gerrutcamaro

hi y'all

i've been a regular visitor at thirdgen.org's classified boards for quite some time now, but since posts there don't seem to count, i'll be posting some pics here of my project

this is how it looked when i got it;





it looked pretty decent for an old car, but the tpi engine was a revised 350 from a truck and all the power came from a lt1 cam, slightly bigger runners and a larger throttle body, it had great low end torque, but was out of power at 3700 rpm, that way it seemed like i was going really fast because of the kick, but actually i wasn't

so, when i saw rocksiroc's add here for a brand new 383 i decided to ditch the old engine and go for some real power, it was a pain to get it overseas to the netherlands, but well worth it. i've driven it this summer for about 600 miles and i just love the cam that's inside it, it is easy going under 2000 rpm, but really gets going from 3000 to 6500 rpm, just like driving a turbo car but without the actual turbo

but, after the new engine & trans were installed i decided to go all out and have it restored/customized, i recently have had a roll cage welded in to keep that wobbly targa body straight and now it is being prepped for a HOK candy paint job, it will get new gm weatherstripping, a new windshield and sidewindows as well and most likely a custom spoiler based on the original rubber wrap around (i know you americans don't like that, lol), i've also gotten the stuff i need for a 4th gen dash swap and will probably get some nice recaro or konig seats. i'm also looking into an airride system to safely pass those wretched speed bumbs we have over here, but that will probably be delayed until next winter

some pics of how it's looking now;








some specs;

• TKO trans (supposed to be a 500, but probably a 3550, some a-hole here scammed me)
• Centerforce dual friction clutch
• lakewood bellhousing
• new gm performance parts 383 stroker block, 1 p. rms, 4 bolt
• Eagle 4340 forged rotating assembly with Probe forged pistons
• Clevite main and rod bearings
• Moroso high volume oil pump
• Milodon stroker oil pan, windage tray
• Comp cams Solid Roller Cam (lift int.577 exh.583, duration int.248 exh.254)
• Solid lifters with oil grooves
• Dart pro 1 aluminum heads 230 cc runners 64 cc combustion chambers compr. 10.7:1
• dart single plane intake manifold
• Mighty demon 825 cc carb
• msd pro billet distr.
• alu-waterpump

• Koni shocks (red)
• E-bach springs
• Frame-connectors
• Full-length headers
• Flow-Master exhaust, 3 inch
• pu bushings
• Summers Brothers rear


i hope i will be able to drive it this summer, but everyone that has done a project (or is having it done, like me) knows nothing ever goes the way it is supposed to

if anyone has a set (or just the left one) of those fine looking '91-'92 gta 2 piece tail lights, plmk

erictheviking

Nice car, I know how it is to do a big project, mines been off the road over 2 years now, still a bit to do

gerrutcamaro

yours is the one in your sig? impressive, what's the estimated hp at the crank?

erictheviking

It is the same car, HP is depending on how much boost Im going to use, but would have thought over 700. Its the cost of all the other stuff, like rearend, fuel system etc. which slows it down

Twin_Turbo

iTrader: (25)

This car is at my place getting the full treatment. Full disassembly and rebuild.

Just pics..don't feel like typing stuff... it's the same basic process I used on all my cars.

Twin_Turbo

iTrader: (25)

Twin_Turbo

iTrader: (25)

and that was the last one I had...more to come

gerrutcamaro

hey, great pics

RMK

Nice build.

The Project

iTrader: (6)

Looks good so far.

Subscribing...more pics please

Twin_Turbo

iTrader: (25)

Forgot to take pics, it's a rolling shell now, ready to go to the painters


as it sits now, no front springs installed hence the r3dneck rake. intentionally left the springs out because I still need to get at the motor mounts and I will probably assemble the engine on the front subframe and stick it in from below so there's no chance of messing up the fresh paint job.



