Tuned Performance

iTrader: (92)

Man, Looking good

Johnny Blaze

iTrader: (15)

Thanks!

Gonna add some stripes and clear, then its back to the 3rd gen!

Ruckusz28

iTrader: (3)

This is really coming along. Great wheel choice!

Ed1LE

iTrader: (39)

Yeah, but still an f-body. Looks good!

Johnny Blaze

iTrader: (15)

Overdue for work, haven't dine much lately.

I swapped in a Walbro fuel pump. The tank appears to have been swaped at some point, possibly during the recall era.
The tank appears well baffled.
Pump was an AC.

Progress should pick up real soon. Stay tuned!

Johnny Blaze

iTrader: (15)

The 71 got new wheels and tires recently.

Johnny Blaze

iTrader: (15)

Expecting my new Koni Sport struts and shocks today.

Hoping to have it rolling soon!

68Strat

iTrader: (3)

Car is looking incredible! Let me know how you like those struts... I'm lowered on crap KYB struts. Handles okay, but ride is brutal and rears aren't happy.

Johnny Blaze

iTrader: (15)

I'm sure I'll love the Linus. For $636 I better!

They have 4 settings so you can tune them to your liking.

I'm hoping to make a lot of progress in the next few weeks and have the car rolling again.

Johnny Blaze

iTrader: (15)

Iroc is still on the back burner.

Finally got the body work done on the 55 that I was ready to paint it.

After 6 years of body work, multiple coats of primer, who knows how many guide coats got hand sanded off, I finally sprayed the color!
I hit the whole car with white primer/sealer, then painted the roof GM Olympic white.
Next the roof was taped off. I then painted all the small parts and jams.
The doors were bolted on and the rest off the car was painted. There are 6 coats of color.


The color is TCP brand Electric blue Metallic. It is very very very metallic.
It came out very nice.

The whole car is getting clear next.

Now that the car is painted, I can work on the orange car.

Ed1LE

iTrader: (39)

Looks great!

Johnny Blaze

iTrader: (15)

Finally got around to working on the iroc again.
Got all of the undercarrige and engine bay coated in por 15.



Then topped it off with thr custom mix orange.


Gonna give it a couple days to harden, then I can begin reassembly.

mdavidson101

Any updates? Great looking car man! Reading your build has me excited to start the restoration of mine!

Johnny Blaze

iTrader: (15)

Just waiting on paint to dry!

Richboll

This looks really good.Can't wait to see it all together. How'd that 55 turn out?

Johnny Blaze

iTrader: (15)

55 is sitting waiting on intake from polisher and machine shop with the short block. Building a pretty radical engine for it.
The paint looks killer, so much metallic it looks like a bass boat!

I basically go from one car to the other depending on when I have parts avalible.

Hopefully both cars will be done when the warm season returns.

Johnny Blaze

iTrader: (15)

5215

iTrader: (2)

Holy ****! That car is beautiful! Wonderful paint choice! One thing I will say, you have way bigger ***** than I do having the car up on jack stands that are on top of what looks like skate boards! BRAVE!

Johnny Blaze

iTrader: (15)

They are car dollys, not skateboards. Lol!

Makes it real easy to move the car around and out of the way.
I have spun the car 180 degrees by myself on these.

Any car I crawl under gets good hard shove tests before I crawl.
Brave, no.

5215

iTrader: (2)

Ha! I figured they were dolly's. Like I said, BEAUTIFUL piece of machinery you are putting together there! I for one cannot wait to see your future progress. Keep up the good work!

Johnny Blaze

iTrader: (15)

Thanks again!

Dropped off the 55 shortblock at thr machine shop, so I got some time to work on the iroc.
Should have the tank, lines and rear suspension in the day or so.

Can't wait to see it rolling!

11ellswray

iTrader: (1)

SUBSCRIBED! Awesome attention to detail and I am on inline tube right now looking at lines for my car!

Pro-mo

In the land of bodywork and paint this is how one stays sane and does not rush a job to get it done.

Great work so far

Johnny Blaze

iTrader: (15)

Made a lot of progress last night.

Gas tank installed,

Founders panhard bar brace/relocation kit installed.
Rear axle installed, connected to;
jegster adjustable control arms, founders on car adjustable rod ended panhard bar, and the koni's.

In going to play around with read springs, got a stock set from a 93z28 I'm going to cut and try first.

NxtLevl

Lovin' it.... On your rims, what BS did you have for the rear, and what size tires did you decide on..?..

Johnny Blaze

iTrader: (15)

17x9.5" in all four corners.

Tires are 275/40/17 bfg g force sport comp 2's

I think the bs is 5.25"

it should be in the thread.

NxtLevl

Thanks for the info....I read through originally and didn't see the BS which is why I was curious...They fit the look of the car very well. Just trying to get ideas for new wheels/tires for our Z in spring....

Johnny Blaze

iTrader: (15)

You're right it wasn't mentioned. I double checked and it is 5.25".

Johnny Blaze

iTrader: (15)

Car is sitting on all 4 tires!

I have been working on painting small parts and getting the drivetrain Parts laid out to drop in.

My Jack crapped out so I gotta pick up a new one.

Chad85T/A

iTrader: (1)

Subscribed!

Johnny Blaze

iTrader: (15)

So my t-5 came from a bird with an electronic speedo.

Anyone know what it takes to change it over to a mechanical speedo?

Ed1LE

iTrader: (39)

If able, u an swap tail shafts. Or get a converter box or have tail shaft modified for a manual speedo cable (like Alloy does on T56's).

