Teaser shot: Forgeline TA3's on my 78 formie

[formula]

Couldn't resist posting at least one shot of test-fitting emptynest's TA3's under my bird.... Frank just cut me an absolutely KILLER deal on a set and I am thoroughly pumped!

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/01/DSC_0073-1.jpg

I'm pretty sure this is what love feels like!

UPDATE: Decided to turn this into a more complete build thread, so I'll be running back through everything, at least since the wheels were test-fit--no reason to really go back and show the shots from before then! Check the later pages for the updates

[zbugger]

ghhglhglflhggggggk,................. wow.

[dmc69]

That's nice ...U might considers buying those:idea: they look damn good on ur 78

[formula]

That's nice ...U might considers buying those:idea: they look damn good on ur 78

I like the way you think....putting my order in for a set tomorrow! I was originally planning on buying those other billet snowflakes, but after a rough experience with a set of those, I'm extremely happy to put these forgelines under my car!

[BMF Machine]

DaY'uM; Sweeter than apple PiE!

[T_Raven]

I want a set for my 79 TA but dang they aint cheap

[1971CHEVELLE]

damn that’s really nice car I love the car

[1969CamaroRS]

Very nice :1st:

[KevMc]

Really nice!

[Steve1968LS2]

Man that looks killer.. perfect fit by the looks..

Where's that drool smilie?

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

man that looks good!

[formula]

So no fitting issues?

Lisa's are 345's and just a wee bit too wide...so I'm gonna back down to 325's. This is all minitubbed, by the way. No way these'd go under there without!

[BMF Machine]

Man that looks killer.. perfect fit by the looks..

Where's that drool smilie?

Seems like, since we got hacked, the drool smiley is missing? ThaT really SuX!

I agree, those wheels are stunning on those second gens! Empty Nest is the only other car I have seen with them; They look great on Lisa'S RidE as well as on this one!
I want to see this one FinisheD for sure!

Is ProdigY working on the BuilD, If so you are one lucky DudE!

PS, FranK get that MotiV8R poster hung up straighT!lolol

[ed1le]

Awesome!

[qnitro]

I feel squishy....:bsjerk:

[CHAZMO1986]

In the words of George Lopez "OMG" LOL that looks killer!!!

[icebird84]

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

maybe someday will I have set like your under my 3gen

[formula]

another angle....I'm REALLY happy with the way they fill out the wheel wells. I had originally planned on 17's and really liked the way they looked, but these 19's have really changed my mind...


https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/01/DSC_0071-2.jpg


I'm so glad I picked Prodigy to help me take my project to the nextlevel. Frank and his crew have been absolutely stellar, the best shop Ihave ever worked with by far. I'm normally a very do-it-yourself guy,did everything on my car up to this point on my own mostly out ofparanoia, but Prodigy has been nothing but professional and an absolutepleasure to work with.

[brownz]

Forgelines great choice and I wish i had the money for Frank to do my car. but he did hook me up with a set of forgeline wheels for my 79z. great guy to deal with. keep the updates coming on this one.

[Patrick]

Man...those look great. I think the 19s will be perfect.

[TA219]

I cant say what I said when I first saw the teaser... for some reason I have "awesomeness turrets" I spontaniously curse when I see something this awesome! lol

[CRead01]

those look sick. that is one of my favorite looks for your body style car.

[formula]

Man...those look great. I think the 19s will be perfect.



I hope so. It's a hell of a lot of wheel...especially since I was originally planning on 17's...


https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/01/CIMG5578-1.jpg

[WS6]

alright Wes, you gotta fill us in on more details. Since when were you having Prodigy build your car? You had bad dealings with the YO Snow Flakes? What happened. Those are the wheels I was going to go with. I'm guessing since you've stayed quiet about the car being built at Frank's that you're not going to release a rendering or anything, or will you? Don't keep us in the dark too much. There are too many 1st Gen builds to keep the second gen ones quiet.

[icebird84]

that is HOT

[GM_muscle]

car looks kick ass.

[formula]

alright Wes, you gotta fill us in on more details. Since when were you having Prodigy build your car?

Alright, I guess I'll dish some more of the dirt...so I've been looking now for about 5 years for a shop to do a simple repaint for me, something simple, just because I was having some minor rust issues and some spider webbing issues on the hood. Nothing serious. I posted on here asking if anyone knew of a good shop in the SC area, and out of the blue, someone mentioned that I "ought to just let frank do it, since I was so close". At the time, though, it just wasn't in the cards to make a big move...but I didn't really need it either, the car was still a great 10-foot survivor, so I did the suspension, transmission, and some minor engine work instead--just stuff to make the car more fun to drive through college.

A year or two passed, and my family's financial situation changed for the way better, thanks to wise decisions on my father's part and great blessings on god's part. When I got my full ride to the college I ended up going to, my dad made me a sort of friendly bet. He bet me that I couldn't keep my scholarship all the way through college. The wager? Since I was supposed to be graduating within months of the release of the new camaro, we put an optioned-out 09 on the block.

Time passed, and my GPA stayed high. My bird, on the other hand, took a beating. A break-in, a freak accident that ended up off the road, and a run-in with a deer all did pretty tough damage to different parts of the car. Keeping my grades up meant paying virtually no attention to upkeep on the bird, too. Going from the checkup-and-washdown three times a week schedule to the sit-for-two-weeks-covered schedule was hard on the old girl. As it decayed, so did my faith in the project. I was just riding things out 'till the new camaro came out.

I finished the first half of my senior year with a 3.001--I needed a 3.0 or better to lock my scholarship in for the spring. My dad said it was so completely typical of me to hit maxium success with minimum effort. The deal was done, I'd won the bet by the skin of my teeth. It was time to just wait for GM to start taking orders.

But...one day...I found myself just sitting in the parking lot, staring at my old bird. The light hit it just right, with the suspension aired out and the wheels turned just so. it was gorgeous. Really, gorgeous. I realized...there was no way I could give up on this car. Not after 8 years of blood, sweat, tears, memories, time....oh, and money. I had to finish what I'd started.

So, after a lot of looking and a lot of talking, my dad and I decided together that we wanted to make this bird everything we'd dreamed of it being--and that Frank and his crew were by far the best guys to make it happen. So, right before I left for france last june for my summer internship, Frank came and loaded up the old bird, and off she went to florida for a near-complete reboot.


You had bad dealings with the YO Snow Flakes? What happened. Those are the wheels I was going to go with.

Ok, so two christmases ago, one of the last things I wanted to do to try to really reboost my excitement in the project was new wheels and tires. So, I made the call on a set of yearones, the 17x9's listed on their website. They show up, I mount the tires, and bolt them on, ready to go. And then...SURPRISE! All four stick out...oddly enough...exactly one-half on an inch farther than I'd planned on. Just far enough to screw me over all the way around. So, I pull them off, and stamped inside each wheel is 17x9.5...but the backspace is exactly what i spec'd, so there's an extra half inch sticking forward. so I call US wheel, the actual wheel manufacturer, and they say, hey, they don't even MAKE a 17x9 hoop! So I call year one and explain the situation. They give me the standard "we'll check into it", no response for a while, I call back, finally get department-hopped around the building to, I don't even know where, and this guy, I can tell, is being paid purely to find a way that this is not year one's fault.

Did I take brake width into account? yes, stock brakes.

Did you measure lip to lip or bead to bead? Because that can make it wide--yes, I did, look, I'm not saying that the wheel is nine and a half inches wide, I'm saying the wheel is ten inches wide at the widest point because 9.5 IS STAMPED INTO THE FRIGGIN HOOP.

Well what about your suspension? (this is when I know all hell is going to break loose) It's bagged.

