68 firebird - One day at a time.

[btbob]

So many years ago I found a 68 firebird and fell in love instantly. I've always had a thing for the old pontiacs and the first gen firebirds were my favorites. At the time I was going to be unavailable for a few years due to my willful internment in a certain educational institution on the Hudson river. I was fully aware that it would be a while before I had the opportunity to do a complete restoration. Cool.

I graduated and started my new job immediately, with a string of training and entirely too much of my life spend in Dahlonega Ga. I finally got to my first duty station and moved into my apartment that conveniently had been a barn in a previous life. Convenient? Yeah, the garage and living room were the same space. Awesome. I'll try to track down some pictures. Before I could even start my tear down of the car I found out I was taking a business trip to scenic afghanistan. Before I left I noticed some bubbling of the paint on the rear quarter and around the windshield. I decided to blast the car to see how far I could get before I left.

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

Really? Who shoves brillo pad into a hole and bondos over it? Cretins. It's going to take more than a terrible body to shut down this. I now have to find a body shop that I can trust. After asking around I find a shop in Texas to repair the body and deploy to Afghanistan. During the trip I was pretty out of the loop and only able to talk to my family once a month at some points. I get back from my sojourn in the mountains and find out nothing has been done to my car. I have a few days after I get off the plane before I go try out for my new gig. My dad and I load the car on a trailer and carry it to a new body shop in Mississippi. These guys are a little slower, but they do work. This Is what I get from them.

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


And my dad picking it up.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
I'm not great about taking pictures but what's been done so far:
4 point disc brakes from The Right Stuff
Solid subframe bushings
Weld in Subframe connectors
FAST EZ-EFI
Rick's Stainless EFI tank
Hotchkiss drop springs and adjustable QA-1s out back
Shaved Drip rails, antena and rear quarters
One of Randy's spoilers
Vintage Air
Ultra-light gauges
Anvil Gauge panel
Push to start/ security system ( drives me to near homicide pretty regularly)
DSE bright driver Headlights
DSE Wiper motor

As you can see from the pictures the car is riding too low. It's running stock control arms with no guldstrand and cut stock springs up front. I have a set of Speedtech control arms, QA-1 coilovers, and a hotchkis sway bar that I'm going to start installing this weekend. I'm hoping that that'll fix my rubbing problems and I'm prepared to raise the ride height. I don't want to lose the look I've got but handling and drivability are what I care about right now.

I dont plan on converting to LS. The old pontiac is awesome. I'm open to aluminum cylinder heads and some other stuff to modernize it a little, but the car will remain all pontiac.

I'll figure out where I want to take this as a next step, but as the thread title says I'm definitely doing this one day at a time.

[btbob]

Searching through my computer for more pictures.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gifhttps://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gifhttps://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gifhttps://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gifhttps://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[spoilersbyrandy]

Wow! your car is really looking good. I like it.

[AusMarty]

Wow.

That looks awesome.
Glad you found a good body shop. :-D

[btbob]

Wow! your car is really looking good. I like it.

Randy: The Spoiler looks great. I'll get around to getting some better pictures of it. I couldn't find any that I really liked and then we bolted up yours. Problem Solved, Problem staying solved.

[btbob]

Wow.

That looks awesome.
Glad you found a good body shop. :-D

Marty: Yeah, good body shops are pretty hard to find. It's made worse by the fact that body work is literally the only part of this that I don't really have any experience with, and compounded by how little free time I've had these past few years. Even now I'm in language school for 6 hours a day and work out for 2 or 3. Would have rather done the body work myself, but had to outsource.

If anybody in mississippi is looking for a body shop I'll PM you these guys info. They build some gorgeous cars.

[rickpaw]

Nice looking bird. How do you like the FAST EFI? did you have a carb set up before? I'm looking to save some $$$ for an EFI system to put onto my Pontiac 400.

[btbob]

Nice looking bird. How do you like the FAST EFI? did you have a carb set up before? I'm looking to save some $$$ for an EFI system to put onto my Pontiac 400.

BLUFF: I'm a huge fan.

I've never been the best at tuning carbs. Good, but not great. The intent was for the car to be a daily drive and EFI gives me a lot more reliability. I've only been running this for a little while as I just got it back from the body shop and have been doing my best to work on it around the rest of life.

Positives:
Starts up every time ( assuming the push to start/ security systems cooperate).
With the software update it maintains RPM very smoothly and has been getting even better.

Things to consider:
I'm running an Aeromotive regulator and Ricks tank to keep fuel pressure as perfect as possible, don't know if it's necessary but it certainly keeps everything running smoothly. The FAST setup needs a clean tach signal but I had planned on updating to an MSD setup anyway. It doesn't have the data logging or range of adjustments that some setups offer.

