Project Reign

Hey Everyone! New guy to thirdgen! This thread will consist of my entire build from start to finish! I have recently been given a 92' Firebird for FREE! That's right free. It was my wife's first car, and has been sitting in a garage for the last 4 years! The vehicle runs and drives perfectly! 30,000 original miles. So you may ask "Why are you turning such an amazing car into a drift car?" I already have a 96' 240sx that I have dumped 20k into. That is my beater. I also have my all original 68' pearl white Corvette stingray(my summer and show car.) This firebird will be my baby and track car. If you have any input on builds, part suggestions, ect. Let me know!!

Current plans:

Keep the 3.1l for weight(upgraded internals)
Swap out the 700r4 for t56
Stage 1 clutch
Twin Garrett turbos(specs later in the build)
Upgraded suspension(do they even make coilovers for third gens?)
Strip out interior
Replace fuel tank with fuel cells
Install hydraulic handbrake
Custom fiberglass dash/center console
Fabricate roll cage and install
Cut out engine bay, fabricate tubed bash bar, ect.
Chassis reinforcement
Fiberglass hood and hatch(do they have fiberglass hatches?)
**more to come

I really haven't been around third gens enough to know them inside and out, that's why I have created this thread! I know there is people here that are wayyyyyyy more experienced than I in these beautiful cars. So all input is welcomed! Thanks again!!!

(Also, I'm looking into putting in 30-35k into this car)

Project Reign

I will also be selling all the interior parts on the marketplace, once I figure out how to post!

//<86TA>\\

iTrader: (14)

Free or not, Cant you find a more beat car for this project and not ruin a 30k mile car? I mean it sounds like you just need a shell.


these cars have terrible steering angle as well

Project Reign

I have read about the steering angle in these cars. I guess people are swapping them out with a Monte Carlo SS steering box? Also using extended ball joints? My 240sx is my beater I have hit walls going 50-60mph all the time during practice runs. This car will be for drifting events strictly. The point I'm getting at is, you don't see much f bodies drifting. I want this to be able to compete with the s bodies. I have the money and resources to do it, so why not? If you're passionate about something, go for it!

project89

iTrader: (1)

pictures of the car ?
i agree if the body is in good shape dont tear it apart im sure somone will gladly buy it for a decent amount , which would give u more then enough money to buy a higher mileage car and have a bunch of money left over for doing the mods

and if u do do it leave the v6 in it and turbo it

project89

iTrader: (1)

never mind i did see were u plan to turbo it , dont do twins , a single t3/t4 50 trim is all u would need , when we build these for drag racing we use a single gt3582 , which will make killer power , but in a drift app im not sure that turbo would have the fast response u would be after atleast in a journal bearing setup

a gt3076 would more then likley be more appropriate and still capable of putting out 350hp and 450+ ftlbs

34blazer

Drop an LZ9(3900) in there, about the same weight, and the internals are much stronger than the 3.1. Plus, the benefit of a lighter top end that will provide more power N/A than the irons. An S362 billet would be a good match for an LZ9 drifter.+


$0.02

TylerSteez

iTrader: (3)

part of me is interested in this build and the other part of me says don't do this to an all original 30,000 thirdgen. I second finding a high miled one on craigslist.

Six_Shooter

iTrader: (2)

A fibreglass hatch wouldn't be any lighter than the stock one, or at least not enough to worry about, because the only part that would be fiberglass would be that 8" long piece at the very end of it, the rest is all glass (the looking through kind), which is where the weight comes from. You might be able to find a plexiglass or acrylic replacement for the glass that would certainly shave some weight. See what the drag guys are doing about that.

Fallen2603

They make a fiberglass notchback:
http://www.hawksthirdgenparts.com/ha...tchback-hatch/

That item would remove quite a bit of weight from the rear of the car, which is where most of the drag guys don't want to lose weight.

I have seen Harwood Lexan rear windshield replacements for about half the price of the notchback, but longevity of Lexan is the issue.

Project Reign

The body is in amazing shape! I will be uploading pics here within a few days. I own my own shop here in Michigan, so this build will be during my free time after work. As for turbos, I have 2 Garrett Gt3076r's sitting my my shop.

Project Reign

I was originally going to drop a 2JZ in it and call it a day, but after reading some forums about the 60* engine. I would like to keep the 3.1 and get a 3.9 for if the 3.1 goes out. All input is welcome!

Project Reign

The area that I live in is within the rust belt. I went looking before hand to find a decent high mileage car, but everything here was DD's and completely rusted out.

Project Reign

This car won't be driven daily. I was trying to find a fiberglass hatch with lexan to put in it to shave the weight.

Project Reign

I will check it out! Anything for weight distribution.

fasteddi

iTrader: (2)

my 2 cents..... for a drift car only and not a drag car, toss in a 3900 swap beef it up a bit and keep it a N/A engine. I dont think it would be hard to get a 300Hp set up out of a 3900 and then you would have all motor all the time.

