1989 Formula Firebird

[JohnUlaszek]

As seen in GM High Tech Performance as "Project Snowball".

LT1 (Hot Cam kit)
EFI Connection 24x LS1 engine management
T5 Transmission rebuilt by Monster Transmission
Budnik 18x9.5 F/R
Toyo 888's 275/35-18 F/R
14" Baer 6S Front/13"Baer PBR's Rear
All the usual third-gen suspension upgrades
Detroit Speed Steering Gear Turn One P/S Pump
Sparco Evo Plus2 seats
ISIS Multiplex Power Cells and wiring
S&W Roll Bar
Schroth Enduro Six Point Harness
Vintage Air Gen IV Magnum
STACK 8100
ISIS Multiplex System



This is a pro-touring build inspired by the 91-92 SLP Firehawk.

Originally supposed to be a quick LT1 swap, but a bunch of hidden rust and other projects kept getting in the way. It's been a good source of technical articles, but the plan is to get it back on the road this summer.

[JohnUlaszek]

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[JohnUlaszek]

Currently wrapping up a Six Point Schroth belt install with help from Joe Marko at HMS Motorsports.

Since the third-gens have such bizarre floor pans and low rooflines I fabricated a Detroit Speed style crossmember to make room for the seats and a custom adapter brackets to optimize belt routing. The complete story will be in an upcoming issue of GM High Tech Performance.

The adapter bracket still needs a bit of gusseting and the sub strap cross member, but it's pretty close to complete.

[94SNGLTURBO]

i love those wheels..

[68firebird]

i love those wheels..

X2

[WS6]

This build was always one of my favorites. I wondered what had happened to it. I'm glad you still have it and are working on it. Good luck.

Snowball is an excellent name

[Motown 454]

Nice project! Those are some sweet wheels.

[JohnUlaszek]

The Budnik GTX really works well on a third-gen. Just the right amount of bling without overdoing it.

[srh3trinity]

Great build and I am sure I sound like a broken record, but those wheels are nice!

[1971CHEVELLE]

Nice project.......Awesome wheels

[JohnUlaszek]

Full story in an upcoming issue of GM High Tech Performance.

[hefs72]

Looks good finally done. I can tell everyone on here you put alot of hours in on those seat brackets I know because I had to hear about it everyday for the last cople of weeks. LOL
It turned out really good I know it was alot of work but it was worth it now that you can stand back and look at it complete. Not to many people would go to that detail to get the seats to sit where they should be. Good Job your getting pretty handy with a MIG Gun.

[parsonsj]

Yeah, those brackets generated a lot of automotive art, lol.



The final result seems like it was worth it though.

jp

[JohnUlaszek]

Yeah, those brackets generated a lot of automotive art, lol.

Learned from the best....

[ProdigyCustoms]

Maybe he could make us a set? We need all the help we can get!

I like these car. Bought Lisa a Formula 350 brand new. Chose it over the GTA. Like the clean lines much better. And a little quicker then the fatter / heavier big brother GTA

This thing is going to be cool.

[JohnUlaszek]

Started figuring out the space claim requirements for the Vintage Air today. I love that I can throw away all of the vacuum actuators and the cable actuated controller -- what a mess.
The attached photo is the Vintage Air mock-up unit.

[JohnUlaszek]

Seat Time

[JohnUlaszek]

I stopped in at ISIS last week and spent a couple of hours with Jay Harris asking questions about the ISIS system for an upcoming GM High Tech Performance story. The Firebird is getting the full ISIS treatment and will likely have Iphone integration, push button start and maybe the touch screen display. The ISIS system will essentially be "software" for the car allowing all kinds of cool stuff. Since I have never wired a car I am really excited to get started on this one.
The attached photo is of an ISIS power cell getting bench tested before shipment, what's not shown is the massive bank of resistors that ISIS uses to fully load the unit.

[formula]

Oh wow i'm really looking forward to a full mag-style walkthrough on the Isis. Thanks for taking the time to make it happen!

[JohnUlaszek]

I'm having a lot of fun learning about how the ISIS system integrates, there's some cool challenges and real benefits from what I can see so far.