Home built 67 Firebird [Archive]

rickpaw

09-23-2013, 06:20 AM

Back in 2009, I got bitten by the muscle car bug, eventhough I've always drawn to imports most of my life. After search CL/ebay, I found a 67 Firebird in Puyallup, just east of Tacoma WA. It was a 400/T400 car, with complete interior, but front end was either missing/unusable. It needed new quarters, front end sheet metal, and trunk pan. The plan was restoring the car back to stock with upgrades to front discs.

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20restoration/Arrival9_23_08002.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20restoration/Arrival9_23_08002.jpg.html)

After getting the car home in Vancouver, I did research on farming it out for rust repair, and quickly learned that for the labor cost of one quarter panel replacement, I could pick up a welding set up/tool to do it myself, so I dove head first into metal repair/body work.

Since I have not welded before, I've decided to practiced on scrap pieces of sheet metals first, then welded on the car where pretty welds are not required, such as floor pans and trunk pan.

Repaired rear floor pan
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20restoration/DSCN0355.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20restoration/DSCN0355.jpg.html)

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20restoration/DSCN0360.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20restoration/DSCN0360.jpg.html)

Repaired trunk pan

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20restoration/DSCN0414.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20restoration/DSCN0414.jpg.html)

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20restoration/DSCN0417.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20restoration/DSCN0417.jpg.html)

rickpaw

09-23-2013, 06:28 AM

Now that I was comfortable with the welder, I tackled the quarters. The pass side got a full quarter, and driver side got a skin. I also replaced the piece between the trunk and rear window. I used SEM panel bonding adhesive on the full quarter and the trunk filler piece.

Pass quarter removed

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20restoration/DSCN0506.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20restoration/DSCN0506.jpg.html)
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20restoration/DSCN0634.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20restoration/DSCN0634.jpg.html)
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20restoration/DSCN0504.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20restoration/DSCN0504.jpg.html)

Pass quarter mocked up
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20restoration/DSC_0028.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20restoration/DSC_0028.jpg.html)

Driver side quarter removed

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20restoration/CopyofDSC_0030.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20restoration/CopyofDSC_0030.jpg.html)

New skin screwed in place

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20restoration/CopyofDSC_0111.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20restoration/CopyofDSC_0111.jpg.html)

Welded.
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20restoration/CopyofDSC_0177.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20restoration/CopyofDSC_0177.jpg.html)

Replaced trunk filler piece

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20restoration/DSCN0055.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20restoration/DSCN0055.jpg.html)
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20restoration/DSCN0057.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20restoration/DSCN0057.jpg.html)

rickpaw

09-23-2013, 06:31 AM

Started on the bodywork

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20restoration/DSCN0398.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20restoration/DSCN0398.jpg.html)
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20restoration/DSCN0400.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20restoration/DSCN0400.jpg.html)
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20restoration/DSCN0394.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20restoration/DSCN0394.jpg.html)
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20restoration/DSCN0464.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20restoration/DSCN0464.jpg.html)

Worked on the gap between the trunk lid and the filler panel between the trunk and rear window
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20restoration/DSCN0517.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20restoration/DSCN0517.jpg.html)
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20restoration/DSC_0112.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20restoration/DSC_0112.jpg.html)

Removed the sub frame and had it blasted
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20restoration/DSCN0592.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20restoration/DSCN0592.jpg.html)

rickpaw

09-23-2013, 06:35 AM

Car with all the sheet metal back on. I repaired the original doors with patches, patched the rust hole on the DS fender, and used repo fender on the pass side.

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20restoration/DSCN0657.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20restoration/DSCN0657.jpg.html)
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20restoration/DSCN0654.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20restoration/DSCN0654.jpg.html)

Sprayed primer on the car in my garage.

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20restoration/DSC_0118.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20restoration/DSC_0118.jpg.html)
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20restoration/DSC_0117.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20restoration/DSC_0117.jpg.html)

Wet sanded

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20restoration/wetsand4.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20restoration/wetsand4.jpg.html)
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20restoration/wetsand3.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20restoration/wetsand3.jpg.html)
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20restoration/wetsand1.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20restoration/wetsand1.jpg.html)
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20restoration/DSC_0219.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20restoration/DSC_0219.jpg.html)

rickpaw

09-23-2013, 06:37 AM

Since I have not painted a car before, I decided to farm out the final paint/clear coat.

On the trailer to the paint shop
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20restoration/P1000042.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20restoration/P1000042.jpg.html)

Painted
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20restoration/P1000346.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20restoration/P1000346.jpg.html)
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20restoration/P1000345.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20restoration/P1000345.jpg.html)
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20restoration/P1000342.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20restoration/P1000342.jpg.html)
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20restoration/P1000341.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20restoration/P1000341.jpg.html)

rickpaw

09-23-2013, 06:41 AM

I got lucky as one week after I had the car painted, the paint shop got burned down.

Had the Pontiac engine rebuilt at AC Nutter in Vancouver, Wa

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20restoration/P1000347.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20restoration/P1000347.jpg.html)

AC tried to talk me into going LS engine, but I was restoring it to semi stock so I had him rebuilt the block with forged internals/roller cam etc... :G-Dub:

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20restoration/P1000734.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20restoration/P1000734.jpg.html)

will69camaro

09-23-2013, 06:42 AM

Car is looking good! Kudos for taking on the sheetmetal work! I couldn't bring myself to do that portion of it.

**Edit** Answered before I could post!

rickpaw

09-23-2013, 06:44 AM

Dynamatted the car (3 boxes total), replaced all wiring with American Autowire, put front/rear disc brakes from an 02 Firebird in the car. Installed VA a/c, Mark 8 fan, Hotchkis subframe connectors.

Got the car running and entered it in a car show in Vancouver, WA. That was back in 2011. Almost 3 years after I started.

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20restoration/P1010807.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20restoration/P1010807.jpg.html)

rickpaw

09-23-2013, 06:49 AM

September 2011 we decided to move to Houston from rainy NW. The wife and kids left first with the movers. They left me a couch/table/TV and my tools in the garage.

One month later, I found a job in Houston and joined the family.

My Firebird on a trailer somewhere in eastern Oregon, with the Uhaul packed to the roof with my tools/stuff from the garage.

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20restoration/DSC_0370.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20restoration/DSC_0370.jpg.html)

rickpaw

09-23-2013, 06:51 AM

The car at its new home in Houston. In 2012, I put in Gear Vendor O/D, Dakota Digital VHX gauges (awesome piece), and drove the car around for almost a year.

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20restoration/P1020116.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20restoration/P1020116.jpg.html)

Sonar Chief

09-23-2013, 08:17 AM

glassman

09-23-2013, 08:25 AM

Very nice job.....lots of work and labor of love. I find it so peaceful in my garage working (when things are going well lol)

I saw in Dales' build that you may have ended up doing the LS swap? (5.7 litre isn't the 400)

Anyways, looks great......Mike

rickpaw

09-23-2013, 08:32 AM

Fast forward to 2013. After driving the car with the Pontiac combo for a year, I grew tired of the fuel smell/exhaust leak. I couldn't get the car to run right. Out of frustration, I pulled the combo out and decided to do an LS swap.

Sold the Pontiac drivetrain and found a complete 5.3/4l60e drop out from a 2001 pick up truck.

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1020978_zpsf6ed84f2.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1020978_zpsf6ed84f2.jpg.html)
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1020985_zps8bcc7245.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1020985_zps8bcc7245.jpg.html)
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1020471_zpse1cf25c2.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1020471_zpse1cf25c2.jpg.html)

rickpaw

09-23-2013, 08:39 AM

rickpaw

09-23-2013, 08:44 AM

Also seen in the back ground is a 68 Mustang project that I picked up after moving to Houston. Sold the Mustang to fund the LS swap.

Did some research and settled on DSE LS swap mounts/Dynatech headers

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1020986_zps98028c0d.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1020986_zps98028c0d.jpg.html)

Mast oil pan. For the price Mast was asking, I was expecting the casting to be a little bit better. The casting on pan I received was a bit rough, but it fit great.

