Gumby

I thought it was all over for my 2.8, after that 200 mile run of Rotella that robbed me of some oil psi, went from a constant 40 to 20psi and then feeling slugish I have been expecting to change the motor this year.

But after getting my notchback it inspired me to get back working on it.
Change the PS pump and ordered 2 new tires as the back ones were showing cord. Then while under the hood I needed to unhook my home made ramair setup and some how it never dawned on me to check the pre filter /screen I had installed up farther in the system.

Opened things up and it was like a rats nest of leaves, acorns and junk.
No wonder it was down on power, it could not get any air. Rev'in fast and hard again. No more need to find an engine soon, time to get new doors.






So is it true that any doors from a camaro or what ever from 82-92 will fit???
Both of mine are rotten and looking ugly.

Gumby

Anyone know what I should expect to pay for two good doors?

Gutted or loaded???

ONly thing I need hardware wise is the pass side door handle is nothing but a tiny stub, ripped/broke most of it off one winter.

KITTvsKARR

iTrader: (3)

Have a set of 86 Firebird doors on my 85 Camaro... got them off evilbay for I think $50.. so the deals are out there.

zs&tas

i like your notchback, different to others ive seen ? where did it come from ?

Gumby

I don't have a clue, could not find any info on who made it or find any like it.
Found dozens of styles but not one like it, cept for the ferrair conversion is similar but its has a squared lipped end with a built in brake light, so it not for that.

Found it on craigslist local, thing had been traded around car shops for years never used. Still had stickers on it but they were faded. Paid $175

It makes the car look so much better. Wanna get some aluminum or plastic diamond plate put down in the recess. Has to be something that will withstand water well with time, don't wanna fuss with regular steel chrome plates stuff that would need attention. Why I painted my chrome rims black, got sick of cleaning them.

chevyracingrox

that is a very pretty notchback. actually, its an altogether nice car. doors should be an easy find in a junkyard. I almost never see rusted doors so it can't be that hard to find. I would get them fully loaded so you just bolt them on and go as long as its the same color. a black third gen isn't that hard to find.

zs&tas

can any one send me any links they know of for different notchbacks ?? searching from the uk i dont get alot ? apart from hawks.... thanks

Gumby

I had the same problems when trying to find out who made mine.

Only thing I could find was pics, searching this site for notchback and google image.

Founds tons and tons of ones similar but not one or two that were the same.
Cept for the factory ones.

Gumby

gt auto acc makes a nice one, sort of similar.

zs&tas

dont think there around any more...........

Gumby

You may end up needing to find one used or.... Doubt many place still make fiberglass parts for 3rd gens. But has to be plenty of them out there.

eric17422001

Nice to see your Bird is still rolling man, you, me and Dale are about the only old school gang left around here- talked to AIM91RS a month or two ago, he still has the car but does not drive it anymore, TomP dissappeared, Doward I don't wanna mention but good riddence, and KED is scrounging junkyards in the sky.

RSFreak

I got two IROC doors sitting in a shed. But they weigh a freakin' ton, so unless your coming to Washington anytime soon...

Gumby

Dunno where everyonw went, the whole board seems kinda slow in post.

I was fine with Doward, Im the one who egged him into redoing all of tech smurfs stickies, since he was the man now. Then it switched.

smurf is the one I didn't like, and lucky me when he wasn't a mod I put him on ignore and thats where he stayed even once a mod. You can't ignore a mod but if you pre block them, you still can't hear them flap.

I think Tom was just beaten down when he found his final rust.
Just need something to get ya going again.

That hatch done it for me. Though I gotta do allot now. The weight lose really shows, I use to have an even ride, but now its jacked up 2 inches and Im not into that.

Gumby

Ohh gotta give a shoutout for tirerack.com

I got some nice tires cheap.