BAGGED?!?!?!?! Listen here sonny, there is no way I can design a wheel to fit an airbagged application. It's just not possible. These wheels are designed for performance cars, you should have known better, there's just no way, there's nothing I can do, this is all on you. This goes on and on for a good five, ten minutes. He's just absolutely ripping me a new one, making me feel like a total tool. Finally, I've had enough. It takes a real damn lot for me to lose control and really get mad, but when I do, it tends to make my mother cry. To sum up my, er, retort...I explained to the man that these were not the wheels that I specified, not the wheels I'd been promised, NOT WHAT I ORDERED. I don't care if they were going on a blimp, they sent me something other than what I purchased, and I should not be required to risk damage to my car and injury because they can't even figure out what the hell they're selling. Finally, after I exhaust myself, he agrees to let me return them for a full refund. I repeat, HE AGREES TO LET ME RETURN THEM FOR A FULL REFUND.

I send the wheels back. I check my card. A few days later, the money shows back up--MINUS A GENEROUS RESTOCKING FEE, of course. Oh, and by the way, this took so long to resolve with them that my tires were now un-returnable. SWEET.

So, ultimately, F*ck year one. I work really, really freaking hard to make money to put into my car whenever I can outside of classes, and to have them give me the finger like that was ultimately more than I can handle. This is why I will never touch another yearone product--and this is why I am even prouder to be (hopefully!) unveiling my finished firebird, forgelines and all, at this year's year one experience.


I'm guessing since you've stayed quiet about the car being built at Frank's that you're not going to release a rendering or anything, or will you? Don't keep us in the dark too much. There are too many 1st Gen builds to keep the second gen ones quiet.

I've kept this one quiet both in the real world and across the web because I have a fair number of cocky local buddies that used to stalk a lot of the sites that I run through, and I'm really looking forward to showing up out of nowhere and giving them a beautiful view of my shiny new taillights, if you catch what I'm throwing. However, most of them have moved on from p-t, so I can let the wraps off over here.

I actually don't have a rendering--body mods are going to be very, very simple. My whole goal with this car has been to build the 1978 firebird that pontiac might have build, had they had the technology we have today. Granted, things like minitubs, air suspension, and 19x11.5s aren't generally very production-minded--but gimme a break, we'll pretend that this would have been pontiac's show version, and the actual production version could have been more tame and boring. Here's a layout of the plan.

-Keeping the original white and gold formula paint scheme--just done to absolute perfection thanks to the master hands of frank serafine and his crew.

-polished face/gold inlaid forgeline TA3's, 19x11.5 in the back and 19x8ish in the front. Aiming for a 6" lip in the back. SICK.

-suspension will stay the complete airride challenge kit--shockwaves all around, airbar in the back, tubular control arms in the front.

-brakes are franks new big/small hybrid kit that he developed with wilwood--13.5/6 piston on the front, 12.5/4 piston on the back, I believe.

-body will be pretty much unmodded--just shaving most of the trim, etc.

-and, the crown jewel...current plan is a fairly special engine, brought over all the way from australia. The first two letters are L and S, but what comes after that is a bit...fuzzy, due to the specifications.

Overall, I'm trying to build something that doesn't try to outdo the original formula--I want this car to just be the ultimate of what it's always been.

Sorry if this is super-long. I'll throw some pictures in later to make it more fun to read.

[Throttle]

That looks good..

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

good to see this project on track my man.. jolly good show!.. pip pip!

this is what the girl thinks of it..

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/01/asaingirlmoves-1.gif

[PonchoJohn]

Wes,
First off, wise move on your part to stay w/ the Firebird. Too many times people will say "I wish I'd never sold it!" You don't have to have that regret. I know-- I've been there, done that!
Whichever wheels you have in post 24 look awesome! The Formula looks really sweet like that.
Good luck with everything!

[Vegas69]

Awesome project Wes and you are in great hands...They did a great job on my Hot Rod. I have to go against the grain however. Not crazy about the 19's on you car and I don't know why!

[formula]

Awesome project Wes and you are in great hands...They did a great job on my Hot Rod. I have to go against the grain however. Not crazy about the 19's on you car and I don't know why!



hey man, totally understandable...but letting go of a set of 19" 3-piece wheels for virtually nothing more than a set of 17" 1-piece is the toughest of tough calls, especially when the company with the 17's has already messed you up bad once! I will admit, it's going to bother a lot of traditionalists and poncho-heads...but I gotta do what's right for me first, you know? If I build the car everyone else wants me to build, I'll have to become everyone else to love it.

Plus, better to have a love-it-or-hate-it car than a mediocre like-it car any day, right?

[T_Raven]

So the wheels in post 24 are the YO wheels and they are too wide?? WTF? Don't they fit the year one Bandits? I'll have to do some searching

[formula]

So the wheels in post 24 are the YO wheels and they are too wide?? WTF? Don't they fit the year one Bandits? I'll have to do some searching



Those are the 17" YO snowflake. YO bandits use a different wheel than those, the YO 18" snow flakes are actually pretty different than the YO 17" snowflakes in design and I'm pretty sure are actually manufactured somewhere else, too. If you had a not-bagged car, you could fudge the numbers a little and get away with having a wheel that's just a wee might too far out--just pray you never touch a bump stop, because your bump stops are now the outside lip of each of your fenders!


Of course, if they would let you push the backspace numbers up a little further, to closer to 6", you might be able to get away with it that way, but they informed me that "the max backspace you can do on a 9.5 wheel is about 5.25-5.5 inches...nobody goes further than that". :bsjerk:

[BMF Machine]

SorrY to hear about the BS you been putt'n up with. I don't think FranK sells BS, he sells the ShiZZ without the BuLL. KeeP us very Up to DatE; This will be a smok'N 2nD GeN for sure!

[WS6]

thanks Wes. I'll be at YOE for sure then. Keep us updated on if you make it in time. You're taking the same approach I am for the most part. I'm not interested in changing the body lines on my TA really. I just want the spoilers to fit right and tight against the body.

Are these the 17in snow flakes you tried?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-17x9-Set-of-4-Snowflake-Wheels-Trans-Am-SE-Y82-Y84_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742Q2em153Q2el1262 QQcategoryZ43957QQihZ021QQitemZ310117835727

Or was it these?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Snowflake-Wheels-WS6-TA-SE-Gold-17x9-Y84-Bandit_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742Q2em153Q2el1 262QQcategoryZ43957QQihZ021QQitemZ310081183801

These are the 18s for anyone else looking. Notice the hoop design is different. These are the ones I want and are the ones on the higher level YO Bandits
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Snowflake-Wheels-WS6-TA-SE-Gold-18x9-Burt-Reynolds-Y84_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742Q2em153Q2el1262 QQcategoryZ43958QQihZ021QQitemZ310075094062

They are all sold by restore a muscle car. I don't know anything about the company

[WS6]

here's all the parts from Year One themselves. I'm sure they are the same though.

http://www.yearone.com/serverfiles/fbshopmain2.asp?cat=4

[formula]

Mine were the billet 17x9's, so, the second set. I haven't seen the cast set before...those are pretty cool, especially if they're actually the size they market them as! :idea: I like that they carry the original style over almost exactly.

If you would even THINK about the forgelines as an alternative to the 18 inch YO flakes, it's worth giving frank a call when it comes to wheel time. He can make magic things happen with numbers so that they suddenly become very, very competitively priced compared to the yearone stuff. Frank loves the TA3 design as he actually created it himself for emptynest, so I think he greets every set as it leaves the forgeline factory to give them a little sendoff party and make sure they are going to a loving home :lol:

RestoreAMusclecar is also a really great shop, very down-to-earth guys with a lot of knowledge and talent. They built a pretty nasty bandit that they also brought to yearone last year, called the platinum bandit. I don't think they'll mind if I post a shot of it...

Make sure to check out the completely custom pinstriping and birds--all of it is modeled after the factory SE package, but redone in silver! I thought it was a great way to make a high-end SE car stand out as something special!

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/01/P5190086JPG_Thumbnail1-1.jpg

[icebird84]

heaven

[cdoggy81]

sweeeeeeet 2nd gen love!!!

