I have started up my own business for thirdgens (will not name business name so this doesnt get locked) but I want to specialize in hard to find things and fabrication. So what are things you wish other vendors sold, but didnt? I am already in the works fabricating custom SS braided slave cyl lines with roll pin fittings since no one in the world makes them for us. This was an impossible part for me to find so I made one that was 100x better than OEM. What about aluminum replacement interior pieces? Or maybe a custom mapholder something different than the over sized checkbook. I customed a harness holding mechanism for a stock seat so it will not slide off. Any kind of help would be appreciated. Let me know your ideas cheers! Cale

convertible parts

A support girdle for a 9-bolt Borg-Warner rear end, 17 inch gold gta wheels.

Specifically what kinda parts? suspension? exterior?
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not sure about the rims, but let me look into the girdle

I beleive a girdle is already made for the 9-bolt. I think its Thunder Racing.

I am brainstorming so gimme a bit.

Couple of Camaro items come to mind, in no order;

1) Polished aluminium radiator cover
2) Stylized aluminium tpi intake snorkel, stock mount location
3) Cold air intake systems
4) 90-92 instrument cluster panels
5) Polished aluminium cowl cover (under tpi intake) replaces same plastic panel used in all models.
6) Dual snorkel intakes (tbi, carb)
7) 2 5/8" custom dash guage pods, single to triple. Mounted under the dash panel lip (not shin knockers).
8) Above the mirror or header panel mounted guage pods.
9) Rear cargo area covers
10) Replacement dash pads
11) (rear) Drum to disk brake conversion kits
12) t-top props (allow interior hot air to escape when car is parked)
13) reinforced center console lid with strut

Aluminum door sills that replace the plastic ones rather than cover the originals.
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TA Performance
Both are available, the wheels are a little different but close enough and not realistic for someone to fabricate

Also I would be down for the SS braided lines for the slave cylinder

mainly the header panels on the convertibles. (interior) tig welded a/c delete boxes out of SS. fiberglass reproduction of the original Iroc hood (for sleepers) I think the original looks better than the daytona turbo style which is the closest to date. at least that I have found. 17x9.5 Iroc wheels with factory offsets. Reproduction convertible spoilers I can think of a few more too and maybe a couple may be cost effective. wiring harness for carb conversions without all the computer crap on it. (easy and cheap to do)

I second 17" gold GTA wheels

Aluminum door sills are already in the process, when I am done I will show you the prototypes.

Heres the problem with slave cyl lines... they are going to be expensive,
The roll pin fittings will cost around $80 , the line around $10 and the 4an fittings around $20 so we are looking at a cost of $110 for the parts... think anyone will buy everything together at $130?

I am working with an old dash pad to try and make a fiberglass alternative to remedy the cracked dashes.

Cold air intake systems will be easy its depends on your imagination. I could make an "intercooler" style set up, twin filters that are piped to the corners of the bumpers, whatever you want.

The ttop props will be something I never thought of. frankly if it is hot enough to use them I would take the tops off all together. I will see what i can do.

Cargo covers are in the works, I am trying to make a better design than the oem.

Bring me some more ideas, I only have a staff of a couple people but we are motivated.

make that cold air kit for gta aswell

One interior piece that comes to mind is the plastic hatch to headliner piece. These are hard to find and when they are found the screw holes are often blown out.

I could make that out of aluminum or would you perfer fiberglass?

Well, they would have to look like the stock plastic so I would guess the glass would work better, maybe with reinforced screw holes?

I second the SS AC delete boxes.
I know it is a lot but I would probably pay $130 for the slave cylinder line

1. Different taillights, clear, euro, altezza clear or smoked.....anything.
2. Definately emblems, there not sold anywhere.
3. Seperate Ttop holders
4. Original seat material...not recovered ones that dont match
5. Add on cupholder.
6. New ac/heat panel with knobs like a fourth gen.
7. Different dome light.
8. Clear foglights.

If you makethe emblems and taillights youll be making alot of money. Im just wondering how are you going to make these tthings, Are you rich? Part of a big business? Get a buissness to support you?
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Oh crap, i just read who posted this. Taillght man my worst enemy. lol you may not support the taillight but you know there high in demand.

Why dont you send me your tail lights, I will permantly smoke them for you or add a different shade of red. I dont understand "seperate" T-Top holders, bags usually have a piece of material that seperates them if not I have two I can sell, The dome light is a good Idea this would probably be an easy retro fit.
Well I am not rich, but I am an aircraft mechanic, I have tools at my disposal that people would piss themselves to even touch, guess I am alittle lucky.

