68 Firebird- LS2 & 6L80

[40STY]

Although I'm in Oz, I have got a lot of useful info from this forum, so I figured I should share what Im doing (and maybe help some others out with what I have learnt as well).

I bought this Bird as a rolling shell. The body is very straight, with zero rust, but it needs a driveline, interior and respray (although the current paint isnt that old, but theres a lot of random damage and deep scratches that arent fixable.)

The plan is to do a bit of a restomod and have something that looks preety stock on the outside and inside, but is reliable and comfortable enough to use more often than just weekend cruises. So that means an LS and auto, A/C and P/S as a minimum. Im also going to try and get the IRS from under the donor car into the Bird, but will depend on how much work is involved whether or not that happens (there are only 4 mounting points for the entire rear end, so it should just be a case of making up 4 brakcets that bolt to the chassis rails. The operative word being should!).

After buying the Bird, I got a wrecked 2007 Holden Statesman (essentially a Pontiac G8) and Im using as much of that to transfer into the Bird as possible. So far all Ive got done is to pull the heads off the engine, clean them and install new lifters, dual springs (going to put a Comp LSR cam in it later) and ARP head bolts. Ive got the engine and box mounted into the subframe and test fitted it under the car and no tunnel mods are required, theres about an inch of space all the way around the box. This surprised me, given a write up on LStech that showed they needed to cut the tunnel for the 6L90. It could be a difference in mounts, for mine i used the BRP TCC005 with auto spacer and Trans Dapt 1-3/4" set forward engine mounts. Even with the engine set at the normal SBC position, it looks like it would be fine, as there is about 3 inches clearance between the back of the block and firewall and more than ample space around the box. On another note, DO NOT use the GM Muscle Car oil pan with the set forward mounts, it doesnt clear the cross member. We had to raise the mounts by about half an inch to make it clear, but from what I can see, the Holley pan should clear, as its shallower at the front.

Theres a long way to go, but next on the agenda is fuel tank/pump and flatten the firewall (current one is the ugliest thing I've ever seen as it's been converted to RHD and theres also a lot of unused/ unrequired holes).

The day I picked it up
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/01/DSC_0445_zps68c1d6f5-1.jpg (http://s218.photobucket.com/user/stuchy81/media/Firebird%20build/DSC_0445_zps68c1d6f5.jpg.html)

Subrame notched for AC and alternator
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/01/DSC_0603_zps3c4c71ee-1.jpg (http://s218.photobucket.com/user/stuchy81/media/Firebird%20build/DSC_0603_zps3c4c71ee.jpg.html)

Space around the 6L80
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/01/e559037c994747cfaba3090e0e50d00b_zps4c8c-1.jpg (http://s218.photobucket.com/user/stuchy81/media/Firebird%20build/e559037c-9947-47cf-aba3-090e0e50d00b_zps4c8c39ee.jpg.html)

As it sits today
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/01/DSC_0619_zps3cfcfdd1-1.jpg (http://s218.photobucket.com/user/stuchy81/media/Firebird%20build/DSC_0619_zps3cfcfdd1.jpg.html)

[gordonr1973]

Whereabouts in Australia are you? I've been all over the eastern side and my wife's from Melbourne.

How does the interior / dash look now with the RHD conversion? One fellow here did a complete interior swap from a 06 GTO into a Camaro, any thought for trying to swap in the interior of the Statesman?

[1989GTA]

I will be interested in how much ground clearance you are going to have with the 6L80/90 in that position. I take it the 6L80/90 came in the 07 Holden Statesman? If so eveything should match software wise.

[40STY]

Whereabouts in Australia are you? I've been all over the eastern side and my wife's from Melbourne.

How does the interior / dash look now with the RHD conversion? One fellow here did a complete interior swap from a 06 GTO into a Camaro, any thought for trying to swap in the interior of the Statesman?

Im in Brisbane. The interior conversion isnt too bad, hard to tell the dash has been changed. But the rest of the interior needs replacing, seats, doorskins, carpet, headliner, EVERYTHING. I saw pics of the GTO interior conversion when I was researching and WOW. Awesome job and would be nice to have a modern interior, but I want the car to be close to stock inside. I did think about trying the Statesman interior, but it would too much work (plus the airbags have gone off, so the dash needs repairing). Only things I might use from inside are the shifter, handbrake and maybe the stereo/GPS.


