Home built 67 Firebird

[JDODDS187]

Great build! beautiful car!

[rickpaw]

So, it's been awhile since the last update.

Since then, quite a bit of life changes. Got divorced, moved to a much smaller space. Spent most of my free time working on buddy's 65 Mustang fastback with DSE suspension/LS swap. He picked up the car the week before Harvey hit Houston in late August, 2017. Good timing on his part.

Bird was happy to have the garage space back.
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After the Mustang was gone, and freed up space in my 2-car garage, I decided to fix a small paint bubble spot that has been there since I had the car painted. I spent the Harvey weekend sanding/spot primered/and color paint the sail panel.

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Then in October took the car to Cruisin the Coast. That trip was cut short due to a hurricane headed straight for MS coast. We stopped for lunch somewhere between Tx & LA and took this picture.
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[rickpaw]

After cruisin the coast, I decided to redo the car, hence part 2. Long term goal is to attend open track days/auto x/USCA events - rather than attending car shows which I find boring.

Plans include:
-6 speed swap. I picked up a completed TR6060/DYAD clutch set up from someone converting a 5th-gen Camaro to a drag car.
-More power.
-Clean up the car wiring, and convert the old style connectors to modern Delphi/GT type connectors.
-Convert to PWM fan control.
-Coil over conversion/reinforce front sway bar mount.
-Stiffed up the sub frame/body. Seal up any gaps.

In Oct, the car joined the elite group of "pro-jack stand" group of cars on lat-g.
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Had the 5.3/4l60e pulled out and sold in short order.
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Good reason to reinforce the sway bar mount. Not sure if that explained the car was somewhat twitchy during the drive to CC.
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[rickpaw]

Picked up a rebuilt LS2 short block. Added 243 heads (cleaned up with new PAC springs/ti retainers)

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New cam from Cam Motion/timing gear/LS2 timing chain.
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New rear seal/LS2 valley cover.
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Also attempted to port a new Melling oil pump.
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Also performed Smith Brothers trunnion upgrades on the rockers
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Installed the heads with new GM head gaskets; ARP head bolts/exhaust studs.
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Drilled holes in the LS2 lifters to aid in oil drain back.
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Got the new Holley 320-3 oil pan and baffle.
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Had to notch the fron corners of the baffle to fit the new pan.
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[rickpaw]

Engine bottoned up

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New pilot bushing.
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McLoed's GM quick disconnect to AN adapter on the clutch slave.
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Used TR6060 out of 2012 Camaro SS.
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Lined up and installed the Centerforce DYAD clutch
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Engine/trans mated up.
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[rickpaw]

Test fit the engine/trans combo

[url=https://flic.kr/p/LHp9Rm]
[url=https://flic.kr/p/Kcc8tc]

Have it set at the desired angle (roughly 3.4 deg down), with trans tunnel removed.

[url=https://flic.kr/p/27KHvYQ]
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[url=https://flic.kr/p/28LMPWE]

Quick shot of the MGW shifter/adaptor, and a shot of it mounted.

[url=https://flic.kr/p/27KHvRL]
[url=https://flic.kr/p/28LPPDw]

[rickpaw]

Made a trans mount that ties in the floor board/rockers, similar to DSE/others on the board.







Test fit with the 5th-gen console/seat in place.

[rickpaw]

Welded up the trans tunnel/shifter hole; and welded in the mounting brackets for the console.




Purchased a Ridetech 4-link from a forum member, and got it welded in place.






After the engine/trans sat in place, I worked with Ron Sutton in upgrading the suspension - front and rear coil overs/monster sway bar from Ridetech











Got to have purple springs.

[rickpaw]

Also got the McLeod's hydraulic clutch conversions mocked up. I didn't take pictures but I welded a bracket to mount the safety neutral switch (which I will use the old brake switch - going thru a relay)




With the mechanical stuff sorted out, I turned to clean up the wiring under dash.


Added connectors to switches/gauges/lighting so that I can easily remove them later - here's one of many connectors.



I had a Tanks Inc fuel tank, but during the USCA event, I had to keep it half full to maintain the fuel inside the baffle. So, I sprung for the new (at the time) Rick's restomod tank with 5th-gen pump/corner pick up.




Added GT280 connector to the fuel pump leads.

[rickpaw]

Took advantage of the Holley sale during the Christmas holiday, and ordered all my Holley EFI stuff (ECU/wiring)




Reworked the Holley harness


Random shot of the engine in place


Driveshaft with adapter


I relocated the AC compressor to the bottom pass side of the engine (stock LS2) location to make room for the engine down bars, so a mini compressor/brackets are need. Also, a new belt is necessary.

Measured for drive belt; and the part number for the drive belt used.