1971 Firebird455 - Project

[Roadbuster]

Love what you have done on the rear seatbelt retractors. When done I bet most people will think it came that way!



I want to do something similar to my GTO so I can safely have my daughter in the car once she is old enough to get out of a child seat.

Jon

[LeighP]

Thanks guys. To answer some ?...
1. The reels stick out just under 3" I'd say...when we fitted up this same configuration of belt for my frined's 73 Camaro, his stock seat would just hit the reel at full rear travel. I'd say any seat narrower than a stock seat would be fine.
2. Driveline plans are - 455 +.040" (464ci), tricked TH350 with 2.75:1 1st gear...all the good bits in it - B&M ratchet shifter. The rear end will be the stock 10 bolt housing, new 3.08:1 gears for the highway (hence the 2.75:1 low gear in the trans), moser forged axles and a Richmond PowerTrax locker centre.

About my choice of combination....the car is not being built to drag race, its being built as a budget Grand Tourer in the European tradition of the name...a driving car for spirited long distance runs.
I can't afford to go for the really trick gear thats out there now, but I can maximise the efficiency of the stock configuration for handling and ride etc.