[cheapthrillz]

If anybody reading this has even had a thought cross their mind that Wes is just throwing money at a car that doesn't deserve it, they are horribly mistaken. Wes deserves this more than anybody I know. Luckily his family is well off, but that is beside the fact. He forgot to mention that the scholarship he retained was worth around $140k, and basically saved his family the cost of a new ZR1. Not to mention that he was ambitious enough to take on a double major at a prestigious private college, so he deserves this car to be an exact replica of his dream car.

He also was the only senior at our high school that still got dropped off by his Mommy, but they told him to hold off on a car and they would get him whatever he wanted. He could have taken advantage of them then, but if he had, he'd be driving something that wouldn't be near as unique or personal. I have the utmost respect for Wes and his car, and I think that Frank is going to do him right.

And as a side note, I can assure you that this car will be driven and driven hard. AND I BETTER BE THE THIRD PERSON TO DRIVE THIS CAR AFTER ITS DONE!! :yum:

Congrats bud, you deserve this.

[WS6]

Furman or Bob Jone's?

[formula]

If anybody reading this has even had a thought cross their mind that Wes is just throwing money at a car that doesn't deserve it, they are horribly mistaken. Wes deserves this more than anybody I know. Luckily his family is well off, but that is beside the fact. He forgot to mention that the scholarship he retained was worth around $140k, and basically saved his family the cost of a new ZR1. Not to mention that he was ambitious enough to take on a double major at a prestigious private college, so he deserves this car to be an exact replica of his dream car.

He also was the only senior at our high school that still got dropped off by his Mommy, but they told him to hold off on a car and they would get him whatever he wanted. He could have taken advantage of them then, but if he had, he'd be driving something that wouldn't be near as unique or personal. I have the utmost respect for Wes and his car, and I think that Frank is going to do him right.

And as a side note, I can assure you that this car will be driven and driven hard. AND I BETTER BE THE THIRD PERSON TO DRIVE THIS CAR AFTER ITS DONE!! :yum:

Congrats bud, you deserve this.

Hahahahaha, thank you very much buddy--and I'd just like to explain, my mommy drove me to school because I'd destroyed the tranny in my car...I did have one, though!

But JC will definitely be the #3 man on this car. He has almost as much time turning wrenches on the damn thing as I do, and has been a great friend and wrench partner to me for coming up on a decade now.


Furman or Bob Jone's?

Hahahahaha, I'll eliminate one of your guesses right now--F*CK S*IT H*LL D*MN B*STARD dootie. And I hold hands with my girlfriend in public without risk of expulsion.

I go to Wofford. Maybe it's just an in-SC kinda joke, but 'round here, the only thing Bob Jones is known for is frighteningly stringent anti-fun policies--and I got too many pairs of drinkin' shoes to make it at a place like that.

[T_Raven]

Well I doubt too many people would think you don't deserve it man. That's awesome that you got such a killer scholarship and that your dad is financing the build. I'm sure you've worked hard to get and keep the scholarship and double major is no joke.

It's good to see a formula getting some love for a change and I can't wait to see some progress.

[BMF Machine]

If someone thinks you don't deserve it; BeaT the piss out of them! Frank is probably super stoked because you have a great story behind the BuilD! Thus, I am sure he will move the BaR up on this one! WaaaYYYYYY Up!:1st: I can't wait to see what you get bacK!

[WS6]

ah I had forgotten about Wofford. I could never survive at Bob Jones either and I don't drink.

[formula]

Thank you guys a lot for the compliments...It really does give me a big boost to hear such kind words!

And yeah, I really don't know how anyone survives at bob jones...but to each his own, I suppose.

[formula]

First: CHOP CHOP CHOP.

Even though I'm all for cutting up cars, these shots still made me pretty nervous.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/08/DSC_0368-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/08/DSC_0369-1.jpg

Luckily, frank sent me this one not long after...my fears were allayed.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/08/DSC_0385-1.jpg

Funny story--When I went to visit Frank and his crew and check out the car in person a few months ago, the first thing I did was run and climb UNDER the car--apparently this isn't quite common practice among most of his customers!

Everything I saw while I was under there was IMMACULATE, though--The tubs were all finished up and the body was in primer by this time, so I got to see firsthand that these guys know their way around a welder, for sure!

[formula]

next up, finished off the body work and primed...I really like how every detail of the car is highlighted at this stage. The prodigy crew did an amazing job of finessing all the little details, sharpening up body lines and making everything look just picture-perfect.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/08/DSC03939-1.jpg

They also did a sick salvage job on my busted-up hood...here's the semi-before, after some massaging...

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/08/DSC03150-1.jpg

and then the after...

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/08/DSC03940-1.jpg

and yea, there's a little filler in it--but not much at all.

[WS6]

When do you expect this to be completed Wes?

[formula]

hopefully pretty soon...I have some more updates to update, but the car is now painted, engine's in, rear end is going in this week, interior's going in this week, and then just brakes, wheels and tires, and wiring and all the little details. Maybe the man himself will chime in here and provide a more precise date? My car got delayed a while as we were having trouble sourcing a few detail parts, plus the bull run car NEEDED to be done while it would just be reeeeaaallly nice if mine were done--but now everything is running smoothly and my car is the prodigy team's top priority.

I'll get a couple more updates up ASAP!

[WS6]

Sounds great! I can't wait to see this thing completed. I'm almost as anxious to see your car done as I am to simply get mine back together and moving under its own power again.

[NOT A TA]

Got pics of it painted? I've been waiting to see how it looks since the first pics with Lisas wheel tucked in the rear showed up on here.

[WILWAXU]

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/01/P5190086JPG_Thumbnail1-1.jpg
That's a lonely mustang :D

[formula]

Base coat first

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/08/DSC03948-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/08/DSC03949-1.jpg

Then clear...

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/08/DSC03958-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/08/DSC03959-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/08/DSC03960-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/08/DSC03961-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/08/DSC03965-1.jpg

[formula]

The rear end got delayed, so focus shifted to painting the wheels and cleaning up the interior.

First peaks of the gold--uhhhhhhhhhhhyes.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/08/DSC_0786-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/08/DSC_0789-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/08/DSC_0792-1.jpg

I can only presume these were a royal b*tch and a half to paint--so special thanks to Mister Frank himself for taking the time to do them by hand himself!

Now, some before shots of my seats, to show the, er, slight color mismatch...

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/08/DSC04085-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/08/DSC04086-1.jpg

Frank simply refused to put these back in this way, and decided that he was going to dye the whole interior and replace all the beat up panels--and he's doing a lot of it out of HIS pocket! I've NEVER worked with any shop that would do something so crazy nice--he just said yeah, consider it a gift from me! Thanks again, man! You're number :1st: in my book!
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/08/DSC04087-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/08/DSC04088-1.jpg

[formula]

Now, the latest round of pics--these are from this week.

First, massive interior progress...

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/08/DSC_0004-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/08/DSC_0006-1.jpg

And now, the two money shots that you've all been waiting for.

First...the new ground-pounder. I honestly can't believe that this is my engine bay. It just hasn't sunk in yet, I guess.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/08/DSC_0007-1.jpg

And finally, the first shot of her all striped up!

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/08/DSC_0002-1.jpg

I LOVE the darker gold--it's the correct 78 w50 gold now, instead of the tan-ish color it was before.

Here's a shot to compare against. It was a bit of a shock for me at first, but now I really like it.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/08/CIMG4443-1.jpg

I gotta ask you guys' opinion-- do you think we should put the firebird badges back on the front quarters, or leave them off?

[GHOSTDANCER]

Leave them OFF. Frank and crew have done another killer job. Car looks great, can't wait to see those wheels mounted.

[zbugger]

The car looks awesome Wes!!! Personally, I think installing the badges would give the car a nice, restored kinda look. Make the car a little more understated to some people. That is until you air it out and sit it on the ground, pop the hood and kill them with what the car really is. Just my opinion.

[Motown 454]

That looks sweet Wes. Very nice Frank.

[Rybar]

That is a pretty kick ass Bird. Please post specs or info on the motor.

