1969 Firebird TA clone track car build

[rohrt]

subscribing

[jlwdvm]

While I'm waiting for the concrete footings to cure before I start installing the 2-post lift I thought I would start measuring for wheel-tire fitment. I'm still leaning toward the Vintage Wheel Works V40's as long as they will be strong enough for road course outings. I about crap my pants every time I look at the prices of forged wheels! I have a Wheel Rite tool to help get the correct back spacing. Since I will be ordering my rear end, I can get it any width I want, so I need to get some input on what I should run for backspacing to get a good looking dish to my rear wheels. I don't want them super deep...just enough. There is plenty of room in the rear for the 315's, but the stock leaf springs are limiting inboard space at the moment. I'm gonna have to hit the back spacing just right to get the front 275's to fit, but if I have to massage the inner wheel wells it won't be the end of the world. In these pix you can also see where I welded in the rocker-quarter seam and the quarter-rear lower filler seam. I also welded in the seam between the quarter and the lower rear windshield filler panel...I used 1/8" steel rod and a couple thousand individual welds!

[1965gp]

Car looks great. I have a 69 TA clone that ironically was a track car before I got it.

Your doing awesome work on it- here is a pic of mine:

[jlwdvm]

Nice car...that was the direction I was going when I first bought my 69 off of craigslist. I sold the 455 and gas tank last week....I guess there is no backing out of an LS motor now! I also got my copy of the new LS Swap book yesterday and have been talking with Speed Tech about maybe putting a package together to get everything needed from bumper to bumper.

[jlwdvm]

Hoping this will make it a little easier to work on the car! Finally got my Lee steering box from Speed Tech. Also talked to Texas Speed. They talked me into ordering a 570hp LS3. it should be done by the end of March!

[bergers59]

what kind of wilwood calipers are those? are they solid mount or floating?
-Brian

[jlwdvm]

FNSL6R non-floating, 1 piece slotted rotors.

[jlwdvm]

I got a chance to do a few things with the car up on the lift.....so much nicer than using a creeper! Installed the Lee 12.7 box and started measuring for the front rims. I'm going to need to massage the inner-outer fender area between the yellow tape. There is a long thread on Lateral-g about getting 275's to fit a stock sub frame using Tru turn. My measurements and pictures were taken at ride height with the coil over removed. The other debate going on is which LS oil pan has enough clearance to use with the Tru Turn tie rod adapter....looks like the Mast pan might work without cutting the pan or the frame.

[Mr Nick]

Awesome project!

I see you race at the Autobahn in Joliet, are you familiar with their rules/open days etc? I'd like to take my Cutlass (or even daily driver Mazda3) there, but I've never road raced and have no experience. Maybe a classroom session first, if they offer that?

[jlwdvm]

I have been there twice with MVP Track Time and it has been a great experience both times (will be going again this summer). You can find the tech rules on the MVP site. I hope to have my TA there the summer of 2015. You will have to sign up with the novice group until you get some experience. They will provide instructors for free! I watched fottage of the full course on you tube before I went with my Boss...what a blast!

[bonecrrusher]

2 post FTW!

[Later-A-body]

Just read through your build. Terrific build. Really love the car. Good choice on the LS. I went through the same problem as you deciding which route to go before I pulled the trigger on the LS7. I love my Pontiac stuff but was tired of the leaks and wanted the modern drivetrain and EFI. I am building my car to track day and autocross as well. Going to subscribe to your site.

[jlwdvm]

Attachment 92637Waiting for parts...I ordered a set of V40's from Matts Classic Bowties in 18x9.5 and 18x11 2 weeks ago, bit got word the other day that the mill at the plant is down and they can't make the rears at the moment (custom 7" back spacing). Kim at Matt's has been great at keeping me posted on what is going on. Good news is that the 570 horse LS3 from Texas Speed will be at my doorstep tomorrow! It was shipped with a GM Hot Rod oil pan that I think I will be switching out to either a Mast or Speed Tech pan for improved baffling and fit with the Tru Turn system. I have been watching a couple threads to see what combo of motor mounts, oil pan, headers, etc are going to work best with the Ride Tech system. I fitted the stock Pontiac air dam that should help funnel air through the rad. Thinking of either a C&R or Ron Davis for the radiator with a built in oil and power steering coolers (if needed). Also thinking about fabbing up some wire mesh to use in the front bumper instead of the original grill inserts to increase air flow through the radiator too.

[Stovebolter]

I really like the birds. I almost went this route with one available in Missouri but the fellow just wanted too much. Looks great.

David

[jlwdvm]

I've been following your build too since we are using similar front end set ups. How is your Tru Turn working out? Do you have 275s on the front and what is your back spacing?

[Stovebolter]

I'm fond of the set up myself. I'm running 18x9.5's with 5.75 bs with 275/35/18 BFG's. I wish now I had gone with 6" bs and lightly notched the frame if needed. It is tight! I did quite a bit of modifying to the inner fenders for clearance. Basically, the flange (lip) on the outer that the inner attaches to, is at an angle in factory form. I made that flange angle up at 90 degrees and made the inner fender fit it with a piece added and a lot of splits and bends. With all the variances Im hearing about I would try to borrow a wheel mock up tool.

Disregard: just noticed you have a mock up tool.

[Stovebolter]

Btw. I'm happy I finally found someone (you) that has a good picture of the ridetech airbar installed, as I am going a different route with the suspension and instead fabricating a torque arm system. I just couldn't wrap my imagination around them installing their air springs without encroaching into the trunk floor. And now I see. Thanks.

[Stovebolter]

And by tight i mean you couldn't cuss a cat without getting hair in your mouth tight. Lol.

[jlwdvm]

I want to get the rest of the rear suspension mocked up, but I have to wait for my wheels so I can measure for a rear end to get made! That mock up tool for the wheels (Wheel Rite), was ok, but too flexible and not accurate enough to justify its $80 price tag, so I sent it back to Jegs. My front wheels will have 6" back space, which I hope will give me a little more wiggle room to get fitment right with the use of steel wheel spacers (if needed). I am prepared to do some bending, cutting, welding to the front inner and outer fenders as well.

FYI: I had do do quite a bit of banging on the floor pan on each side of the pinion snubber (removed) to get the area of the 4-link cradle around the front mounting tabs and bar to sit right so the frame mounts on each side would sit flush.

[1965gp]

Can't wait to see this thing on the ground- anxious to check out the stance