'69 Firebird

[Josh@Ridetech]

Brought the car back to my shop. Time to tear it down now!

[Josh@Ridetech]

Just a few small things happening here. Pulled the nose/fenders off, pulled the engine/trans (and sold them), and now about to pull the rest of the stuff off the firewall. I'm going to paint the firewall and inner fenders satin black next. Once that's done, I'll get to installing the Vintage Air setup and Wilwood MC.

[TANKMASTERJ]

Cool build but I wanted to go drive it as it sit when you brought it home lol!

[Josh@Ridetech]

Cool build but I wanted to go drive it as it sit when you brought it home lol!

Haha, it'll be very different than that for sure when I get it going again!

[Josh@Ridetech]

Still working on the firewall but I'm happy with the progress I've made with the little time I've had to spend in the shop. I filled in the hole from the heater box and then got the Vintage Air setup mocked up behind the dash/welded some mounting studs for it before I started on body work on the firewall. When the previous owner painted the firewall, he just filled the seam running along the firewall with filler so naturally, it cracked. I wire wheeled all of that out, did some work to make everything a little more straight, and got it in primer along with seam sealer along that line (I've always liked that look for some reason on these cars).









My headers from Ultimate also came in

[Josh@Ridetech]

Engine bay is now black and things can start going together! Making a little bit of headway on the engine as well :D.

[Josh@Ridetech]

Bolted the engine and TKX bolted together/sat in the car with some help from my buddy, Herb! I've got just enough room between the head and the firewall to attach a ground strap

[Jk918]

What engine mounts are you using for this, i am doing a similar swap in a 67 firebird and debating on what motor mounts to use.

[Josh@Ridetech]

What engine mounts are you using for this, i am doing a similar swap in a 67 firebird and debating on what motor mounts to use.

I wanted some adjustment to play with instead of a fixed mount so I had purchased the ICT plates w/ Energy mounts for this one (Jeg's was out of them and substituted their brand, they appear to be the same from what I can tell). However, I personally wouldn't use these again. I'd like to have a little more adjustment than what these give. In a perfect world, I'd like to move the engine about 1/2" to 3/4" forward for a little more firewall clearance. The next set of holes available in these would move the engine several inches forward which isn't needed. I'm thinking some of the slider mounts would be a good fit in this situation, however, I don't have any experience with them on this platform.

[btmatt]

we used dirty dingo sliders, moroso solid engine mounts, BBC engine stands, and Speedtech trans crossmember in 1st gen Camaro subframe. It allowed plenty fore and aft adjustment (currently 1-2" off the firewall) and offset the engine 3/4" to the passenger side providing additional steering clearance.

I wanted some adjustment to play with instead of a fixed mount so I had purchased the ICT plates w/ Energy mounts for this one (Jeg's was out of them and substituted their brand, they appear to be the same from what I can tell). However, I personally wouldn't use these again. I'd like to have a little more adjustment than what these give. In a perfect world, I'd like to move the engine about 1/2" to 3/4" forward for a little more firewall clearance. The next set of holes available in these would move the engine several inches forward which isn't needed. I'm thinking some of the slider mounts would be a good fit in this situation, however, I don't have any experience with them on this platform.

[Josh@Ridetech]

we used dirty dingo sliders, moroso solid engine mounts, BBC engine stands, and Speedtech trans crossmember in 1st gen Camaro subframe. It allowed plenty fore and aft adjustment (currently 1-2" off the firewall) and offset the engine 3/4" to the passenger side providing additional steering clearance.

A little more clearance would be beneficial. I'm not mad about the placement, I'd rather have the engine as far back as possible. It's just a pain to get it in the car like this haha.

[Jk918]

I wanted some adjustment to play with instead of a fixed mount so I had purchased the ICT plates w/ Energy mounts for this one (Jeg's was out of them and substituted their brand, they appear to be the same from what I can tell). However, I personally wouldn't use these again. I'd like to have a little more adjustment than what these give. In a perfect world, I'd like to move the engine about 1/2" to 3/4" forward for a little more firewall clearance. The next set of holes available in these would move the engine several inches forward which isn't needed. I'm thinking some of the slider mounts would be a good fit in this situation, however, I don't have any experience with them on this platform.

Appreciate you sharing this, I've been looking at the ICT heavy duty plates that work with the clamshell type mounts, also considering the holley mounts, just can't wrap my head around paying $200+ on some motor mounts.

[68Formula]

we used dirty dingo sliders, moroso solid engine mounts, BBC engine stands, and Speedtech trans crossmember in 1st gen Camaro subframe. It allowed plenty fore and aft adjustment (currently 1-2" off the firewall) and offset the engine 3/4" to the passenger side providing additional steering clearance.

I thought about using my existing offset mounts for additional header clearance, so great feedback.

Josh, coming along great! Is that a DSE firewall smoothing plate?

[Josh@Ridetech]

I thought about using my existing offset mounts for additional header clearance, so great feedback.

Josh, coming along great! Is that a DSE firewall smoothing plate?

Thanks! It's just a piece of metal that I cut out and welded in, I kept it simple on this one

[Josh@Ridetech]

Just a little update! The driveshaft is built and in, now it's getting the exhaust fabbed up (just have to get the tails finished up. Once I get the car back home, I'll get the accessory drive and intake on, and start wiring everything up!

[Liams69RS]

Great build Josh! I just got my ridetech 4 link in a couple weeks ago and am eager to install it! I’m just debating because I know I will have to cut my exhaust, which is a brand new Magnaflow kit.

[ricerscott]

Very nice build! That is an incredibly clean bird! I have always had a soft spot for the 69 TA's as well.

[jlwdvm]

How did your headers fit? Back when I installed the TruTurn on my 69 the problem was having to dimple or modify certain tubes to get them to live with the TruTurn bracket.

[ryeguy2006a]

Love the updates!! My father-in-law is getting a TKX for his 56 Belair this fall, so I'd love to hear your impressions when you get it up and running. FWIW, not sure if you have thought about a radiator, but Auto City Classics make a really nice LS swap radiator. I used their radiator and modified shroud along with a C7 fan and did a fantastic job cooling.

[Josh@Ridetech]

Great build Josh! I just got my ridetech 4 link in a couple weeks ago and am eager to install it! I’m just debating because I know I will have to cut my exhaust, which is a brand new Magnaflow kit.

Thanks! I'm sure you'll have to do something with the tail pipes going over the axle. They didn't plan on us putting upper bars there when they designed that exhaust, haha!

Very nice build! That is an incredibly clean bird! I have always had a soft spot for the 69 TA's as well.

Thanks! I do love this car!

How did your headers fit? Back when I installed the TruTurn on my 69 the problem was having to dimple or modify certain tubes to get them to live with the TruTurn bracket.

I didn't have to touch a thing on these to be honest. I'm clear on the TruTurn by a mile. They're tight on the steering box but that's probably a combo of inconsistency on my subframe, engine mounts, and the Borgeson box.

Love the updates!! My father-in-law is getting a TKX for his 56 Belair this fall, so I'd love to hear your impressions when you get it up and running. FWIW, not sure if you have thought about a radiator, but Auto City Classics make a really nice LS swap radiator. I used their radiator and modified shroud along with a C7 fan and did a fantastic job cooling.

I can't wait to drive it with the TKX! I've heard great things but have only got to drive one across the parking lot lol.

I did pick up a Cold Case radiator a while back so I'm hoping it works well. I was trying to not spend a ton on the radiator but wanted to put something better than making a parts store one work.