Dream Project becoming a reality (68 Firebird)

[vannatta20]

First post here and wanted to share with you my journey to my firebird build. I was 16 and always wanted a muscle car. I love everything about them. We found this car in the local newspaper ad. We got there and it was basically a rolling chassis with no hood. We still bought the car for 1500$ and trailered it home. I was so excited until my dad quickly lost interest. I was in high school and had no money to fix it up so there was nothing I could do with it at that time. So it has sit in our barn for 10 years! Now I am in the military and have been stationed overseas for 6 years and now have a wife and a one year old son. I received my next assignment to Luke AFB next to Phoneix AZ. I have wanted badly to save this car and decided this is my best chance. I am taking 1 month of vacation to go back home and build the car on my way to Phoneix. My dad is now retired and my brother is a fabricator who has built custom mini trucks with the air bag suspensions. The plan is for my family and friends to all pitch in and help me build the car in 30 days. We have a shop with a car lift and a never used paint booth. We have a plasma cutter along with welders we will be using as well.

[vannatta20]

My budget and my biggest issue, 15000$
So far I have purchased the following for the build
-2001 LS1 motor with the auto tranny- $2700
Also got in the deal-
-complete 4 wheel LS1 disc brakes
-radiator
Off of Ebay I get full rear quarters panels,400 hood, front fenders, valance panel and Misc for 1600$ Also unisteer rack and pinion steering 650$
Complete wiring kit for the car, 450$
Ordering a new fuel tank and a lot of other misc through http://www.gpsuperstore.com/.

[vannatta20]

Current Condition of the car, somewhat good....
Doors are solid along with the floors and trunk. The quarter panel are ruined. Someone riveted fiberglass quarters over the originals to hide the rust. My buddy who is a excellent body man will be replacing these before I get there.
Interior is excellent except for carpet and headliner. The mice ate those but the seats and door panels were just redone when we bought the car and have been sitting in our basement. I have all new sheetmetal for the front end so I am good in that area.

[vannatta20]

Attached pic

[vannatta20]

For the fuel system I will be running the stock tank with a welded in sump to a external fuel pump.
I really want to get the air ride g bar for the rear suspension. I really like the ride on air bags and the 4 link is so sweet.
Trying to piece together a 9 inch rear end to replace the old 10 bolt. My brother is going to mini tub it and install the rear suspension. My expertise so to say is installing the engine, fixing the wiring, and editing the computer.

[pro-touring nova]

that will be sweet car when you are done with,good luck on the build:thumbsup:

[ProdigyCustoms]

Good talking with you. Get home safe and get er done!

If you need anything at all.................

[BBC69Camaro]

That should be one sweet car when it is done. Keep the pictures rolling :thumbsup:

[markss28]

first thing you want to do is get the ladder off the car.

[vannatta20]

Project started and underway!!! Starting to post pics starting now!

[vannatta20]

Day 1

Subframe removed and painted

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n191/vannatta20/IMG_1834Medium.jpg

[vannatta20]

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n191/vannatta20/IMG_1824Medium.jpg

Day 1 Cont. Quarter panel replacement started....

[XcYZ]

Cool, keep us up to speed. :thumbsup:

[Ricochet]

Looking good!! Keep up the good work! :thumbsup:

[vannatta20]

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n191/vannatta20/IMG_1847-1.jpg

Oil pan notched by a friend at work for 20$!
Now my brother is modding the oil pickup.
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n191/vannatta20/IMG_1848-1.jpg

[vannatta20]

Firewalled smoothed
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n191/vannatta20/IMG_1850.jpg

[vannatta20]

Por 15 on the roof by the wifey
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n191/vannatta20/IMG_1851-1.jpg

[vannatta20]

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n191/vannatta20/IMG_1852-1.jpg

Engine in!!

[vannatta20]

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n191/vannatta20/IMG_1857.jpg

Unisteer rack and pinion steering being modified to fit the notched oil pan. I had to be lowered by a 1 inch and half. Dont worry more metal was added to get the strength back.

[vannatta20]

My dad installing the left quarter.
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n191/vannatta20/IMG_1859.jpg

[vannatta20]

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n191/vannatta20/IMG_1862.jpg

Core support modified to accept stock LS1 radiator.

[vannatta20]

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n191/vannatta20/IMG_1863.jpg

Ford 9 inch rear installed with new leaf springs.

