80 Firebird build

[ucf10dk]

Hey guys im new to the forum. Just picked up an 80 Firebird esprit the other day. I have had other f bodies in the past. My last one was half way through a pro street build and I sold it due to moving and having no place to keep it. I regret that on a weekly basis haha. I have been on the hunt for something clean that I could afford for quite some time now and I finally got it.

I picked up this car cheap and its pretty solid. Needs a bit of rust repair in the rear but nothing to major. Has a v6 with a sweet rod knock too!

Here are a few pics from yesterday when I brought it home. Don't mind the lexus with to much camber lol. Its really slow and annoying to drive. Im glad to have an f body back in my life. Its about to get way less attention.

A local guy is selling a bare heidts front subframe for $500. I was thinking about picking that up. Any input on that?

http://i1040.photobucket.com/albums/b406/dkjzz30/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20150515_231351_zpsvsfjpi33.jpg (http://s1040.photobucket.com/user/dkjzz30/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20150515_231351_zpsvsfjpi33.jpg.html)
http://i1040.photobucket.com/albums/b406/dkjzz30/Mobile%20Uploads/20150516_110208_zpsplvyohxp.jpg (http://s1040.photobucket.com/user/dkjzz30/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20150516_110208_zpsplvyohxp.jpg.html)
http://i1040.photobucket.com/albums/b406/dkjzz30/Mobile%20Uploads/20150516_110254_zpslf3uyry9.jpg (http://s1040.photobucket.com/user/dkjzz30/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20150516_110254_zpslf3uyry9.jpg.html)
http://i1040.photobucket.com/albums/b406/dkjzz30/Mobile%20Uploads/20150516_125248_zpspy0ngxnt.jpg (http://s1040.photobucket.com/user/dkjzz30/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20150516_125248_zpspy0ngxnt.jpg.html)
http://i1040.photobucket.com/albums/b406/dkjzz30/Mobile%20Uploads/20150516_125318_001_zps4aresipk.jpg (http://s1040.photobucket.com/user/dkjzz30/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20150516_125318_001_zps4aresipk.jpg.html)

[instro84]

nice looking bird, those era cars are getting hard to find

[Justin@EntropyRad]

Nice camaro..but I'm all about that JP-fitted UCF in the driveway

[ucf10dk]

Yeah they are going up in price and getting harder to find all the time.

Thanks Justin. Im kinda surprised someone on this forum knows what that car is lol. Its a premiums wide body car build by JP in the 90s back in japan. It was beat and I just brought it back to life.

[Justin@EntropyRad]

Had a few JZS16x cars, and am playing with an S14 now...variety is the spice of life:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v238/bigjussin/_DSC0009_zps91dfd4b0.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v238/bigjussin/DSC_0003.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v238/bigjussin/my240_zpsuvc3qno6.jpeg

ok, enough hijack

[WSSix]

Welcome to the site. Nice bird you got there. I'm honestly not sure about the Heidts front sub frame. I'd look into it more. Don't sweat it too much though if you miss it. The factory front sub is good and there are a number of parts available to make it even better.

Do you have any definite plans for the bird already?

[ucf10dk]

Im just getting it taken apart right now when I have spare time. I want to knock the surface rust off the bottom of the car and get the underside painted. Then I plan to pull the v6 and change the subframe bushings before a new motor goes in.

A buddy has a 400 for sale so I think ill pick that up and keep it all Pontiac. Im planning on DSE mini tubs in the rear. Just trying to decide if I should go with leaf springs or go full out with the coilovers and 4 link. Its mostly gonna just be a solid street car with a little track time. Basically Im just gonna pick away at it when I have time and money

[Justin@EntropyRad]

Lot of guys run hard and fast with leafs and fresh rubber

[ucf10dk]

That's kinda what im thinking. I need to do a bit more research into the coilovers before I make a final decision. I want to get the car down as low as I can and still keep some decent handling

[WSSix]

Justin is correct. You can go plenty fast for a street car on leaf springs. Besides, have you priced a complete quadralink with rearend? It's a fantastic suspension setup but it's pricey. I'm holding off for now because of the price and the fact that I'm also just a street car. You can always try the leaf springs first and then change to the quadralink at a later date should you get more serious about the car handling well on a track. Good luck!

[ucf10dk]

That is pretty much the conclusion I have come to. I think for the use of the car ill go with the 3" drop leaf springs and mini tubs in the rear and coilovers with tubular arms and drop spindles up front. Makes things easier on the budget too.

[Firebirdsteve]

Budget?
:G-Dub: :G-Dub: :G-Dub:

Nice looking bird! Looks like a great starting point.
Mine used to look similar....

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/ee503/westcansteve/Firebird%20Build/BlackOutBefore_zps3c652a19.jpg (http://s1231.photobucket.com/user/westcansteve/media/Firebird%20Build/BlackOutBefore_zps3c652a19.jpg.html)
]

[aidanfancystang]

I remember that Lexus from the radium car show last year, I am in Calgary also.

good to see another Calgarian on here.

[ucf10dk]

Great looking car steve! Yeah I claim budget but it always gets out of control. haha

It was in radium last year. Drove it there on a tape measure garage alignment and killed a set of tires in the process lol