1973 Firebird Project

[70Uglybird]

Sorry to hear about the 400, if it makes you feel better I took mine out as well. But I am putting in it's place an LS1/t56!! I can't wait to see more progress on your car.

Oh, and I have the 1" bore MC on my car and the brakes are great. If you want a cheap solution like I used, you can use a C3 Manual brake MC and get it from Autozone. I think I paid 12 bucks for mine and it works great.

I have seriously considered an ls. I had the ls6 heads, intake and rotating assembly and sold it. Thinking that a big cube fuel injected aluminum head pontiac would be a better choice...I don't know... I'm not into the pontiac motor all that much and if I don't like it in its current form ill bail after driving it for a year



I almost got that master, but got a good deal on a new wilwood that is a direct repacment to what I had.

Here is the motor once I get it running ill spruce it up a bit...

[70Uglybird]

Making a little bit of progress...

[LeighP]

The Pontiac engine should suck you in with torque....they're pretty impressive.
Nice.

[70Uglybird]

Thanks! I hope it is pretty nasty it was a very difficult decision to go pontiac vs LS. Because of budget reasons I had to go with ported 6x's but I'm not into the setup too bad if I wanted to switch it out. Hopefully after the first drive all thoughts of that will be gone! I really need to work on re-wiring and finish the interior.

[ryeguy2006a]

Looking great!! You should have it running in no time. The only reason that I ended up with the LS1 is because I got a great deal that I couldn't pass up. If I was going to keep my motor, I was going to do the same thing you were. Port the 6x heads, new cam, and a good tune. Can't wait to see a video of it running!

[4mul8ion]

Looks real good in there. Can't wait to hear how it runs.
Kevin

[72blackbird]

Bobby,
Nice color choice on the big bore Poncho- gives it a different look than the usual metallic light blue. I wouldn't be too stressed out about running a Pontiac V-8 over an LS in a 2nd gen Bird- not only is it cheaper to install (100% bolt-in), but you won't have to rev it to 7000 to make big hp and mega torque. Ported iron head 455's and 461's might make around 450-475 hp and reach 500 hp with a roller cam, but it's the torque that makes big bore, long stroke ponchos a blast to drive- 500+ ft-lbs. will keep you smiling on every drive.

Geno

[70Uglybird]

Thanks Geno, I was going to go with the blue and then just figured this color combo would look better in a black car... Once I get it running right I'll throw the sheetmetal valve covers on it and formula intake with functional ram air.

It's roller cam but a little bit big for the heads and intake, although I'm hoping I'll get it dialed in and forget all about aluminum heads and FI for a few years to get the rest of it dialed in. I'd like to start working on my trans am at some point...

[70Uglybird]

Kevin,

How did it look in person? With pictures its hard to tell. I need to get out there one of these days. Its just a bit of drive and I usually end up staying out there drooling all over your car and getting ideas I can't afford!!!

Bobby

[4mul8ion]

I saw it on the stand and it looked good. The manifold turned out real well.

Kevin

[70Uglybird]

Car is in the shop getting an electric fan and 342,30 spline duagrip. Posi and Moser axles.

So I decided to finally tackle the gauge bezel. I decided to use what I had. Fill in the holes for the turn signals and emblem and wrap it In 3m vinyl.

Start was from the 70 I gave up on. It was bent and beat up trans am bezel.





Taken apart and sanded, dents filled in.



Getting the wrap in


Little further had to throw the gauges in. I have the GPS speedo on the way!



I'll get some final pics after I get the bezel back together.

[70Uglybird]

And all done. In retrospect I should have started with a better bezel especially the surround. I may redo the HVAC control cover so the grain goes the right way but it was a pain.

[xplane]

Looks great, I love the gauge bezel!

[70Uglybird]

Wow can't believe how time flies and I haven't had a good update since march! Working out wiring has taking quite some time. The dash is ready to back in with all the gauges and I'll try to get pictures. Hope to have it cleaned up by next week and out in the sun to enjoy what little of the good weather we have in the NW.

Here is a picture of the new Northern Radiator, custom shroud, electric fan and overflow bottle setup installed today:

[cpd004]

That bezel does looks great.

[70Uglybird]

Thanks! One of my favorite purchases! I really need to update this thread. Not alot of visuals I've been fixing stuff like a frayed brake line, fan wiring, fuel sender, getting the alignment dialed it. I ordered Hydratech kit and look forward to having these C5 brakes really stop the car. Installed a ported Torquer II and a worked over holley 850, runs pretty good.

I'll update the thread with the Hydratech stuff and when I install my rear LED's. Next is an american autowire and some aftermarket air conditioning.

Here are some pics of the panel with the speedhut gauges I need to try to get some at night they look amazing at night.

[zamora7]

What size is your speedo and tach? If it's 5 inches did you have to make the holes bigger or is that the standard opening on the trans am bezel?

[carbuff]

Those sure look like the 4.5" Speedhuts... I used those on my custom panel as well and have been really happy with them!

[72blackbird]

Bobby,
Nice to see you're making forward progress- in the time we last spoke I got my Bird tagged, got 18" US Mag Bandits on the car. Great minds also think alike:



I'm planning to go up to Oregon in August- hopefully we can meet like we planned earlier. I want to run a T-56 behind my 455 and have many questions for you.

Geno

[70Uglybird]

What size is your speedo and tach? If it's 5 inches did you have to make the holes bigger or is that the standard opening on the trans am bezel?

Sorry, I missed the notification that someone had replied! Yes they are the 4.5 Speedhuts which are a PERFECT fit for the stock holes. That and the well priced GPS speedo were two huge selling points.