New member/project in WI

[Tinker]

Hello to all, I've been browsing this website for some time now, and there are a lot of cool rides out there. Props to all the hard work. I thought I would post my project, because I have enjoyed the car show from my home and wanted to join in on the fun.

So, this is my car. I have owned my 1969 Pontiac Firebird for 20 years now, and it is never finished. I drove it for one summer before I started to tear it down. The car was completely restored to original condition on the outside, but had a 462ci/TH-400 combo w/ 3.55 posi.
Over the years it had tri power, single quad, 358ci and back to 462ci w/ EFI. Two years ago I smoked the tranny and it hasn't moved since. I now have been accumulating parts, and need to get out there it build it. Here's the recipe:

462 ci Pontiac motor w/ holley mpfi (dynoed 544 ft lbs @ wheels w/ TH400)
Tremec T56 6 speed from 2006 Viper (spec clutch, hyd)
wilwood discs up front(need to go bigger now)
Speed tech upper and lower control arms
QA1 coilovers all corners
Airride Airbar 4 link in rear
Centerline 18 inch billet (8 inch front 9.5 rear)wheels (havn't received yet sure to include pics when I do)

maybe with a little urging, I can get out and drive it soon. I'll post the progress along the way.

[Van B]

Welcome to the site. Where in WI are you from?

[Steve Firebird]

One more Firebird fan in WI great news. Car sounds nice. Where in WI are you from?
PS GET TO WORK ON THAT CAR! :)

[1984 camaro]

Welcome fellow wisconsinite, where are you from? Your firebird looks very good Randy

[XcYZ]

Welcome aboard. Keep us up to speed. :cheers:

[68/Camaro]

Welcome to Lateral-g Site! BTW Nice Project!
Bill

[Bakaruda]

Nice car.

[almcbri]

nice looking bird! Welcome

[nvr2fst]

Welcome fellow Wisconsinite, nice bird.
Dave

[awr68]

Welcome! Nice car!

[tones2SS]

Welcome.
Sounds like a fun car. Keep us posted please.:thumbsup:

[Tinker]

Hey all, I guess I need to check the forum more frequently. At least I can tell you that I was in the shop. Just recieved my firewall filler panel and master cylinder bracket from DSE. (nice stuff!!) Let the grinding and welding begin. To those fellow Wisconsinites I live in Kaukauna.

[Van B]

I practically grew up at WIR. My dad ran there every Saturday night. Keep the updates coming.

[1984 camaro]

On a windy and damp day I can smell Kaukauna.

[Tinker]

Thank God it's only on a windy and damp day, If I don't smell the mill, I always have the farm down the road! As far as WIR, I can sit on my porch and listen to the drags most every weekend.

[66LS7]

Car looks great, keep us updated on progress. I am about an 1 1/2 hrs. south, you'll have to give me a call & stop in some time.:thumbsup:

Randy (D&Z Customs LLC.)
Kewaskum, WI.
1-262-347-9741

[Tinker]

Haven't updated yet so here it is. I have been in the garage a bit. Progress is slow,but most of the engineering is done. Thanks vegas69, my drivetrain is in shape now. body welding should be done, frame is mostly fabbed, waiting for final welding. Debating on remounting front of lower trailing arms. Arm is at 4 degrees, which is alright at the strip, but I think 1-2 degrees would help roll steer. Car is all bolted together for measurements. Next step tear it apart again and paint & bodywork, so I can do final assembly. BTW anybody waiting for centerline wheels? Seems they are having a hell of a time getting outers, so now they are making their own. It's been three months and I am dying to see them.

[Tinker]

Finally some updates. Got my frame back from powdercoat Sat. Was in the garage late Sat night. Motor dropped back in tonight. Tomorrow, trans and headers then I can roll it into the other garage so it stays clean while I prep and paint the floorpan. Sorry the wheel photo isn't clearer, but I must have been shakin' w/ excitement.(they only took 4 months to get to me)

[67rstbkt]

Very nice project:thumbsup:

[66LS7]

The project is looking great!:thumbsup:

Randy (D&Z Customs LLC.)
[email protected]
1-262-347-9741

[tones2SS]

Looks awesome Chris.
Keep us posted.:cheers:

[Tinker]

Haven't posted cuz I was livin' in the shop. I said I was going to th gg show in Joliet and I made it. Put in a lot of hours and thanks to my friend Dewey and my neighbors, Mike and Chris it was possible. I spent 19 hours in the shop on Thurs.(till 3am), got up at 7 and finished the car. I test drove it down the road and back and packed it up. We drove 200 miles there for the maiden voyage. The car ran flawlessly down the road getting 20mpg on the way back and it still needs more tuning. Handles like a dream even with a neutral setup, and man it's a riot banging through 6 gears. I will spend some time this winter on details like some small clamps and a shifter boot. Hopefully some big brakes in spring, but I am gonna drive 'er till the snow flies right now!

[Tinker]

I figured I would just add to this thread, then all who missed the first chapter could see from the beginning. Well I knew the car wasn't done. After driving the car I felt the brakes were not up to par and the steering floated too much. I also wanted to change the rear gear ratio. So fast forward 6 years (holy crap!) I started the upgrades this winter. First up my vacuum pump seized up and I couldn't get a new one because that model was discontinued so enter a brand new star machine billet pump and overflow can. Now I have to fab up new brackets and pulley system. As long as I need to do that I am adding a new type 2 pump with a slick jones racing fabricated reservoir coupled to a 12.7:1 670 steering gear. I am in the middle of trying to make all the new steering linkage fit around headers and oil pan. Most recently I ordered a speedway engineering grand national floater yesterday with 13×1.25 rotors from Ron Sutton. He is so great to work with and spent 25 minutes on the phone twice going over my options. Can't wait for that to get here. I'll post more pictures as the car progresses again. I hope this time it will be so fun to drive that it will keep me from tearing it apart.