Younger PT

[KCFormula]

I recently stumbled across the thread here about the definition of a Pro-Touring car. I thought I would come on here and introduce myself. My car is a 1999 Formula Firebird. I bought and built the car while I was in college. I built it with the intention of improving every aspect of the performance, while keeping within my tolerance range for drivability. It retains all factory safety equipment, (airbags, bumper supports, ABS, etc) while improving all around performance. The drivetrain is a 421ci LQ9 based stroker backed by an upgraded T56 transmission and a Strange 12bolt housing 3.73s. The suspension consists of BMR swaybars, Bilstien shocks, Jamex springs, heim-joint tubular peices in the rear and 17" Fikse wheels. The one area I was dissapointed to learn I am limited in, is the brake calipers. The 17" Fikse wheels don't accept aftermarket brake calipers made for a 4th Gen Fbody. So I have upgraded the stock brakes with brembo slotted rotors, Hawk pads and SS braided lines.
I would like to say that for not the build date of my car I believe it to fit perfectly into the definition of a "Pro-Touring" car. The problem that definition presents is how to keep "pro-touring" evolving with the times. No offense to the older crowd but younger people such as myself (born 1983), other than hearing stories, don't really have a history with older cars, and when I think of building an older car I just cringe at the thought of fighting rusty bolts and poor factory structural design which, to truely re-engineer would be more time and effort than I care to spend on a car I never got to dream about while it was in a showroom somewhere.
I realize this is quite a "heavy" first post and for that I apologise, I promise I am normally much more friendly. I am just trying to stick up for some of us younger guys trying to get into pro-touring. Thanks for reading and I am excited to learn all I can from the board. I'll post a link to a pic in my sig.
Thanks, Joe

[cheapthrillz]

Welcome! 23 here..... The definition of pro-touring is a very touchy subject and doesn't need to be discussed right now (I don't think it has been quite 6 months yet). Be sure to post pics because most of us can't read without them lol.

For the lazy guys.....

[CruizinKev]

welcome aboard! car looks sweet

[Rod]

Welcome we always need the youngins.... Age and history don't go hand in hand my neighbors son was 15 when they went out and bought a rusted 66 nova, the two of them built a great looking little hotrod and now he's 19 and drags it at the track on weekends and putts it daily to san jose state during the week he talks all about it. he's making his own history

[formula]

our working definition of pro touring: if it goes, stops, and turns better than it did stock, it can be pro touring.

You, sir, certainly qualify! gorgeous formie you have there!

[KCFormula]

Thanks for the warm welcome. I was a little apprehensive about making the post but glad I did when I saw how it was recieved.
Like I say I am eager to see other people's projects on here and learn as much as I can. Thanks for the compliments!

[classiccardude69]

Nice bird! I was never really into 4th gens, but that is sweet.

when I think of building an older car I just cringe at the thought of fighting rusty bolts and poor factory structural design which, to truely re-engineer would be more time and effort than I care to spend on a car I never got to dream about while it was in a showroom somewhere.

Actually older cars can be a lot of fun! It may seem overwhelming or time consuming at first, but its soo much fun to drive a car that you've put so much time and effort into. Plus its a bonus to see the old folks looking at your ride (something I rarely see in my new mustangs). I guess I just like the fact that its out of the ordinary to see some old school heavy metal driving down the street.


Oh, and I can call you guys old folks cause I'm only 18 (don't worry in a few years I'll be eating my words).

[72mavrick302]

18 here, got the Maverick when I was 16

[93Polo]

Just a few years older here and 32. I was lucky to get into the old cars before the price went high again and have had my 70 Chevelle since I was 16. At 18 I picked up a 94 Z28 and the Chevelle fell by the side. The 6 speed, efi, and handling had me hooked. I was modding the suspension when most were adding cams and nitrous. Recently I have looked at piking up a Ls1 4th gen as some great deals are floating around, love your NBM Formula.

Have you looked into changing the offset of the Fm5s? Big brakes (13" brembo big reds) were my favorite mod on my C5 even over the power mods. A Stoptech kit would rock with your other mods. I think they had a kit to fit in under 17s. I had a MovIt kit on the C5 that cleared factory Z06 wheels. Bluewasp was a dealer and posted on Corvetteforum. They may have something that clears.

[1971CHEVELLE]

Welcome to the site

[JJEH]

w e l c o m e

[KCFormula]

93Polo - Thanks for the heads up, I will look into a MovIT kit. I considered a C5Z upgrade but I didn't think there was a big enough size difference to notice. Changing the offset on the Fikse's is out of the question because the company went out of business. (Although there is a rumor another company bought the tooling)

[93Polo]

93Polo - Thanks for the heads up, I will look into a MovIT kit. I considered a C5Z upgrade but I didn't think there was a big enough size difference to notice. Changing the offset on the Fikse's is out of the question because the company went out of business. (Although there is a rumor another company bought the tooling)

KC, I did a 12" (factory) to 13"(96 Grand Sport Caliper) conversion on my 93 Corvette and fade was greatly reduced. The calipers on both brakes packages were 2 piston PBRs, so the biggest gain was the larger rotor. I know the LS1 4th Gen f-body brakes were better than the one on my old LT1 Z28 but do not have any experience with them. IMO if you can do an inexpensive C5 swap it would be worth it. After doing a Brembo MovIt swap you would be hooked on a big caliper if you are willing to shell out the cash. Have you been on FRRAX.com? They used to have some great 4th gen handling tech.

As for the Fikses there is a guy over on Lateral-G selling some Fikse parts in the for sale section and may have some leads. I have a set of FM5s from my C5 that need barrels for a rear to complete that I was talking to him about.

[BMR Tech]

Sounds like a fun project. Enjoy!