If it fits your requirements it's a great system and I've been really satisfied thus far.

I've got about a thousand questions about the gear vendors units so I'll be hitting you up soon.

[68firebird]

Looks awesome!!! Great job. I like that front chin spoiler too!

[btbob]

Not much in the way of updates. Life intervened and I wasn't able to swap out the front suspension. Did install the Digi-Tails and spent the rest of my morning troubleshooting the electrical demons that keep plaguing me. Push to start works flawlessly after finding a loose grounding wire. Just have to sort though all of the wiring for the modo door kit so I can actually lock this beast. The local area isnt somewhere I would park without working door locks.... or even drive around.

Did manage to get a family picture though: https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/194/photo2aed.jpg/)

[btbob]

Thought I'd get a lot further on this today. Managed to get the old control arms off and and got the top control arm on drivers side. Anyone else have trouble getting speedtech lower control arms to fit? Pretty much had to make new bushings to get them to fit. Just curious if there is a better solution.

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

Using a friend's driveway. His wife is thrilled. If she didn't want this to happen she shouldn't have let him buy all of those sweet air tools. Really if you think about it, this is her fault.

[72blackbird]

Bob,
Nice work on the 68 Bird- nice to see that I'm not the only one who knows a well built Pontiac V-8 works well and doesn't need replacement.

Geno

[instro84]

nice, which wheels do you have i like those.

[btbob]

72BB: Exactly. Originally made that decision because I didnt want to go through the pain of a full LSX swap. However, as I continue to refine the engine and transmission I dont think I could run anything else. Could stroke it to 461 though :naughty:.

Instro: Those are the Rushforth Night Trains. I love the look and they're absurdly well made. I like the way they look as a 18 inch wheel better, but the 17's fit my purpose better.

Forgot to mention:

Did manage to sort out the Driver's turn signal. It seem like every electrical problem I have is a poor ground somewhere. As soon as it's back on all 4 I'll figure out the door locks.

[68400BIRD]

I ran a full threaded stud into the lower control arm mounting points with two heavy washers and nuts. I then spread the lower mounting points out so the lower control arms would just slip in.

[btbob]

I ran a full threaded stud into the lower control arm mounting points with two heavy washers and nuts. I then spread the lower mounting points out so the lower control arms would just slip in.

Totally worked. Got the Lower control arm on with the included bushings (whew). Hurricane Sandy is shutting me down for the night. Try to finish up tomorrow. As usual no pictures because it was pretty dark by the time I finished.

[67speedfreak]

Nice ride man ! Gotta love Black !

[diesel25lrs]

Bob, love the bird! I'm guessing your in NC now?

[btbob]

Speedfreak: Thanks man! One of these days I'll tick through my to-do list to where it says speakers at rear package tray. I'll hit you up.

Diesel: Yeah man. Where you at?

[diesel25lrs]

Same-FBNC

[btbob]

Same-FBNC

Sweet. We're going to have to meet up sometime. I'd kill to get a look at your ride.

[diesel25lrs]

Yeah man! Would love to see yours as well! There are a few of us PT'ers in the area

[Smock67]

Nice lookin bird you have there. Im usually dont like chrome wheels, but damn those Rushforths look great with black. Stay safe during Sandy

[67speedfreak]

Speedfreak: Thanks man! One of these days I'll tick through my to-do list to where it says speakers at rear package tray. I'll hit you up.

Diesel: Yeah man. Where you at?


:twothumbs

[btbob]

Update:

First off I have no pictures because I forgot. My bad. \

Got the Shiftworks shifter installed and had to rig up a shift boot replacement for the original console. Had a local machine shop make a aluminum boot ring and then had it painted to match.

Got the Speedtech control arms and QA-1 coil-overs on. Replaced the heavy Hellwig sway bar with a Hotchkis hollow one that I had laying around. Got around to trying to put on the Baer trackers and I realized that the one shipped by the vendor is for a G-body and it's not going to work. That wouldn't even slow me down except I obliterated the old ones on pulling them off. So now I'm waiting for the ones I had overnighted to actually get here. As soon as that happens I'll set the ride height a rough alignment until I can get it to a neighbors alignment shop.

All O.K.
الحياة جيدة


Forgot to add:

-The next step for this is to finally get around to hydroboost ( I have no vacuum). I'm getting around to ordering the parts this week, but I'm going to wait til next weekend to install. Bombed a quiz today as a direct result of not studying or sleeping due to working on this. Priorities and all that.