[NOT A TA]

Looks nice all painted up again! I'll hold off on the emblems or not question till I see it together with the wheels on it. I like the stock appearing 2 tone paint job !

[WS6]

I'm with Allen and John. I think it could really help with the understated look to have the badges on but I need to see it with the Forgelines on there first.

Looking fantastic. The stock look of the paint was a good choice.

[formula]

Thank you guys for your support on the stock paint! I hemmed and hawed and threw around all sorts of different ideas, thought about going black, thought about leaving off the FORMULA callouts on the side, thought about redoing the whole paint scheme, but everything kept telling me, this car was born with this paint scheme, it deserves to keep the same scheme, and it won't be the same car without it.

I've tried really, really hard to keep the spirit of the car the way it was, and just update it to today's standards. The car was born with white and gold paint, a red interior, a chevy engine, and a manual transmission...I've just changed it to awesome, spotless, show-quality paint, sporty, blood red interior, a bigger fuel injected chevy engine, and a bulletproof 5 speed manual.

Plus, this way I'll stand out when they inevitably park me with the row of bandits at pontiac car shows!

Engine specs are pretty basic, LS2 with LS3 heads and intake, and Frank's got a custom cam he wants to try out, so he said if I'd let him put it in, he'd give it to me for free (again with the free stuff!). Hoping to make just a little more than stock HP, mostly I just want reliability and relatively decent fuel economy on top of a fairly nice HP output.

The big story on the engine is where it came from--turns out it's actually a holden-spec engine and somehow ended up shipped over from australia. How it got here, I have no idea--but Frank found it for me, and the price was right!

[Young Gun]

too freaking sick...

[srh3trinity]

This car is gonna be sick. The paint scheme with the wheels is gonna be a great combo.

[mc84_zz4]

That is some great progress! I definitely agree on your paint selection.
Can't wait to see it on those new wheels, THAT is going to really blow your mind!
The interior looks like it's going to be nicer than new.
:1st:

[Code Red]

they look great

[gto406]

Car looks great Wes, and kudos to Frank at Prodigy for helping you out with this build!

[formula]

Can't wait to see it on those new wheels, THAT is going to really blow your mind!
:1st:


I'm with you, dude. Maybe if we all nag frank enough he'll take a break from thrashing on it and snap a quick shot?

I won't be the one to bother him though--He told me to stop calling him and let him work the tenth-to-last time I called him! :)

[BMF Machine]

Man that is looking SpiffY! :1st: I love them wheels! No StinkinG stocK BadgeS!(IMO)
Don't mess~up all that fine body work unless it is with something special?
You can always put them on later, But try it without for a while?(JMO)

Thanks for the updates and definetly keep~em coming!

[formula]

Man that is looking SpiffY! :1st: I love them wheels! No StinkinG stocK BadgeS!(IMO)
Don't mess~up all that fine body work unless it is with something special?
You can always put them on later, But try it without for a while?(JMO)

Thanks for the updates and definetly keep~em coming!


Well, are you in the mood to cut me up something special? :yum:

[formula]

Alright guys, I finally got the first of many shots that actually fit the title of the thread!

Will upload some more later. Keep in mind that it won't normally be sitting like a donk!

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/08/DSC04276-1.jpg

[srh3trinity]

The car is looking sick, thanks for responding to my PM about the airbar. I'll be watching this thread.

[formula]

The car is looking sick, thanks for responding to my PM about the airbar. I'll be watching this thread.

Hey no problemo buddy, glad to be of assistance! Say the word if you need anything else.

MOAR PICS!

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/08/DSC04265-1.jpg
Dynomatted out--This was another surprise from Frank! Thank you again, guys!

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/08/DSC04266-1.jpg

Fresh new console, fresh carpet, fresh interior panels....heeeeeeeeeell yeaaaaaahhh

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/08/DSC04268-1.jpg
A slight hiccup with the rear meant it had to be sent back out, and a loaner is in place for now, so we'll have to wait for the final effect for a few more days.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/08/DSC04270-1.jpg
Just about polished off, looking so, so much better.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/08/DSC04279-1.jpg
Rear speakers are now tucked away like they should be--previous owner had cut the package tray sometime in the 80s, now my 6x9s are hidden UNDER the tray.

[Roger M]

Those seats look really good in there. Looks like it came out of the factory that way. Nice work!

[cdoggy81]

Cool car & those seats do look good! What are they from again?
How much longer is Frank going to have it? I would like to shoot over there one afternoon when I'm in O-Town & check it out.
What is the rear tire size?

[ProdigyCustoms]

Better come soon!

[cdoggy81]

:) I figured it was getting close... :)
Probably won't make it unless you are working that Labor Day Monday.

[formula]

Cool car & those seats do look good! What are they from again?
How much longer is Frank going to have it? I would like to shoot over there one afternoon when I'm in O-Town & check it out.
What is the rear tire size?

Thank you guys for the compliments on the seats! I spent a long time hunting around for something that would cause double-takes and be comfortable and sporty at the same time. The seats are procars, made by scat--yes, the engine people. They seem to be fairly popular among the mustang crowd, so much so that I actually had to source the red ones from a mustang parts catalog!

[ProdigyCustoms]

:) I figured it was getting close... :)
Probably won't make it unless you are working that Labor Day Monday.

We will be working Labor day on a certain white Formula, amoung other things

[formula]

:) I figured it was getting close... :)
Probably won't make it unless you are working that Labor Day Monday.

Go for it, dude! Visiting frank is like getting to go to santa's toyshop. I drove all the way from SC down for an afternoon tour and still count it as worth it.

If you make it over, take a buncha pics for me!

[formula]

Just so you guys all know--my car will be appearing for the first time (even to me) this weekend at RTTH. I'm counting the seconds!

I'll make sure to get a ton of shots to show erbody on here.

[srh3trinity]

I can't even imagine how psyched you are to see the car. Get some pics up after you enjoy the weekend driving it around.

[colt zantop]

man...that car is looking killer!

[formula]

man...that car is looking killer!


Thank you guys for all your support--it's really made me feel like i'm doing something great!

I've just seen near-final shots of the car, and I can tell you, it's going to be a knockout.

I think I'll save the final effect for when I have all washed-up and ready to go pictures--hey, this is supposed to be a teaser thread, right?

[Takid455]

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
Rear speakers are now tucked away like they should be--previous owner had cut the package tray sometime in the 80s, now my 6x9s are hidden UNDER the tray.

I hope you intend to perforate the package try to allow sound to pass through or else it will be muffled. the package tray is supposed to have provisions for the 2 6x9's cut. you probably know this already though.

what happened w/ the rear?

[Tiny]

Just so you guys all know--my car will be appearing for the first time (even to me) this weekend at RTTH. I'm counting the seconds!

I'll make sure to get a ton of shots to show erbody on here.



I'm interested in seeing how things turned out last weekend...where are those pics? :smoke:

[Boyd]

Well?

[srh3trinity]

I'm with Boyd, where are the pics?

[formula]

dangit, I was hoping you guys had forgotten about me. With the weather looking so absolutely miserable, we made a last-minute call not to bring the car up to PF--bringing a brand new build out on mountain roads in the rain was not sounding very fun at all, and on top of that, my insurance company's giving me a hard time about the car, so I would have most likely been uninsured on top of all of that.

SO--I told frank to take his time, finish it up this week, get it on the dyno, get all the bugs sorted out, and bring it up next weekend.

as for the speakers--I'm using the 6x9s mainly for midbass, the fronts will be more responsible for the highs, so I don't forsee the lack of perforation as being a problem. I've heard similar setups in other 2nd gens and the loss of sound was virtually unnoticeable once the speakers were balanced properly. If it does end up being a big deal, I can always just grab some soccer cleats, right? :idea:

The rear end, I believe the lower suspension mounts weren't moved like the plan was, so frank sent it back to make sure it was done right. Not positive.

Since you guys have been waiting so kindly, I do have a couple new shots...I'm gonna save the exterior shots for when I have the full effect, though, I think.