225/60HR15 Fuzion HRi

Not the best tires you can buy but for the size they are darn cheap and have a nylon band, which I wont use any tires that doesn't have a nylon layer or two in it. Also they had some decent reviews.

my 225/60/15 Dunlops were showing cord on the rear's

The pic on the website doesn't do them justice.
They got nice deep wide block treads, they look 2xs better in person.

Usualy with performance tires they are near bald new but these suckers got tread. I see no problems with snow this winter either.

Gonna hafta order two more.

Gumby

OK I was asked for some interior pics and it up.

Best I could do on the inside, couldn't get far enough forward to get a good wide shot. Don't have all my trim and such reinstalled yet.




Pic of the hatch open, I don't have shock for it yet. Stock shocks for the hatch with a wing are to strong, It makes the corners lift when when closed.

Bottom and whole thing was just a grey gel coating.




Also did some work to put back my rear mounted tach.
The short time it has been off, it back to normal with folks riding my butt.
But when the tach is there, folks can see im only pulling 2500 rpm and to get off my azz.

I don't know how it works so well, maybe it sikes most out but folks don't ride up on my butt when its on the car. Since it was mounted to the rear wing, and rear wing is gone..... had to come up with something else.

Gonna strip the paint from the back side and paint it black. So the bird logo and PC will go away.





Also a pic of how I dealt with my pull down. Welded a nut to the outter track and with weight on the hatch holding it closed, I used extension to tighten down the bolts and hold it there. Works great.

Gumby

Halfway through trying to strip the paint and not melt the plastic I hada brain fart.

Duh, since the see through effect for the bird logo and such isn't important, paint the out side dummy.

Bullydawg

iTrader: (7)

Where did you get that rear strut bar? And does your rear seat still latch?

Gumby

I got it for $12 for a on a goof as it looked close.
STB was a front STB for a 95-98 eagle talon.
Chromed aircraft aluminum.

see post n more pics here
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/v6/3...-rear-stb.html

Yes the back seat still goes up and latches.

Now does it do anything? Thats not proven yet but it can't hurt.
I got them front and rear.

Twas cheap, looks trick if it does anything or not.

Biggest improvemnt I saw was when I gutted it and rewelded all the body parts, them cheesy spot welds suck. Also cleaned all the goop out of the floor pan to side walls and welded it full length. Allot less flex.
No sub frames yet. But rear stock stuff has been boxed. LCA's & panahard bar. Handles like its on rails.

bl85c

iTrader: (2)

That's what I have on my car. Little noisy, but I don't care. My exhaust note drowns it out, LOL. Great in rain and alright in snow, good for the price.

Gumby

Yea I never got to test them in the snow, didn't have the cash to order two more and since I finally got the heat working right in my wagon I don't need to drive the Bird in the snow. Only reason I drove it year round most times as for years the heat in my wagon sucked. And I hate being cold all the time. Being by the lake when the temp drops real low a ride in the car is the only time my feet get warm some days. Could cook with the heat the Bird puts out.

KrisW

iTrader: (5)

I always had great luck with my BFG Radial T/As in NW Ohio; from Ft Wayne, past VanWert and on toward Lima. You don't like them? I get them in 235/60-15 for my 15" 3rd gen wheels (also from tire rack) and I just love them. I finally traded out for the 16" Formula wheels with 245/50-16 now and moved to Florida so most of my issues from Ohio are gone now, I guess!!

Gumby, I'm glad to see you keepin' that car on the road. It doesn't look as rough as my Florida ride, and you have done a lot of important things to it to keep it going. My hat's off to ya!

Now, when does the turbo Buick engine go in? hahahhah

Keep up the good work!
----------
Are you gonna do a spoiler with your notchback or not? Just curious; I expect it would look great either way!

Gumby

Well it has taken some work, worst rust these cars get is where you can see it, everyone should gut their car and pull all of the carpet out and look. The stock padding is a spongue and even in warm climats it will asorb n start rust where you will never see it till to late.