[CliffS]

Awesome Bird, love the blacked out window trim on black paint

[btbob]

Awesome Bird, love the blacked out window trim on black paint

Thanks! Yeah, the matching trim and the shaved drip rails had a much bigger visual impact than I expected.

Very cool to hear from you on this thread! When I got mine I had pictures of yours for inspiration.

[CliffS]

Good to read my car gave you some inspiration! Yours turned out very sweet.

[btbob]

Okay, after some delays I finally have made some more progress. Hydroboost came ( Thanks Matt!) but I haven't been able to install it yet due to delays.

Ended up rewiring nearly the entire car. License plate light works now, as do the guage lights and the power door locks. No pictures because it would be extra lame to post a bunch of pictures of me upside down under my dash soldering and heat shrinking stuff.

The info in here is awesome btw http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rbracing-rsr.com%2Fwiring_ecu.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHXVTijgKgEtX9VKfV_G5NEAUmp0w

Someone tried to break into my car when I left it parked overnight outside of a friends house, so I had to replace the drivers side door lock, latch mechanism, and handle button. Luckily he didnt scratch my paint or break any glass. It took a minute for the alarm to wake me up but I think he didn't even make it to the point where he could get confused with the RFID/ push button system.

While the door panels were off I brushed on lizard skin to the interior door skins and the inside of the kick panels. I also got the modo innovation pedals installed and put on a windshield wiper knob that doesn't look like I made it out of epoxy.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/819/photo2kln.jpg/)

[lugocc2001]

What size rims and tires do are u running and is it mini tubbed...?

[btbob]

I'm running 17x8 with 4.25 bs up front and 17x 9.5 with 5.5 bs out back. I'll have to check tire size when I get home. I'm running a 3 inch drop all around with no mini-tub. Never had a rubbing issue out back. had some minor issues up front so I raised it about a half inch. Wouldn't be necessary if I didn't treat speed bumps like a challenge.

[btbob]

Was going to make a test run today, but realized that all of the tranny fluid decided that the TH-350 wasn't the cool place to be. Fine. I guess I'm changing the seal, filter and fluid.

Here are the LED tail lights and LED License plate light.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/255/photo3zea.jpg/)

Never been a big fan of consoles so a custom shift boot ring was drawn up on solid works, sent to a local machine shop and then painted to match the car. Shift boot is a lokar piece. I promise I'm going to clean this thing soon. Probably.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif


A shot with the pedals, Anvil center dash and push to start.

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

By friday the rest of the interior will be back together, I'll have a new pan gasket on the transmision and can get back to some shake-down runs. Hydroboost install starts Saturday.

[68FBODY]

Love your car! Hopefully finishing up my 68' firebird within the next few months.

[btbob]

Thanks man. The more firebirds on the roads the better.

Hows yours been coming? I saw where you were replacing the body panels. Any updates since?

[68400BIRD]

Very nice car, keep the pics and updates coming.
I agree the more Birds on the roads the better.

[ho428]

I like it.
Nice Bird.

[btbob]

Thanks All.

Finally replaced all the seals on the tranny. Every time I turn around it seems like this thing needs some more TLC. That overdrive transmission might happen sooner rather than later.


Tried out a Sparco and a NRG steering wheel. Didn't care for either so until I find something else I'm rolling stock. I might just see if I can score some Alcantera and wrap it. Did finally finishing making the steering wheel center/ carbon fiber horn button. Cool little piece that most people wouldn't even notice.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/268/photo4copya.jpg/)

I seriously need to learn to take better pictures. Maybe even a class or something.

You can kind of see the LED under dash lighting through the flash. I did the same with the dome light, but it doesn't really show up on photos.

[btbob]

Spent about 4 hours driving it today. Just continuing to adjust the suspension and try to get it to where I want. Running 5 degrees positive caster and .5 negative camber at 1/8'' toe in. The thing handles like a dream. Spent most of the afternoon adjusting the QA1s to dampen how I want. I'm running 550 springs up front and 125 Z/28 springs out back. Really happy with those spring rates.

How the heck do I post a youtube of driving this thing?

http://youtu.be/HuOw9UytB6A

After 4 hours of driving I overheated a mile from the house. :hand:
Got a video of my buddy's Bronco monster truck towing me back to the garage.

I have to troubleshoot the electrical system too. Voltmeter is showing I only have 9 volts when I try to start it right now. Never had a problem with this before. Weird.

[btbob]

Alright, this thing being a daily driver just got pushed back a little more. After I overheated I changed all of the fluids just to be safe. When I pulled the transmission pan there was a bunch of metal shavings in the bottom. I then had a beer. Alright I had a couple of beers.

