Long time member, first time pic post!

**Drewhelm** · 08-10-2005

Well, I FINALLY got some decent pics. Just installed new wheels and Tires. Wheels are Billet Specialties SLC-85 17x8 front and 18x10 rear. Rubber is 245/45/17 front and 295/35/18 rear. Fits pretty well!!! Makes the car look completely different.

What do ya think?

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**Jagarang** · 08-10-2005

I don't like you or your darn car ANYMORE! Allthough it looks friggin great and the two tone is bitchin, I just can't deal with you getting done before me! Please refrain from any further progress until further notice! ARE WE CLEAR!

By the way....
I was thinking of doing something along the same lines you took with your parking lights. Do you wire them to a propriety switch or leave them as running lights via the factory switch?

Did you use standard headlights or upgrade to a different style? Are you happy with the results, regardless of what you used?

Thanks for the inspiration and the pics.

**Drewhelm** · 08-10-2005

LOL, thanks! Yes, sir, we're clear! hahaha

I actually used the existing switch and wiring as a switch source to a relay that powers the fog lights as running lights. When I turn on the park lights the running lights come on. The lights I used have built in signals as well, so I wired my indicators directly to them.

I did upgrade the factory lights to clear glass "Euro" style with H4 bulbs. The lighting difference is like night and day!!! No pun intended. You can see traffic signs from literally more than twice as far away.....so, yes I'm very happy with the results. I bought 2 different headlights, 1 set without a signal light and the other with a signal light. Sounds kinda corny, but with the fog lights turned on you can't see the indicator in the fog light. Of course with the headlights and fog lights on you really can't see either indicator, but with only the park lights on the outer headlight serves as an indicator as well with a blue signal light.

**Drewhelm** · 08-10-2005

Oh, if it makes you feel any better....the interior is FAR from finished! LOL All 4th gen interior conversion....seats are in as is the 1 piece headliner and seat belts, but the dash will be a while. I've had the dash now for 6 months and have yet to find time to get it in! I have the Autometer gauges, too, but again....need that precious commodity of time to fab a panel to mount the gauges into.....so you still have a chance to finish before me!!! LOL

Oh, I'm humbled.....as your car has served as inspiration to me, and many others, as well.

**Jagarang** · 08-10-2005

CamaroBoy69(Adam) has just started selling his panel to mount Autometers in the factory 4th gen dash. I'm pretty sure it's almost exactly what your needing. Check it out here...
https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/sh...=4th+gen+gauge

I've kept my factory driving lights, but have been looking for some sort of upgrade for the headlights.

Where did you buy yours?
I was interested in the Sylvania Xenarc setup, but I think the "Legal Beagles" went after Sylvania for producing them, so they discontinued the line before I was able to get a set.

**Ralph LoGrasso** · 08-10-2005

Drew,

Looks excellent!! That's one of the nicest first gen birds around!

**Drewhelm** · 08-10-2005

Jag,

I bought my headlights off e-bay.....both sets at 2 different times. They are actually imported and the boxes have some funky Chinese writing on them, but they are a quality part. They are glass NOT plastic. I honestly don't remember who the maker of the bulbs were. I know they have a blue tint to them but shine a brite white.

Thanks Ralph!

Drew

**JLM** · 08-10-2005

you fit a 295 under the rear? How is the fitment, any rubbing? I could probably get a 315 555RII under the rear if you're fitting a 295 on a 10" wheel. The nittos tend to run a bit narrow.

Wait, you're not mini-tubbed are you?

**Hammered** · 08-10-2005

Drew,

Your car looks great-it's always good to see another FGF brought to life. I'm also interested in upgrading headlights if you find any more info.

John

**steve g** · 08-10-2005

Thanks for posting Drew. Gives us other bird owners something for inspiration. The stance looks great. How'd you fit the 295's under there?

Jag -- I've seen your car in Frank's shop and it is pretty awesome as well. When you're done maybe Frank can have a garage sale with your left over parts. I could use a few ;-)

**rickk** · 08-10-2005

nice chicken , keep the good work.

rick kirkindall

**Drewhelm** · 08-11-2005

The 295 fits easily! No it's not mini-tubbed and there is literally 1/2 inch clearance between the inner fender and the outer fender lip with the outer lip rolled. You have to nail the backspacing to perfectly center the tire in the wheel well. Mine comes out to exactly 6.625 inches of backspacing on the 18x10 wheel. The tire is perfectly centered between inner and outer wheel wells with absolutely NO rubbing.