Its also been stripped down to bare metal. But that was only done as Aircraft stripper works so well. One thin application and the paint down to the bare metal just jumps off the car in less then 30sec. Litterally curls up and falls off. Was to easy to take the whole car to bare metal.

Though rust in the rear well lips came back with a vengence. Depends on money, I will either fix again just for the fun of doing metal work. Or if I got cash get some wide body rear fenders and that area won't matter anymore. I can cut it all out. Still looking for a good left door but I may just get a new lower skin patch and fix it for more metal fun.


No wing, have set it on there and it don’t look right and would take block some of the rear view. Also the big flat rear deck works well for downforce.
Want to get some polished alum diamond plate cut to fit down in that recess of the hatch. Not real shiny chrome though. Im going mute colors, gonna paint the whole thing hotrod primer black.

zs&tas

hey man, i love your car and where its going but please dont do the plating out back, itl look so tackey. if you fancy looking at rear wing ideas you should look at some google images of the lotus esprit, similar shape out back. im not a big wing fan myself though, just an idea
good luck looks good

Gumby

Ok I got it finished up. I put a rubber gasket like around the outside to make it more clean though the whole tach is sealed up with silicone. Since I repaint the whole thing I nearly bought a new sticker set or something to rebadge the back. [Don't want folks assuming its a fiero or camaro from the back, YUK]
But then I membered I had the fenders badges still. Gave it a little polish and it looked nice. So I stuck it on there. Almost put it on the rigth side hatch lip but the whole car will be painted again soon so that was a no go. Looks decent enough there and folks will know what it is.







If ya wounder this is what I use on the fenders.
[Rims are now black too. hate chrome.]

project89

iTrader: (1)

wow man that is an achient tach,lol i had one of those back inthe day when i was like 18. dont the cops give u hell for having that back there? i think that would fall under non aproved lighting or whatever they call it

Gumby

Yes its old hard to find and pricy when you do. But if you notice its RPM and redline matches the stock V6 in dash tach. Where all other tachs made copy a typical V8 pattern which reds allot lower. It what made the whole mod even better for a led tach.

I have always had it powered vis my remote wire for the amp. Sure ya know, mos tradios have a small 1`2v line that will flip the switch and turn you amp on so it can be wired direct to the battery with out a switch. It put out plenty of power to run it and turn on my amp.

When I see a cop I just turn my radio off. None have ever been behind me when its on since 04. 02 is when I got the idea. My first thoughts were to put it in the old window mount brake light housing and when it didn't work I put it in my Buick for a while before it went to the wing first.


https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/elec...ight-mods.html

project89

iTrader: (1)

good idea, im surprised u didnt have to use a relay most radios recomend anything over 1 amp and u should wire that wire to trigger a relay.

i would assume that the tach would draw more power then a single amp though,then again being its all led lights maybe not

Fords88Bird

I really like the Notch, someday I'm going to find one at a good price for my '88. Later.

Gumby

Ok see this post if you can help
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/dfi-...ble-codes.html

Other then that I got board today and put the rear wing on the back.
But upside down.

I really hate being able to see so much of the under side of the car, the trunk well and junk that hangs below. Also gave me a place to better secure my exhaust tips.

Course the idea is sort of stole from RedRaiff but she made it seem harder then it was. If you look under where the bumper tabs clip into the metal bumper support and remove the two outer tabs you have two perfect pre-made holes to use. You just drill 1 hole each through the wing down the center of the wing leg support and it all lines up like magic.

I swear someone thought ahead of time as it all lines up to easy and is to easy to do.

Gumby

It’s Alive!!!!!!

Thank the lord.

The ECM replacement was a total shot in the dark.
Did have a few hiccups at first.
Had to wire my fuel pump back up as it was on a switch.
[Computer turning it on should of been a clue]

I was then able to get the 2nd ALDL cable I built working and was able to do some data logging.

rhyspat

Hey Gumby,
How did you make your homemade RamAir ?. I like the little Hood Nostrils you did, where did you get them from ?

