1973 Firebird Project

[70Uglybird]

I'm not sure that my car is worthy of a project post on this board, the cars that are being built here are pretty amazing. I've posted it on the 2nd gen boards but that is a more specialized audience. But the car is starting to take a more pro touring path and I'd like to show off some of L&H Kustoms work who is helping with the car. It really is a driving project, I'm almost to a stopping point and would like to put a few thousand miles on it this summer and start a next phase. I picked up the car about a year and a half ago from a really nice guy. Paint looks really nice although coverage is an issue. Didn't find any rust although the seller told me the trunk floor would need some work at some point.

This is not an all out build. It will be a driver I am planning for around 525 HP with Fast EFI.



Here are the sale ad pictures. Stared out as a stock 350 pontiac with an RPM manifold and huge air cleaner, decent stock for the most part interior and old style mags.

[70Uglybird]

Installed:

Pontiac 400
Boss 338 18 inch wheels
Hotckis front springs and shocks
PTFB front steering kit




Picked up a formula hood and drove it like this for awhile:

[70Uglybird]

When I say I drove it awhile I mean about 50 miles....I realized that this wasn't really want I wanted after building some pretty nasty 4th gens, a corvette Z06, and an 03 Cobra. Hell my daily driver Trailblazer SS grocery getter was more of a performance vehicle than the Firebird. So I enlisted the help of Luke at L and H Kustoms for some direction and help!

First on the list was getting the front end aligned and Subframe connectors in. The core support was bent a bit so I picked up a very nice restored one and some DSE Subframe connectors this is the current pics:



Floor before:



DSE cut and test fit:



Welded in:



Under:

[70Uglybird]

That is where it is at now.

I have a forged 455 to go into it as well as a GTO T56.




The motor will probably have to wait until next winter. Luke is going to be putting the following in the car for this summer. Hopefully I can get out to help a bit and get better pictures!

C5 Front brake setup from Custom Works
C5 Rear setup with Parking brake from L& H Kustoms
Upper tubular a arms from PTFB
Lowers are going to be reinforced and running Global west del a lum bushings
WS6 front sway with PST bushings
Power brake conversion with Wilwood tandem mc and prop valve
Rear Hotckis springs with Konis
QTP BOP Bellhousing
ATS Crossmember
Hurst Driveline solutions Hydraulic kit
30 Spline Eaton
Moser axles
3.73 gears
SpeedHut gauges with GPS speedo
71 Grand prix door handles


I hope to do good write up on the T56 conversion

[FoxGranadaChuck]

One really sweet ride!!

[eroc022]

just finished my t56 swap.... if you have any qs feel free to pm me... and do you have a pic of how you mounted your 4th gen seats in the car ?

[LeighP]

Very cool, mate! Glad to see it posted here.

[4mul8ion]

Very nice ride. It will be fun watching this build. I can't wait to see the 71 GP handles installed. They're going to look great.

Kevin

[70Uglybird]

Thanks guys!!!!! and Kevin love the compliments considering you have a ridiculous car being built right next to it. Hoping the stuff I copy is considered flattery!! I have to get out there to see your wheels after they are mounted.

Talked to Luke today hope to have pictures of the front end lined up and all the gaps perfect. He just needs to finish rebuilding the door hinges and finish it!

[MyFriendScott]

I love to see these transformations from an 80's throwback wheels and huge scoops to the P/T style of today. Your car is certainly worthy of its own build thread.

[70Uglybird]

Thanks, I do love the before an after and hope to add more with a front spoiler and finish the stance. Well I got a pic from Luke today that I wasn't expecting...but at least now I'll have better pics of the brakes and suspension work Trying to think of other things I should do while its apart like this...any suggestions?

[70Uglybird]

Few more things done today. Working with Luke at L and H Kustoms is pretty cool. He does alot of extra things like paint my new gold booster and weld up my frame rails a bit and paint them before putting the suspension on.

Before:



After:



Booster with Wilwood master. Makes me almost wish I bought the polished version...

[MyFriendScott]

Trying to think of other things I should do while its apart like this...any suggestions?

Wiring, wiring, wiring. Get a new harness or roll your own but now is the best time to upgrade the wiring harness to support all the new stuff as well as redesign the power distribution locations. Read up on this: http://www.madelectrical.com/electri...evymain1.shtml

[70Uglybird]

Thanks David, That is great info, I skimmed over it but will look at it in detail tonight! Especially because you can see the current state of my wiring in the pictures!!!

[L & H Kustoms]

Time to think about an AAW classic update kit when it's in the budget..... The wiring isn't in the best condition lol but it will definitely work for the summer

[MyFriendScott]

Upgrading that 10SI alternator to a 12SI, replacing the power distribution block with a better unit, and replacing the charging wire and primary voltage line feeds would hopefully fit in the current budget. Those things would greatly improve the current situation and support the EFI upgrade and things like stereo amps, electric fans, MSD ignition, upgraded headlights. Cleaning, replacing, or upgrading existing ground wires/straps are also fairly cheap insurance. It never hurts to add an additional grounding wire from the core support to the sub-frame or engine block. The headlights are grounded to the core support and there was never really a good grounding path from the core support back to the battery.

[68CamaroYu]

Sweet Car man.

[70Uglybird]

Thanks!! Getting the spindles ready cutting and custom works brackets, powder coated.




Lower control arms enforced and ready to powder coat!

[Ryno]

Nice 'bird! Cool to see another NW poncho! hope to see ya around once the sun comes out!

[ks71z28]

Looking good Bob

Keith
Custom Works Performance