71 Firebird "My way this time"

[PontiacJim]

Hey everybody,
This is my first time doing a project like this. Total freedom to do as I please because it isn't rare or hard to find parts for.Sweet!!

I looked for long time for a 2nd gen firebird that wasn't hacked up or a rust bucket. I found this 71 about 70 miles from home. It was pretty rust free except for the right rear quarter and rocker,rear window and cowl area on the drivers side. Minor and relitivity easy fixes.

But it was somewhat hacked up. Timing cover was cracked,huge vacuum leak at the carb. Timing was off (due to it being set with a vacuume leak)and a knocking noise from... somewhere.
The car spoke to me and I knew it was the one.(I think most of you will understand that comment)

I paid the man,fixed the leak at the carb. Used the former owner's timing light and bought alot of water for the cracked timing cover.Took my chances with the knocking noise (which ended up being loose converter bolts).Drove it home with a smile on my face and my wife behind me with the truck just in case.

I have had it for almost a year now. Body and paint are done.I rebuilt the rearend with 3:73 gears and an Auburn posi unit
Working on suspension now.
Plans are for a 5 or 6 speed manual trans. with a very well built pontiac powerplant.
Enough talking,here are some pictures

[PontiacJim]

This car was originally an esprit. The hole in the fiberglass hood was able to be fixed.
The engine that is in it now is a pontiac 350. Runs good with a comp cams 268 cam and now a performer manifold.I have some plans for this engine but for the most part it will be a mule for the manual transmission swap.

[Later-A-body]

Love the project. I have had three '70-'73 Formulas. There the nicest ones. What size motor are you thinking of building?

[PontiacJim]

I have a 400 with #13 heads out of a bonnieville or grandprix. I decoded the block a few years ago,but I don't remember the excact year of the engine.Early seventys. The heads have been ported and have ferra valves with1.60 aluminum roller rockers. The bottom end has a new crank,scat h-beam rods and four bolt mainscaps.
Problem is I did all work and then had to let it sit for a few years. Now I'm thinking about putting some E-heads on it.If so then I'll take the #13 heads and put them on this 350 that is in the car.Those heads will wake up that engine quite a bit. I might stroke it to 461 but I like the idea of having a 400 that screams at high RPM's. We'll see what happens. Taking advice and constructive criticism with this build.

[SPDMETL]

It's your duty as a Pontiac Fiend to acquire as many cubic inches as possible! Nice car.

[LeighP]

Nice...I like your colour choice!
Nice to see someone else doing the same as my project.....71 Esprit cloned as a Formula.
Good luck with it.

[Zoomin]

Great looking bird!

[NOT A TA]

Nice job! I started with an Esprit too.

[PontiacJim]

Thanks for the comments. @SPDMETL I am going against the grain with a 400 that makes more then 500 horse and can survive at higher rpms.We'll see see what the end result is.
@LeiphP the work you have done on your car is amazing.It is a job well done for sure.
@NOT A TA I would love to get a closer look at your car.Very nice.Side pipes are the best

[PontiacJim]

Solid body bushings and subframe connectors from PTFB went in today. Pretty straight forward install and a nice fit.Waiting for tall ball joints then the rest of the suspention and G braces can go in.

[LeighP]

lol...that all looks familiar! I've got the Pro-G-Braces to go on mine when I 've got the time.

[PontiacJim]

We have Pro Touring F-Body upper control arms with tall ball joints
Pro Touring F-body adjustable rear sway bar.This car being a base model esprit did not come with a rear sway bar so I also have the brackets for the sway bar from PTFB.I'll weld these on later this week.
G-braces from PTFB
Front springs are Detroit Speed & Engineering. 2 inch drop
Rear leaf springs are also DSE and 2 inch drop
Front and rear Koni shocks

[PontiacJim]

[PontiacJim]

The drivers side spring was crooked in the frame rail spring perch.It came out with a big bang. Always a good time

[PontiacJim]

[PontiacJim]

[PontiacJim]

Lots of clean up to do.
G-braces will go in in tomorrow
Wheels and tires will be mounted and balanced and put on.
Then alignment.

[PontiacJim]

99% of the suspension is done!Rear sway bar will go on this week when I have time. That was alot of work.Broken,missing and stripped out nuts and bolts.
But worth every minute of it. Nothing transforms a car like new suspension and wheels. Paint and body work is awesome and great to look at but wheels tires and suspension is attitude and performance.Here are a few pictures. I had to remove the hood to install the G-braces

[ed1le]

The wheels & stance look great!

[srh3trinity]

Man that looks good. Great looking color and it has a whole new attitude with the new stance and the wheels.