Thanks,
Rhys.

Gumby

Those are 68 Firebird hood scoops, the metal open kind.

Rest of it is just hi temp ducting that was round, but I squish it oval and silicone it to the hood in a big U shape. [holds great] Back corner on the U by the heater core box there is a section of pipe that comes straight down, snakes past the alt and into the intake.

Very cheap but very effective. Have had to rebuild replace the duct on the hood once. Always planned to try and find a heating and AC guy and have it all re-done in metal. They do custom bent stuff often and wouldn't charge like a rod shop. Only snag would be keeping the alt from eating into the hood piece over it. If ya look close in that pic I had some extra metal flashing like a shield on the hose in that location. Now I just use an old piece of scrap wood that sits just right on top of the alt and keeps it out.

One of them thing where I always planned to do it better, but it functions well as is and never got around to it. Not a fan of them ram air hood they sell.

IROC-ZME

Beautiful!!! It's all about Chevy and Pontiac. I love that notch back, did you make it or where did you get it I want to get one for my 1990 Camaro IROC-Z, , Thanks, awesome!!!

redraif

I have 84 rear GFX mounted on my stock bumper. They do cover any access I had to the underside where the stock bumper mounts. They still an inch lower then the stock cover. To mount the spoiler with them there means mine actually had to sit lower then yours. The GFX actually make the bumper a bit wider too and make the sides of the spoiler more flush with the body... Makes me wonder how it would sit with a TA or 91-92 rear bumper cover?

I wonder if you could post some pics of them from the side. I would like to see how the side lined up with the cover. Also I wondered how much overhang you are getting with your mounting point.

Do you also have any picks of the hole you drilled and how the mount looks from below? I wanted mine to maintain a clean look when seen from below as well... I use mirrors when I show at certain shows. I'm curious because mine will recieve an overhaul before it is all said and done.

I have maintained the use of all 4 studs on the bottom of the spoiler as to not put any undue weight on the 84 urathane GFX, but the wind pulls the spoiler down when in motion and even with a spread load across the surface the GFX are ripping. So again thats why there is an overhaul in the bird's future...

redraif

Wow see what happens when you are gone for a while...

Did anything ever come about with whole turbo thing for us v-6ers? I've been w/o the bird since 06... It hurt to much to come here and hang around when I did not have the car to play with. Its in pieces due to a paint disaster in the engine bay. I've have 2 painters move out of state while I was on the waiting list so to speak. Now I have to find a new painter and save some real money!

Then the rest of the tore up BS will have to be addressed before my baby hits the streets again. Overhaul gone bad... The culprit ran with tail b/w legs and left me to clean up the mess. Yipee!

Gumby

Found it on craigs list $150, it was still brand new but stickers had faded n long gone. It had been passed around so long no one knew jack. No info on who made it, never found another like it. Many similar but they all are similar

Closest match to it is a hatch for one of them Ferearri kits.
But they have a built in 3rd brake likght in the lip.

Someone here a few months back maybe a yr tried to track it or one similar down He did and it was like $6-700 so then was gonna try and build one. Never heard any word on it since. Not sure if its in here or the body section.

Gumby

I can do that. My mounting is a single bolt for each side and its held on solid. Though I was only just checking it out and it went on so easy it stayed.
For your app id use something like round head fancy chrome carriage bolts.

I only got 1 pic right now, few washers on there to space things out.
Like I said I was only trying it out so I used what was on hand, didn't plan anything butit went on so easy, like it was made to do that.

I did forget to add that I did have to drill two holes in the plastic part of the bumper for the two outer wing studs to go into. Id probably remove them or least just the outer two so that would not be needed. The other inner studs help, it slids up against the steel bumper core tight to help keep out spacing even.