This used to be all ratty 30 year old undercoat--it did its job, but this is going to be soooo much nicer to work under.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/09/DSC04331-1.jpg
Kinda halfway thinking about coating some of the suspension links gold down the road to match the stripe...but that'll be later.

and finally, a near-complete shot of the thundermaker--if it looks like it's unfinished, it is, but I wanted you guys to see!
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/09/DSC04333-1.jpg

[NOT A TA]

Looks nice Wes!

[ProdigyCustoms]

Wes, we did relocate the lower arms and welded on out 4 link perches we use on on Prodigy / Moser rears.

I will get some detail shots tomorrow under the car of TAILPIPES! Also of the lower arm mounts.

[formula]

Wes, we did relocate the lower arms and welded on out 4 link perches we use on on Prodigy / Moser rears.

I will get some detail shots tomorrow under the car of TAILPIPES! Also of the lower arm mounts.


Oh ok-- was that part of the reason the rear had to be sent back to the rearend shop at one point? Or was that internal...

[ProdigyCustoms]

Oh ok-- was that part of the reason the rear had to be sent back to the rearend shop at one point? Or was that internal...

No, we took off the perches from the get go. You had a bent axle tube. We caught it when the axles would not go in smoothly when we were trying to mock it up for the lower perch placment. I think whoever welded the upper links the first time used to much heat and warped it.

It fixed now.

[formula]

No, we took off the perches from the get go. You had a bent axle tube. We caught it when the axles would not go in smoothly when we were trying to mock it up for the lower perch placment. I think whoever welded the upper links the first time used to much heat and warped it.

It fixed now.


Man, that a*!hole....I can't believe he'd do such a crap job on those welds...I shoulda known better than to have such a rank amateur work on my car.

(I welded the mounts on:hammer:--hey, it was the second thing I'd ever welded--the first being that front swaybar mount that was even worse! now you know why I wanted you to go through the whole car--to fix all the crap I screwed up!)

[formula]

alright guys, as promised, frank sent me a fresh batch of pics today to show how close we are to doneski.

first....apparently prodigy's greatest unknown talent is as exhaust magicians. I have no idea how in the world frank managed to run tips out the back on an air-ride equipped second-gen, as this is supposed to be impossible (unless you run underneath the axle--blech). If I did this, it would have involved a lot of dryer hose and duct tape. Really excited to see how the heck he pulled this off in person!!
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/09/DSC04367-1.jpg

next--prodigy customs "trick as all get-out way awesome airbar/gbar lower perch replacement kit" detail. I'm pretty sure that's the actual product name on the box. Also, a peek at the wilwooooods and a first peek at the back of the TA3's. Me rikey!
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/09/DSC04368-1.jpg

finally, the new fuel setup is almost finished--I really like the way the guys packaged this. Gonna add a 90 degree elbow to that one line, by the way, this was just to get it up and rumbling.

I still refuse to post a shot of all of the wheels on the car. HOWEVER, in lieu of said pics, enjoy these exciting camaro pictures! :) (look carefully)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/09/DSC04361-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/09/DSC04357-1.jpg

[67goatman455]

(look carefully)




sneaky sneaky:yum: cant wait for final pics! i'm drooling over the interior! very nice!

[formula]

sneaky sneaky:yum: cant wait for final pics! i'm drooling over the interior! very nice!

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/09/3652104_std-1.jpg

I am-a veddy veddy sneaky.

Thanks dude! I always loved the red--just disco enough against the white to work!

[WS6]

damn it! How much longer do we have to wait? :)

[Young Gun]

never been blue balled on the internet... till now

[formula]

alright! alright! since I know at least one person scoured my photobucket account and almost posted it himself, I'll go ahead and post this shot....

Interested to see what you guys think of the blacked-out trim. And any new opinions on the side badges?

Should have some new pics soon--the car got hungry and ate a lifter, so Frank has a set of ls7 lifters on the way--free of charge, I might add--but delivery still looks to be sunday-tuesday. :yum:

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/09/DSC04327-1.jpg

[LeighP]

I like it! The paint scheme, blacked out window trim, and those wheels with the gold accent painting...all works really nicely.

[cheapthrillz]

alright! alright! since I know at least one person scoured my photobucket account and almost posted it himself, I'll go ahead and post this shot....


:evil:

Somebody was going to figure it out if I didn't threaten to do it!

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

wooooooorrrddd!!!!!

the level of bad-assery is astounding..

[ProdigyCustoms]

wooooooorrrddd!!!!!

the level of bad-assery is astounding..

Your hilarious!

I will have pics later at ride height and fully dressed.

[srh3trinity]

alright! alright! since I know at least one person scoured my photobucket account and almost posted it himself, I'll go ahead and post this shot....

Interested to see what you guys think of the blacked-out trim. And any new opinions on the side badges?

Should have some new pics soon--the car got hungry and ate a lifter, so Frank has a set of ls7 lifters on the way--free of charge, I might add--but delivery still looks to be sunday-tuesday. :yum:

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

I am psyched for you. That is largely what I will be going for when I get around to getting a project started. Sounds like Frank has really gone the extra mile, it is nice to hear of shops that do this.

[cheapthrillz]

Your hilarious!

I will have pics later at ride height and fully dressed.

SWEEEEEEEET!

Probably not going to be as good as seeing it in person though.... I can't wait for this!

Frank, bring some cones with you. We will set up our own autocross somewhere since RTTH was a no go.

Also, if we have a few extra minutes, I'd like to let you take a look at the Galaxie and get your input (but not if it takes away from Wes's big day though).

See you in a few days!

[Young Gun]

looks amazing! not too surprised though

[formula]

I am psyched for you. That is largely what I will be going for when I get around to getting a project started. Sounds like Frank has really gone the extra mile, it is nice to hear of shops that do this.

"The extra mile" doesn't even begin to describe it. Here's all the stuff that frank has done, at no cost whatsoever to me--just straight gifts.

--Dynamatted the whole car FOR FREE

--all new interior trim for FREE, and he only charged me half labor, because "the car was too nice not to have the interior freshened up"

--Gave me a cam he wanted to try out and installed it and is going to dynotune it all for FREE

--inability to get ahold of a different kit meant that at one point I had to buy part of the hydraulic clutch kit--just the master and the mounting bracket and stuff, the slave we already had. He paid me back for a complete kit, including the slave...which is a sh*tload more money, if you don't know... just to say thanks for helping out in a pinch!

--Didn't charge me any labor at all on the exhaust! I think he saw it as a challenge to get the pipes all the way to the back. As much as this is their job, Frank and his crew are still car guys at heart, and still have a good time with every car they build.

--I know there's more, this is just off the top of my head!

I have never, ever, ever experienced any one in any industry that works so hard to make sure I am well beyond satisfied and instead maintain a constant state of euphoria from a barrage of cool surprises and great deals. Plus his work is phenomenal!

When I got started with all this, I was between two shops, prodigy and another which shall not be named. Prodigy knew pro-touring cars inside and out, the other shop knew firebirds inside an out, and I couldn't decide which was more important. I had an internet friend send his car--a real 78 w72 4speed-- to the other shop about the same time, with similar goals in mind, and so I decided to send mine to prodigy so we could sort of compare builds and see firsthand how things turned out.

My car, thanks to prodigy, is almost finished. His car, thanks to the other shop, is completely ruined. Turns out the other shop was using hardware-store fasteners, painting right over rust, the works, you name it, any way he could find to cheat and scam his customers. The owner is now going to have to spend at least as much money as he spent "restoring" the car taking it back to square one and starting completely over. I keep thinking about how that could be me, and how narrowly I dodged that bullet, and it makes me that much happier to be working with Prodigy Customs.

[cees67]

frank is the embodiment of a small business owner. I am one myself and i know how hard it is to run a successful business, dealing with bills payroll , employees , advertising and most importantly customer confidence. He does all this while turning out a smoking product with endless energy. I admire his drive and love for his craft:1st: I know lately i have been putting effort in my business that i havent had to do in quite a while and it never gets easier. Heres to you frank !....sorry for the hi-jack

[WS6]

Looks great Wes. I like the blacked out trim. I'm thinking no badges at this point now that I've seen the car mainly complete.