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1020992_zps0b51c0a9.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1020992_zps0b51c0a9.jpg.html)

Engine/trans mocked up in the car

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/DSC_0322_zps62eb0c73.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/DSC_0322_zps62eb0c73.jpg.html)

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/DSC_0324_zps2a23fbc9.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/DSC_0324_zps2a23fbc9.jpg.html)

rickpaw

09-23-2013, 09:28 AM

Tanks Inc FI tank with Aeromotive 340 pump

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1020997_zpse201cde4.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1020997_zpse201cde4.jpg.html)
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1020998_zps4607b018.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1020998_zps4607b018.jpg.html)
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1020999_zps3a5aebd5.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1020999_zps3a5aebd5.jpg.html)
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1030001_zpsd31d41d3.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1030001_zpsd31d41d3.jpg.html)

rickpaw

09-23-2013, 09:31 AM

I saw on several DSE builds an access panel was created for the fuel pump access so I copied the idea. It did not come out as nice as DSE but it works. Now if I need to change the fuel pump, it's a 15 min job without dropping the tank.

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1030004_zpsfb07766b.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1030004_zpsfb07766b.jpg.html)
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1030008_zps1ea2c93a.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1030008_zps1ea2c93a.jpg.html)
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1030005_zps090eac45.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1030005_zps090eac45.jpg.html)
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1030009_zps3581c8ec.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1030009_zps3581c8ec.jpg.html)

rickpaw

09-23-2013, 09:36 AM

Got BMR crossmember

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1030007_zps31a25476.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1030007_zps31a25476.jpg.html)
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1030017_zpsea380e9b.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1030017_zpsea380e9b.jpg.html)

Corvette filter/regulator

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1030018_zps1b602224.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1030018_zps1b602224.jpg.html)

Swagelok an to hardline adaptor

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1030019_zps3604abb4.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1030019_zps3604abb4.jpg.html)

Filter installed, and wrapped up fuel tank/line installation

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1030030_zps1ddc64d5.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1030030_zps1ddc64d5.jpg.html)

Mounted Finch dual vent next to the relocated battery.

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1030024_zps9705fd26.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1030024_zps9705fd26.jpg.html)

rickpaw

09-23-2013, 09:42 AM

Got new wiring harness and LS1 ECU from PSI Conversion.

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1030033_zps99f0a20c.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1030033_zps99f0a20c.jpg.html)

I ran leak down test on the engine, and found the numbers to be acceptable so decided to leave the engine as is. Did a quick Pontiac blue rebuild job

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1030035_zpsc7a2530a.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1030035_zpsc7a2530a.jpg.html)

Shiftworks 4l60e shifter conversion kit

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1030048_zps23db2149.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1030048_zps23db2149.jpg.html)

Rebuilt shifter with new bushings/neutral safety switch/shifter detent
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1030054_zpsd8feaa46.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1030054_zpsd8feaa46.jpg.html)
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1030072_zps0927096d.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1030072_zps0927096d.jpg.html)

rickpaw

09-23-2013, 09:45 AM

I converted the PCV system to the newer LS6 style. The new LS6 valley cover with the built in PCV next to the original one.

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1030064_zpsa52ea03e.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1030064_zpsa52ea03e.jpg.html)

Removed the old one and install the new style valley cover. Reinstalled knock sensors and done. A quick 30 min. job.

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1030065_zps541831b1.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1030065_zps541831b1.jpg.html)
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1030066_zpsd739fe72.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1030066_zpsd739fe72.jpg.html)

rickpaw

09-23-2013, 09:50 AM

Picture of the engine bay with Holley accessory brackets, LS1 intake/fuel rails, truck coils

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1030075_zpsabe5f750.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1030075_zpsabe5f750.jpg.html)

I had to bend the fuel inlet rail slightly to clear the taller truck coils

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1030074_zpse8544ed3.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1030074_zpse8544ed3.jpg.html)

Swapped in a tilt column from Jim at gmtilt.com. Very nice piece.

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1030080_zps9b2a4406.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1030080_zps9b2a4406.jpg.html)

Also made a bracket to mount the ECU behind the pass side headlights.

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1030086_zps3e17d88a.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1030086_zps3e17d88a.jpg.html)
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1030087_zps85a4c8cf.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1030087_zps85a4c8cf.jpg.html)

New 3.5" aluminum driveshaft from Inland Empire.

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1030092_zps1aaa7c15.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1030092_zps1aaa7c15.jpg.html)
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1030093_zps07586ef5.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1030093_zps07586ef5.jpg.html)

rickpaw

09-23-2013, 09:56 AM

New al. radiator with dual Meradyne fans.

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1030106_zpscadcf466.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1030106_zpscadcf466.jpg.html)

Found this little gem on ebay to tap to the radiator hose for the steam vent.

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1030109_zpsf4756965.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1030109_zpsf4756965.jpg.html)

Picture of the engine bay.

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1030111_zps4c512046.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1030111_zps4c512046.jpg.html)

That's kind of bringing the thread up to date.

First shakedown run

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjOJSlDODWs

I have been driving the car off/on for about 3 weeks now, putting a total of 200 miles on her. I have to recharge the AC, go over the car, and get her ready for Cruisin the Coast.

rickpaw

09-23-2013, 10:05 AM

OK, how to you embed youtube video in your posts?

glassman

09-23-2013, 04:57 PM

I haven't tried it yet, but this is how sieg showed me how to do it:

Mike, need to open the video in YouTube then click share, copy the link, paste it in you post, delete the = sign and all characters left of it, highlight the remaining characters and click on the filmstrip icon to wrap them with [youtube] tags.

rickpaw

09-23-2013, 07:14 PM

let's try the youtube link again

qjOJSlDODWs

Edit, it worked. Thanks glassman.

rickpaw

09-27-2013, 05:53 AM

I put a total of 300 miles since the swap. The car performed flawlessly. Drove it to work yesterday, and got the windows tinted aferwork. Made a huge difference in the interior temperature.

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/20130926_1233102_zps12cafe8f.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/20130926_1233102_zps12cafe8f.jpg.html)

rickpaw

02-24-2014, 07:16 AM

Some quick update on the car.

I have Dynatech headers and DSE motor mounts on the car. The headers fit very well, but they hang way too low. In talking with Greg at Dynatech, and looking at photos of Ridetech's Velocity, which was used to develop the headers, it turned out that I had the mounts backwards. So I spent the last week lifting the motor up and flipped the mounts around.

DSE mounts I had installed initially.

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/DSC_0322_zps62eb0c73.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/DSC_0322_zps62eb0c73.jpg.html)

The mounts flipped around.

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1010668_zps21fec192.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1010668_zps21fec192.jpg.html)

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1010669_zpsd971cdb2.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1010669_zpsd971cdb2.jpg.html)

Ground clearance before
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1010644_zpse9922b91.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1010644_zpse9922b91.jpg.html)

After. The headers tuck up a bit more. I gained prob 1.5" of additional clearance, which what I needed.

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1010670_zps69970d6d.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1010670_zps69970d6d.jpg.html)

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1010671_zpsda6bafe5.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1010671_zpsda6bafe5.jpg.html)

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1010673_zps59af379d.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1010673_zps59af379d.jpg.html)

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1010672_zps7d174c45.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1010672_zps7d174c45.jpg.html)

The car is still on jack stands so I have not measured the ground clearance just yet.

n77nxc

02-24-2014, 09:54 AM

Looks great man! Nice work.

will69camaro

02-24-2014, 12:29 PM

Plans to take it to Cars and Coffee? I may join this weekend and would love to check this car out.

William

meenaggie

02-24-2014, 06:07 PM

Clearance looks much better after the swap of the adapter plates. I am actually surprised it made that much of a difference but glad it did.

rickpaw

02-24-2014, 07:25 PM

Looks great man! Nice work.

Thanks.

Plans to take it to Cars and Coffee? I may join this weekend and would love to check this car out.

William

No not this month. Last time I was at C&C (Jan), it was more of a late model car fest, with mustangs/jeeps/blinged out Chrysler 300s/Scions. There were only a few muscle cars there.

Clearance looks much better after the swap of the adapter plates. I am actually surprised it made that much of a difference but glad it did.

I was surprise too. The headers did not tuck up as tight as Holley's new set up, but it works. Was told by Dynatech that they used Ridetech's old Velocity camaro as a mock up, and they flipped the motor mounts.