And Im sort of in your boat, dam thing is not running again.
Got fed up n just parked it. Still will probably get the rest of the body work done this summer still.

xenocide21

that is a BEAUTIFUL bird! can i borrow it!? hahaha. I saw a blue one here in my town not too long ago, i wish i had a bird rather than a camaro honestly.. but oh well

Gumby

Still gonna go ahead with this mod also, even if it won't run.
[Engines are to cheap to let that stop me.
Only money slows me down on changing anything major yet. Though I got the wagon lifting the left front off the ground when it hooks good now so its time to spend on the Bird.]
Laid most of it out and its gonna be easier then it looked.
Not gonna graft any metal in. Just gonna cut the hole for the plastic vent to slide into. Yes they won't be recessed like how they are in the nose but to me such a minor detail it not worth the extra work.


https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/body...ood-vents.html

redraif

What are you going to do to prevent leaks? Lord Fusor is a good bonding agent b/w plastic and metal I ahve been told. Remember the speaker is right there... be sure you have the clearance before you start to cut. Any water leaking in could decompose the speaker baffle as its an odd paper/fabric like material. You might go with an after market rubber one.

redraif

You have any pics from the side? Just wanted to see if yours has the same overhang/underhang... lol... as mine (stick out the back past the bumper) I wanted the lip to give it the same overhang as the top spoiler

Gumby

I do swear it was made to go on the bottom as its hard to capture but it hugs and flow with the body just right, using the pre drilled hole in the bumper support for the bumper clips. You can see a scribe mark on one. Right down the center of each leg. Its dead even with the bumper straight down. The way the holes were already there and the final fit, its to wacky that it would all work out like that.

Gumby

oops

redraif

Ok I see where you mounted them now... Yes my GFX covers up everything. I also mounted mine further back. I actually have a lip sticking out behind the bumper. Mine also does not wrap around the body of the bumper like that. Mine sits up against the GFX bottom.

What actually gave me the idea was the look of the 91-92 gfx. It produces a lower wrap look similar in style to what the spoiler does. I saw those GFX and thought hmmm, its looks kind of like an upside down spoiler. So i got one and tried it with mine and liked the final balance it gave with the spoiler.

Gumby

There is plenty of room for the vents and speakers. The vents will also be boxed off. When moving nothing should get in there, when sitting it will just catch the water and it will run back out.

I want to control where they take air from. Since I have no headliner n junk Im gonna boxy both off and build like a tunnel that will wrap side to side, with vent holes in the roof area. So cool air comes in the windows up the roof and out. Not just in the window n out the side. I want cross flow coming up and past my head to keep my cool.

I want air flow folks, besides running hatchless or tube doors.

I can do the same in my wagon, just two windows down isn't that cooling, but put down just 1 more and you get air flow like ya want when your using 4windows down AC. 2 just isn't enough.

firstfirebird

iTrader: (3)

Glad to see you are putting those vents to use

The parts from that T/A are all over the country now haha, but I got the good stuff

BigKeg

I like the idea of the wing under the rear end. Wonder How it would look under my Irock? I have a wing off a car that looked like a 3rd gen TA but it said fire halk on it. The wing has more of a curl on the lip than a normal one and the legs are not taller but longer. Allso Gumby I have more of them vents and the scoops. So if you need any let me know. the vents are 3rd gen TA and side scoops are 2nd gen TA. With your air flow how about putting the 2nd gen side scoops in to the top of the car.

Gumby

Ahhh the roof; you know what I would put in it. Id put my pop up headlights in the roof after a mod so they don't need too. And when the lights did pop up, it ain't lights, they would be speakers. Point down for inside rocking, flip up to share the rock.

Some may remember seein that in a movie. Can't members it names.

BigKeg

I seen that movie. he had a switch maked (deploy) It was about a highschool kid that is out raceing his car to make money for his school. His friend has a old chevelle with the speakers that did that. Anyway I put some pics of the vents, side scoops and hood scoop and the wing in my profile. As soon as i learn how I am going to post them in the 4-sale. On your notch back, with the center rased like that it looks like that might open, a cool place to keep the T-tops or ice and your fav drink.