[6'9"Witha69]

Blacked out looks great. This is coming together VERY nice!!

[ProdigyCustoms]

I expect a very giddy Car Owner to step in tonight, but first I think he needs some alone time with his MPG player!

[formula]

.....frank......really? did you just call me big boy? hahahaha!

He was right though. I have a movie to watch about 50 more times. IT LIVES!!!

I was pretty worried it would be too muffled with the magnaflows, but I think it's gonna be pretty nasty!

THANK YOU MISTER SERAFINE! now...MOAR!!

O5MuNjua1qE

[ProdigyCustoms]

LOL! He about blew me away on that second rap of the throttle! Today.....................Big Hairy Smokey Burnouts!

So note to self, DOD lifter cannot handle 580 lift, LOL! But LS7 lifters can!

[bonecrrusher]

Car looks ****in awesome!

[formula]

LOL! He about blew me away on that second rap of the throttle! Today.....................Big Hairy Smokey Burnouts!

So note to self, DOD lifter cannot handle 580 lift, LOL! But LS7 lifters can!

:bananna2: Can't wait to see it turn 'em over!!

[NOT A TA]

Looks and sounds great. Nice job Frank! Enjoy it Wes!

[formula]

thank you good sir--I certainly shall.

HOW ABOUT A FRESH HOT PIC?!?!

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/09/DSC04380-1.jpg


Couple things left to finish, and Frank says he's going to detail it tomorrow and have fresh pics--so instead of showing off all of the nearly-finished ones, I think I'll wait for the better ones to really show it off. Couldn't resist leaving this one though, as it's already just gorgeous from this anglle!!

[Roger M]

Looks Awesome!! Very tastefully done. Also nice to see something different. Great work!:cheers:

[muthstryker]

Wow that looks really really good, Makes me want one so much more!

Nice Car!

[Ralph LoGrasso]

The car looks great, Wes!

[Motown 454]

Very nice.

[shawn_s]

car looks amazing

[formula]

car looks amazing

Hey thanks dude! How's your 2nd gen going? Lemme know if you need any help with figuring anything out--as I recall, your plan wasn't tooo far off from where mine ended up, except as a trans am instead of a formula, and a couple years later...

[zbugger]

Holy hell that thing is sexy.... I can't wait for you to post up the completed pics. Absolutely incredible. I'm so jealous now.

[tom_a]

The car looks great white. I dig it.

[formula]

Oh by the way, Frank had the chance to drive it down the block today and he said that, while it needs to be tuned (which is comin' tomorrow), it's got power to spare!! Sounds like the new bumpstick is doing a great job.

[mc84_zz4]

The car looks absolutely badazz. :bananna2:

[shawn_s]

Hey thanks dude! How's your 2nd gen going? Lemme know if you need any help with figuring anything out--as I recall, your plan wasn't tooo far off from where mine ended up, except as a trans am instead of a formula, and a couple years later...

im still working on finding the car sadly. hoping to get something within the next month or to so i can get a start on it over the winter months. im sure once i find something ill be asking you a few questions, and posting everything on here for sure

[Young Gun]

congrats wes!

[Rybar]

Looks awesome, congrats on the completion.

[ProdigyCustoms]

Well, this will make that young man happy. i think he was hoping for 100HP less.

The cam package in the L76 motor impressed me and Mike Norris, 425HP and 400TQ! 25 to 30 more then I hoped for! Thanks to Mike Norris for the tune and cam help.

Wes, I told you all the surprises were good here!Enjoy the run

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wI8PNg0l9s

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

[srh3trinity]

That is a lot of power at the rear wheels. Especially for reliable and streetable power. The car turned out great. The Formula lines are so smooth without the flares and the fender vent. More refined and all the small details, paint and wheels combine to make for a very nice car.

[formula]

:rotfl::seizure::yeah::hail::git::usa::hail::yeah: :rotfl::crying::jawdrop:

That's pretty much the only way I can describe my thoughts.

I really was expecting around 330-350 at the wheels.

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

[cheapthrillz]

I guess I better start prepping for the funeral.....

[PT_79_TA_461]

is there an HP rating on the air ride air bar??

[ProdigyCustoms]

is there an HP rating on the air ride air bar??

We are no where nears its limits. Project EmptyNest makes north of 700HP and 800TQ and I have not hurt it yet.

[ProdigyCustoms]

We drove it around today, got the front end alighned, afterward a photographer came and shot some pics this evening. I was only able to steal a couple good shots, but not the best ones as the photographer is keeping those for other purposes. But you can see the car is stunning! Driving it around got all kinds of attention. Michael loves it, says he may need to shake it out for a couple months!

Actualy we are chasing a silly limp mode issue we are tuning out of it. Were going to drive the wheels off it and make sure it does not happen anymore. Part of the process. But I fully expect Wes to be kickin ass in his hometown this weekend!

Enjoy

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

[6'9"Witha69]

That looks sexy.

And I don't just say that to all the T/As.

[PT_79_TA_461]

We are no where nears its limits. Project EmptyNest makes north of 700HP and 800TQ and I have not hurt it yet.

ok thanks..very good to know....

[formula]

I take it as a HUGE compliment that the guys who drive cars like emptynest and prodigy and the bull run chevelle to work every day think my car's fun to drive, by the way.

[formula]

That looks sexy.

And I don't just say that to all the T/As.


If you're referencing what I think you're referencing...then bwaaahahahahahaha

[jackfrost]

easily the best looking late 2nd gen I've seen. great job to everybody involved!

[T_Raven]

Never thought a late 2nd gen formula could look so good

[PonchoJohn]

That's very nice! I love the 3/4 shots of it.
The one thing that stands out is the hoodscoops. I think it would integrate the scoops better if the raised portions of the hood had a gold stripe on them. It would extend the scoops and bring the whole color combo together- just me...

[formula]

That's very nice! I love the 3/4 shots of it.
The one thing that stands out is the hoodscoops. I think it would integrate the scoops better if the raised portions of the hood had a gold stripe on them. It would extend the scoops and bring the whole color combo together- just me...

I actually played with that idea, but I just couldn't get it to look right in photoshop. I'll try to find one of them later.

[brownz]

Frank or Wes, what engine mounts and headers did you use with the ls2? and what sub do you have stock?

Thanks
Brandon

[formula]

Frank or Wes, what engine mounts and headers did you use with the ls2? and what sub do you have stock?

Thanks
Brandon

Stock subframe, edelbrock mounts and headers.

[GM_muscle]

the car turned out killer but what i wana know is when will it be in the pages of hpp (highperformancepontiac) as two cars from this man have been in their. it would be worth the drive from charleston just to see this car.

[formula]

the car turned out killer but what i wana know is when will it be in the pages of hpp (highperformancepontiac) as two cars from this man have been in their. it would be worth the drive from charleston just to see this car.

If I ever come down your way with the car, I'll be sure to shoot you a pm! Try to make it easy on ya!

As for HPP, I would be really excited--insanely excited--downright mindblown actually-- if it happened...but they still don't tend to take too kindly to ls-based engines in classic metal. But who knows? Maybe since it rolled out of the factory with a chevy engine, I could talk them into this being less of a travesty than if I'd pulled a poncho out of it to do the swap.

[cdoggy81]

Man, she is sweeeet in deed, GREAT #'s too!
Couldn't get over there on Labor Day & it sux I have to be in Tampa this weekend & not Orlando... I'm dying to check out your ride!

[formula]

Man, she is sweeeet in deed, GREAT #'s too!
Couldn't get over there on Labor Day & it sux I have to be in Tampa this weekend & not Orlando... I'm dying to check out your ride!


well,
I know it's a heck of a drive, but you're always welcome to check it out... just say the word

[WS6]

I would have kept my subscription to GMHTP but got bored seeing fourth gens and C5/6s constantly. The one magazine that should be featuring these truly high tech GM cars won't touch them. So lame.