Steve68

02-24-2014, 08:28 PM

nice car, how do you like the apples to oranges comparisons

will69camaro

02-24-2014, 08:41 PM

rickpaw

02-25-2014, 06:03 AM

When does Nifty Fifties start back up? I need to hit that up again. Been a while.

William

I'm not sure when that starts back up. I know they moved from the old location at Kroger's, but I don't know where the new location is.

Drove the car around the block yesterday afternoon. Pretty stoked that my exhaust cleared the driveway, but now the belt is squealing like a pig.:hairpullout:

Also fixed the parking brake on my LS1 rear brake. So I have working parking brake now.

NvrDun71

02-25-2014, 11:11 AM

Yea not sure I'm making this one either. C&C has quite a few classics usually, just mostly high end cars parking inside Vintage Park now. Need to get a big group to get there early and secure some spots for the old cars! Like to see them making more of a presence.

When does Nifty Fifties start back up? I need to hit that up again. Been a while.

William

Nifty Fiftees starts back up this Saturday, March 1st. The first show of the season is normally a good turn out as well. Gonna try and head out there myself if my plans workout

rickpaw

02-25-2014, 01:57 PM

Where's the new location for Nifty Fifties, or are they still at the old location in Kroger's parking lot?

waynieZ

02-25-2014, 09:42 PM

The headers fit a lot better that way.

NvrDun71

02-25-2014, 10:12 PM

Where's the new location for Nifty Fifties, or are they still at the old location in Kroger's parking lot?

New location is: 4880 Louetta Rd @ Kuykendahl in the Corum shopping Center

rickpaw

02-26-2014, 06:35 AM

The headers fit a lot better that way.

Yep, apparently it was designed with the motor mounts upside down. Greg @ Dynatech said they will update the installation instructions.

New location is: 4880 Louetta Rd @ Kuykendahl in the Corum shopping Center

Thanks.

rickpaw

03-09-2014, 07:01 PM

I purchased an SC&C Street Comp Stage 1 plus from Marcus and full set of Ridetech HQ shocks back in thanksgiving of last year, but now finally had time to put them all together.

SPC upper and lower control arms

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1030452_zps6f68c1af.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1030452_zps6f68c1af.jpg.html)

One side installed (missing the shocks)

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1030453_zps56d89134.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1030453_zps56d89134.jpg.html)

Now just have to do an alignment.

Got a Lat-g decal from Jody.

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1030454_zps8791417f.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1030454_zps8791417f.jpg.html)

rickpaw

03-09-2014, 07:18 PM

Ordered a set of Budnik wheels from Jay Swain. 18x8 front, and 18x9 rear. G10 wheels in brushed finish.

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/G10_zps0ba1cca2.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/G10_zps0ba1cca2.jpg.html)

waynieZ

03-10-2014, 06:00 PM

Very Nice!

rickpaw

03-10-2014, 07:00 PM

Very Nice!

Thanks.

gearheads78

03-10-2014, 08:43 PM

Nice project. I like the new wheel choice.

rickpaw

03-11-2014, 06:12 AM

Nice project. I like the new wheel choice.

Thanks.

68400BIRD

03-11-2014, 08:02 AM

Very nice wheels. Are the 9"s going to tuck in the rear?

rickpaw

03-11-2014, 08:28 AM

Very nice wheels. Are the 9"s going to tuck in the rear?

Based on my measurements, it should. We'll see. With a 10" wide tire, I'll have 1.5" to the inner tub, and 0.5" to the quarter lip.

rickpaw

04-25-2014, 07:41 PM

4 boxes arrived from UPS (well 3 in the picture-the 4th one is at the car)

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1010818_zps141c03f8.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1010818_zps141c03f8.jpg.html)

Rear wheel mocked up. Looks like I have a bit too much BS. A 1/4 spacer will fix that. Will have to wait and see if there will be any issues with rubbing. Tires are at the local Discount Tire (Nitto NT-05s). Hoping to have the tires mounted tomorrow.

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1010821_zps99c12e2c.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1010821_zps99c12e2c.jpg.html)

gearheads78

04-25-2014, 10:16 PM

Wheels look great. Too bad about the B/S at least its to the inside so you can fix it with a spacer.

rickpaw

04-26-2014, 08:39 AM

Thx. I rather have too much bs than not enough.

n77nxc

04-26-2014, 10:53 PM

Great looking wheel! Looking forward to pics with the tires mounted.

Empty1

05-01-2014, 02:20 PM

WSSix

05-01-2014, 07:13 PM

Welcome to the website, Empty. Be sure to make a post in the into section telling us about yourself.

Car looks great, Tu. I really like your wheel choice. Good luck with it.

rickpaw

05-02-2014, 03:23 PM

I enjoyed reading through your journey as I identified with several aspects. For one, after many years of "thinking about" restoring, I'm finally at a point where I can dedicate time and resources towards it. In addition, I also live in Vancouver, Washington and can certainly appreciate your comments about escaping the rain for drier and warmer climates.
The welding was also impressive as you hadn't had any previous experience, but jumped in with the realization that this would save money in the long run. I'd like to think I could take the same approach, maybe even rent the equipment.
I in the process of locating an early 70's 2nd generation firebird to restore and hope I have half as much success as you had with your '67.

Thanks for you kind words.

Welcome to the website, Empty. Be sure to make a post in the into section telling us about yourself.

Car looks great, Tu. I really like your wheel choice. Good luck with it.

Thanks. Dropped the wheels off at Discount Tires and they mounted a short valve stem to check caliper clearance, as the valve stem is located behind the spokes. I ended up ordering flush mount valve stems, as the regular stems won't clear the calipers. :G-Dub:

Anyone here has any experience with flush mount valve stem?

gearheads78

05-02-2014, 03:58 PM

Thanks for you kind words.

Thanks. Dropped the wheels off at Discount Tires and they mounted a short valve stem to check caliper clearance, as the valve stem is located behind the spokes. I ended up ordering flush mount valve stems, as the regular stems won't clear the calipers. :G-Dub:

Anyone here has any experience with flush mount valve stem?

I found out the hard way with my old 66 Cutlass. Maiden voyage had 2 flat tires in a block of driving. Luckily no damage and short stems fixed mine. I have never used the flush mounts but they look like a PITA.

rickpaw

05-04-2014, 05:19 PM

My wheels saga continues. After 2 hrs at Discount Tire yesterday waiting for them to mount/balance tires (promised 1 hr wait), they called me into the shop and said the tire mounting machine put a couple of scuff marks on the rim of one of the wheels. They offered to have it refinish or send it back to Budnik but it will take at least a week. They ended up refunded the cost of one tire in lieu of refinishing the wheel.

Got the wheels mounted on the car, and this morning 2 of the tires were flat. :hairpullout: Aired them up to 32 psi, and 2 hrs later they were down to 15 psi. Back to DT again. Suck part is I'm out of town to Austin for most of the week, so it won't get taken care off until I get back.:bang:

geberhard

05-16-2014, 09:36 AM

Tu, figured out what the leak was? Flush valve steams? Looking forward to the pics of the new shoes on the bird.

heyhiitsmevlad

05-16-2014, 09:27 PM

good luck with the valve stem issue man. Enjoyed reading about your build, i like it, its clean.

rickpaw

05-18-2014, 06:59 AM

Well, my saga with the wheels/tires came to an end. Got the wheels/tires back from DT. They dunked the wheels in water to test for leaks, not sure how clean the water was but the wheels were covered in water spots/stains. I spent about 1 hr trying to clean the stains off the 2 wheels while trying not to mess up the brushed finish. Got most of it off, but some are stained on and visible. Called up DT and gave the manager an earful, he blamed Budnik. I called him out for being careless.:bigun2:

I coated the wheels with opti-coat. Probably just have them refinished down the road. :G-Dub:

Some pics

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1010828_zps42c11af4.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1010828_zps42c11af4.jpg.html)

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1010827_zps85fe5763.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1010827_zps85fe5763.jpg.html)

Next up, brake upgrade. C6 Z51 brakes enroute from Tobin @ Kore3.

n77nxc

05-18-2014, 07:18 AM

Dude! Those look great! What backspacing did you go with? Also, what tire sizes are your running. Car looks awesome....:thumbsup:

tubbed69

05-18-2014, 09:00 AM

Those Budniks sure look good on there,they make some really nice wheels.Car looks great:thumbsup:

rickpaw

05-18-2014, 09:08 AM

Dude! Those look great! What backspacing did you go with? Also, what tire sizes are your running. Car looks awesome....:thumbsup:

Thanks. Fronts are 5" BS (18x8). Rears ae 5.375" BS (18x9). Tires are Nitto NT05 245/40/18 fronts and 275/35/18 rears.