IF I have some time left I may roll it back onto the lift and snap some shots

gerrutcamaro

picture update:

gerrutcamaro

slow but steady, maybe one day i will be able to drive it again

Twin_Turbo

iTrader: (25)

Looking good! When are they shooting color?

gerrutcamaro

dunno

gerrutcamaro

new pics







custom spoiler





the car is most likely going to be this color



different lighting

tylercamaro

iTrader: (1)

ill keep an eye on this. any build twinturbo has his hands on is always amazing.

gerrutcamaro

gerrutcamaro

gerrutcamaro

gerrutcamaro

gsmarcano

wow! how nice.

gerrutcamaro

tnx, i'm very pleased with how the color turned out

gerrutcamaro

almost done at the painter's

BlackTopKing

iTrader: (1)

Wow, incredibly done! Excellent, you really must be happy!

nickyakker

iTrader: (1)

What was the best way to Strip the old paint off to bare metal>?

gerrutcamaro

yes, i'm very pleased so far, but i haven't seen it in the sun yet & i'm really curious about that


sorry, i don't know, i've left all that up to the painter since he was responsible for the end result and i have not asked about it

ZZ42Fast

iTrader: (2)

Stunning. what an amazing job and result you have there!

gerrutcamaro

first outside pics, sadly no sunshine today

gerrutcamaro

finally some sunshine..

KBD85

very nice project!!!!!! very nice

leo037

Looks beautiful!

tylercamaro

iTrader: (1)

is there zebra print on that white van? lol

UKPROCHARGEDGTA

wow, that is stunning
love the cage and cowl, not too ott

gerrutcamaro

teaser pics, loving the red & black combo

Twin_Turbo

iTrader: (25)

Here's a couple more pics. The whole wiring harness has been gone through and redone. Eliminating everything that is not needed and reqiring it all to use factory fuse holders, factory connectors and as close to factory (clean) wiring as possible. Most of it is still loose in there and needs to be clipped down in the respective holes w/ retainer clips. I like to do it this way for a couple of reasons. Original wiring colors makes it easy for someone else to figure out what's what (on my cars I have used non factory wiring colors since I won't sell them and if I were to I'd have to write a service manual with everything that's been changed from stock). THe whole injection and emissions system has been removed from the harness. Heater converyed to the same high speed blower non AC setup I have on my cars.

This car also got the last of my prototype radiator mounts. I had 3. One is on the black GTA procharged car, the other one (with the flared holes) is on my 87 Procharged Iroc. This one is the same as the one on the GTA apart from some minor details. Custom fan mounts will also be fabricated since it will get a flexalite fual electric setup. Switched off altered factory wiring with staged temp. switches. I should take some new pics sometime soon. ... I will post them here

Twin_Turbo

iTrader: (25)

Some more update pics:

All wiring redone apart from wires for the MSD box, distributor and fans. They just need to be hooked up to these, the rest is all laid out and installed. All custom wiring has been made to OEM specs using OEM connectors and folowing oem wiring as close as possible with some alterations ehre and there. All wiring has been tied down with push in retainers so there's no loose looms anywhere.

Headlamp wiring has also been redone and upgraded to new H4 sockets with flat connectors (old stuff was hacked up) and a lot of wiring was repaired and cut out.



Left over spaghetti



91 92 GTA rear lights installed


Electric fans installed


Canton reservoir looks much better in black




J&M strut mounts, foam added so they do not scratch


Custom boots w/ bump stops

Twin_Turbo

iTrader: (25)

Trans cleaned up




Engine oartially stripped down, headers replaced with these stainless works knockoffs, using Percys dead soft gaskets that actually match the port unlike what came with them. The bolt holes needed massaging also because they were too small allowing 1 bolt on each side not to thread in.





ready to drop in



there she sits

Twin_Turbo

iTrader: (25)

