68 firebird

[68firebird]

Hi all, my name is Rene (pronounced rainey), I'm from Rhode Island. I just happen to stumble on this site from some other forum. From what I see, this is gonna be a cool place to hang out.
I've got a 1968 Firebird, used to be a straight six, but the previous owner decided to throw a chevy small block in there. I've been slowly working on it for the last 5 years, and I mean slowly. I actually haven't really messed with it at all in about a year and a half, but now I'm getting out of one of my other hobbies to spend my precious time and money on my car. I've done alot of work to it, but it has alot more to go. My next project is to overhaul the suspension, then to convert the horrible drum brakes to disk, then some nice 17 inch wheels and tires. won't all be right away, as you all know these are very expensive projects to tackle. anyway Here's a couple pics for ya. see you guys around.

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

really nice bird you got there

welcome!

[69rs]

Nice Bird! Welcome!
Check Touring Classics when you get ready for brakes. They rock!

[restomodbird69]

nice bird we are building a nest here.

[67bird]

yeh, its nice to see another Firebird on this site. Check out the GP super store for deals on parts if you haven't already. Also, as mentioned above you can check out Touring Classics, Precision, or Baer for your bake stuff. Are your planning on keeping the SBC motor or going back to Ponch power?

[68firebird]

yeh, its nice to see another Firebird on this site. Check out the GP super store for deals on parts if you haven't already. Also, as mentioned above you can check out Touring Classics, Precision, or Baer for your bake stuff. Are your planning on keeping the SBC motor or going back to Ponch power?

Some people might want to slap me for this, but I think I might stay with the small block chevy. I definitely need something more powerful than whats in it though, but most important thing to me right now is to get the damn thing riding nice and stopping when I hit the brake pedal. It just feels to damn boaty to me right now, and of course the manual drum brakes are mostly useless for high speed stopping. I'm eventually gonna need a new rearend too. Its still got the super wimpy rearend from when it was a straight six.

[HOT OHC]

Some people might want to slap me for this, but I think I might stay with the small block chevy. I definitely need something more powerful than whats in it though, but most important thing to me right now is to get the damn thing riding nice and stopping when I hit the brake pedal. It just feels to damn boaty to me right now, and of course the manual drum brakes are mostly useless for high speed stopping. I'm eventually gonna need a new rearend too. Its still got the super wimpy rearend from when it was a straight six.

Blasphemy!!

[Chad-1stGen]

Not to highjack the thread but that is one mean looking 6. What are the specs on that thing and have you had it out on the road yet?

[68firebird]

Blasphemy!!

Ha ha, Like I said......The only way I would go to poncho power is a big block, but I'd rather run a small block and there is just so much more available aftermarket wise for the chevy small block. Your six shooter is hot though, very nice. I wish mine still had the six though, it would be worth more money.

[Steve Firebird]

Welcome to the board. There are a good amount of firebirds on this site and very helpfull owners. I have never been a big fan of a chevy engine in a Pontiac but since I have been looking around this site I could understand someone putting a newer drive train in one. LS6 and a 6 speed with some upgraded suspention and brakes would be killer.

[Zee]

Holy Crap HotOHC. That is too cool. I have never seen a rodded OHC. I can only imagine what that setup sounds like. Sweet.

I've always wondered if the Vortec 4.3 DOHC I6 from the newer Trailblazer would fit and represent a unique high tech swap.

[68Formula]

I've always wondered if the Vortec 4.3 DOHC I6 from the newer Trailblazer would fit and represent a unique high tech swap.

I thought I saw a pic of that a couple years back actually. Can't remember where.

[ACEFOOTER]

Welcome to the board Rene. There are a lot of knowledgable people who hang out here with a very wide variaty of completed mods to the 1st gen F-body. Car looks like a great stepping off point!

[rohrt]

Some people might want to slap me for this, but I think I might stay with the small block chevy.

I'll get in line first

Seriously though I never met a sbc that I couldn't send home with its tail between it legs. There are several on this board and on the www.classicalpontiac.com site that could go on for days on the advanteges of pontiacs on the street. You would also not find a better group of people to help you with a classic bird then the pontiac people. I think pontiac people like the fact that they are the underdog like Olds and Buick and they like the fact that they can still turn heads when they push the gas.:3gears: :3gears:

You are right about the parts being dirt cheap for the sbc but a 455 with 6X heads and a Ram Air IV cam can still be put together on a budget. I love the inline 6 idea also.

[68Formula]

Might be a good idea to get the PHS documentation and find out if it's an original Sprint 6. It's a good engine and it's actually starting to make an aftermarket comeback. Checkout: http://p075.ezboard.com/bsohcsix

It might not be the original, but having any non-Pontiac engine in a Pontiac kills it's value in the marketplace (great if you're buying and don't give a rats behind if it's Poncho powered).

[ponchopwr70]

Hey I'm from R.I. too. I also have a pontiac (70 lemans) with chevy power. Just wanted to say welcome.

[68firebird]

thanks for all the info guys.
amcmike, I know what you mean about a sbc killin the value. when I had it appraised, I got hit hard cause of the lil mouse motor, they took like 30 points off cause of it.

ponchopwr70-hey whats up? what part of RI are you from? I'm in West Warwick.

[ponchopwr70]

I'm up in Foster. I'll prob be taking my car to some cruise nights in a month or so, gotta finish the 388. Do you go to any of them? Theres a show in Johnston tommorow. I'm gonna go check it out.

[Hidro]

Welcome!

Ive had 326 , 400 pontiacs in mine even a 462ci olds. currently have 355ci sbc in it.If your worried about value lol put the car back in the garage.

canadian firebirds had sbc in them,hehe runs away fast...

Now get out there and drive it!
:3gears:
-Ed

[68Formula]

amcmike, I know what you mean about a sbc killin the value. when I had it appraised, I got hit hard cause of the lil mouse motor, they took like 30 points off cause of it..

It's bizarre. It's like basically there might as well not be a motor in it. But it is, what it is.

Anyway, make sure you check out www.pozziracing.com and this forum for ways to make it turn corners. Enjoy!