69 firebird conv. Project help!!!!

[69toplessbird]

My 16 year old son and I are starting on our first project.

Car is my grandfathers original 69 convertible firebird
350 car
Garaged for 20 years
all stock

Need advice on where to start.
best bang for our $$?

Want to make a great g-car.



Dont want to spend more then 10k for the first 3 years.

Thoughts?
fyi- we live in Phoenix
Any good shops?

[Fras]

Hi,
Awesome to see that you and your son are doing a car together. My fiancé and I are just about done with a shop out of a guys home at 91st ave and happy valley. It's legit business and I met with a lot of guys before picking him. He has been very meticulous and extremely reasonable. Feel free to call me and I will answer any questions I can. Randy 602 541 0934

[69toplessbird]

That's great news. I will call when I am free. When is a good time?

What car did he do for you?

I live 15 miles from there.

[Fras]

Call me anytime. He did a 1968 camaro for me with an LS conversion. He is still doing finishing touches on it, so you're more than welcome to visit his shop, see my car, and meet with him.

[sscamarokid]

I'm also using a guy for my ls conversion and he is in Mesa....Sean at topgear motorsports 480-461-0240
Probably a little far for u but an amazing mechanic

[Fras]

What are you doing your LS conversion in?

[BMR Sales]

Welcome to the site! Great to hear that the car is stayng in the family! Let me know if you have any ideas or concerns with the suspension upgrades. We have some great stuff at a great price point.

[69toplessbird]

Thanks for the note. Looking to make it a great daily driver. Motor would be last. (no need to give a kid a hot car).

Want to start with Handling, breaking, a/c.

What do you suggest for setting it to be a good road car?

[Fras]

There's a TON you can do for very reasonable. Its too easy to get caught up on over spending by great advice people give on here. There's a lot you can do with a 350, vintage air will run you about $1300, and you can do some drop spindles for about $200 to help with the geometry. I would definitely invest in good brakes. I got c5 corvette calipers and rotors for $200 on craigslist and bought the adapter brackets from kore3. The guy building it for me was a huge wealth of knowledge and he was the only way I could afford having the car of my dreams.

[69toplessbird]

Fras,

That's good to know. We will need to meet at the shop soon. You have some great ideas. Keep them coming.

Thanks!

[Fras]

I've scanned all the receipts and can share them with you. It will give you a ballpark in cost. I ended up doing a complete pro touring build, but you can piece it together to meet your budget. Talk to you soon.
Randy

[69toplessbird]

[Fras]

That's badass!

[BMR Sales]

I usually ask a few questions before I make any suggestions to determine the best possible bang for the buck.

I think many guys spend more than they need or will use. I pride myself in asking as many questions as possible before making a decision on what is best for the customers hard earned money.


First question is what do you have for goals for the car once it is done? Is it going to be a factory restoration, daily driver/weekend cruiser, weekend warrior/drag car, Pro-Touring/handling machine, etc.

Second question is do you need and/or plan to improve the braking & steering systems to compliment any suspension upgrades?

Third question is do you have a specific budget in mind?

Lastly, do you plan to do the work yourself?

[69toplessbird]

[Roberts68]

Damn. That car looks to be a sincerely sound foundation.
BMR asked you some of the all important questions. See how you can answer them honestly and remember, your 10k divided out comes to $3300/yr... there are many here that would spend that on components in no time flat. $1k spindles + $1k upper/lower control arms + front brakes... wait 12 months, repeat inserting different parts.

All kidding aside, what are your goals? How much do you plan to change about the car? Wheel size?
You can make a pretty awesome cruiser out of that 'Bird and stay within your budget... but you need to have some will power. Some days I wish I had more of it, I would probably have a year or two more seat time behind me.

[69toplessbird]

thanks for the reply.

street driver first and foremost...

want to be able to go 400 miles in a weekend around the state. I don't need a track car, but I like the look.

AC, 700R are my first thoughts.

Your suggestions are very much appreciated. Who wouldn't love a full out pro touring car, but I have to be sensible. A good driving car is most important. Then we can go from there. Looking for the best bang for $$$. Tips and tricks.

Some have mentioned used parts from corvettes.

I have my old lq9 coming out of one of my cars. Is that a good choice for this car?

thanks again for the response.

[Fras]

Lq9 is awesome! That's what Paul put in mine with an LS3 top end!

[BMR Sales]

I am so jealous of your project!!! Street Drivers are great and they are most affordable for sure.

Do you plan to improve the braking & steering systems to compliment any suspension upgrades?

Do you have a specific budget for suspension in mind?

Do you plan to do the work yourself?

[69toplessbird]

first answer is YES YES YES. But then the dollars start talking. What can I get away with? can I do a lot for under 2500? I figure 10k for the car all together.

I will be doing some work myself. Don't have a welder or a lift. But can wrench on cars if need be.