FabricationCustom fabrication ideas and concepts ranging from body kits, interior work, driveline tech, and much more.
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Does anybody know if a 1st generation front clip would fit a third gen? I think the 1st was a couple inches less on width than the third.......has anybody done it before?
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Does anybody know if a 1st generation front clip would fit a third gen? I think the 1st was a couple inches less on width than the third.......has anybody done it before?
Are you talking about panels that look like the 1st gen that fit, or grafting the whole front end on?
Does anybody know if a 1st generation front clip would fit a third gen? I think the 1st was a couple inches less on width than the third.......has anybody done it before?
A lot would have to be fabricated. First and second gen cars have a bolt on front subframe. Third gens are a complete unibody structure. It would be easier to buy an aftermarket front subframe and front half the car.
If you're talking about just the sheet metal and nose, a lot more would need to be fabricated to make them fit over the third gens unibody inner structure.
I've seen some photoshop third gen cars that have a first gen nose on them. It doesn't look that bad but would take a lot of custom work. I doubt factory components would work. They would have to be custom made parts that look like first gen parts.
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87 IROC-Z
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A lot would have to be fabricated. First and second gen cars have a bolt on front subframe. Third gens are a complete unibody structure. It would be easier to buy an aftermarket front subframe and front half the car.
If you're talking about just the sheet metal and nose, a lot more would need to be fabricated to make them fit over the third gens unibody inner structure.
I've seen some photoshop third gen cars that have a first gen nose on them. It doesn't look that bad but would take a lot of custom work. I doubt factory components would work. They would have to be custom made parts that look like first gen parts.
"I've seen some photoshop third gen cars" Do you have some pictures of these? I found the 4th gen referenced earlier in this thread, but haven't seen a third gen yet.
Not a bolt on, just something that has been fabricated.
Anything can be fabricated. What do you want done? Just the front fascia or the whole front end? If you're doing the whole front end, are the body lines going to match up?
If I was going to do the front end, I'd take a long hard look at the 1st gen fenders and 3rd gen fenders and decide if I want to try to make the 1st gen panels work, or if I want to graft the two together. Grafting them together probably makes more sense.
Then I have to narrow my front end. I probably cut it down the center, take a section out and weld it back together. Then I have to fabricate a grille, or try to cut down the stock grille which is probably plastic.
For the hood, I'd probably build a frame first, possibly out of flat bar, then reskin the hood to fit.
You could try to mate the whole doghouse from the 1st gen to the third gen, but that would involve refabricating your strut towers, or coming up with a different type of front suspension. You could rework the radiator support to accomodate the front end from the 1st gen, but if it isn't a close match on width, why bother?
If you just want the front fascia, you're probably gonna have to make some custom changes to make it all flow, see how it fits up and make your modifications accordingly. We're probably talking a completely different body shape around the sides and top.
My friend put a 81 front end (bumper, fenders) on a 69 Firebird.
He formed everything from metal and did most of the work on the doors and hood.
It looks pretty cool.
I'll post up some pics when I find them.
He has long since sold the car.
First and second gens are a lot easier because the front subframes were similar where they actually had a front frame. Third gen is a completely different design.
With lots of Bondo, any body panel can line up perfectly.
Does anybody know if a 1st generation front clip would fit a third gen? I think the 1st was a couple inches less on width than the third.......has anybody done it before?
How about a 4th gen with a 1st gen body?
__________________ 1992 Camaro RS 383 Stroked SuperRam
382rwhp 425rwtq base tune
Check it out here at CarDomain.com
I always wanted a unique car, while over here in the sand box a buddy and I tossed ideas back and forth and i came up with an idea for a hybrid front fascia inspired by both the '69 camaro as well as the '10, I created a quick, and rough photoshop of what i was thinking....
Last edited by army3gentexan; 04-07-2009 at 02:12 AM.
Reason: updated the photoshop a little, widened the grill.
Have any of you seen the latest Hot Rod Magazine? There is a section where they have drawings of spicing up older and plentyful cars. They show what it would look like if there was a body kit for third gens that made it look more like the '10. kind of like that drawn up picture. If nobody gets one up tomorrow, then I can take a picture of my copy and show you all.
ok. i couldnt wait any longer. heres what i was talking about: Attachment 182279
the caption talks about how it would be too expensive, would be a bolt on, and how it adds to the strengths and eliminates the weaknesses.
I could build that. Actually, I just acquired the perfect candidate for that conversion, a plane jane base bird 2.8. But, I'd do the bird version of it, or what I think the '10 T/A woulda shoulda looked like. I wouldn't be able to start on it for several months but you sire have the wheels turning in my head.
__________________ 355 TBI/WC T-5/ 9 Bolt 3.27 Posi w/PBR's, Edlebrock headers, MSD iginition, complete WS6 conversion, open element, energy suspension poly bushings throughout, complete A.I.R. delete, 8mm wires, 165* stat, 4th gen T/A wing, all black leather 4th gen interior, Custom circle grid T/A tail lights, Sequential turn signals.