Car looks great! FYI, my Racestars rub up front of ground efx on tight turns (like pulling into driveway or parking space). Running the 17x9.5's with 275's and Hotchkis lowering springs. Rubbed on Iroc and now on my bird too. Thinking of stepping down to 17x8 with 245 up front.

Johnny Blaze

iTrader: (15)

Hmmm, wonder if sensor works with an aftermarket speedo?
Wanting to go with a set anyway.

Where do yours rub? How bad is it?
You got a 2 1/4 turn steering box?

Johnny Blaze

iTrader: (15)

Looks like my t-5 has been rebuilt at some point. The case was spray painted aluminum and there is silicone at all the Gasket points.

This may be a good thing. The car it came from was a ws6 formula. I don't know the history of the car, it was supposed to be stock but upon disassembly it was found to have had a 350 crate motor installed. Perhaps the t-5 was beefed up, or maybe just rebuilt after it was torn up. I don't know.

Still gotta figure out what to do with speedo.

Also I miss measured and my rear sway bar is in fact a 24mm.

I went ahead and ordered the jegster bracket for the panhard bar as well to level it out.

Another question, I forgot which side the talker motor mount shell goes on, any help?

Johnny Blaze

iTrader: (15)

Last night o decided to cleanup the prop valve and do thr spring upgrade.
It's a good thing I did!

I pulled it apart and the spring was collapsed and hunker up pretty bad. Looked like someone used tar instead of brake fluid!

I wonder how many other third gens are running around with a gummed up valve?

Ed1LE

iTrader: (39)

Aftermarket should work, good reason to go that route if you were wanting an excuse!

Slight rubbing of fenderwell which is no biggie but inside edge of tire catches the lowest rear plastic pop screw that holds the inner fender liner to the fender/ground efx (that run along side of car). The passenger front actually caught the tab of the fender where the screw goes and bent it outward the first time I had the tires on and was backing into my driveway (before car was lowered). I'm going to see this weekend if I can massage stuff some...I don't mind a little inner fender rub at full lock but not looking to tear up my fenders either. Will try and get some pics to help illustrate.
Not sure about the steering box on the bird but the Iroc had it and I had rubbing as well, but not as bad. I think mainly bc the firebird ground efx look to extend into fender well area just a pinch more.

Johnny Blaze

iTrader: (15)

How typical is this decal found on my trans?

DiabolicalRS

I have that same sticker on my trans but mine isn't the original t5 trans that came from the factory

Johnny Blaze

iTrader: (15)

It appears it was a factory replacement trans, from what I have found so far.

The trans came from a bird.
My iroc is a l98/th700r4 car originally.

Johnny Blaze

iTrader: (15)

I painted this oil pan about 3 months ago.
Out of nowhere it did this,


The pan has not been used yet.
I cleaned pan with wax/grease remover.
3 coats etching primer
3 coats of black engine paint
3 coats clear engine paint.

Only did it on that side.

Weird

Johnny Blaze

iTrader: (15)

Back when the car had a big block, I put a pair of Jegster adjustable rear control arms on the car. These feature a rod end on the body end, and a solid steel end at the axle. The axle end had a steel "bushing", or sleeve. 3/4"OD and 1/2"ID.
At some point while the carcass in pieces and moved around, I lost the sleeves. I searched for a replacement, and after considering a few different materials, I ended up going with brass.
I have a feeling I'll ve swapping these bars out for something more street friendly at some point as well.
Though the rest of the suspension is pretty solid as well.
I'll deal with the racecar effects!

Johnny Blaze

iTrader: (15)

Jegster panhard rod mount bracket came today. Nice piece, I'll be welding it on.
Looks like it has plenty of adjustability, even for a real low car.
They say most aftermarket panhard bars will need some grinding on to fit, but my founders bar fit fine.

Got a few parts to paint but it's too cold.
Going to strip the oil pan and repaint it as well.

Johnny Blaze

iTrader: (15)

Just scored a complete wiring harness of ebay, from a tpi 5 speed ac delete car. This will make things easyier for me.

I had a harness from the firebird I parted out I was going to try and use, but there are a few differences.

Also, since I have deleted the AC having the right harness will be nice.

I am hoping Santa brings smoe more goodies for me!

I heard he is bringing a nice heater for the garage, that will be welcomed this time of year!

Other then that, I've just been staring at the car lately, and going through stuff, getting parts lined out and making a swap meet stack.

Johnny Blaze

iTrader: (15)

Oh, I just noticed I didn't share this before,

New induction for the 55.

86T/A_Ram_Air

Wow that looks awesome

Johnny Blaze

iTrader: (15)

Just posted a For sale ad for this car. Not sure if I'll sell it, but I really want to focus on my 71, and time and funds are tight..

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/cama...ller-lots.html

Ed1LE

iTrader: (39)

Was afraid of this after your post over on the Pro-Touring.com thread but having JUST gone through similar scenario with the parting out of my Iroc, I know where you're coming from. You have a lot of labor in this car, but would be a great foundation for someone. GLWS.

Johnny Blaze

iTrader: (15)

The 71 is just more special too me.

Fortunaly I'm not in a desperate situation, so I won't be giving the car away.

Chance are it won't sell, and i'll finish it.

But if it does, that's okay, I'll just be able to fo more with the 71 sooner.

5215

iTrader: (2)

This really breaks my heart! This coming from someone who does not have the skills, knowledge, tools, or energy to do any of the things you have done to the Iroc. Like your 71, my 85 is very special to me. I understand completely. Good luck with the sale, all will end as you want I have a feeling!!

Johnny Blaze

iTrader: (15)

Lastedt work on 55,