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Buying this car this week

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Post by Tailhappy Sun Sep 29, 2013 9:43 pm

Because my empty garage is lonely.

Buying this car this week D5Ed78C

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:

Buying this car this week 77TA

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.
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Post by SBF Mon Sep 30, 2013 12:15 am

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.
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Post by JaysonAych Mon Sep 30, 2013 2:09 am

I hope that works out! I'd love to see it as you get it all put together.
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Post by thewalrus Mon Sep 30, 2013 2:15 am

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.
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Post by 1300ZUK Mon Sep 30, 2013 3:58 pm

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

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Post by SBF Mon Sep 30, 2013 5:49 pm

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.
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Post by 1300ZUK Mon Sep 30, 2013 7:08 pm

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

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Post by Tailhappy Mon Sep 30, 2013 9:32 pm

Hey now, you kids get along ya hear?
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Post by SBF Tue Oct 01, 2013 5:11 pm

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.
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Post by 1300ZUK Tue Oct 01, 2013 5:31 pm

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.

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Post by SBF Tue Oct 01, 2013 9:03 pm

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.
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Post by Honor Tue Oct 01, 2013 9:58 pm

Sweet project. I'm kinda jealous. Now just get it finished before your kids are in high school.
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Post by Tailhappy Wed Oct 02, 2013 8:07 am

That may happen. Brought it home last night.

Buying this car this week 57M97Ed
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Post by SBF Wed Oct 02, 2013 10:41 pm

Dumb question, but do you have all the parts to make it complete, sans engine?
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Post by Tailhappy Thu Oct 03, 2013 7:47 am

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.
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Post by Honor Thu Oct 03, 2013 8:04 am

What do people typically restore first on a project that large? Patching up bodywork?
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Post by 1300ZUK Thu Oct 03, 2013 10:01 am

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

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Post by Dodge Thu Oct 03, 2013 11:51 am

garage ornaments ftw
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Post by SBF Thu Oct 03, 2013 2:24 pm

I think he means when it's running dodge. :gah
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Post by Tailhappy Thu Oct 03, 2013 9:46 pm

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.

Buying this car this week Professionally_refinished_gta_wheels

And the body work will be done first, then drivetrain, interior, and finally paint.
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Post by Dodge Sun Oct 06, 2013 3:58 pm

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

what's the fun in that?:Swerve: 
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Post by 1300ZUK Sun Oct 06, 2013 10:52 pm

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

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Post by Tailhappy Mon Oct 07, 2013 8:00 am

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:
Buying this car this week Louie1

To this:
Buying this car this week Rain

And from this:
Buying this car this week 0427091905

To this:
Buying this car this week Img_0570

Then this:
Buying this car this week Img_20111217_145040
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Post by 1300ZUK Mon Oct 07, 2013 11:27 am

That truck was awful

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Post by Honor Mon Oct 07, 2013 11:37 am

It may be a good sign when 1300 doesnt like a particular car. :lol:
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Post by Tailhappy Mon Oct 07, 2013 9:04 pm

1300ZUK wrote:That truck was awful
Had less wrong with it than your 500.
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Post by 1300ZUK Mon Oct 07, 2013 9:11 pm

Woe

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

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Post by thewalrus Mon Oct 07, 2013 10:03 pm

1300ZUK wrote:Woe

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?
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Post by Honor Mon Oct 07, 2013 10:49 pm

He loves shitty cars, isn't it obvious?
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Post by Tailhappy Sun Oct 13, 2013 9:43 pm

PROGRESS MUFUCKAS

Buying this car this week Progre10
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Post by Honor Sun Oct 13, 2013 11:04 pm

Have you ever done anything like this before or are you kind of playing it by ear?
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Post by Tailhappy Mon Oct 14, 2013 8:00 am

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.
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