Those Budniks sure look good on there,they make some really nice wheels.Car looks great:thumbsup:

Thanks. They sure make some nice wheels. Although I'm not too fond of how they have the valve stem mounted behind the spokes though.

n77nxc

05-18-2014, 11:38 AM

Stock 10 bolt rear?

rickpaw

05-18-2014, 08:51 PM

Stock 10 bolt rear?
YEs, stock BOP rear.

rickpaw

05-19-2014, 05:12 AM

Yesterday afternoon went to private BBQ/car show south of Houston with the guys from the local firebird club and snapped some pictures.

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/DSC_0969_zps92b3846e.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/DSC_0969_zps92b3846e.jpg.html)

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/DSC_0942_zps58140b58.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/DSC_0942_zps58140b58.jpg.html)

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/DSC_0941_zpsd0ab6566.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/DSC_0941_zpsd0ab6566.jpg.html)

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/DSC_0950_zps6f4bc707.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/DSC_0950_zps6f4bc707.jpg.html)

Got lots of compliments on the new wheels from the fellow Firebird owners.

KPC67

05-19-2014, 07:23 AM

Got lots of compliments on the new wheels from the fellow Firebird owners.
And rightfully so, the car looks great. :thumbsup:

68400BIRD

05-19-2014, 02:31 PM

WOW!!! The wheels look killer on there. I also like the HO stripe, when did that magically appear on there?

rickpaw

05-19-2014, 05:32 PM

WOW!!! The wheels look killer on there. I also like the HO stripe, when did that magically appear on there?

Thanks Rob. The stripe has been there since day one, I put it on right after car got painted. Here's a picture of it after I put it on. Should have gotten the stripe in white.

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20restoration/P1010855.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20restoration/P1010855.jpg.html)

meenaggie

05-20-2014, 01:52 AM

Tu, as several others have said . . . I like those Budniks!

rickpaw

05-21-2014, 04:34 PM

Tu, as several others have said . . . I like those Budniks!

Thanks Casey. Can't wait to see your Camaro finished.

Some stuff from Kore3. :ups: C6 z51 calipers/brackets/billet hubs/ARP studs. A tad disappointed to see the calipers are plain aluminum, not the ones with the dark grey finish and Kore3 logo. Called Tobin up and he said they stopped adding the logos awhile back. Kind of bummed. Guess I'll just paint the calipers.

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1010829_zps9e225f15.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1010829_zps9e225f15.jpg.html)

DBA 4000 T3 Z51 rotors. Ordered them from autoanything with 20% off. These things are huge.

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1010831_zpseeb5bde9.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1010831_zpseeb5bde9.jpg.html)
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1010830_zpscd373e8e.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1010830_zpscd373e8e.jpg.html)

I'm out of town this weekend, so hopefully will have these installed next weekend. After that the LS1 brakes on there will be up for sale.

Swain

05-21-2014, 04:53 PM

wow looks great. Happy we made that deal work for ya. :D

Well, my saga with the wheels/tires came to an end. Got the wheels/tires back from DT. They dunked the wheels in water to test for leaks, not sure how clean the water was but the wheels were covered in water spots/stains. I spent about 1 hr trying to clean the stains off the 2 wheels while trying not to mess up the brushed finish. Got most of it off, but some are stained on and visible. Called up DT and gave the manager an earful, he blamed Budnik. I called him out for being careless.:bigun2:

I coated the wheels with opti-coat. Probably just have them refinished down the road. :G-Dub:

Some pics

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1010828_zps42c11af4.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1010828_zps42c11af4.jpg.html)

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1010827_zps85fe5763.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1010827_zps85fe5763.jpg.html)

Next up, brake upgrade. C6 Z51 brakes enroute from Tobin @ Kore3.

will69camaro

05-21-2014, 10:48 PM

Car is looking great and those brakes are NICE!

William

rickpaw

05-22-2014, 09:30 AM

wow looks great. Happy we made that deal work for ya. :D

Thanks Jay. Really like how the wheels turn out.

Car is looking great and those brakes are NICE!

William

Thanks William.

Stovebolter

05-22-2014, 10:37 AM

Oh I love the Firebirds. This car is awesome!

David

rickpaw

05-31-2014, 07:04 AM

Quick update-installed the Kore3 brakes. Everything went perfectly, although I had to shim the brackets as the rotor was not parallel to the caliper bracket on the pass side, and was not centered on the driver side.

My 4 yo helping me with "daddy's fast car"

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1010869_zps975fc6d1.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1010869_zps975fc6d1.jpg.html)

Once we got into the heavy dirty work, I handed her a roll of masking tape and told her to work on the car. This was the result.

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1010873_zps537e9bde.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1010873_zps537e9bde.jpg.html)

Pulled the old brake off, cleaned up the spindle and installed Kore3's bracket/hub.

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1010870_zps00c14565.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1010870_zps00c14565.jpg.html)

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1010871_zpsf27b56ca.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1010871_zpsf27b56ca.jpg.html)

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1010872_zps70b73377.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1010872_zps70b73377.jpg.html)

Completed pass side.

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1010877_zps19ab3ec2.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1010877_zps19ab3ec2.jpg.html)

Put the wheel back on to check for clearances. The rotor fills up the wheel nicely.

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1010878_zpsc92b035c.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1010878_zpsc92b035c.jpg.html)

Repeat for the DS. Now I just need to bleed the brakes, bed in the rotors and I should be good to go.

gearheads78

06-01-2014, 09:41 AM

very nice

Vince@Meanstreets

06-01-2014, 10:51 AM

Looking great Tu!!! That Kore3 stuff is quality.

I'll take blue tape over chauk or finger paint any day! : )

rickpaw

06-01-2014, 07:16 PM

very nice

Looking great Tu!!! That Kore3 stuff is quality.

I'll take blue tape over chauk or finger paint any day! : )

Thanks guys. Took her out for a test run and bed in the pads. Took her up to 60 mph, and slowed down to 20 mph. Did that a few times, with some cool down periods in between. The new brakes work much very well, with much better feel.:thumbsup:

The girls came out with their box of markers and wanted to decorate my car. You should have seen my face. I gave them the blue tapes and told them to decorate the blue tapes. Worked out nice. Kept them busy for awhile.

geberhard

06-17-2014, 11:49 AM

Tu, hi! The ARP wheel studs you used, will they work on a stock drum hub? Happen to have teh part number and where did you order them from? Thanks!!

Gui

rickpaw

06-17-2014, 12:09 PM

Tu, hi! The ARP wheel studs you used, will they work on a stock drum hub? Happen to have teh part number and where did you order them from? Thanks!!

Gui

Those are screw in ARP studs. Got them from Tobin as part of the package. I tossed the package, but I'm sure you can find them on Summit.

If you use the correct tap, I'm pretty sure you can use them on the stock hubs.

geberhard

06-17-2014, 01:38 PM

Tu, thanks!!

Love the pic with the little one, my girls love to "work" on the cars, I just keep hammers away from them :)

Gui

n77nxc

06-17-2014, 05:07 PM

Tu, thanks!!

Love the pic with the little one, my girls love to "work" on the cars, I just keep hammers away from them :)

Gui

Oh come on Gui....hammer fixes everything! :D

geberhard

06-17-2014, 06:25 PM

Jason, I hear ya :) The girls loved "helping" on the Jeep since little, but stoked all of our little ones are interested in cars.

Tu, do you have more full side shots of the bird with the new shoes? Did you end up adding spacers?

thanks!