The intake is one of mine, the one that was on there is not ported to 1206 so I'll have to do that. This one is but it's an Edelbrock and it's sized to a 377 SBC w/ AFR heads. I'll modify the dart that was on there and drill and mill it for a rear water port to the heater to cledan up that ugly hose running on the front

gerrutcamaro

Very cool, can't wait to finally drive it again

Twin_Turbo

iTrader: (25)

Gerrut,... got a new heater wiring harness, it's installed

More pics..

crappy chinese colletor reducers (2.5") cut off, wil be a tab fastened slip mount system



Billet timing pointer with built in strobe led (has external plug in pickup)




Canton reservoir installed with foam backing (ddi that on more things so they do not rattle and scratch)



front harness all tidy, fastened and using OEM parts. Much better than the heater control wiring that aftermarket stuff comes with (I really like those GM weatherpack relays and use them all the time)


small details like a retainer for the hood release cable. It was long gone but this works just as well



Dash wiring installed as it should be, not with the insulation on top (a lot of stuff was assembled wrong when I got the car back for buildup)



rear harness all laid out...someone forgot the license plate light and harness...ooops (no way I'm taking the bumper off LOL... fixed it by cutting the harness and sodlering back together)



rear compartment and pull down motor wiring, all back to how it should be, the relay hung on a retainer clip and all wires in their proper location and ground wires screwed down.



These light sockets were both messed up. Someone put a new wire on the otuside using masking tape and furhter down a luster terminal ( ) I repaired them by removing the spades and soldering in new wires:





done:

Twin_Turbo

iTrader: (25)

Might want to request the thread to be moved to the normal members firebird section, most projects are there. Hardly anyone looks here.

gerrutcamaro

Awesome work! Uhm, which is the normal members firebird section?

Twin_Turbo

iTrader: (25)

I meant the usual section, not as in normal members and abnormal members. It's here:

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/members-firebirds/

Third Generation F-Body Message Boards > Tech Boards > Auto Detailing and Appearance > Members Firebirds

tylercamaro

iTrader: (1)

nice work guys

z 28 jari

iTrader: (1)

How was header fitment?

Twin_Turbo

iTrader: (25)

no clearance issues whatsoever. Only issue was header bolt hole alignment

Twin_Turbo

iTrader: (25)

Oh, spoke a little too soon. The starter did not clear, had to machine part off the mounting block



still tight but doable


Also, I did what I do on my cars too. I drill and tap the threads for the trans crossmember to M12 ad use allen heads. Often the threads are stripped or damaged (these were not in tip top shape either)



fresh threads


Done (no I did not fabricate this eyesore of a crossmember. I fricken hate it and in fact, I may even redo it properly if it doesn't allow me to route the exhaust how I want it. This is a hack job not even suited for dixing an old bbq)



Black accessories... black beats shiny every day

Twin_Turbo

iTrader: (25)

There's a whole bunch of stuff going on with this car that the pics don't show. From loose fasteners, incorrect fasteners, shoddy work and what not. One of the most shocking things I found was the intake matching. I took the thing off because there were some sealing issues with the engine (oil leaking past crank key, non sealing china walls etc) and damn, talk about a mismatch. 1206 on the heads is OK, not perfect but OK. But the intake, sheesh.

heads


intake


These dart manifolds are made to be ported to sized, not to be slapped on. Time to break out the die grinder for sure.

compared to an edelbrock single plane that I did a long long time ago. That one is sized to 1206.



Check out the silicone job someone did on the front pan to timing cover seal. Wanna bet they either have the wrong seal, although it appears to be a fel pro 1pc gasket, or someone cut the 1pc gastket to get the cover off without dropping the pan (one pan bolt was missing, the one hard to get to with the crossmember in the way... just leave it out, no problem...and the others were only had tight).

Twin_Turbo

iTrader: (25)

Some small stuff I fabbed. Coil mount. Still need to finish weld, ran out of argon yet again LOL





and the start of a fuel filter mount (for a fram hpg1 cartridge system)



starting to get there. Last wiring is for the MSD box, the rest is all done