My 1969 Firebird

[JonB69FB]

Hello all,

This is my '69 Firebird:

Specs:
Engine: 486ci N/A Pontiac (690hp/620tq)
Trans: TH400, reverse manual valvebody, 9.5" converter (approx 3500 stall)
Suspension:
Front: Global West "Negative Roll" system, 800lb/in springs, Koni shocks
Rear: Global West 150lb/in springs, Cal-Tracs
Del-a-lum bushings througout
Solid body mounts
Solid engine mounts
GW Subframe Connectors, tied into the rollbar
Body:
All stock/steel except for the hood (needed for engine clearance)
6pt rollbar
Full factory original interior (ok, except for the arm rests)
Rearend: Factory 8.2" 10-bolt, Auburn Pro differential, 3.55:1 gears
Brakes:
Front: 12.2" rotors, Wilwood SuperLite II calipers, PFC '01 Pads
Rear: 10.5" rotors, Ford Turbocoupe calipers, Porterfield R4 pads
Other Stuff: External oil/transmission coolers, 3qt Accusump
Tires: 265/45/16 Kumho Victoracers, 26x10 M/T slicks

The car is a porker (especially with my fat ass in it). Race weight ranges from 3800-4000lbs depending on fuel level and wheel/tire combination.

Pictures (many more at http://www.offline.org/~burch/firebird/):

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

Linked for size, on the oval at California Speedway (http://www.firebirdofdoom.com/images/calspeedway1.jpg).

What I do with it:

The car has run a best 1/4 mile ET of 10.909 and a best MPH of 124.66. An average pass through the mufflers is [email protected], and with the cutouts open 10.94-10.96 @ around 123mph, depending on traction.
I've had the car to one open track event, at California Speedway, and had a blast. I'm attending another event at Streets of Willow Springs in the beginning of September.

Video:
First 10-second pass (http://www.firebirdofdoom.com/video/cbad050804-3.wmv)
In car, out the side window (http://www.firebirdofdoom.com/video/cbad042404-3.wmv)
Out the rear window (http://www.firebirdofdoom.com/video/cbad042404-4.wmv)

On a mini-autox course at Cal Speedway (http://www.firebirdofdoom.com/video/calspeedway_skidpad.wmv)
Fooling around on the skidpad at Cal Speedway (http://www.firebirdofdoom.com/video/calspeedway_spin.wmv)
A few (easy) laps of the Roval at Cal Speedway (http://www.firebirdofdoom.com/video/calspeedway.wmv)

[Jimmy Sean]

Sweet ride I also have a 69 bird. Who sells that hood? What is the purpose of the cooling mod.

[JonB69FB]

The hood is from Spotts Performance (http://www.spottsperformance.com/).

What cooling mod are you referring to? If you mean the line running from the rear of the head to the intake manifold the theory is to prevent a hotspot at the rear of the cylinder head but honestly I haven't noticed a difference on the two motors I've done it to.

[cjhutch]

I love your car. I knew it looked familiar when I saw that pic of your engine. I think I saw it on the performanceyears board. You've got to show the rest of the guys the pic of your fabricated upper baffle. I'm thinking about doing something like that on my 67.

[Drewhelm]

I knew it looked familiar too, then when I saw the title of your 10 sec video I knew it was the same car.

yes, definitely post the pic of the front air baffle.

[JonB69FB]

Here's the upper baffle:

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

I've actually cleaned up the edges a little and painted it black--I'll try to get a more up-to-date picture tonight.

[colt zantop]

nice ride...that hood ROCKS!.....thanks for sharing.....

colt45

[JonB69FB]

Thanks for the kind words everyone. Here's a current picture of the upper baffle after some cleanup of the edges and a couple coats of Krylon BBQ paint:

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[JonB69FB]

You guys may also be interested in the 2" dominator flange drop base aircleaner I made out of a 16" K&N assembly. Here's a quick photo montage:

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

All this work was necessary because even with the raised rood this intake combination is so tall no standard air filter assemblies would clear. At the dragstrip I'll probably pull the aircleaner and reinstall the 1" cloverleaf carb spacer but for driving around/road course work it's nice to know there's something keeping the rocks out.

[Z28HO]

Very Nice and I really like your air cleaner mod I know what fun it is to mess with hood clearance.

[whytry]

I was wondering how to get some hood clearance with my Dominator also.. Now I have some ideas!! Thanks.

BTW - Your car looks good, and great video