MisterD

06-26-2014, 12:31 PM

Lenie

06-26-2014, 02:14 PM

Tu, just read your entire thread. Purchasing a car in this condition (top pic) and restoring it to it's current condition (bottom pic) pretty much all on your own is an amazing accomplishment, absolutely outstanding. Beautiful car, glad you made the switch from imports. You know if you still lived in the great NW you'd put fewer miles on your car :lol: well done :cheers:
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20restoration/Arrival9_23_08002.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20restoration/Arrival9_23_08002.jpg.html)

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/DSC_0969_zps92b3846e.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/DSC_0969_zps92b3846e.jpg.html)

rickpaw

06-26-2014, 02:42 PM

Great build thread! I completely identified with so many aspects of the build. Looking good and keep up the work. I am subscribed. BTW, what rotors did you use with your 4th gen firebird brakes? I might need a set coming up soon. I just received my hardlines from Tobin. Once I finish up some metal work in the trunk I'm moving on to running hardlines. Great work!

I used SSBC rotors.

Tu, just read your entire thread. Purchasing a car in this condition (top pic) and restoring it to it's current condition (bottom pic) pretty much all on your own is an amazing accomplishment, absolutely outstanding. Beautiful car, glad you made the switch from imports. You know if you still lived in the great NW you'd put fewer miles on your car :lol: well done :cheers:
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20restoration/Arrival9_23_08002.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20restoration/Arrival9_23_08002.jpg.html)

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/DSC_0969_zps92b3846e.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/DSC_0969_zps92b3846e.jpg.html)

Hi Lenie. Thanks for the compliments. I sure miss the NW, but won't miss the rain. I'm sure you can relate. But as Greg Weld can attest, it sure rains hard down in Texas.

Your Firebird is awesome. Wish I can look at it in person.

rickpaw

08-25-2014, 07:10 PM

I got several Summit gift cards during father's day weekend, just enough to place an order for a DSE roll bar.

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1010913_zps0ef351dd.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1010913_zps0ef351dd.jpg.html)

Removed the dynamat and welded on the floor plates.

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1010914_zps12d098a5.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1010914_zps12d098a5.jpg.html)

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1010918_zpsca037f8b.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1010918_zpsca037f8b.jpg.html)

Main hoop tacked in place.
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1010917_zps6c4b8ee7.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1010917_zps6c4b8ee7.jpg.html)

Main hoop and down bars tacked welded, removed as one unit, and fully welded. As usual, my prettier welds won't be seen.

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1010919_zps5d79d128.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1010919_zps5d79d128.jpg.html)

Mocked up and welded on the harness bar.

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1010920_zpsa67bf442.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1010920_zpsa67bf442.jpg.html)

rickpaw

08-25-2014, 07:18 PM

With the package tray opened up for the down bars, it was flexing a little, so I tied the package tray to the down bars.

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1010922_zps554a112a.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1010922_zps554a112a.jpg.html)

I also made an amp tray that mounts to the down bars in the trunk, similar to several builds on here.

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1010923_zpsfc03d20b.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1010923_zpsfc03d20b.jpg.html)

Not as pretty as some builds going on here, but the amps are off the trunk floor.

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1010925_zps0ddade2c.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1010925_zps0ddade2c.jpg.html)

With the seats out, I decided to lower the SCATS seat mount adapters. I cut off the old mounting ears and welded on some flat 3/16" steel. Not the best looking, but the mod lowers the seats by 1".

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1010924_zpsf3a34878.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1010924_zpsf3a34878.jpg.html)

That's it for now. I picked up a gen5 camaro console from the junkyard, and will be working on mounting it in the car in place of the original console. Will start on that later when the weather cools down. I got tired in working in 90 degrees plus heat in the garage.

SSLance

08-26-2014, 08:01 AM

rickpaw

08-26-2014, 08:47 AM

Very nice work, thinking of something like this for my car as well. You were able to slide the whole thing in place as one unit? That is good to know...Nice to be able to do the majority of the welding outside the car.

Yes, I was able to slide the whole thing in and out as one unit. In fact, the DSE instruction mentioned it. It was tight though. There maybe 1/8" of clearance at the window opening, and I had to jack the car up so I can maneuver the main hoop down on the ground.

geberhard

08-26-2014, 09:38 AM

Tu, came out great! Can you shoot a close up pic of the disconnect you used for the B pillar bar, looks removable? Thanks! Gui

rickpaw

08-26-2014, 11:33 AM

Tu, came out great! Can you shoot a close up pic of the disconnect you used for the B pillar bar, looks removable? Thanks! Gui

Yes the harness bar is removable. The quick connects were part of the roll bar kit. You can see a picture of it on DSE web site.

I'll see if I can get a close up picture tonight.

rickpaw

08-26-2014, 08:03 PM

gui,

Here's a close up of the harness bar. The main hoop has a matching slot that the bar bolts to.

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1010926_zps5b10a82b.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1010926_zps5b10a82b.jpg.html)

geberhard

08-27-2014, 10:21 AM

Tu, thank for the pic!

Gui

rickpaw

09-10-2014, 06:56 PM

I never liked the layout of the center dash on 67-68 F-body so I decided to make some changes.

Bought a blank dash insert from Classic Industries, and cut out the openings for the AC vents, VA controller, and a single DIN stereo. The cut outs made the panel looked like a smiley face. :)

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1010951_zps83a32e08.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1010951_zps83a32e08.jpg.html)

Got a stereo insert for a Volvo, and epoxied it in the panel.

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1010953_zps176fde38.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1010953_zps176fde38.jpg.html)

I was having reservation about cutting up a perfect dash, for just a second. One minute later with a body saw, I had this.
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1010952_zps4d87e7ff.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1010952_zps4d87e7ff.jpg.html)

Vents/ac controls mocked up.
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1010954_zps902b8fef.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1010954_zps902b8fef.jpg.html)

And installed.
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1010955_zps242f56f6.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1010955_zps242f56f6.jpg.html)

Now just had to charge my Optima red top. It's completely dead. Put it on a charger, and it shut off after 6 mins, with a voltage of only 6V. I put in on battery tender to see if it's holding a charge overnight. It's a tad over 4 years old so maybe it's time for a new battery. :G-Dub:

Tuske427

09-10-2014, 07:38 PM

I didn't even know one could buy a blank panel.... sure would have saved me some time, ha ha

Looks cool!

rickpaw

09-10-2014, 07:50 PM

The blank panel is made from thin gauge aluminum, so it's quite soft. I bought this long time ago, so I had to use it. Otherwise I'd make up some blank inserts from steel, similar to what you did.

rickpaw

02-23-2015, 07:37 AM

Some minor updates on my Firebird. Took advantage of last year's sale on Speedtech's AFX spindles and order a set thru Ron Sutton.

AFX spindle next to the stock spindle with Kore3 hubs/bracket. The old spindle weighed 13.6# vs 8.5# for the AFX spindle, according to my bath room scale.

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1020057_zps5247ed25.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1020057_zps5247ed25.jpg.html)

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1020059_zpsc0a0910b.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1020059_zpsc0a0910b.jpg.html)

Between working on my friend's 65 Fastback, I managed to install the new spindles.
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1020060_zps18ad9147.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1020060_zps18ad9147.jpg.html)

Also installed 1" lowering blocks on the rear. Do I need to add something to take up the space between the spring perch and shock plate?

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1020056_zpsaf343f61.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1020056_zpsaf343f61.jpg.html)

rickpaw

02-23-2015, 07:48 AM

New Formula 43 wheels arrived, ordered thru Ron Sutton as well. Can't speak enough of his excellent customer service. Will definitely order thru him again on future stuff.

Formula 43 Rad S6 wheels, with laguna grey coated centers. 18x8.5 front and 18x9 back.
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1020081_zps9f3964d6.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1020081_zps9f3964d6.jpg.html)

Now just have to get the tires switched over to the new wheels. Have to find a different tire shop, as I'm done with Discount Tires.

GregWeld

02-23-2015, 08:01 AM

New Formula 43 wheels arrived, ordered thru Ron Sutton as well. Can't speak enough of his excellent customer service. Will definitely order thru him again on future stuff.

People that have NOT ordered or worked with him....have no idea what they're missing out on!!

68400BIRD

02-23-2015, 10:53 AM

Car is looking great as usual Tu. Looking forward to seeing some tires on the new rims.

