Upgrade of a Firebird -68

[RamAir]

This is my project, a Firebird 68. I needed to replace the old 400 RamAir III engine and after some thinking I decided to go with a LQ9 (LS2 with Iron block)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/12/1b-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/12/DSC_0577-1.jpg
The two things that was difficult was the headers that I made and the harness. I decide to make a new harness so it was possible to stash the PCM.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/12/5-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/12/4b-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/12/P3210025-1.jpg

[RamAir]

I also made a new electric system for the car so it could handle all new function that is going with the new engine. All cables was marked with shrink tubes labels.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/12/9-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/12/11b-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/12/10-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/12/11-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/12/12-1.jpg

[Omnivec]

Ok it had the old motor and now it has new motor. Nice thread

[RamAir]

When this was done it was time to work with the suspension. I like the DSE suspension but it is rather expensive when you have to send the parts to sweden. So I made my own.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/12/13-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/12/14-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/12/19-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/12/20-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/12/16-1.jpg

[RamAir]

The suspension is a copy of the DSE but with some minor changes, like the possibility to adjust ride height.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/12/P1070059-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/12/P1130087-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/12/18-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/12/23-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/12/22-1.jpg

[RamAir]

With better suspension I want larger tires so I mini tubbed the car. This was done with excelent DSE part. I also narrowed the rear end, the moser axels are from the Buick GN -87. I withdrawed 100 mm from the housing.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/12/27-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/12/28-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/12/29-1.jpg

Checking the straightness with laser, it was not straight after the welding. It is now.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/12/IMG_1653-1.jpg

[RamAir]

This is the result. Next thing will be to change to better tires, will go with the VW V48/Michelin PS2 335/35-17.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/12/IMG_1685-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/12/IMG_1692-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/12/31-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/12/IMG_0022-1.jpg

[rohrt]

WOW! Nice fab work on the rear suspension. Did you have someone cut those with a flow jet? I have never seen the laser trick on the rear.

[dmc69]

awesome work on the rear end!

[RamAir]

No, it is cut with a power jig saw and hole saw. It works excelent but time consuming. I like to do everything by my self.
The best way to check straightness is of course by using a straight bar but then you have to remove the diff. I did not have the time to do so. There is a little dish in the end of the axel shaft that makes it possible to check the straightness in the center of the axelhousing. Then I checked the straightness at the end of the housing.

[RamAir]

Here some more photos from the fab of the rear suspension. Just before the winter arrived here in stockholm I changed the UCA and LCA. I am now runing Poly bushing from AM instead of Uniballs. Did not like Uniballs.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/12/P1100074-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/12/IMG_1563-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/12/IMG_1566-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/12/IMG_1584-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/12/IMG_0034-1.jpg

[RamAir]

I did not mention that I started the suspension work with a complete drawing so it was posible to simulate the function. This was the final drawing.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/12/RearSuspensionFirebirdV4-1.jpg

[bonecrrusher]

Wow - hand made suspension parts - love it!

[T_Raven]

I like how you used the laser to check the housing, I've seen the bars and bushings for sale around $500 but I figured it could be done with a laser like you did it.

[69face]

great job!

[berres]

Wonderful car, amazing job! Looking forward to some updates :)

[Hunter68]

very nice fab work!

[LeighP]

Wow, great home fabrication skills....very nice work!
I like that idea of the electrical centre.

[Ripper]

Dammit! I thought I was going to have the most badass Firebird in Sweden, haha!
But now, there's obviously some competiton showing up.

Great build! Gotta have alot of patience if you're using holesaws - I draw my parts and then have them laser cut instead... I like to build cars using white gloves, haha. ;)

(didn't realise you were swedish until I was the text "UPP" on the sheet metal)

BTW, where did you get the electrical parts? Really nice relähållare you've build there. :)

[RamAir]

Competition is always fun ... I agree that I should use laser o water cutting, next time... I have all the drawings on the computer.
The nice relay holders are from Hella and you can buy the from Mekonomen in sweden. The electric system are now located in the glowbox and the relay can easy be replaced if they fail. All other parts in the electric central unit are from the swedish wholesaler ELFA. I will send some new photos when I have the new wheels (Vintage Works V48). I will also upgrade the brakes during the forthcoming winter,
it will be be Kore3 C6.

[CliffS]

awesome fab work!

[RamAir]

So, the summer is over and time start some work on the car. Better brakes are mandatory on a PT car so to day a new Master cylinder/Brake booster from DSE arrived. I will go with the Kore3 C6 brakes but I cant decide if I should invest my money on the AFX-spindle. Help me with the decision, are they as good as some people say.