have been flip flopping on the restorod or P-T route. I keep leaning with P-T. I have had this car for about 10 years now, three of which it was driven. Now I am just getting around to working on it, after starting a family and building a garage. This place looks to have a nice mix of car types and real friendly people. Hope there's room for one more!

**jonny51** · #2 05-01-2007, 11:29 PM

Welcome John,what are your plans with the bird?

Bandit Ls-1 · #3 05-02-2007, 02:02 AM

welcome to the site man looks like a killer car, deff a great car to start off with.

**XcYZ** · #4 05-02-2007, 06:26 AM

Welcome aboard, John. That will be a great car.

John Larson · #5 05-09-2007, 04:00 AM

PLans right now...
I am building a 350 Pontiac engine myself to get the car back on the road. I figured a stock 350 rebuild for my first POntiac would prevent me from destroying a high dollor engine as a learning experience. Behind this engine will be a TH400. Not that I need it, it's just what was handy.
Future plans are for a 500-600HP Pontiac naturally aspirated engine, TKO-600, 17inch wheels, some sort of front subframe upgrade, 4 wheel discs, PS, Trans-Am spoiler, LED lamps all around, Halogen headlights, and all other good stuff.
For paint I keep trying to really describe it. I call it the 1:10:100 rule. I want the car to be dark. So dark that at 100ft you'd swear it was black but you can tell it isn't quite that simple. At ten feet, you can see that it's plainly a deep midnight blue, and there is something else that you can't quite put you finger on. Once you get close enough to see you reflection, you see the ghost flames across the front clip. I want it to be subtle, but bring then in like they were hypnotized.
From the looks of the cars here, I think I have found a great group of folks to learn from and realize my dream for this car. I just wish my original wheel choice was still available (Centerline Lexi 5-spokes in 17").
I like the corner carving route better than the 1380 club. I want to cruise, drive and enjoy the road, not wait 30 min for a ten second run.

ProdigyCustoms · #6 05-09-2007, 06:36 AM

Welcome. We love Firebirds, have done a few in the last couple years. Have a 68 coupe and a 69 convertible both in the shop as we speak. Looking over your parts list, I see we have everything you will need, so look forward to hearing from you.

steveo346 · #7 05-10-2007, 07:22 AM

welcome aboard, nice firebird indeed

John Larson · #8 05-10-2007, 02:40 PM

More engine parts a rolling in the door. I Might be into final assembly by the end of the month.

Then comes a quick engine bay clean and detail. This wont be the final build. Just the get it on the road build. In the next few years, I'll solidify my plans and start going from one end to the other. It will be winter projects.
I think I have settled in a new wheel though. I went looking at the budnick site and found the Shock. Now just need to get the rear suspension picked out and order some wheels before these get discontinued too (like Centerline did to me).

novanutcase · #9 05-10-2007, 04:38 PM

WOW! That thing is sweet as it is but once you PT that bad boy it is going to be AWESOME! I love firebirds! You should talk to Frank at Prodigy! He is a great source and can do or provide whatever you need, at a great price I might add, for your project. I was wondering, what are your plans as far as suspension for front and back?

John

John Larson · #10 05-13-2007, 08:40 PM

Newest update is that I got a local quote on the wheels I want. For the wheels as they appear online, it will be $526 plus 8% tax per wheel. Looks like I'll be saving for a few months to get these.
Other news is that I picked up a M20 4 speed for it and hope to be throwing the combo in place within the next couple weeks. Still hunting parts and having fun. I'll keep you updated.
John