Project Old School update

[andrewb70]

It's amazing that this thread was started over 6 years ago. wow...

Glad you are sticking with it!



Andrew

[Andrew McBride]

Andrew,

It has been a long time! I started this project my senior year in high school and have worked little by little throughout college. It could have been on the road a long time ago, but I want the car to be as good as I can make it. My budget is small but my time is free! I can't wait for the day that it is done. I am having a great time and I have learned a lot thanks to family and friends.

This car is a family member. Slowly but surely it will be completed!!!

[Andrew McBride]

The car is back at the shop for some adjustments. I had a body line on the door that was not as true as the fender body line, so we are building it up with some all
Metal filler.

I have been messing with the ls1 a bit. It is getting there!

[MuscleRodz]

looks good, andrew. btw, do you still have that firebird body for sale you had on craigslist?

[Andrew McBride]

Thanks Mike. I am finally making some progress. I Hope too jamb it in a couple of weeks.

We sold the bird shell a month ago. It was in really bad shape.

[MuscleRodz]

i know it was, i was interested in the inner structure only for a special project

[rfalker1]

love the build!!!, you truly are patient!!!!

[Dons67]

great work - love the old school attitude of the build with the modern running gear -- your going to enjoy this when it's done!

[Andrew McBride]

We are making progress! The dash will be painted tomorrow and we are jambing it Saturday morning. After we jamb I will bring it down to my house to install the ls1 and t56. This has been a long time coming. I can't wait.

[Andrew McBride]

I jambed it this morning! I think it turned out good. Tomorrow morning we are going to shoot the firewall and misc parts. It is great to see "some" color on the car after all this time.

[Andrew McBride]

I Jambed the car last weekend. I got the firewall and core painted this weekend. Clutch kit and slave is ordered, ls1 radiator is getting some aluminum brackets welded. T56 is going to the shop this weekend for a rebuild. Monday, I am going to order the vintage wheel works v40s. Time to make some progress!!

[Andrew McBride]

A friend of mine welded up these brackets for me.
I wanted something that was stout and wouldn't give me any problems in the future. I am happy with how these turned out. This guys welding is amazing.
He also added the top plate to cover the channel on the stock LS1 camaro radiator. I am using some windshield wiper rubber mounts. This is going to work great. I haven't mounted it yet. I am planning on doing that tommorow evening.



Dynatech headers fit with the stock location car shop plates! I had to pull the power steering box and reinstall but their is good clearance. I had to grind a small corner of the SBC motor mount, other than that, it is a simple fit.

[Motown 454]

It looks great the headers fit nice.

[Andrew McBride]

I got a few parts in that I have been dreaming about for quite some time. My dakota digital vhx gauges look awesome and I can't wait to see them lit up.

Last weekend I got my 12 bolt and LS1 brackets/backing plates installed. Tobin fixed me up with some new rear brake lines. Unfortuntely the salvage yard LS1 camaro rotors that came with my rear brakes are not useable, so I will be buying a new set. Once I finish up a few things with the motor I am going to start plumbing brake and fuel lines.

Tonight I mocked up the kwik performance bracket. Very nice bracket and I would recommend it to anyone. I actually will be selling one that came with my new vintage air kit.

My 18" V40 vintage wheel works and nitto 555's should be ready any day now, thanks to Jon at Driverz inc. I can't wait to get them on. Great company and great service.
The t56 should be ready next week. I am going to convert my TH400 x-member and try to save some money instead of buying one. The S & P ones are not too impressive and the speedtech/ATS one is a bit out of my range right now. The LS1 harness and main American autowire harness is ready to be installed. I have never wired a car before and this is probably going to be my biggest challenge.

[HarrsCarsJR]

The motor looks amazing! Awesome project and can't wait to see more pics, good luck on the build!

[Andrew McBride]

This week I got the rear brakes on. I am waiting on my new rear brake pads to come in and then I can finish them up.
I have started wiring the last couple of nights. The AAW kit is fantastic and I don't think it is going to be as bad as I thought. Still waiting on wheels and tires! They should have shipped 12-13 days ago, but there were some delays with Jon at Driverzinc on getting them out the door. Hopefully I will see them by next week.

[Andrew McBride]

Monday I picked up my rebuilt T56. A local shop here in OKC beefed it up and added some upgrades. A friend fixed me up with a Luk Pro Gold clutch kit. Yesterday I had a local mechanic come by and show me how to pull out the old pilot bearing. I had never done this before and was a bit concerned that I would mess something up. All in all that looks straight forward and I shouldn't have any issues in the future. I went ahead and swapped out for a new slave just to be safe. Tonight I got my clutch bolted to specs and went ahead and installed the t-56. Since I was on my own I had to get creative with my engine hoist to assist me!
This weekend I will probably get it set back in the car and weld my clutch pedal bracket up.
I am thinking I will swap the heads for 243 or 799 and throw in a mild cam 550-560 lift and LS6 intake to wake up this motor before its all said and done. 375-400 RWHP is my goal.


I am trying to get as much done as I can right now. My wife and I found out a few weeks ago we are having a boy. I can't wait, but I hope to at least get it running and painted before he gets here. I know my time on the car will be limited after he is born! Also, the wife is cool with a car themed room. Houndstooth pattern and old car pictures ...ect.

[Andrew McBride]

A long 6 weeks but well worth the wait! My vintage wheel works 18" V40's w/ Nitto 555's.
I have always loved these wheels ever since I came across Carl C's 68 camaro.

The car is slammed in the front! I will be adding new front springs since they are hotchkis springs that have been trimmed. They work great on stock A-arms but my tubular arms have deeper pockets and the car is too low.

[jr4452]

Lookin great man, keep it up!!

[LeighP]

Cars coming along fine....I like your choice of wheel!