1969 Firebird Pro Touring build

[69Goat]

Very nice car. Keep up the great work.

[clueless69bird]

Quick update. I actually took the car for a drive. I had to keep one foot on the brake and rev up the engine because every time I put it in gear, it would die. I know it's a tuning issue so I plan to get a tune done next month. But I went super slow (25) around the block. I just wanted to make sure I didn't have any leaks and everything would work properly. I need to get the front and rear window put in soon.

I bought the 2go kit from digital guard dawg so I had to get power doors. I got one door done and put together with the door panels.

[camarodude87]

Well I took my back seats out today and long story short I took out everything to find a mess. You should see my trans tunnel. I will be asking you a bunch of questions. Been watching videos and I might end up doing my own mini tub if I can do the floor and trans tunnel. I have mentioned before. Your build pumps me up and motives the **** out of me lol

[clueless69bird]

Well I started driving my car around. Pulled my car out the garage last week and heard a clicking sound coming from the engine compartment. I revved the motor and the clicking got really loud and sounded like it was coming from the passenger side. I put the car back in the garage and started to check everything. The rockers weren't loose and rods weren't bent. I drained the oil and saw metal flakes so I knew I was in trouble. I pulled the oil pan off and saw this
So I pulled the motor out the car to inspect the damage and quickly found out that I'm not a very good engine builder



since I'm already here, I decided that I want to stroke this out or buy a stroker motor. So if anyone knows where I can buy a stroker short block (383) for a good price and from a reputable place let me know. Otherwise, I'm going to take it to a engine shop and wait 8 weeks for them to rebuild the short block for me.

[Centerforce]

Ouch...that's a real bummer You live and learn from those mistakes, though, so you;ll know what not to do on the next engine you build. We hope you can get it up and running with the new power plant before too long!

[clueless69bird]

So I've done a few things while I was waiting to get the new motor all put together. I put in my sound system. I put Infinity component speakers in the package tray. JBL two way speakers in the kick panels.




I made a metal box to put the pioneer nex double din stereo in and mounted it. I plan to make a delete plate to cover up the dash where I hack it up and make a center console. My vintage air package will be here in a week or so. I'm going to put the control knobs under the radio somewhere.



I bought a bazooka tube to put into the trunk for bass. I got a trunk kit from tmi (I'll be putting that in last) some I wanted something small that would fit.



I put in the front and back window. Randomly I bought a Momo steering wheel.





And yes Centerforce, I got a new power plant before I thought I would!!!! I got a hella good deal on a Lunati 383 stroker with icon pistons. I sent my heads to tsp for the stage 2.5 cnc port, milled to 60 cc for 11:1 compression and I also got the torquer v4 cam and tsp pushrods. I got a fast 92 intake/throttle body, trunnion upgrade for the rocker arms, and ls7 lifters. I was going to just swap all useable parts over to this new motor, however, I realized with the extra cubes I wanted better parts to get the most out of my set up. I just finished putting it together. Bad part is, im going on vacation starting this weekend and I won't be able to get to finish her up until I get back so stay tuned.

[clueless69bird]

So the verdict is in....

[chiva]

Any updates?? I'm in the middle of restoring my 1969 Firebird and you've given me some great ideas!!

[JayinMI]

So the verdict is in....

That seems odd, that you made almost EXACTLY the same hp/tq at almost exactly the same rpm.
But 430+ is solid for a street car. Nice job.

Edit:

Nvm. I read the result wrong.

[AtomicFirebird]

Jealous!!!!

[clueless69bird]

I know it’s been a while. I’ve only put about 400 miles on the motor. But I’ve done a few more things to the car. I put Vintage Air in the car.



Other than that, I’m finishing up the interior. I put the back seat in. I’m working on the dash and center console. I got a center console from a 2014 Camaro zl1 off eBay. I’ve seen a few people use these on the first gen f body and it’s working out so far with little modifications. These are so in progress pictures.