If no one else does it with in 2 years. ill do it. ill have my Bachelor of science in manufacturing engineering by then and hopefully have my own business.
some buddies and i want to open a shop thats kind of like http://www.hennesseyperformancestore.com/index.html and we also want to manufacture our own parts. (hoods, wheels. body kits, and eventually intakes and power adders) Im dreamin big haha!
__________________ 1986 Berlinetta-(1st car, 1st thirdgen, MX0, L44, hardtop) 1991 rs-medium quasar blue (L64, CC1,MM5, v-8 swap) 1991 rs-red (L64, MX0, hardtop) 1989 rs-gun metal grey (LO3, MX0,hardtop) 1991 z28-red(CC1, automatic LB9 TPI, MX0, D81) 1991 formula firebird- red (WS6, LO3, MX0 CC1) 1990 rs-black (project car, z-28 clone, hardtop: freshly rebuilt 5.7 L98, MAF TPI Automatic, Hedman Shorty Headers, 24lb LT1 injectors, SLP Loudmouth I, 16" Boyd Coddingtons, Dropzone 2" lowering springs, Smog delete, AC delete, Poly torque arm and trans mount)
this thing's sick!! I wish I could get one cause that would be bad ***. and to upgrade parts, you buy 4th gen parts which are cheaper, and easier to find
ive got some more work to do on it but 88 formula with 1st gen front clip/hood
haha dont u think that front wheel angle is alil excessive for the street lol
i love the 4th gen converson to the 69 style... thats just awsome. old school style new school performance.
not feeling the 5thgen drawing from hot rod. but i like convoy25s design... maybe delete the lower fog lights/markers and create center round fog lights in the lower grill closer to the center
I have a couple more in my gallery. I plan on adding more when things progress a bit more on the project. Far from done, just another project car in the works for me.....
There is a multitude of influences on the sheetmetal work, mostly being done to resemble some of my favorite late 60's muscle cars with a liberal dose of self expression thrown in....
Garage is quite full and a bit cluttered right now, but I'll try to get some more pics and add them here on the site...
YES, this is exactly what I was talking about. Looks awesome. Sorry I haven't replied, been REALLY busy. Should post more pics when you get further along.
I was hoping you would show up and put some picts of your current creation on this thread. I am going to be real interested to see your finished project.
I'll put up some more pics as the project progresses... Right now I'm trying to get one of my pickups finished up and sold so that I can stand back and throw some $$$$$ at the '82.... As per usual, I have way too many projects going on at one time and too much money spread out on them..... If I could just win the lottery, life would sure be simplified!!!
I did try to start a gallery, there's a few more pics in there...Also considering going to the wide body look on the rear, started another thread on that.... Haven't decided yet....
__________________ Of course it's for sale!!! Everything is for sale!!!!
Camaro and other projects pictures can be seen at:
Been doing a little more work on the '82... working on some of the bar angles and adjustability of the 4 link for the rear end... Also, spent a bit more time doing some posterboard mockups on the back of the hood. I trimmed the sides a bit, about 3/8" on either side of the front of the hood, then tapered back towards the rear of the hood. I removed the stock dash panel and put it in storage, decided there was just no way to make it work in with the rest of the mods.... Finished welding in the frame ties on the top side, I'll weld the bottom side later when the car is on the rotissierie (sp). Just one pic of the rear suspension area today, I'll get some more up of the hood mockups either tomorrow or first of the week..... Once the hood is shaped and smoothed, it will be used as a pattern to make a fiberglass mold, then eventually a 'glass or other composite hood for the car... Still a long way to go, but I'm having a blast with the project!!!!
ill make it... i already have the plan blueprints and measurements of where everything would go.. how many people would be interested in buying and how much would you be willing to pay for the whole kit?? front bumper, lights, side skirts, rear bumper, and hatch/spoiler with 1/4" lexan window...
I had some time to do a bit more sheetmetal work on the hood.... Pretty much have the shape I want, now I'll have to put in some supports on the inside to hold it's shape then start smoothing the surface out so I can make a mold, then build a 'glass hood..... It's narrowed a bit (about 3/8" per side) and recontoured on the front so it won't work with the stock 3rd gen sheet metal (and plastic) front....
BTW--if anyone might be interested in reproducing this whole front end in fiberglass let me know, maybe we can work something out.... I just don't have the time or space to do any sort of production work on it...
Looks like I have a new drag car to build for an old customer this winter, the '82 will probably go up for sale or go back into storage once I get going on it....
__________________ Of course it's for sale!!! Everything is for sale!!!!
Camaro and other projects pictures can be seen at:
355 TBI/WC T-5/ 9 Bolt 3.27 Posi w/PBR's, Edlebrock headers, MSD iginition, complete WS6 conversion, open element, energy suspension poly bushings throughout, complete A.I.R. delete, 8mm wires, 165* stat, 4th gen T/A wing, all black leather 4th gen interior, Custom circle grid T/A tail lights, Sequential turn signals.
im tinkering with it in my free time which is coming few and far between on of these days it'll look good 
yes yes, more pics. 