GMTILT

02-23-2015, 11:10 AM

looking good, I always have a soft spot for a 67-68 firebird :)

Errnie-ZL1

02-23-2015, 12:01 PM

Hello my friend looks great allot of time and elbow grease went into your build i see. This is what i like to see a fellow car guy do things himself great job love the bird!!!!:popcorn2:

rickpaw

02-23-2015, 12:21 PM

People that have NOT ordered or worked with him....have no idea what they're missing out on!!

Greg, you're 100% correct. Ron actually following up after the sale to make sure everything was correct, unlike typical salesmen that disappear after the sale.

Car is looking great as usual Tu. Looking forward to seeing some tires on the new rims.

looking good, I always have a soft spot for a 67-68 firebird :)

Hello my friend looks great allot of time and elbow grease went into your build i see. This is what i like to see a fellow car guy do things himself great job love the bird!!!!:popcorn2:

Thanks for the comments guys.

Blackened

03-09-2015, 09:34 AM

Also installed 1" lowering blocks on the rear. Do I need to add something to take up the space between the spring perch and shock plate?

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1020056_zpsaf343f61.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1020056_zpsaf343f61.jpg.html)[/QUOTE]

Yes, you are missing the leaf spring pad:
http://m.summitracing.com/parts/oer-rl8e

Why are you changing the wheels? And nice work on rescuing the Firebird from slowly rusting away!

NvrDun71

03-09-2015, 10:23 AM

Tu slightly off topic but how do you like the ridetech HQ's? Also what leafs are you running out back?

rickpaw

03-09-2015, 10:30 AM

Yes, you are missing the leaf spring pad:
http://m.summitracing.com/parts/oer-rl8e

Why are you changing the wheels? And nice work on rescuing the Firebird from slowly rusting away!

I was referring to the spots where the U-bolts are. I have leaf spring pads between the springs and axle perches. The original mono leaf had a pad between it and axle perch, but not on the shock plate.

The Budnik wheels were nice, but it has the valve stems behind the spokes. I had to use flush mount stem to clear the calipers, and them flush mount stems are quite a pain. There are times when I checked the tire pressure and found out the stems are behind the calipers.

n77nxc

03-09-2015, 06:52 PM

Post up pics of the car with the new rims. They look awesome!

rickpaw

03-09-2015, 09:18 PM

Tu slightly off topic but how do you like the ridetech HQ's? Also what leafs are you running out back?

I like them a lot. Had KYB shocks before and the ride was quite harsh. The Ridetech shocks made a huge improvement. The springs are Hotchkis 1.5" drop springs.

Post up pics of the car with the new rims. They look awesome!

Thanks Jason. As soon as we have decent weather I'll get some decent shots. As you know we have been having crappy weather.

Tu

rickpaw

03-16-2015, 07:32 AM

With Jason's help (n77nxc), I found a place in SW Houston that has a touchless tire machine. Brought the new Formula 43 wheels down to them, and had the tires mounted. Last weekend, the weather was nice enough so I rolled the car out of the garage, and snapped a couple of pictures with the new wheels.

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1020132_zpsnkqfvkbc.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1020132_zpsnkqfvkbc.jpg.html)
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1020133_zpsl1inlww2.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1020133_zpsl1inlww2.jpg.html)

Since I signed up for USCA event in Texas, a helmet was needed. My 6 year old daughter couldn't wait to try it on, right out of the box. G-force carbon helmet.

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/20150306_184210_zpszzryy1yt.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/20150306_184210_zpszzryy1yt.jpg.html)

Now I just have to get the car aligned, nut/bolt check then I should be ready to go.

waynieZ

03-16-2015, 01:34 PM

The car looks great with the wheels.

n77nxc

03-16-2015, 08:34 PM

Awesome Tu....I'm hoping to have your old wheels to that same shop in the next week or two.

KPC67

03-16-2015, 09:50 PM

Awesome update Tu!

rickpaw

03-17-2015, 05:33 AM

Awesome Tu....I'm hoping to have your old wheels to that same shop in the next week or two.

Thanks for the tip on the shop Jason. They did a great job on the wheels/tires. Make sure to post some pictures.

Awesome update Tu!

Thanks for the compliment Kevin.

Spent about 90 minutes yesterday to go over the front end alignment.

Adjusting the toe.
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1020152_zpsy7pjkfjy.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1020152_zpsy7pjkfjy.jpg.html)

Checking camber/caster.
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1020153_zpsmvm8evsr.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1020153_zpsmvm8evsr.jpg.html)

I went with -0.5 degree camber, 0 toe, and pos 5 degrees caster.

NvrDun71

03-28-2015, 09:13 PM

Tu did you end up going with the short or tall versions of the ATS spindles? Car looks great with the new wheels BTW!

rickpaw

03-29-2015, 05:08 AM

Tu did you end up going with the short or tall versions of the ATS spindles? Car looks great with the new wheels BTW!

Tall spindle. Got them from Ron Sutton.

Thanks.

Beach Cruiser

03-29-2015, 05:41 AM

Nice job, car looks great. I'm a member of the home built crew too. Saw some pics of your car at the USCA Texas event, Good luck today! I'll be in the Charlotte event.

NvrDun71

03-29-2015, 07:54 AM

Tall spindle. Got them from Ron Sutton.

Thanks.

Appreciate the info, how do you like them? Noticeable seat of the pants improvement? Did the spindle swap necessitate the wheel change? The kore 3 brakes transfer over without issue? Also did you pick up your DBA rotors thru Kore3 or another source? Sorry for all the questions but appreciate the info in advance..... have a very similar set of plans currently in the works for my car. One of these days would like to see the car in person, I believe Niftee Fiftees starts up again next Saturday and I hope to head out there with a few friends.

rickpaw

03-30-2015, 07:28 AM

Nice job, car looks great. I'm a member of the home built crew too. Saw some pics of your car at the USCA Texas event, Good luck today! I'll be in the Charlotte event.

Thanks. I've been keeping up with your build thread as well. Wonder where you saw the pics of my car? USCA website?

Appreciate the info, how do you like them? Noticeable seat of the pants improvement? Did the spindle swap necessitate the wheel change? The kore 3 brakes transfer over without issue? Also did you pick up your DBA rotors thru Kore3 or another source? Sorry for all the questions but appreciate the info in advance..... have a very similar set of plans currently in the works for my car. One of these days would like to see the car in person, I believe Niftee Fiftees starts up again next Saturday and I hope to head out there with a few friends.

So far I like the spindles. Be honest with you I did not notice any improvement. But I did see noticable camber gain when working the suspensions with the shocks removed.

I changed the wheels because I wanted to take the advantage of the Thanksgiving sale Ron Sutton was having, not because of the spindle swap. The spindles did not change the track width at all. In fact, my old wheels mounted up just fine.

The Kore3 stuff transferred over just fine. The parts that were not used were the brackets/hubs. The spindles were designed to use Corvette brakes, so stock GM or aftermarket brakes will work. In fact, I'm about to change the calipers out to Wilwood's Aero6 calipers.

I bought the rotors thru Autoanything. They were having a sale on DBA rotors, and at the time had the lowest prices compared to anyone else.

Hope that helps.

Tu

rickpaw

04-01-2015, 06:35 AM

Attended USCA Texas event at Texas Motor Speedway this last weekend for the first time, and had a blast. Got to meet fellow lateral-g members (carbuff, gerno, grabbergt, chichirone), and checked out some really cool cars.

Some pictures at the event. I'm still looking for some action shots of the car.

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/USCA%20Texas/DSC_7162_zpss8yrorst.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/USCA%20Texas/DSC_7162_zpss8yrorst.jpg.html)

Lining up for tech/check in.
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/USCA%20Texas/DSC_7148_zpscovrnepg.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/USCA%20Texas/DSC_7148_zpscovrnepg.jpg.html)

All stickered up and ready to go.
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/USCA%20Texas/DSC_7152_zpswihrfe2e.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/USCA%20Texas/DSC_7152_zpswihrfe2e.jpg.html)

Got to park next to 2 really cool cars (carbuf's Firebird and gerno's Camaro) in the hotel parking lot, at the early morning hour.
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/USCA%20Texas/DSC_7159_zpsvq22andn.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/USCA%20Texas/DSC_7159_zpsvq22andn.jpg.html)

Mechanically, the car did great. I knew the car is low in power, compared to the rest of the cars at the event, and this showed in the road course. The stock transmission would up shift half way thru the apex, and that killed the acceleration. My current seats sucked, and those will be changed out before I do another track event.

