Buying this car this week

Because my empty garage is lonely.



Been looking for a 2nd gen Firebird for a long time, and this one came up as a project that got started and sold, then made progress on then was put up for sale again because of a growing family, and moving out of the parent's home with said family, and losing the garage space.

That's where I come in. I want one, I've been saving, I finally have a garage to put it in and work on it, and it's to the point where I can finish it the way I want to.

Which.... I am not sure of how I will do so yet.

Originally it was a silver car with read vinyl interior, much like this:



I want to paint it back to silver (its mostly red now), probably go with a black interior, not sure what color hood bird I'll put on, if I do.
It comes to me sans motor, and I ain't trying to fuck around with a carb (or expensive EFI setup on an older engine), so I'll probably do an LS swap, or older LT1 for simplicity, aftermarket support, and reliability + MPG.
Would like to keep it auto since I have all the parts to keep it so, and a 700R4 is probably easier to find cheap than a T56, and all the needed shit to install it, along with cutting a hole in the floor. Plus, will be better for MPG and drivability versus the 3-speed auto it comes with.
Anyways, it'll be a long term ongoing thing so.... ideas and needs may change.

Well good luck either way. I gave you enough shit on FB, so I'll give you some more here.

Silver is good, black interior is cool, red would be more awesome, but I know it would be easier to get black.

I have my Corvair coming soon. So I know the feeling of finally having a garage.

I hope that works out! I'd love to see it as you get it all put together.

Oh man, that's sweet. I've always wanted to restore a car - bring it back to life. But I lack the requisite time, money, tools, talent, intelligence and knowledge.

Definitely a car that'll look and go great when it's done. Among my favorite cars from the era.

I wouldn't waste my time with an lt1 swap. You'd e better off getting a newer truck engine. 5.3, 6.0, 6.2, etc.

I'd go with an ls engine in it but if you can't find one for a decent price no shame in robbing an engine from a savanna

I'm telling you, a 4.8L LS is nothing to turn your nose up at. I have one in my Savanna and it moves that thing like an engine twice the size.

The 4.8 isn't an ls engine, it's a piece of crap compared to the 6.0 or 5.3

Hey now, you kids get along ya hear?

1300ZUK wrote:The 4.8 isn't an ls engine, it's a piece of crap compared to the 6.0 or 5.3

It is an LS engine. It's the same exact Gen III and IV engine as the Iron Block 5.3L (both 3.78in bore), it just has a shorter stroke.

The 4.8L is a constant conversation on my Grassroots board. It's considered a "budget LS" engine, because it is always overlooked to the 5.3L and 6.0L.

I don't think it's really that much cheaper to get one from a junkyard or whatever. Weighs the same, same dimensions, same cost, it just has less aftermarket support and less power. Not worth it to me, rather do a 4.3 v6 swap.

The biggest pro to the 4.8L is that it responds to boost much better than the 5.3L and 6.0L.

Hot Rod magazine built a 4.8L up to 450 hp and then boosted it later for more than 1000 hp. I think they changed pistons, rods, and cam on the stock block IIRC.

There are uses for the 4.8L. In Tailhappys situation, the 5.3L is the best bet.

Sweet project. I'm kinda jealous. Now just get it finished before your kids are in high school.

That may happen. Brought it home last night.

Dumb question, but do you have all the parts to make it complete, sans engine?

Mostly?

Major things i know missing are:

Drivetrain (engine, trans, driveshaft)
Interior (correct seats, carpet, dash, door panels, headliner)
HVAC/heater core box
Front nose (bumper, headlights, grilles)

I'll be going through the many boxes of stuff this weekend to see what I'll all be needing to complete it, but I do have a lot of extras I can sell or trade for what I need.

What do people typically restore first on a project that large? Patching up bodywork?

What is your plan with this, correct resto, driver, show car, autoX, garage ornament, etc?

garage ornaments ftw

I think he means when it's running dodge.

lllllllllllllol

Resto mod. Something I can cruise reliably and have fun with. Mostly stock exterior/interior with a modern engine and trans, and DAMMIT, someone is selling these near my house. Might throw a set of these on it.



And the body work will be done first, then drivetrain, interior, and finally paint.

SBF wrote:I think he means when it's running dodge.

what's the fun in that? 

No this is tailhappy, I just assumed he would park it in the garage and never finish it like 80% of people who buy project cars

1300ZUK wrote:No this is tailhappy, I just assumed he would park it in the garage and never finish it like 80% of people who buy project cars

I usually finish what i start.

From this:


To this:


And from this:


To this:


Then this:

That truck was awful

It may be a good sign when 1300 doesnt like a particular car.

1300ZUK wrote:That truck was awful

Had less wrong with it than your 500.

to top it off dealer is a pussy, and Fiat knows their shit is messed up, So no fix for me.

1300ZUK wrote:

to top it off dealer is a pussy, and Fiat knows their shit is messed up, So no fix for me.

Why'd you buy a Fiat again?

He loves shitty cars, isn't it obvious?

PROGRESS MUFUCKAS

Have you ever done anything like this before or are you kind of playing it by ear?

Honor wrote:Have you ever done anything like this before or are you kind of playing it by ear?

I've done bits and pieces, and have done the reverse on a more modern car (parted out my Subaru down to the mostly bare shell).... but its really no different. It's just like having a big model car kit.