I will be interested in how much ground clearance you are going to have with the 6L80/90 in that position. I take it the 6L80/90 came in the 07 Holden Statesman? If so eveything should match software wise.

Ground clearance is pretty good. I think the pan is shallower than the US pans. Ill measure it later, but the engine pan hangs lower anyway, because Im using the Gm muscle pan. Yep, the whole driveline was out of the statesman, so the ECM will be good to go. Since it all works together, Im going to try and use as much of the wiring looms as possible as well, including the boot mounted battery and BCM for central locking with the existing key (and transfer the ignition barrel over).

[40STY]

It's been a loooonnnggg time since I've updated this. So theres been a bit of progress (although not as much as I would like!). Have used a lot more of the donor car than I thought I would.
Made some simple brackets up to mount the entire radiator/condenser/thermo fans from the G8:

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/09/DSC_0075_zps9e924ecb-1.jpg (http://s218.photobucket.com/user/stuchy81/media/Firebird%20build/DSC_0075_zps9e924ecb.jpg.html)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/09/DSC_0087_zps205c0ad7-1.jpg (http://s218.photobucket.com/user/stuchy81/media/Firebird%20build/DSC_0087_zps205c0ad7.jpg.html)

Installed a new flat firewall section with minimal holes. Its since been painted black and has a couple more holes since this pic.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/09/DSC_0202_zps8e7318a6-1.jpg (http://s218.photobucket.com/user/stuchy81/media/Firebird%20build/DSC_0202_zps8e7318a6.jpg.html)

[40STY]

Altered the fuel tank to accept the G8 fuel pump assembly. Using the 2007+ fuel pump means only having to run a single fuel line, without the earlier LS1 fuel filter/regulator, as it’s a returnless system within the tank assembly.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/09/DSC_0205_zps317c437e-1.jpg (http://s218.photobucket.com/user/stuchy81/media/Firebird%20build/DSC_0205_zps317c437e.jpg.html)

I’ve combined the brake pedal mounts from the ‘bird and G8 and am using the G8 brake booster, brake pedal and mount for the accelerator pedal. For anyone doing an LS2+ conversion that requires the DBW pedal to be mounted, look at getting the firewall section from a G8 or whatever donor car the motor came from. I’ve used the G8 gas pedal mount, so that its held on by the brake booster bolts (no welding required) and puts the gas pedal in exactly the same position as the G8.
Frankenstein brake pedal https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/09/DSC_0203_zpse8175ea1-1.jpg (http://s218.photobucket.com/user/stuchy81/media/Firebird%20build/DSC_0203_zpse8175ea1.jpg.html)
Gas pedal mount (firewall section from G8)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/09/DSC_0225_zps9f2dfb27-1.jpg (http://s218.photobucket.com/user/stuchy81/media/Firebird%20build/DSC_0225_zps9f2dfb27.jpg.html)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/09/DSC_0229_zps3a4d03ab-1.jpg (http://s218.photobucket.com/user/stuchy81/media/Firebird%20build/DSC_0229_zps3a4d03ab.jpg.html)

The G8 shifter has been mounted. And at the moment, it looks like I’ll be using the G8 steering column and wheel. It took a bit of cutting and alteration and it’s not quite finished yet, but it does use the original mounting points for the old column. If it does work, it means it will have indicators and wipers on the stalk and I can use the G8 ignition barrel and key. Also gives a newer wheel (will try and get the Pontiac air bag cover (without an airbag) for the wheel centre.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/09/DSC_0226_zps6f2a0c3b-1.jpg (http://s218.photobucket.com/user/stuchy81/media/Firebird%20build/DSC_0226_zps6f2a0c3b.jpg.html)

The rest of the steering is also an ongoing task. Because it’s a RHD, theres no off the shelf steering racks available (many of which I don’t like the geometry of anyway). So I’m trying something that I have seen a few builds do with other centre take off racks. Not many cars in Australia use centre take off racks, but the DC5 Honda Integra (2001-2006) did, so I got a used rack off one and am trying to replicate something like the mustang kits that are available. I had originally used 1-3/4” set forward motor mounts (for A/C clearance), but it didn’t leave enough room between the sump and cross member. The engine is now moved back to about standard position and raised about an inch with the thicker truck mounts (Energy 3.1144) and there is a reasonable amount of room for the rack and the bar in front that the tie rods attach to.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/09/DSC_0236_zps2e22e11e-1.jpg (http://s218.photobucket.com/user/stuchy81/media/Firebird%20build/DSC_0236_zps2e22e11e.jpg.html)

[40STY]

I hadn't realised how long it had been since my last update. Buying a house took a lot of time away from Felicity (the Firebird), but over christmas I got back into it and its moving forward again.