For those who's been contemplating about attending this event, do it. It's well run, and the instructors provided by Jet Hot were invaluable.

Overall I finished 13th out of 19 entries in my class (vintage-GTV) which was surprising. Guess I did not do too bad for a complete newbie who has never done a track day before.

Hope Optima brings back the event to Texas next year.

Tu

GregWeld

04-01-2015, 07:23 AM

Good for you Tu!! People that haven't gone to one of these events have no idea what they're missing out on. It's a blast. You get to drive at whatever level you are comfortable at... How many can say they've driven their car at this track or some other cool place... and most of all you meet great people. What could possibly be better than all of that.

Yes -- you find out what you "need" very quickly... whatever that happens to be. But to me - that's also part of the fun. When you stop improving your car and yourself - what else do you have to do? LOL

rickpaw

04-01-2015, 12:29 PM

You're right about having fun and meeting great people. I wasn't the fastest one out there, and did not expect to be. Heck I expected to be last. My main thing was having fun, and be able to drive the car at TMS.

rickpaw

04-01-2015, 05:19 PM

Uploaded a couple of videos from the event.

Autocross
X3I6JVGwPKg

Road course. This was the last session, and my fastest lap.
0EdfU9d5FyY

n77nxc

04-01-2015, 08:19 PM

Awesome pictures and video Tu. It definitely looks like a blast. I'll have to make it out next time. :D

rickpaw

04-02-2015, 07:56 AM

Awesome pictures and video Tu. It definitely looks like a blast. I'll have to make it out next time. :D

Do it Jason. You'll have a blast.

rickpaw

05-21-2015, 05:14 PM

After the USCA Texas event, I wanted to do a brake upgrade, since I felt the C6 Z51 was just adequate, but not good enough to my liking. So a quick call to Ron Sutton got me this box.

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1020189_zpso0e9v9yl.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1020189_zpso0e9v9yl.jpg.html)

Wilwood Aero6 calipers with BP-10 pads.

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1020197_zps1onq2a0g.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1020197_zps1onq2a0g.jpg.html)

Installed in the car. It was a noticeable improvement in braking.

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1020198_zpshczejczn.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1020198_zpshczejczn.jpg.html)

Looks great behind the Formula S6 wheels.

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1020199_zps2irseclc.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1020199_zps2irseclc.jpg.html)

rickpaw

05-21-2015, 05:21 PM

The seats also needed improvement as the Procar seat flexed too much during the TMS event. I ordered up a pair of Recaro Specialist S seats from Dale at Schwartz Performance.

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1020207_zpsrzkpygv2.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1020207_zpsrzkpygv2.jpg.html)

Base black nardo/black artista covers

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1020217_zpshmc0y7zr.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1020217_zpshmc0y7zr.jpg.html)

Planted seat brackets.

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1020218_zpsamdswmqk.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1020218_zpsamdswmqk.jpg.html)

Installed in the car. The initial impression was: wow, these seats are awesome. Sure worth the $$$.

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1020219_zpspxbllo7u.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1020219_zpspxbllo7u.jpg.html)

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt250/rickpaw/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1020220_zpsomyscnux.jpg (http://s616.photobucket.com/user/rickpaw/media/67%20Firebird%20LS%20swap/P1020220_zpsomyscnux.jpg.html)

Now I'm trying to convince my friend that he should put these seats in the Mustang fastback.:G-Dub:

18 days before we leave for Power Tours. We're going to do the leg from Memphis to Baton Rouge.

GregWeld

05-21-2015, 05:35 PM

Way to play Tu!

Nice upgrades for sure.

n77nxc

05-21-2015, 05:40 PM

Awesome upgrades!

rickpaw

05-22-2015, 05:06 AM

Way to play Tu!

Nice upgrades for sure.

Awesome upgrades!

Greg/Jason,

Thanks for the compliments. I started to really enjoying the car more and more. Picked the kids up from school the other day in the car, and they loved it.

JDODDS187

01-16-2016, 08:47 AM

Great build! beautiful car!

rickpaw

07-12-2018, 09:38 AM

So, it's been awhile since the last update.

Since then, quite a bit of life changes. Got divorced, moved to a much smaller space. Spent most of my free time working on buddy's 65 Mustang fastback with DSE suspension/LS swap. He picked up the car the week before Harvey hit Houston in late August, 2017. Good timing on his part.

Bird was happy to have the garage space back.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1769/42315373115_ca7fe76218_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/27tgmbx)IMG_0467 (https://flic.kr/p/27tgmbx)

After the Mustang was gone, and freed up space in my 2-car garage, I decided to fix a small paint bubble spot that has been there since I had the car painted. I spent the Harvey weekend sanding/spot primered/and color paint the sail panel.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1787/29348542508_3e643079a0_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/LHqXcA)IMG_0324 - Copy (https://flic.kr/p/LHqXcA)

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1826/28350302967_7aa8418659_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/KcdHn2)IMG_0327 - Copy (https://flic.kr/p/KcdHn2)

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1768/28350302757_5541274301_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/KcdHip)IMG_0328 - Copy (https://flic.kr/p/KcdHip)

Then in October took the car to Cruisin the Coast. That trip was cut short due to a hurricane headed straight for MS coast. We stopped for lunch somewhere between Tx & LA and took this picture.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/923/28350302287_dcd6c41d16_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/KcdHai)IMG_0543 - Copy (https://flic.kr/p/KcdHai)

rickpaw

07-12-2018, 09:51 AM

After cruisin the coast, I decided to redo the car, hence part 2. Long term goal is to attend open track days/auto x/USCA events - rather than attending car shows which I find boring.

Plans include:
-6 speed swap. I picked up a completed TR6060/DYAD clutch set up from someone converting a 5th-gen Camaro to a drag car.
-More power.
-Clean up the car wiring, and convert the old style connectors to modern Delphi/GT type connectors.
-Convert to PWM fan control.
-Coil over conversion/reinforce front sway bar mount.
-Stiffed up the sub frame/body. Seal up any gaps.

In Oct, the car joined the elite group of "pro-jack stand" group of cars on lat-g.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/842/41409508930_43b4a02704_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/266dyjw)IMG_0798 (https://flic.kr/p/266dyjw)

Had the 5.3/4l60e pulled out and sold in short order.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/839/42501167174_c8c0586228_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/27KFAho)IMG_0802 (https://flic.kr/p/27KFAho)

Good reason to reinforce the sway bar mount. Not sure if that explained the car was somewhat twitchy during the drive to CC.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1802/42501204044_7570249bf7_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/27KFMf5)DSC_3461 (https://flic.kr/p/27KFMf5)

rickpaw

07-12-2018, 10:15 AM

Picked up a rebuilt LS2 short block. Added 243 heads (cleaned up with new PAC springs/ti retainers)

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/916/42501169164_25d753de77_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/27KFASG)IMG_0550 (https://flic.kr/p/27KFASG)

New cam from Cam Motion/timing gear/LS2 timing chain.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1806/42315372935_1ffc8c5927_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/27tgm8r)IMG_0554 (https://flic.kr/p/27tgm8r)

New rear seal/LS2 valley cover.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1761/42501168534_8ae30aca2d_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/27KFAFQ)IMG_0555 (https://flic.kr/p/27KFAFQ)
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/835/41409503980_f3591fa2c9_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/266dwRb)IMG_0645 (https://flic.kr/p/266dwRb)

Also attempted to port a new Melling oil pump.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/837/41409511880_c5a3383026_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/266dzco)IMG_0477 (https://flic.kr/p/266dzco)
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/919/42501169714_902602a2f0_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/27KFB3b)IMG_0479 (https://flic.kr/p/27KFB3b)
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1764/41409511340_6c393b057b_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/266dz35)IMG_0480 (https://flic.kr/p/266dz35)

Also performed Smith Brothers trunnion upgrades on the rockers
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/925/41409506930_19b72a5697_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/266dxJ3)DSC_3452 (https://flic.kr/p/266dxJ3)

Installed the heads with new GM head gaskets; ARP head bolts/exhaust studs.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1826/42501204954_c509a39c73_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/27KFMvL)DSC_3459 (https://flic.kr/p/27KFMvL)
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1825/42648454404_5161167e09_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/27YGtDo)IMG_0699 (https://flic.kr/p/27YGtDo)