[LSXZ28]

Car turned out totally awesome! Love everything about it!

Did you guys get the limp mode straight? What tuning software are you using? If you need any help, you could email me the tune and I can look it over for you - I've tuned hundreds of LS cars/trucks... Send me a pm if you need any help.

Again, awesome car!

[ProdigyCustoms]

It seems to be fuel related. We have a external Wilbro 255 mounted near the bottom of the tank but sucking through the stock pick up (sock removed). I am concerned the pump is not capable of sucking for extended time. if that is true we may need to sump the tank or buy a sumped tank, UGH!In the meantime I am trying something with the return in a few minutes to rule out a return issue. The second I get this solved I can head to South Carolina.

Tell you one thing, it is fricken faster then I expected. Easy easy 11 second car, and I know one when I drive one.

[Throttle]

I have never been a huge fan of the 77 and later Firebirds, but I can honestly say that this car is pretty damn nice.. :thumbsup:

[formula]

well thank you sir! I take that as a great compliment--it's easy to make someone like a car they already like, but it's much harder to make someone like a car they're predisposed to be less-than-enthused about.

I just got off the phone with Frank--rerouting the way the fuel system was picking up just ain't cutting it, so, in typical prodigy go-hard-or-go-home style, the guys apparently split into two teams--one drove 100+ miles to the closest place they could get ahold of a new fuel tank, and the other went and drug the guy who runs the local hydraulic parts shop out of bed on a sunday morning and talked him into selling them the fittings they'd need to weld up a bottom-feeding sort of semi-sump setup onto the new tank once it arrived.

As if that weren't looney enough--Provided everything works OK after the swap is done, Frank is STILL planning on loading everything up and trailering the car 8+ hours to me TONIGHT.

These guys are crazy. The best kind of crazy, but crazy.

[LSXZ28]

Gotta love that kinda dedication to a plan! I know if I had the money, I'd ship my car down to them to be "done"... That's awesome!

[cheapthrillz]

DUDE THE BEAST IS BACK!!!!! Thanks Frank! Good to see you guys again! Your work is awesome and that car is no joke. I think I'm most impressed with the brakes.... and the L76! Its fast no DOUBT!

[BMF Machine]

Looks awsome! ProdigY builds are most SicK!

[formula]

It is indeed home. Frank and Mike were kind (insane?) enough to drive all night and showed up on my doorstep at 7am, we took it out for a shakedown run just to make sure that everything worked out ok, and boy it sure did. Couple little niggles and wiggles, but that's to be expected from doing anything this huge in one go.

I'm thinking about starting a new thread for where things go from here...hmmmm

[Neil B]

I love this car. Subtle, but with just enough modern cool factor.

[BuddyP]

I love thse wheels that are modern but have essence of the old.

[formula]

thank you guys--you both nailed just what I was trying to do with the car--enhance everything about it, without taking away from what pontiac made to begin with.

[HalfAssWhiteTrash]

That is soooo sickman. Your car is one of my favorites.

[Nuke1]

That has to be one of the nicest formulas i have ever seen, so very clean, nice car you have there!

[79-TA]

How did I not know about this thread (and all of the progress on your car) until today? Before, I had just checked out your PT garage page and thought your car was really nice.






But this is just pure win :eek::jawdrop::1st:

[srh3trinity]

I was hoping for a follow up post on how you like your Ridetech setup now that you have the car finished up and have had some seat time.

[GM_muscle]

whats next any more pontiac projects?

[formula]

How did I not know about this thread (and all of the progress on your car) until today? Before, I had just checked out your PT garage page and thought your car was really nice.






But this is just pure win :eek::jawdrop::1st:

haha I should have started a seperate build thread instead of just using this one, i think a lot of people missed it thinking it was just a brief shot. But thanks dude!!

[formula]

I was hoping for a follow up post on how you like your Ridetech setup now that you have the car finished up and have had some seat time.


I've had the ride tech in for, eh, going on 4 years now--that was part of all the work I did myself. I LUUURRRRVE it though--My family laughs at me because they never know whether my car is going to be completely slammed out or in full 4x4 mode or somewhere in between whenever it's parked.

From a ride-and handling standpoint, The tunability is just astounding--there's a lot of hysteresis around ride height, wherein small pressure changes have a much greater effect on ride quality than they do on height--I can jump it up to around 85psi on the back, then vary from around 78-92 with very little change in ride height, and then if I'm out on the highway I can drop even below that. Just the fact that I can sit in my car and vary my spring rate going down the road is pretty sick to me. Handling-wise, I've spent a lot of time tuning it, but recently have learned a lot about the functionality of springs vs shocks and compression vs rebound when it comes to which component should actually be tuned for body motion control, so I pretty much scrapped my tune and started over with a fresh slate--the car handled well before but rode too hard, now that things are closer to the way they should be I'm much closer to a firm, controlled feel.

I am jealous of cars like motiv8r that are using their new internal leveling system and generation 3 controller, though--may have to start saving up:)

[formula]

whats next any more pontiac projects?

Well, step 1 is to drive this thing like I stole it--planning to take it down to alabama to show my grandparents for thanksgiving, my grandpa would flip his lid over it. Then I'm gonna try to get some auto-x and hopefully road course time under my belt, get sharpened up on everything I learned in performance driving school. Beyond that, My dad's 911 is looking pretty stock whenever I park this beast next to it, and I think he's feeling some serious horsepower envy--gonna have to help him step things up a bit there. I'm also going to try to make my saab 900 daily driver into something a little less completely dorktastic and a little more cool.

Outside of that, back of my head I'm thinking about picking up an old blazer or c10 to drop my old engine into--my girlfriend has been dreaming of an old yellow truck with a bench seat to play with, might have to make it happen for her. I also have this "put an LS into something ridiculous" bug--thinking about like a bmw 2002 or 3rd gen rx7--but that's going to be wayyyyy down the road, maybe when Cheapthrillz and I open our shop someday. I'd also like to do a 3rd gen TA vert--I love those cars--and maybe a fourth gen, stripped out and with a pontiac 400 in it, just so that I've pissed off both ends of the spectrum equally!

In addition to those...cruising on ebay today, this is just SCREAMING at me! http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/pontiac-firebird-formula-convertible_W0QQitemZ200396833741QQcmdZViewItemQQp tZUS_Cars_Trucks?hash=item2ea89503cd

For the time being, I'm too focused on getting my doctorate to start another big project! This one has already taken me the majority of a decade, and getting this far has just opened up a whole new can of things I'd like to do to it--THEY'RE NEVER FINISHED!!

[formula]

As for the next steps with my darling formula, I've got some fun news and some different detail things to consider.

First, another HUGE thank you goes out to Prodigy Customs--I talked to Frank recently and he is going to take the logo design I whipped up and turn it into a set of Wegner valve covers for me. So why such a huge thank you? "I'd be proud to cover the cost for you", he says to me, "Happy birthday".

So, I'm gonna get a set of Katech coil relo brackets and get them down to Wegner so they can mod the covers to accept them.

Here's the logo, in case you missed it:

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/10/prodigyformulabkgrnd-1.jpg

Frank, as always, you're :1st:!

Beyond that, I'm also thinking about getting some billet door sill panels made up with this logo, kinda modeled after the "Body by Fisher" logos originally on the car--whatcha guys think? This isn't final--I'm not necessarily sold on the body by font, either.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/10/BodyByProdigy-1.jpg


From there, I'm trying to figure out the best way to upgrade the headlights and taillights, then I gotta get ahold of the pinstripes for the hood scoops and the PONTIAC logo for the front left grille...

[cheapthrillz]

Did you see these? https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/showthread.php?p=592198#post592198

[formula]

so key--those look great--you da man, man!

[cheapthrillz]

I'd talk to them and see if they can section the grooving in the middle of the plate so that you can come back and color engrave the logo.....

[formula]

I was thinking the reverse on coloration...and maybe put the emblem on the back edge, like the stockers. But yeah I concur :)

[srh3trinity]

You need to buy that Formula vert and stash it away for a later date.