[vannatta20]

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n191/vannatta20/IMG_1865-1.jpg

Here is how 4 gen pace setters fit.

[vannatta20]

Steering hooked up finally!
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n191/vannatta20/IMG_1866.jpg

[vannatta20]

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n191/vannatta20/IMG_1867-1.jpg

Body work started and new wheels installed. 18 inch billet specialties bullets arrived from Jon at Driverz inc.

[RT66MOTORSPORTS]

Dreams do come true good luck with your project. Being in the military thought you might want to check out Project American Heroes 1969 Camaro that we built in 90 days with Super Chevy for the Armed Forces Foundation. The car will be auctioned in April at Barret-Jackson in West Palm Beach with all proceeds going to the Armed Forces Foundation.

Bill Jelinek

[69MyWay]

Very cool! I'm digging it because we are doing our first 68 Firebird right now too.

Very cool cars.

We just had an engine switch from the Poncho 350 to a 400. Have a group of volunteers in GA doing the motor...just bought our hood this week and will be doing a body work group day the end of Januay.

Hope to catch up to you soon!

Ours is at www.projectr517.com

We'll be giving our car away free after it has made its tour as part of our church ministry outreach. You will see a splash on it in the current Pontiac Enthusiast magazine too.

Good luck! I'll keep tabs on this thread and your project!

[vannatta20]

ECM mounted

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_3UkRfgekfAk/SSy0C2LCbLI/AAAAAAAAFT0/hv_kyVtX0wk/s800/IMG_1873.JPG

[vannatta20]

Side/rear shot

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_3UkRfgekfAk/STvmRhbQudI/AAAAAAAAFU4/YV2dSCX4pQc/s800/IMG_1877.JPG

[vannatta20]

Had a busy day last Saturday. We decided to take the Firebird with us to Phoenix, AZ and rented a U haul car trailer. We had to slap the front end together and get it movable. My dad rigged up a drive shaft and I got a front brake working. We got it on the trailer and I found out the one working brake does not stop well at all..... After we it was on the trailer we stuffed the interior in and all the extra parts we didnt have time to install. We almost had the car somewhat drivable except the LS1 booster had the new style flare fittings which caused a big headache to get any of the lines hooked up.

[vannatta20]

Drove 1400 miles in three days to Phoenix, AZ. It was a long long trip but we are here. Now looking for a place to rent close to work. Cant wait to get back to work on the ol' bird again. First thing is to finish the brakes!

[waynieZ]

Nice project and good work so far . Keep us updated.
Wayne

[70TWO NOVA]

i did the LS1 brakes on my Nova a couple years ago. Those newer bubble flares on the MC gave me trouble too. Let me know if you have any questions. Oh yeah by the way, whats your AFSC? Where were you stationed over seas?

[vannatta20]

I was stationed over in Okinawa, Japan at Kadena for 6 years. I work at EGRESS on the F-15 and F-16. Looking to get out of the Air Force but need to find a decent job first. On the LS1 brakes I bought new brake lines with the new style flares and then I cut off the extra and then attempt to flare it to the double flare to the proportioning valve. I cant get the flare right. Usually the flare is lopsided...

[awr68]

Neat project! And thanks for your service! :thumbsup:

[vannatta20]

Thanks for all the kind reply's. Need to find a place to get moved into so I can get back to work on this!

[70TWO NOVA]

I purchased a really nice bubble flare kit (for the mc lines) when i did my conversion, let me know if you would like to barrow it. As for the old double flares i had the exact same problem. I must have went though 10-20 different lines to get them right. I was told that the hydrualic flare tools work much better for those types of flares. Wish i had one!

[vannatta20]

Thanks for the help 70two nova! I will pm you my #. I am off for the next 8 days house hunting so maybe we can meet up.

[vannatta20]

Some pics of the car together.

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_3UkRfgekfAk/ST2EOT189VI/AAAAAAAAFWY/V4wx0dcYQDY/s800/IMG_5278.JPG

[vannatta20]

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_3UkRfgekfAk/ST2ESSLecLI/AAAAAAAAFWc/XaxyTCTwt6I/s800/IMG_5279.JPG

[70TWO NOVA]

No problem, cars looking good!
Let me know when and maybe we can meet up.

[GvEman]

Nice ride! not everyday you se a 1gen Firebird! Keep it upp!