Give me a count of how many people who want to buy SS braided slave cylinder lines for $130 add $45 and I will attach an aluminum slave cylinder on it as well. If theres a few people I will do this project first. Depending on Mcleod everything could be done in about 5 days. the rest of the supplies are on hand.
I will also give a Year warranty against leaks, and function of slave cyl if equiped.

For seperate ttop holders, i mean like a sock that would fit each one...you know something that fits the shape. I would prefere like a cotton insid that touches the glass and a viynle outside for protection. It would only have to cover the glass...you could leave the plastic piece out, if you had a strap to hold it i. They would also have to be a snug fit.

What's wrong with a good t-top bag? There are plenty around and really don't need to be reproduced yet

They work, but hey they could be better. My corners want to stick out on one side, but not always. I want to put speakers back there, but the staps and bag gets in the way. I dont know i just dont like them.

2nd vote on:

-polished aluminum rad cover
-rear headliner plastic (made out of fiberglass, or make a mould cast plastic if that's feasible).
-dash pads (if you're doing a fiberglass mould, perhaps a version which incorporates moulded in gauge pods?
- cup holder. Maybe a better solution to what's already out there (very little)... Perhaps if the end user, uses a hole saw in the center console, you could sell the drop in cup holder?


-A pillar plastic replacements. Or any panel that uses those infernal christmas trees to hold them on. A better way?

just food for your creative thought.

I wish you all the best in your newfound small business.

-custom cup holders

-misc. switches

-hard to find interior parts.

The convertible trunk lid
and spoiler
A complete weather stripping package for the top.
the cup holder thing sounds nice
the SS a/c delete box would rock

another vote for cupholders... possibly pattern them after the 90-92 firebird style since the factory ones are very prone to breakage, and the design is functional and doesn't require hacking the center console.

If you were able to reproduce the 91/2 trans am taillights accurately, that would probably a hot selling item as they seem to be sought after and sell for quite a bit on ebay.

Often overlooked are the 82/3 firebird grilles which are very commonly broken and would be a neat item if reproduced in a more durable material while retaining factory dimensions.

A 2pt strut tower brace that mounts to the upper strut mount bolts and doesn't require drilling would be a nice thing as well. I purchased a MAC stb that is of this format, however the shipping took forever, and I haven't seen anyone else that carries this item.


You never noted what fabrication/manufacturing processes you have access to, so mentioning that could give us a better idea what types of products to suggest.

And, if at all possible..
17" crosslace wheels!
17" crosslace wheels!
17" crosslace wheels!

I think there are a ton of people that would jump on a set if they were available, especially if they were very similar to the factory sets found on t/a's and gtas, and had widths of atleast 9.5 inches. Thanks, and best of luck with getting your buisness up and going.

i'm up for the radiator cover, headliner plastic, console lids, dash pad, sill plates, maybe a replacement plastic well box (the locking box in the driver side rear) I'm sure I'll come up with a few other things.

Something to replace the completely USELESS (and usually sagging) map pocket on the passenger's side dash.

- The thirdgen dash pad that doesn't crack
- auto down window switches (I know they can be made, but I would not mind buying them if they will work)

- The better thirdgen gauge cluster (replace the mylar with actual wiring or pcb)
- create door tweeter harneses similar to the Mach1 systems in mustangs.
- make sub-enclosures out of the 2 rear "storage bins" to the left and right.
- anything inventive with the useless back seats

'82-'84 Firebird dash switches!!! Every one that is not on a low mile car looks worse than dog ****! You can't buy any new!

(Not my car)

3rd Gen AC/Delete would be #1 on my list

Okay thanks for all your great ideas, I promise to have a couple prototypes to show you guys by the end of this weekend.

The things I will start with is:

Aluminum Rad cover
Aluminum Door sills
A/C Delete
Slave Cyl assembly (already completed will post pics)
Cup Holders

These are the things I will start with this weekend if I have time I will do more. I am here for you guys. I started this business to help people like me, who couldn't find certain things or were way over charged. This isn't my primary job so bare with me, I am not looking to make a fast buck, just want to make life a little easier for you thirdgeners.

Every single idea has been put on a list and catagorized, I have alot of work to do and I cant wait to get started.

As each item is created I will post it on my website (which is underconstruction) so you can watch progess. I will even post installation instructions for everything.
Keep the ideas coming guys.

Moulded guage pods in the dash pad, Yes! Sized to accept 2-5/8" guages. And another vote for the polished radiator cover and door sill plates.

Prototypes for the door sills and rad cover will be posted here saturday afternoon.

When i work on fiber glass dash pad I will work on provisions for gauges!

