1969 Firebird TA clone track car build

[jlwdvm]

I'm sure that it was added insurance to the initial start up. I also pulled a fuse and cranked the motor it get additional oiling....per the GM Performance Parts instructions for crate motors.

[LXCam]

What a great job your doing with this build. It sure looks like you're on the home stretch too which has got to be exciting. Congrats and keep up the fantastic work.

[jlwdvm]

After much head scratching and research, I came up with a seat mount that is sturdier than the OEM 4-point 5/16" alternative that allows for some adjustability with the Sparco seat mount brackets. The OEM holes lined up (barely) on the driver's side, but the seat could only be mounted in the front-most holes on the bracket (placing the seat very close to the wheel). I was going to have to fab up a mount for the passenger side since that seat is slightly wider and the holes wouldn't line up. I used 1"x3" steel tubing with 1" cross bars. The rear cross bar will be the mounting point for the crotch belt. I then welded the bracket to the OEM seat pan. I have about 4" of adjustability now on each side. I used the plumb bob to center the seat with the steering wheel.

[Motown 454]

It looks good and, it will definitely be sturdy enough.

[jlwdvm]

Life gets in the way of a lot of our builds...right? It sure slowed mine down, but it is picking steam again since I had a 125lbs tumor removed (my x wife. The first order of business is to get the turning radius increased and the inner and outer fenders reworked to increase clearance. I got a set of 1/4" wheel spacers from Jegs to remove the frame rub issue I was having at full lock (my wheels have 6" back spacing when Ride Tech recommends 5.75") I then came up with a plan to gain clearance when at full lock and with body roll considered. I sectioned the outer fender lip after flattening in out. I then hammered it over, but left enough room to get my new inner fender panel behind it. I removed 16" of the inner fender and fabbed up a template it increase the height of the area where it meets the outer fender (the new shape will resemble Speedtech's replacement inner fender shape). I got a sheet of 18g sheet metal to make the new inner fender area. Wish me luck!

[BlackHD]

Nice! Can't wait to see more progress.

Sweet ride.

[67SSDan]

Hahaha, I know all about long builds. My thread has been going on forever.

Digging the car!

Dan

[jlwdvm]

Finishing up inner fender work. The painters tape shows the area that was modified (from the inner edges of the tape). Lock-to-lock clearance is ok. but I am wondering about the tire hitting the corner of the modified area when I hit a big bump. I tried to follow Prouty's directions and maybe I am over thinking things.

[jlwdvm]

Driver's side inner fender looks cleaner and went quicker. Now I just have to get the inner fender lip flattened out. I thought that the passenger and driver inner fender were the same, but they are shaped differently.

[beater65]

That's a fantastic idea for inner fender skirt.

I may steal that for my Chevelle. lol

[jlwdvm]

Fog light-turn signal area turned into brake cooling duct opening. The turn signal is in the outboard headlight now. The bracing of the lower inner fender had to be cut and bent back a little to clear the duct. I form fit the front of the duct with the back side of the turn signal opening with tiger hair filler.

[Mach1_Ron]

N i c e .............

[Josh@Ridetech]

I wish I had your fab skills. I can't wait to see this car together.

[jlwdvm]

Finally got it titled in my name and registered after nearly 9 years under construction! The plate seems appropriate with nearly 600 horse on tap and Borla mufflers....it's loud!

[jlwdvm]

The 3rd version of the dash. I had to hurry because the windshields will be installed on Thursday so I can shake the car down before paint (later this summer)....ans I also want to try to get it to Cars and Coffee this weekend for the maiden voyage! The upper dash was originally white to match the cage and lower dash...bad idea due to reflection on the windshield. Then I changed the upper to semi-gloss black, but I didn't like the finish. I decided to try duplicolor bed liner. I think it turned out great!

[jlwdvm]

Windshields went in without any issues. I'll just have to tape the heck out of them when it comes time to finish sanding and paint.

[jlwdvm]

It took nearly 8 years, but it is back on the road. I put about 50 miles on it Saturday. I had a fire extinguisher as a copilot. It ran well, but the brakes don't grab well yet...hopefully they just need to be bed in. My son helped me bleed them last night for the 3rd time and no air appears to be in the system. Lots of looks and it is loud and fast as hell (as far as I can tell so far...still breaking in the drivetrain).

[Motown 454]

Congratulations! Keep us in the loop on the break in.

[Peter Mc Mahon]

Awesome, congratulations!

[jlwdvm]

I noticed a couple drops of tranny fluid on the floor and traced it back to the rear seal. This pic is with the rear at full drop. Maybe I had a little too much fluid in the trans at initial fill and it expanded when the trans heated up.