[PT_79_TA_461]

do you have any good pics of the rear suspension build up on this site??? im looking into getting the same setup.....

[ProdigyCustoms]

Actually the owner Wes installed the rear suspension some years ago. hw might have a pic or 2. We sell quite a bit of it, really good stuff

[formula]

Well it's time for an update--I had the chance to get the bird out to PSMC and RTTH this past year and am just nuts about the new engine--it's got power, then more power, then more power, and then it really kicks in. Frank's cam grind is astounding--and I'm only at the 500 mark, I can't imagine how you guys with 7,8,9,10,11,1200 hp keep out of the bushes.

I've been concentrating on getting my masters in automotive engineering at Clemson, but now that I'm through with classes I'm finding more and more time to play with the bird.

--I swapped in Mark Savitske's SPC uppers and tall ball joints in hopes of improving static and dynamic camber with great success
--I'm adding Dave at pro-touring f-body's rear swaybar
--a couple wheel spacers will hopefully help my rear tire rubbing issue
--I picked up an SPC camber/caster gauge so I'll hopefully get to play with my alignment a lot more this year
--I switched to some Wegner valve covers and coil relocation brackets so that I could more easily run a dual set of mike norris' catch cans to fix my pcv issue
--working on getting a vaperworx tank on the way to fix my fuel stutter issue

all in all, getting all of the bugs shaken out has been some of the most fun headaches I've ever had.

I'm REALLY excited because, as a part of my masters program, I've been able to secure an internship in the P-T industry! I don't want to jinx anything by announcing before all of the details are ironed out and I'm settled in (I already blew the head gasket on my DD when I told my extended family so I'm not taking any more chances!), but if everything goes well you'll be seeing me at a LOT more events this year and there may even be some BIG changes in store for the old birdy.

I know, I know, This post is 100% worthless without pics--but I'm actually working on repairing my laptop right now so I can't get to any pics! I'll add them asap.

speaking of worthless without pics--i just noticed that a ton of my links are broken! I'll work on fixing those too.

[LeighP]

Wes....thats great news for you...congratulations.

[cdoggy81]

That's great Wes. Let us know how everything turns out.

[formula]

Alright all of the links should be fixed for the pics now, but we need NEW pics.

Here's a crap shot of the new covers and coil relos--my camera is misbehaving. I'm very happy with the look, I think it ties the engine in better with the rest of the car.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/01/DSC07808-1.jpg

a better shot of the logo in place
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/01/102_3971-1.jpg

and some shots from the fun times I've had this year...

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/01/20100919755-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/01/20100919754-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/01/20100919693-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/01/why_rear_sway-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/01/Picture029-1.jpg

I think I'll wait until tomorrow to talk about the internship so that I have 2 days to recover from whatever disaster occurs when I finally tell you guys

--Told my family: my DD blew up
--Told some friends: Almost lost my apartment
--Tell you guys: Apocalypse?!

[LeighP]

Damn, your car always looks good....I like those Prodigy covers.

[wellis77]

That last pic of your car is hot Wes! I'm sure it's aired out but it looks great. Sure wish I had my '77 back... Looking forward to hearing about the internship.

[cdoggy81]

Sorry to hear about your DD. Nice covers & car pics though.
Do you have any more interior pics showing how the seats fit & how it all turned out?

[WS6]

I bet I know where you'll be working but I'll keep my guess to myself. Congrats on the job and yes, the coils look great relocated to their present location.

[formula]

Well heck, I feel like now we should have a round of guesses before I let the cat out of the bag...but forget that.

I'm literally bursting to pride to announce that I have been blessed with the opportunity to be part of the Detroit Speed and Engineering team for the next 6 months. I met Kyle and Stacy Tucker at SEMA and explained to them that I was looking for internship opportunities to finish my masters degree, and they were kind enough to help me get up to Mooresville and jump on board. I'll be helping them literally anywhere that I can, from the machine shop to manufacturing to assembly to engineering to new product development to quality control to sales and marketing to fabrication...you name it. I even do windows.

Kyle, Stacy, and their whole staff have given me the warmest welcome of my life, and I'm already having more fun working with these ladies and gentleman than I've had in years. DSE is growing bigtime and has a lot of sick new parts on the way, so I'm hoping that in exchange for their kindness I will be able to help support them with my skills as they continue to push our hobby forward in new, crazy ways. It's like being a kid in the world's most awesome candy store!

[cdoggy81]

Nice & congrats! You will be working for 2 of the nicest & smartest people in the industry!!!

[tazzz25906112]

That is great news Wes Congratulations buddy.....
BTW this is just another example of how positive and classy the DSE crew is,, and again how they positively impact our sport every day.... ^5 to both Wes and the DSE crew...

[WS6]

lol I guessed right. Congrats Wes.

[formula]

Thanks guys!! I'm still having a blast, and after seeing the work that goes into DSE's parts, I'm never buying anything else again. Every. Single. Part. that comes out the door is engineered and tested to a level that I don't believe anybody else in the aftermarket can match. I've already started trying to figure out how I can swap my current suspension setup out for DSE parts.

[WS6]

dang it. Don't tell me that, lol. Ok maybe you should. I'm still on the fence about whether or not I want to go DSE with my TA. It has nothing to do with the quality and everything to do with me being cheap and not know if I actually NEED their parts. I'll have the money but do I want to spend it. We'll see what tomorrow brings.

[LeighP]

Awesome, Wes....talk about a stellar oportunity. Way to go!

[ProdigyCustoms]

WOW! that is really awesome Wes. DSE is one of the best companies in the industry. When I grow up I want to be just like them.

Good for you man.

[protouring70]

Way to go Wes!!!!

[bonecrrusher]

Wes - clean out your PM's.... lol.

[srh3trinity]

Congrats on the new gig. That sounds like a lot of forum members dream job. If you do go with DSE setup, I might be interested in take off parts minus the bags. I have been wanting a G-bar or something along those lines, but I want coilovers. Keep me in mind if you do go a different route.

[cheapthrillz]

Wes.... take the bird to mooresville....

then I could use your bay to actually get something done on my car!

[formula]

Thank you guys so much! I owe a debt of gratitude to all of the great friends I've made through P-T.com.

Frank, you especially have been a fantastic friend and have opened doors to me that I could have never opened on my own. I hope I can pay you back some day!

JC, Don't tell Kyle but I'm taking notes every day for when we open our shop. Go push the van out and get the gal in there--you know my parents would love it.

[musclecarmatt]

dang wes...didnt know you had a build thread...nice...maybe one day get to ride in the bird!

[Manbearpig]

Awesome build man. Absolutely love your car!

[redfire69]

Great build! Not sure if I missed it but what size brakes are you running?

[tcronkright]

Great build and sounds like an awesome opportunity to work for a great company. No doubt, DSE is the leader in their field. Are you going to bring the car to Good Guys Columbus in July?

[formula]

Great build! Not sure if I missed it but what size brakes are you running?

Currently wilwood 13.5"/6 piston fronts, 12.5"/4 piston rears, with a wilwood master and hydroboost. The brakes are too good for the boost, working on how to make initial bite less agressive.

I don't make the year cut-off for goodguys events....hate it but I am pretty much stuck to pro-touring events.

I've been working hard on getting a new daily driver as my saab died, hopefully that will all be sorted this week and I'll be able to get the bird up to mooresville next weekend. After that, in the words of doc brown....you're gonna see some serious sh*t.

[Manbearpig]

Whats your front suspension setup?

[formula]

SPC uppers, ridetech lowers, shockwave double adjustables, ridetech ARB, flaming river box, moog steering gear.

[79TA97TT]

Those wheels look Great! Just ordered some today from Yr. One For my 79 T/A Bandit but in Gold...I wish i didn't have to wait so long to get them :( But those wheels make ur car!!

[WS6]

He has Forgeline rims on that car. Have a build thread for your car? We can't have too many 2nd gens on this site.