Trust me a 300-350Hp Iron headed 3.1L that is set up for a drift car would cost just as much as a 3900 swap in the end. Personally I would take a 3900 any day. Then down the road if you had your heart set on a turbo, the 3900 is a much better platform, from the internals, to the great flowing heads. I agree that a BW s362 would be a awsome turbo for the 3900 in a drift form. Now if you were going all out drag racing i would like a bigger turbo such as the s366 I run. But if i had to drift my car...lol I would have a major issue with turbo lag if i didnt have a kick azz ALS because the turbo is over sized a bit.

But im def following this thread!

Six_Shooter

iTrader: (2)

I don't know what daily driving the car has to do with my comment. I was pointing out the fact that there would be very little that actually replaces anything on the hatch with fiberglass. Most of the hatch itself is glass, which is where most of the weight comes from. There's not even a perimeter frame that would be replaced, because the glass itself forms the frame and structure.

fasteddi

iTrader: (2)

Yea I agree with the above. The weight savings will almost be nothing. You could toss the cash at other aspects of the build or wait until you have everything else the way you want and then see if you still have some cash left to do the fiber hatch mod.

But its your car so ultimately its up to you.

Project Reign

You're absolutely right. I read what you wrote wrong. My bad. I might just take it to my body shop buddy and create a custom hatch that we can include a smaller glass.

Project Reign

I will look into the 3900. I was also looking at the 3.8l turbo(Buick?) I really don't trust ordering engines/transmissions off eBay before proper inspections by me and some close buds. Finding parts locally is a challenge. As for the turbo, I do have a pair of Garrett GT3076r. Do you think they would work well with the 3900 or the 3800? They are new. So should sell them off and get some different ones? Also has anyone tried mishimotos radiators for the third gens? I just ordered one.

project89

iTrader: (1)

is nice as the 3900 would be , i would use the 3.1 first it will make plenty of power and be a cheap way to get the car up and running, ur going to be spending alot of money on suspension and chassi mods to start with so turboing the 3.1 will save u a good bit of work and money u can spend elsewere on the car for now. then down the road u can do a 3500/3900 swap

the gt3076 will be perfect on that motor , on the 3900 i would use a single gt3582 or a t66

34blazer

I just purchased an LZ9 off ebay, from LKQ, a few months ago. Engine is in great shape!


If you can find an LC2 in good shape, it isn't going to be cheap. Most people selling those engines know what they have and the pricetag reflects that. The LZ9 is replacing the LC2 in my GN for that reason. The LC2 is really strong but the heads are garbage compared to the newer stuff, so a lot of boost will be required. The intake on the LC2 is poorly designed so airflow is uneven, RJC has a bandaid fix with the power plate that works well. Don't get me wrong, the LC2 is great, but the LZ is newer and a better starting point.

Project Reign

Started stripping the interior today to see if there needs to be any rust management and to sell the interior. For some reason it won't let me post photos off my iPhone. I will upload pictures tonight when I get to my computer.

C2YT

This is going to be very interesting, cant wait to see what happens in the next few weeks. Even though it is a 30k mile car, its just a base firebird. I completely agree with not wanting to get rid of it due to sentimental value, and that everything else here in michigan is rotted out. I'll be keeping an eye on this thread! Also sent you a PM to see where you are in michigan, i'm down here in Monroe.

Project Reign

Well, started the car this morning and it had a rough idle and stalling. Check the codes and have a dreaded code 33 error. Checked the vacuum lines and no leak, also replaced the MAP sensor and cleared the code. Still has a rough idle and stalls. I have decided now is the time for an engine swap. Now to decide what to put in. I have a 3.8l buick(non turbocharged) 2jz, and a LS1 sitting in my garage. Should I just find a 3900 and put that in or just stick with one of the engines I have! Thanks for all the help!

project89

iTrader: (1)

C2YT

You could try and track down what is wrong with the 3.1l also. I would go with the 3900.

A. Makes good power
B. Less complicated than 2jz swap
C. Everyone does an LS swap now
D. 3900>3800
E. Still has that "cool factor" and shows that there are still people finding new ways of making horsepower and proving others wrong.

Just my opinions

fasteddi

iTrader: (2)

3900 FTW all day long. Much better platform, I feel, then the older Buick 3.8. And the lsx... well that's dime a dozen and will be just difficult as the full 3900 swap if not more consuming and more expensive considering its a V8 being tossed into a V6 car.

The potential of the 60 degree V6 is one of the most over looked Gm engines im my mind. Look at my build for example. Still a full on street car, made nothing but 11 second passes over and over again late this summer and fall. With the best in my sig. Only a 191 cubic inch engine... 3.1L Then there is mars, which I linked his vid below. Hes made mid 10 second passes, thats a second faster then my 3.1/3100 turbo. And iirc he was running about the same boost as me, I ran 15psi ish to get that 11.59@119mph. He went a 10.56 at 130mph with a 60 foot time that about 0.15 faster then mine.

I know your doing more of a drift build then drag racing but do keep in mind that the 3.1L can be pushed hard such as mine, or the options of a 3500 or 3900 swap are even better with some major benefits!

Project Reign

I went through today and had a complete look over on the engine. I found this tiny vacuum line unplugged which could be the reason for the Code 33. I just can't figure out were it goes!!! I searched and scoured for 6 hours today. There is two small vacuum hoses coming out of the wire sleeve behind the MAP sensor. If you have any ideas of were this goes I appreciate it!