Drilled holes in the LS2 lifters to aid in oil drain back.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/913/43364978131_891ae66444_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2951RbK)IMG_0695 (https://flic.kr/p/2951RbK)

Got the new Holley 320-3 oil pan and baffle.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1767/28350301947_6f231a9d02_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/KcdH4r)IMG_0618 - Copy (https://flic.kr/p/KcdH4r)
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1768/28350301767_89b9121c90_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/KcdH1k)IMG_0619 - Copy (https://flic.kr/p/KcdH1k)

Had to notch the fron corners of the baffle to fit the new pan.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1788/28350301417_a0765ecfdb_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/KcdGUi)IMG_0621 - Copy (https://flic.kr/p/KcdGUi)
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1765/42501543644_3c1b4b37ca_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/27KHwcf)IMG_0622 - Copy (https://flic.kr/p/27KHwcf)

rickpaw

07-12-2018, 10:22 AM

Engine bottoned up

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1789/43219868501_63ed0bdb35_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/28Rc89z)DSC_3474 (https://flic.kr/p/28Rc89z)

New pilot bushing.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/915/42501189894_dff3d5acfb_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/27KFH37)DSC_3503 (https://flic.kr/p/27KFH37)
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/843/43219864161_73ddba28a2_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/28Rc6RK)DSC_3504 (https://flic.kr/p/28Rc6RK)

McLoed's GM quick disconnect to AN adapter on the clutch slave.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/926/42501165274_13e6f28584_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/27KFzHC)DSC_3496 (https://flic.kr/p/27KFzHC)

Used TR6060 out of 2012 Camaro SS.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/837/42501198124_3ab9f9f49e_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/27KFKu1)DSC_3497 (https://flic.kr/p/27KFKu1)

Lined up and installed the Centerforce DYAD clutch
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/844/42501162724_10f14547a4_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/27KFyXE)IMG_0816 (https://flic.kr/p/27KFyXE)

Engine/trans mated up.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1823/42501188554_139be4a75c_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/27KFGD1)DSC_3505 (https://flic.kr/p/27KFGD1)

rickpaw

07-12-2018, 12:06 PM

Test fit the engine/trans combo

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1825/29348191478_0f7af9d6ca_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/LHp9Rm)
[url=https://flic.kr/p/Kcc8tc]https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1827/28349993837_ce2ef2f598_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/LHp9Rm)

Have it set at the desired angle (roughly 3.4 deg down), with trans tunnel removed.

[url=https://flic.kr/p/27KHvYQ]https://farm1.staticflickr.com/916/42501542924_86b3fbaa9a_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/Kcc8tc)
[url=https://flic.kr/p/LHp9mo]https://farm1.staticflickr.com/918/29348189798_41d33e264d_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/27KHvYQ)
[url=https://flic.kr/p/28LMPWE]https://farm1.staticflickr.com/918/43170057062_948bd28c21_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/LHp9mo)[url=https://flic.kr/p/28LMPWE]

Quick shot of the MGW shifter/adaptor, and a shot of it mounted.

[url=https://flic.kr/p/27KHvRL]https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1765/42501542514_a5b3b008e2_z.jpg
[url=https://flic.kr/p/28LPPDw]https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1767/43170446292_73fa607b25_z.jpg

rickpaw

07-12-2018, 12:17 PM

Made a trans mount that ties in the floor board/rockers, similar to DSE/others on the board.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1763/28350299397_a640791ef1_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/KcdGit)
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/915/28350299077_1f15e7b202_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/KcdGcX)
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1824/28349993017_87cf4e1cdb_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/Kcc8e4)
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1802/28349992777_7cacf120c2_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/Kcc89V)

Test fit with the 5th-gen console/seat in place.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/914/28350298927_c80653db04_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/KcdGan)
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1784/28349991537_d635497cea_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/Kcc7Mx)
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1790/41409505920_d72c4f0ae2_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/266dxqC)

rickpaw

07-12-2018, 12:41 PM

Welded up the trans tunnel/shifter hole; and welded in the mounting brackets for the console.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/837/28349988167_a163849007_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/Kcc6Mr)
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1764/28349987247_03262487d5_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/Kcc6vz)
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/846/28350298697_137f3b565b_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/KcdG6p)

Purchased a Ridetech 4-link from a forum member, and got it welded in place.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1807/43219863321_f2521b5b3c_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/28Rc6Bg)
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1766/42315407175_f063f079ea_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/27tgwiM)
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1768/43219862491_c96beff70d_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/28Rc6mX)
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1825/43219853711_c112bfd339_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/28Rc3Kz)
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1801/28349989957_5599fd720b_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/Kcc7ji)

After the engine/trans sat in place, I worked with Ron Sutton in upgrading the suspension - front and rear coil overs/monster sway bar from Ridetech

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1825/42501165864_75649a9c08_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/27KFzTN)

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/835/29348542438_dc6d95de8c_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/LHqXbo)

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1781/43170445102_0c33a88406_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/28LPPi1)

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/841/43219851331_3cc8aa6185_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/28Rc33x)

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1830/42315385155_bb55edf083_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/27tgpL8)

Got to have purple springs.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/926/41409514590_c25eb42085_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/266dA17)

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1786/43219846971_cb78ec3e67_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/28Rc1Kn)

rickpaw

07-12-2018, 01:09 PM

Also got the McLeod's hydraulic clutch conversions mocked up. I didn't take pictures but I welded a bracket to mount the safety neutral switch (which I will use the old brake switch - going thru a relay)

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1821/29348192978_ea493a855f_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/LHpaid)
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/840/42315405415_d579567ded_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/27tgvMr)

With the mechanical stuff sorted out, I turned to clean up the wiring under dash.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1823/42315384085_a23dab7da7_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/27tgprF)

Added connectors to switches/gauges/lighting so that I can easily remove them later - here's one of many connectors.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1781/43219849951_30f4211466_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/28Rc2CK)

I had a Tanks Inc fuel tank, but during the USCA event, I had to keep it half full to maintain the fuel inside the baffle. So, I sprung for the new (at the time) Rick's restomod tank with 5th-gen pump/corner pick up.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1806/42315382645_6efa36030e_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/27tgp1R)
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1803/43219848181_ff995aa789_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/28Rc27e)

Added GT280 connector to the fuel pump leads.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/835/43219849001_d79cffd1ea_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/28Rc2mn)

rickpaw

07-12-2018, 01:17 PM

Took advantage of the Holley sale during the Christmas holiday, and ordered all my Holley EFI stuff (ECU/wiring)

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/927/29348542228_297b35a19d_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/LHqX7L)
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1765/28350300017_0155c70995_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/KcdGua)

Reworked the Holley harness
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1785/28350296897_94310d1320_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/KcdFyn)

Random shot of the engine in place
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/840/28350297147_6c8906f914_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/KcdFCF)

Driveshaft with adapter
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/841/29348543108_3c75ff48d1_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/LHqXnW)

I relocated the AC compressor to the bottom pass side of the engine (stock LS2) location to make room for the engine down bars, so a mini compressor/brackets are need. Also, a new belt is necessary.

Measured for drive belt; and the part number for the drive belt used.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1810/28350295557_1ee3eb9b97_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/KcdFag)

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1810/43363066071_31c70651e1_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/294R3Nc)

rickpaw

07-12-2018, 01:23 PM

I had to add about 1" of spacers (provided by Ron Sutton) to relocate the sway bar to clear the balancer and the AC tensioner.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1830/43170443462_59bf90f50f_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/28LPNNJ)

Added oil cooler/thermostat, and changed out the AC lines to EZ-clip hoses.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/916/29493254258_be630fdea7_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/LWdCXL)

Put back the interior, and mounted the console for good. I added 2 new gauges to the console - oil temp gauge and fuel pressure.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1806/43363065741_89c7660abe_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/294R3Gv)
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/927/43363065561_e5c4e66106_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/294R3Dp)

Had to cut down the temp sensor probe in order to fit into the Earl's oil cooler adapter.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/926/41409513610_c3a345119c_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/266dzHd)
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/921/43219845871_be35a3fda7_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/28Rc1qp)