The plan was always to swap in an overdrive transmission so I guess that's happening soon. Friend hooked me up with a local shop and I talked to them today. The plan is to swap out the limping TH350 for a 700R4. The driveshaft will be turned down at a local machine shop. Wont see allot of updates or any road time until I can make time and cash for this.

In the mean time I'm going to keep trying to bulletproof my cooling system and troubleshooting some the electrical demons that are still plaguing me.

Did get the Cabin fire extinguisher installed. So, I've got that going for me. Which is nice.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/703/photo4ve.jpg/)

[btbob]

So, work has kept me out of the loop for a minute. Updates will follow as I can.

Thus far, a lot has been done to the cooling system including a new be cool radiator.

Most importantly is new tranny. Swapped the tired old TH350 for a 200R-4.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/854/photo13rl.jpg/)

Still tuning and most importantly searching for that damned electrical demon that keeps the Optima in the trunk from charging. Still haven't managed to figure that one out. I've done more to the car but it'll have to wait for the pictures.

[Buryingthesun]

Mint

[btbob]

Mint

Thanks man.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/827/photo15nt.jpg/)


Had to get the exhaust rebuilt around the new transmission and crossmember. No worries as I had plenty of 2.5 inch around.

This thing is really piecing together now. I had a absolute blast driving it to the exhaust shop, so much so that I killed 4 hours and tank of gas afterwards. Awesome.

Should have my newly modified KRE heads back in a day or so. After tuning suspension and brakes for so long it's going to feel great to up the power to match. It already pulls great and I really dig the throttle response from the FAST setup, cant wait to see how it does with this latest round of mods.

[68firebird]

I'm jealous! Lol, looks great dude!!!!

[btbob]

Been crazy busy with work. Spent 9 of the last 10 weeks out of the loop. But, still making progress. Teaser shots of what I've been up too.

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

New pieces of the puzzle from KRE, Wilwood, Hydratech, and BeCool. Still fabricating the fan brackets and then that'll get wired up. I know how dirty the engine bay is. One thing at a time.

Noticed some tire rub in the rear from where the axle is shifting laterally during hard cornering. The next step will be to start figuring how to solve that. Watts link possibly? After that will be working on shedding some weight. Regardless, I want some track time as soon as possible.

[diesel25lrs]

Looking good Bob! Keep an eye out for RTTHs registration-its in mid sept. will be a few of us driving over from the area! Great track time & great like minded people to hang out with! Shoot me a text & we'll get the cousins together for a cruise in a few weeks!
Josh

[Pontiac Chris]

Beautiful Firebird Bob, that 400 ought to run pretty good with those Kauffman heads, love the build, will be following along as I plan to get some weight out of mine and hope to go EZ Efi or Holley Terminator EFI in the next year or so.

Chris.

[btbob]

Ok, So finally got the fan brackets on. Turned out it was just easier to order the right ones from Becool rather than to fabricate.https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://imageshack.com/i/170xw8j/)

I pulled the Vintage Air setup. https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://imageshack.com/i/n433u9j/)
never even charged it, so don't really miss it. This thing is getting back to its streetfighter roots. I'll throw the Vintage air setup on the classifieds sometime soon. It'll be a good setup for somebody else. I just don't see it going back on my car.

The new cylinder heads woke this thing up. This thing runs like a raped ape. I'm still rocking the highway gears in the rear end so thats about to get swapped out. Still trying to figure out what gear ratio I want to run with.

Hydroboost is unreal. Stopping is like throwing out an anchor and the pedal feel is amazing.

I'm still trying to find ways to lose some weight and keep pushing this thing harder. If Anvil would start making more stuff for the first gen firebirds that'd save me some trouble. Also working on getting Aero a little better. Is anyone running on of these http://undercoverinnovations.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=30&products_id=123 ? I have one that I have to fit and install this week and was wondering if anyone had any tips.

All in all its getting there. Pretty happy with how this thing has been evolving.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://imageshack.com/i/f6gbnbj/)

This thing is still being daily driven as I work on it. I built it to drive it.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://imageshack.com/i/5sgkujj/)

[rickpaw]

Car looks great. Let us know how the closeout installation goes. I have a fiberglass reproduction piece, but been thinking about making one out of metal and extend it back to the frame cross member.

[Tom Welch]

I have a closeout panel from Under Cover Innovations and I test fitted mine to the subframe and it fit very well. I'm still putting mine together so my front end is currently disassembled. At first it seemed that it was too big to fit right, but that was not the case. I think it will do a lot more than the factory air dam that my car came with.