**JLM** · 08-11-2005

Thanks drew, that's about the best news I've heard all day.

I may have to message the lip around the wheel well a little but if you're fitting a 295 section width tire on a 10" wheel I beleive I should be able to get a 315 nitto 555R or RII on the back without problems.

They run narrow enough that they fit on a 9" wheel. I'm going to try them on a 10" wheel then. Worst case scenario is the section width is too much and I'll need to sell them. With those tires that won't be much of an issue though.

**Drewhelm** · 08-11-2005

Glad I could help. I know someone who mini-tubbed his 69 bird and is going with a 315 BFG drag radial on an 11 inch wheel. I don't think it would fit my car on an 11 inch wheel, but could probably squeeze one in on a 10 inch wheel! You just have to nail the backspacing.....and remember EVERY car is slightly different so measure, measure, and measure again!!!

**Drewhelm** · 07-03-2006

Well, it's been a LONG time since I posted any updates to this thread, so let's bring this thing back to life!

The 4th gen dash is installed with all the gauges wired and functional. I wired the 4th gen headlight switch to retain the factory headlight dimmer. I also wired the 4th gen interior dimmer switch to control the gauge lights and the dome light like it should. It took some doing to fit the 2 5/8 inch gauges in the 4th gen AC control opening, but I got it done and fabbed the necessary aluminum filler pieces. the dash cluster was fabbed out of aluminum sheet. I'll post some pics soon.

In the meantime, a little on the recent engine upgrade. I took the old motor out and replaced the stock 6X-8 heads with a set of fully ported 6X-4 heads. I did all the port work and had the valve job and setup done by a reputable machine shop. The heads have Comp 995 springs, stainless 2.11 and enlarged 1.77 valves, posi seals, 10 degree locks and comp retainers. I had the heads flowed after I finished porting and the 3 angle valve job was done. 258int/232exh through .600 lift. Flow was still increasing from .550 to .600, but they stopped testing at .600. I shoudl have had them go to .650 because after installing the HS 1.65 roller rockers (actually measure 1.72) the lift is .611 and .630.

Cam is an Ultradyne solid with 255/260 duration @.050. Lifters are Crower solids.

Air and fuel flow through a Holley 780 vacuum secondary carb, ported and gasket matched Holley SD intake.

Exhaust exits through Hedman ceramic coated headers with 1 3/4 inch primaries into 3 inch collectors, 3 inch X pipe and Goerlich Xlerators.

It has the full manual TH400 back in for now, but will be getting a healthy 700R4 as soon as money and time allow.

Here are a couple videos from this weekend. Still have a little tuning to do, but difference in power is phenominal!!!

http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...20439913925047

http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...55939939894487

http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...84406326289948

**gsxrken** · 07-03-2006

Very nice car. I have always liked Firebirds and have some great high-school memories from my best friend's 68. His car was linden green and had the 350HO motor but the twin scoop "400 hood". We were just learning about cars and actually thought that when we floored the car, the kick in the ass was the 4 barrels tipping in... when in fact it was the powerglide kicking down into Low/first gear. I remember another time racing along side a brand-new Turbo Trans Am on Interstate 95 in CT, speeds of probably 120 or so, and looking at Jimmy's hands blurring on the shimmying steering wheel from the shot front suspension. Stupid, but fun, and look at me talking about it almost 25 years later.

There are relatively few of these cars around from what I can tell. Thanks for posting!

**MrQuick** · 07-03-2006

awww that sounds awesome. We need some 3500 rpm drive by's please. Inspiration for me. Thank you.

**zbugger** · 07-03-2006

Damn.... That second video smacked me in the face compared to the first one. Sounds awesome!!! I absolutely would not mind getting stuck behind you in traffic. That's great freakin' music!!! And yes, I would second the driving videos.

**Drewhelm** · 07-04-2006

Thanks for the comments. If it stops raining long enough I'll take her out for a spin and get some higher rpm drive-by's.

May have to wait until this weekend.

**zman1969** · 07-05-2006

like the dude in the dodge Hemi comercial says " SWEET"

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Thread: Long time member, first time pic post!

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New Wheels!!!

Ok Drew...

On the gauge pod/panel..

69 bird