Things I've done:
- Mounted the IRS out of the G8. After initially trying to use the chassis section from the G8 to attach to the Bird, I changed course and made up new mounting brackets that bolt directly to the chassis rail and allow easy attachment of the IRS cradle with 4 bolts. Coilovers use the original mounting point in the bottom control arm, then mount to the smaller bracket on the chassis rail. I’ve left about 1.5-2” clearance between the top of the tire and fender, and the springs are stiff enough that there’s not a lot of movement and even with a lot of bouncing on the rear, didn’t come near the tire. A downside of having the IRS is that I’m now going to need a custom fuel tank, as the IRS interferes with the front of the stock tank.
- Got 2015 stingray replica wheels fitted. Due to the extra width of the G8 IRS, I needed a wheel with a large positive offset. The corvettes have exactly that, so I got a set of the Stingrays delivered from the USA to Oz (took 10 weeks to get here). They are all 18x8.5” +56 offset. I got custom 56mm spacers made for the front. And the rears I had to get the PCD re-drilled to 5x120mm to fit the G8/Camaro stud pattern, as well as have a spacer made for the centre hub. When fitted, they sit about ½” inside the rear fender lip, the tyres are 265/35/18 and look good. Theres about 2.5” between the inside of the tire and the body/wheel tub, so a wider wheel/tire could go in (some Corvettes are 10” wide and +79 offset, essentially keeping the wheel face in the same spot and adding more wheel to the inside of the car), except the wheel would foul the bulge in the bottom of the lower control arm, where the coilover mounts.
- Mounted M3 convertible front seats (will get them recovered in original vinyl to match the rest of the interior)
- Installed the centre console from a Nissan Pulsar (unfortunately we don't have new camaros or similar to get the console out of and with the BMW seats, most normal sized car consoles are too wide to fit). Will be using the brake lever.
- Installed the front brakes from the G8 (I did a brief write up in the brakes section)
- Got the Integra steering rack mounted. Still need to get a couple of things professionally machined/welded to finish off the steering column to rack connection.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/12/DSC_0373_zpskfmmcliz-1.jpg (http://s218.photobucket.com/user/stuchy81/media/Firebird%20build/DSC_0373_zpskfmmcliz.jpg.html)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/12/DSC_0375_zps7n3bqmvy-1.jpg (http://s218.photobucket.com/user/stuchy81/media/Firebird%20build/DSC_0375_zps7n3bqmvy.jpg.html)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/12/DSC_0377_zpsiwfwdnnt-1.jpg (http://s218.photobucket.com/user/stuchy81/media/Firebird%20build/DSC_0377_zpsiwfwdnnt.jpg.html)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/01/DSC_0440_zpsevys9h1c-1.jpg (http://s218.photobucket.com/user/stuchy81/media/Firebird%20build/DSC_0440_zpsevys9h1c.jpg.html)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/01/DSC_0431_zpsw3rbcb1z-1.jpg (http://s218.photobucket.com/user/stuchy81/media/Firebird%20build/DSC_0431_zpsw3rbcb1z.jpg.html)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/01/DSC_0470_zpseswq5whf-1.jpg (http://s218.photobucket.com/user/stuchy81/media/Firebird%20build/DSC_0470_zpseswq5whf.jpg.html)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/01/DSC_0474_zpsmzyy2xy2-1.jpg (http://s218.photobucket.com/user/stuchy81/media/Firebird%20build/DSC_0474_zpsmzyy2xy2.jpg.html)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/01/DSC_0480_zpsxfyk9ida-1.jpg (http://s218.photobucket.com/user/stuchy81/media/Firebird%20build/DSC_0480_zpsxfyk9ida.jpg.html)