I am guessing that you would be doing a Camaro dash pad.......? I would be interested in a Bird one and if it had a CF outer finish to it.

actually alot of parts i will need to buy as reference.
things i need to get still..
camaro dash pad
camaro t-top trim pieces
need to see a convertable

As for equipment
I have advance metal machines
benders, torches, countless riveting tools, lathe, presses, mig welder, (working on getting a tig) plasma cutter, car lift, full car paint booth, countless other tools.

Some of this stuff will take time, once it is mapped out and prototyped I could get this stuff shipped in no time.

Still need a count of how many want slave cyl lines, with or without aluminum slave cyls
The price I have so far is $130 for the line + $50 for aluminum slave cyl, I will give the line a 1 yr warranty against leaks, and I will give the slave cyl a lifetime waranty against everything..
Shipping is included with price!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pardon my ignorance, but whats a slave cylinder.. im going to do the lemming thing and assume that I want/need one, but before jumping off that cliff let this omnipotent one humble himself before ye.. the gods of thirdgen and ask..

What is a slave cylinder ?

How bout a t-top holder that sits in the hatch well like the 4th gens have instead of the gowd awful bag that takes 5 mins to store them! It'd be nice to be able to raise the hatch, slide the t-top glass into a slot and leave it at that...

One thing I think you can get to sell if you want to, are new wheels that are affordable, don't require spacers, and are wider.

slave cylinder i believe they are talking about for the clutch. Is it mounted on the tranny or actually it would be on the bellhousing? Im not entirely positive.

Yeah basically, its mounted on the Bell. It is all plastic and looks kinda ugly

How about a complete weather strip kit for verts, that stuff is super hard to find!!!!!

I've seen custom bent stainless t-top props used in 3rd and 4th gen cars at car show events. They allow the owner to open the t-top (about 1-1/2" to 2") and keep them secured to the vehicle. Pretty slick. Of course, not something that one would use while driving.

The slave cylinder is a key component of a hydraulic clutch system, when you push in the clutch pedal fluid is forced from the clutch master cylinder to the slave cylinder,(located on the bellhousing) then the slave cylinder pushes a rod hydraulically against your clutch pushfork which in turn disengages the clutch. (I am selling aluminum slave cyls instead of oem plastic and ss braided hydraulic lines instead of plastic. )

the forth gen t-top set up is nice but they have much more trunk space, I work on my buddies 02 firehawk all the time. but I have seen someone fab up a similar set up, I will have to look it up again and see what i can do.

SuperGMman- thanks for the offer but i cannot see how new rims could really help me right now.

Okay- I have alot of request in right now, alot of PMs and alot of work to do, If anyone is interested in helping, working for me, or even want to create instructions for the products we create let me know, The website should be up and running by Next weekend, and some prototypes created by this weekend.

Tomorrow I will post a picture of the slave cyl set up, and Aluminum rad cover.

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Were these props like a metal rod or a strut?

Pretty simple bent metal rod designs. One design had a single rod with two 90deg angles. One end fit into the female ends of front A piller and the other into the female end of the t-top (same for the back side). A support rod was tack welded to this rod, and angle bent to provide support by resting along the t-top channel. The support rod that rests on the channel was coated with black rubber so as not to mar the paint.

The other design used almost exactly the same princiaples but differed in that the support rod did not make contact with the t-top channel on the car's body. It used the A piller mounting hole (same as the backside) to attach the support rod to the car and was welded to a u shaped plastic coated rod that supported the underside of the t-top and the opposing side at a 45 deg angle on the top side of the t-top thus preventing it from collapse.

It appears that the idea is much similar to metal shelving bracket supports(?)

I hope my descriptions make sense. If I spot them in use at another show, I'll send you a pic. By the way, I wish you the very best in developing new products for this under-explored market.

3rd gen -> 4th gen dash wiring adapters.

functional cowl induction hod for the TA, and fuctunal side hood vents in the hoods that let the heat out and functional frount vent that draws on the cool air also.
later
and

GB

rk

also do you sell the aluminum slave seperate. I just purchase a 4th gen slave kit and want to replace the plastic slave with the aluminum one.

another vote for ss or alum door sills, and ss or polished alum rad support...

The aluminum rad support is 80% complete, all is left is some few drilled holes and for me to polish it. I could use SS but obviously the price would go up. The first one always take so long... cutting templates, measurments, its a pain but the harder you work on the first one the better the rest will be
The door sills hopefully will be done tomorrow

I would be interested in these 3 things, but if possible brushed aluminium?

fiberglass consoles would be nice