73 Bird

[twoformulas]

Nice car and I really dig the unique color. I love the early second gens!

[Later-A-body]

Ken at Pacific Performance does not build engines anymore. He built the 455 shortblock for me in 2007, but I spoke to him last year and he stated he wanted to concentrate more on selling parts. If your not already signed up on the Performace Years site, that would be a good place to go for all Pontiac needs. I still vote for SD Performance. I mail ordered everything from them.

[70Uglybird]

Thanks Bird, any pictures of yours?

Sure! Mine wasn't quite the clean start yours is Haven't updated the thread in awhile but the tranny is completely in with shifter. Its getting close to driveable again...

https://www.pro-touring.com/showthre...ect&highlight=

[LeighP]

Ken at Pacific Performance does not build engines anymore. He built the 455 shortblock for me in 2007, but I spoke to him last year and he stated he wanted to concentrate more on selling parts. If your not already signed up on the Performace Years site, that would be a good place to go for all Pontiac needs. I still vote for SD Performance. I mail ordered everything from them.

I suppose it takes up a fair bit of time when you're a one man show...I guess Ken might want to do some racing rather than building other engines....lol.
Yeah, Dave at SD is really good to deal with.

[xplane]

Well it wasn't in fantastic shape when i picked it up in Ontario CA, the owners son was using it to drive to school. I shipped this car and my 68 GT back to Texas in 2009. My dad purchased the bird and a friend of mine bought my 68 GT. My dad did a nice job restoring the car(we used to do this together when I lived in Texas).


My dad recently purchased another nice car and drove it back to Texas in March. He decided something had to go from his collection to make room, so we struck a deal on the Firebird.


It's a G8 front / Holden UTE back with an LS2 and 6 speed auto, really fun vehicle to drive.

[xplane]

I have new HRE polished outters showing up tomorrow, so I should have the front rims reconfigured for a fit check.

[Jay71]

Second picture makes me think Rockford Files.

[ent72olds]

Damn that car is sweet! Stance is spot on and color is delicious!

[mikes70]

Where did you find that modern day elco? Sorry to get off topic, but i've never seen one here in the states and i will buy one if i can find one...

[mikes70]

Almost forgot, nice bird too!!!! Are the early 2nd gen birds rarer than the early 2nd gen camaros?

[xplane]

A place here in Southern California was doing the conversion, I understand they do not plan to do anymore. Last count was 10 of these in the US.

[mikes70]

Thanks for the info, one would have to fall into my lap though, we'll at least theres a chance LOL (i watched dumb and dumber last nite..."one in a million you'll end up with me...we'll there is still a chance...")

[LeighP]

Almost forgot, nice bird too!!!! Are the early 2nd gen birds rarer than the early 2nd gen camaros?

Yep...sure are....lots less Firebirds were built in the early days.

[mikes70]

Thought so. I love em both.

[cobragt]

Saw one of those G8 Utes in Georgia a couple years ago, Same color. Very cool.

[72blackbird]

Ken at Pacific Performance does not build engines anymore. He built the 455 shortblock for me in 2007, but I spoke to him last year and he stated he wanted to concentrate more on selling parts. If your not already signed up on the Performace Years site, that would be a good place to go for all Pontiac needs. I still vote for SD Performance. I mail ordered everything from them.

The last time I spoke to Ken at PPR he was still building engines on a limited basis- it's probably worth the he effort to give him a call to verfiy. But Dave Bischop at SD Performance definitely knows Pontiac engines and is the west coast source for CNC ported aluminum heads, so you won't go wrong there.

I do get all of parts for my Poncho builds from PPR, as well as get most of my machine work done through PPR's machine shop- I've had very good results over the past few years going with them, so I see no reason to change the formula. I'm planning to pick up my 455 shortblock from PPR soon, but I still don't know which route I will take with the heads and cam.

Geno

[xplane]

I picked up standard bore 72' 400 shortblock this past weekend, so i will at least take it to PPR and get it magged and looked over. The plan is to do a 461 stroker with this block down the road.

Next up is to get the KORE3 brakes front and rear and some rubber for the HRE's. Unfortunately it will be all bark and no bite till I can get into the drivetrain. At least I can drive the car and enjoy it the way it is.

I also picked up the OEM rear spoiler, as I'm not really sold on the Camaro spoiler. I have left over paint so will at least finish fit and paint in case I decide to go that direction.

Thanks for all the recommendations, much appreciated!

[bonecrrusher]

How the hell did you get a a Ute over here?

[xplane]

How the hell did you get a a Ute over here?

A place here in Southern California was doing the conversion, I understand they do not plan to do anymore. Last count was 10 of these in the US.

The back half is from a UTE, the front is US G8. 4" longer wheelbase, otherwise 2009 G8 drivetrain. I haven't driven a modern performance car for a while, but this thing is a blast to drive!

[Rick D]

Very nice build, and love the wheels! Thanks for the info on the wheels!